Invented by Yao; Lang, Zhou; Wenhua, Jiang; Xiaofeng, Li; Minzhi, Zhang; Xiaodong

Today, we’re exploring a new invention that changes the way we test and use USB Type-C devices. This new adapter allows digital switching between the two rows of USB-C pins, making testing and development faster and more accurate. Let’s break down why this is important, how it fits into the current tech world, what makes it unique, and how it stands out from what came before.

Background and Market Context

USB Type-C, or USB-C, has become a standard connector for many devices, from phones and laptops to tablets and mixed reality headsets. Its biggest draw is that it’s small, reversible, and can handle many types of data and power. You can use it for charging, transferring files, or even sending video to a monitor. Because of these features, USB-C is everywhere.

But with all these uses, USB-C ports have a lot of pins—twenty-four, split into two rows. That means each pin can do something different depending on how you plug it in or what device you’re using. For device makers and testers, this has made things more complicated. They need to check every pin to make sure it works right for every possible use, whether for data, power, or video.

Before now, testing these ports was slow and tricky. To test every pin, you often had to flip cables, use special adapters, or even change your testing setup for different devices or orientations. This took time and often led to mistakes or missed issues. For companies making new gadgets, especially those with USB-C like VR headsets or phones, this meant extra work and cost.

As USB-C has spread to more devices, from smart glasses and VR headsets to chargers and external drives, the need for better testing tools has grown. Makers of mixed reality devices, for example, need to make sure their headsets work whether the cable is plugged in one way or the other. And with new uses like USB Power Delivery (which lets devices talk about how much power they need) and alternate modes like DisplayPort (for video), there’s even more to test.

Fast, reliable testing is now a must, not just for big tech companies but for anyone working with modern electronics. The market is hungry for tools that make this easier and less error-prone. This is where the new digital switching adapter comes in, offering a smarter way to handle USB-C’s complexity.

Scientific Rationale and Prior Art

Let’s talk about why testing USB-C ports is so complicated. The USB-C connector is designed to be reversible, so you can plug it in either way. This is great for users, but it means the device has to figure out which row of pins is being used. Each row has its own set of data lines, power lines, and special pins for things like setting up video output or charging.

Traditionally, when engineers wanted to test all the functions of a USB-C port, they had to do it by hand. This meant physically flipping the connector or using different cables and adapters for each test. For every test, you might have to unplug, flip, replug, and then run your tests again. If you needed to test both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 functions, or check for special modes like DisplayPort Alternate Mode, it could take hours.

Some existing tools tried to help by offering special breakout boards or adapters that let you access each pin. But these usually required manual changes between tests, like moving jumpers, flipping switches, or connecting different cables for different test modes. This manual process slows down work, increases the chance of mistakes, and can make it hard to automate testing in a factory or lab.

There are also protocols that ride on top of USB-C, like USB Power Delivery (which lets devices negotiate how much power they need or can provide), UART (used for debugging), and alternate video modes. Each of these uses different pins or needs the pins to be set up a certain way. Old solutions didn’t make it easy to test all these things together without a lot of extra hardware or setup time.

In short, while USB-C is flexible for users, it’s a headache for testers. The lack of a fast, digital way to switch between the two rows of pins has been a roadblock. The need for a smart, automated, and digital solution has been clear, especially as more devices rely on USB-C for everything from charging to high-speed data and video.

Invention Description and Key Innovations

Now, let’s look at what this new adapter brings to the table, and why it’s a big step forward. At its core, the invention is a special USB-C adapter that can digitally switch between the two rows of pins on the connector. This means you don’t have to unplug or flip anything—you can control which row is active with a simple command from a computer.

The adapter has a few main parts: a USB-C port for plugging into a host device (like a laptop), a USB-C connector for plugging into the device you want to test, and at least one chip inside that handles the digital switching. This chip can switch between the top and bottom row of pins, letting you test every function of the USB-C port on your device.

One key feature is that the adapter can also handle other tasks at the same time. It can monitor and log data sent over UART (which is often used for debugging), sense current and voltage to check how much power is being used or delivered, and run USB Power Delivery protocol analysis. It can even watch for special video modes like DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which is important for devices like VR headsets that use USB-C to send video to a screen.

The adapter can be controlled by simple commands sent from a computer. For example, you can send a command to switch from testing the top row of pins to the bottom row, or to turn on or off certain data paths. This makes it easy to automate tests, either in a lab or on a factory line. It also means you can quickly run through every possible test without touching the cables or the device.

Another thoughtful feature is the ability to connect a second device, like a power supply or an external display, through a passthrough port. This means you can test devices that need to be powered or charged while testing, or check how they work when connected to things like monitors or chargers. The adapter can draw power from either the host device or the second device, making it very flexible.

Everything is packed into a small, durable box with clear status lights and simple connectors. The idea is to make testing as fast and error-free as possible, whether you’re developing new devices, running quality checks, or debugging in the field.

What makes this adapter truly special is its combination of digital control, comprehensive testing features, and real-world practicality. It turns what used to be a slow, manual job into a quick, automated process. You can be sure you’re testing every pin and every mode, every time, with no guesswork or missed steps. For makers of USB-C devices—especially complex ones like mixed reality headsets—this means faster development, better quality, and less risk of problems after launch.

How It Works in Practice

Let’s say you’re testing a new VR headset. You connect the headset to the adapter, and the adapter to your computer. Through a simple command-line tool, you can tell the adapter to test the USB 2.0 pins in one orientation, then switch to USB 3.0, then flip the pin rows, then check for video out, and finally run power delivery tests—all without unplugging anything. You can also capture logs and measure power at each step, making it easy to spot any problems.

If you need to test how the headset behaves when charging from a special power supply, you plug that into the passthrough port. If you want to see how it acts when connected to an external display, you can do that too. The adapter keeps things simple, clear, and fast.

Key Innovations and Benefits

The most important innovations are:

– Digital switching between USB-C pin rows, allowing full testing without physical changes.
– Support for all USB-C modes, including data (USB 2.0, USB 3.0), power delivery, and video output.
– Built-in tools for UART logging, power sensing, and protocol analysis.
– Simple computer control for automation and repeatability.
– Flexible passthrough for powering or connecting other devices.

For anyone working with USB-C devices, this adapter means less time spent setting up tests, fewer mistakes, and better results. It supports the latest standards and can adapt as USB-C evolves, making it a future-proof addition to any lab or factory.

Conclusion

The new USB-C digital switching adapter is a game-changer for device makers, testers, and developers. It solves a real problem by making USB-C testing faster, simpler, and more complete. With its digital controls, broad feature set, and easy operation, it lets you focus on building better devices instead of wrestling with cables and test setups.

As USB-C continues to grow in importance, and as new devices rely on it for more and more functions, having the right testing tools will be key. This invention puts a powerful, flexible, and easy-to-use solution in your hands, making it easier than ever to keep up with the pace of innovation. Whether you’re working on the next big thing in mixed reality or just making sure your new phone charges right, this adapter is set to become an essential part of the modern electronics toolkit.

Click here https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/ and search 20250335321.