Power Interface Warning Control Before Overcurrent Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing apparatuses that supply power to external devices via an interface often stop power supply abruptly when overcurrent is detected, leading to potential breakdowns in electronic devices acting as power sinks without prior warning, causing them to malfunction or break down.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus equipped with a power processor, interface, and detector to monitor voltage and current values, which transmits warning information to external devices when abnormal values are detected, allowing them to take preventive measures such as halting storage device operations before power supply is stopped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the information processing apparatus stops power supply immediately when overcurrent is detected, then the power supply device can protect itself from damage, but the external device may suffer breakdown due to abrupt power interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting abnormal power conditions and transmitting warning information to the external device before actually stopping the power supply. This allows the external device to execute protective measures (such as saving data or shutting down safely) before the power interruption occurs, thus preventing device breakdown while still protecting the power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring power supply conditions through detectors, comparing detected values against threshold values, and based on the comparison results, either transmitting warning information or stopping power supply. This closed-loop control ensures reliable power protection while preventing harmful abrupt interruptions to external devices.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the information processing apparatus monitors power parameters and transmits warning information, then external devices can take preventive measures, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external device serves itself by receiving warning information and autonomously executing appropriate protective measures based on the warning. The power supply device does not need to control the external device's protective actions, maintaining simplicity while still enabling the external device to protect itself from power-related breakdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective control logic is extracted from the power supply device and placed in the external device. The power supply device only needs to detect abnormal conditions and transmit warning information, while the external device handles the complex decision-making and execution of protective measures, thus keeping the power supply device simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a power processor, an interface, a detector that detects at least one of a voltage value and a current value on an electric power line that connects the power processor and the interface, and a controller. The controller transmits warning information to an external device via the interface in a case where a detection value of the detector indicates an abnormal value while electric power is supplied to the external device via the interface.