Detecting Device Disconnection via Electrical Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face delays and unnecessary power consumption when detecting disconnection between devices, as they rely on communication protocols to determine physical connectivity status, leading to continued attempts at communication with disconnected devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrical measurement through a reference-sensing process (RSEN) to monitor and detect the physical connection status between devices, allowing for timely detection of disconnection and appropriate action without relying on additional methods, applicable to various protocols like HDMI and MHL.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication protocols are used to detect disconnection, then reliable connection status determination is achieved, but detection delay occurs and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing electrical measurements on the connection line to detect disconnection before communication protocols can identify it. The system continuously monitors the electrical characteristics (such as impedance or voltage) of the connection line, allowing it to detect cable disconnection immediately when it occurs, rather than waiting for communication protocol timeouts. This preliminary electrical detection mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing both reliable detection (through electrical measurement) and immediate response (without protocol delay).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/protocol-based communication detection system with an electrical measurement system. Instead of relying on communication packets and protocol handshakes to determine connection status, the system uses electrical measurements (such as measuring impedance, voltage, or current characteristics) of the connection line to detect disconnection. This substitution eliminates the inherent delay in protocol-based detection while maintaining reliable connection status determination, directly resolving the technical contradiction between reliability and detection speed.
2Reliability
If communication protocols continue attempting communication after disconnection, then protocol completeness is maintained, but unnecessary power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using electrical measurement results to immediately inform the communication system of connection status changes. When the electrical measurement detects a disconnection (such as a change in impedance or voltage threshold being exceeded), this feedback signal immediately triggers the communication system to stop transmission and switch to a low-power state. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing reliable connection status detection (maintaining protocol integrity) while eliminating unnecessary power consumption from continued communication attempts with a disconnected device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting disconnection through electrical measurement before the communication protocol would naturally detect it through missed acknowledgments or timeouts. This preliminary detection allows the system to take immediate action (stop transmission, reduce power) without waiting for the protocol's natural detection mechanism to trigger, thereby eliminating unnecessary power consumption while maintaining protocol completeness through proper state transitions.
3Speed
If electrical measurement is used to detect disconnection, then detection speed increases, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by monitoring changes in electrical parameters (such as impedance, voltage, or current) of the connection line to detect disconnection. Instead of requiring extremely precise absolute measurements, the system detects discrete changes in these parameters that occur when a cable is disconnected. For example, it may measure whether impedance exceeds a threshold value or whether voltage drops below a certain level. This approach achieves fast detection speed while maintaining practical measurement precision requirements, as the system only needs to detect parameter changes rather than measure absolute values with high precision.
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
Enables rapid detection of disconnection, reducing power consumption and eliminating delays by using passive or active electrical measurements to determine the presence of termination resistance, thus allowing devices to take appropriate action promptly.
Implementation Method 1
determination of physical connectivity status of devices based on electrical measurement... utilizing a reference-sensing process (RSEN) to provide a measurement to determine whether a termination is present
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to determination of physical connectivity status of devices based on electrical measurement. An embodiment of a method includes discovering a connection of a first device with a second device, and performing an electrical measurement of the second device by the first device via the connection between the first device and the second device, where performing the electrical measurement includes sensing by the first device of an element of the second device. The method further includes, if the sensing by the first device fails to detect the element of the second device and a predetermined condition for the electrical measurement is enabled, then determining by the first device that the connection with the second device has been lost.