USB Device High-Power Charging Without Enumeration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current USB charging standards limit devices to draw only 100 milliamps until enumeration, preventing rapid charging of depleted batteries, as they cannot engage in communication to access higher power levels.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that detects device coupling and battery state to request high-power charging without enumeration, using logic circuitry in devices and hubs to provide power exceeding 500 mA, allowing charging at up to 1.5 amps while keeping the device unenumerated to the host.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the USB device waits for enumeration before charging, then the device can communicate properly with the host, but the charging speed is limited to 100 mA which is too slow for depleted batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of device coupling and battery state before enumeration to determine whether high-power charging should be initiated. This allows the charging process to start immediately at high power levels without waiting for the enumeration process to complete, resolving the contradiction between communication reliability and charging speed.
2Productivity
If power is supplied in excess of USB specification limits, then rapid charging is achieved, but the power source may be removed by the host device
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of device coupling and battery state before enumeration to determine whether high-power charging should be initiated. This advance preparation allows the system to establish appropriate power levels before the host device can intervene, maintaining both charging speed and power supply stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the charging process and device state, using feedback to adjust power delivery and maintain compliance with host device requirements while providing rapid charging when conditions permit.
3Productivity
If the device remains unenumerated during high-power charging, then charging speed is maximized, but the device cannot be used for other functions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and determines the optimal charging mode before enumeration. By making this determination in advance, the system can maximize charging speed when the battery is depleted while preserving the option to enable full device functionality once charging is complete or when conditions change.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for enumerating and/or enumerating a device. The device may be a USB portable device which adheres to a first standard, e.g., the USB specification, and may engage in enumeration with respect to a USB hub/USB host device. Where a battery included in the device is sufficiently low, the device may engage in low power enumeration, e.g., to begin charging the device using enumerated power. Low power enumeration may allow the device to enumerate even when the device is incapable of powering on. Additionally, or alternatively, the device may determine whether the hub/host device is capable of providing high power charging. If it is, the device may begin charging the battery of the device using power provided by the hub/host device at a high power level.