USB Port Power Switching for Automatic Connection Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for resetting USB connections between information processing apparatuses and peripheral devices require costly modifications to USB apparatuses and operating systems, especially when dealing with multiple connected devices, and lack the ability for automatic power management to handle connection failures without operator intervention.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with first and second switches that control power supply to peripheral devices, allowing for OS-independent monitoring and automatic reset of USB connections without cable disconnection, using a control unit to manage the second switches independently of the operating system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable disconnection and reconnection is used to reset USB connection, then connection failure can be resolved, but operator labor and time are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of USB connection failures and automatically executes reset operations before the operator needs to intervene. The control unit monitors connection status and preemptively resets failed connections by controlling the switch to cut and restore power, eliminating the need for operator disconnection and reconnection actions.
2Reliability
If automatic reset function is added to USB apparatus, then connection failure recovery is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a control unit as an intermediary between the USB host controller and the peripheral apparatus. This control unit includes a detection unit that monitors connection status and a switch control unit that manages power supply switching. By placing this intermediary at the host side rather than modifying each USB apparatus, the solution achieves automatic recovery without adding complexity to individual peripheral devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automatic recovery by having the control unit autonomously detect connection failures and execute reset operations without operator intervention. The detection unit continuously monitors USB connection status, and upon detecting a failure, the switch control unit automatically cuts and restores power to the peripheral apparatus, allowing the system to service itself.
3Use of energy by moving object
If OS control is used for power management, then power consumption is reduced, but automatic reset capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the power control function into two independent parts: the first switch controlled by the OS for power management, and the second switch controlled by the control unit for automatic reset operations. This segmentation allows both OS-based power saving and automated failure recovery to coexist without interference, as each switch operates under different control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically coordinates between OS control and automatic reset by using the detection unit to monitor connection status and the switch control unit to execute resets only when failures are detected. The dual-switch configuration allows the system to adaptively switch between power-saving mode (OS control) and automatic recovery mode (control unit) based on operational needs.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a port that connects a peripheral apparatus to the information processing apparatus through a USB, a first switch that interrupts supply of a power to the peripheral apparatus through the port under an OS control, a second switch that interrupts the supply of the power to the peripheral apparatus when the first switch operates to supply the power thereto, and a control unit that monitors whether a failure occurs to a connection between the information processing apparatus and the peripheral apparatus through the port and that controls an operation of the second switch based on a monitoring result independently of the OS control. The control unit switches the second switch so as to reset the connection when detecting that the failure occurs to the connection.