Dynamic Power Management for USB Interface Circuits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with USB interfaces face increased power consumption when supporting both high-speed and low-speed communication standards, leading to inefficiencies in power management and potential overheating or battery drain issues.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a control mechanism that selectively limits power supply to either a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 interface based on communication speed requirements, temperature, and battery capacity, ensuring optimal power usage and reducing power consumption by transitioning to lower-speed modes when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 interface circuits are provided to support high-speed and low-speed communication, then communication versatility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by making the power supply state of each interface circuit changeable based on operational needs. The control section dynamically switches between supplying power to USB 3.0 interface, USB 2.0 interface, or both interfaces simultaneously, depending on communication speed requirements and battery status, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining versatility and reducing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply parameter (voltage/current) to the interface circuits based on communication requirements. When USB 3.0 is needed for high-speed communication, power is supplied to the USB 3.0 interface circuit; when only low-speed communication is needed, power is supplied to the USB 2.0 interface circuit, thus adapting power consumption to actual usage scenarios
2Speed
If USB 3.0 interface circuit is always powered to maintain high-speed communication capability, then communication speed is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power allocation to the USB 3.0 interface circuit based on real-time communication needs. The control section monitors whether high-speed communication is actively required and only supplies power to the USB 3.0 interface circuit when necessary, otherwise switching to USB 2.0 interface or reducing power supply, thereby preserving battery life while maintaining high-speed capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The control section periodically evaluates communication requirements and adjusts power supply accordingly. Instead of continuous power supply to USB 3.0 interface, the system uses periodic assessment of communication speed requirements to determine when to activate the high-power USB 3.0 interface, creating an on-demand power supply pattern that extends battery life
3Use of energy by moving object
If power is limited to only one interface circuit to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but communication flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control section serves multiple functions by managing power distribution to both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 interface circuits. It can selectively supply power to either interface or both simultaneously based on communication requirements, making the power management system universal enough to handle various communication scenarios while maintaining power efficiency through selective activation
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply configuration is made dynamic and adaptable rather than fixed. The control section can change the power supply state between different interface circuits based on real-time conditions, allowing the system to flexibly switch between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 interfaces or operate both concurrently when needed, thus maintaining communication flexibility while improving power efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device comprising a connecting section; a first IF circuit that communicates through the connecting section with an external device connected via the connecting section, at a first communication speed; a second IF circuit that communicates through the connecting section with the external device, at a communication speed that is higher than the first communication speed; and a control section that, when one of the first IF circuit and the second IF circuit is selected as an IF circuit to be used for communication, limits a power supply to the other IF circuit.