JP4174503B2 - Relay device for peripheral equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a main device such as a personal computer provided with a main device connector such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, a peripheral device connector such as a USB standard that can be directly or indirectly connected to the main device connector, and the like. The present invention relates to a peripheral device relay apparatus for relaying a peripheral device including a wireless communication circuit for causing a device connected to a peripheral device connector to perform a wireless communication function.

  Examples of this type of peripheral device include a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) device having a USB-A type plug whose tip protrudes from the housing as a peripheral device connector, a cellular phone for data communication, and the like. Usually, a wireless communication circuit and an antenna are built in the casing of the peripheral device. This peripheral device can be used easily by simply inserting it directly into a USB-A type socket provided in the case of a desktop or notebook type personal computer.

  Since such a peripheral device is used in a form protruding from the housing of a main device such as a personal computer, it is desired that the peripheral device be as small as possible. In addition, most of the peripheral device connector other than the tip portion exists outside the personal computer, and the peripheral device's own weight is supported only by the fitting portion between the main device connector and the peripheral device connector. For this reason, considering the support strength, such a peripheral device needs to be small and light. In fact, there are many small ones, especially when it is about the size of the thumb of a human hand, sometimes called a thumb shape.

This type of peripheral device is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP 2005-92833 A

  By the way, since this type of peripheral device is usually used by being directly inserted into a socket mounted on a main device such as a personal computer, the antenna built in the casing of the peripheral device is connected to the main device. It will be in a very close position. For this reason, it is easy to receive the bad influence of the radiation noise from the main apparatus which has CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  In addition, as described above, it is desired that the device is small, and that the built-in antenna must be small and constrained due to the small size and light weight. Hard to get.

  It is conceivable to connect so-called external antennas to peripheral devices as a measure for avoiding radiation noise from the main device and ensuring sufficient antenna gain, but such measures are contrary to miniaturization and weight reduction. That is why it is difficult to adopt.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a relay device for a peripheral device that can achieve avoidance of radiation noise from the main device and ensuring sufficient antenna gain while maintaining the reduction in size and weight of the peripheral device. It is.

  According to the present invention, a main device having a main device connector, a peripheral device connector that can be directly or indirectly connected to the main device connector, and a device connected to the peripheral device connector have a wireless communication function. A relay device for a peripheral device for connecting a peripheral device including a wireless communication circuit for relaying, a first connector connectable to a main device connector, and connectable to the peripheral device connector In a peripheral device relay device having a second connector and a wiring connecting the first and second connectors, the peripheral device is provided at a position adjacent to the second connector, and is connected to a wireless communication circuit of the peripheral device. It is possible to obtain a peripheral device relay device including a connectable antenna and an antenna connection terminal for connecting the antenna to a wireless communication circuit of the peripheral device.

  The peripheral device relay device having an antenna connection notification terminal that outputs a signal for notifying the peripheral device that the antenna is connected to the wireless communication circuit of the peripheral device is obtained.

  According to the present invention, the second connector includes a plurality of terminals, and a part of the plurality of terminals functions as at least one of the antenna connection terminal and the antenna connection notification terminal. The peripheral device relay device is obtained.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the peripheral device relay device that further includes a package that covers the second connector, and the antenna is exposed to the outside of the package.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the peripheral device relay device that includes the cradle on which the peripheral device can be mounted, and the second connector and the antenna are mounted on the cradle.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the peripheral device relay device in which the antenna is movable.

  According to the present invention, the length of the wiring is set to be equal to or greater than a distance at which radiation noise generated by the main device does not adversely affect the operation of the wireless communication circuit through the antenna. A relay device is obtained.

  Further, according to the present invention, the peripheral device relay device is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) -A type plug, and the second connector is a USB-A type socket. . The peripheral device connector may be a USB-B type plug, and the second connector may be a USB-B type socket. Alternatively, the peripheral device connector may be a USB-mini B type plug, and the second connector may be a USB-mini B type socket.

  According to the present invention, the peripheral device relay device is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) device or a data communication mobile phone.

  According to the peripheral device relay device of the present invention, it is possible to achieve avoidance of radiation noise from the main device and securing sufficient antenna gain while maintaining the reduction in size and weight of the peripheral device.

  The peripheral device relay device according to the present invention is connected to the main device including the main device connector, the peripheral device connector that can be directly or indirectly connected to the main device connector, and the peripheral device connector as in the past. A peripheral device relay device for relaying a peripheral device including a wireless communication circuit for causing a device to perform a wireless communication function. The peripheral device relay device includes a first connector connectable to the main device connector, a second connector connectable to the peripheral device connector, and wiring connecting between the first and second connectors. ing.

  In particular, the relay device is provided at a position adjacent to the second connector, and has an antenna that can be connected to the wireless communication circuit of the peripheral device, and an antenna connection terminal that connects the antenna to the wireless communication circuit of the peripheral device. Yes.

  With this configuration, the relay device can be used with the antenna and wireless communication circuit separated from the main device, which is a source of radiation noise, while maintaining the reduction in size and weight of peripheral devices, and the increase in size and shape of the antenna. As a result, the adverse effect of radiation noise can be avoided and an antenna gain more advantageous than the built-in antenna can be obtained.

  In addition, there is no need to change the configuration of the peripheral device or main device. Therefore, without using this relay device, the peripheral device can be directly connected to the main device as usual or a general extension cable. In the case of connection via the network, the conventional method of use can be taken, and the present relay device contributes to the versatility of the system composed of the main device and the peripheral device.

  Hereinafter, a relay device for peripheral devices according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) and FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the peripheral device relay device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a USB-A type socket (female connector). Peripheral device connector 201 which is a personal computer (not shown) as a main device having a main device connector and a USB-A type plug (male connector) that can be connected directly or indirectly to the main device connector. In addition, a peripheral device relay device for relaying connection with a wireless LAN device 200 as a peripheral device including a wireless communication circuit 202 for causing a personal computer connected to the peripheral device connector 201 to perform a wireless communication function. It is. The wireless LAN device 200 is a bus powered type that receives power supply from the main device through a USB cable.

  The peripheral device relay device 10 includes a first connector 11 that is a USB-A type plug that can be connected to a main device connector, and a second connector 12 that is a USB-A type socket that can be connected to a peripheral device connector. And a wiring 13 for connecting between the first and second connectors 11 and 12.

  Unlike the conventional example, the peripheral device relay device 10 is provided at a position adjacent to the second connector 12 and can be connected to the wireless communication circuit 202 of the wireless LAN device 200, and the antenna 14 is connected to the wireless LAN. The antenna connection terminal 15 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 202 of the device 200.

  The peripheral device relay device 10 includes a package 17 that covers the second connector 12.

  The antenna 14 is exposed outside the package 17.

  A part of the antenna connection terminal 15 is exposed to the outside (lower side) of the package 17 as a contact having elasticity, and is connected to the antenna 14 inside the package 17.

  The peripheral device relay device 10 also outputs an antenna connection notification terminal that outputs a signal for notifying the wireless LAN device 200 that the antenna 14 is connected to the wireless communication circuit 202 of the wireless LAN device 200 that is a peripheral device. 16. A part of the antenna connection notification terminal 16 is exposed to the outside (lower side) of the package 17 as an elastic contact, and is connected to one terminal of the second connector, in particular, the GND terminal of the USB pin assignment. It is connected.

  On the other hand, the wireless LAN device 200 includes an antenna 203 that is a built-in antenna, an antenna connection terminal 205, an antenna connection detection terminal 206, an antenna switch 208, and a control unit 204 in the casing.

  A part of the antenna connection terminal 205 is exposed to the outside (upper side) of the housing of the wireless LAN device 200 as a contact, and can be connected to the wireless communication circuit 202 via the antenna switch 208.

  A part of the antenna connection detection terminal 206 is exposed to the outside (upper side) of the housing of the wireless LAN device 200 as a contact, and is connected to a port of the control unit 204 for detecting the connection of the antenna 14. Yes.

  Note that each contact portion of the antenna connection terminal 205 and the antenna connection detection terminal 206 may be configured to be hidden by a shutter, a lid, or the like when not in use.

  The length of the wiring 13 of the peripheral device relay device 10 is set to be equal to or longer than the distance at which radiation noise generated by the personal computer does not adversely affect the operation of the wireless communication circuit 202 through the antenna 14.

  The peripheral device connector may be a USB-B type plug, and the second connector may be a USB-B type socket. Alternatively, the peripheral device connector is a USB-mini B type plug, and the second connector is a USB-mini B type socket. Alternatively, as long as the first connector can be connected to the main device connector and the second connector can be connected to the peripheral device connector, these connectors are not limited to USB, but also IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 or other standard connector, or a non-standard dedicated connector.

  In addition, when the second connector 12 includes a plurality of terminals and there is an unused terminal that is not used for signal transmission, power transmission, or GND, at least one of the antenna connection terminal and the antenna connection notification terminal. You may use as one side.

  The peripheral device is a wireless LAN device or a cellular phone for data communication.

  Next, the operation of the peripheral device relay device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The wireless LAN device 200 is connected directly or indirectly to the personal computer, so that the operation power is supplied from the personal computer to the bus power. Thereby, the wireless LAN device 200 becomes operable.

  When the wireless LAN device 200 becomes operable, the control unit 204 of the wireless LAN device 200 monitors the antenna connection detection terminal 206. After becoming operable, the antenna connection detection terminal 206 is periodically monitored, and the connection status of the antenna 14 is appropriately determined. The antenna connection detection terminal 206 is an input terminal and is pulled up with the internal power supply voltage (the configuration relating to the pull-up operation is not shown in FIG. 1A), and thus the antenna 14 is not connected. In this state, this pin is always high.

  Since the antenna connection notification terminal 16 of the peripheral device relay device 10 is connected to the GND terminal of the second connector 12 inside the peripheral device relay device 10, the wireless LAN device 200 passes through the peripheral device relay device 10. When connected to a personal computer, the antenna connection detection terminal 206 is at a low level.

  When the control unit 204 recognizes that the antenna connection detection terminal 206 is at a low level, the control unit 204 determines that the antenna 14 is connected, drives the antenna switch 208, and is connected to the wireless communication circuit 202. The antenna 203 is switched from the antenna 203 to the antenna 14.

  As described above, wireless communication of the wireless LAN device 200 is performed through the antenna 14 using the peripheral device relay device 10.

  In addition, the AT command etc. is defined independently, and the setting for not monitoring the antenna connection detection terminal is made by changing the profile data of the control unit 204 using this command or by mounting a hardware switch. It is also possible to do this. When monitoring is not performed, an operation of using only the antenna 203 is possible regardless of the level of the antenna connection detection terminal 206. That is, normal operation is possible even if a commercially available extension cable is used without using the peripheral device relay device 10.

  The relay device for peripheral devices according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the relay device for peripheral devices 10 according to the first embodiment in that a cradle is provided instead of the second connector package. Since other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the peripheral device relay device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a peripheral device relay device for connecting a personal computer (not shown) and the wireless LAN device 200 in a relay manner. is there. The peripheral device relay device 20 includes a first connector 21 that is a USB-A type plug that can be connected to a main device connector, and a second connector 22 that is a USB-A type socket that can be connected to a peripheral device connector. And a wiring 23 for connecting the first and second connectors 21 and 22 to each other.

  As in the first embodiment, the peripheral device relay device 20 is provided at a position adjacent to the second connector 22 and can be connected to the wireless communication circuit of the wireless LAN device 200, the antenna connection terminal 25, And an antenna connection notification terminal 26.

  In particular, the peripheral device relay device 20 includes a cradle 27 on which the wireless LAN device 200 as a peripheral device can be mounted. The second connector 22 and the antenna 24 are mounted on the cradle 27.

  Further, the antenna 24 is movable in a direction indicated by an arcuate arrow in the figure, for example, and a better reception state can be ensured.

  A part of the antenna connection terminal 25 is exposed from the cradle 27 as a contact having elasticity, and is connected to the antenna 24 inside the cradle 27.

  A part of the antenna connection notification terminal 26 is also exposed from the cradle 27 as an elastic contact, and is connected to one terminal of the second connector, particularly to the GND terminal of the USB pin assignment.

  The length of the wiring 23 of the peripheral device relay device 20 is set to be equal to or longer than the distance at which radiation noise generated by the personal computer does not adversely affect the operation of the wireless communication circuit 202 through the antenna 24.

  As long as the first connector can be connected to the main device connector and the second connector can be connected to the peripheral device connector, the connector in the second embodiment is not limited to the USB, but is also an IEEE (Institute). of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 or other standard connector, or a non-standard dedicated connector.

  Further, when the second connector 22 includes a plurality of terminals and there is an unused terminal that is not used for signal transmission, power transmission, or GND, at least one of the antenna connection terminal and the antenna connection notification terminal. You may use as one side.

  The peripheral device relay device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention operates in the same manner as the first embodiment.

  Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it is possible for those skilled in the art to apply and modify various peripheral device relay devices and the like. Needless to say.

  For example, the present invention can be applied not only to a wireless LAN device but also to peripheral devices that require an antenna such as a cellular phone for data communication.

(A) And (b) is the schematic which shows the relay apparatus for peripheral devices by Example 1 of this invention. (A) And (b) is the other schematic which shows the relay apparatus for peripheral devices by Example 1 of this invention. (A) And (b) is the schematic which shows the relay apparatus for peripheral devices by Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10, 20 Peripheral device relay device 11, 21 First connector 12, 22 Second connector 13, 23 Wiring 14, 24 Antenna 15, 25 Antenna connection terminal 16, 26 Antenna connection notification terminal 17 Package 27 Cradle 200 Wireless LAN Device 201 Peripheral device connector 202 Wireless communication circuit 203 Antenna 204 Control unit 205 Antenna connection terminal 206 Antenna connection detection terminal 208 Antenna switch

Claims (11)

A main device having a main device connector, a peripheral device connector that can be directly or indirectly connected to the main device connector, and a wireless communication circuit for causing a device connected to the peripheral device connector to perform a wireless communication function A peripheral device relay device for relaying a peripheral device comprising: a first connector connectable to a main device connector; a second connector connectable to the peripheral device connector; In the relay device for peripheral devices having the wiring connecting the first and second connectors,
An antenna provided at a position adjacent to the second connector and connectable to a wireless communication circuit of a peripheral device;
A relay device for a peripheral device, comprising: an antenna connection terminal for connecting the antenna to a wireless communication circuit of the peripheral device.   The peripheral device relay device according to claim 1, further comprising an antenna connection notification terminal that outputs a signal for notifying the peripheral device that the antenna is connected to a wireless communication circuit of the peripheral device.   3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second connector includes a plurality of terminals, and a part of the plurality of terminals functions as at least one of the antenna connection terminal and the antenna connection notification terminal. The relay device for peripheral devices described.   The peripheral device relay device according to claim 1, further comprising a package that covers the second connector, wherein the antenna is exposed to the outside of the package.   The peripheral device relay device according to claim 1, further comprising a cradle on which a peripheral device can be mounted, wherein the second connector and the antenna are mounted on the cradle.   The peripheral device relay device according to claim 4, wherein the antenna is movable.   The length of the wiring is set to be at least a distance at which radiation noise generated by the main device does not adversely affect the operation of the wireless communication circuit through the antenna. The relay device for peripheral devices described.   The peripheral device connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the peripheral device connector is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) -A type plug, and the second connector is a USB-A type socket. Relay device.   The peripheral device relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the peripheral device connector is a USB-B type plug, and the second connector is a USB-B type socket.   The peripheral device relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the peripheral device connector is a USB-mini B type plug, and the second connector is a USB-mini B type socket. The peripheral device relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the peripheral device is a wireless local area network (LAN) device or a data communication mobile phone.

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