# US 10,372,568 B2 · Electronic device being connectable to external device, and method of controlling electronic device being connectable to extenal device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,372,568 B2 - Document ID: US10372568B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/653,631 - Filed: 2017-07-19 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-20 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Yasusaburo Degura; Hidenori Shiba; Masakazu Nakadokoro - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10372568B2 ## CPC - G06F 11/221: {to test buses, lines or interfaces, e.g. stuck-at or open line faults} - G06F 11/2247: {Verification or detection of system hardware configuration} - G06F 13/00: Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units (interface circuits for specific input/output devices G06F3/00 {; multiprogram control therefor G06F9/46}; multiprocessor systems G06F15/16 ) - G06F 13/385: {for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices} - G06F 11/2215: {to test error correction or detection circuits} - H01R 13/7039: {the coupling part with coding means activating the switch to establish different circuits} - H01R 24/62: Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract An electronic device has a first terminal for receiving power from a connected external device, a second terminal for obtaining information of the external device, and a GND terminal connected to the second terminal. The electronic device causes a resistance between the second terminal and the GND terminal to change, and determines a type of the external device based on a voltage of the first terminal after the resistance is caused to change. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic device, comprising: a first terminal for receiving power from a connected external device; a second terminal for obtaining information of the external device; a control unit configured to control a voltage of the second terminal; a determination unit configured to determine a type of the external device in accordance with a voltage of the first terminal after a predetermined period has elapsed since the control unit changed the voltage of the second terminal from a voltage included in a predetermined range to a voltage not in the predetermined range; and a power supply unit configured to perform a process related to a power supply via the first terminal from the external device, based on the type of the external device determined by the determination unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage of the second terminal is used in determining whether or not the external device is in a connected state, and the voltage included in the predetermined range is a voltage for determining that the external device is in the connected state, and the voltage outside of the predetermined range is a voltage for determining that the external device is in a non-connected state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the type of the external device is a first type in a case that a voltage value of the first terminal changes to a voltage value included in a first range after the predetermined period elapses since the control unit controlled the voltage of the second terminal to the voltage outside of the predetermined range. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the first range is a voltage range of less than or equal to 1.0V. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines that the type of the external device is a second type in a case that the voltage value of the first terminal changes to a voltage value included in a second range, which differs the first range after the predetermined period elapses since the control unit controlled the voltage of the second terminal to the voltage outside of the predetermined range. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the second range is a voltage range of 4.75V to 5.25V. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is provided with an interface that complies with USB Type-C, the first terminal is a VBUS terminal included in the interface that complies with USB Type-C, and the second terminal is a CC terminal included in the interface that complies with USB Type-C. ### Claim 8 A method of controlling an electronic device provided with a first terminal for receiving power from a connected external device, and a second terminal for obtaining information of the external device, the method comprising: changing, by at least one of a circuitry and a processor, a voltage of the second terminal from a voltage included in a predetermined range to a voltage outside of the predetermined range; determining, by at least one of the circuitry and the processor, a type of the external device in accordance with a voltage of the first terminal after a predetermined period has elapsed since the voltage of the second terminal was changed to the voltage outside of the predetermined range; and performing, by at least one of the circuitry and the processor, a process related to a power supply via the first terminal from the external device, based on the type of the external device determined by the determining. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a GND terminal configured to provide a ground, and connected to the second terminal, wherein the control unit controls the voltage of the second terminal by changing a resistance between the second terminal and the GND terminal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The electronic device according to claim 3, further comprising an obtaining unit configured to obtain a power supply ability of the external device, wherein the obtaining unit, if the type of the external device is determined to be the first type, obtains the power supply ability of the external device based on a voltage of the second terminal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising an obtaining unit configured to obtain a power supply ability of the external device, wherein the obtaining unit, if the type of the external device is determined to be the second type, obtains the power supply ability of the external device based on a voltage of a third terminal that is different to the first terminal and the second terminal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the determination unit determines the type of the external device based on the voltage of the first terminal after the control unit changes the second terminal and the GND terminal from a state of being connected to one another via a predetermined resistor to a disconnected state. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period is less than or equal to 1000 msec. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a supply unit configured to supply the determination unit and the control unit with power. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the supply unit is a capacitor charged by power received by the first terminal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the supply unit supplies the determination unit and the control unit with power obtained from the external device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a GND terminal configured to provide a ground, and connected to the second terminal, wherein the determination unit determines the type of the external device based on the voltage of the first terminal after the control unit switches from a state in which the second terminal and the GND terminal are not connected to a state where the second terminal and the GND terminal are connected. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The electronic device according to claim 17, further comprising a power storage unit configured to accumulate power obtained from the external device via the second terminal, and supply the determination unit and the control unit with power, wherein the power storage unit obtains power from the external device in the state in which the second terminal and the GND terminal are not connected. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The electronic device according to claim 18, further comprising a switch for controlling a connection between the second terminal and the power storage unit, wherein, if the electronic device is connected to the external device, the control unit controls so as to enter a state in which the second terminal and the GND terminal are not connected, and the switch controls so as to connect the second terminal and the power storage unit, in accordance with an accumulation of predetermined power in the power storage unit, the switch controls so that the second terminal and the power storage unit are not connected, and in accordance with the second terminal and the power storage unit entering a non-connected state, the control unit switches from the state in which the second terminal and the GND terminal are not connected to the state in which the second terminal and the GND terminal are connected. ### Claim 20 (depends on 9) The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit changes the resistance between the second terminal and the GND terminal after the electronic device connects to the external device and before communicating with the external device via the second terminal. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a power control unit configured to control a power reception process for receiving power from a connected external device via the first terminal; wherein the first control unit controls the power reception process in accordance with the type of the external device determined by the determination unit. ### Claim 22 An electronic device, comprising: a first terminal configured to receive power from a connected external device; a second terminal configured to obtain information of the external device, and at least one of a circuitry and a processor that (1) controls a voltage of the second terminal, (2) determines a type of the external device in accordance with a voltage of the first terminal after a predetermined period has elapsed since the voltage of the second terminal was changed from a voltage included in a predetermined range to a voltage not in the predetermined range, and (3) performs a process related to a power supply via the first terminal from the external device, based on the type of the external device determined. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The electronic device according to claim 22, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor determines that the type of the external device is a first type in a case that a voltage value of the first terminal changes to a voltage value included in a first range after the predetermined period has elapsed since the voltage of the second terminal was changed from the voltage included in a predetermined range to the voltage not in the predetermined range. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The electronic device according to claim 23, wherein the first range is a voltage range of less than or equal to 1.0V. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The electronic device according to claim 23, wherein if the type of the external device is determined to be the first type, at least one of the circuitry and the processor obtains a power supply ability of the external device based on a voltage of the second terminal. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The electronic device according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor determines that the type of the external device is a second type in a case that the voltage value of the first terminal changes to a voltage value included in a second range which differs the first range, after the predetermined period has elapsed since the voltage of the second terminal was changed from the voltage included in a predetermined range to the voltage not in the predetermined range. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The electronic device according to claim 26, wherein the second range is a voltage range of 4.75V to 5.25V. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The electronic device according to claim 26, wherein if the type of the external device is determined to be the second type, at least one of the circuitry and the processor obtains a power supply ability of the external device based on a voltage of a third terminal that is different to the first terminal and the second terminal. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) The electronic device according to claim 22, wherein the electronic device is provided with an interface that complies with USB Type-C, the first terminal is a VBUS terminal included in the interface that complies with USB Type-C, and the second terminal is a CC terminal included in the interface that complies with USB Type-C. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) The electronic device according to claim 22, further comprising a GND terminal configured to provide a ground, and connected to the second terminal via a resistance, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor controls the voltage of the second terminal by changing a resistance between the second terminal and the GND terminal. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The electronic device according to claim 30, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor changes the resistance between the second terminal and the GND terminal after the electronic device connects to the external device and before communicating with the external device via the second terminal. ### Claim 32 (depends on 22) The electronic device according to claim 22, wherein the predetermined period is less than or equal to 1000 msec. ### Claim 33 (depends on 22) The electronic device according to claim 22, further comprising a power supply configured to supply the circuitry with power. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The electronic device according to claim 33, wherein the power supply is a capacitor charged by power received by the first terminal. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The electronic device according to claim 33, wherein the power supply supplies at least one of the circuitry and the processor with power obtained from the external device. ### Claim 36 (depends on 22) The electronic device according to claim 22, further comprising a GND terminal configured to provide a ground, and connected to the second terminal, wherein the circuitry determines the type of the external device based on the voltage of the first terminal after a connection state between the second terminal and the GND terminal is changed from a state in which the second terminal and the GND terminal are not connected, to a state in which the second terminal and the GND terminal are connected. ### Claim 37 (depends on 22) The electronic device according to claim 22, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor performs a power reception process for receiving power from a connected external device via the first terminal, in accordance with the type of the external device. ### Claim 38 An electronic device, comprising: a first terminal configured to receive power from a connected external device; a second terminal configured to obtain information of the external device, and at least one of a circuitry and a processor that (1) changes a voltage of the second terminal from a voltage included in a predetermined range to a voltage not in the predetermined range, and (2) performs a process related to a power supply via the first terminal from the external device, based on a voltage of the first terminal after a predetermined period has elapsed since the voltage of the second terminal was changed from the voltage included in the predetermined range to the voltage not in the predetermined range. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The electronic device according to claim 38, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor obtains a power supply ability of the external device based on a voltage of the second terminal in a case that a voltage value of the first terminal changes to a voltage value included in a first range after the predetermined period has elapsed since the voltage of the second terminal was changed from the voltage included in the predetermined range to the voltage not in the predetermined range. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The electronic device according to claim 39, wherein the first range is a voltage range of less than or equal to 1.0V. ### Claim 41 (depends on 38) The electronic device according to claim 38, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor obtains a power supply ability of the external device based on a voltage of a third terminal that is different to the first terminal and the second terminal, in a case that the voltage value of the first terminal changes to a voltage value included in a second range which differs the first range, after the predetermined period has elapsed since the voltage of the second terminal was changed from the voltage included in the predetermined range to the voltage not in the predetermined range. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The electronic device according to claim 41, wherein the second range a voltage range of 4.75V to 5.25V. ### Claim 43 (depends on 38) The electronic device according to claim 38, wherein the electronic device is provided with an interface that complies with USB Type-C, the first terminal is a VBUS terminal included in the interface that complies with USB Type-C, and the second terminal is a CC terminal included in the interface that complies with USB Type-C. ### Claim 44 (depends on 38) The electronic device according to claim 38, further comprising a GND terminal configured to provide a ground, and connected to the second terminal via a resistance, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor controls the voltage of the second terminal by changing a resistance between the second terminal and the GND terminal. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The electronic device according to claim 44, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor changes the resistance between the second terminal and the GND terminal after the electronic device connects to the external device and before communicating with the external device via the second terminal. ### Claim 46 (depends on 38) The electronic device according to claim 38, wherein the predetermined period is less than or equal to 1000 msec. ### Claim 47 (depends on 38) The electronic device according to claim 38, further comprising a power supply configured to supply at least one of the circuitry and the processor with power. ### Claim 48 (depends on 38) The electronic device according to claim 38, further comprising a GND terminal configured to provide a ground, and connected to the second terminal, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor performs a process related to a power supply via the first terminal from the external device, based on the voltage of the first terminal after a connection state between the second terminal and the GND terminal is changed from a state in which the second terminal and the GND terminal are not connected, to a state in which the second terminal and the GND terminal are connected. ### Claim 49 (depends on 38) The electronic device according to claim 38, wherein at least one of the circuitry and the processor performs a first process related to a power supply via the first terminal from the external device in a case that a voltage value of the first terminal changes to a voltage value included in a first range after the predetermined period has elapsed since the voltage of the second terminal was changed from the voltage included in the predetermined range to the voltage not in the predetermined range, and performs a second process related to a power supply via the first terminal from the external device in a case that a voltage value of the first terminal changes to a voltage value included in a second range after the predetermined period has elapsed since the voltage of the second terminal was changed from the voltage included in the predetermined range to the voltage not in the predetermined range.