USB Data Pin Switching for Fast Charging and Device Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices such as notebooks and mobile phones face challenges in fast charging due to incompatible charging protocols, leading to slow charging speeds when connected through a USB interface, and interference between USB 2.0 and fast charging protocols.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a charging protocol chip and a switch circuit to manage the connection between the processor and the charging protocol chip, allowing simultaneous fast charging without interfering with USB 2.0 device identification by controlling the data pin connections through a controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a charging protocol chip is added to provide fast charging function, then fast charging capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the charging protocol handling into separate modules: a charging protocol chip for fast charging protocols and a processor for USB 2.0 protocols. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific protocols, improving charging speed while managing complexity through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a switch circuit as an intermediary component that manages the connection between the external interface and both the charging protocol chip and processor. This mediator coordinates protocol selection and prevents interference, enabling fast charging capability while maintaining system manageability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the processor and charging protocol chip are both connected to the external interface simultaneously, then protocol identification capability is improved, but mutual interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol identification capabilityVSAvoidprotocol identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic connection switching where the switch circuit dynamically connects either the processor or the charging protocol chip to the external interface based on the detected protocol type. This dynamic reconfiguration allows both components to be part of the system without simultaneous active connections, preventing interference while maintaining versatile protocol identification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs periodic protocol detection and switching: first attempting fast charging protocol identification, then switching to USB 2.0 protocol identification if needed. This periodic action pattern ensures accurate protocol recognition by sequentially activating the appropriate identification pathway without simultaneous interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If USB 2.0 protocol identification is performed first, then USB 2.0 device compatibility is maintained, but fast charging response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUSB 2.0 device compatibilityVSAvoidcharging response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by attempting fast charging protocol identification first before falling back to USB 2.0 protocol identification. This preliminary attempt at the higher-priority fast charging protocol reduces overall response time for compatible devices while maintaining compatibility with USB 2.0 devices through the fallback mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different identification approaches based on the specific connection scenario: using fast charging protocol identification for charging scenarios and USB 2.0 protocol identification for data device scenarios. This local quality differentiation optimizes response time for fast charging while maintaining USB 2.0 compatibility where applicable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4336309B1Electronic device, device identification method, and charging system
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4336309B1 patent drawingFigure 1(1)~1(2)
  • EP4336309B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4336309B1 patent drawingFigure 3(1)~3(3)

AI summary

This application provides an electronic device, a device identification method, and a charging system, and relates to the field of electronic technologies. The electronic device includes a processor, a controller, a charging protocol chip, an external interface, and a switch circuit. The processor, the charging protocol chip, and the external interface each include a data pin unit. The data pin unit of the processor, the data pin unit of the charging protocol chip, the data pin unit of the external interface, and the controller are separately electrically connected to the switch circuit. The controller is configured to control the switch circuit, so that the data pin unit of the external interface is connected to one of the data pin unit of the processor and the data pin unit of the charging protocol chip and is disconnected from the other of the data pin unit of the processor and the data pin unit of the charging protocol chip. In this way, the external interface is electrically connected to only one of the processor and the charging protocol chip, so that the charging protocol chip and the processor do not interfere with each other in a process of identifying an external device.