JP2010009286A - Card type information device, device connection support system, adapter, and method of controlling card type information device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow for miniaturization of an adapter at low cost by inputting and outputting, through a mounting connector, a first signal conforming to a first standard if an adapter is not mounted yet, and a second signal conforming to a second standard if the adapter is mounted. <P>SOLUTION: A card type information device 10 includes: a mounting connector conforming to a first standard; a detection means for detecting that an adapter 11 for converting a connector conforming to the first standard to a connector conforming to a second standard is mounted to the mounting connector; a conversion means for converting a second signal as an internal signal conforming to the second standard to a first signal conforming to the first standard; and a switching means for inputting and outputting, through the mounting connector, the first signal converted by the conversion means when it is not detected by the detection means that the adapter is not mounted to the mounting connector, and inputting and outputting the second signal when it is detected by the detection means that the adapter is mounted to the mounting connector. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for mutually converting a plurality of interface standard connectors using a conversion adapter.

  As described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, an expansion slot of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “personal computer”) is mainly a slot compliant with a PC (Personal Computer) card standard. Along with the evolution, there are also PCs that adopt slots conforming to the express card standard.

  This PC card standard includes PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) and CF (Compact Flash) card standards that define the shape of slots and connectors, and a card bus standard that defines physical layer signals. The express card standard includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard that defines physical layer signals.

These slots and connectors conforming to the PCMCIA card standard, the CF card standard, or the express card standard have different shapes. Therefore, when an expansion card conforming to a certain standard (for example, the express card standard) is inserted into an expansion slot conforming to a different standard (for example, the CF card standard), as shown in FIG. An adapter is required.
JP 2004-110255 A JP 2004-318835 A

  However, as shown in FIG. 7, when the signal transmission method conforming to each standard to be converted is different, it is necessary to mount a component or a circuit for converting these signals to each other on the adapter.

  In this case, the structure of the adapter is complicated by the conversion parts or circuits. As a result, there is a problem that the cost of the adapter is increased and the size is increased.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized adapter at a low cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, the card-type information device of the present invention conforms to the second standard, the connector for mounting according to the first standard, the connector for mounting, and the connector according to the first standard. Detecting means for detecting that an adapter for conversion to the connected connector is attached, and converting a second signal, which is an internal signal compliant with the second standard, into a first signal compliant with the first standard. When it is not detected that the adapter is attached to the attachment connector by the conversion means and the detection means, the first signal converted by the conversion means is input / output via the attachment connector, And switching means for inputting / outputting the second signal via the mounting connector when the detecting means detects that the adapter is mounted on the mounting connector.

  An apparatus joining auxiliary system of the present invention includes a connector conforming to the first standard and a connector conforming to the second standard, and the correspondence between the connector conforming to the first standard and the connector conforming to the second standard An adapter for connecting the terminals to each other and a mounting connector compliant with the first standard, and monitoring that the adapter is mounted on the mounting connector, and the adapter is connected to the mounting connector. If it is not detected that the device is attached, the first signal obtained by converting the second signal, which is an internal signal conforming to the second standard, to conform to the first standard is passed through the connector for attachment. And a card type information device that inputs / outputs the second signal via the mounting connector when it is detected that the adapter is mounted on the mounting connector.

  A control method for a card-type information device according to the present invention is a method for controlling a card-type information device having a mounting connector that conforms to a first standard, and the connector that conforms to the first standard is connected to the mounting connector When it is monitored that an adapter that converts to a connector that conforms to the second standard is attached and it is not detected that the adapter is attached to the connector for attachment, the internal signal conforms to the second standard. The first signal obtained by converting the second signal so as to comply with the first standard is input / output via the mounting connector, and it is detected that the adapter is mounted on the mounting connector. In this case, the control method of the card-type information device is such that the second signal is input / output via the mounting connector.

  According to the present invention, the card-type information device outputs a first signal that conforms to the first standard if the adapter is not mounted, and a second signal that conforms to the second standard if the adapter is mounted. Therefore, it is not necessary to mount components or circuits for signal conversion on the adapter, and a small adapter can be realized at low cost.

  Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of a device joining auxiliary system 1 of the present embodiment. The equipment joining assistance system 1 is a system that assists the joining of an expansion card having a connector compliant with a certain standard to equipment having an expansion slot compliant with a different standard by using a conversion adapter. Referring to FIG. 1, the device joining auxiliary system 1 includes an expansion card 10 and a change adapter 11.

  The expansion card 10 is a card type information device having a connector (mounting connector) compliant with the CF card standard. For example, the expansion card 10 is used for adding a data communication function to a personal computer.

  The conversion adapter 11 is an adapter that converts a connector compliant with the CF card standard (first standard) into a connector compliant with the express card standard (second standard).

  Since the expansion card 10 is a CF card type, if the personal computer or the like has a CF card slot 12 corresponding to the CF card, the expansion card 10 is inserted into the CF card slot 12 without using the conversion adapter 11.

  When a personal computer or the like is provided only with an expansion slot compatible with an express card, the expansion card 10 is inserted into the expansion slot via the conversion adapter 11.

  The expansion card 10 includes a control unit 101, a USB-IF 102, an analog switch 103, a conversion chip 104, and a CF card connector 104 (card side connector).

  When the control unit 101 receives a predetermined detection signal from the conversion adapter 11, the control unit 101 detects that the conversion adapter 11 is attached to the expansion card 10. If the attachment of the conversion adapter 11 is detected, the control unit 101 notifies the communication unit 103 of the detection. For example, the control unit 101 uses a RESET signal and a WAIT signal as detection signals.

  When detecting that the conversion adapter 11 is attached, the control unit 101 transmits a RESET signal for resetting the conversion chip 104 to the conversion chip 104. This is because it is not necessary to operate the conversion chip 104 when the conversion adapter 11 is attached.

  FIG. 2 is a table showing the state of signals transmitted / received via the pins of the CF card compatible connector in the conversion adapter 11. Referring to the figure, in this table, “pin number”, “signal name”, and “state when mounted” are defined.

  The “pin number” is a number assigned to each pin (terminal) of the connector. “Signal name” is a name of a signal transmitted / received via a pin. The “state at the time of attachment” is a state of a signal when the expansion card 10 is attached to the conversion adapter 11 and is in either a low current state (L) or a high current state (H).

  For example, the “WAIT” signal is input / output via the pin number “P11”, and the “RESET” signal is input / output via the pin number “P12”. The “D11” signal is input / output via the pin number “P13”, and the “D12” signal is input / output via the pin number “P14”.

  Both the “WAIT” signal and the “RESET” signal are negative logic signals, and when mounted in the expansion slot, the signal is in a high current state (H) and is controlled by a personal computer or the like to be in a low current state (L). However, both the “RESET” signal and the “WAIT” signal are not simultaneously controlled to the low current state (L) by a personal computer or the like.

  However, when these signals are used as detection signals, the pins of the pin numbers “P11” and “P12” are both grounded in the CF card connector of the conversion adapter 12. In this case, since both the “RESET” signal and the “WAIT” signal are in the low current state “L” when attached, the expansion card 10 can detect the attachment of the conversion adapter 11.

  The “D11” signal and the “D12” signal are signals compliant with the card bus standard (first standard).

  FIG. 3 is a table showing the state of signals transmitted and received through the pins of the CF card compatible connector in the CF card slot 11. Referring to the figure, in this table, “pin number”, “signal name”, and “state when mounted” are defined.

  For example, the “WAIT” signal is input / output via the pin number “P21”, and the “RESET” signal is input / output via the pin number “P22”. The “USB +” signal is input / output via the pin with the pin number “P23”, and the “USB−” signal is input / output via the pin with the pin number “P24”.

  The “USB +” signal and the “USB−” signal are signals for transmitting and receiving data conforming to the USB standard (second standard).

  When the expansion card 10 is inserted into the CF card slot 12, both the “WAIT” signal and the “RESET” signal are in the “H” state.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 101 detects that the conversion adapter 11 is attached if both the “WAIT” signal and the “RESET” signal are in the low current state “L”.

  Of course, signals other than the “RESET” signal and the “WAIT” signal may be used as detection signals as long as the attachment of the conversion adapter 12 can be detected.

  The USB-IF 102 is a circuit or component that processes data conforming to the USB standard, and is connected to a contact point of the analog switch 103.

  The analog switch 103 is a circuit or a component that performs line switching according to the presence or absence of detection by the control unit 101. Each contact of the analog switch 103 is connected to the USB-IF 102, the conversion chip 104, and the CF card connector 105, respectively. The analog switch 103 connects the USB-IF 102 and the conversion chip 104 in the initial state. When the control unit 101 detects that the conversion adapter 11 is attached, the analog switch 103 switches the connection destination of the USB-IF 102 to the CF card compatible connector 105.

  After the connection destination is switched, if the expansion card 10 is installed in the slot and the control unit 101 does not detect the installation of the conversion adapter 11, the analog switch 103 changes the connection destination of the USB-IF 102 to the conversion chip 104. return.

  The conversion chip 104 is a circuit or a component that mutually converts a signal that conforms to the USB standard and a signal that conforms to the card bus standard. In the conversion chip 104, a contact for transmitting / receiving a signal conforming to the USB standard is connected to a contact of the analog switch 103, and a contact for inputting / outputting a signal corresponding to the card bus standard is connected to the CF card compatible connector 105. . The conversion chip 104 is in a reset state when it receives a RESET signal from the control unit 103 or a personal computer.

  The CF card compatible connector 105 is a connector conforming to the CF card standard.

  The communication unit 103 inputs / outputs a signal conforming to the USB standard or a signal conforming to the card bus standard to / from another device (such as a personal computer) via the CF card compatible connector 105.

  The configuration of the communication unit 103 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 as long as it is configured to transmit / receive USB standard data or card bus standard data according to whether or not the change adapter 11 is detected. .

  The conversion adapter 11 includes a CF card compatible connector 111 and an express card compatible connector 113. The CF card compatible connector 111 is a connector conforming to the card bus standard, and the express card compatible connector 113 is a connector conforming to the express card standard, and these connectors are electrically connected. In the CF card connector 111, pins (P11, P12) corresponding to the WAIT signal and the RESET signal are grounded. This is because the expansion card 10 can detect the attachment of the conversion adapter 11.

  The CF card slot 12 is an expansion slot provided in a personal computer or the like for inserting a CF card. The CF card slot 12 has a CF card compatible connector 121.

  The CF card compatible connector 121 is a connector compliant with the card bus standard.

  Next, the operation of the expansion card 10 will be described with reference to FIG. This operation starts when the expansion card 10 is inserted into the conversion adapter 11 or the CF card slot 12.

  The control unit 101 determines whether or not both the “WAIT” signal and the “RESET” signal are in the low current state (L) (step S1).

  If both the “WAIT” signal and the “RESET” signal are “L” (step S1: YES), the analog switch 103 switches the connection destination of the USB-IF 102 to the card bus compatible connector 105 (step S3). The control unit 101 transmits a RESET signal to the conversion chip 104 (step S5).

  If neither the “WAIT” signal nor the “RESET” signal is “L” (step S1: NO), the analog switch 103 connects the USB-IF 102 and the conversion chip 104 (step S7). After step S7, the expansion card 10 ends its operation.

  Next, the operation of the expansion card 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the expansion card 10 is inserted into the CF card slot 12. Referring to the figure, since both the “RESET” signal and the “WAIT” signal are “H” (step S1: NO), the analog switch 103 connects the USB-IF 102 and the conversion chip 104 (step S7). The expansion card 10 inputs / outputs a signal that is converted by the conversion chip 104 and conforms to the card bus standard with a personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the expansion card 10 is attached to the conversion adapter 11. Referring to the figure, since both the “WAIT” signal and the “RESET” signal are grounded and are “L” (step S1: YES), the analog switch 103 connects the USB-IF 102 to the card bus compatible connector 105. Switching (step S3), the control unit 101 transmits a RESET signal to the conversion chip 104 (step S5). The expansion card 10 inputs and outputs a signal conforming to the USB standard with a personal computer or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the same components or circuits as those of the detection unit 101 and the communication unit 103 may be mounted on an expansion card that complies with other standards, such as a PCMCIA card type instead of the CF card type. is there.

  If the conversion adapter 12 is an adapter that mutually converts connectors with different signals at the physical layer level, the conversion adapter 12 converts a CF card standard connector into a USB standard connector, such as a CF card standard and an express card standard. An adapter that mutually converts connectors corresponding to other standards may be used.

  Furthermore, the conversion adapter 11 is not limited to an adapter as long as it converts a connector, and may be a conversion jig or an embedded device.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the expansion card 10 conforms to a signal conforming to the card bus standard if the conversion adapter 12 is not attached, and conforms to the USB standard if the conversion adapter 12 is attached. Since the signal is input / output via the CF card compatible connector 105, the conversion adapter 11 does not need to mount a component or a circuit for converting the signal and can realize a small conversion adapter at low cost. .

  The conversion chip 104 stops operating while it is detected that the conversion adapter 12 is attached, so that the power consumption of the conversion chip 104 can be saved.

  Since the control unit 101 detects the conversion adapter 12 when both the ERSET signal and the WAIT signal are in a low current state, that is, when a combination that does not occur other than when the conversion adapter 11 is attached is detected, The attachment of the conversion adapter 12 can be reliably detected without being detected.

  Note that part or all of the processing illustrated in FIG. 4 may be realized by executing a computer program.

1 is an overall view illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the signal transmitted / received via the pin of the connector of the conversion adapter of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the signal transmitted / received via the connector of the CF card slot of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the expansion card of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation result when the expansion card of this embodiment is mounted | worn with the conversion adapter. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation result when the expansion card of this embodiment is mounted | worn with the CF card slot. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional conversion adapter.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Device joining auxiliary system 10 Expansion card 11 Conversion adapter 12 CF card slot 101 Control part 111, 121, 105 CF card corresponding connector 113 Express card corresponding connector 102 USB-IF
103 Analog switch 104 Conversion chip P11-P14, P21-P24 Pin number S1-S7 Step

Claims (13)

A mounting connector conforming to the first standard;
Detecting means for detecting that an adapter for converting a connector conforming to the first standard to a connector conforming to the second standard is mounted on the mounting connector;
Conversion means for converting a second signal, which is an internal signal compliant with the second standard, into a first signal compliant with the first standard;
If the detection means does not detect that the adapter is attached to the attachment connector, the first signal converted by the conversion means is input / output via the attachment connector, and the detection means A switching means for inputting / outputting the second signal via the mounting connector when it is detected that the adapter is mounted on the mounting connector;
Card-type information equipment having.   The card-type information device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit stops the operation while the detection unit detects that the adapter is mounted on the mounting connector.   The detection means detects that the adapter is mounted on the mounting connector if the levels of a plurality of signals input and output via the mounting connector are a predetermined combination. The card type information device according to 1 or 2.   The card-type information device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined combination is a combination that does not occur except when the adapter is attached to the attachment connector.   The card-type information device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of signals are a RESET signal and a WAIT signal.   The card-type information device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that transmits and receives the second signal to and from another communication device.   The card type information device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first standard is a PC (Personal Computer) card standard.   The card-type information device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second standard is an express card standard.   The card type information device according to claim 1, wherein the second standard is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. An adapter comprising a connector conforming to the first standard and a connector conforming to the second standard, and interconnecting corresponding terminals of the connector conforming to the first standard and the connector conforming to the second standard When,
A mounting connector that conforms to the first standard, and monitoring that the adapter is mounted on the mounting connector; if it is not detected that the adapter is mounted on the mounting connector; The first signal obtained by converting the second signal, which is an internal signal conforming to the standard 2 to be compliant with the first standard, is input / output via the mounting connector, and the first signal is input to the mounting connector. A card type information device that inputs and outputs the second signal via the mounting connector when it is detected that an adapter is mounted;
Equipment joining assist system.   The apparatus joining auxiliary system according to claim 10, wherein a predetermined combination of terminals among the plurality of terminals of the connector conforming to the first standard is grounded in the adapter. A connector conforming to the first standard;
A connector conforming to the second standard;
Connection means for connecting corresponding terminals of the connector compliant with the first standard and the connector compliant with the second standard;
A grounding means for grounding a predetermined combination of pins among the plurality of pins of the connector conforming to the first standard;
Having an adapter. A control method for a card-type information device having a mounting connector compliant with the first standard,
Monitoring that the adapter for converting the connector conforming to the first standard to the connector conforming to the second standard is mounted on the connector for mounting;
When it is not detected that the adapter is attached to the attachment connector, a first signal obtained by converting a second signal, which is an internal signal conforming to the second standard, to conform to the first standard Input / output via the mounting connector,
A control method for a card-type information device, wherein when it is detected that the adapter is attached to the attachment connector, the second signal is input / output via the attachment connector.

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