Extended Device Policy Manager for USB-C Ecosystem Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Universal Serial Bus (USB) ecosystem, particularly with USB-C, is limited by its point-to-point connections and plug-and-play nature, which restricts the full utilization of power and functionality, leading to inefficient power management and user experience in complex device setups.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an extended Device Policy Manager (eDPM) that employs a secondary wireless communication mechanism to establish a one-to-many relationship, enabling centralized control over USB connections, power management, and functionality selection across multiple devices, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional DPMs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional point-to-point USB connections are used, then device compatibility and ease of connection are maintained, but power management efficiency and functionality utilization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple USB devices into a single USB ecosystem managed by one enhanced DPM. Instead of isolated point-to-point connections, multiple devices are merged under unified management, allowing centralized power allocation and coordinated functionality that improves both power efficiency and overall system capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The enhanced DPM provides universal management capabilities across diverse USB devices. A single DPM can manage multiple devices with different functions (storage, display, power delivery), enabling one system to perform multiple roles and maximize functionality utilization across the entire USB ecosystem.
2Ease of operation
If multiple USB devices are connected through point-to-point relationships, then device independence and simplicity are maintained, but centralized control and power optimization are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The enhanced DPM implements feedback mechanisms to monitor power consumption, device status, and ecosystem conditions in real-time. Based on this feedback, the DPM dynamically adjusts power allocation and device operation modes, enabling automatic power conservation without requiring manual user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service power management where the enhanced DPM automatically optimizes power distribution across devices based on their current needs and ecosystem conditions. Devices can enter low-power states or be dynamically powered on/off without user input, achieving both ease of operation and energy conservation.
3Device complexity
If traditional DPM one-to-one device management is used, then system simplicity and detection ease are maintained, but ecosystem coordination and power distribution control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional one-to-one device management to multi-dimensional ecosystem management. The enhanced DPM operates at a higher organizational level, managing multiple devices simultaneously across different functional dimensions (power, data, display), thereby improving ecosystem coordination without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device to participate in a managed Universal Serial Bus (USB) ecosystem. The method including establishing a connection with a plurality of devices in the ecosystem as a many-to-many relationship between extended USB device policy managers, and coordinating power and data exchange within the plurality of devices the ecosystem including at least one device that is not directly connected.