VIA Technologies has been granted a patent for a multi-port power supply device and its operation method. The device includes a power converter, power switch, current detection circuit, voltage detection circuit, control circuit, and multiple USB ports. The control circuit determines if a USB port is connected to a USB device based on the actual voltage, and dynamically transfers power from other USB ports to the connected port. GlobalData’s report on VIA Technologies gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on VIA Technologies, device power optimization was a key innovation area identified from patents. VIA Technologies's grant share as of September 2023 was 82%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Multi-port power supply device with dynamic power transfer
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11775041B2) describes a multi-port power supply device with advanced functionality. The device includes multiple USB ports, a power converter, a power switch, a current detection circuit, a voltage detection circuit, and a control circuit.
The control circuit plays a crucial role in determining the electrical connection status of the first USB port to a USB device. It uses the actual voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit to determine if the USB port is connected. If the control circuit determines that the first USB port is not connected, it turns off the power switch. However, if the USB port is connected, the control circuit dynamically transfers a portion of the agreement power from at least one other USB port to the first USB port. The decision to transfer power is based on the actual current detected by the current detection circuit.
The patent also describes a threshold for the actual current. If the actual current is below the threshold, the control circuit turns off the power switch, and the power converter supplies power to the first USB port via a body diode of the power switch. On the other hand, if the actual current exceeds the threshold, the control circuit turns on the power switch, allowing the power converter to supply power to the first USB port through the power switch.
Additionally, the patent mentions the inclusion of a power regulating circuit in the multi-port power supply device. When the control circuit determines that the first USB port is connected to a USB device, it notifies the power regulating circuit to dynamically transfer a portion of the agreement power from the other USB ports to the first USB port. The power regulating circuit takes into account the actual voltage and current and transfers the power difference between different time intervals to the other USB port connected to another USB device.
Overall, this patent presents a multi-port power supply device with intelligent power management capabilities. It allows for efficient power distribution among USB ports based on the connection status and actual current requirements. The device aims to optimize power usage and enhance the charging capabilities of multiple USB devices simultaneously.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
