Patent Description:
An electronic device may connect to various external devices and may receive data from, or transmit data to, an external device. An electronic device may receive power from, or transmit power to, an external device. Such an electronic device may have an interface (e.g., a connector) for connecting with various external devices to provide expanded functionality. An electronic device may include various types of interfacing connectors.

Through a connector used for charging or data input/output, an electronic device may be electrically connected with a charger for charging the electronic device, and the electronic device may supply power to an external device connected with the electronic device. For example, universal serial bus (USB)-type C is a connector for an electronic device, and an electronic device may be connected to an exercise through a USB type-C connector to transmit or receive power or data to/from the external device.

<CIT> relates to an electronic device with supplied-voltage monitoring means and control method thereof. The document appears to teach stopping power supply from a power supply apparatus if a voltage variation per unit time at a first terminal of an electronic device is not less than a first predetermined value or the voltage of the first terminal is not less than a second predetermined value. <CIT> relates to techniques for exchanging data and/or power between a plurality of devices. A device may receive power via a voltage terminal of an interface and may determine to terminate power reception via the voltage terminal causing a current through the configuration channel terminal to decrease below a threshold, and the device may determine to supply power to the voltage terminal. <CIT> relates to an electronic device comprising an interface including a first terminal that receives power from an external device and a second terminal for communicating with the external device, and a control unit that controls a connection between the second terminal and a ground. In an example that a state of power received via the first terminal is a predetermined state, transmitting a reset request for stopping the supply of power to the external device, and instructing the transition of the second terminal and the ground from a connected state to a disconnected state.

If an electronic device physically connects to an external device through a connector as described above, its role, as a host and/or client, may be determined. For example, it may be determined whether the electronic device operates as a source for supplying power or a sink for receiving power. In this case, the electronic device may identify whether it physically connects with an external device based on the voltage level recognized at an identification terminal of the connector and, in the physically connected state, the electronic device may transmit or receive power.

However, if the electronic device is connected with an external device that fails to meet the regulations defined in the USB power-related standard, despite physical connection of the connector, the voltage level recognized through the identification terminal is excessively changed or attachment (or connection) or detachment (or disconnection) may be repeatedly detected. As such, as an interrupt signal is repeatedly generated due to abnormal changes in connection state, current consumption in the electronic device may increase, so that the electronic device may be discharged.

Accordingly, a need arises for clearly recognizing whether the electronic device is connected through the connector and preventing a malfunction of the connector in the state of being physically connected with the external device.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide a method for preventing a malfunction of a connector and an electronic device having the connector.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible to clearly recognize whether the electronic device is connected through the connector and to prevent a malfunction of the connector in the state of being physically connected with the external device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible to prevent repeated occurrence of an interrupt signal due to changes in connection state and to reduce unnecessary current consumption in the electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, although an external device that does not meet the regulations defined in the USB power-related standard is connected to an electronic device, charging or data input/output through a connector may be rendered possible, thus increasing compatibility of USB type-C connection.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible to limit unnecessary display of a notification message indicating whether a connection is made whenever an interrupt signal is generated due to a change in connection state and hence prevent the operation of leading the user to check the insertion state of the connector, thereby allowing for more stable use.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> may communicate with an external electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or at least one of an external electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may communicate with the external electronic device <NUM> via the server <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an input module <NUM>, a sound output module <NUM>, a display module <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a connecting terminal <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. In some embodiments of the disclosure, at least one (e.g., the connecting terminal <NUM>) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, some (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>) of the components may be integrated into a single component (e.g., the display module <NUM>).

The processor <NUM> may execute, e.g., software (e.g., a program <NUM>) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device <NUM> connected with the processor <NUM> and may process or compute various data. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor <NUM> may store a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> or the communication module <NUM>) in a volatile memory <NUM>, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory <NUM>, and store resulting data in a non-volatile memory <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may include a main processor <NUM> (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), or an auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor <NUM>. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> includes the main processor <NUM> and the auxiliary processor <NUM>, the auxiliary processor <NUM> may be configured to use lower power than the main processor <NUM> or to be specified for a designated function.

The auxiliary processor <NUM> may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one (e.g., the display module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, or the communication module <NUM>) of the components of the electronic device <NUM>, instead of the main processor <NUM> while the main processor <NUM> is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state or along with the main processor <NUM> while the main processor <NUM> is an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module <NUM> or the communication module <NUM>) functionally related to the auxiliary processor <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., the neural processing unit) may include a hardware structure specified for artificial intelligence model processing.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the display module <NUM> may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the audio module <NUM> may obtain a sound through the input module <NUM> or output a sound through the sound output module <NUM> or an external electronic device (e.g., an external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., a speaker or a headphone) directly or wirelessly connected with the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the sensor module <NUM> may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The interface <NUM> may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device <NUM> to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device <NUM>) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the interface <NUM> may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

A connecting terminal <NUM> may include a connector via which the electronic device <NUM> may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device <NUM>). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the connecting terminal <NUM> may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the haptic module <NUM> may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the power management module <NUM> may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the battery <NUM> may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module <NUM> may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or wireless communication channel between the electronic device <NUM> and an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device <NUM>, the external electronic device <NUM>, or the server <NUM>) and performing communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the communication module <NUM> may include a wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module <NUM> (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a 5th generation (<NUM>) network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)). The wireless communication module <NUM> may identify or authenticate the electronic device <NUM> in a communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module <NUM>.

The wireless communication module <NUM> may support a <NUM> network, after a 4th generation (<NUM>) network, and next-generation communication technology, e.g., new radio (NR) access technology. The wireless communication module <NUM> may support various requirements specified in the electronic device <NUM>, an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device <NUM>), or a network system (e.g., the second network <NUM>). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the wireless communication module <NUM> may support a peak data rate (e.g., 20Gbps or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 164dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., <NUM> or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a round trip of <NUM> or less) for implementing URLLC.

The antenna module <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the antenna module <NUM> may include one antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the antenna module <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an antenna array). In this case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in a communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, may be selected from the plurality of antennas by, e.g., the communication module <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, other parts (e.g., radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) than the radiator may be further formed as part of the antenna module <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the antenna module <NUM> may form a mmWave antenna module. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, a RFIC disposed on a first surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or a side surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high-frequency band.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device <NUM> via the server <NUM> coupled with the second network <NUM>. The external electronic devices <NUM> or <NUM> each may be a device of the same or a different type from the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device <NUM> may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the external electronic device <NUM> may include an internet-of-things (IoT) device. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the external electronic device <NUM> or the server <NUM> may be included in the second network <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., a smart home, a smart city, a smart car, or healthcare) based on <NUM> communication technology or IoT-related technology.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device supporting a connector according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in the three-axis rectangular coordinate system as shown in <FIG>, 'X,' 'Y,' and 'Z,' respectively, may denote the width, length, and thickness directions of an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>).

The electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the housing <NUM> may be formed of a conductive and/or non-conductive member. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may include a touchscreen display <NUM> (e.g., the display module <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed to be exposed in at least part of the housing <NUM>-<NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the touchscreen display <NUM> may operate as a pressure-responsive touchscreen display including a pressure sensor.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device may include a connector <NUM> (e.g., the connecting terminal <NUM> of <FIG>) for connecting to an external device. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the connector <NUM> may be a socket-type connector.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an opening <NUM> may be formed in at least part of the housing <NUM> to expose the connector <NUM>, and the connector <NUM> may be disposed in the opening <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a header-type external connector <NUM> may be attached to the connector <NUM> in a forward or backward direction. In other words, the external connector <NUM> may be inserted into the connector <NUM> in any direction regardless of the direction. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the external connector <NUM> may be connected to an external device via a cable. As the connector <NUM> and the external connector <NUM> are attached to each other, the electronic device <NUM> and the external device may be connected. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the external device may be various external devices that may connect to the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the external device is a USB on-the-go (OTG) device and may include a charger (or battery pack), an audio device, a laptop computer, a computer, a memory, or an antenna (e.g., digital multimedia broadcasting antenna or FM antenna).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the connector <NUM> may be used as an interface to connect the electronic device <NUM> with the external device or a power source (not shown). The electronic device <NUM> may transmit data of the electronic device <NUM> to, or receive data from, the external device through the external connector <NUM> connected to the connector <NUM>. Further, the electronic device <NUM> may receive power from the power source through the connector <NUM> or charge the battery using the power source. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the connector <NUM> may include USB type-C, and a contact board <NUM> may be formed in the connector <NUM>. Further, a mid-plate <NUM> having electric conductivity may be formed in the contact board <NUM>, and a plurality of pins may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the contact board <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating attachment between an electronic device and an external device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Here, a method for identifying whether an electronic device is attached to an external device is described with reference to <FIG> is a view illustrating a method for identifying whether an attachment with an external device is made according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>) may be electrically connected with an external device through a first connector <NUM>.

The first connector <NUM> of the electronic device may have an outer shape to allow a second connector <NUM> of the external device to be plugged in either way in a right direction or reverse direction, and a contact board <NUM> may be formed inside the first connector <NUM>.

The contact board <NUM> may have <NUM> pins (or terminals) <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>,. , <NUM>-<NUM> formed on a first surface (e.g., surface A) corresponding to the right direction and have <NUM> pins (or terminals) <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>,. , <NUM>-<NUM> formed on a second surface (e.g., surface B) corresponding to the reverse direction. A mid plate <NUM> which is electrically conductive may be formed inside the contact board <NUM>.

The second connector <NUM> of the external device may have <NUM> pins <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>,. , <NUM>-<NUM> formed on a first surface (e.g., surface A) to contact the <NUM> pins <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>,. , <NUM>-<NUM> formed on the first surface (e.g., surface A) of the contact board <NUM> and have <NUM> pins <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>,. , <NUM>-<NUM> formed on a second surface (e.g., surface B) to contact the <NUM> pins <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>,. , <NUM>-<NUM> formed on the second surface (e.g., surface B) of the contact board <NUM>. The number of pins included in the second connector <NUM> of the external device may vary depending on the type of the external device. Depending on the type, the external device may have one or two CC pins. For example, for the second connector <NUM> of the external device to be plugged in in the direction of either the first surface or the second surface, the order in which the <NUM> pins are arranged on the first surface (e.g., surface A) may be identical to the order in which the <NUM> pins are arranged on the second surface (e.g., surface B). By the structure, the user may plug the second connector <NUM> of the external device into the first connector <NUM> of the electronic device, in a <NUM>-degree rotated state.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the arrays of the pins formed on the first surface (e.g., surface A) and the second surface (e.g., surface B) of the contact board <NUM> are as shown in Table <NUM> below.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device may recognize the physical connection of the external device as the external second connector <NUM> is attached through the first connector <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device may recognize connection of the external device through at least one pin, e.g., an identification terminal (e.g., a configuration channel (CC) pin), among the plurality of signal pins included in the first connector <NUM> and identify the external device. For example, the electronic device and/or external device connected through a USB type-C connector may determine a power-related role or data-related role of the electronic device and external device based on the information recognized through the CC pin. For example, in terms of data transmission, it may be determined whether to operate as a host device or client device and, in terms of power supply, it may be determined whether to operate as a power supplying device (e.g., a source device) or a power receiving device (e.g., a sink device).

As described above, when the electronic device is a source device, the external device may be referred to as a sink device, and vice versa. Further, the external device may be referred to as an accessory device connectable through the first connector <NUM> of the electronic device. For example, when the external device is a charging device capable of supplying power, it may be a laptop computer, a travel charger (TA), or an assistant battery.

Referring to part <FIG>, before the external second connector <NUM> is attached through the first connector <NUM>, a high and low (e.g., 0V or VCC voltage) signal may be detected as toggled depending on the pull-up (Rp)/pull-down (Rd) resistor connected to the identification terminal of the electronic device.

In contrast, when the external second connector <NUM> is attached through the first connector <NUM>, as shown in part <FIG>, a high signal may be detected from one device through the identification terminal, and a low signal may be detected from the other device. For example, before until the first connector <NUM> and the second connector <NUM> are attached, a high or low signal may be output as toggled, and a low voltage level may be maintained through the CC pin for the device operating as a sink while a high voltage level may be maintained for the device operating as a source. This state may be maintained until they are detached and, when the second connector <NUM> is detached from the first connector <NUM>, a toggling signal in which a high or low signal is repeated may be detected.

However, even though the connector is physically connected to the electronic device, toggling between a low voltage level and a high voltage level, rather than a constant voltage level, may repeat due to attachment of an external device that does not meet the regulations defined in the USB power-related standard or a foreign body (or foreign object) introduced into the identification terminal. Therefore, although a toggling signal is repeatedly detected from the electronic device, it is possible to clearly recognize whether there is a physical connection of the connector by identifying whether the signal comes from actual attachment or detachment of the connector, thereby preventing a malfunction of the connector.

Hereinafter, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, if a signal due to a change in connection state is repeatedly generated within a predetermined time, the electronic device may additionally identify the connection state of the connector according to a specific condition. A method for additionally identifying the connection state of the connector is described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an electronic device for controlling a connector according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> and an external device <NUM> may be connected through their respective connectors <NUM> and <NUM>. The connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may transfer power or analog or digital data to the inside/outside of the device. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the connectors <NUM> and <NUM> may be connectors supporting USB type-C. Accordingly, the electronic device <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may transfer power therebetween through USB type-C connectors <NUM> and <NUM>.

When the electronic device <NUM> is electrically connected to the external device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may receive power from the external device <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may receive power from a power terminal 421a of the external device <NUM> through a power terminal (e.g., VBUS of the USB connector) 411a of the connector <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may be driven using the power supplied from the external device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit of the electronic device <NUM> may include a switching circuit <NUM>, a power management circuit (power management IC (PMIC)) <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and an identification circuit <NUM> (e.g., CCPD IC). According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the control circuit may be a separate component from the processor <NUM> and may be an integrated circuit of the power management circuit <NUM> and the identification circuit <NUM>. In addition to the control circuit, the electronic device <NUM> may include a connector <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a battery <NUM>. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at least some of the switching circuit <NUM>, the power management circuit <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, and the identification circuit <NUM> (e.g., CCPD IC) may be circuits for identifying the operation mode (e.g., sink or source operation) of the electronic device <NUM> and may be implemented as a single IC. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at least some of the switching circuit <NUM>, the power management circuit <NUM>, and the identification circuit <NUM> (e.g., CCPD IC) may be implemented as a single IC, and the IC including the processor <NUM> may be configured as a separate IC.

The connector <NUM> may include one or more signal terminals, e.g., a power terminal 411a for supplying or receiving power and an identification terminal 411b for identifying the external device <NUM>. The arrangement of the power terminal 411a and the identification terminal 411b is not limited to that shown in <FIG> but may be varied depending on the characteristics of the electronic device <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> may have USB type-C specifications and, in such a case, the power terminal 411a may correspond to the VBUS pin, and the identification terminal 411b may correspond to the CC pin (e.g., CC1 or CC2). Here, terminal may be referred to as a pin.

The switching circuit <NUM> may include at least one element and may be configured as a circuit to change a current transmission path depending on a specific control signal or specific condition or to short or open the current transmission path. For example, the switching circuit <NUM> may include an over voltage protection (OVP) circuit.

The power management circuit <NUM> may be electrically connected with the connector <NUM> and may control the voltage of the power supplied to each component included in the electronic device <NUM>. The power management circuit <NUM> may output a preset voltage.

The power management circuit <NUM> may receive the power of the external device <NUM> (e.g., a charger or battery pack) supplying external power through the connector <NUM> and output a preset voltage and may charge the battery <NUM> electrically connected thereto. Or, the power management circuit <NUM> may provide part of the power supplied from the battery <NUM> to the external device <NUM> requiring power, through the connector <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may be electrically connected with the connector <NUM>, control the signal flow between the blocks of the electronic device <NUM> and/or operation of the electronic device <NUM>, and perform a data processing function for processing data. For example, the processor <NUM> may be, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), a micro-control unit (MCU), or a microprocessor unit (MPU). The processor <NUM> may be formed as a single core processor or a multi-core processor.

When attached or detached from the external device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may recognize it through an interrupt signal line (e.g., INT) connected with the identification circuit <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may be connected with the power management circuit <NUM> or the identification circuit <NUM> through an interface. For example, inter-integrated circuit (I2C) communication-type data may be output to the processor <NUM> through the interface.

The memory <NUM> may be electrically connected to the processor <NUM> and may store various information and programs necessary to prevent a malfunction of the connector according to various embodiments. For example, the program may include a routine to detect connection of the external device <NUM> through the connector <NUM>, a routine to identify the type of the external device <NUM> when the external device <NUM> is connected, and a routine to set to correspond to the identified external device <NUM>.

Further, instructions for providing a notification through the display of the electronic device <NUM> and changing the operation of the electronic device <NUM> based on the presence or absence of a foreign body or abnormal charging may be previously stored in the memory <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device <NUM> may comprise an application processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) and a memory <NUM> electrically connected with the application processor. The memory <NUM> may store instructions that, when executed, enable the electronic device(or application processor) to monitor attachment with an external device <NUM> through an identification terminal among the one or more signal terminals, identify whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> are detected during a designated time, and identify whether there is the attachment with the external device <NUM>, based on a voltage of a power terminal among the one or more signal terminals, if the detection of the monitoring signals is identified.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to detect the voltage of the power terminal 411a through the power management circuit <NUM> while monitoring and, based on no voltage detected, identify whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during the designated time are detected.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to identify (or count) occurrences of interrupt signals in the state in which there is no voltage (e.g., NO VBUS) detected for the power terminal 411a through the power management circuit <NUM> whenever a toggling-induced interrupt signal is received while monitoring.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the instructions may be configured to enable the electronic device to identify whether a designated number of, or more (e.g., <NUM> times or more), monitoring signals are detected for the designated time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) in the no-powered context (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a.

As described above, at least some of operations of detecting a connector malfunction of the electronic device <NUM> may be implemented as instructions stored in the form of program modules (e.g., firmware), in a storage medium.

The identification circuit <NUM> may include at least one of a micro-usb interface controller (MUIC), a cable and connector integrated chip (CCIC), or a power delivery integrated chip (PDIC).

The identification circuit <NUM> may identify whether the external device <NUM> connected to the identification terminal 411b of the connector <NUM> is attached. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the identification circuit <NUM> may identify the value detected for the identification terminal 411b of the connector <NUM> and may identify whether it is attached (or connected) to or detached (or disconnected) from the external device <NUM> depending on the detected value. Specifically, the identification circuit <NUM> may identify the connection state with the external device <NUM> based on the value (e.g., resistance, voltage, current, or impedance) detected for the identification terminal 411b. For example, the identification circuit <NUM> may determine whether it is attached with the external device <NUM> by measuring the voltage due to the pull-up (Rp)/pull-down (Rd) resistor connected to the identification terminal 411b and may determine the operation mode, e.g., whether to operate as a source or a sink.

Further, the identification circuit <NUM> may transfer a control signal (e.g., interrupt signal) related to attachment or detachment from the external device <NUM> to the processor <NUM>. In this case, when attached with the external device <NUM>, a high voltage level or low voltage level may be detected constantly. The identification circuit <NUM> may recognize it and transfer the interrupt signal to the processor <NUM>, thereby indicating the connection state. This state may be maintained until before detached. On the other hand, when detached from the external device <NUM>, a fixed voltage level may change its state to toggle. For example, as a high voltage level (or high signal) is changed into a low voltage level (or low signal), or a low voltage level (or low signal) is changed into a high voltage level (or high signal), the identification circuit <NUM> may recognize it and transfer the interrupt signal to the processor <NUM>, thereby indicating the detached state. Whenever receiving such interrupt signal from the identification circuit <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify the state through an I2C communication-type interface with the power management circuit <NUM> to identify the actual state of the connector <NUM>.

In this case, despite being in the state attached with the external device <NUM>, an abnormal state may occur in which an interrupt signal is frequently transferred to the processor <NUM> due to attachment of an external device failing to meet the regulations defined in the USB power-related standard or a foreign body introduced to the identification terminal.

Accordingly, in an abnormal state in which a signal due to a change in connection state is repeatedly generated within a predetermined time, the connection state of the connector may be additionally identified according to a specific condition to prevent a malfunction of the connector.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the abnormal state, the electronic device <NUM> may use not only the value for the identification terminal 411b but also the value for the power terminal 411a to additionally identify the connection state of the connector <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the connector <NUM> of the external device <NUM> supporting the USB type-C standard may be inserted into the connector <NUM>. Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may detect insertion of the connector <NUM> of the external device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may perform the operation of determining whether it is in a state of being physically connected with the external device <NUM> by identifying the size of the resistance according to attachment of the external device <NUM>. For example, if a pull-up resistor Rp is connected to the identification terminal 421b of the external device <NUM>, a VCC voltage according to the pull-up resistor may be applied to the CC1 or CC2 terminal of the identification terminal 411b. In contrast, a voltage according to the pull-down resistor Rd may be applied to the CC1 or CC2 terminal of the identification terminal 411b. As described above, a high and low (e.g., 0V or VCC voltage) signal may be detected as toggling through the identification terminal 411b. Accordingly, when a VCC voltage is applied to the identification terminal 411b, the external device <NUM> may operate as a source supplying power, and the electronic device <NUM> may operate as a sink receiving power.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, at least some operations of the processor <NUM> may be performed by the identification circuit <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may identify the operation mode based on the control signal from the identification circuit <NUM> based on the voltage applied to the identification terminal 411b and may recognize the attached state. Further, the processor <NUM> may identify the type of the external device <NUM> attached to the electronic device <NUM>. For example, if the external device <NUM>, such as a portable charger (TA) or a battery pack, is connected, the processor <NUM> may identify the type of the external device <NUM> by identifying the size of the resistance according to connection with the external device <NUM>.

Accordingly, if the external device <NUM> is identified as a source device capable of supplying power (or current), the processor <NUM> may identify the size of the power supplied from the external device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may receive information about the VBUS voltage of the power terminal 411a from the power management circuit <NUM>. Accordingly, the battery <NUM> may be charged with the power supplied from the external device <NUM> through the power management circuit <NUM>.

The following example embodiments of the disclosure focus primarily on the electronic device <NUM> operating as a sink.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may monitor attachment of the external device <NUM> through the identification circuit <NUM> connected with the identification terminal 411b and identify whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> are detected during a designated time. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may identify the value detected for the power terminal 411a whenever a low or high signal according to toggling is detected. Here, the value detected for the power terminal 411a may mean the voltage currently applied to the electronic device <NUM>. For example, a designated time after starting to charge the battery <NUM> with the power supplied from the external device <NUM> through the power management circuit <NUM>, the voltage applied to the power terminal 411a may be identified.

As described above, when a toggling-induced low or high signal is detected in a state in which a high or low signal is fixed after detecting attachment with the external device <NUM>, the identification circuit <NUM> may recognize it and transfer an interrupt signal to the processor <NUM> to thereby indicate a change of the connection state. If receiving the interrupt signal from the identification circuit <NUM> after detecting the attachment, the processor <NUM> may recognize the detached state even when the attachment with the external device <NUM> is actually maintained. Further, if receiving a toggling-induced interrupt signal from the identification circuit <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may recognize the attached state. As such, as the operations of recognizing the attached state and the detached state are repeated, the processor <NUM> may maintain the wake-up state due to the frequent interrupt signals without switching into the sleep state, causing quick discharging.

Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may count the occurrences of toggling-induced signals, based on the interrupt signal from the identification circuit <NUM> and, if signals due to a designated number of times of toggling is generated during a predetermined time are generated, the processor <NUM> may regard it as an abnormal state and additionally identify the connection state of the connector <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may identify the value detected for the power terminal 411a whenever detecting a toggling-induced low or high signal by the identification circuit <NUM> connected with the identification terminal 411b. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify the voltage applied to the power terminal 411a through the power management circuit <NUM> while monitoring the attachment of the external device <NUM> in response to the toggling-induced low or high signal. Although in <FIG>, 'voltage' is exemplified for the purpose of describing various embodiments of the disclosure, 'voltage' may be interchangeably used with 'current,' 'power,' or 'impedance.

If the battery <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is charged with the power supplied from the external device <NUM> and the charging is complete (e.g., full charge state), power supply through the power terminal 411a may be stopped. Accordingly, the voltage applied to the power terminal 411a may be <NUM>.

As such, as toggling-induced interrupt signals are repeatedly generated in the no-powered context, the processor <NUM> may identify whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device during a designated time are detected in response to the occurrence of the interrupt signal. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may detect the voltage of the power terminal 411a through the power management circuit <NUM> while monitoring and, based on no voltage detected, identify whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during the designated time are detected. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify (or count) occurrences of interrupt signals in the state in which there is no voltage (e.g., NO VBUS) detected for the power terminal 411a through the power management circuit <NUM> whenever a toggling-induced interrupt signal is received while monitoring.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may identify whether a designated number of, or more (e.g., <NUM> times or more), monitoring signals are detected for the designated time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) in the no-powered context (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a.

If detection of the monitoring signals (e.g., when detected <NUM> times or more) during the designated time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) in the no-powered context (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a is identified, the processor <NUM> may identify whether it is actually physically attached (or connected) to or detached from the external device <NUM> based on the voltage (e.g., VBUS voltage) of the power terminal 411a. Upon identifying detection of a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during the designated time through the identification circuit <NUM> in the no-powered context (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a, the processor <NUM> controls the identification circuit <NUM> to at least temporarily stop transferring of the toggling-induced interrupt signal from the identification circuit <NUM> to the processor <NUM>. As such, as transfer of the interrupt signal to the processor <NUM> is temporarily restricted, the processor <NUM> may refrain from recognizing an abnormal attached state or detached state. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may instruct the control circuit (e.g., a control circuit including a PDIC) to change the VBUS threshold through IC2 communication while monitoring. For example, upon identifying detection of a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device during the designated time when monitoring, the processor <NUM> may configure the control circuit to change the threshold (e.g., VBUS threshold) for recognizing the voltage of the power terminal 411a. The abnormal VBUS value may be disregarded by changing the VBUS threshold in such a manner.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, upon identifying detection of a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during the designated time through the identification circuit <NUM> in the no-powered context (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a, the processor <NUM> may identify whether it is in a connected state for charging or in a detached state not requiring charging depending on the voltage (e.g., VBUS voltage) of the power terminal 411a. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may identify the value detected for the power terminal 411a through the power management circuit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, if the voltage (e.g., VBUS voltage) of the power terminal 411a falls within a first designated range, the processor <NUM> may identify the state detached from the external device <NUM>. For example, in a case where the voltage of the power terminal 411a falls within the first designated range (e.g., post-full charge voltage or 0V), despite no connection to the external device <NUM>, power for charging the battery <NUM> may not be supplied. In this context, the identification circuit <NUM> may continuously detect the toggling-induced signal. In such a case, the identification circuit <NUM> may refrain from transferring the interrupt signal, indicating detection of a toggling-induced signal, to the processor <NUM>. At this time, the power management circuit <NUM> may notify the identification circuit <NUM> through the I2C interface that the voltage of the power terminal 411a is absent. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may receive the context, in which the voltage of the power terminal 411a is absent, from the power management circuit <NUM> and notify the identification circuit <NUM> of it through the I2C interface.

Accordingly, if receiving a signal indicating that there is no voltage of the power terminal 411a, through the I2C interface while transfer of the interrupt signal to the processor <NUM> is temporarily restricted, the identification circuit <NUM> may transfer, to the processor <NUM>, a signal indicating that charging is not required and it is in the detached state. Thus, the processor <NUM> may recognize the state detached from the external device <NUM>. Accordingly, if the voltage of the power terminal 411a falls within the first designated range, the processor <NUM> may release the pause of the identification circuit <NUM> outputting the interrupt signal related to attachment with the external device <NUM> to the processor <NUM>. If the voltage of the power terminal 411a falls within the first designated range, charging is not really performed. Thus, the processor <NUM> may recognize the detached state and switch into sleep mode. As such, the processor <NUM> does not receive an abnormal state-induced interrupt signal from the identification circuit <NUM> and may switch into sleep mode, decreasing current consumption and hence preventing quick discharge.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, if the voltage (e.g., VBUS voltage) of the power terminal 411a falls within a second designated range, the processor <NUM> may identify the state attached with the external device <NUM>. For example, in a case where the voltage of the power terminal 411a falls within the second designated range (e.g., <NUM>. 75V or more or 5V or more), the identification circuit <NUM> may continuously detect the toggling-induced signal in a context where it is connected to the external device <NUM> and receives power through the power terminal 411a for charging the battery <NUM>. In such a case, the identification circuit <NUM> may refrain from transferring the interrupt signal, indicating detection of a toggling-induced signal, to the processor <NUM>. Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may recognize that attachment with the external device <NUM> is maintained for charging.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may limit unnecessary display of a notification message indicating whether a connection is made whenever an interrupt signal is generated due to a change in connection state and hence prevent the operation of leading the user to check the insertion state of the connector, thereby allowing for more stable use.

Although the foregoing embodiments focus primarily on the electronic device <NUM> operating as a sink, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosure may also be applied even where the electronic device operates as a source.

The following example embodiments of the disclosure focus primarily on the electronic device <NUM> operating as a source.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may identify, through the identification terminal 411b, whether the external device <NUM> is a device for supplying power to the electronic device <NUM> or a device for receiving power from the electronic device <NUM>.

If the external device <NUM> is identified as a device for supplying power to the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may control to supply the received voltage to the power management circuit <NUM> to perform charging using part of the voltage received from the external device <NUM> through the power terminal 411a. In contrast, in a case where the external device <NUM> is identified as a device for receiving power from the electronic device <NUM>, if detection of a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device during the designated time is identified through the identification circuit <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may provide part of the power supplied from the battery <NUM> through the power management circuit <NUM> to the external device <NUM> requiring power, attached to the connector <NUM>.

For example, according to the USB type-C standard, in the default USB state, the current applied to the identification terminal 411b may be about 80uA and, when the current is detected, the identification circuit <NUM> may transfer the interrupt signal related to attachment to the processor <NUM>. Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may determine whether it is in a state attached with the external device <NUM> in response to the interrupt signal and may determine the operation mode, e.g., whether to operate as a source.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the state of operating as a source, the processor <NUM> may identify whether a designated number of, or more (e.g., <NUM> times or more), monitoring signals are detected for the designated time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) in the context (e.g., NO VBUS) where no power is supplied to the external device <NUM> through the power terminal 411a.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, upon identifying detection of a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during the designated time through the identification circuit <NUM> in the no-powered context (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a, the processor <NUM> may regard it as an abnormal state and change the threshold, which is a reference for the identification circuit <NUM> to output an interrupt signal related to attachment with the external device <NUM> to the processor <NUM>, into a designated threshold.

For example, the processor <NUM> may detect the current applied to the identification terminal 411b and identify whether there is a foreign body based on the detected current. If the current is applied to the identification terminal 411b in the context where a foreign body is present, normal power supply to the external device <NUM> may be difficult. Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may change the threshold in the identification circuit <NUM> to change the threshold, which is the reference for the identification circuit <NUM> to output the interrupt signal related to attachment with the external device <NUM> to the processor <NUM>, into a designated threshold. For example, the processor <NUM> may increase the current value (or threshold) (e.g., about 80uA) applied to the identification terminal 411b to the designated threshold (e.g., about 180uA or about 330uA).

Accordingly, after identifying a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during the designated time through the identification circuit <NUM> in the context (e.g., NO VBUS) where no power is supplied through the power terminal 411a, if the detected value is the designated threshold (e.g., about 180uA or about 330uA), the processor <NUM> may regard it as the state attached with the external device <NUM>. In contrast, the processor <NUM> may regard detection of a signal failing to meet the designated threshold as a wrong connector connection and recognize it as the detached state, so that the processor <NUM> may switch into sleep mode.

As described above, the processor <NUM> may identify the presence or absence of a foreign body based on the value detected for the identification terminal 411b and, if a foreign body is present, enable normal power supply to the external device <NUM> by readjusting the threshold into the designated threshold. Further, the processor <NUM> may identify whether there is a foreign body by comparing the value detected for the identification terminal 411b with the designated threshold. In this case, the changed designated threshold may be restored into the original threshold when the attachment with the external device <NUM> is actually released.

Meanwhile, although such an example has been described above in which it is the processor <NUM> that monitors attachment with the external device <NUM> and, if a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> are detected during the designated time, identifies whether it is attached with the external device based on the voltage of the power terminal among the one or more signal terminals, the entity of performing the operations may be a control circuit other than the processor <NUM>. Here, the control circuit may be an IC into which the power management circuit <NUM> and the identification circuit <NUM> are integrated.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the control circuit including the power management circuit <NUM> and the identification circuit <NUM> may monitor attachment with the external device <NUM> and, upon detecting a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during a designated time, identify whether it is attached with the external device based on the voltage of the power terminal among the one or more signal terminals.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the entity of performing the operations of monitoring attachment with the external device <NUM> and identifying detection of a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during a designated time may be the identification circuit <NUM>. If detection the designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during the designated time is identified by the identification circuit <NUM>, the power management circuit <NUM> may identify whether it is attached with the external device <NUM> based on the voltage of the power terminal among the one or more signal terminals in response to the identification of the detection. Accordingly, if whether attached is identified based on the voltage of the power terminal by the power management circuit <NUM>, the power management circuit <NUM> may notify the processor <NUM> of it and, if recognizing the detached state, the processor <NUM> may switch into sleep mode while performing the operation corresponding to the attached state if recognizing that the attached state is maintained.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the operations of monitoring attachment with the external device <NUM>, identifying whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> are detected for a designated time, and allowing the control circuit to change the voltage recognition threshold (e.g., VBUS threshold) of the power terminal 411a in response to detection of the monitoring signals being identified may be performed by the processor <NUM>, and the operation of identifying whether it is attached with the external device <NUM> based on the voltage of the power terminal 411a may be performed by the control circuit.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device <NUM> may comprise a connector <NUM> including one or more signal terminals and a control circuit electrically connected with the one or more signal terminals. The control circuit may be configured to monitor attachment with an external device <NUM> through an identification terminal among the one or more signal terminals, identify whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> are detected during a designated time, and identify whether there is the attachment with the external device <NUM>, based on a voltage of a power terminal among the one or more signal terminals, in response to the detection of the monitoring signals being identified.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit may be configured to detect the voltage of the power terminal among the one or more signal terminals while monitoring and identify whether the designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device are detected during the designated time, based on the detected voltage being absent.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit may be configured to include an application processor <NUM>, a power management circuit <NUM> electrically connected with the power terminal among the one or more signal terminals, and an identification circuit <NUM> electrically connected with the identification terminal among the one or more signal terminals, and based on the detection of the designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during the designated time being identified through the identification circuit <NUM> outputting the monitoring signals, at least temporarily stop outputting, by the identification circuit <NUM>, an interrupt signal related to attachment with the external device <NUM> to the application processor <NUM>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit may be configured to identify a state detached from the external device <NUM> based on the voltage of the power terminal falling within a first designated range after the detection of the monitoring signals is identified.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit may be configured to release the stop of the output, by the identification circuit <NUM>, of the interrupt signal related to the attachment with the external device <NUM> to the application processor <NUM> based on the voltage of the power terminal falling within a first designated range after the detection of the monitoring signals is identified.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit may be configured to identify a state attached with the external device <NUM> based on the voltage of the power terminal falling within a second designated range after the detection of the monitoring signals is identified.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit may be configured to identify whether the external device <NUM> is a device for supplying power to the electronic device <NUM> or the external device <NUM> is a device for receiving power from the electronic device <NUM> through the identification terminal among the one or more signal terminals, and supply a voltage, received from the external device <NUM> through the power terminal, to the power management circuit <NUM> to charge using part of the received voltage when the external device <NUM> is identified as the device for supplying the power.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit may be configured to, based on the external device <NUM> being identified as the device for receiving the power from the electronic device <NUM>, in response to the detection of the designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during the designated time being identified through the identification circuit <NUM>, change a threshold, which is a reference for outputting, by the identification circuit <NUM>, the interrupt signal related to the attachment with the external device <NUM> to the application processor <NUM>, into a designated threshold.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the control circuit may be configured to identify a detection value for the identification terminal after the detection of the monitoring signal is identified, and identify whether there is the attachment with the external device <NUM> by comparing the detection value with the designated threshold.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the identification terminal may include a USB type-C-based CC1 terminal or CC2 terminal. The power terminal may include a USB type-C-based VBUS terminal.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device <NUM> may comprise a connector <NUM> including one or more signal terminals, a control circuit electrically connected with the one or more signal terminals, and a processor <NUM> electrically connected with the control circuit. The processor <NUM> may be configured to monitor attachment with an external device through an identification terminal among the one or more signal terminals, identify whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device are detected during a designated time, and in response to the detection of the monitoring signals being identified, allow the control circuit to change a voltage threshold of a power terminal among the one or more signal terminals. The control circuit may be configured to identify whether there is the attachment with the external device, based on a voltage of the power terminal.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the control circuit may include the power management circuit <NUM> and the identification circuit <NUM>. For example, the control circuit may be configured as an IC into which the power management circuit <NUM> and the identification circuit <NUM> are integrated.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, at least some of the switching circuit <NUM>, the power management circuit <NUM>, and the identification circuit <NUM> (e.g., CCPD IC) may be implemented as a single IC, and the IC including the processor <NUM> may be configured as a separate IC.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating operations for preventing a malfunction of a connector in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the operation method may include operations <NUM> to <NUM>. Each operation of the operation method of <FIG> may be performed by at least one of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) or at least one processor (e.g., at least one of the processor <NUM> of <FIG> or the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, it may be assumed that the electronic device <NUM> recognizes that the external device <NUM> is attached through one of the CC1 terminal or the CC2 terminal of the identification terminal 411b.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may monitor attachment with the external device <NUM> through the identification terminal 411b among one or more signal terminals included in the connector <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may identify whether a toggling-induced low or high signal is detected in a state in which a high or low signal is fixed after detecting associated with the external device <NUM>, thereby monitoring associated with the external device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may identify whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> are detected during a designated time. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may detect the voltage of the power terminal 411a among the one or more signal terminals while monitoring and, based on no voltage detected, identify whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device <NUM> during the designated time are detected. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may identify whether a designated number of, or more (e.g., <NUM> times or more), monitoring signals are detected for the designated time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) in the no-powered context (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a.

If identifying detection of a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device during the designated time through the identification circuit electrically connected with the identification terminal among the one or more signal terminals, the electronic device <NUM> controls the identification circuit to at least temporarily stop the operation of outputting an interrupt signal related to associated with the external device to the application processor of the electronic device.

In operation <NUM>, if detection of the monitoring signals is identified, the electronic device <NUM> may identify whether it is attached with the external device <NUM> based on the voltage of the power terminal 411a among the one or more signal terminals.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, after identifying detection of the monitoring signals, if the voltage of the power terminal 411a falls within the first designated range, the electronic device <NUM> may identify the state detached from the external device <NUM>. For example, if the voltage of the power terminal 411a is a low voltage level, the electronic device <NUM> may regard it as not being charged and determine that attachment need not be maintained any longer so that it is in the state detached from the external device <NUM> and then switch into sleep mode.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, if the voltage of the power terminal 411a falls within the first designated range after detection of the monitoring signals is identified, the electronic device <NUM> may control the identification circuit <NUM> to release the pause of the operation of outputting the interrupt signal related to associated with the external device <NUM> to the processor <NUM>.

In contrast, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, after identifying detection of the monitoring signals, if the voltage of the power terminal 411a falls within the second designated range, the electronic device <NUM> may identify the state attached with the external device. For example, if the voltage of the power terminal 411a is the high voltage level, the electronic device <NUM> may determine being charged and maintain the state attached with the external device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further comprise identifying whether the external device is a device for supplying power to the electronic device or the external device is a device for receiving power from the electronic device through the identification terminal among the one or more signal terminals and supplying a voltage, received from the external device through the power terminal, to a power management circuit electrically connected with the power terminal among the one or more signal terminals to charge using part of the received voltage when the external device is identified as the device for supplying the power.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further comprise, when the external device is identified as the device for receiving the power from the electronic device, in response to the detection of the designated number of, or more, monitoring signals related to attachment with the external device during the designated time being identified through the identification circuit, changing a threshold, which is a reference for outputting, by the identification circuit, the interrupt signal related to the attachment with the external device to the application processor, into a designated threshold.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further comprise identifying a detection value for the identification terminal after the detection of the monitoring signal is identified and identifying whether there is the attachment with the external device by comparing the detection value with the designated threshold.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating operations of an electronic device operating as a sink according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, it may be assumed that the electronic device <NUM> recognizes that the external device <NUM> is attached through one of the CC1 terminal or the CC2 terminal of the identification terminal 411b. An example in which the electronic device <NUM> operates as a sink is described in connection with <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, if the electronic device <NUM> is a sink device and is attached with the external device <NUM> operating as a source device, the electronic device <NUM> may monitor the identification terminal 411b in the state of operating in the sink mode in operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may identify whether signals related to external attachment are detected N times or more for a predetermined time in a state in which no voltage is detected (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a. For example, when operating in the sink mode, the electronic device <NUM> may count the number of times of signal generation due to toggling based on the interrupt signal indicating attachment or detachment from the identification circuit <NUM> and identify whether signals are generated due to a designated number of, or more, times of toggling during a predetermined time.

If N or more (e.g., <NUM> or more) interrupt signals are generated for a predetermined time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) in the no-powered context (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a, the electronic device <NUM> controls the identification circuit <NUM> to at least temporarily stop the operation of outputting the interrupt signal related to associated with the external device to the application processor <NUM> in operation <NUM>.

Further, if N or more (e.g., <NUM> or more) interrupt signals are generated for a predetermined time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) in the no-powered context (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a, the electronic device <NUM> may identify whether it is actually in the state of being physically attached (or connected) or detached from the external device <NUM> based on the voltage (e.g., VBUS voltage) of the power terminal 411a.

To that end, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may identify whether the voltage for the VBUS (power terminal 411a) falls within a first designated range or a second designated range. If the voltage for the VBUS (power terminal 411a) falls within the second designated range, the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the state attached with the external device <NUM> in operation <NUM>. For example, in a case where the voltage of the power terminal 411a falls within the second designated range (e.g., <NUM>. 75V or more or 5V or more), the identification circuit <NUM> may continuously detect the toggling-induced signal in a context where it is connected to the external device <NUM> and receives power through the power terminal 411a for charging the battery <NUM>. In such a case, the identification circuit <NUM> may refrain from transferring the interrupt signal, indicating detection of a toggling-induced signal, to the processor <NUM>. Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may recognize that attachment with the external device <NUM> is maintained for charging.

In contrast, if the voltage for the VBUS (power terminal 411a) falls within the first designated range, the electronic device <NUM> may recognize that it is in the state detached from the external device <NUM> and control to release the pause of the operation of outputting the interrupt signal in operation <NUM>.

For example, in a case where the voltage of the power terminal 411a falls within the first designated range (e.g., post-full charge voltage or 0V), despite no connection to the external device <NUM>, power for charging the battery <NUM> may not be supplied. Therefore, if determining that the voltage of the power terminal 411a is absent while temporarily restricting transfer of the interrupt signal to the processor <NUM> from the identification circuit <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may recognize that charging is not needed and it is in the detached state. Further, after recognizing the detached state to disconnect from the external device <NUM>, the identification circuit <NUM> may be restored into the original state. For example, it may release the pause of the operation of the identification circuit <NUM> outputting the interrupt signal related to associated with the external device <NUM> to the processor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating operations of an electronic device operating as a source according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to <FIG>, operations <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> are the same as operations <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>, and no description thereof is repeated. However, in <FIG>, it may be assumed that the electronic device <NUM> is a source device and is in the state attached with an external device <NUM> operating as a sink device.

Referring to <FIG>, if N or more (e.g., <NUM> or more) interrupt signals are generated for a predetermined time (e.g., <NUM> seconds) in the no-powered context (e.g., NO VBUS) through the power terminal 411a, the electronic device <NUM> may change a threshold (e.g., about 80uA), which is a reference for outputting the interrupt signal related to associated with the external device <NUM>, into a designated threshold (e.g., about 180uA or about 330uA) in operation <NUM>. For example, if the pull-up (Rp) resistance connected to the identification terminal 411b is changed from about 80uA to about 180uA or about 330uA, the electronic device <NUM> may reidentify whether it is in the state attached with the external device <NUM> by measuring the current value due to Rp.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may identify whether the value detected for the identification terminal 411b is a designated threshold or more. If the value detected for the identification terminal 411b is the designated threshold or more, the interrupt signal is not transferred from the identification circuit <NUM> to the processor <NUM> and, thus, the electronic device <NUM> may maintain the state attached with the external device <NUM> in operation <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may identify the value detected for the identification terminal 411b and, if the detected value is the designated threshold or more (e.g., about 180uA or about 330uA), regard it as the state attached with the external device <NUM>.

In contrast, unless the value detected for the identification terminal 411b is the designated threshold or more, the electronic device <NUM> may recognize the state detached from the external device <NUM> and then restore into the original threshold in operation <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may regard detection of a signal failing to meet the designated threshold as a wrong connector connection and recognize it as the detached state, so that the processor <NUM> may switch into sleep mode. In this case, the changed designated threshold (e.g., about 180uA or about 330uA) may be restored into the original threshold (e.g., about 80uA).

<FIG> is a view illustrating an operation waveform when attached with an external device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, it illustrates a case where as it is changed into the full charge state a designated time after starting to charge the battery <NUM> with the power supplied from the external device <NUM> through the power management circuit <NUM>, the voltage for the power terminal 411a (VBUS) of the electronic device <NUM> is sharply dropped. In this case, since the electronic device <NUM> is being charged in the state attached with the external device <NUM>, a high-level or low-level signal may be fixedly output through the CC1 terminal or CC2 terminal of the identification terminal 411b.

However, despite being in the state attached with the external device <NUM>, if it is attached with an external device failing to meet the regulations defined in the USB power-related standard and is fully charged, a toggling-induced low or high signal may be detected as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, such an abnormal state may occur in which an abnormal signal (e.g., interrupt signal) related to attachment or detachment is frequently transferred to the processor <NUM>. Thus, as the operations of recognizing the attached state and the detached state are repeated, the processor <NUM> may maintain the wake-up state due to the frequent interrupt signals without switching into the sleep state, causing quick discharging. Therefore, it is possible to further identify the attached state of a connector according to a specific condition to prevent a malfunction of the connector in an abnormal state in which a signal is repeatedly generated due to a change in connection state within a predetermined time although it is fully charged so that the voltage for the power terminal 411a (VBUS) is not detected as shown in <FIG>.

This is described below with reference to <FIG> is a view illustrating an operation waveform at least based on power and an attached state of an electronic device operating as a sink according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> exemplifies a waveform in which sink-connection repeats.

Referring to <FIG>, a designated time after starting to charge the battery <NUM> with the power supplied from the external device <NUM> through the power management circuit <NUM>, the voltage applied to the power terminal 411a may be identified. If the battery <NUM> reaches the fully charged state, no more power is supplied from the external device <NUM>, so that the voltage detected for the power terminal 411a may be decreased. For example, if a VBUS drop occurs after fully charged by the battery pack (<NUM>), a VBUS-related interrupt <NUM> may occur in response to the full charge, and a signal (e.g., CC-related interrupt) <NUM> in which a low or high signal is repeated in relation to whether it is attached may continuously be repeated. However, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, in the abnormal state, the electronic device <NUM> may use not only the value for the identification terminal 411b but also the value for the power terminal 411a to additionally identify the connection state of the connector <NUM>.

Accordingly, in an abnormal state in which the signal due to a change in connection state is repeatedly generated within a predetermined time, malfunction control may be executed (<NUM>) in connection with the connector. Although the voltage level of VBUS is output in a state of having dropped not to 0V but to an abnormal voltage level (e.g., <NUM>. 5V to <NUM>. 6V) due to the external device failing to meet the regulations defined in the USB power-related standard, the electronic device <NUM> operating as a sink controls not to generate a CC-related interrupt while malfunction control is executed. Thus, the processor <NUM> need not receive a malfunction-induced interrupt signal and may thus enter the sleep state, reducing current consumption. In other words, the processor <NUM> may control the identification circuit <NUM> to at least temporarily stop the operation of outputting the interrupt signal (CC-related interrupt) related to attachment with the external device to the processor <NUM>.

At this time, if the voltage of the power terminal falls within the first designated range, e.g., if the voltage level of VBUS drops to 0V or less, the processor <NUM> may terminate the execution of the malfunction control by releasing the pause of the operation of the identification circuit <NUM> outputting the interrupt signal (CC-related interrupt) related to attachment with the external device to the processor <NUM>. Here, if the voltage level of VBUS drops to 0V or less, it indicates that charging is not performed any longer, so that it may release the connection with the external device <NUM>.

In contrast, if the voltage of the power terminal falls within the second designated range, e.g., if the voltage level of VBUS is increased to <NUM>. 75V or more, it indicates that charging is normally resumed, so that it may maintain the state attached with the external device <NUM>.

Meanwhile, although the result of measurement of the voltage at the identification terminal and power terminal in relation to the connector of the electronic device <NUM> operating as a sink has been described above as an example, the result of measurement when it operates as a source is described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an operation waveform when attachment and detachment repeatedly occur according to an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating an operation waveform, at least, based on power and an attached state of an electronic device operating as a source according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> exemplifies a waveform in which source disconnection repeats. Referring to <FIG>, despite physical connection of the connector to the electronic device, toggling between a low voltage level and a high voltage level, rather than a constant voltage level, may repeat due to attachment of an external device that does not meet the regulations defined in the USB power-related standard or a foreign body introduced into the identification terminal. In the state of supplying power to the external device <NUM>, the voltage of the power terminal 411a (VBUS) may be constantly detected as shown in <FIG>. However, if the current is applied to the identification terminal 411b in the context where a foreign body is present, normal power supply to the external device <NUM> may be difficult. For example, if signal through the CC terminal is disconnected due to toggling, power supply through the power terminal 411a (VBUS) may also be disconnected. As such, if a detached state is detected through the identification terminal 411b while power is supplied through the power terminal 411a (VBUS), the processor <NUM> may stop application of voltage to the power terminal 411a (VBUS), so that VBUS disconnection may occur, and such waveform may repeat. However, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may change the threshold in the identification circuit <NUM> to change the threshold, which is the reference for the identification circuit <NUM> to output the interrupt signal related to attachment with the external device <NUM> to the processor <NUM>, into a designated threshold. For example, the processor <NUM> may increase the current value (or threshold) (e.g., about 80uA) applied to the identification terminal 411b to the designated threshold (e.g., about 180uA or about 330uA).

Accordingly, if the current value (or threshold) (e.g., about 80uA) applied to the identification terminal 411b is changed into a designated threshold (e.g., about 180uA or about 330uA), it may be connected to the source as shown in <FIG>, and then, repeated toggling through the identification terminal 411b and resultant VBUS disconnection may be mitigated.

As the attachment or detachment malfunction prevention is executed as described above, the processor <NUM> may regard detection of a signal failing to meet the designated threshold as a wrong connector connection and recognize it as the detached state, so that the processor <NUM> may switch into sleep mode. As described above, the processor <NUM> may identify the presence or absence of a foreign body based on the value detected for the identification terminal 411b and, if a foreign body is present, enable normal power supply to the external device <NUM> by readjusting the threshold into the designated threshold.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device is not limited to the above-listed embodiments.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments.

For example, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the module may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program <NUM>) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory <NUM> or an external memory <NUM>) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a connector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a plurality of signal terminals including an identification terminal (411b) and a power terminal (411a); and
a control circuit electrically connected with the plurality of signal terminals, wherein the control circuit is configured to:
monitor attachment with an external device (<NUM>) through the identification terminal (411b),
generate a monitoring signal in response to each change in attachment state detected,
identify whether a designated number of, or more, monitoring signals are detected during a designated time,
identify whether there is the attachment with the external device (<NUM>) based on a voltage of the power terminal (411a), in response to identifying the designated number of, or more, the monitoring signals, and
in response to identifying that there is attachment with the external device (<NUM>) based on the voltage of the power terminal (411a) being absent, stop output of an interrupt signal indicating an abnormal attached state.