Mobile Computing Device Load Disconnect Reset for PMIC Faults

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern computing devices face challenges in effectively resetting due to asynchronous compute and unpredictable user inputs, leading to device faults that traditional power cycling methods, such as resetting a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), are ineffective for faults in the PMIC, requiring hours or days to resolve.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a true load disconnect reset technique where a controller electrically disconnects and reconnects all power sources from the computing device, including internal batteries and USB connections, to remedy faults without waiting for battery discharge or unplugging charging cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional power cycling method is used to reset the computing device, then the device can be reset for general faults, but it is ineffective for faults in the PMIC and requires hours or days of battery drainage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault remediation effectivenessVSAvoiddevice downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power sources (battery and USB power) from the PMIC by opening switches to disconnect them electrically. This allows the PMIC to be fully reset without the constraint of continuous power supply, enabling effective fault remediation while avoiding hours or days of battery drainage waiting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the device waits for complete battery discharge to reset PMIC faults, then the fault is remedied, but the device is unavailable for hours or days

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePMIC fault remediationVSAvoiddevice availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary disconnection of power sources from the PMIC before the battery would naturally discharge. By opening switches to disconnect power sources in advance, the system achieves PMIC fault remediation immediately without requiring hours or days of battery drainage, thus maintaining device availability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the device requires physical unplugging of charging cables to reset PMIC faults, then the fault is remedied, but the operation becomes inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePMIC fault remediationVSAvoidreset operation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of physically unplugging charging cables with an electrical switching operation. The controller opens switches to disconnect USB power sources electrically, achieving the same fault remediation effect as physical unplugging but through automated electrical control, thereby improving ease of operation and user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12379759B2True load disconnect reset of computing devices

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

An example method includes, responsive to determining that a button of a mobile computing device has been pressed for longer than a first amount of time, resetting a power management integrated circuit (PMIC); responsive to determining that the button of the mobile computing device has been pressed for longer than a second amount of time that is longer than the first amount of time, electrically disconnecting, at a first time, power sources from the mobile computing device; and electrically reconnecting, at a second time that is after the first time, the power sources to the mobile computing device.