Dynamic USB Power Delivery via Forecasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with USB interfaces face challenges in efficiently delivering power to external devices due to limited power capacity, leading to inefficient power distribution during operations like printing, as the power level delivered is not finely or suitably set.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a power source, power-consuming devices, a USB interface, a command receiver, and a controller that forecasts power usage during job segments, calculates total operation power, and determines the optimal power level to deliver to external devices based on power capacity, allowing for dynamic power adjustment through the USB interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If power is delivered to external devices through USB interface, then power delivery capability is improved, but power capacity for internal operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power level adjustment by dividing the job execution time into multiple time segments and determining different power delivery levels for each segment. The controller dynamically changes the power delivery level based on the current time segment and forecasted power consumption, rather than maintaining a fixed power level throughout the entire job execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary forecasting of power consumption for each time segment before executing the job. The controller forecasts which power-consuming devices will be used in each time segment and calculates the required power in advance, allowing optimal power delivery levels to be determined before each segment begins.
2Power
If power delivery level is set high, then power delivery capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent delivers only the necessary amount of power required for each time segment rather than maintaining a consistently high power delivery level. By forecasting power consumption and adjusting delivery levels to match actual needs, the system avoids excessive power delivery when full power is not required.
3Productivity
If power delivery level is adjusted dynamically, then power delivery efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the job execution time into multiple discrete time segments and forecasts power consumption for each segment separately. This segmentation approach makes the forecasting and control process more manageable by breaking down the complex continuous problem into discrete, manageable intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power delivery level parameter based on the forecasted power consumption for each time segment. By adjusting this key parameter dynamically according to predicted needs, the system achieves efficient power delivery without requiring complex real-time monitoring and adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device, including a power source, power-consuming devices, a USB interface, a command receiver, a memory, and a controller, is provided. The controller forecasts at least one of the power-consuming devices to be used in one of a plurality of time segments, calculates a level of total operation power being sum of power required by the forecasted at least one of the power-consuming devices for the time segment with reference to values of power stored in the memory, and determine a level of the power to be delivered to an external device connected to the USB interface in the time segment based on the level of the total operation power and the level of the power capacity in the power source. The controller controls the power source to deliver the determined level of the power to the external device through the USB interface during the time segment.