Data Control Unit Power Cutoff Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securing processing time after power supply cutoff using capacitor discharging require larger capacitors and are prone to false power cutoff detection due to voltage noise, leading to unnecessary backup processes.

Innovation Solution

A data control unit with a power supply voltage converter and detection/control unit that monitors both primary and secondary power supply voltages, allowing for precise detection of power cutoff and outputting control signals for data backup, thereby reducing the need for large capacitors and minimizing false backup processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the voltage level is set high to detect power supply cutoff in the capacitor discharging method, then power supply cutoff detection can be performed, but voltage noise causes false detection and unnecessary backup processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply cutoff detection accuracyVSAvoidfalse backup process occurrence

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary detection of the primary power supply voltage before the secondary power supply voltage actually drops. By monitoring the primary power supply voltage in advance and detecting its drop trend, the system can predict upcoming power supply cutoff and initiate backup processes proactively, avoiding false detection from voltage noise while ensuring timely data protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of moving object

If the capacitor capacity is enlarged to secure processing time after power supply cutoff, then sufficient backup time can be secured, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup processing timeVSAvoidcapacitor capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary detection of the primary power supply voltage drop before the secondary power supply voltage actually drops. By detecting the primary power supply voltage change in advance, the system can initiate backup processes proactively while the capacitor still maintains sufficient voltage, thereby securing adequate backup processing time without requiring enlarged capacitor capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If power supply cutoff is detected after the power supply actually cuts off, then detection is simple, but insufficient time remains for data backup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection mechanism simplicityVSAvoidbackup processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention monitors the primary power supply voltage in advance to detect its drop trend before the secondary power supply voltage actually drops. This preliminary detection approach provides advance warning of upcoming power supply cutoff, securing sufficient time for data backup while maintaining relatively simple detection mechanisms through voltage level monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces the primary power supply voltage as an intermediary indicator to predict secondary power supply voltage drop. By monitoring the primary power supply voltage changes, the system can infer upcoming power supply cutoff before it actually occurs, providing advance warning time for backup processes without requiring complex detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables efficient data backup by allowing for smaller capacitor capacity and reducing the occurrence of unnecessary backup processes due to voltage noise, ensuring reliable operation during power supply fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

a power supply voltage converter for converting a primary power supply voltage into a secondary power supply voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a detection/control unit for detecting variation of a potential of each of the primary power supply voltage and the secondary power supply voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage detection:

Data Source

PatentUS8140880B2Data control unit

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 ROHM CO LTD

AI summary

A data control unit includes a primary power supply line to which a primary power supply voltage is supplied; a secondary power source line to which a secondary power supply voltage is supplied; a voltage converter for converting the primary power supply voltage into the secondary power supply voltage; a voltage level detection unit which is connected to the primary power source line, and outputs a voltage level detection signal; a reset signal generator which is connected to the secondary power source line, and outputs a reset signal; and a control signal generation unit which receives the voltage level detection signal and the reset signal, and outputs a control signal. The data control unit detects power supply cutoff, and secures the time for sufficient backup process.