BACKGROUND

Some example embodiments relate to electronic devices, and more particularly, to electronic devices and methods for detecting a foreign object on a connector.

An electronic device may include a connector and may communicate with an external electronic device via a cable inserted in the connector. When foreign objects are introduced into the connector, some pins on the connector may be short-circuited, corroded or broken. Also, when the electronic device is charged through the cable, electric current may flow between some of the pins on the connector, resulting in excessive power consumption by the electronic device, which may cause damage to the electronic device.

SUMMARY

According to some example embodiments, there is provided an electronic device including a plurality of pins and a detection circuit. The detection circuit including at least one of a pull-up circuit and a pull-down circuit, and a connection circuit between a first pin and a second pin of the plurality of pins. The detection circuit is configured to select the first pin and the second pin. The detection circuit is further configured to measure an impedance between the selected first pin and second pin by controlling a connection of connection circuit and the at least one of the pull-up circuit and the pull-down circuit. Furthermore, the detection circuit is configured to generate a detection signal indicating a presence or an absence of a foreign object on the connector based on the measured impedance.

According to some example embodiments, there is provided an electronic device including a connector having a plurality of pins and a power delivery integrated circuit (PDIC). The PDIC is configured to generate a detection signal indicating presence or absence of a foreign object on the connector. The PDIC includes a selection circuit configured to select a first pin and a second pin among the plurality of pins. The PDIC further includes a pull-up circuit configured to provide a power supply voltage to a first node connected to the first pin and a second node connected to the second pin. The PDIC further includes a pull-down circuit configured to provide a ground voltage to the first node and the second node; a connection circuit including a resistor between the first node and the second node. Furthermore, the PDIC includes a controller configured to generate a detection signal based on a first voltage signal of the first node and a second voltage signal of the second node.

According to some example embodiments, there is provided a foreign object detecting method performed by an electronic device including a controller. The method includes selecting first and second pins among a plurality of pins included in a connector. The method further includes measuring an impedance between the selected first and second pins using the controller. The method further includes generating a detection signal indicating presence or absence of a foreign object on the connector based on the measured impedance. Furthermore, the method includes providing a foreign object alarm message according to the generated detection signal.

