USB Power Sharing Direction Control for Battery Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered information handling devices often face insufficient power during operation, as existing technologies lack efficient methods for power sharing and management between devices via USB connections.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a processor and memory to detect USB connections between devices, determine power requirements based on transmitted information such as battery level, remaining time, and application efficiency, and selectively provide power in either direction to ensure optimal operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If battery-powered devices operate independently without power sharing, then each device maintains its own power source, but the operational time becomes insufficient when power is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power resources from multiple devices through USB connections, allowing devices to share and aggregate their power capacity. When one device has excess power capacity, it can transfer power to another device that needs it, effectively merging the power resources to extend operational time beyond what a single battery could provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables devices to automatically detect their own power status and initiate power sharing without external intervention. The device with sufficient power capacity automatically identifies and provides power to the device that needs it, making the power management self-service and eliminating the need for external power sources or manual intervention.
2Reliability
If power is provided continuously between devices, then operational continuity is maintained, but power capacity is consumed faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of battery levels and power needs, activating power sharing only when necessary rather than continuously. This periodic assessment allows the system to maintain reliability by providing power when needed while avoiding continuous power transfer that would deplete power capacity unnecessarily.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where devices continuously monitor and communicate their battery status, power capacity, and operational needs. This feedback loop enables intelligent decision-making about when to activate power sharing, ensuring that power is transferred only when the receiving device actually needs it, thus maintaining reliability without wasteful energy consumption.
3Productivity
If power sharing is implemented without direction selection, then power transfer occurs, but the optimal power source may not be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of power capacity, battery status, and operational needs before initiating power transfer. By evaluating all relevant factors in advance, the system can identify the optimal power source and determine the best direction for power flow, ensuring both efficient power transfer and adaptability to different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power sharing where the direction and intensity of power transfer can change based on real-time conditions. The system continuously adapts to changing battery levels, power needs, and device states, allowing flexible power source selection and optimization of power transfer efficiency as conditions evolve during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and program products are disclosed for powering a device using a universal serial bus (“USB”) connection. One apparatus includes a processor, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to: detect a USB connection between a first device and a second device; determine to provide power between the first device and the second device via the USB connection based on information transmitted between the first device and the second device; select a direction to provide power between the first device and the second device based on the information transmitted between the first device and the second device; and control power to be provided between the first device and the second device after determining to provide power and selecting the direction to provide power.