Dynamic USB Interface Selection for Power State Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current measures for conserving energy in computer systems by switching to lower power PHY interfaces during power transitions can impact user experience and cause debugging issues due to disruptions in IO device functionality.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dynamic functional IO device interface selection mechanism that allows a peripheral device to present multiple USB interfaces with different power states, enabling seamless switching between USB3 and USB2 interfaces based on power state transitions, thus maintaining continuous debug data collection without user experience disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the system switches to a lower power PHY interface to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but user experience and debugging capabilities are impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddebugging capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the USB interface functionality into multiple independent USB interfaces (e.g., USB 3.0 and USB 2.0) that can operate independently. This allows the system to switch between different interfaces based on power state requirements while maintaining continuous debugging capability through the lower-power interface when the high-power interface is deactivated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects and switches between different USB interfaces based on real-time power state transitions. The interface selection is not fixed but adapts automatically when power states change, ensuring optimal energy consumption while maintaining debugging functionality through dynamic reconfiguration of the active interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the system switches to a lower power PHY interface during power transitions, then energy is conserved, but continuous data transfer capability is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy conservationVSAvoidcontinuous data transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous useful action (data transfer) by having multiple USB interfaces available and capable of immediate handoff. When transitioning to low power state, the system ensures that data transfer continuity is maintained by switching to an alternative interface that remains active, preventing any interruption in the data transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The lower-power USB interface acts as an intermediary that takes over data transfer responsibilities when the high-power interface transitions to low power state. This intermediary interface ensures continuous data transfer capability without requiring the high-power interface to remain active, enabling energy conservation while maintaining operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple USB interfaces with different power states are implemented, then seamless power management is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management flexibilityVSAvoidinterface configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple USB interfaces share the same functional role of data transfer and debugging, providing universal functionality across different power states. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to use different physical interfaces (USB 3.0, USB 2.0) for the same purpose, enabling flexible power management without requiring fundamentally different mechanisms for each interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic interface selection and switching based on power state transitions without requiring manual user intervention. The power management system self-services by monitoring power state changes and automatically configuring the appropriate interface, reducing the operational complexity despite the presence of multiple interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12339799B2Dynamic functional input/output (IO) device interface selection through power state transitions

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 INTEL CORP

AI summary

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes interconnect circuitry to implement one or more layers of a Universal Serial Bus (USB)-based protocol. The interconnect circuitry can implement a first USB-based interface and a second USB-based interface. The apparatus further includes telemetry circuitry to generate telemetry data, cause the telemetry data to be transmitted via the first USB-based interface, detect a power state transition in the apparatus, cause the telemetry data to be buffered based on detecting the power state transition, and cause the buffered telemetry data to be transmitted via the second USB-interface based on a set interface request indicating the second USB-interface.