USB Hub Power Management for Sleep State Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB hosts stop providing power to connected devices when they enter a sleep or disconnect power state, leaving a need for an alternate power management solution to keep USB devices charged.
Innovation Solution
A USB hub with an upstream port, downstream port, power port, and controller that determines when the USB host has left an active power state and supplies power from an alternate source to connected USB devices if they are electrically chargeable, using methods like software or hardware detection and specific charging settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the USB host stops providing power when entering sleep or disconnect state, then power consumption of the USB host is reduced, but the USB devices connected to it cannot be charged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power bank as an intermediary device between the USB host and USB devices. The power bank includes a power supply module connected to the USB host and a power output module connected to USB devices, enabling it to mediate power transmission and provide charging capability independently of the USB host's power state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power supply function by separating the USB host's data/communication function from the power supply function. The power bank is designed as an independent module that handles power management separately, allowing the USB host to enter sleep mode while the power bank continues to charge connected devices.
2Reliability
If the USB host continuously provides power to USB devices, then USB devices can always be charged, but the USB host consumes excessive energy when inactive
Solution Approach 1:
The power bank implements dynamic power management by detecting whether the USB host is in active or sleep state and adjusting its power supply accordingly. The controller monitors the host's power state and dynamically switches between drawing power from the host or from its own battery, ensuring charging availability while minimizing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power supply parameter dynamically based on the USB host's operational state. When the host is active, power is drawn from the host; when the host is in sleep state, the power bank switches to using its internal battery power, thus adapting the power source parameter to maintain charging capability while reducing host energy consumption.
3Reliability
If a power bank is introduced to charge USB devices independently, then charging availability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power bank is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. It can operate in multiple modes: drawing power from the USB host when available, switching to internal battery when host is inactive, and providing charging to USB devices. This universal design consolidates power management functions into a single device rather than requiring separate solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The power bank implements self-service through automatic detection and switching mechanisms. The controller automatically detects whether the USB host is in active or sleep state and autonomously switches power sources without user intervention. This self-managing capability simplifies the system by eliminating the need for complex external power management circuits or user-configurable settings.
Data Source
AI summary
A USB hub and a method thereof. The USB hub supplies power to a USB device, is connected between the USB device and a USB host under a working power state, and comprises an upstream port, a downstream port, a power port, and a controller. The upstream port is coupled to the USB host. The downstream port is coupled to the USB device. The power port is coupled to a power source. The controller is coupled to the upstream port, the downstream port, and the power port, and determines whether the USB host has left the working power state, and determines whether the USB device is electrically chargeable, when the USB host has left the working power state. The downstream port provides power to the USB device from the power source when the USB device is electrically chargeable.