USB Power Supply With Remote Outlet For Device Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems for personal electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, often fail to accommodate the unique charging requirements of different devices, leading to inefficiencies and the need for frequent updates of the entire power supply system when new devices are introduced.
Innovation Solution
A USB charging station system with a remote USB outlet that allows for separate replacement or reprogramming of the communication and biasing protocols, independent of the power supply, enabling adaptation to various devices without replacing the entire system, thus reducing costs and improving usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire power supply system is replaced to support new devices with different charging requirements, then device compatibility is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is divided into two independent segments: a fixed power supply unit and a replaceable outlet unit. The outlet unit contains the communication/biasing protocols specific to different devices, while the power supply remains constant. This segmentation allows the outlet unit to be replaced or reprogrammed to support new devices without replacing the entire power supply system, thereby improving device compatibility while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic adaptability through the replaceable outlet unit that can be reprogrammed or replaced based on new device requirements. This dynamic element allows the system to adapt to changing device standards (such as different current requirements for iPads, iPhones, and Samsung Galaxy phones) without requiring a complete system overhaul, thus improving versatility while controlling complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire power supply system is replaced to accommodate new devices, then charging support is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into a permanent power supply unit and a replaceable outlet unit, the patent enables cost-effective updates. Only the outlet unit needs to be replaced or reprogrammed when new devices are introduced, rather than replacing the entire expensive power supply system. This significantly reduces the cost of maintaining charging support for evolving device standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet unit is designed as a replaceable component that can be economically updated when device standards change. Instead of investing in a completely new power supply system, the system uses a cost-effective approach of replacing only the outlet unit, which contains the device-specific communication and biasing protocols. This reduces the overall cost of maintaining charging compatibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different charging protocols are hard-coded into the power supply, then device compatibility is improved, but system flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the device-specific charging protocols (communication and biasing) into the replaceable outlet unit, while the power supply unit remains generic and fixed. This segmentation provides flexibility because the outlet unit can be swapped or reprogrammed to support different device protocols without affecting the power supply unit, thus maintaining both compatibility and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet unit acts as an intermediary between the fixed power supply system and the varying device requirements. It contains the device-specific communication and biasing protocols, mediating between the universal power supply and diverse device charging needs. This intermediary approach maintains system flexibility while ensuring compatibility with different devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system effective to provide power to a plurality of different personal electronic devices includes a source of AC or DC power, a power converter effective to convert the AC or DC power to a useable voltage and amperage, a remote power outlet or a plurality of remote power outlets each configured to receive one or more connectors and a signal decoder. The signal decoder determines the requirements of a connected one of the personal entertainment devices and personal computing devices and apply the requirements to the power outlet for powering the device.