JP2020052959A - State notification method in USB Type-C interface circuit, device having USB Type-C interface circuit, Type-C cable, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a state notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit capable of improving reliability and maintainability.SOLUTION: In a state notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit configured by connecting a device and a host device via a Type-C cable compatible with USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard, a device controller detects abnormal state generated in the device. The device controller transmits detection information indicating the detected abnormal state to a Type-C controller. The Type-C controller analyzes a cause from the abnormal state based on the detection information, to obtain an analysis result. The Type-C controller uses CC line to transmit the detection information and the analysis result to the host device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C interface circuit, and more particularly to a status notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit.

  The USB Type-C interface circuit is an interface circuit that connects both a host device and a device. Although the USB Type-C interface circuit is smaller than the interface circuit of conventional USB devices, the number of poles has been greatly increased. Here, the conventional USB device interface circuit refers to a USB Type-A interface circuit or a USB Type-B interface circuit. In the USB Type-C interface circuit, insertion / removal (hot plug) while the power is turned on is supported as before. For this reason, the USB Type-C interface circuit is an interface circuit in which an abnormality due to poor contact or the like is likely to occur.

  Further, in the USB Type-C interface circuit, the user recognizes the cause of the abnormality such as malfunction or not recognition by the following operation. Here, as the location of the cause of the abnormality, for example, a USB device or a USB cable can be considered. That is, the cause of the abnormality can be known for the first time by performing a separating operation such as actually inserting / removing the USB Type-C interface circuit or exchanging the USB device or the USB cable.

  Various prior art documents related to the present invention are known.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an “electronic device” that can more reliably determine the type of an interface of a connected external device. Patent Document 1 discloses a technical idea that can determine whether a connected device is a Type-C device or a non-Type-C device. Note that a Type-C device refers to a device having an interface conforming to the USB Type-C standard, and a non-Type-C device refers to a device not having an interface conforming to the USB Type-C standard.

  Patent Literature 2 discloses that even if power of an external device is not supplied from a power supply terminal such as a VBUS, the type of the external device can be determined without using a storage unit such as a battery or a capacitor. Control method ". Patent Literature 2 also discloses a technical idea that can determine whether a connected device is a Type-C device or a non-Type-C device, similarly to Patent Document 1.

  Patent Document 3 discloses “a semiconductor device, a control method for a semiconductor device, and a power supply system” that can enhance safety when power is supplied to a USB device. In Patent Document 3, the power supply system includes a host, a USB device, and a USB cable. The USB device can perform data communication with the host via the USB cable, and can receive power supply from the host. As an example of the USB cable, a USB Type-C cable can be used. The host includes a power supply unit, a controller that controls the power supply unit, a resistor, and a switch. The controller includes a power supply control circuit, an abnormality detection circuit, and an abnormal state notification circuit. The power supply control circuit controls the power supply unit and the switch. The abnormality detection circuit determines whether the state of the voltage supply path is normal or abnormal. The abnormality detection circuit outputs the determination result to the abnormality state notification circuit. The abnormal state notification circuit notifies an abnormal state based on the result of the determination by the abnormality detection circuit. Specifically, the abnormal state notification circuit notifies the outside of the abnormal state by an alarm sound or LED. The notification may be made to the outside using a communication circuit. As described above, in Patent Document 3, the abnormal state of the power supply line (VBUS) is detected in the Type-C controller.

  Patent Literature 4 discloses a “short circuit determination method and electronic device” that can determine with high accuracy a short circuit between terminals due to foreign matter entering a connector. In Patent Literature 4, an electronic device includes a Type-C connector, a charging circuit, a switch, a resistor, a connection detection circuit, a monitoring circuit, a determination circuit, and a CC terminal control circuit. The monitoring circuit monitors the voltage change of each of the RX + terminal and the RX2- terminal when the charging device is connected to the Type-C connector. The determination circuit determines whether a short circuit has occurred between the UBUS terminal, the RX + terminal, and the RX- detection using the voltage change monitored by the monitoring circuit. Then, when the rising timing of the RX + voltage and the RX- voltage coincides with the rising timing of the UBUS voltage, the determination circuit determines that a short circuit has occurred due to foreign matter entering the Type-C connector.

Patent Document 5 discloses an "electronic device" that can prevent a burning accident when an AC adapter conforming to the USB Type-C standard is used, even if the AC adapter does not have a burning prevention function. ing. In Patent Document 5, an electronic device is configured to include a USB Type-C standard receptacle, a system circuit, a rechargeable battery, a pull-down resistor, an FFT (Field effect transistor) switch, a control circuit, and a sense resistor. . The receptacle has a configuration including a lock plate, a shell, a _VBUS pin, and a CC (Configuration Channel) pin. The receptacle is connected to a mating connector conforming to the USB Type-C standard. It is assumed that the other connector is connected to a charging adapter conforming to the USB Type-C standard via a cable. The sense resistor is provided in a short circuit current generating circuit between the shell of the receptacle and the ground. If a current is detected in the sense resistor (above a meaningful value), it means that a short circuit current has occurred between the shell and ground. The control circuit controls the FET switch to be turned off when the current detected by the sense resistor satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, when the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold). When the FET switch is disconnected, the signal path corresponding to the CC pin that confirms the connection between the electronic device and the charging adapter is cut off, so the charging adapter recognizes that the connection with the electronic device has been released. Then, the power supply is stopped (the power of the charging adapter is controlled to be OFF).

  Patent Document 6 discloses a power supply system and a power receiving device that can safely detect a short circuit in the power receiving device. In Patent Document 6, the power supply system conforms to the USB Type-C standard, and includes a power supply device and a power reception device connected via a USB cable. The power supply device includes a power supply side controller, and the power reception device includes a power reception side controller. The power supply side controller and the power reception side controller are port controllers related to USB Type-C, and are connected to each other via a CC (Configuration Channel) line to provide a communication function. The power receiving device includes a short circuit detection circuit. The short-circuit detection circuit detects a short-circuit in the second bus line closer to the load circuit than the bus switch when the bus switch is off. The power-receiving-side controller may notify the power-supply-side controller of the load-side short-circuit using communication on the CC line when the short-circuit is detected. The power supply side controller can stop the power supply circuit in response to the notification.

JP 2018-013932 A JP 2018-019333 A JP 2017-187933 A JP 2018-029451 A JP-A-2017-201862 JP2018-011442A

Universal Serial Bus Type-C Cable and Connector Specification Revision 1.1, April 3, 2015 Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery Specification Revision 2.0, V1.1, 7 May 2015

  The USB Type-C interface circuit has the following problems.

  A first problem is that the USB Type-C interface circuit is an interface circuit in which an abnormality such as a contact failure is likely to occur.

  The reason is as follows. While the size of interface circuits has been reduced, the number of signal lines (including power supply and ground) has increased compared to USB interface circuits that are not USB Type-C (USB2.0 Type-A: 4, USB3.0 Type-C) A: 9; USB Type-C: 20). In addition, the USB Type-C interface circuit handles not only USB but also high-speed signals (High Speed Signal) such as PCI-Express, DisplayPort, and HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) by using in Alternate mode. be able to. The USB Type-C interface circuit is designed to support not only 5 V used in a USB interface circuit that is not a USB Type-C as a power source but also a maximum of 20 V and 5 A. For this reason, the USB Type-C interface circuit requires a narrow connection between terminals and a precise connection physically. However, since the USB Type-C interface circuit is also an external interface that supports hot plugging, the frequency of insertion and removal is high, and contact failure is likely to occur due to wear caused by gouging and insertion and removal.

  The second problem is that in order for the user to recognize the cause of an abnormality (for example, whether the device is a device or a cable) such that the device does not operate normally or is not recognized, the user actually inserts and removes the device or replaces the cable. The point is that the cause can be known for the first time by performing the separation work such as.

  The reason is as follows. The abnormal state of the high-speed signal line can be notified by the controller of each device by the communication protocol of each high-speed signal. However, only an abnormal state within a range that can be detected by the device controller can be notified. As an example, it is assumed that a high-speed signal switch (Multiplexer: MUX), which is indispensable for using the USB Type-C interface circuit, has failed. In this case, the well-known USB Type-C interface circuit has no mechanism for transmitting the abnormality to the device controller. This is because many device controllers have been used before the USB Type-C standard was formulated, and were not designed on the assumption that they would be used in USB Type-C interface circuits. Further, since switching of high-speed signals by the MUX is a function required for using the USB Type-C interface circuit, there is no mechanism for notifying a state between the device controller and the MUX.

  On the other hand, Patent Documents 1 to 6 have the following problems, respectively.

  In Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, it is merely determined whether the connected device is a Type-C device or a non-Type-C device, and the abnormal state of the device is not notified to the host device.

  Patent Document 3 merely detects the abnormal state of the power supply line (VBUS) in the Type-C controller, and does not notify the host apparatus of the abnormal state of the device.

  Patent Literature 4 merely determines a short circuit between terminals due to foreign matter entering the Type-C connector, and does not notify an upper-level device of an abnormal state of a device.

  Patent Literature 5 merely discloses an electronic device capable of preventing a burnout accident, and does not notify a host device of an abnormal state of a device.

  Patent Literature 6 discloses a technique of notifying a short circuit by using communication on a CC line when a short circuit is detected. That is, in Patent Document 6, only a short circuit in the bus line is detected as an abnormal state of the device, and an abnormal state occurring in the device for any other reason is not detected. In other words, in Patent Document 6, it is assumed that the cause of the abnormality is a short circuit in advance, and other causes cannot be detected.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a state notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit that solves the above-mentioned problem.

As a first aspect of the present invention, in a state notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit, a device and a host device are connected via a Type-C cable conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard. A status notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit, wherein the Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line, the device includes a connector connected to the Type-C cable, and a connector connected via the connector. A Type-C controller connected to the CC line, and a device controller for controlling the device, wherein the state notification method is such that the device controller detects an abnormal state occurring in the device, The device controller notifies the Type-C controller of detection information representing the detected abnormal state, and the Type-C controller Obtain analysis results by analyzing the cause of the abnormal condition,
The Type-C controller notifies the host device of the detection information and the analysis result by using the CC line.

  As a second aspect of the present invention, in the state detection method in the USB Type-C interface circuit, the device and the host device are connected via a Type-C cable conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard. A status notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit, wherein the Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line, the device includes a connector connected to the Type-C cable, and a connector connected via the connector. A Type-C controller connected to the CC line, and a device controller for controlling the device, wherein the state notification method includes detecting and detecting an abnormal state occurring in the device. Based on the detection information indicating the abnormal state, the cause is analyzed from the abnormal state to obtain an analysis result, and the device controller determines the detection information and the Results and notifies the Type-C controller, the Type-C controller, the utilizing CC line, and notifies the said analysis result and the detection information to the host device.

  As a third aspect of the present invention, in the state notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit, the device and the host device are connected via a Type-C cable conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard. A method for detecting a state in a USB Type-C interface circuit, wherein the Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line, the device includes a connector connected to the Type-C cable, and a connector connected via the connector. A Type-C controller connected to the CC line, a device controller for controlling the device, and a dedicated controller for analyzing an abnormal state. Detecting the abnormal state that has occurred in the above, and notifies the dedicated controller of the detection information, and the dedicated controller performs the abnormality based on the detection information. Analyzing the cause from the state, notifying the analysis result and the detection information to the Type-C controller, the Type-C controller, using the CC line, the detection information and the analysis result to the host device And notify.

  As a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the state notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit, the device and the host device are connected via a Type-C cable conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard. A status notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit, wherein the Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line and a Type-C controller connected to the CC line. The Type-C controller detects that an abnormality has occurred in the Type-C cable, and obtains detection information, and the Type-C controller analyzes the detection information to obtain an analysis result. A Type-C controller notifies the host device of the detection information and the analysis result using the CC line.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, reliability can be improved and maintainability can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration of a system using a USB Type-C interface circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a state notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the state notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a connection configuration of a system using a USB Type-C interface circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a state notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a state notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation (first example) when an abnormality occurs in the device MUX in communication using the USB Type-C interface circuit according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation (second example) when an abnormality occurs in the device MUX in communication using the USB Type-C interface circuit according to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. In the communication using the USB Type-C interface circuit according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a configuration in a case where two different input signals of a USB signal and a Displayport signal from the main controller are supplied to the device MUX. FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a device including a mechanism according to a second embodiment.

  First, an outline of the present invention will be described.

In the present invention, the problem is solved by the following procedures (1) to (4) for a device using a USB Type-C interface circuit.
(1) The device controller detects an abnormal state occurring in the device.
(2) The device controller notifies the Type-C controller of the detected information.
(3) The Type-C controller analyzes the cause from the abnormal state.
(4) The upper-level Type-C controller is notified of the abnormal state and the analysis result using the Configuration Channel (CC) line.

  At this time, the role of (3) may be performed by the device controller. In that case, the device controller may notify the Type-C controller of the abnormal state and the analysis result, and the Type-C controller may simply notify the higher-level Type-C controller using the CC line.

  Next, effects of the present invention will be described.

  The first effect is that, by notifying an abnormal state and an analysis result using the CC line of the USB Type-C interface circuit, there is no need to add a new interface, and this can be realized.

  The reason is as follows. The CC line is a signal line that always exists when using the USB Type-C interface circuit. In a normal operation, the CC line notifies the front / back of the cable, the required power supply (VBUS) voltage, and the information on the high-speed signal to be used, which are features of the USB Type-C interface circuit, as a negotiation function at the time of device recognition.

  When the negotiation at the time of device connection is completed, the host Type-C controller monitors the voltage level and only determines whether the cable has been inserted or removed, and communication using this signal line (CC line) is performed. Absent.

  The normally connected device remains connected unless the user frequently inserts and removes it, that is, the CC line is used less frequently.

  In general, the device controller often supports a communication protocol at the time of an abnormality, but the communication is also performed using a signal line performing a normal operation (by dividing a time for notifying an abnormal state). . Therefore, during that time, the performance of normal operation is affected.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, an abnormality notification can be made without affecting the operation performance by notifying the state abnormality by using the time when the CC line is infrequently used.

  The second effect is that the abnormal state that can be supported by the normal high-speed signal abnormality notification is limited to the one according to each communication protocol. However, in the present invention, the abnormal state detected by the device controller is not supported by each communication protocol. That is, notification can be made even when an abnormality is detected.

  The reason is as follows. The CC line is currently separated from each high-speed signal and device controller, and is a signal line used only for communication between the host device and the Type-C controller of the device. Therefore, the CC line can be considered as a means for notifying each high-speed signal and an abnormal state not supported by the device controller using a unique protocol.

  The CC line can be considered as a means of notifying with its own protocol, the communication protocol (BMC etc.) of Configuration Channel (CC) used in the USB Type-C standard, USB 2.0, USB 3.0 , It means that the communication protocol used for high-speed signals such as Displayport is completely different. Further, signal lines for performing the communication are also separated.

  The CC line is a signal line originally defined in the USB Type-C standard, and is a known technology.

  However, according to the present invention, the error status of each device is communicated to the host device using the CC line, and there is no existing technology for communicating using the CC line until the error status of the device.

  Here, although there is an original protocol, a communication protocol used when negotiation is performed as a USB Type-C interface circuit is defined in the standard (USB Power Delivery).

  In the present invention, communication may be performed according to the protocol, or a new protocol for abnormal communication may be prepared. In that case, since the USB Type-C controller performs encoding / decoding of the communication, it is necessary to customize F / W (firmware) of the Type-C controller.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of a system using a USB Type-C interface circuit 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of configuration]
The USB Type-C interface circuit 100 includes a host device 200 as a host device, a USB Type-C device 300, and a Type-C cable 400 connecting the host device 200 and the USB Type-C device 300. The USB Type-C device 300 is simply called a device. The Type-C cable 400 is also called a USB cable.

  The host device (host device) 200 includes a host connector 210, a main controller 220, a host Type-C controller 230, a host MUX 240, a power supply (VBUS) control circuit 250, and a power supply (VCONN) control for a Type-C cable. And a circuit 260. A power supply 500 is connected to the host device (host device) 200.

  The upper connector 210 is connected to the Type-C cable 400. The main controller 220 functions as a control unit of a system such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a chipset. The host Type-C controller 230 performs signal processing related to the USB Type-C interface circuit 100. The upper MUX 240 is a switch for switching high-speed signals.

  The device 300 includes a device connector 310, a device controller 320, and a device Type-C controller 330. The illustrated device 300 includes a device MUX 340.

  The device connector 310 is connected to the Type-C cable 400. The device controller 320 controls the entire device 300. The device Type-C controller 330 performs signal processing related to the USB Type-C interface circuit 100. The device MUX 340 is a switch for switching high-speed signals.

  The device 300 may have a power supply control circuit (not shown) for supplying power (VBUS) from the device 300 to the host device 200.

  The Type-C cable 400 includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line 410. The illustrated Type-C cable 400 includes a cable Type-C controller 420.

  The upper Type-C controller 230 controls the VBUS control, the VCONN control, the connection control with the Type-C device 300 (including the Type-C cable 400), detects the connection state of the front and back of the cable, and switches the high-speed signal from the information of the connected device. Or output a control signal for performing the control.

  The main controller 220 may be internally or externally connected to the upper Type-C controller 230, or may be independent of the upper Type-C controller 230.

[Description of operation]
Next, the operation of the USB Type-C interface circuit 100 will be described.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the function is such that the device Type-C controller 330 is connected so as to be able to communicate with the host device 200. An example of the signal in that case is serial communication such as I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit).

  The host Type-C controller 230 and the device Type-C controller 330 are connected by a CC line 410. The CC line 410 performs packet communication in a BFSK (Binary Frequency Shift Keying) system (USB Power Delivery Rev1) or a BMC (Biphase Mark Coding) system (USB Power Delivery Rev2 or later). In this packet communication, information such as the specification of the power supply that can be supplied by the host device 200, the required power supply of the device 300, and the high-speed signal to be used is exchanged between the Type-C controllers 230 and 330. This communication is performed after the Type-C cable 400 is connected to the host device 200 and the device 300 and the connection state of the cable is detected.

  In the first embodiment, after the completion of the communication, the CC line 410 is not used for packet communication, but is used for monitoring the connection state of the Type-C cable 400.

  The monitoring of the connection state is performed by monitoring the current or voltage value of the CC line 410 with the upper Type-C controller 230, unlike polling using a SOF (Soft of Frame) packet like USB communication. . When the CC line 410 detects that the Type-C cable 400 has been disconnected, the upper-level Type-C controller 230 activates the discharge circuit in the VBUS control circuit 250 in order to quickly drop VBUS.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, as a means for communicating an abnormal state of the device 300, a time period during which the packet communication during the monitoring of the connection state of the CC line 410 is not performed is performed infrequently is set as an abnormal state packet communication. Have assigned.

  An example of a state notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the device controller 320 detects an abnormal state occurring in the device 300 (Step S101).

  Subsequently, the device controller 320 notifies the device Type-C controller 330 of detection information indicating the detected abnormal state (Step S102).

  Next, the device Type-C controller 330 analyzes the cause from the abnormal state based on the detection information and obtains an analysis result (step S103).

  Lastly, the device Type-C controller 330 notifies the upper-level Type-C controller 230 of the higher-level device 200 of the detection information and the analysis result using the CC line 410 (Step S104). At this time, as described above, the device Type-C controller 330 uses the CC line 410 to transmit the detection information and analysis information to the higher-level Type-C controller 230 of the higher-level device 200 at a time when the frequency of use of the CC line 410 is low. Notify the result.

  With reference to FIG. 3, a description will be given of a modification of the state notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the device controller 320 detects an abnormal state occurring in the device 300 (Step S0101).

  Subsequently, the device controller 320 analyzes the cause from the abnormal state based on the detected information indicating the detected abnormal state and obtains an analysis result (step S102A).

  Next, the device controller 320 notifies the detection information and the analysis result to the device Type-C controller 330 (Step S103A).

  Lastly, the device Type-C controller 330 notifies the upper-level Type-C controller 230 of the higher-level device 200 of the detection information and the analysis result using the CC line 410 (Step S104). At this time, as described above, the device Type-C controller 330 uses the CC line 410 to transmit the detection information and analysis information to the higher-level Type-C controller 230 of the higher-level device 200 at a time when the frequency of use of the CC line 410 is low. Notify the result.

  Next, effects of the first embodiment will be described.

  The first effect is that the reliability can be improved. The reason for this is that by notifying the host device 200 of the detection information and the analysis information, it is possible to identify the abnormal part in the USB Type-C interface circuit 100.

  The second effect is that maintainability can be improved. The reason for this is that the abnormal part can be specified, and the recovery means and the replacement target can be clarified without the user performing analysis.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of a system using the USB Type-C interface circuit 100A according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of configuration]
The illustrated USB Type-C interface circuit 100A operates and has the same configuration as the USB Type-C interface circuit 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 except that the configuration of the device is changed as described below. . Therefore, the device is given the reference number 300A. The same components as those of the USB Type-C interface circuit 100 in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted to simplify the description.

  The device 300A has a configuration similar to that of the device 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 and operates, except that the device 300A further includes a dedicated controller 350 for analyzing an abnormal state.

[Description of operation]
The basic operation of the USB Type-C interface circuit 100A is the same as that of the USB Type-C interface circuit 100 described above.

  An example of a state notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit 100A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the device controller 320 detects an abnormal state occurring in the device 300A (step S101).

  Subsequently, the device controller 320 notifies the dedicated controller 350 of the detection information (Step S102B).

  Next, the dedicated controller 350 analyzes the cause from the abnormal state based on the detection information, and notifies the analysis result and the detection information to the device Type-C controller 330 (step S103B).

  Lastly, the device Type-C controller 330 notifies the upper-level Type-C controller 230 of the higher-level device 200 of the detection information and the analysis result using the CC line 410 (Step S104). At this time, as described above, the device Type-C controller 330 uses the CC line 410 to transmit the detection information and analysis information to the higher-level Type-C controller 230 of the higher-level device 200 at a time when the frequency of use of the CC line 410 is low. Notify the result.

  The effects of the second embodiment are the same as the effects of the above-described first embodiment.

[Embodiment 3]
The USB Type-C interface circuit 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same system connection configuration as that shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the Type-C cable 400 has a built-in cable Type-C controller 420. The cable Type-C controller 420 is connected to the host Type-C controller 230 via the CC line 410 in the same manner as the device Type-C controller 330.

[Description of operation]
An example of a state notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the cable Type-C controller 420 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the Type-C cable 400, and obtains detection information (step S201).

  Subsequently, the cable Type-C controller 420 analyzes the detection information and obtains an analysis result (step S202).

  Finally, using the CC line 410, the cable Type-C controller 420 notifies the higher-level Type-C controller 230 of the higher-level device 200 of the detection information and the analysis result (Step S203). At this time, as described above, the cable Type-C controller 420 uses the CC line 410 to transmit detection information and analysis information to the higher-level Type-C controller 230 of the higher-level device 200 at a time when the frequency of use of the CC line 410 is low. Notify the result.

  Thereby, the user can be notified that the Type-C cable 400 is in an abnormal state.

  Next, the third embodiment will be described more specifically.

  The high-speed signal input to the device MUX 340 is shared by the device 300 only through the Type-C cable 400. Therefore, a possible failure of the Type-C cable 400 includes a disconnection or a short circuit.

  In the USB Type-C standard, a cable called an e-Marker in which a cable Type-C controller 420 is provided in a Type-C cable 400 is defined. The cable Type-C controller 420 operates by receiving a dedicated power supply (VCONN) from the host device 200 side.

  The function of the cable Type-C controller 420 defined in the existing USB Type-C standard is based on the specification of the power supply (VBUS) to be supplied from the host device 200 side to the device 300 side through the Type-C cable 400. It is to monitor whether or not a power supply specification that can be passed through the Type-C cable 400 is satisfied. In other words, the function of the existing cable Type-C controller 420 is a function for protecting the type-C cable 400 so that a problem such as burnout does not occur when a current larger than the specification of the type-C cable 400 is applied.

  The above monitoring result is communicated with the host Type-C controller 230 via the Configuration Channel (CC line) 410. In the current USB Type-C standard, there is no function for the cable Type-C controller 420 to monitor the status of high-speed signals other than power.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, a mechanism is provided in the cable Type-C controller 420 for monitoring a high-speed signal between the device MUX 340 and the device controller 320 performed on the device 300 side. Thereby, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the state of the Type-C cable 400.

  This mechanism can be realized, for example, by realizing and implementing a dedicated controller in which the function of a measuring instrument called an analyzer capable of decoding from the waveform of a high-speed signal is integrated into a single chip on the cable Type-C controller 420.

  Next, as a first example of the present invention, referring to FIG. 7, in the communication using the USB Type-C interface circuit 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The operation when this occurs will be described.

  First, the processing of A1 in FIG. 7 will be described.

  When an abnormality occurs in the device MUX 340, a signal passing through the device MUX 340 is not normally input to the device 300, so that the device 300 does not respond.

  In such a situation, in the related art, the host device 200 can detect that the device 300 has not been recognized from the situation of the signal, and notify the application (AP) 600 or the like. However, only the fact that the user can be notified is not able to be notified, and it is not possible to know detailed information on which part is abnormal.

  On the other hand, if the power (VBUS) is turned on, the device controller 320 itself can know that no signal is received even though the power is on. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the device controller 320 can notify the device Type-C controller 330 that the signal has not reached the device controller 320 as detection information.

  At this time, as in step S102A of FIG. 3, the device controller 320 may analyze a possible abnormal state and notify the device Type-C controller 330 of the analysis result. Alternatively, as in step S103 of FIG. 2, the analysis may be performed in the device Type-C controller 330 that has been notified of the state abnormality.

  Note that the communication between the device controller 320 and the device Type-C controller 330 may be serial communication such as I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) or parallel communication using a predetermined bit pattern for each error content.

  Next, the processing of A2 in FIG. 7 will be described.

  After the process of A1, the device Type-C controller 330 performs serial communication with the host Type-C controller 230 using the CC line 410 as in step S104 of FIG. 2 or FIG.

  At this time, the serial communication is performed by a BMC (Biphase Mark Coding) method or a BFSK (Binary Frequency Shift Keying) method defined by USB Type-C Power Delivery, and a packet configuration for state abnormal communication newly defined in the present invention. To communicate.

  Finally, the processing of A3 in FIG. 7 will be described.

  The upper Type-C controller 230 that has received the status abnormal communication by the process of A2 notifies the main controller 220 and the application 600 of the information to notify the user.

  This allows the user to know that as a cause of the abnormality of the device 300, no signal has reached the device controller 320 and the device MUX 340 is abnormal.

  Next, as a second example of the present invention, referring to FIG. 8, in the communication using the USB Type-C interface circuit 100A according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. The operation when this occurs will be described.

  First, the processing of B1 in FIG. 8 will be described.

  The device controller 320 notifies the dedicated controller 350 that the signal has not reached the device controller 320 as detection information.

  Next, the process of B2 in FIG. 8 will be described.

  At this time, as in step S103B of FIG. 5, the dedicated controller 350 analyzes a possible abnormal state and notifies the device Type-C controller 330 of the analysis result.

  Next, the process of B3 in FIG. 8 will be described.

  After the process of B2, the device Type-C controller 330 performs serial communication with the host Type-C controller 230 using the CC line 410 as in step S104 of FIG.

  Finally, the process of B4 in FIG. 8 will be described.

  The upper Type-C controller 230 that has received the status abnormal communication by the process of B3 notifies the main controller 220 and the application 600 of the information to notify the user.

  This allows the user to know that as a cause of the abnormality of the device 300, no signal has reached the device controller 320 and the device MUX 340 is abnormal.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described more specifically.

  The Multiplexer (MUX) plays a role of a switch for switching a plurality of signals, and is generally realized by an IC (integrated circuit) integrated into one chip.

  This IC is an electrical switch that can switch the destination of multiple output ports for multiple inputs. Further, as a control signal for performing the switching, a number of switching signals corresponding to a combination of input and output can be input. However, since the device MUX 340 is a passive device, the IC itself does not include a mechanism for notifying the host device of the abnormality. Here, the abnormality may be, for example, that a signal is not switched due to a failure of a part constituting a switch inside the IC.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, as described later, there is provided a mechanism capable of notifying the host device of the abnormality.

  Next, the signal passed through the device MUX 340 is input to a device controller (described later). The device controller itself can determine whether or not a signal different from the signal supported by the device controller itself is input, based on F / W inside the device. At this time, the device controller notifies the status abnormality according to the communication protocol of each high-speed signal.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in a case where two different input signals, a USB signal and a Displayport signal, are supplied to the device MUX 340 from the main controller 220 such as a CPU or a chipset.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the device MUX 340 includes a device controller 322 for a Displayport signal and a device controller 324 for a USB signal.

In such a configuration, in the related art, the following states can be considered as states that are recognized as abnormal by the user.
1) The monitor connected to Displayport is not displayed.
2) USB3.0 devices (eg USB memory) are not recognized by USB3.0 Super Speed.

  1) relates to the state of the monitor itself prior to the device controller 322. In this case, even if two pairs out of the video signals having a maximum of four pairs do not arrive, they can be displayed on the monitor although the specifications are reduced.

  Regarding 2), if the device 300A supports the backward compatible USB 2.0 High Speed, it operates as a USB memory.

  Therefore, the second embodiment of the present invention includes a mechanism for estimating a failure of the device MUX 340 from an abnormal state of the connected device 300A as described in detail below.

  For example, when the device 300A operates in the lower specification in both 1) and 2), the device controllers 322 and 324 can notice an abnormal state of the device 300A. This mechanism is an existing technology, and the device controllers 322 and 324 can notify the host device 200 of the abnormal state.

  However, it is not possible to infer and send a specific fault location (in this example, the device MUX 340) in this notification. The reason is as follows. First, since the technology of the USB Type-C interface circuit is not established yet, the firmware of the device controllers 322 and 324 is not supported so that the failure of the device MUX 340 is estimated and notified. It is. Second, there is no way to send the fault to the upper device 200 because the fault location is a signal line connected to the upper device 200. That is, according to the current mechanism, the host device 200 can recognize only the fact that “it does not operate at USB 3.0 Super Speed”.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a device 300A including a mechanism according to the second embodiment.

  A path for notifying an abnormal state is provided between the dedicated controller 350 and the device controllers 320, 322, 324. A path for notifying the analysis result is provided between the dedicated controller 350 and the device Type-C controller 330.

  For example, assume that a failure has occurred in the USB 3.0 Super Speed of the device MUX 340 as shown in FIG.

  In this case, the device controller 322 notifies the dedicated controller 350 of an abnormal state indicating that the Displayport is operating normally and no abnormality is found in the device controller 322. On the other hand, the device controller 324 notifies the dedicated controller 350 of an abnormal state indicating that the device controller 324 is not operating at the USB3.0 Super Speed but no abnormality is found in the device controller 324.

  The dedicated controller 350 analyzes these abnormal states to obtain an analysis result indicating that the failure of the device MUX 340 is suspected. The dedicated controller 350 notifies the device Type-C controller 330 of the abnormal state and the analysis result.

  The device Type-C controller 330 notifies the host device 200 of the notified abnormal state and the analysis result by using the Configuration Channel (CC line) 410.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, a path for externally analyzing and notifying an abnormal state of each of the device controllers 320, 322, and 324 is provided. By using this, it is possible to notify the host device 200 of the abnormal state and the analysis result.

  In addition, this mechanism has the following advantages. In the related art, a signal line dedicated to each high-speed signal is used for notification of an abnormal state. In the case of the USB Type-C interface circuit, an abnormal state can be notified by another signal line. It is assumed that a part of the device 300A is in an abnormal state and the other part is operating normally. In this case, the operation related to the communication in the abnormal state inside the target device controller is not included in the normal operation, but each device controller is processed by the dedicated controller 350 as in the second embodiment. , It is possible to concentrate only on the operation of the normal part.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments and examples, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and examples. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

  As an application example of the present invention, the present invention can be applied to a terminal using a USB Type-C interface circuit.

100, 100A USB Type-C interface circuit 200 Host device (upper device)
210 Upper connector 220 Main controller 230 Upper Type-C controller 240 Upper MUX
250 VBUS control circuit 260 VCONN control circuit 300, 300A USB Type-C device (device)
310 Device connector 320, 322, 324 Device controller 330 Device Type-C controller 340 Device MUX
350 Dedicated controller 400 Type-C cable (USB cable)
410 CC (Configuration Channel) line 420 Cable Type-C controller 500 Power supply 600 Application (AP)

Claims (14)

A state notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit in which a device and a host device are connected via a Type-C cable conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard,
The Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line,
The device has a connector connected to the Type-C cable, a Type-C controller connected to the CC line via the connector, and a device controller for controlling the device,
The status notification method includes:
The device controller detects an abnormal state occurring in the device,
The device controller notifies the Type-C controller of detection information indicating the detected abnormal state,
The Type-C controller obtains an analysis result by analyzing a cause from the abnormal state based on the detection information,
The Type-C controller uses the CC line to notify the detection information and the analysis result to the host device,
Status notification method for USB Type-C interface circuit. The device includes a high-speed signal switch,
When an abnormality occurs in the switch, the device controller detects that the signal has not arrived from the switch as the abnormal state, and informs the Type-C controller that the signal has not arrived as the detection information. Notice,
A method for notifying a state in the USB Type-C interface circuit according to claim 1. The Type-C controller uses the CC line at a time when the use frequency of the CC line is low, and uses the CC line to notify the host device of the detection information and the analysis result.
3. The status notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit according to claim 1 or 2. A state notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit in which a device and a host device are connected via a Type-C cable conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard,
The Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line,
The device has a connector connected to the Type-C cable, a Type-C controller connected to the CC line via the connector, and a device controller for controlling the device,
The status notification method includes:
The device controller detects an abnormal state occurring in the device, and based on detection information representing the detected abnormal state, analyzes the cause from the abnormal state to obtain an analysis result,
The device controller notifies the Type-C controller of the detection information and the analysis result,
The Type-C controller uses the CC line to notify the detection information and the analysis result to the host device,
Status notification method for USB Type-C interface circuit. The device includes a high-speed signal switch,
When an abnormality occurs in the switch, the device controller detects that a signal has not arrived from the switch as the abnormal state, and based on the fact that the signal has not arrived as the detection information, Analyze the cause,
A status notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit according to claim 4. The Type-C controller uses the CC line at a time when the use frequency of the CC line is low, and uses the CC line to notify the host device of the detection information and the analysis result.
A status notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit according to claim 4. A state detection method in a USB Type-C interface circuit in which a device and a host device are connected via a Type-C cable conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard,
The Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line,
The device includes a connector connected to the Type-C cable, a Type-C controller connected to the CC line via the connector, a device controller for controlling the device, and a dedicated device for analyzing an abnormal state. And a controller,
The status notification method includes:
The device controller detects an abnormal state occurring in the device, and notifies detection information to the dedicated controller,
The dedicated controller analyzes the cause from the abnormal state based on the detection information, notifies the analysis result and the detection information to the Type-C controller,
The Type-C controller uses the CC line to notify the detection information and the analysis result to the host device,
Status notification method for USB Type-C interface circuit. The device includes a high-speed signal switch,
When an abnormality occurs in the switch, the device controller detects that the signal has not arrived from the switch as the abnormal state, and notifies the dedicated controller that the signal has not arrived as the detection information. ,
A status notification method in the USB Type-C interface circuit according to claim 7. The Type-C controller uses the CC line at a time when the use frequency of the CC line is low, and uses the CC line to notify the host device of the detection information and the analysis result.
A method for notifying a status in the USB Type-C interface circuit according to claim 7. A state notification method in a USB Type-C interface circuit in which a device and a host device are connected via a Type-C cable conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard,
The Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line, and a Type-C controller connected to the CC line,
The status notification method includes:
The Type-C controller detects that an abnormality has occurred in the Type-C cable, and obtains detection information,
The Type-C controller analyzes the detection information to obtain an analysis result,
The Type-C controller uses the CC line to notify the detection information and the analysis result to the host device,
Status notification method for USB Type-C interface circuit. In a device having a USB Type-C interface circuit connected to an information processing device via a Type-C cable conforming to USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard,
The Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line,
The device has a connector connected to the Type-C cable, a Type-C controller connected to the CC line via the connector, and a device controller for controlling the device,
The device controller detects an abnormal state occurring in the device, and notifies the Type-C controller of detection information indicating the detected abnormal state,
The Type-C controller analyzes the cause from the abnormal state based on the detection information to obtain an analysis result, and uses the CC line to provide the detection information and the analysis result to the information processing device. Notice,
Device with USB Type-C interface circuit. In a device having a USB Type-C interface circuit connected to an information processing device via a Type-C cable conforming to USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard,
The Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line,
The device includes a connector connected to the Type-C cable, a Type-C controller connected to the CC line via the connector, a device controller for controlling the device, and a dedicated device for analyzing an abnormal state. And a controller,
The device controller detects an abnormal state occurring in the device, and notifies the dedicated controller of detection information representing the detected abnormal state,
The dedicated controller obtains an analysis result by analyzing a cause from the abnormal state based on the detection information, notifies the detection information and the analysis result to the Type-C controller,
The Type-C controller uses the CC line to notify the detection information and the analysis result to the information processing device,
Device with USB Type-C interface circuit. In a Type-C cable that connects the USB Type-C interface circuit of the device and the USB Type-C interface circuit of the higher-level device and conforms to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard,
The Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line, and a Type-C controller connected to the CC line,
The Type-C controller detects the occurrence of an abnormality in the Type-C cable, obtains detection information, analyzes the detection information to obtain an analysis result, and uses the CC line to obtain the upper-level device. Notify the detection information and the analysis result to
Type-C cable conforming to USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard. In an information processing system having a USB Type-C interface circuit in which a device and a higher-level device are connected via a Type-C cable conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C standard,
The Type-C cable includes a CC (Configuration Channel) line,
The device has a connector connected to the Type-C cable, a Type-C controller connected to the CC line via the connector, and a device controller for controlling the device,
The device controller detects an abnormal state occurring in the device, and notifies the Type-C controller of detection information indicating the detected abnormal state,
The Type-C controller analyzes the cause from the abnormal state based on the detection information to obtain an analysis result, and notifies the detection information and the analysis result to the higher-level device using the CC line. Do
Information processing system with USB Type-C interface circuit.

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