Stand-by Mode Control Circuit for Electronic Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic apparatuses face inefficiencies in power consumption and pin usage in stand-by modes, with existing methods either requiring processors to remain active, leading to energy waste, or relying on limited and costly hardware pin configurations.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with multiple power supplying modes, where a processor selects an appropriate mode before disabling a second circuit, allowing for energy-saving stand-by operations using a single pin to manage various conditions, and includes a method to provide and manage these modes within the apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the processor remains active to manage stand-by mode through software or firmware, then the stand-by mode can be flexibly controlled, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestand-by mode control flexibilityVSAvoidprocessor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the stand-by mode control function from the main processor and implements it in a separate control circuit. This allows the processor to be completely powered off during stand-by mode while the control circuit independently manages the stand-by state, thereby eliminating processor power consumption during stand-by while maintaining control flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit is designed to autonomously manage stand-by mode transitions without requiring processor intervention. The control circuit can independently detect trigger conditions, switch between operational and stand-by modes, and control power distribution, enabling the system to serve itself during stand-by operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple hardware pins are used to trigger different stand-by modes, then each mode can be precisely controlled, but the number of pins and chip area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestand-by mode triggering capabilityVSAvoidnumber of pins

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal control circuit that can handle multiple stand-by mode triggering functions through a single pin or a reduced number of pins. The control circuit internally distinguishes between different trigger conditions and routes them to appropriate stand-by modes, eliminating the need for dedicated pins for each mode while maintaining precise control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple stand-by mode control functions into a single integrated control circuit. Instead of having separate hardware paths for each stand-by mode, the control circuit consolidates all triggering logic and mode switching functions, reducing the number of required pins while preserving the ability to distinguish and respond to different trigger conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8856558B2Electronic apparatus having stand-by mode and operation method thereof

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

An electronic apparatus has a stand-by mode. The electronic apparatus includes a first circuit, a second circuit and a third circuit. The first circuit has an interface and transfers data to an external device. The second circuit has a processor and sets a first power supplying mode of the first circuit. The third circuit sets a second circuit power supplying mode of the second circuit and sets a second power supply mode of the first circuit when the second circuit is disabled. The processor selects a first circuit power supplying mode from power supplying modes of the first circuit as the second power supplying mode before the second circuit is disabled.