Dynamic HPD Power Control for Portable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable wireless devices that support hot plug detect (HPD) via HDMI or DVI interfaces face power consumption issues due to the requirement of a continuously active +5V DC power source, which shortens battery life.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a receiver sense circuit and a controller in the source device to detect connections via HDMI or DVI pins, enabling the DC voltage source only when necessary and disabling it when not in use, thereby avoiding continuous power drain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a +5V DC power source is continuously active to support hot plug detect, then HPD functionality is ensured, but battery life is shortened due to continuous power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHPD functionalityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning the +5V DC power source between active and inactive states based on connection status. The receiver sense circuit dynamically detects connector status and triggers controller-based power state transitions, ensuring the power source is active only when needed for HPD functionality while remaining inactive during idle periods to conserve battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic connection detection through the receiver sense circuit that continuously or periodically monitors the connector status. This periodic sensing enables the system to activate the +5V DC power source only during periods when a connection is detected, rather than maintaining continuous operation, thus resolving the contradiction between ensuring HPD functionality and preserving battery life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the DC voltage source is activated to support HPD, then connection detection is enabled, but power consumption increases during idle and standby states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power management function into two distinct operational modes: a low-power detection mode using the receiver sense circuit that operates independently of the +5V DC power source, and a full HPD mode that activates the DC voltage source only when connection is detected. This segmentation allows connection detection capability to be maintained in idle states without the power consumption penalty of having the full DC voltage source active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver sense circuit acts as an intermediary component that enables connection detection without requiring the full +5V DC power source to be active. This intermediary detection mechanism allows the system to monitor connector status and trigger appropriate power state transitions, thereby maintaining connection detection capability while minimizing power consumption during idle and standby states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10459512B2Power saving during a connection detection

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a receiver sense circuit configured to generate a detection signal responsive to detecting a connection to a sink device via a connector. The electronic device further includes a controller coupled to a hot plug detect (HPD) interface. The controller is configured to enable a direct current (DC) voltage source based on the detection signal received from the receiver sense circuit.