Mobile Terminal USB Detection for Accurate Charger Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying USB or charger plugs in mobile terminals often result in misjudgment due to inconsistent pin lengths and user operation speeds, leading to incorrect determination of charging or data transfer modes.

Innovation Solution

A method and device using an identification device with an interface detection and control module, electronic switch module, charging switch module, and identification module to accurately determine the type of plug-in by generating interrupt responses based on D-signal states, ensuring quick and accurate identification of USB or charger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional determination methods are used to identify charger or computer USB plug-in, then the determination process is simple, but misjudgment occurs due to inconsistent pin lengths and user operation speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoiddetermination process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by entering USB mode before final identification is complete. The terminal proactively switches to USB mode when detection begins, then uses interrupt responses to confirm the actual plug-in type. This prevents misjudgment from slow plug-in operations because the mode switching is preemptive rather than reactive to detection results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through interrupt response mechanisms that monitor D-signal states. When the terminal enters USB mode, it continuously checks for interrupt responses indicating the actual plug-in type. This feedback loop allows the system to correct its initial assumption and switch back to charger mode if a charger is detected, thereby eliminating misjudgment while maintaining a relatively simple hardware structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the terminal enters USB mode immediately upon detecting plug-in, then data transfer mode is activated, but the terminal cannot switch back to charger mode even when a charger is completely plugged in

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer readinessVSAvoidmode switching flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the operating mode changeable after initial entry into USB mode. The system dynamically switches between USB mode and charger mode based on interrupt responses detected during operation. This allows the terminal to adapt its mode mid-operation, providing both immediate data transfer readiness and the flexibility to switch to charging mode when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The interrupt response mechanism provides continuous feedback about the actual plug-in type during USB mode operation. When feedback indicates a charger was actually plugged in, the terminal switches back to charger mode, ensuring proper charging functionality. This feedback-driven dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between immediate USB mode activation and subsequent mode flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If pullout determination is performed before determining next plug-in action, then plug-in type identification is made, but different plug-in speeds cause different charging states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplug-in type identificationVSAvoiduser operation consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary mode switching to USB mode before completion of plug-in detection. This preliminary action occurs regardless of plug-in speed, ensuring that fast plug-ins don't miss the USB mode transition opportunity. The system then uses interrupt responses to determine the actual plug-in type, making the process robust to varying user speeds while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2480043B1Method and device for identifying a computer insertion or a charger insertion in a mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 HUIZHOU TCL MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP2480043B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2480043B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2480043B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and a device for identifying the universal serial bus (USB) insertion or charger insertion of the mobile terminal are disclosed. The device comprises a USB interface module (110) which is connected with an external power supply device, an interface detection and control module (120), an electronic switch module (130), a charge switching module (140), an identification module (150) and a baseband USB data transceiver module (160).The device enables the mobile terminal to enter a USB mode when an insertion of the external power supply device is detected. The device can accurately determine the insertion of USB or charger by flexibly generating an interrupt response based on finally detected D- signal state. The device can quickly and accurately identify the type of the USB or charger inserted into the mobile terminal.