Keyless Reset Circuit Using External Power Connection Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices without physical buttons face challenges in resetting when their operating systems malfunction, as they cannot receive input through software buttons, and battery-embedded devices cannot be reset until the battery is discharged.

Innovation Solution

A method for keyless reset is implemented using an external power supply device that communicates with the electronic device to perform a hardware or software reset through voltage changes and interrupt signals, allowing the device to be reset even when the operating system is malfunctioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical buttons are omitted from the electronic device, then the device size is reduced and waterproof performance is improved, but the device cannot be reset when the operating system malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereset capabilityVSAvoidoperation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an external power supply device as an intermediary to perform reset operations. The external power supply device communicates with the electronic device and can issue reset commands through voltage changes and interrupt signals, enabling reset functionality without requiring physical buttons on the device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical button system with an electrical/electronic reset mechanism. Instead of using physical buttons that require holes in the housing, the system uses voltage changes and interrupt signals transmitted through the power supply connection to trigger reset operations, substituting mechanical input with electrical signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Volume of moving object

If physical buttons are omitted to reduce device size, then portability is improved, but the device cannot receive input when the operating system is malfunctioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidinput reception capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The external power supply device serves as a mediator that can interact with the electronic device even when the operating system is malfunctioning. Through the power supply connection, it can deliver reset signals that bypass the need for functional software input interfaces, allowing recovery from system failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the reset functionality from the main device body by implementing it in the external power supply device. This segmentation allows the reset capability to exist independently of the device's own input systems, ensuring that reset functionality remains available even when the device's operating system fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If software buttons are used to replace physical buttons, then device complexity is reduced, but the device cannot be reset when the operating system is in a malfunctioning state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton structureVSAvoidreset functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based button input with hardware-level electrical signaling for reset operations. The external power supply device uses voltage changes and interrupt signals that operate at the hardware level, bypassing the need for functional software input processing, thus enabling reset even when the operating system is malfunctioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The external power supply device acts as an intermediary that provides reset functionality independent of the device's software state. By communicating through the power supply connection and using electrical signals rather than software interfaces, it can trigger resets even when the operating system is in a malfunctioning state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 the electronic device to be reset effectively without physical buttons, ensuring functionality is restored even in malfunctioning states.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting, at the reset circuit, a reset signal for a hardware reset of the processor if the interrupt signal is not received within the first time interval

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage change:

Implementation Method 2

identifying a connection to an external power supply device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3929700B1Method for keyless reset, and electronic device therefor
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3929700B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3929700B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3929700B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device comprising: a connection circuit for providing an electrical connection of an external power supply device; a processor electrically connected to the connection circuit; a memory operatively connected to the processor; and a reset circuit electrically connected to the connection circuit and operatively connected to the processor. The processor is configured to transmit, to the reset circuit, an interrupt signal during a first time at least partially on the basis of the identification of the connecting to the external power supply device through the connection circuit, and the reset circuit can be configured to determine whether the interrupt signal is received within a second time after the connecting to the external power supply device through the connection circuit, and transmit, to the processor, a reset signal for a hardware reset of the processor if the interrupt signal is not received within the second time. Additional various embodiments identified through the specification are possible.