Dynamic Power Allocation for USB Sink Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management systems for USB devices fail to dynamically adjust power allocation based on actual consumption, leading to inefficiencies and non-compliance with energy regulatory bodies, as they continue to supply fixed power even when sink devices enter low power states.

Innovation Solution

The technology employs power delivery controllers to monitor and adjust power allocation by tracking current load and battery capacity, allowing for power reclamation and switching to standby rails based on actual consumption, enhancing CPU and Gfx performance while meeting regulatory requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If fixed power allocation is used for sink devices, then power supply stability is ensured, but power consumption efficiency deteriorates and energy regulatory compliance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption efficiencyVSAvoidpower supply stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power allocation by continuously monitoring sink device power consumption states and adjusting power delivery accordingly. The source device transitions from static fixed power allocation to dynamic adaptive power allocation, where power levels are adjusted in real-time based on actual device needs, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining supply reliability through active monitoring and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the source device monitors power consumption data from sink devices and uses this information to adjust power allocation. The system receives feedback about device power states and modifies power delivery accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy efficiency while ensuring stable power supply based on actual consumption patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If power is continuously supplied to sink devices, then device operation reliability is maintained, but source device energy efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesource device energy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring and adjustment of power allocation to sink devices. Instead of continuous uninterrupted power supply, the system periodically assesses device power needs and adjusts allocation accordingly, enabling the source device to enter low-power states when unnecessary power delivery would occur, thus improving energy efficiency while maintaining device operation reliability through scheduled power delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the source device to recover and reclaim power that would otherwise be continuously supplied but not utilized by sink devices. By detecting when sink devices are in low-power or idle states, the system discards unnecessary power allocation and recovers this energy for use by the source device itself, improving overall energy efficiency while maintaining reliability through on-demand power delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If higher power limits are allocated to sink devices, then device performance is improved, but source device turbo boost capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice performanceVSAvoidsource device turbo boost power

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power limit allocation that adjusts sink device power limits based on real-time monitoring of actual power consumption and source device performance needs. When sink devices are in low-power states, the source device dynamically reduces allocated power limits and redirects available power to enhance turbo boost capability, creating a dynamic balance between device performance and source device computational power availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes power allocation parameters dynamically based on device states and system conditions. By adjusting power limit parameters in response to sink device power states, the system optimizes the distribution of power between sink devices and source device turbo boost operations, ensuring that power is allocated to where it is most needed at any given moment rather than maintaining fixed high limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If fixed power allocation is implemented, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy regulatory compliance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management complexityVSAvoidenergy regulatory compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static fixed power allocation to dynamic adaptive power allocation that automatically adjusts to device needs. This dynamic approach enables the system to comply with energy regulatory requirements by reducing power delivery when devices are in low-power states, while the automated nature of the adjustment minimizes the perceived complexity for users, maintaining system simplicity from the user perspective while achieving regulatory compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20230350479A1Technology to detect power consumption and low power states in external sink devices to enhance system performance and improve user experiences

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for technology that allocates a portion of operational power in a source device to an external sink device in response to a connection of the external sink device to the source device, detects a low power state with respect to the external sink device, and decreases the portion of operational power allocated to the external sink device in response to the low power state.