Power Management Unit Timer for Pop Noise Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hard power-down methods for handheld electronic devices cause sudden interruptions in power supply, leading to errors and malfunctions, and can result in pop noises from speakers and headphones, affecting user experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a timer in the power management unit and function units that delays the power-down procedure, allowing the function units to complete their shutdown before the power management unit interrupts the power supply, thereby preventing sudden power interruptions and pop noises.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If hard power down mechanism is used to force shutdown by interrupting operating power, then shutdown speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to sudden power interruption causing internal circuit errors and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the audio codec execute power-down procedures in advance before the power management unit interrupts power supply. The timer generates a power-down signal after a predetermined time delay, allowing the audio codec to complete its shutdown sequence before power is cut off, thus preventing sudden power interruption errors while maintaining fast shutdown capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by introducing a time delay mechanism through the timer. This delay acts as a cushioning period that allows the audio codec to gracefully shut down its internal circuits and stop audio output before the power management unit cuts off power, preventing pop noises and circuit errors without sacrificing overall shutdown speed
2Ease of operation
If hard power down mechanism is used to force shutdown by interrupting operating power, then device control is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to pop noises from speakers and headphones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the audio codec execute power-down procedures in advance before the power management unit interrupts power supply. The timer generates a power-down signal after a predetermined time delay, allowing the audio codec to complete its shutdown sequence before power is cut off, thus preventing sudden power interruption errors while maintaining fast shutdown capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a timer as an intermediary component between the power management unit and the audio codec. This timer mediates the power-down process by delaying the power-down signal generation, allowing the audio codec to gracefully shut down before power is cut off, thereby preventing pop noises while maintaining user-friendly device control
3Reliability
If function units execute power-down procedure before power management unit interrupts power, then reliability is improved by preventing malfunctions, but device complexity increases due to timer and coordinated control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the power-down control function into separate components: the timer module that generates delayed power-down signals, the audio codec that executes power-down procedures, and the power management unit that controls power interruption. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, improving reliability while keeping the overall system manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the audio codec to autonomously execute its own power-down procedures when it receives the power-down signal from the timer. The audio codec independently manages its internal circuits and audio output shutdown without requiring complex external control, thereby improving reliability while minimizing the added complexity from coordination requirements
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus comprises a switch, a processing unit, a functional unit and a power management unit. The function unit has a timer. The power management unit is coupled to the processing unit and the function unit. The processing unit and the function unit receive a switch signal generated by the switch. The processing unit generates a power-down signal after detecting a change in the logic level of the switch signal received for a first predetermined time. The timer starts counting upon detecting a change in the logic level of the switch signal, and executes a power-down procedure after the timer has counted to a second predetermined time. The second time is less than the first predetermined time. The function unit completes the power-down procedure before the power management unit receives the power-down signal and stops powering the processing unit and the function unit.