JP2002202835A - Electronic equipment and connecting method for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To directly connect peripheral devices to each other through identical connectors even when electronic equipment functions as a peripheral device on the assumption of a connection style originally in a tree shape. SOLUTION: When a digital camera is connected as a peripheral device to a bus, a cable 1021 for host connection is fitted to a main-body connector 1010. Then a judging circuit 1015 checks the voltage level or continuity relation of a contactor 1016 of the connector and detects the contactor 1016 being connected to ground GND to judge that the cable for host connection is connected. When cables 1031 and 1041 for peripheral device connection are connected, on the other hand, this contactor 1016 is connected to a VBUS, so it is judged that the cables for peripheral device connection are connected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method for connecting the electronic device.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic device which can be connected to a personal computer, for example, an electronic device having improved communication control in a digital camera having communication means such as a USB, and a connection of the electronic device. It is about the method.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a USB (Universal Computer) has been used as a method of connecting peripheral devices to a PC (Personal Computer).
sal Serial Bus) has been proposed and is beginning to spread. This U
The SB connects a PC and a plurality of peripheral devices by serial communication, and includes plug and play (a function for automatically recognizing a connection relationship when a peripheral device is newly connected or deleted), hot insertion. (The function of being able to connect and disconnect while the power is on), and the function of supplying power, so that the user is not bothered to set an address or the like at the time of connection.

[0004] The USB connection uses a 5V signal called VBUS.
A total of four wirings composed of a combination of the power supply and the ground GND and the two signals D + and D− are to be detached and attached by the dedicated connector. There is a limit to the current value that can be supplied by this power supply.
Limited to 500 mA.

In the USB, it is defined that a peripheral device must be in a suspend state by a command from a host. In this state, the current consumption from the VBUS must be reduced to 500 μA. There is a resume command for returning from the suspend state. There are two types of definitions, high-speed devices and low-speed devices, depending on the communication speed.

FIG. 5 exemplifies a connection type between a USB and a peripheral device. In the USB, a plurality of peripheral devices can be connected to one host. However, a tree-like connection relationship is defined for these devices, and the top of the tree is always the host 9001. That is, one host PC serves as a controller for all devices, and the hub 900
The device branches via a device designated as 2,9003, and peripheral devices are connected.

USB receptacle and cable 90
There are two types of plugs at the end of 00, A and B. Plugs and receptacles of A are used on the upstream side (toward the top of the tree) of the signal, and B are used on the downstream side. This difference in physical shape prevents the user from making a wrong connection.

A mouse 9006 and a keyboard 9007
Some devices do not have a B receptacle and have a cable directly connected. U in each device
An SB communication circuit is mounted, and a host PC is provided with a host controller 9010 for generating a synchronization signal for controlling the bus and for performing bus arbitration. The hub has a hub controller 9011 mounted thereon, and the peripheral device has a peripheral device controller 9012 which operates according to a synchronization signal and arbitration result given from the host.

In general, the host controller 9010 that performs bus control has a large circuit scale and a large current consumption. Therefore, by adopting such a connection system and circuit configuration, the overall cost and power are reduced. . As a similar serial bus system, there is a standard called IEEE 1394, which has higher performance than USB, but has a problem that it consumes much power and is expensive as a whole.

In the USB connection system, a digital camera can be controlled, an internal image file can be downloaded to a host PC, and this image file can be printed by a printer. An imaging system using such a USB is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-232924.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, USB
Has a problem that the digital camera 9004 cannot directly connect to the printer 9005 without using a host PC. The reason is that due to restrictions on the connector shape, both digital cameras and printers have A plugs or B receptacles,
This is because they cannot be physically connected to each other. Moreover, even if a cable with a B plug is used on both sides, since both have only a function as a peripheral device controller, they cannot issue a synchronization signal and cannot perform bus arbitration.

As described above, in the conventional configuration, it is impossible to directly supply print data to a printer from a device having a peripheral device function such as a digital camera using a USB.

A similar problem occurs not only in the USB but also in a network based on the above-described tree-like connection format.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide
Even if the electronic device originally functions as a peripheral device based on a tree-like connection format, the peripheral devices can be directly connected to each other via the same connector. To provide a connection method.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus connectable to a host computer or a peripheral device, wherein the first electronic apparatus communicates with the host computer. Means, a second means for communicating with a peripheral device, and a connection member for electrically connecting to the host computer or the peripheral device to operate the first means or the second means. And connection means for sharing a part of.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, the connection means shares at least a part of a port, an electric circuit, and a connector.
It can be selectively connected to the host computer or the peripheral device via a connector of the same shape.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first or second aspect, the connecting means is provided when any one of at least two types of detachable connection cables is connected. A means for determining the type of the connection cable;

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the first or second aspect, at least one of at least two types of detachable connection cables is provided for the connector included in the connection means. By connecting
Switch the communication function and operation details.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the characteristics of the interface buffer are changed by exchanging at least two types of detachable connection cables. Let it.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for connecting an electronic device to a host computer or a peripheral device, wherein one of the connecting members is electrically connected to the host computer or the peripheral device. Share department.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the connection method according to the sixth aspect, when a part of the connection member is shared, at least a part of the port, the electric circuit, and the connector are shared, thereby providing the same connection. Through the shape connector,
It can be selectively connected to the host computer or the peripheral device.

The present invention according to claim 8 is the connection method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one of at least two types of detachable connection cables is connected. Determine the type of cable.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the connection method according to the seventh or eighth aspect, by connecting any one of at least two types of detachable connection cables, a communication function and an operation content are provided. Switch.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the connection method according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, at least two
The characteristics of the interface buffer are changed by exchanging the connection of various types of detachable connection cables.

The present invention according to claim 11 is an electronic device using a tree-shaped connection type interface,
Determining means for determining whether an interface cable to which a host is connected or an interface cable to which a peripheral device is connected; and determining that the interface cable to which the host is connected is connected by the determining means Control means for controlling the peripheral device controller to operate, and control means for controlling the host controller to operate when the determination means determines that the interface cable to which the peripheral device is connected is connected. Having.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the eleventh aspect, the control means determines whether the peripheral device is connected to the peripheral device when the determination means determines that the interface cable to which the host is connected is connected. And that the peripheral device controller is controlled to operate. If the determination unit determines that the interface cable to which the peripheral device is connected is connected, it displays that it functions as a host. Together with the host controller to operate.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the eleventh aspect, the electronic device includes a digital still picture camera.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device according to the eleventh aspect, the interface cable includes a USB interface cable.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an electronic device using a tree-type interface, wherein an interface cable to which a host is connected or a peripheral device is connected. Is connected, and when it is determined that the interface cable to which the host is connected is connected, the peripheral device controller is controlled to operate. And controlling the host controller to operate when it is determined that the interface to which the device is connected is connected.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device control method according to the fifteenth aspect, the control step determines that the interface cable to which the host is connected is determined to be connected by the determining step. Displaying the function as a peripheral device and controlling the peripheral device controller to operate, and functioning as a host when the determination step determines that the interface cable to which the peripheral device is connected is connected. Is displayed, and the host controller is controlled to operate.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device control method according to the fifteenth aspect, the electronic device includes a digital still image camera.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic device control method according to the fifteenth aspect, the interface cable includes a USB interface cable.

[0033]

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

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an example of an electronic apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1000 denotes an electronic device main body, and in this example, a digital still image camera is shown. Reference numeral 1001 denotes an imaging system of a digital camera, which includes a lens, a solid-state imaging device, a color development processing circuit,
It consists of a compression circuit such as JPEG. 100
2 is a C for controlling the entire apparatus (digital still image camera)
PU, 1003 is a memory, and 1004 is an internal bus.
1005, a display device such as a liquid crystal display;
10 is a connector, 1011 is an interface buffer, 1012 is a selector, 1013 is a USB peripheral device controller, 1014 is a host controller, 1
015 is a judgment circuit, 1016 is a contact of a connector, 10
17 is a removable recording medium (storage device)
It is.

The present apparatus (digital still picture camera) has at least two types of cables. Here, three types of cables will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1021 denotes a host connection cable, and reference numerals 1031 and 1041 denote peripheral device connection cables for connecting to other peripheral devices. The host connection cable 1021 has a connector 10 for connecting to the main body of the present apparatus (digital still image camera).
22 and an A plug connected upstream of the USB.
Also, peripheral device connection cables 1031 and 1041
Is provided with a connector 1032 (the same connector) for connecting to the main body. B plugs 1033 and 1041 are provided with an A receptacle at the tip of each 1031.

The connectors 1022 and 1032 are provided with different electrical or physical shapes such as internal wiring. FIG. 2 shows an example of connection between a connector and a cable when an electrical difference is provided. USB 4
The connectors 1022 and 103
2 is provided with at least five contacts, and the connection relationship of one contact 1024 and 1034 is different as shown in the figure. That is, the contact 1024 is connected to the ground GND, and the contact 1034 is connected to the VBUS power supply.

Next, the operation of the apparatus (digital still picture camera) 1000 will be described.

When a user connects a digital camera to a bus as a peripheral device as in the related art, a host connection cable 1021 is attached to the main body connector 1010.
Then, the judgment circuit 1015 determines whether the contact 1016 of the connector is present.
Of the contact 10
16 detects that it is connected to the ground GND, and thereby determines that the host connection cable is connected.

On the other hand, the peripheral device connection cable 103
1 and 1041, the contact 1
Since 016 is connected to VBUS, it is determined that the peripheral device connection cable is connected.

According to the judgment result of such a cable, the CP
U1002 uses the main unit (digital still image camera) as a peripheral device if the host connection cable 1021 is used, and uses the main unit (digital still image camera) as the host if the peripheral device connection cables 1031 and 1041 are used. The connection direction is determined, and the controller 1013 and 1014 to be used are set and the interface buffer 1011 is set. Also, CP
When the host connection cable 1021 is connected, the U 1002 causes the display device 1005 to display that it is operating in the device mode, and when the peripheral device connection cables 1031 and 1041 are connected, the display device 1005 To indicate that it is operating in host mode.

When the end of the host connection cable 1021 is connected to the host, the connection relationship is the same as in FIG. 5, and the peripheral device controller 1013 operates to communicate with the host as before.

The peripheral device connection cable 103
When the devices 1 and 1041 are connected, the host controller 1014 operates and the apparatus starts operating as a host, starts communication with another peripheral device, for example, a printer, and controls the printer. The connection relationship in this case is as shown in FIG. 3, and it is possible to perform direct printing from the digital camera to the printer 9005, which was not possible in FIG.

Next, details of the interface buffer are shown in FIG. USB D + and D- are to be provided with a pull-up or pull-down resistor. The host-side device has a 15 kΩ pull-down resistor for both signals, a low-speed device has a 1.5 kΩ pull-up resistor for D−, and a high-speed device has a 1.5 kΩ pull-up resistor for D +. Originally, the host PC monitors the levels of D + and D-, and determines what device is connected based on the change in the level.

Since the present apparatus needs to behave as an apparatus that causes a signal change to the peripheral device or host PC as a connection partner in the same manner as the conventional connection-related partner, a pull-down pull-up as shown in FIG. An up resistor is provided. That is, the judgment circuit 1015 (see FIG. 1)
Causes the CPU 1002 to connect to the host connection cable 102
When it is determined to be 1, two pull-down resistors 4
001 and 4002 are turned on using the switches 4003 and 4004 to bring them into the same state as the host PC. If it is determined that the cable is a peripheral device connection cable 1031 or 1041, the switch 4006 is used to pull up the pull-up resistor 40.
Turn ON 05.

In this example, the device is shown as a high-speed device. However, when the host recognizes the device as a low-speed device, it goes without saying that a pull-up resistor is connected to the D- line.

Looking further at VBUS, the host and hub supply power to VBUS, and peripheral devices must not. Since the other device is also designed on the premise of this, this device needs to be in the same condition. Therefore, the host connection cable 10
When the number is 21, the switch 4007 is turned off (open), and the peripheral device connection cables 1031, 10
When it is 41, it is turned on (closed) to supply power to peripheral devices.

In this embodiment, a printer is taken as an example of a peripheral device to be connected. However, the connected device is not limited to a printer. For example, a mass storage such as a disk, a modem, an ISDN terminal adapter, a LAN
Even peripherals that do not originally have a USB host function, such as adapters, keyboards, and mice, are applicable.

In this embodiment, an example of a digital camera has been described. However, even if the apparatus is a printer, it is essentially a personal computer peripheral such as a modem or a LAN adapter as described above, and communication as a USB peripheral device is performed. The same configuration can be applied to all devices that have a function and are equipped with a host function for controlling peripheral devices.

Further, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the type of the connected cable is determined based on the signal level of the pin. However, other methods, such as the connector 1022, are used.
1032 may be changed, and the determination may be made by a mechanical switch. In this case, the control of the buffer described with reference to FIG. 4 can be similarly performed.

In the present embodiment, the USB has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to all network systems, such as the USB, which are assumed to be connected in a tree structure.

(Effects of the Embodiment) By adopting the interface configuration according to the present embodiment, when connected to a peripheral device such as a printer via a peripheral device connection cable, it is the same as a conventional printer. The signal state is the same as when the host PC is connected to the end of the cable, and there is no need to make any new changes to the printer interface. By appropriate control of the main body of the present apparatus (digital still image camera), printing can be performed directly from the digital camera to the printer even in the absence of a personal computer. Similarly, when the PC is connected to the host PC via the host connection cable, the PC recognizes that the digital camera is connected as usual, and can perform communication such as conventional file transfer.

Further, according to the present embodiment, by replacing the connection cable, the host PC can be formed in a conventional tree structure.
It can be connected to the printer or directly to the printer, and which mode is detected by the terminal information of the cable and the processing inside the main unit is automatically changed, so the user can make the setting You do not need to be aware of further,
Since each cable has an A plug and a B plug separately, there is no possibility that a peripheral device cable is erroneously connected to or inserted into a PC host. In addition, since the circuit and the port are shared, the size of the device can be reduced and the device can be manufactured at low cost.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if an electronic device functions as a peripheral device based on a tree-like connection format, the peripheral device can be directly connected via the same connector. It becomes possible to connect each other.

More specifically, the following special effects can be obtained. According to the present invention, even when there is no host computer, other peripheral devices can be directly controlled, and the size and cost of the device can be reduced. According to the present invention, it is possible to operate properly even if the connection partner is a host computer or a hub, or another peripheral device. In addition, incorrect connection operation by the user can be avoided. According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically determine a different cable depending on the type of connection partner, so that the user does not need to perform setting operations more than necessary. According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an accurate operation appropriately adapted to an interface condition of a connection partner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a connection cable used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when the digital still image camera according to the present embodiment is connected to a printer.

FIG. 4 is a detailed circuit diagram of an interface buffer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional connection format.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1000 Digital still image camera 1001 Digital camera imaging system 1002 CPU 1003 Memory 1004 Bus 1010 Connector 1011 Interface buffer 1012 Selector 1013 Peripheral device controller 1014 Host controller 1015 Judgment circuit 1016 Contact 1017 Storage device 1021 Host connection cable 1031 Peripheral device connection Cable 1041 Peripheral device connection cable

Claims (18)

[Claims] An electronic device connectable to a host computer or a peripheral device, wherein the first device communicates with a host computer, the second device communicates with a peripheral device, and the host computer or the peripheral device. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a connection unit that shares a part of a connection member when electrically connecting to a device to operate the first unit or the second unit. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit shares at least a part of a port, an electric circuit, and a connector, and connects the host computer or the peripheral through a connector having the same shape. An electronic device which can be selectively connected to a device. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit is configured to connect a type of the connection cable when any one of at least two types of detachable connection cables is connected. An electronic device, comprising: means for determining whether an electronic device is an electronic device. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein one of at least two types of detachable connection cables is connected to the connector included in the connection means. An electronic device characterized by switching communication functions and operation contents. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the characteristics of the interface buffer are changed by exchanging connections of at least two types of detachable connection cables. Electronics. 6. A method for connecting an electronic device to a host computer or a peripheral device, wherein a part of a connection member is shared when the electronic device is electrically connected to the host computer or the peripheral device. The connection method of the electronic device. 7. The connection method according to claim 6, wherein at least a part of the port, the electric circuit, and the connector are shared when sharing a part of the connection member, so that the connection member can be connected via the same-shaped connector. A method of connecting the electronic device selectively to the host computer or the peripheral device. 8. The connection method according to claim 6, wherein when any one of at least two types of detachable connection cables is connected, the type of the connection cable is determined. A method for connecting an electronic device, comprising: 9. The connection method according to claim 7, wherein a communication function and an operation content are switched by connecting any one of at least two types of detachable connection cables. To connect electronic devices. 10. The connection method according to claim 6, wherein the characteristics of the interface buffer are changed by exchanging connections of at least two types of detachable connection cables. How to connect electronic devices. 11. An electronic device using a tree-shaped connection type interface, wherein a determination unit determines whether an interface cable to which a host is connected or an interface cable to which a peripheral device is connected is connected. When the determination unit determines that the interface cable to which the host is connected is connected, the controller controls the peripheral device controller to operate, and the interface cable to which the peripheral device is connected is connected by the determination unit. Control means for controlling the host controller to operate when it is determined that the host device operates. 12. The control means, when it is determined by the determination means that an interface cable to which a host is connected is connected, displays that it functions as a peripheral device and operates a peripheral device controller. Controlling, when the determination means determines that the interface cable to which the peripheral device is connected is connected, displays that the device functions as a host and controls the host controller to operate. Item 12. The electronic device according to Item 11. 13. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the electronic device includes a digital still image camera. 14. The interface cable according to claim 1, wherein
The electronic device according to claim 11, further comprising an SB interface cable. 15. A method for controlling an electronic device using a tree-shaped connection type interface, wherein it is determined whether an interface cable to which a host is connected or an interface cable to which a peripheral device is connected is connected. When the interface cable to which the host is connected is determined to be connected by the determining step, the peripheral device controller is controlled to operate, and the interface to which the peripheral device is connected is determined by the determining step. A control step of controlling the host controller to operate when it is determined that the electronic device is connected, the control method of the electronic device. 16. The control step, when it is determined in the determination step that the interface cable to which the host is connected is connected, displays that it functions as a peripheral device and operates the peripheral device controller. Controlling, when the determining step determines that the interface cable to which the peripheral device is connected is connected, displaying that the device functions as a host and controlling the host controller to operate. Item 16. A control method for an electronic device according to Item 15. 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the electronic device includes a digital still image camera. 18. The interface cable according to claim 1, wherein
The method according to claim 15, further comprising an SB interface cable.