GB2473871A

GB2473871A - Data transfer device

Info

Publication number: GB2473871A
Application number: GB0916980A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ralph Carey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-28
Filing date: 2009-09-28
Publication date: 2011-03-30
Also published as: GB0916980D0

Abstract

A data transfer device comprising at least one source universal serial bus (USB) connector 4a-c, arranged to be connected to a source USB device, and at least one destination USB connector 5a-c, arranged to be connected to a destination USB device, wherein the source USB connector is associated with a source central processing unit (CPU) 1 and the destination USB connector is associated with a destination CPU 2, wherein the CPUs are connected 3 to one another, and wherein the data transfer device is configured such that data stored in the source USB device may be transmitted directly to and stored by the destination USB device under control of the source and destination CPUs. The CPUs may comprise USB host controllers. A user interface including buttons 8 and LED's 9 may also be provided and there may also be a display with graphical user interface. Optionally a power input 7 may be provided such as a rechargeable battery.

Description

Data transfer device The present invention relates to a data transfer device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a data transfer device arranged to allow the interconnection of two or more USB devices for the transfer of data therebetween without the use of a computer.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a protocol for transferring data to and from digital devices. USB was intended to replace the multitude of connectors at the back of PCs (personal computers), as well as to simplify software configuration of communication devices. Its use is now extremely widespread, being the common means for transfer of data to/from the vast majority of digital consumer products such as digital cameras, mobile phones, mp3 players (including the iPod ®) and portable flash and magnetic drives.

Currently the only method of copying files from one USB based device to another is to connect the source USB device to a PC, copy the file from the source USB device to the hard disk of the PC, connect the destination USB device, then copy the file from the hard disk to the destination USB device. In some circumstances it may be possible to connect both USB devices to the computer at the same time, and to copy the file from source USB device directly to the destination USB device without temporarily storing the files on the computer. However, in both situations, a PC is required. A PC is not always available, in which case the transfer of data between the two USB devices is not possible.

The present invention arose in a bid to provide a data transfer device that allows the transfer of data between two or more USB devices (peripheral devices, as *.: defined in the USB specification) without the requirement for a PC (or similar host device, as defined in the USB specification). Preferably, a data transfer device that allows the transfer of data without use of a PC (or other host device), and without pre-configuration.

According to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided a data transfer device comprising at least one source universal serial bus (USB) connector, arranged to be connected to a source USB device, and at least one destination USB connector, arranged to be connected to a destination USB device, wherein the source USB connector is associated with a source central processing unit (CPU) and the destination USB connector is associated with a destination CPU, wherein the CPUs are connected to one another, and wherein the data transfer device is configured such that data stored in the source USB device may be transmitted directly to and stored by the destination USB device under control of the source and destination CPUs.

USB processing is very CPU intensive, with the present invention utilising two processors the transfer speed may be significantly increased.

Preferably, each CPU comprises a USB host controller.

Preferably, during a transmission operation, the source CPU is arranged to read data from the source USB device and to pass this data to the destination CPU, and the destination CPU is arranged to write the data to the destination USB device.

With the device configured such that one processor reads from the source device and the other processor writes to the destination device, it is possible that once the first processor has passed data to the second processor, it may immediately return to reading the next section of data from the source device whilst the second processor is writing the previously read data to the destination device. It is particularly * advantageous in this regard if the source CPU is arranged to read the data sector-by- ::: : sector and to pass the data sector-by-sector to the destination CPU, which is arranged to write received sectors to the destination USB device. **

*: : The device preferably comprises a user interface, which is arranged for the input of user commands and is connected to the source processor, wherein upon receipt of a command from the user interface the source processor is arranged to read the source USB device and to identify and select data to be transmitted.

Preferably, the source processor is arranged to identify all files of a particular type, or all files of a particular extension, on the source device and to select the most recent file of that type, or extension, as the file for transmission.

Preferably, the source CPU is arranged to pass the details of a file on the source USB device, which is selected for transmission, to the destination CPU, and the destination processor is arranged to read the destination USB device and to establish whether a file having the same name is present on the destination USB device.

Preferably, upon establishment that a file having the same name is present on the destination USB device, the destination CPU is arranged to skip writing of that file.

Preferably, the destination CPU is arranged to identify the type of file to be transmitted to the destination USB device, to identify the location of files of that type on the destination USB device, and to transmit the file to that location.

The device preferably comprises a regulated power supply. Most preferably, the power supply comprises a rechargeable battery.

The user interface may comprise one or more buttons. The user interface may comprise one or more indication lights. There may be two buttons provided, a first button, arranged for selection of the type of data file to be transmitted, and a second button, arranged to start/stop/pause the transmission, wherein an array of indication lights is provided in association with the first button, arranged to indicate the file type to be selected at any one time, and one or more indication lights are provided in *::: ? association with the second button, arranged to indicate the status of the transmission.

The indication light(s) associated with the second button may be arranged to *:: blink andlor change colour to indicate status. *. .

The user interface may, alternatively, comprise a display screen and input means for control of a graphical user interface arranged to be displayed on the display screen.

The device is preferably formed as a cable. The processors are preferably mounted together within a processing module.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data transfer device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows the data transfer device of Figure 1, in the form of a cable provided with a processing module; and Figure 3 shows a flow diagram showing a device identification process for a data transfer device according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a data transfer device according to the present invention. There is provided a source processor 1, which is connected to a destination processor 2 via an inter processor link 3, source connectors 4a-c, destination connectors 5a-c, power inputs 6, 7, and buttons 8 and LEDs 9, which form a user interface.

Each processor 1, 2 is provided with its own internal USB host controller. The processors 1, 2 are preferably of equal processing power and functionality but are each responsible for communicating with either a source or a destination USB device * (not shown). The source processor is arranged to read data from the source USB *. device and to transfer data read from the source device along the inter processor link 3 * S..

to the destination processor, which is arranged to write the data to the destination USB * * . device.

* : * The inter processor link 3 comprises a bus between the two processors 1, 2.

*. The bus is comprised of data and signal lines. The data lines allow data to be passed from one processor to another. The signal lines control the flow of information along the data lines and signal events from one processor to the other. These events include, but are not limited to, source or destination device insertion or removal, end of file (during file copy), power loss and button press (user input).

The source processor is connected to three source connectors, which are a USB type-A connector 4a, an iPod ® compatible connector 4b and a micro USB type connector 4c and which are arranged for connection to an appropriate source device.

The destination processor is connected to three destination connectors, which are a USB type-A connector 5a, an iPod ® compatible connector Sb and a micro USB type connector 5c and which are arranged for connection to a suitable destination device.

It will be readily appreciated that whilst the present embodiment is provided with three source and three destination connectors, there may be less or more connectors provided and/or alternative USB compatible connectors provided, to enable connection of different devices, The connectors may be removably attached to the device.

Each of the processors receives power from an associated power input 6, 7.

The power supply of the present embodiment is regulated and comprises a rechargeable battery. The provision of a battery as the power source increases the portability of the data transfer device. There is a mains connector (not shown) to allow for the charging of the battery and to allow for the device to be powered from the mains. In alternative embodiments the battery may be omitted.

As mentioned, the source processor is connected to a user interface, which is shown in Figure 2 and which comprises, in the present embodiment, buttons 8 and LEDs 9. There is a first button 8a provided that is arranged to allow a user to select the type of files, e.g. "images" I, "music" M, "video" V or "other" 0 that are to be *:::* 25 transferred from a source USB device (not shown), which is connected to one of the source connectors 4, to a destination USB device (not shown), which is connected to one of the destination connectors 5. There are four different LEDs 9a, one associated * : with each of the types of files that may be selected. As will be appreciated, whilst in * * the present embodiment four types of file may be selected, in alternative embodiments more or less file types may be selected and a corresponding number of LEDs will be provided. The arrangement is such that, by pressing the first button 8a, one of the four LEDs is lit and the source processor is instructed which type of file is to be identified on the source USB device. The second button 8b is a "copy" button, which is arranged to initiate a copying process of a file from the source USB device to the destination USB device. The arrangement is such that by pressing the copy button the last created file of the selected type will be copied from the source USB device to the destination USB device. The copy button is arranged to instruct the source processor to select the last created file of the identified type and to pass the selected file to the destination processor, wherein the destination processor will access the destination USB device to determine what location on the destination device the file should be written to, and to determine whether a file having the same name already exists in that location. Assuming there is no file having the same name in that location, the destination processor will write the file to that location. In accordance with the present embodiment, files will be copied in descending order from newest to oldest.

Continuing to press the copy button will copy older files. Holding the button down for a predetermined period will initiate a copy all operation in which all files of the selected type are copied from the source USB device to the destination USB device (destination USB device storage space permitting). Only new files will be copied. If a file already exists on the destination then the next file (based on date/time order, newest to oldest) will be copied from the source.

During the copy process an LED 9b shows the progress, showing red when copying is occurring and solid green when the process is complete and it is safe to disconnected the USB devices.

In alternative arrangements the LED may blink to indicate that transfer is in *.*S * �S process **** * * S...

*::: 5:25 It should be appreciated that the above described user interface represents one possible embodiment only and that the present invention is not limited thereto. There may be provided more or less buttons and/or LEDs and the device may be re-S...

*. : configured as appropriate to accommodate such alternative user interfaces. Moreover, the operation of the device with the above described user interface may be altered whilst maintaining the user interface as described.

A simple user interface is preferable to reduce costs, size and power consumption, however, in alternative arrangements there may be provided a user interface that includes a screen, which may be a touchscreen. The screen is preferably an LCD screen. With such embodiments it will be possible to provide a graphical user interface that allows a user to select specific files/groups of files or folders for transfer.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown an illustrative example of a device identification process.

Whilst many types of USB devices share a common directory structure, some devices require special processing to maximise the benefit to the user, it is for this reason that the destination processor is arranged to determine what location on the destination device the file should be written to. A simple process flow including two examples is provided as Figure 3.

When the device recognises a camera as the destination device, image files are copied to the correct area in the directory structure so that they are available to the camera user, as illustrated by the identification of the folder "DCIM" on the destination USB device.

When an iPod ® is recognised as the destination device, the device updates a destination database so that files (whether images, music or other) appear on the iPod ® screen, as illustrated by the identification of the folders "iPod_Control", "iTunes" and "iTunes Db". S... * . . *5 S * .SS

* It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the process flow *:::h:25 shown in Figure 3 is greatly simplified to illustrate only the above two examples. The device will be arranged such that files may be transmitted by the destination processor to the appropriate location on numerous devices. S... * . . *S I

* S * The data transfer device of the present embodiment is in the form of a cable 20, as shown in Figure 2. Most preferably, the device appears as a short cable with a small (approximately 5cm x 2cm x 2cm) processing module 10 in the middle that houses the processors 1, 2, the inter processor link 3, the power inputs 6, 7 and the battery. It should be noted that Figure 2 is not to scale. The buttons 8 and LEDs 9 are exposed on an outer surface of the processing module. Preferably, the processors and inter processor link are connected to a single circuit board, which may comprise a rigid or flexible substrate. Most preferably, all of the aforementioned components of the processing module are connected to a single circuit board. The source connectors 4a-c are provided at one end of the cable, which is preferably labelled source, input or similar, and the destination connectors 5a-c are provided at the other end of the cable, which is preferably labelled destination, output or similar. The connectors at each end may be demountable/replaceable as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

The data transfer device of the above described embodiments offers an improved means of transferring files between USB devices, which: 1. Does not require the use of or configuration by a computer.

2. Utilises two processors, each having its own USB host controller, wherein the first processor deals primarily with reading data from the source and the second deals primarily with writing data to the destination, so as to almost double throughput compared to devices with a single processor or USB controller.

3. Can identify different types of files including, but not limited to MP3, MPEG, MP4, JPEG, MV4, MA4, GIF and copy them as instructed by the user.

4. Can identify and copy between different types of USB devices and store the file in a structure appropriate to that device. *.SS * . *

It should be noted that whilst the transfer of files has been referred to in the *.S* description, the invention is also applicable to the transfer of folders. * S S S. S *S** * . . *. . S. S S S* S **

Claims

Claims 1. A data transfer device comprising at least one source universal serial bus (USB) connector, arranged to be connected to a source USB device, and at least one destination USB connector, arranged to be connected to a destination USB device, wherein the source USB connector is associated with a source central processing unit (CPU) and the destination USB connector is associated with a destination CPU, wherein the CPUs are connected to one another, and wherein the data transfer device is configured such that data stored in the source USB device may be transmitted directly to and stored by the destination USB device under control of the source and destination CPUs.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each CPU comprises a USB host controller.
3. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein during a data transmission operation, the source CPU is arranged to read data from the source USB device and to pass this data to the destination CPU, and the destination CPU is arranged to write the data to the destination USB device.
4. A device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the source CPU is arranged to read data and to pass the data sector-by-sector to the destination CPU, which is arranged to * S * write received sectors to the destination USB device. **** * S ****

*::::25
5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a user interface, which is arranged for the input of user commands and is connected to the source processor, wherein upon receipt of a command from the user interface the S..' : source processor is arranged to read the source USB device and to identify and select data to be transmitted.
6. A device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the source processor is arranged to identify all files of a particular type, or all files of a particular extension, on the source device and to select the most recent file of that type, or extension, as the file for transmission.
7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the source CPU is arranged to pass the details of a file on the source USB device, which is selected for transmission, to the destination CPU, and the destination processor is arranged to read the destination USB device and to establish whether a file having the same name is present on the destination USB device.
8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein upon establishment that a file having the same name is present on the destination USB device, the destination CPU is arranged to skip writing of that file.
9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the destination CPU is arranged to identify the type of file to be transmitted to the destination USB device, to identify the location of files of that type on the destination USB device, and to transmit the file to that location.
10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a regulated power supply.
11. A device as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the power supply comprises a rechargeable battery. S... * * S
12. A device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 11, wherein the user interface * S..comprises one or more buttons.

* :25
13. A device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 12, wherein the user interface comprises one or more indication lights. S... * . * S. S

*..;
14. A device as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, comprising two buttons, a first button, arranged for selection of the type of data file to be transmitted, and a second button, arranged to start/stop/pause the transmission, wherein an array of indication lights is provided in association with the first button, arranged to indicate the file type to be selected at any one time, and one or more indication lights are provided in association with the second button, arranged to indicate the status of the transmission.
15. A device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the indication light(s) associated with the second button are arranged to blink andlor change colour to indicate status.
16. A device as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 11, wherein the user interface comprises a display screen and input means for control of a graphical user interface arranged to be displayed on the display screen.
17. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, formed as a cable.
18. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the source and destination CPUs are mounted together within a processing module.
19. A data transfer device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings. * * * S. S S... * S S... *SS. * SS S. S S... * SS S. S * . S * *