USB Power Supply Identification to Prevent Reboot Loops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices without an internal power source, when connected to an external power source, can inadvertently reboot, leading to continuous power consumption and user inconvenience due to the need to manually disconnect cables for shutdown.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with a USB interface for configuration channel communication, a power management IC, and a processor that controls power by requesting unique identification information from an external device, and sends a reboot command only if the device has a battery and is turned off, otherwise preventing the command from being sent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electronic device receives power through USB connector from external power source, then the device can operate without internal power source, but the device reboots continuously causing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The processor monitors the operational state of the electronic device and detects when it is in a reboot loop. Based on this feedback, the processor determines to transmit the shutdown command to the external power supply device through the USB interface, thereby stopping the continuous rebooting and eliminating unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB interface serves as an intermediary communication channel between the electronic device and the external power supply device. By utilizing the existing USB communication protocol, the processor can send shutdown commands to the external power source without requiring additional hardware interfaces, thus resolving the reboot issue while maintaining system simplicity.
2Loss of energy
If the electronic device is turned off by disconnecting the cable, then power consumption stops, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device automatically manages its own power state by detecting when it is in a reboot loop and autonomously sending shutdown commands to the external power supply device. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for user intervention to disconnect cables, thereby maintaining ease of operation while preventing unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors its operational state and provides feedback to the processor. When the device detects abnormal rebooting behavior, it automatically initiates the shutdown sequence through the USB interface, creating a closed-loop control system that resolves power consumption issues without requiring user action.
3Loss of energy
If the device transmits shutdown command to external power supply, then continuous rebooting is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing USB interface, originally designed for power delivery and data communication, is utilized for an additional function: transmitting shutdown commands. By leveraging the multi-functionality of the USB protocol, the system can implement remote shutdown capability without adding dedicated hardware interfaces or significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB interface acts as a mediator that already exists in the system for power and data communication. By reusing this intermediary channel for control signaling, the invention avoids the need for separate control hardware or complex communication protocols, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the power management goal.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device according to various embodiments comprises: a universal serial bus (USB) interface for configuration channel (CC) communication with an external device; a power management IC (PMIC) for power control of the electronic device; and a processor operatively connected to the USB interface and the PMIC. The processor is configured to: control to transmit a first command, requesting unique identification information, to the external device via the USB interface based on the external device being connected via the USB interface; recognize the external device as a power supply device, for supplying power to the electronic device, on the basis of the unique identification information received from the external device; and control to transmit a second command, instructing rebooting of the external device, via the USB interface based on the electronic device including a battery and being powered off, and not transmit the second command to the external device based on the electronic device not including a battery and being powered off.