# US 9,753,077 B2 · Abnormal connection detection method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,753,077 B2 - Document ID: US9753077B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/803,689 - Filed: 2015-07-20 - Published: 2016-02-04 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-31 - Assignees: Richteck Technology Corporation - Applicants: Richtek Technology Corporation - Inventors: Yi-Min Shiu; Yi-Shan Chu; Shih-Jen Yang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9753077B2 ## CPC - H02H 3/087: for DC applications - G01R 31/52: Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults - G01R 31/69: of terminals at the end of a cable or a wire harness; of plugs; of sockets, e.g. wall sockets or power sockets in appliances - H02H 3/08: responsive to excess current (responsive to abnormal temperature caused by excess current H02H5/04) - H02H 3/445: {of DC quantities} - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) ## Abstract An abnormal connection detection method is used between a power supplier and a power receiver. The power supplier and the power receiver are connected through a cable. The cable includes positive and negative power transmission lines. The abnormal connection detection method includes: providing an output voltage from the power supplier, wherein the output voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage threshold; detecting, according to the output voltage, whether an output current generated by the power supplier is higher than a predetermined current threshold; and when the output current is higher than the predetermined current threshold, determining that an abnormal connection occurs between the power supplier and the power receiver. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An abnormal connection detection method for detecting an abnormal connection between a power supplier and a power receiver, wherein the power supplier and the power receiver are connected through a cable, the cable including positive and negative power transmission lines, the abnormal connection detection method comprising: providing an output voltage from the power supplier, wherein, before a load in the power receiver starts a normal operation, the output voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage threshold, wherein the predetermined voltage threshold is lower than a voltage required for the normal operation of the load in the power receiver; before the load in the power receiver starts the normal operation, detecting, according to the output voltage, whether an output current generated by the power supplier is higher than a predetermined current threshold; and when the output current is higher than the predetermined current threshold, determining that an abnormal connection occurs between the power supplier and the power receiver. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The abnormal connection detection method of claim 1, further comprising: when the output current is lower than the predetermined current threshold, determining that a normal connection occurs between the power supplier and the power receiver. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The abnormal connection detection method of claim 1, further comprising: when the abnormal connection occurs, stop supplying power from the power supplier to the power receiver. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The abnormal connection detection method of claim 1, wherein: the cable further includes a signal transmission line, for transmitting a signal between the power supplier and the power receiver; and the power receiver further includes a switch, for enabling or disabling the power receiver to receive power from the power supplier. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The abnormal connection detection method of claim 4, further comprising: when the output current is lower than the predetermined current threshold, determining that a normal connection occurs between the power supplier and the power receiver; the power receiver receiving information indicating the normal connection from the power supplier through the signal transmission line; and conducting the switch of the power receiver so as to supply power from the power supplier to the power receiver. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The abnormal connection detection method of claim 4, further comprising: when the abnormal connection occurs, the power receiver receiving information indicating the abnormal connection from the power supplier through the signal transmission line; and disconnecting the switch of the power receiver to stop supplying power from the power supplier to the power receiver. ### Claim 7 An abnormal connection detection method for detecting an abnormal connection between a power supplier and a power receiver, wherein the power supplier and the power receiver are connected through a cable, the cable includes positive and negative power transmission lines, the abnormal connection detection method comprising: providing an output voltage from the power supplier and gradually increasing a level of the output voltage, wherein, before a load in the power receiver starts a normal operation, the level of the output voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage threshold, wherein the predetermined voltage threshold is lower than a voltage required for the normal operation of the load in the power receiver; determining, according to the output voltage, whether a slope of an output current generated by the power supplier is higher than a predetermined slope threshold during a predetermined time period, wherein the predetermined time period is a time period before the load in the power receiver starts the normal operation; and when the slope is higher than the predetermined slope threshold during the predetermined time period, determining that an abnormal connection occurs between the power supplier and the power receiver. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The abnormal connection detection method of claim 7, further comprising: when the slope is lower than the predetermined slope threshold during the predetermined time period, determining that a normal connection occurs between the power supplier and the power receiver. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The abnormal connection detection method of claim 7, further comprising: when the abnormal connection occurs, stop supplying power from the power supplier to the power receiver. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The abnormal connection detection method of claim 7, wherein: the cable further includes a signal transmission line, for transmitting a signal between the power supplier and the power receiver; and the power receiver further includes a switch, for enabling or disabling the power receiver to receive power from the power supplier. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The abnormal connection detection method of claim 10, further comprising: when the slope is lower than the predetermined slope threshold during the predetermined time period, determining that a normal connection occurs between the power supplier and the power receiver; the power receiver receiving information indicating the normal connection from the power supplier through the signal transmission line; and conducting the switch of the power receiver so as to supply power from the power supplier to the power receiver. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The abnormal connection detection method of claim 10, further comprising: when the abnormal connection occurs, the power receiver receiving information indicating the abnormal connection from the power supplier through the signal transmission line; and disconnecting the switch of the power receiver to stop supplying power from the power supplier to the power receiver.