JP6523235B2 - USB system and USB device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a USB system and a USB device in which a plurality of USB devices are connected to an information processing apparatus such as a computer.

  The Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard is already widely known as one of the interface standards for communicating data (information) by connecting a peripheral device (device) to an information processing apparatus (host) such as a computer.

  An information processing device and a peripheral device (referred to as a USB device) that communicate in accordance with the USB standard have a Plug and Play (PnP) function, and when the USB device is connected to the information processing device The information processing apparatus recognizes the connected USB device by the PnP function, and automatically performs appropriate settings for performing communication with the USB device. Also, when a USB device is removed from the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus recognizes that the USB device has been removed, and automatically makes appropriate settings for terminating communication with the USB device. Do. Therefore, when the USB device is attached to and detached from the information processing device, the information processing device can recognize the attached and detached state of the USB device. A USB device including a plurality of USB devices that can be attached to and detached from the information processing apparatus is disclosed in, for example, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when a plurality of USB devices 51 to 54 are conventionally connected to an information processing apparatus 50 such as a computer, a plurality of input / output ports P1 to P4 provided in the information processing apparatus 50 are provided. Are connected to the USB devices 51 to 54 respectively. As a result, the USB devices 51 to 54 are connected in parallel to the information processing apparatus. Then, the information processing apparatus 50 receives the unique numbers (so-called serial numbers) of the connected USB devices 51 to 54 via each of the input / output ports P1 to P4 to determine which unique number the input / output port is. Recognize the correspondence between USB devices connected. When a specific USB device is to be processed, a command signal is output from the input / output port to which the target USB device is connected based on the correspondence between the unique number of each USB device and the input / output port. Give instructions to a specific USB device. Further, by embedding the unique information of the USB device in the data output to the information processing device 50, the information processing device 50 determines which USB device the received data is from.

JP, 2015-194444, A

  However, in the conventional configuration, when any one of the USB devices 51 to 54 is replaced, the operation may be interrupted. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the USB device 52 breaks down, as shown in FIG. 12, the broken USB device 52 is removed from the input / output port P2 and the USB device 60 having the same function as the USB device 52 It is newly connected to the input / output port P2. At this time, although the new USB device 60 has the same function as the broken USB device 52, the unique number (for example, XXXE) of the USB device 60 is different from the unique number (for example, XXXB) of the previous USB device 52. The information processing apparatus 50 recognizes that the system configuration has been changed due to the connection of the USB device 60 different from before, and can not perform the same operation as before the failure of the USB device 52. For example, even if the information processing apparatus 50 receives data from the USB device 60, there is a problem that the information is not recognized as data received from the USB device 52.

  Therefore, in the conventional configuration, when trying to perform the same operation as before when replacing the USB device, the information processing device that the newly connected USB device 60 is the same as the previous USB device 52 50. (for example, the operation for causing the information processing apparatus 50 to recognize that the unique number of the USB device 52 is XXXE, or the operation for rewriting the unique number of the USB device 60 to XXXB) with the information processing device 50 It was necessary to stop communication with each USB device. Therefore, while the work is being performed, there is a problem that the replaced USB device 60 or the USB system (USB device) including the USB device 60 can not be operated for a long period of time in some cases.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and after a failed USB device is replaced with a USB device having the same function, a USB system and a USB system that can operate without any problem as well as a system including the USB device and the USB device It is an object to provide a USB device.

In order to solve the above problems, the USB system of the present invention is a USB system in which a plurality of USB devices are connected to an information processing device, and a plurality of USB devices are connected in series to the information processing device. Each USB device recognizes a USB device or an information processing device directly connected on the upstream side, which is closer to the information processing device than the USB device, as a host for controlling the USB device, and the USB device more USB device connection position from the information processing apparatus is directly connected to the downstream side is away side recognizes as the device is a device controlled by the USB device, each USB device, the information about itself, its Information about the downstream USB devices, and information about the USB devices themselves and information about the downstream USB devices. Contains information on the function of the corresponding USB device, and the information processing apparatus uses the information related to itself output from each USB device and the information related to the downstream USB device related to itself. While recognizing the function of the USB device, between the multiple USB devices connected in series with the information processing device, where these multiple USB devices are connected in any upstream and downstream connection state If the command signal sent from the upstream side indicates that the USB device itself should execute processing, each USB device executes that processing. On the other hand, when the command signal received from the upstream side does not indicate that the USB device itself should execute the process, the USB device itself outputs the command signal to the downstream side. The information processing apparatus relays a command to the downstream USB device, and the information processing apparatus determines the specific connection based on the connection relationship information indicating where the plurality of USB devices are connected in what upstream and downstream connection state. A command is issued to cause the specific USB device to perform processing so that processing is performed by the USB device, and a command is given downstream to the USB device interposed between the specific USB device and the information processing apparatus A command signal for giving a command to relay is generated, and the command signal is output to the most upstream USB device directly connected to the information processing apparatus, and each USB device has at least a part of the function of the USB device The self-diagnosis is performed whether or not there is a failure state that does not operate normally, and if it is determined by the self-diagnosis that the USB device is in the failure state, the USB device is an upstream USB device It is characterized in that the data received from the information processing apparatus is directly output to the downstream USB device, and the data received from the downstream USB device is output as it is to the upstream USB apparatus or information processing apparatus.

The USB device of the present invention is a USB device including an information processing device and a plurality of USB devices connected to the information processing device, and the plurality of USB devices are connected in series to the information processing device. Each USB device recognizes a USB device or information processing device directly connected on the upstream side, which is closer to the information processing device than the USB device, as a host for controlling the USB device. the USB device connection position from the information processing apparatus is directly connected to the downstream side is farther side from the device recognizes as a device is a device controlled by the USB device, each USB device, a function itself has A device information output unit that outputs information on its own including the information on its downstream device to the upstream, and at least one of the USB devices; The self-diagnosis unit performs self-diagnosis whether or not there is a malfunction state in which the function does not operate normally, and the corresponding USB device is the information on the USB device itself and the information on the downstream USB device. The information processing apparatus recognizes the functions possessed by the plurality of USB devices based on the information concerning itself and the information concerning the downstream USB devices outputted from each USB device. And generation of connection relationship information indicating where upstream and downstream connections are made between the plurality of USB devices connected in series to the information processing apparatus. The specific US so that processing is performed by a specific USB device based on the connection relation information generation unit that generates the connection relation information and the connection relation information generated by the connection relation information generation unit. An instruction signal for giving an instruction to execute processing to an apparatus and giving an instruction to relay the instruction to the downstream side with respect to the USB apparatus interposed between the specific USB apparatus and the information processing apparatus is generated, and the information And a command output unit for outputting the command signal to the most upstream USB device directly connected to the processing device, and each USB device processes the command signal transmitted from the upstream side by the USB device itself If it indicates that the USB device should execute, the process is performed, while if the command signal received from the upstream does not indicate that the USB device itself should execute the process, the command signal is Output to the side to relay the command to the USB device on the downstream side from the self, and when it is determined that the USB device is in the failure state by the self-diagnosis of the self-diagnosis unit, the USB device Outputs the data received from the upstream USB device or information processing device to the downstream USB device as it is, and outputs the data received from the downstream USB device to the upstream USB device or information processing device as it is It is characterized by

According to the configuration of the USB system and the USB device, when the information processing apparatus is to cause a specific USB device to perform processing, based on the connection relationship information between the plurality of USB devices connected in series. Outputs a command signal so that processing is performed by a specific USB device. Therefore, even if the USB device fails and is replaced with a USB device with a unique number different from before, if the connection relationship between the USB devices is the same as before, the information processing device and the plurality of USB devices remain as before. It is possible to operate on Also, each USB device executes the process when the command signal sent from the upstream side indicates that the USB device itself should execute the process, while the command signal received from the upstream side When the USB device does not indicate that the USB device itself should execute the process, the command signal is output to the downstream side to relay the command to the USB device on the downstream side of the device itself. Can execute processing individually for each of a plurality of USB devices connected in series, and a specific USB device can perform processing in accordance with a command given from the information processing apparatus, and others The USB device of the above can also operate as a command to perform processing of "relay command signal".

In addition, each USB device in the USB system of the present invention is located downstream of the USB device in the information acquired or generated by the USB device in response to an inquiry from the information processing apparatus or when the USB device is activated. By adding information received from the directly connected USB device , hierarchical data to which information from the downstream USB device is added below the information from the USB device is constructed, and this hierarchical data is and outputs to the USB device or the information processing apparatus is directly connected to the upstream side, the information processing apparatus based on the hierarchical data, the USB device while to determine what throat of information is generated at any USB device May be input to generate connection relation information . With this configuration, the information processing apparatus can receive the information acquired or created by the plurality of USB devices connected in series as information hierarchically constructed in order from the information by the most downstream USB device. .

Also, the USB device or the information processing apparatus, if the communication with the USB device connected directly to the downstream side of itself is interrupted, abnormal occurs in the USB device connected to the downstream side of the own It may be determined that the

  According to this configuration, when any USB device fails, the USB device or information processing device disposed on the upstream side of the USB device is connected to the downstream side of itself by the PnP function. Recognizes that the more downstream USB device has been newly connected. Therefore, since the failed USB device is not recognized, it is possible to detect that the unrecognized USB device has failed. At this time, since communication with the broken USB device is interrupted, it may be determined that an abnormality has occurred if the communication is interrupted. Also, if it is determined that the USB device is in a failure state by self-diagnosis, the broken USB device is bridged, and the upstream USB device (or information processing device) of the broken USB device and the downstream USB Since the data is exchanged with the device as it is, the information processing apparatus can continue outputting the command signal and receiving data to the USB device on the downstream side of the failed USB device.

  According to the present invention, in a USB system or a USB device including an information processing device and a plurality of USB devices connected to the information processing device, the failed USB device is replaced with another USB device having the same function. , The USB device and the system including the USB device can operate without any problem as before.

  In addition, each USB device adds information from the downstream USB device to the information acquired or generated by itself and outputs the information to the upstream side, whereby the information processing device acquires the information acquired or created by each USB device. Can be received as hierarchically structured information.

  In addition, when each USB device determines that it is in a failure state by self-diagnosis, data is transmitted between the upstream-side USB device (or information processing apparatus) and the downstream-side USB device. If the communication with the downstream USB device is interrupted, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the downstream USB device, the upstream of the broken USB device The USB device (or information processing device) on the side can immediately detect that an abnormality has occurred in the USB device on the downstream side.

  Further, when the information processing apparatus of the USB system according to the present invention has another USB device disposed between a specific USB device to be processed and itself, the other USB device relays the command signal. The information processing apparatus can cause each of the plurality of USB devices connected in series to perform processing individually by outputting a command signal so that the processing is performed. It is possible to perform processing by recognizing that any command signal is a command to be processed by itself.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a USB device that operates a USB system according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus of the USB system. It is a block diagram of the USB apparatus of the USB system. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the device information output part of USB apparatus. It is a figure which shows the discrimination | determination processing operation of USB apparatus. It is a figure which shows the self-diagnosis operation | movement of USB apparatus. It is a figure showing simply the state where one of the USB apparatus contained in USB system has failed. It is a figure showing simply the state where one of the USB apparatus contained in USB was replaced. It is a figure which shows the case where a USB system has two USB apparatus groups. It is a figure which shows the conventional USB system. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which one of USB devices has failed in the conventional USB system. In the conventional USB device system, it is a figure showing simply the state where one of the USB apparatus was replaced.

Hereinafter, a USB device in which a USB system according to an embodiment of the present invention is operated will be described based on the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a USB device 1 in which a USB system according to an embodiment of the present invention is operated includes an information processing apparatus 10 such as a computer and a plurality of (four in this case) USB devices 21 to 24. Is equipped. Here, the plurality of USB devices 21 to 24 are connected in series. In the following, the plurality of USB devices 21 to 24 connected in series may be collectively referred to as the USB device group 20, and in this embodiment, one USB device group 20 is connected to the information processing apparatus 10 It is done.

  In the USB device group 20, the most upstream USB device 21 directly connected to the information processing device 10 is connected to the upstream information processing device 10 as a device, while the downstream side of the USB device 21 is connected Is connected as a host to the USB device 22 directly connected to the. Then, the USB devices 22, 23, 24 themselves are connected as devices to the USB devices 21, 22, 23 directly connected to the upstream side of the USB devices 22, 23, 24 on the further downstream side. The USB devices 22 and 23 themselves are connected as hosts to the USB devices 23 and 24 directly connected to the downstream side of the USB devices 22 and 23, respectively.

  Connection relationship between the information processing apparatus 10, the most upstream USB device 21, the second USB device 22 from the upstream, the third USB device 23 from the upstream, and the fourth (most downstream) USB device 24 from the upstream First, the information processing apparatus 10 is connected to the uppermost USB device 21 as a host. The most upstream USB device 21 is connected to the information processing apparatus 10 as a device, and is connected to the second USB device 22 from the upstream as a host. Next, the second USB device 22 from the upstream is connected as a device to the most upstream USB device 21, and is connected to the third USB device 23 from the upstream as a host. In addition, the third USB device 23 from the upstream is connected as a device to the second USB device 22 from the upstream, and is connected as a host to the USB device 24 most downstream. Finally, the most downstream USB device 24 is connected as a device to the third USB device 23 from the upstream.

  Each of the USB devices 21 to 24 outputs information on its own device and information on its downstream device to the upstream side as described later. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a connection relation information generation unit 10 a and a command output unit 10 b, and the connection relation information generation unit 10 a is based on the information output from the USB device group 20. And generates connection relation information indicating a connection relation between the plurality of USB devices 21 to 24 connected in series. Then, based on the connection relationship information, the command output unit 10b outputs a command signal so that the process is executed in a specific USB device (that is, any of the USB devices 21 to 24).

  As shown in FIG. 3, each of the USB devices 21 to 24 has a detachable device detection unit (PnP function unit) A for realizing the PnP function. For example, when the USB device 21 and the USB device 22 are connected, the detachable device detection unit A of the USB device 21 and the USB device 22 recognizes (detects) the connected USB device 21 or the USB device 22 by the PnP function. , The USB device 21 and the USB device 22 automatically perform appropriate settings for communicating with each other.

  Each of the USB devices 21 to 24 has a device information output unit B. The device information output unit B is a USB device (e.g. Device information of a USB device (for example, the second USB device 22 from the upstream) directly connected as a device to the downstream side of the upstream USB device 21) is added and output to the upstream side (host). That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the device information output unit B is a USB device (for example, from the upstream) directly connected to the downstream side of the USB device (for example, the uppermost USB device 21) to which the device information output unit B belongs. It is determined whether or not there is the second USB device 22) (step S1). If there is a USB device 22 directly connected downstream, the (self) device information and the downstream side of the USB device 21 The device information of the USB device 22 is output to the upstream side of the USB device 21 (in this case, the information processing apparatus 10) (step S2). On the other hand, if there is no USB device directly connected to the downstream side (ie, if the USB device to which the device information output unit B belongs is the USB device 24 at the most 2.) Only device information is output to the upstream USB device 23 (step S3).

  On the other hand, based on the information output from the USB device group 20 (USB devices 21 to 24), the connection relation information generation unit 10a of the information processing device 10 connects the plurality of USB devices 21 to 24 connected in series. Generate connection relation information indicating a relation. That is, the information processing apparatus 10 recognizes only the USB device 21 directly connected to itself as a device in the communication according to the USB standard, but the information output from the USB device 21 is more than the USB device 21. Device information on the downstream USB devices 22 to 24 is included. The information processing apparatus 10 analyzes the information received from the USB device 21, whereby the USB devices 22 to 24 are connected in series downstream of the USB device 21, and the USB devices 22 to 24 have The function is recognized, and connection relation information indicating the connection relation between the plurality of USB devices 21 to 24 is generated.

  Then, when the command output unit 10b of the information processing apparatus 10 causes a specific USB device (for example, the USB device 22) to process any one of the plurality of USB devices 21 to 24, the connection relationship information generation unit Based on the connection relationship information generated by 10a, it is checked whether another USB device (in this case, the USB device 21) is disposed between the information processing device 10 and the specific USB device 22. When another USB device 21 is arranged, processing should be executed by a specific USB device 22 and that the other USB device 21 should relay a command to the USB device 22 Is generated, and the command signal is output to the most upstream USB device 21.

  Each of the USB devices 21 to 24 has the determination processing unit C shown in FIG. 3, and the determination processing unit C of the USB device (here, the USB device 21) that has received the command signal performs the determination shown in FIG. Execute the process That is, it is confirmed whether or not the command signal has been sent from the upstream side (step S4), and when the command signal is received, the USB device 21 itself executes the command signal sent from the upstream side It is confirmed whether or not it indicates that it should be done (whether or not it is a command for itself) (step S5), and it is shown that the USB device 21 itself should execute the process (it is a command for itself) In the case, the process is executed (step S6). On the other hand, when the command signal received from the upstream side does not indicate that the USB device 21 itself should execute the process (it is not a command directed to itself), the command signal is output downstream by itself. The command to the downstream USB device 22 is relayed. Here, when the information processing device 10 generates a command signal, the USB device 21 disposed between the USB device 22 to be processed and the information processing device 10 performs a process of “relaying a command signal” A command signal may be generated to indicate that should be performed. In this case, the USB device 21 may operate as if the command is given to perform the process of "relaying the command signal", and the received command signal needs to be determined as "whether or not it is addressed to itself". Step S5 can be omitted because there is no

  Each USB device 21 to 24 has a self-diagnosis unit D shown in FIG. 3. The self-diagnosis unit D is a command signal from the upstream of the USB device (here, the USB device 22) to which the self-diagnosis unit D belongs. The self-diagnosis is periodically performed whether or not there is a failure state in which at least a part of the functions of the USB device 22 does not operate properly, regardless of whether or not Each of the USB devices 21 to 24 has the bridging function unit E shown in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. 6, the self diagnosis unit D causes a failure state of the USB device (here, the USB device 22). If it is determined that the USB device 22 is diagnosed (step S60-YES), the bridging function unit E bridges the USB device 22 (step S62). When the USB device 22 is bridged, the USB device 22 outputs the data received from the upstream USB device 21 as it is to the downstream USB device 23, and the data received from the downstream USB device 23 is upstream It will be in the state output to the side USB apparatus 21 or information processing apparatus as it is.

As an example of the USB device 1 in which the USB system as described above is operated, consider a device for testing the operation of the electronic device under trial manufacture. For example, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a computer, and the USB devices 21 to 24 have a function of measuring the state of an electronic circuit (prototype) separate from the USB device 1. Examples of the functions possessed by the USB devices 21, 22, 23, 24 include a data logger, an ammeter, a voltmeter, a pulse counter, and the like.
Each of the USB devices 21 to 24 measures the state of the prototype and obtains measured values such as current values and voltage values, or processes the measured values in time series or the like to generate a measurement result table Do. The measurement values and measurement result tables (measurement data) acquired or generated by the USB devices 21 to 24 in this manner are periodically sent to the information processing apparatus 10. For example, the information processing apparatus 10 periodically inquires about measurement data, and each of the USB devices 21 to 24 outputs the measurement data in response to the inquiry. Here, among the plurality of USB devices 21 to 24 connected in series, the USB device 24 on the most downstream side is the USB device on the upstream side of the information (for example, pulse count value) acquired or generated by itself. Output to 23. The USB device 23 that receives the information from the most downstream USB device 24 adds the information received from the most downstream USB device 24 to the information (for example, the voltage value) acquired or generated by itself. Hierarchical data to which information from the USB device 24 is added below the information is constructed, and this hierarchical data is output to the upstream USB device 22 of itself.
As described above, each of the USB devices 21 to 24 adds information received from its downstream USB device to the information acquired or generated by itself and outputs the information to the upstream side. By repeating this, the information received by the information processing apparatus 10 from the most upstream USB device 21 includes all the information acquired or generated by the USB devices 22 to 24 on the downstream side. Here, if the USB devices 21 to 23 construct hierarchical data so that the information from itself and the information from the downstream side can be discriminated, the information processing apparatus 10 generates which information is by which USB device It can be determined whether it has been done.
If each of the USB devices 21 to 24 outputs its own device information to the upstream side of the USB device 1 when the USB device 1 starts up, the information processing apparatus 10 is hierarchically activated when the USB device 1 starts up. Since the device information constructed in (1) can be received, connection relationship information between the plurality of USB devices 21 to 24 can be generated based on this.

  Then, when the information processing apparatus 10 gives a command to a specific USB device (outputs a command signal to perform a desired process), the target USB device is obtained based on the connection relationship information of the USB devices 21 to 24. The command is issued to relay the command to the USB device interposed between itself and itself. For example, when the second USB device 22 from the upstream side is an ammeter, and outputs a command signal “start current measurement” to the ammeter, the information processing apparatus 10 is the USB device 21 of the most upstream stream. On the other hand, a command signal "output a command signal" start current measurement "downstream is output. The USB device 21 having received the command signal recognizes that the process of “output a command signal downstream” is instructed, and outputs a command signal “start current measurement” to the USB device 22. In this way, the information processing apparatus 10 can deliver a command signal to the USB device 22 even if it is not directly connected to the target USB device 22. In addition, in outputting the command signal, connection relation information that “the target USB device 22 is disposed downstream of the most upstream USB device 21” is used instead of using the unique number (serial number) of the USB device 22. Since the command signal is output based on the above, whether or not the command signal reaches the USB device 22 does not depend on the unique number of the USB device 22.

  Each of the USB devices 21 to 24 periodically self-diagnoses whether or not the function of measuring the state of the prototype operates properly. For example, in the case where the second USB device 22 from the upstream side is an ammeter, and the current measurement function of the USB device 22 fails due to the overcurrent flowing to the prototype to be measured, the self shown in FIG. By the diagnostic operation, it is diagnosed that a part of the functions of the USB device 22 (here, the current measurement function) does not operate normally, and it is determined that the USB device 22 is in a failure state. Then, the USB device 22 is bridged, and as shown in FIG. 7, data is passed between the upstream USB device 21 and the downstream USB device 23 as they are.

  Then, the most upstream USB device 21 recognizes that the USB device 22 connected to itself is removed by the PnP function, and the USB device 23 is newly connected. At this time, since the communication performed between the USB device 21 and the USB device 22 is interrupted, an abnormality occurs in the USB device 22 connected to the downstream side of the USB device 21. Judge as a thing.

  At this time, the USB device 21 is "abnormally generated in the USB device 22 connected to the downstream side of itself" to the information processing apparatus 10, and "the USB device 23 is newly connected on the downstream side of itself" By notifying “1”, the information processing apparatus 10 updates the connection relation information, and recognizes that “the USB device 23 is connected to the downstream side of the USB device 21”. Based on the updated connection relation information, the information processing apparatus 10 outputs a command signal to the USB devices 23 and 24 on the downstream side of the broken USB device 22, and data from the USB devices 23 and 24 ( It is possible to continue to receive measurement values and measurement result tables).

  Also, the information processing apparatus 10 that has received the notification from the USB device 21 notifies the user of the USB device 1 (by displaying on the monitor of the computer, etc.) that "an abnormality has occurred in the USB device 22". Do. When the user of the USB device 1 having received this notification confirms that the USB device 22 is broken, the operation of the USB device 1 is temporarily stopped and the USB device 22 is removed. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the user connects a new USB device 25 having the same function (here, current measurement function) as the USB device 22 to the position where the USB device 22 was connected. When the USB device 1 is restarted after the new USB device 25 is connected, the information processing device 10 generates new connection relation information, and “the USB device 25 is disposed downstream of the most upstream USB device 21. Recognize that. The information processing apparatus 10 outputs a command signal to each USB device 21, 25, 23, 24 based on the new connection relation information, whereby the unique number of the failed USB device 22 and the unique number of the new USB device 25 are obtained. However, the new USB device 25 can be made to perform the desired processing (for example, current measurement) without any problem.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even when one of the plurality of USB devices 21 to 24 (here, referred to as the USB device 22) breaks down and is replaced with the new USB device 25, the plurality of USB devices If the connection relationship between the USB devices 21, 25, 23, 24, that is, the overall configuration (topology) of the USB device 1 is the same as before the failure of the USB device 22, the information processing device 10 includes a plurality of USB devices 21, The communication for 25, 23, 24 can be performed in the same manner as before the failure of the USB device 22. Therefore, in the present embodiment, after the failed USB device 22 is replaced with the USB device 25 having the same function, the USB system operated by the USB device 1 can be operated without any problem as before. ing.

  In the above embodiment, the case has been described where four USB devices 21 to 24 are serially connected to the information processing apparatus 10 so as to be one USB device group 20, but one USB device group The number of USB devices included in 20 is not limited to four, and two, three, or five or more USB devices connected in series may be connected.

  Further, the number of USB device groups connected to the information processing apparatus 1 is not limited to one, and as shown in FIG. 9, a first USB device including a plurality of USB devices 21 to 24 connected in series. Two USB device groups 20 and 30 of a group 20 and a second USB device group 30 consisting of a plurality of USB devices 31 to 34 connected in series may be connected to the information processing apparatus 10. Three or more USB device groups may be connected to the information processing apparatus 10.

1 USB device 10 information processing device 10a connection relation information generation unit 10b command output unit 20, 30 USB device group 21 to 25 USB device 31 to 34 USB device A removable device detection unit B device information output unit C determination processing unit D self-diagnosis E-bridge function

Claims (4)

A USB system in which a plurality of USB devices are connected to an information processing apparatus,
A plurality of USB devices are connected in series to the information processing apparatus,
Each USB device recognizes a USB device or an information processing device directly connected on the upstream side, which is closer to the information processing device than the USB device, as a host for controlling the USB device, and the USB device more USB device connection position from the information processing apparatus is directly connected to the downstream side is away side recognizes as the device is a device controlled by the USB device,
Each USB device outputs information on its own and information on its downstream USB device to the upstream side,
The information on the USB device itself and the information on the downstream USB device include information on functions of the corresponding USB device,
The information processing apparatus recognizes the functions possessed by the plurality of USB devices based on the information on itself output from each USB device and the information on USB devices on the downstream side of the information processing device, and serializes the information processing device Connection relationship information indicating where the plurality of USB devices connected to the plurality of USB devices are connected in what kind of upstream and downstream connection state,
Each USB device executes the process when the command signal sent from the upstream side indicates that the USB device itself should execute the process, while the command signal received from the upstream side is the one concerned If the USB device itself does not indicate that the processing should be performed, the command signal is output downstream, thereby relaying the command to the USB device downstream from the device.
The information processing apparatus is configured such that the processing is performed by a specific USB device based on connection relationship information indicating where the plurality of USB devices are connected in what kind of upstream and downstream connection state. And a command signal for giving a command for performing processing to the USB device of the device and for giving a command to relay the command to the downstream side with respect to the USB device interposed between the specific USB device and the information processing apparatus, Outputting the command signal to the most upstream USB device directly connected to the information processing apparatus;
Each USB device self-diagnoses whether at least a part of the function of the USB device is malfunctioning or not.
When it is determined by self-diagnosis that the USB device is in the failure state, the USB device directly outputs the data received from the upstream USB device or the information processing apparatus to the downstream USB device, A USB system characterized by outputting data received from a USB device of the above to the upstream USB device or an information processing apparatus as it is. Each USB device is connected to the downstream side of the USB device directly to the information acquired or generated by the USB device in response to an inquiry from the information processing apparatus or when the USB device is activated. By adding the received information, hierarchical data to which information from the downstream USB device is added is constructed below the information from the USB device, and the hierarchical data is directly connected to the upstream side. Output to the USB device or information processing device
Based on the hierarchical data, the information processing apparatus generates information on connection from each USB device while determining which information is generated by which USB device to generate connection relation information. The USB system described in 1.   When communication with a USB device directly connected to the downstream side of each USB device or information processing apparatus is interrupted, it is determined that an abnormality occurs in the USB device connected to the downstream side of the device The USB system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A USB device including an information processing device and a plurality of USB devices connected to the information processing device,
A plurality of USB devices are connected in series to the information processing apparatus.
Each USB device recognizes a USB device or an information processing device directly connected on the upstream side, which is closer to the information processing device than the USB device, as a host for controlling the USB device, and the USB device more USB device connection position from the information processing apparatus is directly connected to the downstream side is away side recognizes as the device is a device controlled by the USB device,
Each USB device has a device information output unit that outputs information on its own including its own functions and information on its downstream devices to the upstream side, and at least a part of the functions of the USB device are normal. Having a self-diagnosis unit for self-diagnosis as to whether or not there is a failure condition that does not operate;
The information on the USB device itself and the information on the downstream USB device include information on functions of the corresponding USB device,
The information processing apparatus recognizes the functions possessed by the plurality of USB devices based on the information on itself output from each USB device and the information on USB devices on the downstream side of the information processing device, and serializes the information processing device A connection relation information generation unit that generates connection relation information indicating a connection state between the plurality of USB devices connected to the plurality of USB devices and in which connection state between upstream and downstream; A command for causing the specific USB device to perform processing is given so that processing is performed by the specific USB device based on the connection relationship information generated by the connection relationship information generation unit, and the specific USB device and the information processing device For the USB device intervening between the two, it generates a command signal that gives a command to relay the command to the downstream side, and generates the most upstream that is directly connected to the information processing device. And a command output section for outputting the command signal to the SB equipment,
Each USB device executes the process when the command signal sent from the upstream side indicates that the USB device itself should execute the process, while the command signal received from the upstream side is the one concerned If the USB device itself does not indicate that the processing should be performed, the command signal is output downstream, thereby relaying the command to the USB device downstream from the device.
If it is determined by the self-diagnosis of the self-diagnosis unit that the USB device is in the failure state, the USB device directly transmits data received from the upstream USB device or the information processing apparatus to the downstream USB device. A USB apparatus characterized by outputting and outputting data received from a downstream USB apparatus as it is to an upstream USB apparatus or an information processing apparatus.

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