Mini PCI Power Switch Circuit for Quiescent Energy Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices consume unnecessary power when a mini PCI card is not used, as auxiliary power is supplied even in a quiescent state, leading to unwanted power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a switch to disconnect sideband signals and a power switch circuit that interrupts power supply to unused devices based on BIOS settings, allowing for controlled power management and reduced power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If auxiliary power is supplied to mini PCI device in quiescent state, then device can be activated quickly, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management by detecting whether a mini PCI device is actually used and adjusting power supply accordingly. The control mechanism dynamically switches between power supply states based on device usage status, optimizing the balance between activation speed and power consumption in real-time operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If auxiliary power is supplied to unused mini PCI device, then device remains ready for immediate use, but unwanted power consumption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice readinessVSAvoidunwanted power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality control by individually managing power supply to each mini PCI device based on its specific usage status. Instead of uniformly supplying power to all devices, the system selectively provides power only to devices that are actually used, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining readiness for necessary devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control mechanism automatically detects device usage status and manages power supply without user intervention. The system self-adjusts power distribution by monitoring whether mini PCI devices are used or unused, eliminating the need for manual power management while preventing unwanted power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If switch and power switch circuit are added to control power supply, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into the control mechanism, including device usage detection, power supply control, and state management, within a unified control circuit. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving effective power management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8296586B2Electronic device having efficient power supply capability

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 DYNABOOK INC

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes: a switch which switches between connection and disconnection of a sideband signal transmitted by a device attached to the electronic device; a power switch circuit which switches between supply and interrupt of power to the device; a nonvolatile memory which holds a setting; and a control section which controls the switch and the power switch circuit based on the setting.