JP2007503657A - Signal connection and energy supply device for home appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to interconnected components, where one component is used as a central component 100 and at least one further component is used as a peripheral unit 201, 202, 203. The system is such that the components are connected via a standard connection (USB connection), the energy required for reactivation from standby mode as well as a wake-up signal is obtained via this connection, or Having the associated sockets 240, 250 of the peripheral units 202, 203 remotely controlled to re-activate the central component 100 has improved energy consumption achieved alternately.

Description

  The present invention relates to a system having a plurality of components interconnected by a standard USB (Universal Serial Bus) protocol for data transfer and energy supply.

  USB is an I / O interface and is widely used in the field of data processing. In addition to the data transfer function, it is also used for the current source for the connected low power unit. The host (connection in the computer) supplies a maximum current of 500 mA at an operating voltage of 5V. The current source for such peripheral devices is guaranteed by the central device. This has the advantage that further operating voltages are switched and further power supplies are distributed. The current consumption of the computer device in standby mode represents an essential product characteristic. Due to the central control of the current source, this high current consumption can be limited to a minimum.

  USB is realized as a coupled star bus structure. The USB host adapter in the computer is at the head of this structure. Up to 127 devices can be connected to the USB host adapter. Individual devices or USB hubs can be connected to the output of the host adapter. Such a hub is required as a splitter for two or more USB devices. In addition to the current source, the hub always ensures that one USB device sends its data to the host controller. All data is guided through a pair of bidirectional lines in addition to the mass line as well as the power line (+ 5V). Data is transmitted differentially, which confirms that the USB is robust. In order to connect a low-speed device and a high-speed device via the same bus, the transfer via USB is subdivided into channels. There are slow channels up to 1.5 mbit / s and medium channels up to 12 mbit / s, both channels being controlled via the same interface. High-speed channels up to 500 mbit / s (for example, for video and storage media) are also provided. Independent of the device speed category, the same 4-pole plug is always used. Differences exist as far as connection cables are concerned, requiring high speed devices to be shielded and twisted cables. Unshielded and twisted cables may be used for low speed devices.

  Through the USB-On-The-Go function, the two end devices can exchange their data directly. Usually, a USB device can be used as a slave by a host computer. According to USB-On-The-Go, for example, a digital camera can send data to a printer without computer interconnection. The host function of the USB-On-The-Go device is, of course, limited to the minimum need for point-to-point operation. As a result, not all USB devices can communicate with any other device.

  US Pat. No. 6,211,649 B1 discloses a USB cable for charging a battery of an external device. This USB cable connects a USB port of a PC to a device plug of the external device, and power from the USB port. And charging means disposed between the two connection plugs for charging the battery of the external device. The USB cable is used for data transmission in both directions between the USB port and the plug of the external device. However, during the actual operation of the external device, ie during music playback, a loudspeaker unit belonging to or connected to the device is used.

  Sony's MP3 player / recorder MZ-N1 is known for its implementation, and this MZ-N1 is provided with a USB connection for PC connection that can easily charge the battery and handle it. Corresponding music management software offers the possibility to transfer music files from a PC to a Sony player / recorder.

  The device can be supplied with digital music files for storage and playback via a USB connection, but a conventional analog connection of a loudspeaker with a connection plug is used for listening.

  Japanese patent JP 10-326128 discloses a method of supplying energy for an indicator device by USB. In this way, energy is saved by the USB supplying the energy required in the energy saving mode for the indicator device.

  For example, in audio / video devices comprised of fixed devices, portable devices and television devices, multiple sockets are commonly used to divide the power supply voltage. The on / off switch or other switch of each device needs to be operated individually, or each device needs to be remotely controlled individually. Each of these devices having a standby mode contributes to the overall current consumption of the audio / video device and needs to individually check these signals for their activity in order to automatically start operation from standby mode. There is. Such devices of audio / video devices are connected in part via audio or video signal connections.

  Semi-learning remote control is known from practice, and individual remote control functions can be replaced for different device installations. For “learning”, this remote control is formed with a receiver for IR or radio signals. The remote control of the device is activated when its function should be replaced by a versatile remote control, properly aligned with the universal remote control, and in "learning" mode. This means that the universal remote control is formed in the receiver used for the “learning” process, the remote control for the device is only once, ie the universal remote control code used thereby Notification is required. In installations with multiple devices, for example audio / video devices, multiple remote controls are redundant when universal remote controls are used. Each of these devices in the installation is formed with its own remote control receiver that is reached by a signal from the universal remote control.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a system having a standard connection (USB connection) for signal connection and energy supply of at least two system components with improved energy consumption.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an energy supply method for a system having a USB connection between components, which reduces the energy consumption of the system.

  Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system having improved energy and having at least two components interconnected via analog or digital lines for at least signal transmission.

  According to the invention, the object is solved by a system of interconnected components, which has a standard connection (USB connection) for data transmission between components or for energy supply of components. Alternatively, the component is a device of type a) having an operating power that is less than or equal to the power supplied by the standard connection, or exceeds the power supplied by the standard connection. A device of type b) having operating power. Type b) components are used as central components in the system. At least one further component of type a) or b) is used as a peripheral unit. The central unit has means for controlling the transmission of data between the interconnected components and controlling their energy supply, and a standby device for the central component.

  In standby mode, the current consumption of the device is reduced, for example, by disconnecting the drive for the spindle of the CD player from the power supply, the EHT of the television, or the operating voltage. Each individual device formed with a standby device consumes current in standby mode because the device needs to respond to a condition for reactivation. The reactivation condition is, for example, generation of a remote control signal. This is because the remote control receiver is connected at regular intervals or constantly connected to the supply voltage so as to consume energy. Alternatively, for example, the play key on the audio device can be pressed or the program selection key on the television device can be activated. The present invention provides that the power supply voltage for restarting a component of the system from standby mode is independent of the fact that the operating power of the component is above or below the power of the standard connection. Based on the recognition that this component can be provided by a standard connection.

  In one embodiment of the invention, the central component has a receiver that receives signals from the remote control in addition to the standby device. For example, according to the learning process that occurs in Learning Universal Remote Control, the central component “knows” the different remote control codes of the peripheral units connected to it. For this, the actual remote control associated with the surrounding components is arranged with the associated receiver (eg infrared diode) of the central unit and is activated while the receiver is in the learning mode. The functions of the original remote control can be copied to the universal remote control. The programmable remote control ProntoNeo SBCRU930 from Philips with a touch screen and graphic face is known by implementation. After receiving an activation signal for a given peripheral unit, this unit “wakes up” or re-activates by the central component via a standard connection. To make this possible, the central component is connected directly or indirectly to all peripheral units of the system, signal processing and energy supply can be realized via standard connections and thus remote The control activation signal can also be sent to the corresponding device. This means that only the standby device of the central component consumes current, but the standby mode of multiple components is realized in the system according to the invention.

  In a further embodiment of the invention, the central component is an audio amplifier. In this case, for example, the device of type a) is a portable CD player, for example, the device of type b) is a TV or a video recorder. The audio amplifier has a device for selecting the source, ie the component whose audio signal is transmitted to the loudspeaker unit. The advantage of using a USB connection compared to analog components is that the peripheral components not only transmit audio signals, but also automatically adjust the source selection when a signal processing device corresponding to the peripheral unit is provided. A control signal can be transmitted after the play key is pressed. Further possibilities for source selection are provided by remote control or by entry fields of the central component.

  According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of loudspeakers are connected to an audio amplifier. Two loudspeakers are suitable for simple audio playback. Due to the extended acoustic effects, multiple loudspeakers are needed that need to be controlled by an audio amplifier. In a system according to the invention having standard connections for data transmission with interconnected components, the corresponding source may send a control signal to the audio amplifier for the purpose of optimal control of the loudspeaker. is there. Manual selection by the user of the device and thus error sources can be distributed. For systems with improved energy consumption, interconnected via analog or digital lines at least for the purpose of data transmission, the object according to the invention is used as a component used as a central component and as a peripheral unit Both of the at least one further component are components of type b), each connected to a power source that obtains their operating power via a socket, the socket or one or more peripheral unit power switches being remotely controlled Is solved. The power line switch is preferably located in the corresponding socket, but is preferably part of the current cable or located in the peripheral device. The central component controls the power switch and socket in such a way that the peripheral unit is connected to the power source when the operator generates a corresponding reactivation signal. A preferred variant has the advantage that the quiescent current consumption can be reduced or can be avoided in devices without a USB connection.

The device of type a) is a portable device such as a portable, CD player, walkman or game console.
The device of type b) is a stationary device such as a CD player, CD recorder, DVD player, video recorder, cassette deck, laser video disc player, magnetic tape device, or radio.

  In a further embodiment of the invention, one headphone per radio link is connected to the central component and controlled by the host device.

  According to the embodiment, the host device of the system according to the present invention includes a sound card and a controller. Thus, the central component is distinguished from conventional audio amplifiers.

  According to the invention, the object is also solved by an energy supply method for a system of interconnected components having a standard connection (USB connection) between components for the purposes of signal processing and energy supply. Alternatively, the component has an operating power that is less than or equal to the power supplied by the standard connection, or a device of type a) having an operating power that is equal to or greater than that supplied by the standard connection. A device of type b). Type b) components are used as central components in the system. At least one further component of type a) or b) is used as a peripheral unit. The central component has a standby device that sends a wake-up signal to a given peripheral unit when a wake-up signal for this peripheral unit is received by the central component. The wake-up signal is generated by the user via a remote control associated with the system or by actuating a corresponding switch for selecting the source to be activated. Accordingly, the standby device of the central component regularly or regularly checks whether the user has generated a wake-up signal.

  Both systems according to the invention can be used in audio / video installations with appliances such as home cinemas, for example.

  In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the device that can be connected to the system according to the invention is provided with a USB bus or the device receives commands and audio streams according to the USB standard. It has a means for receiving or transmitting. The present invention is based on the realization that only one cable is required for digital transmission instead of the usual analog cable, thereby simplifying the cable connection system and mounting a small number of buses in the housing of the device. To get reduced cost.

  Standards known in the field of data processing are adapted to systems where the end of the transmitted data unit is already known in advance. Audio streams are treated differently because they have an unknown end.

  These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below.

The central component 100 includes a standby power supply 110 having a socket 120 connected to a power supply line, such as a remote control receiver 130 having an infrared diode 140, a plurality of outputs Audio-Out AO ₁ , AO ₂ ,. . . Amplifier device 150 connected to AO _i via USB hub 180, device 160 rendering central component 100 suitable as host, type representing Audio-In input to which one or more peripheral units 201, 202, 203 are connected A USB port 170 is provided.

The figure shows two or more loudspeakers L ₁ , L ₂ . . . An example of how _Li is connected to the central component 100 via the USB connection 180 is illustrated. The HUB 180 required to isolate the USB may be a separate device or the central component 100 or one or more loudspeakers L ₁ , L ₂ . . . _May be integrated into _Li . In a particularly advantageous manner, the HUB is located in the front of a conventional home cinema system, i.e. one in the left loudspeaker, the right loudspeaker, the center or the woofer channel, and the further HUB is in the rear, i.e. the rear. Located in the loudspeaker or woofer channel. The current supply for the active loudspeaker cannot be realized via USB because the available 2.5W is usually not sufficient. To show the flexibility of the system, the headphone amplifier is shown in broken lines. However, transmitters for wireless headphones may alternatively be connected to USB, in this case 2.5 W is sufficient for its supply.

  The USB standard provides a flexible use possibility because all USB connections provide the same possibilities in the central component 100. Thus, the user no longer needs to decide which bus to connect to which device. This is because the central component 100 can determine which device can reach which connection via a plug-and-play protocol fixed by USB.

  The number of connected devices 201, 202, 203 can be adjusted and managed according to the possibilities provided by the central component 100.

  One or more peripheral units 201, 202, 203 can be connected, and when one or more components are used, a hub or another amplifier device is required at the USB port. The USB cables 301, 302, and 303 transmit digital music from the peripheral components 201, 202, and 203 to the central component 100 in the same manner as the wake-up signal is transmitted from the central component 100 to the related peripheral devices 201, 202, and 203. Used for. A control signal can be sent from the peripheral units 201, 202, 203 to the central component 100. For example, information relating to the play key is pressed by the peripheral devices 201, 202, 203, and the host device 160 of the central component 100 allows the peripheral device to Set the source selection to automatically. The peripheral units 201, 202, and 203 have type B USB ports 210, 220, and 230.

The central component 100 is divided into loudspeakers L ₁ , L ₂ ,. . . L _i is controlled. For example, when the source provides the possibility (probability) of surround sound, five loudspeakers each having about 50 watts of power and one bass reflex subwoofer having about 250 watts of power are controlled. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device 160 that renders the central component 100 suitable as a host has a sound card.

  Alternatively, the peripheral unit has a power that exceeds the power provided by the standard connection, a unit of type a) that has an operating power that is less than or equal to the power provided by the standard connection. It may be type b).

  In this embodiment, the peripheral unit 201 is a type a) unit and is supplied with operating power via a USB standard connection. The operating power provided via a known USB standard connection is currently about 2.5 W with a maximum of + 5V. In this embodiment, the peripheral units 202 and 203 are type b) devices, each connected to a power supply line via sockets 240 and 250 for power supply.

  In the standby mode, the peripheral units 202 and 203 are separated from the power line, which is exemplified by the switch 204 and the switch 205. In the system according to the invention with improved energy consumption, the bidirectional nature of the USB standard connection is utilized and when this unit is reactivated from standby mode, the corresponding peripheral unit 202, A wake-up signal is sent to 203. The user generates a wake-up signal by remote control, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the same remote control receiver 130 is used for all components connected to the system. After connection of the peripheral unit, the remote control receiver 130 of the central component 100 therefore needs to learn a valid code for this connected peripheral unit. The wake-up signal is processed in the peripheral units 202, 203 in a manner that is connected to the power line via the power line switch 204 or 205.

  When music is played by the audio installation (device), the audio amplifier controls the loudspeaker and is thus connected to the power line in any way.

  According to the present invention, the standby power supply 110 of this central component 100 is used for energy supply when performing the wake-up process. Further, when the operating power of the peripheral unit of type b) exceeds the power supplied by the USB connection, it may be sufficient to control the relays used as the power line switches 204 and 205, for example.

  Central component 100 is assigned to individual remote control receivers 120 used for multiple components of the system.

  FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates a system according to the present invention having interconnected components 202 and 203 connected to power lines via sockets 240 and 250, respectively. Peripheral units 202 and 203 are connected to central component 100 via analog or digital lines 501 and 502. The peripheral units 202 and 203 can be separated from the power line via the power line switches 204 and 205, respectively. Each switch 204, 205 can be controlled by the central component 100, and can be controlled by the central component 100, indicated by dashed lines 401 and 402, respectively. It may be a separate control line, or connections 501, 502 may be used, for example when it is a USB connection. When the corresponding peripheral device 202, 203 is reactivated from standby mode, the power line switches 204, 205 are closed. The user generates a reactivation signal, for example, by activating a remote control or selecting a corresponding source from the field 400 for source selection. The central component 100 obtains energy for generating a wake-up signal from the power line via the socket 120. Alternatively, an accumulator or battery may guarantee an energy supply.

  The system according to the invention has the advantage that the connection of the individual components 100, 201, 202, 203 is simplified and the overall installation has improved cabling.

  Conventional USB cables 301, 302, and 303 can be used to construct a system according to the present invention. Central component 1001 has a type A bus for downstream. In a corresponding manner, the peripheral device is provided with a Type B bus 210, 220, 230 for upstream.

  In short, the present invention relates to a system of interconnected components, where one component is used as the central component 100 and at least one further component is used as the peripheral unit 201, 202, 203. The system is such that components are connected via a standard connection (USB connection), the energy required for reactivation from standby mode as well as a wake-up signal is obtained via this connection, or Having the associated sockets 240, 250 of the peripheral units 202, 203 remotely controlled to re-activate the central component 100 has improved energy consumption achieved alternately.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a system according to the present invention for signal processing and energy supply. Fig. 2 conceptually shows a system according to the invention of interconnected components, each connected to a power supply via a socket.

Claims (13)

A system of interconnected components,
It has a standard connection (USB connection) for data transmission between components and energy supply of components,
The component is a device of type a) having an operating power that is less than or equal to the power supplied by the standard connection, or an operation that exceeds the power supplied by the standard connection A device of type b) having electric power,
The component of type b) is used as the central component of the system,
At least one further component of said type a) or b) is used as a peripheral unit;
The central component includes means for controlling data transmission between the interconnected components, controlling energy supply between the components, and a standby device.
A system characterized by that. The central component has a receiver of signals from a remote control;
The system according to claim 1. The central component is an audio amplifier;
The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. A plurality of loudspeakers are connected to the audio amplifier;
The system according to claim 3. A system having at least two components interconnected via analog or digital lines, at least for data transmission, said component being a component of type b), on which the component obtains their operating power Connected through a socket,
The system includes a component used as a central component and one or more components used as a peripheral unit, and the socket or the power line switch of the peripheral device is remotely controlled.
A system characterized by that. The device of type a) is a portable device such as a portable CD player, walkman or game console,
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The device of type b) is a fixed device such as a CD player, CD recorder, DVD player, video recorder, cassette deck, laser video disc player, magnetic tape device or radio.
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: One headphone per radio link is connected to the central component,
A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The host device includes a sound card and a controller.
A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that An energy supply method for a system consisting of interconnected components having a standard connection (USB connection) between components for signal processing and energy supply,
The component is a device of type a) having an operating power that is less than or equal to the power supplied by the standard connection, or an operation that exceeds the power supplied by the standard connection A device of type b) having electric power,
The component of type b) is used as a central component in the system,
At least one further component of said type a) or b) is used as a peripheral unit;
The central component includes a standby device that sends a wake-up signal to a given peripheral unit when a peripheral unit wake-up signal is received by the central component.
An energy supply method characterized by the above.   Use of a system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 as a system of interconnected components, in particular as an audio / visual device having a household appliance. A device suitable for playing back and / or reading an audio file stored on a storage medium, the component according to any of claims 1 to 9,
The housing of the device is provided with a USB bus or the device has means for receiving or transmitting commands and audio streams according to the USB standard,
A device characterized by that. The device is selected from a portable CD player, walkman, game console, CD recorder, DVD player, video recorder, cassette deck, laser video disc player, magnetic tape device, or radio group.
The apparatus of claim 12.

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