TV USB Interface Selective Line Activation for Safe Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional TVs with USB charging capabilities cannot determine if a connected device is fully charged and lack control over current flow due to the inability to control the USB connection terminal.

Innovation Solution

An image display apparatus with a USB interface that selectively activates a power supply line or data transmission line based on the type of external device, using a main controller to determine the mode and include a USB controller to detect device type, monitor charging progress, and prevent overcurrent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the TV supplies power to charge external devices through USB connection terminal, then charging function is provided without extra charging apparatus, but the TV cannot determine whether the device is fully charged and cannot control over current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging functionVSAvoidcharging control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the USB connection terminal control with the TV's main controller, merging the charging control function into the existing TV control system. This allows the TV to not only supply power for charging but also to monitor charging status and control current flow through the integrated controller that manages both data transmission and power supply lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the charging status of external devices through the USB interface. The controller detects whether the device is fully charged and adjusts power supply accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents overcharging and manages current flow based on real-time device status information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the USB connection terminal is used for both data transmission and power supply, then device versatility is improved, but the ability to determine device type and control charging mode is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUSB functionVSAvoiddevice type detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the controller detect and identify the external device type before initiating charging operations. The system performs device recognition and mode determination in advance, establishing whether to activate data transmission line, power supply line, or both, before the actual charging or data transfer begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control by enabling the USB connection terminal to adaptively switch between different operational modes (data transmission only, power supply only, or both simultaneously) based on the detected device type. The controller dynamically adjusts the activation state of different lines (data transmission line, power supply line) to match the specific requirements of the connected external device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2177969B1Image display apparatus having function of charging external device and charging method thereof
Publication Date: 2015.03.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2177969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2177969B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2177969B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

An image display apparatus having a function of charging an external device and a charging method thereof are provide. The image display apparatus includes a universal serial bus (USB) interface which is connected to an external device through a power supply line and a data transmission line, and a main controller which, if the external device is connected, activates one of the power supply line and the data transmission line according to a type of the external device. Accordingly, the image display apparatus controls a USB terminal to selectively perform a charging operation or a data transmission operation.