Dual-interface card reader module with overcurrent protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face challenges in extending functionalities while maintaining high power utilization efficiency due to increased power consumption from additional hardware modules, such as card readers and USB interfaces, which can lead to overcurrent issues damaging devices.
Innovation Solution
A dual-interface card reader module with a power controller, overcurrent detector, and control circuit that provides charging current to USB devices, detects overcurrent, and reduces output to prevent damage, integrated into a single hardware module for portable electronic devices, enabling efficient power management and overcurrent protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional hardware modules (card reader, USB interface) are added to extend functionalities, then device functionality is improved, but power consumption increases leading to overcurrent issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the card reader module and USB interface module into a single integrated dual-interface card reader module. This merging reduces the total hardware count and power consumption while maintaining both card reading and USB charging functionalities. The integrated module shares common components such as the microcontroller and power management circuitry, thereby extending device functionality without proportionally increasing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-interface card reader module provides multiple functions including card reading, data transfer, and USB device charging through a single hardware module. The microcontroller can dynamically switch between different operational modes (card access mode, USB charging mode, or both simultaneously) based on detection signals, making the module universal and adaptable to various usage scenarios without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
2Productivity
If charging current is increased to improve USB device charging speed, then charging efficiency is improved, but overcurrent damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The module incorporates an overcurrent detector that continuously monitors the charging current and provides feedback to the microcontroller. When the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold, the detector generates an overcurrent notice signal that triggers the microcontroller to reduce or stop the charging current output. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables fast charging while preventing overcurrent damage to the USB device.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging current is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection results. The microcontroller can switch between different charging current levels (high current for normal operation, reduced current for overcurrent protection) based on the operational state and overcurrent notice signals. This dynamic current regulation allows the system to maximize charging speed when safe and reduce current when necessary to prevent damage.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-interface card reader module is disclosed including: a card accessing circuit; a power controller for providing a charging current to a USB device; an overcurrent detector coupled with the power controller for generating an overcurrent notice when the charging current is greater than a current threshold; and a control circuit coupled with the card accessing circuit and the power controller for accessing a data storage card via the card accessing circuit and instructing the power controller to reduce its electricity output to lower the charging current when receiving the overcurrent notice.