JP2007293708A - Wireless usb device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless USB device that can be simultaneously connected with a plurality of wireless USB hosts. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless USB device (1) comprises n (n is an integer not less than 1) wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n), a peripheral function part (8) and an arbitration control part (15). The n wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n) can wirelessly communicate with n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n), respectively. The peripheral function part (8) establishes data transfer with the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) via the n wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n). The arbitration control part (15) arbitrates access rights between the peripheral function part 8 and the n wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless USB device that performs wireless communication with a USB host.

  With the spread of personal computers in recent years, peripheral devices connected to host computers have become popular. A USB system using USB (Universal Serial Bus), which is an interface for connecting the host computer and peripheral devices, has been put into practical use. Therefore, the host computer is referred to as a USB host, and the peripheral device connected to the host computer is referred to as a USB device. The USB method is an interface method in which one USB host controls one or a plurality of USB devices.

  In the USB method, since a USB host and a USB device are connected by a cable, there is an increasing demand for wireless connection. Therefore, a wireless USB system for performing USB connection by wireless communication has been put into practical use, and USB Implementers Forum, Inc. (Http://www.USB.org/) (for example, http://www.USB.org/developers/wUSB/). As a result, the USB host and the USB device can be placed at physically separated locations. The USB host in this wireless USB system is called a wireless USB host, and the USB device at that time is called a wireless USB device. As a result, a usage method in which a plurality of wireless USB hosts can be simultaneously connected to the wireless USB device is expected.

  However, as with the USB method, the wireless USB method is an interface method in which one wireless USB host controls one or more wireless USB devices, so that multiple wireless USB hosts can connect to the wireless USB device simultaneously. It is difficult.

  The technology related to the above equipment is introduced.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-342255 (Patent Document 1) describes a USB device connection apparatus. In the USB device connection apparatus, connection is made between a plurality of USB hosts and one or more USB devices. The USB device connection apparatus includes a plurality of pseudo USB device function units connected to the plurality of USB hosts, a pseudo USB host unit connected to the USB device, and the USB device connected to each of the USB hosts. A descriptor converter that generates each descriptor group describing a service to be provided and sets it in the pseudo USB device function unit, and controls data transfer between the plurality of pseudo USB device function units and the pseudo USB host unit And a data transfer management unit. As a result, a plurality of USB hosts can share a single USB device at the same time.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-195991 (Patent Document 2) describes a USB host switching device. The USB host switching device selects any one of a USB device connector for connecting a USB device, a plurality of USB host connectors for connecting a USB host, and the plurality of USB host connectors. And a changeover switch for connecting the USB device connector. As a result, a single USB device is shared by a plurality of USB hosts without being connected or disconnected.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-256351 (Patent Document 3) describes a USB hub. The USB hub enables connection of a plurality of first ports that can connect a plurality of host computers that are assigned addresses and send / receive packet data, and a plurality of peripheral devices that are assigned addresses and send / receive packet data. A plurality of second ports, a FIFO memory that temporarily holds the packet data input from the first port and the second port, and an address of the peripheral device added to the packet data held in the FIFO memory And a control circuit that establishes a connection between the host computer and the peripheral device and controls data transfer based on the information. As a result, a plurality of host computers can share peripheral devices, and no switching operation is required.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-282701 (Patent Document 4) describes an information processing apparatus. In the information processing device, information is processed between a plurality of controlled devices and a plurality of control devices that control each of the plurality of controlled devices by independently providing management identification information. . The information processing apparatus can control each of the plurality of controlled devices independently based on the identification information given to each of the plurality of controlled devices by the plurality of control devices. Further, the information from the plurality of control devices is processed. Thereby, even if a plurality of control devices are connected to one information processing device, each of the plurality of control devices can independently control a plurality of controlled devices.

JP 2002-342255 A JP 2003-195991 A JP 2003-256351 A JP 2001-282701 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless USB device to which a plurality of wireless USB hosts can be connected simultaneously.

  Hereinafter, means for solving the problem will be described using the numbers and symbols used in [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. These numbers and symbols are added to clarify the correspondence between the description of [Claims] and the description of [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. It should not be used to interpret the technical scope of the invention described in “

The wireless USB device (1) of the present invention includes n (n is an integer of 1 or more) wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n), a peripheral device function unit (8), and an arbitration control unit ( 15).
The n wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n) can wirelessly communicate with n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n), respectively.
The peripheral device function unit (8) transfers data to the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) via the n wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n). To do.
The arbitration control unit (15) arbitrates an access right between the peripheral device function unit (8) and the n wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n).
According to the present invention, a plurality of wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) can simultaneously share a single wireless USB device (1), and a plurality of wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) can be shared. 2-n) can connect to the wireless USB device (1) simultaneously.

  In the wireless USB device (1) of the present invention, the arbitration control unit (15) transfers the data between the peripheral device function unit (8) and the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n). Arbitrates the access right between the peripheral device function unit (8) and the n wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n) so that the first to nth are performed in this order. .

The first aspect of the present invention will be described. The above effect is realized by the following configuration.
The wireless USB device (1) of the present invention further includes n interface units (9-1 to 9-n) each having n buffers (11-1 to 11-n).
Each of the n wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n) includes n endpoint FIFOs (6-1 to 6-n).
The n endpoint FIFOs (6-1 to 6-n) transfer the data from the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) to the peripheral function unit (8), respectively. In the OUT-direction transfer in which data is transferred, data from the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) is stored. Alternatively, at the time of transfer in the IN direction in which the data transfer is performed from the peripheral device function unit (8) to the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n), the n buffers (11-1) ˜11-n) is stored by the n interface units (9-1 to 9-n).
In each of the n buffers (11-1 to 11-n), the data stored in the n endpoint FIFOs (6-1 to 6-n) at the time of transfer in the OUT direction is stored in the n buffers (11-1 to 11-n), respectively. Stored by n interface units (9-1 to 9-n). Alternatively, data from the peripheral device function unit (8) is stored at the time of transfer in the IN direction.
The arbitration control unit (15) performs the j-th endpoint FIFO (j is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ j ≦ n) (6-j) and the data stored in the j-th buffer (11-j). The j-th interface unit (9-j) is controlled so that data transfer is performed. In addition, the execution of the data transfer is temporarily waited for data stored in an endpoint FIFO other than the jth endpoint FIFO (6-j) and a buffer other than the jth buffer (11-j). Thus, the interface units other than the j-th interface unit (9-j) are controlled.

The second aspect of the present invention will be described. The above effect is realized by the following configuration. In the second aspect, the circuit scale of the wireless USB device (1) can be reduced as compared with the configuration of the first aspect.
The wireless USB device (1) of the present invention further includes an interface unit (9) including the arbitration control unit (15).
Each of the n wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n) includes n endpoint FIFOs (6-1 to 6-n).
The n endpoint FIFOs (6-1 to 6-n) transfer the data from the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) to the peripheral function unit (8), respectively. In the OUT-direction transfer in which data is transferred, data from the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) is stored. Alternatively, when the data is transferred from the peripheral device function unit (8) to the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) in the IN direction, the peripheral device function unit (8) Are stored by the interface unit (9).
The arbitration control unit (15) performs the data transfer on the data stored in the j-th endpoint FIFO (j is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ j ≦ n) (6-j). j Controls the wireless USB device controller (4-j). Further, the j-th wireless USB device controller (4-) is configured to temporarily wait for execution of the data transfer with respect to data stored in the endpoint FIFO other than the j-th endpoint FIFO (6-j). Control wireless USB device controllers other than j).

In the wireless USB device (1) of the present invention, each of the n wireless USB device controllers (4-1 to 4-n) corresponds to the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n). N addresses are assigned for access by.
As a result, the plurality of wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) and the wireless USB device (1) can be placed at physically separated locations, and the plurality of wireless USB hosts (2- 1-2-n) can share a single wireless USB device (1) simultaneously.

  In the wireless USB device (1) of the present invention, each of the n addresses includes a device address and an endpoint address.

  In the wireless USB device (1) of the present invention, the n is 2.

  The communication system of the present invention includes the n wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) and the wireless USB device (1). The effect is the same as described above.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of wireless USB hosts (2-1 to 2-n) can simultaneously share a single wireless USB device (1), and a plurality of wireless USB hosts (2 -1 to 2-n) can be simultaneously connected to the wireless USB device (1).

  Hereinafter, a wireless USB device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system to which a wireless USB device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. This communication system includes n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1) wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n and a wireless USB device 1.

The wireless USB device 1 includes n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n, n interface units 9-1 to 9-n, an arbitration control unit 15, and a peripheral device function unit 8. is doing.
The n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n are connected to the n interface units 9-1 to 9-n, respectively. The n interface units 9-1 to 9-n are connected to the arbitration control unit 15. The arbitration control unit 15 is connected to the peripheral device function unit 8. The peripheral device function unit 8 has a function of an electronic device that realizes a known digital camera or an external disk.

  Each of the n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n includes wireless USB end points 5-1 to 5-n. Each of the n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n is assigned n addresses for the n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n to access. The n addresses are standardized by the wireless USB method, and the n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n identify the n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n, respectively. Used for. The n addresses include a device address representing n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n and an endpoint address representing wireless USB endpoints 5-1 to 5-n, respectively. .

  Each of the n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n recognizes n addresses (device address, end point address) in advance, and by using this, n addresses corresponding to the n addresses are used. Wireless communication is possible with respect to the wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n. Further, each of the n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n uses n addresses to perform wireless communication with the corresponding n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n. Is possible.

  As a result, the plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n and the wireless USB device 1 can be placed at physically separated locations, and the plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n can be placed. Can share a single wireless USB device 1 at the same time.

  The peripheral device function unit 8 includes n wireless USB hosts 2 via the arbitration control unit 15, n interface units 9-1 to 9-n, and n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n. Data transfer with -1 to 2-n is performed. At this time, the arbitration control unit 15 arbitrates the access right between the peripheral device function unit 8 and the n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n. The arbitration control unit 15 includes n interface units so that data transfer between the peripheral device function unit 8 and the n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n is performed in this order from the first to the nth. 9-1 to 9-n are controlled.

The wireless USB device 1 performs OUT-direction transfer or IN-direction transfer to n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n.
In the transfer in the OUT direction, data is transferred from the n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n to the peripheral device function unit 8.
In the transfer in the IN direction, data transfer is performed from the peripheral device function unit 8 to the n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n.

Each of the n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n includes n end-point FIFOs (First In First Out) 6-1 to 6-n.
Each of the n interface units 9-1 to 9-n includes n interface control circuits 10-1 to 10-n and n buffers 11-1 to 11-n.
The n endpoint FIFOs 6-1 to 6-n store data from the n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n at the time of transfer in the OUT direction, respectively. Alternatively, at the time of transfer in the IN direction, data stored in the n buffers 11-1 to 11-n is stored by the n interface control circuits 10-1 to 10-n.
In the n buffers 11-1 to 11-n, the data stored in the n endpoint FIFOs 6-1 to 6-n are respectively transferred to the n interface control circuits 10-1 at the time of transfer in the OUT direction. -10-n. Alternatively, data from the peripheral device function unit 8 is stored at the time of transfer in the IN direction.

  The arbitration control unit 15 transmits data to the endpoint FIFO 6-j (j is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ j ≦ n) and the data stored in the buffer 11-j, so that the interface unit 9-j To control. In addition, an interface unit other than the interface unit 9-j temporarily waits for data transfer to be performed on data stored in an endpoint FIFO other than the endpoint FIFO 6-j and a buffer other than the buffer 11-j. To control.

  Thus, according to the present invention, a plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n can be simultaneously connected to the wireless USB device 1.

  The operation of the wireless USB device 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless USB device 1. Here, the above n is 2.

The wireless USB device 1 performs transfer in the OUT direction or transfer in the IN direction with respect to the wireless USB host 2-j (j is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ j ≦ 2, that is, an integer satisfying 1 or 2). A transfer process including this is executed (step S1).
In the transfer in the OUT direction, data is transferred from the wireless USB host 2-j to the peripheral device function unit 8. In this case, the wireless USB device controller 4-j receives the data transmitted (transferred) from the wireless USB host 2-j and stores it in the endpoint FIFO 6-1. The interface control circuit 10-j of the interface unit 9-j reads data from the endpoint FIFO 6-j in units of packets and stores it in the buffer 11-j. When a certain amount of data is stored in the buffer 11-j, the interface control circuit 10-j outputs it to the peripheral device function unit 8.
In the transfer in the IN direction, data transfer is performed from the peripheral device function unit 8 to the wireless USB host 2-j. In this case, the peripheral device function unit 8 outputs a transfer request in the IN direction to the interface unit 9-j via the arbitration control unit 15. In response to a transfer request in the IN direction, the interface control circuit 10-j of the interface unit 9-j reads a certain amount of data from the peripheral device function unit 8 via the arbitration control unit 15, and stores it in the buffer 11-j. To do. The interface control circuit 10-j reads data from the buffer 11-j in units of packets and stores the data in the endpoint FIFO 6-j. The wireless USB device controller 4-j transmits (transfers) the data stored in the endpoint FIFO 6-j to the wireless USB host 2-j.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the arbitration control unit 15 performs the transfer process for the wireless USB device 1 to the wireless USB host 2-1 (when j is 1) (step S2-YES). The standby instruction 16-2 is notified to the interface unit 9-2. As a result, the interface control circuit 10-2 of the interface unit 9-2 temporarily waits for execution of data transfer between the wireless USB host 2-2 and the peripheral device function unit 8 in response to the standby instruction 16-2. Arbitration processing is executed (step S3).

In the arbitration process, in the case of OUT-direction transfer, the data sent from the wireless USB host 2-2 is held by the amount stored in the buffer 11-2 and the endpoint FIFO 6-2. When the data sent from the wireless USB host 2-2 becomes more than that, the interface control circuit 10-2 of the interface unit 9-2 can no longer receive data from the wireless USB host 2-2. A response to that effect (NAK response) is transmitted via the wireless USB device controller 4-2.
Alternatively, in the case of IN direction transfer, when the interface control circuit 10-2 of the interface unit 9-2 receives an IN direction transfer request from the peripheral device function unit 8, the buffer 11-2 and the endpoint FIFO 6 described above. -2 is read out and transmitted to the wireless USB host 2-2 via the wireless USB device controller 4-2. When the interface control circuit 10-2 receives the next IN-direction transfer request from the peripheral device function unit 8, the interface control circuit 10-2 sends a response (NAK response) indicating that data cannot be sent to the wireless USB host 2-2. ) Is transmitted via the wireless USB device controller 4-2.

When the execution of the transfer process between the wireless USB device 1 and the wireless USB host 2-1 is not completed (step S4-NO), the arbitration control unit 15 issues a standby instruction 16-2 to the interface unit 9-2. Keep informed.
On the other hand, the arbitration control unit 15 notifies the standby instruction 16-2 to the interface unit 9-2 when the transfer processing in the wireless USB device 1 and the wireless USB host 2-1 is completed (step S4-YES). finish.

  In this case, the wireless USB device 1 performs transfer processing including OUT-direction transfer or IN-direction transfer to the wireless USB host 2-2 (step S1).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the arbitration control unit 15 performs the transfer process for the wireless USB device 1 with respect to the wireless USB host 2-2 (when j is 2) (step S2-YES). The standby instruction 16-1 is notified to the interface unit 9-1. As a result, the interface control circuit 10-1 of the interface unit 9-1 temporarily waits for execution of data transfer between the wireless USB host 2-1 and the peripheral device function unit 8 in response to the standby instruction 16-1. Arbitration processing is executed (step S3).

In the arbitration process, in the case of OUT-direction transfer, data sent from the wireless USB host 2-1 is retained by the amount stored in the buffer 11-1 and the endpoint FIFO 6-1. When the data sent from the wireless USB host 2-1 becomes more than that, the interface control circuit 10-1 of the interface unit 9-1 can no longer receive data from the wireless USB host 2-1. A response (NAK response) is transmitted through the wireless USB device controller 4-1.
Alternatively, in the case of IN direction transfer, when the interface control circuit 10-1 of the interface unit 9-1 receives an IN direction transfer request from the peripheral device function unit 8, the buffer 11-1 and the endpoint FIFO 6 described above. -1 is read out and transmitted to the wireless USB host 2-1 via the wireless USB device controller 4-1. When the interface control circuit 10-1 receives the next IN-direction transfer request from the peripheral device function unit 8, the interface control circuit 10-1 sends a response (NAK response) indicating that data cannot be sent to the wireless USB host 2-1. ) Is transmitted via the wireless USB device controller 4-1.

When the execution of the transfer process between the wireless USB device 1 and the wireless USB host 2-2 is not completed (step S4-NO), the arbitration control unit 15 issues a standby instruction 16-1 to the interface unit 9-1. Keep informed.
On the other hand, when the execution of the transfer process between the wireless USB device 1 and the wireless USB host 2-2 is completed (Step S4-YES), the arbitration control unit 15 notifies the interface unit 9-1 of the standby instruction 16-1. finish.

As described above, the plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n and the wireless USB device 1 can be placed at physically separated locations, and the plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2 can be placed. -N can share a single wireless USB device 1 at the same time.
Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n can simultaneously share a single wireless USB device 1, and a plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n can be shared. Can be simultaneously connected to the wireless USB device 1.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a communication system to which the wireless USB device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the second embodiment, descriptions overlapping with those in the first embodiment are omitted.

The wireless USB device 1 includes an interface unit 9 instead of the n interface units 9-1 to 9-n and the arbitration control unit 15. The interface unit 9 includes the arbitration control unit 15 described above.
The n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n are connected to the interface unit 9. The interface unit 9 is connected to the peripheral device function unit 8.

  The peripheral device function unit 8 performs data transfer with the n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n via the interface unit 9 and the n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n. At this time, the arbitration control unit 15 of the interface unit 9 arbitrates access rights between the peripheral device function unit 8 and the n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n. The arbitration control unit 15 includes n wireless USBs so that data transfer between the peripheral device function unit 8 and the n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n is performed in this order from the first to the nth. The device controllers 4-1 to 4-n are controlled.

Each of the n wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n includes n end-point FIFOs (First In First Out) 6-1 to 6-n, as described above.
The interface unit 9 further includes an interface control circuit 10 including an arbitration control unit 15 and a buffer 11.
The n endpoint FIFOs 6-1 to 6-n store data from the n wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n at the time of transfer in the OUT direction, respectively. Alternatively, the data stored in the buffer 11 is stored by the interface control circuit 10 during transfer in the IN direction.
In the buffer 11, the data stored in one endpoint FIFO among the n endpoint FIFOs 6-1 to 6-n is stored by the interface control circuit 10 during transfer in the OUT direction. Alternatively, data from the peripheral device function unit 8 is stored at the time of transfer in the IN direction.

  The arbitration control unit 15 of the interface control circuit 10 transmits the data to the data stored in the endpoint FIFO 6-j (j is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ j ≦ n). -J is controlled. In addition, the wireless USB device controller other than the wireless USB device controller 4-j is controlled so that execution of data transfer is temporarily waited for data stored in the endpoint FIFO other than the endpoint FIFO 6-j.

Thus, according to the present invention, a plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n can be simultaneously connected to the wireless USB device 1.
Further, according to the present invention, the circuit scale of the wireless USB device 1 can be reduced as compared with the above.

  The operation of the wireless USB device 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the above n is 2.

The wireless USB device 1 performs transfer in the OUT direction or transfer in the IN direction with respect to the wireless USB host 2-j (j is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ j ≦ 2, that is, an integer satisfying 1 or 2). A transfer process including this is executed (step S1).
In the transfer in the OUT direction, data is transferred from the wireless USB host 2-j to the peripheral device function unit 8. In this case, the wireless USB device controller 4-j receives the data transmitted (transferred) from the wireless USB host 2-j and stores it in the endpoint FIFO 6-1. The interface control circuit 10 of the interface unit 9 reads data from the endpoint FIFO 6-j in units of packets and stores it in the buffer 11. When a certain amount of data is stored in the buffer 11, the interface control circuit 10 outputs it to the peripheral device function unit 8.
In the transfer in the IN direction, data transfer is performed from the peripheral device function unit 8 to the wireless USB host 2-j. In this case, the peripheral device function unit 8 outputs an IN direction transfer request to the interface unit 9. The interface control circuit 10 of the interface unit 9 reads a certain amount of data from the peripheral device function unit 8 and stores it in the buffer 11 in response to a transfer request in the IN direction. The interface control circuit 10 reads data from the buffer 11 in units of packets and stores it in the endpoint FIFO 6-j. The wireless USB device controller 4-j transmits (transfers) the data stored in the endpoint FIFO 6-j to the wireless USB host 2-j.

  The arbitration control unit 15 of the interface control circuit 10 performs the transfer process for the wireless USB device 1 with respect to the wireless USB host 2-1 (when j is 1) (step S2-YES). As shown, the wireless USB device controller 4-2 is notified of a standby instruction 18-2. As a result, the wireless USB device controller 4-2 executes an arbitration process that temporarily waits for data transfer between the wireless USB host 2-2 and the peripheral device function unit 8 in response to the standby instruction 18-2. (Step S3).

In the arbitration process, in the case of transfer in the OUT direction, the data sent from the wireless USB host 2-2 is retained by the amount stored in the endpoint FIFO 6-2. When the data sent from the wireless USB host 2-2 becomes more than that, the interface control circuit 10 of the interface unit 9 responds to the wireless USB host 2-2 that it can no longer receive data ( NAK response) is transmitted via the wireless USB device controller 4-2.
Alternatively, in the case of IN-direction transfer, when the interface control circuit 10 of the interface unit 9 receives an IN-direction transfer request from the peripheral device function unit 8, all of the data stored in the endpoint FIFO 6-2 is stored. Read and transmit to the wireless USB host 2-2 via the wireless USB device controller 4-2. When the interface control circuit 10 receives the next IN direction transfer request from the peripheral device function unit 8, the interface control circuit 10 sends a response (NAK response) to the wireless USB host 2-2 that data cannot be sent anymore. And transmitted via the wireless USB device controller 4-2.

When the transfer processing between the wireless USB device 1 and the wireless USB host 2-1 is not completed (step S4-NO), the arbitration control unit 15 of the interface control circuit 10 determines the wireless USB device controller 4-2. The standby instruction 18-2 is continuously notified.
On the other hand, the arbitration control unit 15 of the interface control circuit 10 waits for the wireless USB device controller 4-2 when the transfer processing between the wireless USB device 1 and the wireless USB host 2-1 is completed (step S4-YES). The notification of the instruction 18-2 is terminated.

  In this case, the wireless USB device 1 performs transfer processing including OUT-direction transfer or IN-direction transfer to the wireless USB host 2-2 (step S1).

  The arbitration control unit 15 of the interface control circuit 10 performs the transfer process for the wireless USB device 1 with respect to the wireless USB host 2-2 (when j is 2) (step S2-YES). As shown, the wireless USB device controller 4-1 is notified of a standby instruction 18-1. As a result, the wireless USB device controller 4-1 executes an arbitration process that temporarily waits for data transfer between the wireless USB host 2-1 and the peripheral device function unit 8 in response to the standby instruction 18-1. (Step S3).

In the arbitration process, in the case of transfer in the OUT direction, the data sent from the wireless USB host 2-1 is retained by the amount stored in the endpoint FIFO 6-1. When the data sent from the wireless USB host 2-1 becomes more than that, the interface control circuit 10 of the interface unit 9 responds to the wireless USB host 2-1 that it can no longer receive data ( NAK response) is transmitted via the wireless USB device controller 4-1.
Alternatively, in the case of IN-direction transfer, when the interface control circuit 10 of the interface unit 9 receives an IN-direction transfer request from the peripheral device function unit 8, all the data stored in the endpoint FIFO 6-1 is stored. Read and transmit to the wireless USB host 2-1 via the wireless USB device controller 4-1. When the interface control circuit 10 receives the next IN-direction transfer request from the peripheral device function unit 8, the interface control circuit 10 sends a response to the wireless USB host 2-1 that data can no longer be sent (NAK response). And transmitted via the wireless USB device controller 4-1.

When the transfer processing between the wireless USB device 1 and the wireless USB host 2-2 is not finished (step S4-NO), the arbitration control unit 15 of the interface control circuit 10 determines the wireless USB device controller 4-1. The standby instruction 18-1 is continuously notified.
On the other hand, the arbitration control unit 15 of the interface control circuit 10 waits for the wireless USB device controller 4-1 when transfer processing between the wireless USB device 1 and the wireless USB host 2-2 ends (step S4-YES). The notification of the instruction 18-1 is terminated.

As described above, the plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n and the wireless USB device 1 can be placed at physically separated locations, and the plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2 can be placed. -N can share a single wireless USB device 1 at the same time.
Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n can simultaneously share a single wireless USB device 1, and a plurality of wireless USB hosts 2-1 to 2-n can be shared. Can be simultaneously connected to the wireless USB device 1.
According to the present invention, the wireless USB device 1 includes the interface unit 9 including the arbitration control unit 15 instead of the n interface units 9-1 to 9-n and the arbitration control unit 15. . The interface unit 9 further includes a buffer 11 that is shared by the wireless USB device controllers 4-1 to 4-n. For this reason, in 2nd Embodiment, a circuit scale can be reduced compared with 1st Embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system to which a wireless USB device 1 of the present invention is applied. (First embodiment) FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the wireless USB device 1 of the present invention. (First embodiment) FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless USB device 1 of the present invention. (First embodiment, second embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a communication system to which the wireless USB device 1 of the present invention is applied. (Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the wireless USB device 1 of the present invention. (Second Embodiment)

Explanation of symbols

1 Wireless USB device 2-1 to 2-n Wireless USB host 4-1 to 4-n Wireless USB device controller 5-1 to 5-n Wireless USB endpoint 6-1 to 6-n Endpoint FIFO
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 Peripheral device function part 9, 9-1 to 9-n Interface part 10, 10-1 to 10-n Interface control circuit 11, 11-1 to 11-n Buffer 15 Arbitration control part 16-1 to 16-n, 18-1 to 18-n Standby instruction

Claims (8)

N wireless USB device controllers each capable of wireless communication with n (n is an integer of 1 or more) wireless USB hosts;
A peripheral function unit that performs data transfer with the n wireless USB hosts via the n wireless USB device controllers;
A wireless USB device comprising: an arbitration control unit that arbitrates an access right between the peripheral device function unit and the n wireless USB device controllers. The wireless USB device of claim 1,
The arbitration control unit is
Between the peripheral device function unit and the n wireless USB device controllers, the data transfer between the peripheral device function unit and the n wireless USB hosts is performed in this order from the first to the nth. Wireless USB device that arbitrates access rights. The wireless USB device according to claim 2,
N interface units each having n buffers,
Each of the n wireless USB device controllers includes n endpoint FIFOs,
Each of the n endpoint FIFOs includes
During transfer in the OUT direction in which the data transfer is performed from the n wireless USB hosts to the peripheral function unit, data from the n wireless USB hosts is stored.
Alternatively, at the time of IN transfer in which the data transfer is performed from the peripheral device function unit to the n wireless USB hosts, the data stored in the n buffers is stored by the n interface units,
In each of the n buffers,
During the transfer in the OUT direction, the data stored in the n endpoint FIFOs are stored by the n interface units,
Alternatively, at the time of transfer in the IN direction, data from the peripheral device function unit is stored,
The arbitration control unit is
Controlling the jth interface unit so that the data transfer is performed with respect to the data stored in the jth endpoint FIFO (j is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ j ≦ n) and the jth buffer;
An interface unit other than the jth interface unit so as to temporarily wait for execution of the data transfer with respect to data stored in an endpoint FIFO other than the jth endpoint FIFO and a buffer other than the jth buffer. Wireless USB device that controls. The wireless USB device according to claim 2,
An interface unit including the arbitration control unit;
Each of the n wireless USB device controllers includes n endpoint FIFOs,
Each of the n endpoint FIFOs includes
During transfer in the OUT direction in which the data transfer is performed from the n wireless USB hosts to the peripheral function unit, data from the n wireless USB hosts is stored.
Alternatively, at the time of transfer in the IN direction in which the data transfer is performed from the peripheral device function unit to the n wireless USB hosts, data from the peripheral device function unit is stored by the interface unit,
The arbitration control unit is
Controlling the jth wireless USB device controller so that the data transfer is performed on the data stored in the jth endpoint FIFO (j is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ j ≦ n);
Wireless for controlling a wireless USB device controller other than the jth wireless USB device controller so as to temporarily wait for execution of the data transfer for data stored in an endpoint FIFO other than the jth endpoint FIFO USB device. In the wireless USB device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A wireless USB device in which n addresses for access by the n wireless USB hosts are assigned to each of the n wireless USB device controllers. The wireless USB device according to claim 5, wherein
Each of the n addresses is a wireless USB device including a device address and an endpoint address. The wireless USB device according to claim 3 or 4,
The wireless USB device in which n is 2. n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) wireless USB hosts;
A wireless USB device,
The wireless USB device is
N wireless USB device controllers each capable of wireless communication with the n wireless USB hosts;
A peripheral function unit that performs data transfer with the n wireless USB hosts via the n wireless USB device controllers;
A communication system comprising: an arbitration control unit that arbitrates an access right between the peripheral device function unit and the n wireless USB device controllers.

Images