USB Controller Dynamic Power Line Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer systems with USB ports often fail to supply sufficient electric power to external devices that require currents exceeding 500 mA, leading to abnormal operation and increased costs when additional power sources are used, which can be inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with a USB port and a controller that selectively connects additional power supplying lines to ensure higher current levels are provided to external devices based on registered information, allowing for default and non-default current levels to be supplied, thereby ensuring sufficient power is delivered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power supplying lines are designed to supply 500 mA per USB port according to USB specification, then the system maintains low cost and simple configuration, but external devices requiring more than 500 mA cannot operate normally due to insufficient power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the power requirements of connected external devices and dynamically allocates additional power supplying lines without requiring user intervention. The controller monitors device power consumption and autonomously connects additional power lines when insufficient power is detected, making the power management self-service rather than user-dependent.
Solution Approach 2:
The power configuration transitions from a static 500 mA fixed allocation to a dynamic system where additional power supplying lines are selectively connected based on real-time device power requirements. The controller can adaptively adjust the number of active power lines (from one to multiple) depending on the connected device's needs, enabling flexible power delivery.
2Reliability
If additional power sources are connected to provide sufficient power to external devices, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the cost increases and user convenience decreases due to manual connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the power requirements of connected external devices and dynamically allocates additional power supplying lines without requiring user intervention. The controller monitors device power consumption and autonomously connects additional power lines when insufficient power is detected, making the power management self-service rather than user-dependent.
3Reliability
If additional power sources are connected to ensure sufficient power supply, then the power reliability is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power configuration transitions from a static 500 mA fixed allocation to a dynamic system where additional power supplying lines are selectively connected based on real-time device power requirements. The controller can adaptively adjust the number of active power lines (from one to multiple) depending on the connected device's needs, enabling flexible power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of always providing maximum power through multiple connected power sources, the system applies partial action by activating only the necessary number of power supplying lines based on actual device requirements. This avoids the waste and cost associated with always having multiple power sources connected while ensuring sufficient power is available when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system includes multiple ports to which at least one external device is connected and which are connectable to multiple power supplying lines branched from a power supplying line for supplying electric power to the at least one external device; a switching unit which controls connections between the power supplying lines and the ports; and a controller which controls the switching unit so that two or more power supplying lines among the power supplying lines are connected to a first port, to which one of the at least one external device is connected, among the ports.