JP2007323648A - Device and method for operating usb interface equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and method for operating USB interface equipment. <P>SOLUTION: At present, an operator cannot selectively control an appointed USB port by using software. By using the device and the method, a user can transmit a command for opening an appointed expansion port from a host according to a request, the command is analyzed to obtain an expansion port address, a channel between the expansion port of this address and the host is opened thereafter, and finally, operation to USB equipment connected to the port can be performed, and the user can notify the host of a USB equipment status. Thus the user is capable of appointing and operating the USB equipment, whereby work efficiency is improved and it is ensured that only one piece of the USB equipment is connected to the host at one time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for operating on computer peripherals. In particular, it relates to an apparatus and method for operating USB interface equipment. It belongs to the field of computer peripherals.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of USB interfaces, the number of USB interface equipment has increased in the market, and many manufacturers have developed USB products. These USB products require a lot of testing from development to product sales, and some products require special operation before they are sold (for example, USB memory must be physically formatted before shipping). Must not). When testing or operating a USB interface facility, the host must first determine the status of the USB interface facility. The USB interface consists of four lines: power line (VCC), signal line (D +), signal line (D-), and ground line (GND). The connection between the USB equipment and the host is realized by these four lines. The signal level of the signal lines (D +, D-) is low when the USB equipment is not connected to the host. Once the equipment is connected, one of the signal lines (D +, D-) is at the high level, and the equipment can be used normally. Even if the equipment is connected, if neither of the signal lines (D +, D-) becomes high level, or if both of them become high level, this equipment is faulty.

  These USB products must be connected to the host's USB interface for testing and special operations. However, the number of USB ports attached to general hosts is small. Since the production of products is usually large, the number of hosts and operation personnel required for testing and special operations increases. This leads to waste of resources and decreases production efficiency.

  USBHUB is currently widely used in the market. As a result, one USB interface of the host is extended to a plurality of USB interfaces. If a normal USBHUB is used in the generation process, the user can identify whether there is equipment at a certain port for the first time by frequently inserting and removing equipment manually. The time to manually insert and remove equipment is a significant part of the overall production process. In addition, the host can perform different tasks for the equipment in each USB interface and allocates a corresponding bandwidth to each equipment. In other words, facilities in multiple USB interfaces share a USB bus band.

The problems that existed in the prior art are:
1. The upper application cannot selectively control the specified lower USB expansion port.

  2. Cannot inspect whether there is USB equipment in the expansion port and whether the USB equipment is normal. The user cannot know which USB equipment has failed.

  3. The number of USB devices connected to the expansion port affects the USB bus band.

  4. Production efficiency is low.

  In order to solve the above problems of the prior art, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for operating one USB interface facility.

  The technical solution adopted by the present invention adds a control module to the conventional equipment, and the host software on the host uses the interface function to communicate with the control module using a certain communication protocol and is specified by the control module. Control the expansion port.

  On the other hand, the present invention provides a device for operating USB interface equipment. The apparatus includes a host, a control module, a switch module, and an expansion port module. The host sends a command to open the specified expansion port and operates the USB equipment connected to the specified expansion port. The control module analyzes the command, obtains the address of the expansion port, and controls the switch module. The switch module opens and closes a channel between the expansion port at the corresponding address and the host USB interface. The expansion port module is connected to the USB equipment. The host connects to the control module and the switch module through the host USB interface. The control module is connected to the switch module, and the switch module is connected to the expansion port module.

  The control module has an inspection submodule that inspects the status of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port at the corresponding address and notifies the host.

  The power line, D + line and D- line of the expansion port module are connected to the host USB interface through the switch module.

  The ground line of the expansion port module is connected directly to the host USB interface.

  When the switch module is in the ON state, the switch module conducts the connection between the power supply of the USB equipment in the expansion port, the three connection lines D + and D-, and the host USB interface.

  When the switch module is OFF, the switch module cuts off the connection between the USB equipment power supply, D + and D-, and the host USB interface at the expansion port.

  The switch module includes an analog switch chip, an address selection chip, and a switch circuit. The address selection chip is connected to the described control module, analog switch chip and switch circuit. The power line of the expansion port module is connected to the host USB interface through the switch circuit. The D + and D- lines of the expansion port module are connected to the host USB interface through an analog switch chip.

  The ground line of the expansion port module is connected to the host USB interface through the switch module.

  When the switch module is in the ON state, the USB equipment in the expansion port connects to the USB interface of the host through the four connection lines of power, D +, D-, and ground.

  When the switch module is OFF, the switch module cuts off the connection between the USB equipment power supply, D +, D-, and ground four connection lines in the expansion port and the host USB interface.

  The switch module includes an analog switch chip, an address selection chip, and a switch circuit. The address selection chip is connected to the control module, the analog switch chip, and the switch circuit. The power line and ground line of the expansion port module are connected to the host USB interface through the switch circuit. The D + and D- lines of the expansion port module connect to the host USB interface through an analog switch chip.

  The host connects to the control module and the switch module through the USB interface of the USBHUB module. The expansion port module includes a plurality of expansion interfaces.

  The expansion port module includes a plurality of expansion interfaces.

On the other hand, the present invention provides a method for operating USB interface equipment. Includes the following steps:
Procedure A: The host sends a command to open an expansion port to the control module;
Procedure B: The control module analyzes the command and obtains the address of the expansion port;
Step C: The control module controls the switch module and opens a channel between the address expansion port and the host;
Procedure D: Operate the USB equipment connected to the expansion port.
Step C includes the following steps:
Procedure C1: The control module selects an address expansion port with an address selection chip inside the switch module;
Procedure C2: The control module opens a connection line between the address expansion port and the host by the control analog switch chip and the transistor switch circuit inside the switch.

  The procedure D is specifically as follows: An inspection operation is performed to check whether the state of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port at the corresponding address is normal, and the inspection result is reported to the host.

  The procedure D is specifically as follows: The business operation is performed on the USB equipment connected to the expansion port.

  Between the procedure C and the procedure D, a procedure for performing an inspection operation as to whether the state of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port of the corresponding address is normal and reporting the result of the inspection to the host is also included.

  Specifically, the corresponding inspection procedure is to detect that the state of the equipment connected to the expansion port is normal and report to the host. Perform business operations on the USB equipment connected to the.

  The corresponding inspection procedure is specifically a procedure in which the host sends a command to open the expansion port to the control module again when it detects that the status of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port is not normal and reports to the host. I do.

  The corresponding inspection procedure is specifically a procedure in which the host sends a command to open the expansion port to the control module again when it detects that the status of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port is not normal and reports to the host. I do. Correspondingly, the procedure D is specifically as follows: The host performs a business operation on the USB equipment connected to the expansion port.

  Specifically, the inspection procedure is to send a command for the host to open another expansion port again when it detects that the status of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port is not normal and reports to the host. Do. Correspondingly, the procedure D is specifically as follows: The host performs a business operation on the USB equipment connected to the other expansion port.

  Specifically, the status of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port is not normal: The USB equipment connected to the expansion port exists, but the USB equipment is in a failed state.

  Specifically, the status of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port is not normal: There is no USB equipment connected to the expansion port.

  After the procedure D, the procedures A to D are operated again for another expansion port.

  1. Upper application software can selectively control a specified lower USB expansion port.

  2. Can check whether there is USB equipment in the specified expansion port or whether the USB equipment is normal. The user can know which USB equipment has failed.

  3. The USB bus band is not affected by the number of USB devices connected to the expansion port.

  4. The production efficiency is high.

  The present invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings and examples, but is not limited to the present invention.

  The apparatus of the present invention is configured in two parts, a software unit and a hardware unit. The software unit is mainly high-order application software, and the high-order application software can communicate with the control module using the API function of the system itself and a corresponding protocol.

  After receiving the command of the upper application software, the control module controls the physical connection between the switch module (including the address selection chip 74HC138, the switch circuit and the bidirectional high-speed analog switch chip MAX4638) and the expansion port according to the request. Each expansion port has an absolute port number, and each of these port numbers is given a different address. The control module determines a designated port to be controlled by the upper application software by an address selection chip in the switch module.

  The switch module includes a switch circuit composed of an analog switch chip, an address selection chip, and a transistor. Since four connection lines (power, D +, D-, ground) are required to communicate with the USB equipment on the expansion port and the host, the USB on the expansion port can be used using these devices inside the switch module. Separate these four connection lines of the equipment separately. As a result, communication between the USB equipment on the designated expansion port and the host can be physically controlled.

  When the host application software sends a command to the control module and requests access to the USB equipment on a certain expansion port, the control module selects the expansion port of the designated address with the address selection chip inside the switch module. At the same time, it controls the analog switch chip and transistor switch circuit, and connects the four USB connection lines of the expansion port with the specified address to the USB interface of the host. As a result, the USB equipment on the designated expansion port can communicate normally with the host. With this solution, only one facility can communicate with the host on the expansion port, and when the facility is communicating with the host, the other expansion ports and the host's USB interface are physically disconnected. Regardless of how many USB devices are connected to the expansion port, the system has the advantage of not having insufficient USB bus bandwidth. Further, the upper application software can freely control the designated expansion port.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus provided by the present invention includes a host 12 having a higher-level user software unit, a USBHUB module 13 (including one USBHUB chip AU9254A21), a control module 14 (that is, a control module, the corresponding unit is one Including microcontroller Motorola68HC908JB8), switch module 15 and expansion port module 16. A direct data connection scheme is used between these modules. Specifically, the host 12 is connected to the control module 14 and the switch module 15 through two USB interfaces of the host USBHUB module 13, the control module 14 is connected to the switch module 15, and the switch module 15 is an expansion port. Connect with module 16.

  The upper user software unit is composed of API functions, corresponding interface commands, and user software. The user can control the expansion port module 16 by performing an operation using an API function and a corresponding interface command.

  The USBHUB module 13 is composed of a single chip and mainly realizes the function of a USB hub, and ensures that the control module 14 or the expansion port module 16 can communicate with the host.

  The control module 14 has a microprocessor, and this module for responding to commands of the upper user software unit is a function for managing the expansion port module 16 by controlling the switch module 15 according to a specific command in real time. Is realized. The control module 14 also includes an inspection sub-module that inspects the state of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port with a specific address and notifies the host.

  The power line, D + line, D- line, and ground line of the expansion port module are connected to the host USB interface through the switch module. When the switch module is in the ON state, the USB equipment in the expansion port connects to the USB interface of the host through the four connection lines of power, D +, D-, and ground. When the switch module is OFF, the switch module cuts off the connection between the USB power supply, D +, D- and ground connection lines of the USB port in the expansion port and the USB interface of the host. Naturally, the ground line of the expansion port may always be connected to the host USB interface. The switch module can achieve the same technical purpose by opening and closing the power line independently.

  Specifically, the switch module 15 includes an analog switch chip, an address selection chip, and a switch circuit. The address selection chip is connected to the control module, the analog switch chip, and the switch circuit. The switch circuit is connected to the expansion port module and the USB interface of the host via a power line and a ground line. The analog switch chip is connected to the expansion port module and the USB interface of the host via D + and D- lines. When the switch circuit or analog switch chip is in the ON state, that is, when the switch circuit or analog switch chip opens the channel between the expansion port of the corresponding address and the host, the USB equipment in the expansion port is connected to the power supply, D +, D- and Connect to the USB interface of the host through the four ground connection lines. When the switch module is OFF, that is, when the switch circuit or analog switch chip closes the channel between the expansion port of the corresponding address and the host, the switch circuit and analog switch chip are the power supply of the USB equipment in the expansion port, D +, D -Cut off the connection between the four ground connection lines and the host USB interface. The switch module 15 is composed of ten switch submodules, and is controlled by the control module 14 to connect or disconnect the connection between the expansion port module 16 and the USBHUB module 13 on the physical channel. Further, in the expansion port module 16, only one expansion port can be physically connected to the USBHUB module 13 within the same time.

  The expansion port module 16 provides ten expansion ports, that is, external connection interfaces, and can provide a user with a USB memory connection interface. Since only one USB memory on the expansion port can communicate with the host, when the corresponding USB memory communicates with the host, the other expansion ports are physically disconnected from the host. Now, no matter how many USB devices are connected to the expansion port, the system does not have the problem of insufficient USB bus bandwidth. For this reason, the expansion port module 16 can theoretically provide an arbitrary number of expansion ports.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus of the present invention includes a host 12 including a higher-level user software unit, a control module 14 (a control module includes one microcontroller Motorola 68HC908JB8), a switch module 15 (a switch module is an address selection chip 74HC138, a switch Circuit and bidirectional high-speed analog switch chip (including MAX4638) and expansion port module 16. A direct data connection scheme is used between these modules. Specifically, the host 12 is connected to the control module 14 and the switch module 15 through the USB interface of the host, the control module 14 is connected to the switch module 15, and the switch module 15 is connected to the expansion port module 16.

  The upper user software unit is composed of API functions, corresponding interface commands, and user software. The user can control the expansion port module 16 by performing an operation using an API function and a corresponding interface command.

  The control module 14 includes a microprocessor, and this module for responding to commands of the upper user software unit has a function of managing the expansion port module 16 by controlling the switch module 15 according to a specific command in real time. Realize.

  The switch module 15 includes an analog switch chip, an address selection chip, and a switch circuit. The address selection chip is connected to the control module, the analog switch chip, and the switch circuit. The switch circuit is connected to the expansion port module and the USB interface of the host via a power line and a ground line. The analog switch chip is connected to the expansion port module and the USB interface of the host via D + and D- lines. When the switch circuit or analog switch chip opens the channel between the expansion port at the corresponding address and the USB interface of the host, the USB equipment in the expansion port is connected to the host's USB through the four connection lines of power, D +, D-, and ground. Connect with the interface. When the switch circuit or analog switch chip closes the channel between the expansion port at the corresponding address and the USB interface of the host, the switch circuit and analog switch chip are connected to the power supply, D +, D-, and ground of the USB equipment in the expansion port. Block the connection between this connection line and the host USB interface. Of course, the ground line of the expansion port can always be connected directly to the host USB interface. The switch circuit can realize the same technical purpose by opening and closing the power supply line independently. The switch module 15 is controlled by the control module 14 to connect or disconnect the connection between the expansion port module 16 and the host 12 on the physical channel. Further, in the expansion port module 16, only one expansion port can be physically connected to the host 12 within the same time.

  The expansion port module 16 provides an external connection interface and can provide a user with a connection interface for USB equipment.

The operator inspects the USB memory connected to the first expansion port. As shown in FIG. 3, Method 1 employed in this example includes the following procedures:
Step 101: The operator issues a command to the host to inspect the USB memory connected to the first expansion port, and the host application software on the host uses the API function and the corresponding protocol. Send a command to the control module to open the first expansion port.

  Procedure 102: The control module receives the command sent by the host and analyzes the command according to the corresponding protocol.

  Step 103: The control module determines that the address of the first expansion port to be controlled by the higher-level application software is 001 based on the data acquired by command analysis.

  Step 104: The control module controls the switch module, opens only the connection channel between the expansion port 001 and the host or USBHUB, is physically connected to the expansion port 001 and the host or USBHUB, and is connected to the other expansion port and the host or USBHUB. Ensure that they are not physically connected.

  Step 105: The control module checks the USB memory connected to the expansion port 001, determines that the USB memory exists and the status is normal, and the control module has the USB memory on the host. In addition, information indicating that the state is normal is returned. Thereafter, the procedure 101 is performed on the second expansion port. As a result, the information indicating that the USB memory exists and the state is normal is displayed, so that the operator can know that the USB memory exists and the state is normal.

  Similarly, when a faulty USB memory is inserted, the fault condition can be detected by using this method. If no USB memory is inserted in the expansion port, this method can also be used to detect that no USB memory is inserted in the port.

It is assumed that the operator uses the method 1 of the present invention to detect a USB memory having eight normal states. The eight normal USB memories are respectively inserted into the expansion ports 1-8, and the format operation is performed using the method 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, Method 2 employed in this example includes the following procedures:
Step 201: The operator issues a command for formatting the USB memory connected to the first expansion port to the host, and the host application software on the host is controlled using the API function and the corresponding protocol. Send a command to the module to open the first expansion port.

  Step 202: The control module receives the command sent by the host and analyzes the command according to the corresponding protocol.

  Step 203: The control module determines from the data acquired by command analysis that the address of the first expansion port to be controlled by the upper application software is 001.

  Step 204: The control module controls the switch module, opens only the connection channel between expansion port 001 and the host or USBHUB, expansion port 001 and the host or USBHUB are physically connected, and other expansion ports and the host or USBHUB are Ensure that there is no physical connection.

  Step 205: The host application software performs a format operation on the USB memory connected to the expansion port 001. After success, the information indicating the success is displayed and the format of the corresponding USB memory is completed for the operator. To be notified.

  After that, the procedure 201 is executed again. The difference is that the operator newly issues a command for formatting the USB memory connected to the second expansion port to the host. Of course, even if the command is not issued from the operator, it can be completed automatically by computer software. This completes the formatting operation for eight USB memories. When performing a format operation on a USB memory using this method, it is not necessary to check the status of the USB memory, and it is also possible to perform a format operation directly on eight USB memories that have not been inspected. Alternatively, it is not necessary to issue a format operation command to each port and consider whether a USB memory is connected.

  Naturally, the operator may perform the formatting operation while checking and judging when performing the formatting operation on the USB memory connected to the first expansion port. As shown in FIG. 5, the method 3 employed in this embodiment includes the following procedure.

  Step 301: The operator issues a command for inspecting and formatting the USB memory connected to the first expansion port to the host, and the host application software uses the API function and the corresponding protocol. To send a command to the control module to open the first expansion port.

  Step 302: The control module receives the command sent by the host and analyzes the command according to the corresponding protocol.

  Step 303: The control module determines from the data acquired by command analysis that the address of the first expansion port to be controlled by the upper application software is 001.

  Step 304: The control module controls the switch module and opens only the connection channel between the expansion port 001 and the host or USBHUB, the expansion port 001 and the host or USBHUB are physically connected, and the other expansion port and the host or USBHUB are Ensure that there is no physical connection.

  Step 305: The control module checks the USB memory connected to the expansion port 001 to determine the state of the USB memory. When the state is normal, that is, when the USB memory is inserted and there is no failure, the procedure 306 is directly executed. When a USB memory is inserted into the expansion port but the corresponding equipment is a failed USB memory, the subsequent step 307 is executed.

  Step 306: The control module returns information that the USB memory exists in the host and the status is normal. Thereafter, the procedure 308 is directly executed.

  Step 307: The control module returns information indicating that the USB memory exists in the host but the status is failure. After replacing the new USB memory, perform a similar related procedure for the first expansion port.

  Step 308: After receiving the returned information, the host application software performs a format operation on the USB memory connected to the expansion port 001, and after success, displays information indicating the success and corresponds to the operator. Notify that the USB memory format is complete.

  Unlike the fifth embodiment, when the USB memory is not inserted into the expansion port, the method 4 employed in the present embodiment includes the following procedure as shown in FIG.

  Step 401: The operator issues a command for inspecting and formatting the USB memory connected to the first expansion port to the host, and the host application software is controlled using the API function and the corresponding protocol. Send a command to the module to open the first expansion port.

  Step 402: The control module receives the command sent by the host and analyzes the command according to the corresponding protocol.

  Step 403: The control module determines from the data acquired by command analysis that the address of the first extension port to be controlled by the upper application software is 001.

  Step 404: The control module controls the switch module, opens only the connection port of expansion port 001 and host or USBHUB, expansion port 001 and host or USBHUB are physically connected, and other expansion ports and host or USBHUB are Ensure that there is no physical connection.

  Step 405: The control module checks the USB memory connected to the expansion port 001 to determine the state of the USB memory. When the state is normal, the procedure 406 is directly executed. When the USB memory is not inserted into the expansion port, the subsequent step 407 is executed.

  Step 406: The control module returns information indicating that the USB memory exists in the host and the status is normal. Thereafter, the procedure 408 is directly executed.

  Step 407: The control module returns information that the USB memory is not inserted into the expansion port to the host. After replacing the new USB memory, perform a similar related procedure for the first expansion port.

  Step 408: After receiving the returned information, the host application software performs a format operation on the USB memory connected to the expansion port 001, and after success, displays information indicating the success and corresponds to the operator. Notify that the USB memory format is complete.

When the USB memory fails, you can immediately operate the second expansion port without replacing the USB memory of the first expansion port. As shown in FIG. 7, Method 5 employed in this example includes the following procedure:
Step 501: The operator issues a command to inspect and format the USB memory connected to the first expansion port to the host, and the host application software uses the API function and the corresponding protocol. To send a command to the control module to open the first expansion port.

  Step 502: The control module receives the command sent by the host and analyzes the command according to the corresponding protocol.

  Step 503: The control module determines from the data acquired by command analysis that the address of the first extension port to be controlled by the upper application software is 001.

  Step 504: The control module controls the switch module, opens only the connection channel between the expansion port 001 and the host or USBHUB, is physically connected to the expansion port 001 and the host or USBHUB, and is connected to the other expansion port and the host or USBHUB. Ensure that they are not physically connected.

  Step 505: The control module checks the USB memory connected to the expansion port 001 to determine the state of the USB memory. When the state is normal, step 506 is directly executed. When the USB memory is inserted into the expansion port but the corresponding equipment is a defective USB memory, the subsequent step 507 is executed.

  Step 506: The control module returns information indicating that the USB memory exists in the host and the status is normal. Thereafter, the procedure 508 is directly executed.

  Step 507: The control module returns information indicating that the USB memory exists in the host but the status is failure. After replacing with a new USB memory, perform similar related procedures again for the second expansion port.

  Step 508: After receiving the returned information, the host application software performs a format operation on the USB memory connected to the expansion port 001, and after success, displays information indicating the success and corresponds to the operator. Notify that the USB memory format is complete.

When the USB memory is not inserted into the expansion port, you can immediately operate the second expansion port without inserting the USB memory again into the first expansion port. As shown in FIG. 8, method 6 employed in this embodiment includes the following procedures:
Step 601: The operator issues a command to inspect and format the USB memory connected to the first expansion port to the host, and the host application software uses the API function and the corresponding protocol. To send a command to the control module to open the first expansion port.

  Step 602: The control module receives the command sent by the host and analyzes the command according to the corresponding protocol.

  Step 603: The control module determines from the data acquired by command analysis that the address of the first expansion port to be controlled by the upper application software is 001.

  Step 604: The control module controls the switch module, opens only the connection channel of expansion port 001 and host or USBHUB, is physically connected to expansion port 001 and host or USBHUB, and other expansion ports and host or USBHUB Ensure that they are not physically connected.

  Step 605: The control module checks the USB memory connected to the expansion port 001 to determine the state of the USB memory. When the state is normal, the procedure 606 is directly executed. When the USB memory is not inserted into the expansion port, the subsequent step 607 is executed.

  Step 606: The control module returns information that the USB memory exists in the host and the status is normal. Thereafter, the procedure 608 is directly executed.

  Step 607: The control module returns information that the USB memory is not inserted into the expansion port to the host. After replacing with a new USB memory, perform similar related procedures again for the second expansion port.

  Step 608: After receiving the returned information, the host application software performs a format operation on the USB memory connected to the expansion port 001, and after success, displays information indicating the success and corresponds to the operator. Notify that the USB memory format is complete.

  In the above embodiment, only the operations for formatting the USB memory are listed, and other USB interface equipment may naturally be operated. The business operation is not limited to the format operation, and other business operations such as reading and writing can be performed on the USB interface equipment. In Example 5-8, after the operation is completed, the operation may be continued for the next expansion port and executed again from the start procedure.

  The above is a detailed introduction of the method and apparatus provided by the present invention. While the principles and embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific examples herein, the above description of the examples is used to understand the method and implementation concept of the present invention. At the same time, for a general engineer in this field, there may be changes to specific embodiments and application ranges according to the concept of the present invention. Accordingly, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation on the present invention.

It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the apparatus containing the USBHUB module which this invention provides. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the apparatus which does not include the USBHUB module which this invention provides. It is a flowchart of the method 1 which operates with respect to the USB interface equipment which this invention provides. It is a flowchart of the method 2 which operates with respect to the USB interface equipment which this invention provides. It is a flowchart of the method 3 which operates with respect to the USB interface equipment which this invention provides. It is a flowchart of the method 4 which operates with respect to the USB interface equipment which this invention provides. It is a flowchart of the method 5 which operates with respect to the USB interface equipment which this invention provides. It is a flowchart of the method 6 which operates with respect to the USB interface equipment which this invention provides.

Claims (26)

A device for operating USB interface equipment,
A host that sends a command to open the specified expansion port and operates the USB equipment connected to the specified expansion port;
A control module that analyzes the command to obtain an address of the expansion port module and controls the switch module;
A switch module used to open and close a channel between the expansion port module of the address and the host;
Equipped with an expansion port module used for connecting USB equipment,
A device for operating USB interface equipment, characterized in that the host connects to the control module and the switch module through the host's USB interface, the control module connects to the switch module, and the switch module connects to the expansion port module.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control module further comprises an inspection submodule for inspecting a state of a USB facility connected to the extension port of the address and notifying a host.   3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power line, D + line and D- line of the expansion port module are connected to the host USB interface through the switch module.   4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ground line of the expansion port module is directly connected to the host USB interface.   5. The switch module according to claim 4, wherein when the switch module is in an ON state, the switch module is connected to the power supply of the USB facility in the expansion port, three connection lines of D + and D-, and the USB interface of the host. Equipment.   5. The switch module according to claim 4, wherein when the switch module is OFF, the switch module cuts off the connection between the power supply of the USB equipment in the expansion port, the three connection lines of D + and D−, and the USB interface of the host. The device described. The switch module includes an analog switch chip, an address selection chip and a switch circuit, and the address selection chip is connected to the control module, the analog switch chip and the switch circuit,
The power line of the expansion port module is connected to the USB interface of the host through the switch circuit,
7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the D + line and the D- line of the expansion port module are connected to the USB interface of the host through the analog switch chip.   4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a ground line of the expansion port module is connected to the USB interface of the host through the switch module.   9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the switch module is in an ON state, the USB equipment in the expansion port is connected to the USB interface of the host through four connection lines of power supply, D +, D-, and ground. .   The switch module, when the switch module is OFF, cuts off the connection between the USB equipment power supply, D +, D- and ground connection lines in the expansion port and the host USB interface. 8 devices. The switch module includes an analog switch chip, an address selection chip, and a switch circuit,
The address selection chip is connected to the control module, analog switch chip and switch circuit,
The power line and the ground line of the expansion port module are connected to the USB interface of the host through the switch circuit,
11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the D + line and the D- line of the expansion port module are connected to the USB interface of the host through the analog switch chip.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the host is connected to the control module and the switch module through the USB interface of the USBHUB module.   The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the expansion port module comprises a plurality of expansion interfaces. A method for operating USB interface equipment,
The host sends a command to the control module to open an expansion port, procedure A;
The control module parses the command and obtains an expansion port address B.
The control module controls the switch module to open a channel between the expansion port of the address and the host; and
And a procedure D for operating the USB equipment connected to the expansion port. In the procedure C,
The control module is a procedure C1 for selecting an expansion port of the address by an address selection chip inside the switch module.
The control module has a procedure C2 for opening a connection line between the extended port of the address and the host by a control analog switch chip and a transistor switch circuit in the switch,
15. The method of claim 14, comprising: In the procedure D,
The method according to claim 14, wherein an inspection operation is performed to determine whether the state of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port having the address is normal, and the inspection result is reported to the host. In the procedure D,
The method according to claim 14, wherein a business operation is performed on a USB facility connected to the expansion port. In the procedure D,
The method according to claim 17, wherein a business operation is performed on a USB facility connected to the expansion port of the address. Between Procedure C and Procedure D,
The method according to claim 17, further comprising a procedure for performing an operation of checking whether the state of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port of the address is normal and reporting the result of the inspection to the host. .   When the inspection procedure detects that the state of the equipment connected to the expansion port is normal and reports to the host, the host responds to the USB equipment connected to the expansion port. The method according to claim 19, further comprising a procedure D for performing business operations.   In the inspection procedure, when it is detected that the state of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port is not normal and the host is notified, the host again sends a command to open the expansion port to the control module. The method according to claim 19.   In the inspection procedure, when it is detected that the state of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port is not normal and is notified to the host, the host again sends a command to open the expansion port to the control module, The method according to claim 21, wherein the host comprises a procedure D for performing a business operation on the USB equipment connected to the expansion port.   In the inspection procedure, when the status of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port is detected to be normal and the host is notified, the host sends a command to open another expansion port again and responds The method according to claim 21, wherein the host comprises a procedure D for performing a business operation on a USB facility connected to another extension port.   The state of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port is not normal is that the USB equipment connected to the expansion port exists, but the USB equipment is in a failure state. 24. A method according to claim 22 or 23.   The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the state of the USB equipment connected to the expansion port is not normal means that there is no USB equipment connected to the expansion port.   15. The method according to claim 14, wherein after the procedure D, the procedures A to D are operated again for another expansion port.

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