USB Client Data Transfer via VBUS Line Toggling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current USB technology restricts direct data transfer between two client devices, requiring one device to act as a host or OTG, which is energy-intensive, costly, and inefficient for transferring small amounts of data.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables data transfer between two USB client devices by toggling the VBUS line to generate connect/disconnect interrupts, allowing the receiving device to interpret these interrupts as data, without the need for a USB host or OTG functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a USB host or OTG device is used to transfer data between two USB client devices, then data transfer capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transfer function from the traditional USB host/OTG role and implements it directly within USB client devices by utilizing the existing VBUS line for communication. This eliminates the need for devices to incorporate costly and power-intensive host capabilities while maintaining data transfer functionality between client devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The VBUS line, originally designed solely for power delivery, is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry data communication signals. This universalizes the line's purpose, allowing it to serve both power supply and data transfer functions, thereby eliminating the need for separate communication infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a USB host or OTG device is used to transfer data between two USB client devices, then data transfer capability is achieved, but device complexity and development cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for USB host or OTG functionality from the devices and implements data transfer using only client-mode capabilities. By extracting the host role from the device architecture, the solution reduces hardware complexity and development requirements while maintaining peer-to-peer data transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
USB client devices are enabled to perform data transfer functions independently without requiring host capabilities. Each client device can initiate and manage its own data transfer sessions using the VBUS line, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for specialized host hardware.
3Productivity
If USB host capacity is incorporated into a device for small data transfer, then data transfer capability is achieved, but development time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing full USB host capacity which provides excessive functionality for small data transfers, the patent applies partial action by using only the necessary VBUS line toggling mechanism. This partial implementation achieves the required data transfer capability without the developmental overhead of complete host stack integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for transferring data from a first electronic device to a second electronic device, both first and second electronic devices having Universal Serial Bus (USB) client interfaces, the method comprising the steps: connecting the two electronic devices with a USB cable; toggling the voltage on a VBUS line of the USB cable between logic high voltage and no voltage at the first electronic device; detecting toggles of the VBUS line at the second electronic device; and interpreting the toggles detected in the detecting step as data.