JP2002163051A - Electronic apparatus, usb connector structure, and usb device connecting cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus, a USB connector structure, and a USB device connecting cable realizing direct communication between the USB devices mutually while securing compatibility with an existing USB connector structure. SOLUTION: A USB series-B type special plug connector 20 is connected to a USB series-B type special receptacle connector 10, and when a switch SW is turned on, an output voltage led out of a pin socket (switch contact), to which a pull-up resistor R1 is connected, is changed from a V cc (High) level to a GND (Low) level. A terminal voltage of this pin socket is used as a host determining key switch signal DT, and a USB host function of the USB device having the host function is operated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a USB connector mechanism for connecting USB devices to each other, a USB connector mechanism, and a USB device connection cable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art U applied to computer systems.
SB (Universal Serial Bus)
, Only one device having a host function can be provided in one connection system. Therefore, only one personal computer having a host function can be connected to one connection system. According to the USB standard, communication between USB devices is not permitted. Therefore, even if devices are connected to each other via a hub, communication cannot be performed if there is no device having a host function. Further, according to the standard, USB devices cannot be directly connected to each other. For example, USB
Cannot print out directly from camera to printer. This is because both the camera and the printer function as devices.

Conventionally, as a technique for switching between a host function and a device function of a USB device, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-301899 discloses a technology.
(Electronic equipment and interface circuit)
-301898 (electronic equipment and interface circuits).

[0004] However, these conventional techniques cannot perform communication when both connected devices are USB devices. The reason is that the signal level of the data line of the USB lines is monitored to determine whether the device is to be a USB host or a USB device. Therefore, when both devices have the same function, both devices are connected. May act as host drivers, in which case communication cannot be performed. In addition, since it is not possible to determine the case of a bus power supply device, both of the connected devices are USB
When the device is a device, there is a problem that communication cannot be performed.

[0005]

As described above, conventionally, there has been no useful mechanism capable of directly connecting USB devices to communicate with each other. For this reason, for example, when printing out a captured image of a USB camera, the captured image of the USB camera must be once taken into a host device such as a personal computer and printed out via the host device. There was a problem in terms of usability due to restrictions on the system configuration used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
An electronic device, a USB connector mechanism, and a US, which can directly connect USB devices to communicate with each other.
It is an object to provide a cable for connecting a B device.

The present invention also enables direct communication between USB devices while satisfying the USB communication standard.
It is an object to provide an electronic device, a USB connector mechanism, and a USB device connection cable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a USB connector mechanism, and a USB device connection cable that enable direct communication between USB devices while maintaining compatibility with an existing USB connector mechanism. With the goal.

[0009]

As described above, in the USB bus, as described above, only one host exists for one connection system. In USB communication, a plurality of functions having a host function are connected. However, there are problems in the standard, such as the inability to connect USB devices that do not have a host function, and the like. However, the present invention solves these problems and enables communication by direct connection between USB device devices. Is made possible.

That is, according to the present invention, in an electronic apparatus having a USB connector mechanism, a signal generating means for generating a specific signal when a specific connector is connected to the USB connector mechanism, and a specific signal generated by the signal generating means. And a switch control unit for switching a device from a device function to a host function when a signal is generated, so that the USB devices are directly connected to each other to enable communication.

The present invention also provides a USB connector mechanism, which includes a circuit for generating and outputting a signal for instructing a switch from a device function to a host function when a specific plug is connected to a connector. The communication is enabled by directly connecting

The present invention also provides a USB device connection cable capable of connecting devices, wherein one end is provided with a series B type plug connector connectable to a series B type receptacle connector, and the other end is connected to the series B type plug connector.
It is connectable to a type receptacle connector and a specific series B type receptacle connector. When connected to a specific series B type receptacle connector, a specific series B type plug connector provided with a key for generating a specific signal from the receptacle connector is provided. Provided,
By switching the device receiving the specific signal from the device function to the host function, the USB devices are directly connected to each other to enable communication.

By using the above-described USB connector function of the present invention, for example, a camera operating as a USB device and a printer can be directly connected to enable direct printing.

Further, a device having no host function such as a digital still camera and a printer can be connected to each other while using an existing USB series B plug connector.

Further, the switching between the simple host and the device can be processed by software. For example, by giving the above-mentioned switching function to the printer, direct printing from the digital still camera to the printer can be performed.

Also, by using the specific cable for connecting a USB device according to the present invention, the USB cable can be used as a device by using the USB communication while maintaining the existing USB function. It is possible to directly connect a telephone and a printer or the like.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the principle of operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The present invention realizes a direct connection function between USB devices by adding a connector connection detection circuit and a connector key structure to a device having a host function and a USB device function.

FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of the connector connection detection circuit at this time.

The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is a USB series B
When a USB series B type plug connector 20 is connected (connector connection) to the receptacle connector 10 of the same type, a switch (SW) built in the receptacle connector 10 or provided on a mounting board of the receptacle connector 10 is provided. Close (switch on).

One terminal of the switch (SW) is supplied with Vcc power through a pull-up resistor (R1), and the other terminal is connected to GND (ground) of the Vcc power.

Here, when the switch (SW) is closed,
The switch output signal (DT) derived from one terminal of the switch (SW) changes from the Vcc level to the GND level.

When the switch (SW) is closed, the USB device having the host function activates the USB host function.

Since the switch (SW) has a key function added to a pair of connectors (both the receptacle connector 10 and the plug connector 20), the switch (SW) is for connecting a USB device having the plug connector 20 having the key function. The switch (SW) does not close unless the specific cable (specific cable for USB device connection described later) is inserted.

In this embodiment, the switch (SW)
The USB connector B type receptacle connector 10 having a key function of turning on the switch is referred to as a USB series B type special receptacle connector.
The USB connector B type plug connector 20 having a key function of turning on the USB connector is referred to as a USB series B type special plug connector.

The configuration of a cable (specific cable for connecting a USB device) which enables a direct connection function between USB devices, provided with the USB series B type special plug connector 20, and a USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 will be described below. A specific embodiment including the configuration of the USB series B type special plug connector 20 will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a specific cable for connecting a USB device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The USB device connection specific cable 1 according to the present invention is provided with a USB series B type special plug connector 20 having the above-mentioned key function at one cable end, and a normal (existing existing) cable end at the other cable end. ) A USB series B type plug connector 30 is provided at the end of the cable.

Here, the USB series B type special plug connector 20 is a normal (existing) USB series B
Normal (existing) as well as type plug connector 30
It also has a connector structure that can be connected to a circuit by coupling to the USB series B type receptacle connector 40. This US
A specific use example of the B device connection specific cable 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of a USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 which is a host series B type receptacle connector in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 (a) is a front view and FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a sectional view taken along a line B in FIG.
It is -B sectional drawing.

A commonly used receptacle connector of the USB series B type has a convex contact support portion 11 made of plastic and having a rectangular cross section called "Selectively plated Contacts" at a portion where the plug connector is fitted. Provided. The convex contact support portion 11 is provided to serve as an insertion guide for the plug connector and to electrically connect the contact portions. The convex contact support portion 11 is provided with contact pieces (T, T,...) Referred to as four contacts that individually contact the four terminals of the inserted plug, respectively. Four connector connection circuits are formed.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the small-diameter pin sockets (C1, C2)
Built-in. In the drawing, reference numeral 12 denotes a gap into which the plug connector is inserted.

The USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 serving as the host series B type receptacle connector in the embodiment of the present invention has one of two sockets (C1, C2) shown in FIG. A Vcc power supply is applied to the pin socket, and a GND (ground) of the Vcc power supply is connected to the other pin socket. Specifically, it becomes a contact point of the switch (SW) shown in FIG.
Of the two sockets (C1, C2), Vcc power is applied to one pin socket (eg, C1) via a pull-up resistor (R1), and the other one pin socket (C2)
Is connected to GND (ground) of the power supply for Vcc.

Here, the USB series B-type special plug connector 20 is inserted into the USB series B-type special receptacle connector 10 and connected thereto.
When the pins of the plug connector 20 are inserted into the pin sockets (C1, C2) provided on the receptacle connector 10 and the pin sockets (C1, C2) are short-circuited, the pull-up resistor (R1) The output voltage derived from the pin socket (C1) to which is connected is Vcc (H
The level changes from the (high) level to the GND (Low) level. The terminal voltage of the pin socket (C1) is used here as a key switch signal (DT) for host determination, and the USB host function of the USB device having the host function is activated.

In this embodiment, the USB series B
The pin sockets (C1, C2) are provided on the side of the type special receptacle connector 10, so that not only the USB series B type special plug connector 20 but also the normally used (existing) USB series B type plug connector is used. 30 can be inserted.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a USB series B type special plug connector 20 which is a USB series B type plug connector for a host according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4B shows FIG.
4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA, and FIG.
It is B sectional drawing.

Here, a pair of pins (P1) to be inserted into the USB series B type special plug connector 20 and to pin sockets (C1, C2) provided on the contact support portion 11 of the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 are provided. , P2) are provided. The ends of the pair of pins (P1, P2) are shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C.
As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal (S, S,...) That is in contact with the contact piece (T, T,...) Called a contact provided on the convex contact support portion 11 is configured to be shorter. Thus, when the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 is inserted into the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10, the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 has the USB series B type special plug connector. 2
After a predetermined amount of 0 is inserted, a pair of pins (P1, P2) are inserted into pin sockets (C1, C2) provided on the contact support portion 11, so that the pins (P1, P2) are inserted.
The bending and breakage of 2) can be prevented.

The USB series B type special plug connector 20 normally fits only to the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10, and the normal (existing) USB series B type receptacle connector 40 has a pin (P1). , P2) do not fit properly due to the interposition. That is, a pair of pins (P1, P2) provided on the USB series B type special plug connector 20
Serves to prevent erroneous insertion.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show examples of direct connection between USB devices using the USB device connection specific cable 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 2, respectively. A USB series B type special plug connector 20 having the key function described above is provided at one cable end, and a normal (existing) USB series B type plug connector 30 is provided at the cable end at the other cable end. This is realized by using the specific cable 1 for device connection. The USB series B type special plug connector 20 is a normal (existing)
Like the USB series B type plug connector 30,
It is also connected to a normal (existing) USB series B type receptacle connector 40 to form a connector structure capable of circuit connection.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a digital still camera with a host function and a USB printer are directly connected by cable using the USB device connection specific cable 1.

Here, the USB digital still camera 51 with a host function is a U-shaped digital camera having the configuration shown in FIGS.
The SB series B type special receptacle connector 10 is provided on the main body side. The USB printer 52 has a normal (existing) USB series B type receptacle connector 40 similarly to the existing configuration.

The USB series B type special plug connector 20 provided at one end of the USB device connection specific cable 1 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 provided at the USB digital still camera 51. Connect the connector to US
A normal (existing) USB series B type plug connector 30 provided at the other cable end of the B device connection specific cable 1 is replaced with a normal (existing) USB series B type receptacle connector provided in the USB printer 52. Connect to 40. Accordingly, the USB digital still camera 51 recognizes that the USB series B type special plug connector 20 has been connected to the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 by the above-described host determination key switch signal (DT). Launch function.

Thus, the USB digital still camera 5
1 functions as a USB printer host, and can directly output image data in the digital camera to the USB printer 52 via the USB device connection specific cable 1.

As described above, by using the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 and the USB series B type special plug connector 20,
Only when the USB device connected to the B series B type special plug connector 20 has a host function, it becomes a host device and USB communication is possible.
Further, the USB device can be connected to the USB device from any plug connector of the USB device connection specific cable 1.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which a portable telephone with a host function and a USB keyboard are directly connected by cable using the USB device connection specific cable 1.

The USB portable telephone 61 with a host function is provided with the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 on the main body side. U
The SB keyboard 62 has a normal (existing) USB series B type receptacle connector 4 similar to the existing configuration.
It has 0.

The USB series B type special plug connector 20 provided at one cable end of the USB device connection specific cable 1 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the USB series B type special receptacle provided in the USB portable telephone 61 having the host function. Connect the connector to connector 10 and
The normal (existing) USB series B type plug connector 30 provided at the other cable end of the SB device connection specific cable 1 is replaced with the normal (existing) USB series B type receptacle connector provided at the USB keyboard 62. Connect to 40. Accordingly, the USB mobile phone 61 recognizes that the USB series B type special plug connector 20 has been connected to the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 by the above-described host determination key switch signal (DT), and performs the host function. Start up.

Thus, the USB portable telephone 61 with a host function functions as a host of the USB keyboard 62,
Keyboard operation can be performed using the display of the USB mobile phone 61 with a host function. Use of this function facilitates creation of e-mail and the like.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which a portable telephone and a compact audio player are directly connected by cable using the USB device connection specific cable 1.

The USB portable telephone 61 with a host function has a USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 on the main body side. U
The SB compact audio player 63 has a normal (existing) USB series B type receptacle connector 40 similar to the existing configuration.

The USB series B type special plug connector 20 provided at one cable end of the USB device connection specific cable 1 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the USB series B type special receptacle provided in the USB portable telephone 61 having the host function. Connect the connector to connector 10 and
The normal (existing) USB series B type plug connector 30 provided on the other cable end of the specific cable 1 for connecting an SB device is connected to the normal (existing) USB series B type provided on the USB compact audio player 63. Connect to receptacle connector 40. As a result, the USB mobile phone 61 uses the host determination key switch signal (DT) to generate the USB series B signal.
It recognizes that the USB series B type special plug connector 20 has been connected to the type special receptacle connector 10 and starts up the host function.

Thus, the USB portable telephone 61 with a host function functions as a host of the USB compact audio player 63. For example, a USB compact audio player having a recording function of downloading music data via the USB portable telephone 61 with a host function. Data can be transmitted to and recorded at 63. Also, the USB compact audio player 63 can be directly driven and controlled using the display and keys of the USB mobile phone 61 with a host function, and further, for example, the output of a reproduced sound is controlled from a loudspeaker or the USB mobile phone 61 with a host function, or The playback data can be transmitted and output from the USB mobile phone 61 with a host function.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device which realizes switching control between a device function and a host function by a key switch signal (DT) for host discrimination using the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 described above. In this case, a USB digital still camera 51 having a host function is shown as an example.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 80 denotes a USB series B type special receptacle connector having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and DT denotes the above-described host determination key switch signal. 81 is a microprocessor for controlling the entire camera system, 82 is a USB host controller for realizing a USB host function, and 83 is a USB device controller for operating as a USB device. Reference numeral 84 designates a USB host controller 82 or a USB device controller 83 based on a host determination key switch signal (DT) output from the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 to switch between a host and a device. USB for control
It is a controller. 85 is a program recording ROM,
Reference numeral 86 denotes a RAM, 87 denotes an external memory controller having an interface function of an external memory 91 such as a flash memory or an SD memory, 88 denotes an input / output controller, 89 denotes a display controller that controls display driving of an LCD display 92 of a camera, and 93 denotes a display controller. A camera controller having an interface function between the camera body and the microprocessor 81.

FIG. 9 shows a USB device (USB) provided with a USB controller for controlling switching between a host and a device based on the key switch signal (DT) for host determination output from the USB series B type special receptacle connector 10 described above. It is a flowchart which shows the device-host switching procedure of the digital still camera 51).

Here, the operation of the device-host switching process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

When a USB device (USB digital still camera 51) having a host function is powered on, first, a U
When operating power is supplied to the system excluding the SB system and the system starts up normally,
Operation power is supplied to the B system (steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 9).

At this time, the USB controller 84 performs the USB function as an initial USB device function (device / host).
The device controller 83 is enabled, the USB host controller 82 is disabled, and the initial USB device function is set to the device mode (step S3 in FIG. 9).

When power for operation is supplied to the USB system and the USB system starts normally, the USB controller 84 starts monitoring the USB power supply state, and recognizes the connector connection state of the receptacle connector 80 and the power supply line voltage. I do.

Here, when the plug connector is connected to the receptacle connector 80, the host identification key switch signal (DT) is at the High level, and a prescribed voltage (for example, 4.75 V) is applied to the USB power supply line. It is determined that the normal (existing) USB series B type plug connector 30 is connected to the receptacle connector 80, and the device mode is continued (step S4 in FIG. 9).
S6).

When a plug connector is connected to the receptacle connector 80, the host identification key switch signal (DT) is at a low level, and a prescribed voltage is not applied to the USB power supply line, the receptacle connector 8
0, the USB device connection specific cable 1 shown in FIG.
Is determined to be connected to the USB series B type special plug connector 20, and the USB power supply line is switched from a circuit that receives power to a circuit that sends out power.
The B device controller 83 is disabled, the USB host controller 82 is enabled, and USB power is supplied to the power line contact of the receptacle connector 80 (steps S4 and S5 in FIG. 9). As a result, the US
The B device (USB digital still camera 51) functions as a host device, and communicates with a USB device connected via the USB device connection specific cable 1.

The above-described processing control by the USB controller 84 is realized by a combination of hardware and a program (host program), but can be realized by software (host program) control except for a USB power supply control circuit. It is.

As described above, conventionally, it was impossible.
Communication by direct connection between USB devices becomes possible. For example, direct printing is possible by directly connecting a USB digital still camera and a USB printer. In addition, by using the USB series B type special receptacle connector and the USB series B type special plug connector, the connection with the conventional device can be maintained. Further, since the connector key is constituted by the plug and the receptacle, it is possible to prevent a malfunction that the host function is activated due to erroneous insertion of the plug and a plurality of hosts are present.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention, U
The SB devices can be connected directly to communicate with each other. Also, while satisfying the USB communication standard, the USB
Communication between devices becomes possible. Also, communication between USB devices can be performed while maintaining compatibility with the existing USB connector mechanism.

As a specific example, a camera operating as a USB device can be directly connected to a printer to enable direct printing. In addition, devices that do not have a host function, such as a digital still camera and a printer, can be connected to each other while using an existing USB series B plug connector. Further, switching between the simple host and the device can be processed by software. For example, by giving the above-described switching function to the printer, direct printing can be performed from the digital still camera to the printer. In addition, by using the specific cable for connecting a USB device according to the present invention, it is possible to maintain a USB function while maintaining the existing USB function.
By using B communication, they functioned as devices with each other,
For example, it is possible to directly connect a mobile phone to a keyboard, a mobile phone to a printer, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of a USB series B type special receptacle connector for explaining an operation principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a specific cable for connecting a USB device in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a series B for a host according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The figure which shows an example of a structure of the USB series B type special receptacle connector used as a type receptacle connector.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a USB series B type special plug connector which is a USB series B type plug connector for a host in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a direct connection between a digital still camera with a host function and a USB printer using a USB device connection specific cable according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a direct connection between a USB mobile phone with a host function and a USB keyboard using a USB device connection specific cable in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a direct connection between a USB mobile phone with a host function and a USB compact audio player using a USB device connection specific cable in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a device that realizes switching control between a device function and a host function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a device that realizes switching control between a device function and a host function according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Specific cable for USB device connection 10 ... USB series B type special receptacle connector 11 ... Convex contact support part 12 ... Gap where plug connector is inserted 20 ... USB series B type special plug connector 30 ... Normal (existing ) USB series B type plug connector 40 ... Normal (existing) USB series B type receptacle connector DT ... Key switch signal for host determination R1 ... Pull up resistor R2 ... Damping resistor T, T, ..., Contact piece C1, C2: Pin sockets S, S,..., Terminals P1, P2: Pin 51: USB digital still camera with host function 52: USB printer 61: USB mobile phone with host function 62: USB keyboard 63: USB compact audio Player

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device having a USB connector mechanism, wherein a signal generating means for generating a specific signal when a specific connector is connected to the USB connector mechanism;
An electronic device comprising: a switching control unit that switches a device from a device function to a host function when a specific signal is generated by the signal generation unit. 2. An electronic device having a USB connector mechanism, wherein said USB connector mechanism includes a signal output unit for instructing whether to be a host-side device or a device-side device. When a signal instructing to become a host-side device is output from the signal output means,
An electronic device, wherein a predetermined communication function including power control is established for a device connected to a B connector mechanism. 3. A USB series B type receptacle connector, a detecting means for detecting that a USB series B type special plug connector is connected to the receptacle connector, and an operation mode of a device when the detecting means detects the device. An electronic device comprising: a switching unit that switches from a mode to a host mode. 4. A USB connector mechanism comprising a circuit for generating and outputting a signal for instructing switching from a device function to a host function when a specific plug is connected to a connector. 5. A USB connector mechanism comprising a USB series B type receptacle connector and a plug connector, wherein a pair of pin sockets are provided on a contact support portion of the receptacle connector, and the plug connector is fitted into the pin socket. And a circuit for connecting the pin terminals to each other. 6. A USB device connection cable capable of connecting devices, wherein one end is provided with a series B type plug connector connectable to a series B type receptacle connector, and the other end is provided with the series B type receptacle connector. A specific series B type plug connector provided with a key that can be connected to a specific series B type receptacle connector and has a key for generating a specific signal from the receptacle connector when connected to the specific series B type receptacle connector. USB device connection cable. 7. The key according to claim 6, wherein the key is a pair of pins fitted into a pair of sockets provided on a contact support portion of the specific series B type receptacle connector, and a circuit connecting the pins. USB device connection cable. 8. The key according to claim 6, wherein the key is a pair of terminals that contact a pair of specific contacts provided on a contact support portion of the specific series B type receptacle connector and a circuit that connects the terminals. USB device connection cable.