JP2008171378A - Usb device mountabie on expresscard adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a USB device mountable on an ExpressCard adapter, capable of being connected to an ExpressCard interface provided by a personal computer through the ExpressCard adapter while being hidden inside the personal computer, and being singly connected to a USB connection interface provided by the personal computer independent from the express card adapter. <P>SOLUTION: The ExpressCard adapter 1 includes a storage space 10 and a first USB connection port 11, and this USB device 2 includes a case 20, a second USB connection port 21, and a control unit 22. The case corresponds to the storage space. The second USB connection port protrudes from the case, and is connected to the first USB connection port when the case is stored inside the storage space. The control unit performs data processing with the personal computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a USB device, and particularly to a USB device that can be applied to a personal computer that is mounted on an express card adapter and provides an express card interface.

  The PCMCIA or card bus interface that was originally installed and backed up in the notebook personal computer has recently been developed as an express card transfer interface standard that is lighter, thinner, elastic, and more stable. As for the transfer standard of the express card, there is a transfer technology based on either PCI Express or USB. The hardware structure is directly connected to the main board chipset, can maintain compatibility without using a bridge chip, and supports hot-swapping technology. Simple. In the future, more and more notebook computers are expected to have an express card connection interface.

  Speaking of products in the current market for express card interface devices, due to the rapid development of the USB standard, most of the peripheral products in the 3C industry now have a USB interface to improve product compatibility and adaptability. In addition, because of the advantages such as the practicality of USB interface Plug and Play, the relatively small volume and convenience, and the universality of many products, general consumers are Interface acceptance far exceeds other signal transfer interfaces. For example, most of the recording devices or recording media currently used by consumers currently employ USB transfer interfaces.

  Therefore, when a user intends to use the express card connection interface at a later date, it is necessary to prevent another product having a different interface but a similar function from being purchased separately. At the same time, in general, the portability and convenience of a product is an important consideration when a user chooses a product, and the user must consider the product size and the space occupied by the product more. Don't be. For this reason, the product that the user currently purchases not only supports the USB connection interface of the USB-Type-A or USB-Type-B connector commonly provided by personal computers, but also plugs into the express card connection slot. In addition, it can be used for the express card connection interface that is widely used in Japan, and it is further studied so that it is convenient to carry and the volume requirement for the product can be satisfied when the user uses the product. Should be.

  In view of the above, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that when the USB device is mounted on the express card adapter and used by the corresponding design of the express card adapter and the USB device, it is completely stored in the express card adapter. Can be completely hidden when the express card adapter is connected to the express card interface of a personal computer, and the USB-Type- An object is to provide a USB device that can be mounted on an express card adapter that can be used by directly connecting to a USB connection interface of an A or USB-Type-B connector.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first method according to the present invention is a USB device that is applied to a personal computer and can be mounted on an express card adapter. The express card adapter includes a storage space, a first USB connection port, The USB device includes an express card interface adapter, and the USB device provides a USB device that can be mounted on the express card adapter including a case, a second USB connection port, and a control unit. The case corresponds to the storage space and can be completely stored in the storage space, and the second USB connection port protrudes from the case, and when the case is stored in the storage space, Connected to the first USB connection port, the control unit performs data processing with the personal computer. The express card adapter uses a transfer technology based on the USB standard. The express card interface adapter also connects the first USB connection port via the USB signal line, and further uses the USB signal for application system and data processing. Do.

  In order to achieve the above object, another method according to the present invention is a USB device that is applied to a personal computer and can be mounted on an express card adapter, the express card adapter including a storage space, a first USB connection port, and a first USB port. The USB device includes a case, a second USB connection port, a second contact, and a control unit, and provides a USB device that can be mounted on the express card adapter. . The case corresponds to the storage space and can be completely stored in the storage space, and the second USB connection port protrudes from the case, and when the case is stored in the storage space, The control unit is connected to the first USB connection port, the second contact is exposed from the case, and is electrically connected to the first contact when the case is stored in the storage space. The control unit performs data processing with the personal computer, and the express card adapter employs a transfer technology based on the USB standard. Connect the first USB connection port via the USB signal line. Therefore, this USB device can be connected not only to the express card interface of the personal computer via the express card adapter, but also to the USB-Type-A or USB-Type-B connector which is generally provided in the personal computer apart from the express card adapter. It can also be used by connecting to the connection interface alone.

  Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings are intended to specifically describe the methods, means and effects employed by the present invention to achieve a predetermined object. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description and drawings.

  In order to clarify the embodiment according to the present invention, the actual connection and circuit configuration of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are a diagram showing a first embodiment of a USB device that can be mounted on an express card adapter according to the present invention and a block diagram of its circuit configuration. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention provides a USB device that can be mounted on an express card adapter, and the USB device 2 can be applied to a personal computer (not shown) alone or mounted on the express card adapter 1. . The express card adapter 1 includes a storage space 10, a first USB connection port 11, an express card interface adapter 12, and a first voltage conversion unit 14. In the design of the express card adapter 1, the appearance may be, for example, the ExpressCard / 54 format or the ExpressCard / 34 format, and different appearance sizes can be realized (both described in the embodiments of the present invention are expressed in the express card / 34 format). . The express card adapter 1 receives a first voltage (3.3 V) provided to an express card interface (not shown) established by the personal computer after being connected to the personal computer via the express card interface adapter 12. Since the standard of the express card adapter 1 used in the present invention adopts the transfer technology based on the USB standard, the express card interface adapter 12 is connected via a set of USB signal lines (D + and D-). To connect the first USB connection port 11.

  Since the first voltage (3.3V) provided by the express card interface does not match the USB interface voltage specified by the USB standard, the first voltage electrically connected to the express card interface adapter 12 is used. The voltage conversion unit 14 converts the first voltage into a second voltage (5 V) and outputs the second voltage (5 V), and supplies the second voltage to the first USB connection port 11. Accordingly, the first USB connection port 11 can provide the second voltage to the connected USB device 2. In addition, since the express card adapter 1 is not a passive adapter, that is, no active control chip is designed therein, the express card interface adapter 12 is simply a circuit line system and uses USB signal lines (D + and D−). ) Is connected to the first USB connection port 11 from the express card interface adapter 12.

  The USB device 2 is, for example, a USB recording device or a USB transfer device (USB Dongle), and includes a case 20, a second USB connection port 21, and a control unit 22. The case 20 corresponds to the storage space 10 in the express card adapter 1 and the entire case 20 can be completely stored in the storage space 10, and the entire USB device 2 can be smoothly stored or removed in the storage space 10 via the case 20. As shown, guide grooves 13 are provided on both sides of the storage space 10, and guide rails 201 are also provided on the exterior of the case 20 corresponding to the guide grooves 13. By guiding, the case 20 can smoothly enter and exit the storage space 10. The second USB connection port 21 protrudes from the case 20 and is connected to the first USB connection port 11 of the express card adapter 1 when the case 20 is completely stored in the storage space 10. The data transferred from the USB connection port 11 to the second voltage and the USB signal line is obtained.

  The control unit 22 is electrically connected to the second USB connection port 21 and performs data processing with a personal computer via the USB signal line of the second USB connection port 21. In the present embodiment, the control unit 12 is, for example, a control chip that supports a fixed voltage. The basic operating voltage required by the control unit 12 is, for example, a fixed 3.3 V, and the express card adapter 1 Because the first USB connection port 11 outputs the second voltage (5V) converted by the first voltage conversion unit 14 and the PC provides the USB interface with the voltage of 5V. In the USB device 2, the second voltage conversion unit 23 is further electrically connected to the second USB connection port 21 to convert the voltage of 5V into the operating voltage (3.3V) required by the control unit 22. .

  Thus, the USB device 2 of the present invention can be mounted on the express card adapter 1 and becomes a recording device or transfer device having the express card interface adapter 12, and can transfer data with a personal computer that provides the express card interface. Since the express card adapter 1 is stored in the slot of the personal computer when it is used, the USB device 2 can also be concealed and stored in the personal computer. On the other hand, the USB device 2 can be directly connected to a personal computer that provides any USB interface apart from the express card adapter 1. The USB interface is not limited to a USB-Type-A or USB-Type-B connector. Thus, the USB device 2 of the present invention used by the user can support personal computers with two different connection interfaces.

  The design of the present invention can also be realized by other embodiments. 3 and 4 are a diagram showing a second embodiment of the USB device that can be mounted on the express card adapter according to the present invention and a block diagram of the circuit configuration thereof. In this embodiment, the circuit design of the express card adapter 1 is further improved. Can be simplified. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the express card adapter 1 is not only a passive adapter, but also the first voltage (3.3 V) and USB signal provided by the personal computer via the express card interface adapter 12 by the express card adapter 1. Are connected to the first contact 15 and the first USB connection port 11 respectively by a circuit line method. The first USB connection port 11 can transfer only a USB signal, and the first contact 15 transfers a first voltage (3.3 V).

  The actual connection system between the express card adapter 1 and the USB device 2 in this embodiment achieves the rolling contact effect by storing the USB device 2 in the storage space 10 as in the first embodiment. The control unit 22 of the present embodiment will be described by taking a control chip that supports a fixed voltage (3.3 V) as an example. The USB device 2 according to the present invention further includes a second contact 25 and a switching unit 24. The second contact 25 is exposed from the case 20, and the case 20 is placed in the storage space 10 of the express card adapter 1. When stored, it is electrically connected to the first contact 15 and receives the first voltage (3.3 V) transferred by the first contact 15 and provides it directly to the control unit 22. When the USB device 2 is separated from the express card adapter 1 and connected to the USB interface provided by the personal computer via the second USB connection port 21, the second USB connection port 21 receives a USB signal, Furthermore, in order to receive the 2nd voltage (5V) which a personal computer provides simultaneously, in the USB device 2, the 2nd voltage conversion unit 23 is designed and the 2nd voltage (5V) is changed to 3rd voltage (3. 3V) to match the operating voltage required by the control unit 22.

  Therefore, the switching unit 24 is electrically connected between both the second contact 25 and the second voltage conversion unit 23 and the control unit 22, and the USB device 2 is connected to the personal computer via the express card adapter 1. If it is determined YES, it is switched to the second contact 25 to transfer the first voltage to the control unit 22, and conversely, the USB device 2 is connected to the second USB connection port 21. Is connected to the USB interface provided by the personal computer via the switching unit 24, the switching unit 24 switches to the second voltage conversion unit 23, and the third voltage converted and output by the second voltage conversion unit 23 is output to the control unit. 22 for transfer. Therefore, the USB device 2 can be used alone for a USB interface of a personal computer, or can be mounted on the express card adapter 1 to become a recording device or transfer device having the express card interface adapter 12. The USB interface is not limited to a USB-Type-A or USB-Type-B connector.

  The recording device described in the embodiment is, for example, a device such as a memory card reader or a pen drive (Pen Drive), and the transfer device is, for example, a wireless transmission / reception device such as infrared, Bluetooth, the Internet, or digital television. It is a transfer device. The control unit 22 in the USB device 2 may be a control chip that supports a fixed voltage, or may be a control chip that supports a switchable voltage, for example. In the present embodiment, if the control unit 12 is a control chip that supports a switchable voltage, the control unit 22 can support the input of different voltages, so the first voltage conversion unit 14 and the second voltage conversion unit 23 are supported. The voltage conversion operation can be performed without designing the control unit. When the control unit 22 is connected to the express card interface of the personal computer via the express card adapter 1, the voltage of 3.3V can be directly supported. Is directly connected to the USB interface of the personal computer via the second USB connection port 21, the control unit 22 is also automatically switched to support the 5V voltage provided by the USB interface.

  The USB device 2 of the present invention may further include a third USB connection port (not shown). The USB signal line and voltage of the third USB connection port are connected corresponding to the second USB connection port 21. When the USB device 2 leaves the express card adapter 1 of the personal computer, the user connects the second USB connection. Select port 21 or the third USB connection port and use it alone to connect to the USB interface of the personal computer.

  As described above, the present invention enables the USB device 2 used by the user to be applied to a personal computer that provides a different connection interface, and is connected to the express card interface of the personal computer via the express card adapter 1. 2 can be completely stored in the storage space, and the express card adapter 1 is also completely stored and hidden in the express card interface of the personal computer, so the space occupied when using the product can be greatly reduced, and the operating environment of the personal computer is reduced. Simplified. In addition, with this design, there is no particular risk that the operation effect will be lost due to the user's carelessly touching the exposed USB device 2.

  The foregoing description is merely a detailed description of the preferred specific embodiments and drawings of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention. Any expert who has ordinary knowledge in the relevant field can make appropriate changes and modifications within the field of the present invention, but such implementation is within the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that it should be done.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a USB device that can be mounted on an express card adapter according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the first embodiment of the USB device that can be mounted on the express card adapter according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the USB device that can be mounted on the express card adapter according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a second embodiment of the USB device that can be mounted on the express card adapter according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Express card adapter 10 Storage space 11 1st USB connection port 12 Express card interface adapter 13 Guide groove 14 1st voltage conversion unit 15 1st contact 2 USB device 20 Case 21 2nd USB connection port 22 Control unit 23 1st 2 voltage conversion unit 24 switching unit 25 second contact 201 guide rail

Claims (11)

It is a USB device that can be installed in an express card adapter,
The express card adapter includes a storage space, a first USB connection port, and an express card interface adapter,
The USB device is
A case corresponding to the storage space;
A second USB connection port for connecting to the first USB connection port when the case is stored in the storage space;
A control unit that is electrically connected to the second USB connection port and performs data processing with the personal computer,
The express card adapter adopts a transfer technology based on the USB standard, and the express card interface adapter connects a first USB connection port via a USB signal line,
The USB device can be mounted on an express card adapter, wherein the USB device can be connected to a USB interface provided by a personal computer apart from the express card adapter.   2. The USB device mountable on an express card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the express card adapter is a passive adapter, and an appearance of the express card adapter is an ExpressCard / 54 format or an ExpressCard / 34 format. The express card adapter further includes:
It is electrically connected between the express card interface adapter and the first USB connection port, and converts the first voltage provided by the personal computer into a second voltage and outputs it to the first USB connection port. Including a first voltage conversion unit;
The USB device further includes:
The USB device mountable on an express card adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a second voltage conversion unit that converts the second voltage to provide an operating voltage required by the control unit.   The USB device mountable on an express card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is a control chip that supports a fixed voltage or a control chip that supports a switchable voltage.   The storage space is further provided with a guide groove, the case is provided with a guide rail corresponding to the guide groove, and the guide groove can guide the guide rail. A USB device that can be installed in the Express Card Adapter described in 1. It is a USB device that can be installed in an express card adapter,
The express card adapter includes a storage space, a first USB connection port, a first contact, and an express card interface adapter,
The USB device is
A case corresponding to the storage space;
A second USB connection port for connecting to the first USB connection port when the case is stored in the storage space;
The second contact exposed from the case and electrically connected to the first contact when the case is stored in the storage space;
A control unit that is electrically connected to the second USB connection port and performs data processing with the personal computer,
The express card adapter adopts a transfer technology based on the USB standard, and the express card interface adapter connects a first USB connection port via a USB signal line,
The USB device can be mounted on an express card adapter, wherein the USB device can be connected to a USB interface provided by a personal computer apart from the express card adapter.   7. The USB device mountable on an express card adapter according to claim 6, wherein the express card adapter is a passive adapter, and an appearance of the express card adapter is an ExpressCard / 54 format or an ExpressCard / 34 format.   7. The USB device mountable on an express card adapter according to claim 6, wherein the first contact is electrically connected to the express card interface adapter and receives a first voltage provided by the personal computer. further,
A second voltage conversion unit that converts the second voltage provided by the USB interface into a third voltage and outputs the third voltage when the second USB connection port is connected to the USB interface of the personal computer;
A switching unit that is electrically connected to the second contact and the second voltage conversion unit, and switches to supply either the first voltage or the third voltage to the control unit. The USB device mountable on the express card adapter according to claim 8.   7. The USB device mountable on an express card adapter according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is a control chip that supports a fixed voltage or a control chip that supports a switchable voltage. The storage space is further provided with a guide groove, the case is provided with a guide rail corresponding to the guide groove, and the guide groove can guide the guide rail. A USB device that can be installed in the Express Card Adapter described in 6.

Images