USB Wake-Up Charging Control for Power-Off Notebooks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing notebook computers cannot charge mobile devices in a power-off state, and maintaining the embedded controller in an on-state for charging increases battery consumption, affecting the notebook's battery life.
Innovation Solution
The embedded controller is powered off during the notebook's power-off state and wakes up upon connection to a mobile device, using device information to determine if charging is necessary and controlling the battery to supply power only when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the embedded controller is kept in an on-state to enable charging of mobile devices, then the charging function is available, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller is pre-configured to be capable of charging mobile devices, but remains in a low-power state until a wake-up event occurs. The controller has preliminary detection circuits ready to sense connection events and automatically activate charging functions only when needed, avoiding continuous power consumption while maintaining charging availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded controller dynamically transitions between power-off and operational states based on real-time connection status. When a mobile device is connected to the USB port, the controller wakes up and enables charging; when disconnected, it returns to power-saving mode. This dynamic state adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining charging availability and reducing power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the embedded controller is powered off during notebook power-off state, then power consumption is reduced, but the notebook cannot charge mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller operates in periodic cycles between sleep and active states. It periodically checks for connection events through wake-up signals from the USB port. When a mobile device is connected, the controller activates charging temporarily; when disconnected, it returns to sleep mode. This periodic operation maintains charging adaptability while minimizing power consumption during the power-off state.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded controller automatically detects when a mobile device is connected via wake-up signals and self-activates the charging function without requiring user intervention or keeping the controller permanently on. The system serves itself by monitoring connection status and dynamically enabling charging only when necessary, thus maintaining adaptability while reducing power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging control method, an electronic device, and a charging control system. According to the charging control method, when a first electronic device is in a power-off state, an embedded controller is controlled to be powered off. When a second USB port of a second electronic device is connected to a first USB port of the first electronic device, the embedded controller is woken up by using a first power supply signal that is input through the second USB port, the embedded controller obtains device information of the second electronic device, and then the embedded controller controls, based on the device information, a first battery of the first electronic device to charge the second electronic device. According to the method, the first electronic device can charge the second electronic device when being in the power-off state.