TWM517460U - Universal serial bus (USB) hub for connecting different port types - Google Patents

Abstract

A universal serial bus (USB) hub for connecting different port types is provided. In one embodiment, USB controller detects the power level of each dynamic port to determine whether one of the dynamic ports is connected to the host device wherein the connected dynamic port is defined as upstream port. The disconnected dynamic port of the dynamic ports is defined as downstream port to be connected to the peripheral device. In another embodiment, the USB controller selectively disables the disconnected dynamic port of the dynamic ports. The present invention improves the application flexibility of connecting wire between the hub and the host device.

Description

Alignment device for universal serial busbars connecting different types of ports

The present invention relates to a line concentrating device, and more particularly to a concentrating device suitable for connecting a universal serial bus bar of different types of ports.

With the rapid development of information technology, the application of electronic products has become increasingly popular, such as handheld electronic devices such as notebook computers, mobile phones, and tablet computers. Since these electronic devices are characterized by being portable, can be used anytime and anywhere, and in order to enable various electronic devices to be connected to each other for a relatively large amount of data transmission, a plurality of electronic devices are usually a universal serial bus (Universal Serial) The bus (USB) cable is plugged into the downlink port of the hub, and the uplink port of the hub is connected to the host device, so that the electronic devices and the host device transmit or receive data to each other through the USB transmission protocol of the hub.

The conventional technology connects the hub to the host device with a USB cable, wherein both ends of the connector are USB standard type A connectors, so the USB cable is only suitable for the uplink connection with the USB standard type A connector. Hub. However, when one end of the connecting wire is a USB standard type A connector and the other end is a connector other than the USB standard type A connector, if one end of the USB standard type A connector is used to connect to the host device, the other end of the connector The connector type will not be used for hubs with only the upstream port of the USB standard type A connector, ie, the host device The type of connection that is placed limits the flexibility of the hub, resulting in a greater restriction on the connection between the hub and the host device. In view of this, there is still a need to develop a new type of hub to improve the above problems.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a hub device suitable for connecting a universal serial bus of different types of ports, and determining the power level of each of the dynamic ports by the USB controller to determine one type of dynamic connection.埠Connecting the host device, and the dynamic connection of the connection is defined as an uplink connection, another unconnected dynamic connection is defined as a downlink connection to connect peripheral devices; or the USB controller selectively selects the other The dynamic connection of the connection is forcibly enabled to increase the flexibility of the connection between the connection device and the host device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is applicable to a hub device for connecting a universal serial bus of different types of ports, including a plurality of dynamic ports, including at least two different types of dynamic ports, and different types of dynamic ports. One is connected to a host device; a USB controller is connected to the dynamic ports to determine the power level of each of the dynamic ports to confirm the power of the dynamic port connected to the host device The level control is greater than a predetermined level; an uplink control circuit is connected to the USB controller and the dynamic port connected to the host device, the USB controller controls the dynamic port connected to the host device to receive the host The message of the device either transmits the message to the host device, and parses the message with the USB controller; a plurality of downlink ports are used to respectively connect the plurality of peripheral devices; a plurality of downlink control circuits are connected to the USB controller and the wires are connected After the downlink connection, the downlink control circuits are configured to transmit or receive the uplink control circuit via the downlink ports Receiving or transmitting And the switching module, connecting the dynamic ports, the USB controller, the uplink control circuit, the downlink ports, and the downlink control circuits, when the USB controller confirms that the host device is not connected When the other dynamic port is connected, the switching module switches the other dynamic port that is not connected to the host device to another downlink port to connect the other downlink port to one of the downlink control circuits. The other downstream port is connected to another peripheral device.

In an embodiment, the dynamic ports include a standard A-type port that conforms to the USB protocol and a C-type port that conforms to the USB protocol, and the USB controller does not preset the dynamic ports, and belongs to the standard type A. Connection port or the C type port.

In one embodiment, the USB controller pre-sets the dynamic connections to a standard A-type port that conforms to the USB protocol and a C-type port that conforms to the USB protocol.

In an embodiment, when the USB controller determines that the power level of each of the dynamic ports is greater than the predetermined level, the USB controller stops the uplink control circuit and the downlink control circuits from operating. The downlink ports are suspended to transmit or receive the message received or transmitted by the uplink control circuit.

In an embodiment, the USB hub device of the present invention for connecting different types of ports further includes a pointing device connected to the USB controller for indicating that the dynamic connections of the USB hub device are in an incorrect state.

In an embodiment, the USB controller specifies one of the dynamic connections as a port for connecting to the host device.

In an embodiment, the power level is a level of a VBUS pin defined by a USB interface of the host device.

In an embodiment, when the USB controller confirms that the host device is not connected When a dynamic port is connected, the switching module disables the other dynamic port that is not connected to the host device, and disables the other dynamic port that is disabled.

The present invention is applicable to a USB hub device that connects different types of USB ports. The first uplink port includes a first type of port interface, which is suitable for connecting to a host device. The second uplink port includes a second type of port interface, wherein the second type port port interface is different from the first type port port interface, and is adapted to connect to the host device. The USB controller is connected to the first and second uplink ports to determine the power level of each of the first and second uplink ports to confirm the connection of the first and second uplink ports of the host device. The power level is greater than a predetermined level.

An uplink control circuit is connected to the USB controller and the first and second uplink ports connected to the host device, and the USB controller controls the first and second uplink ports connected to the host device to receive the host The message of the device either transmits the message to the host device and parses the message with the USB controller. A plurality of downlink connections are used to connect the plurality of peripheral devices, respectively. The plurality of downlink control circuits are connected to the USB controller and connected to the downlink ports, and the downlink control circuits are configured to transmit or receive the message received or transmitted by the uplink control circuit via the downlink ports. The switching module is connected to the first and second uplink ports, the USB controller, and the uplink control circuit. When the USB controller confirms the connection of the first uplink port of the host device, the switching module is configured to switch. The uplink control circuit is connected to the first uplink port connected to the host device. In an embodiment, the power level is a level of a VBUS pin defined by a USB interface of the host device. When the USB controller confirms that the second uplink port of the host device is not connected, the switching module disables the second uplink port that is not connected to the host device, and the disabled second uplink port is suspended. Operation.

100a‧‧‧Dynamic link埠

100b‧‧‧dynamic link埠

100a1‧‧‧First uplink port埠

100b1‧‧‧second uplink port埠

101‧‧‧Set line device

102‧‧‧USB controller

104‧‧‧Upstream control circuit

106a, 106b, 106c‧‧‧ downlink links埠

108a, 108b, 108c, 108d‧‧‧ Downstream control circuit

110‧‧‧Switching module

111‧‧‧ indicating device

112‧‧‧Connecting line

114‧‧‧Host device

116a, 116b, 116c‧‧‧ peripheral devices

118‧‧‧Power pin

S200, S202, S204, S206, S208, S210‧‧‧ steps

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present embodiment, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, other drawings may also be obtained from these drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing a line concentrating device suitable for connecting a universal serial bus of different types of ports according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a concentrating device suitable for connecting a universal serial bus of different types of ports according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a connection method of a universal serial bus line device having different types of ports according to the present creation example.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same elements or the like elements, the principles of the present invention are illustrated by the implementation in a suitable computing environment. The following description is based on the illustrated embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting the other specific embodiments of the present invention that are not described herein.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a hub apparatus 101 suitable for connecting a universal serial bus of different types of ports in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. The line concentrating device 101 includes a plurality of dynamic ports 100a, 100b, a USB controller 102, an uplink control circuit 104, a plurality of downlink ports 106a, 106b, 106c, a plurality of downlink control circuits 108a, 108b, 108c, a switching module 110, and a pointing device. 111. The plurality of dynamic connections 集 100a, 100b of the line concentrating device 101 The host device 114 is connected by a connection line 112. The USB controller 102 is connected to the uplink control circuit 104, the downlink control circuit 108, the switching module 110, and the pointing device 111.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of dynamic ports 100a, 100b include at least two different types of dynamic ports 100a, 100b, one of which is used to connect a host device 114. There are two different types of dynamic connections 埠 100a, 100b here. The USB controller 102 is connected to the dynamic ports 100a, 100b for determining the power level of each of the dynamic ports 100a, 100b to confirm the power of the dynamic port 100a, 100b connected to the host device 114. The level is greater than a predetermined level. The uplink control circuit 104 is connected to the USB controller 102 and the dynamic port 110a connected to the host device 114. The USB controller 102 controls the dynamic port 102a connected to the host device 114 to receive the host device 114. The message either transmits the message to the host device 114 and parses the message with the USB controller 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the dynamic port 110a is connected to the host device 114.

As shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of downstream ports 106a, 106b are used to connect the plurality of peripheral devices 116a, 116b, 116c, respectively. The plurality of downlink control circuits 108a, 108b, 108c are connected to the USB controller 102 and are connected to the downlink ports 106a, 106b, 106c, and the downlink control circuits 108a, 108b, 108c are configured to pass the downlink ports 106a, 106b, 106c transmits or receives the message received or transmitted by the uplink control circuit 104. The switching module 110 is connected to the dynamic ports 100a, 100b, the USB controller 102, the uplink control circuit 104, the downlink ports 106a, 106b, 106c, and the downlink control circuits 108a, 108b, 108c. When the USB controller 102 confirms that the other dynamic port 100b of the host device 114 is not connected, the switching module 110 switches the other dynamic port 100b that is not connected to the host device 114 to another downlink port to connect the Another downlink connection is controlled by one of the downlink control circuits 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d. Circuit 108d connects the other downstream port 100b to another peripheral device 116.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the dynamic connection port 100a, 100b of the line concentrating device 101 includes two types of standard A-type ports conforming to the USB protocol and C-type ports conforming to the USB protocol, and The USB controller 102 does not pre-set the dynamic ports 100a, 100b belonging to the standard A-type port or the C-type port. In another embodiment, the USB controller 102 pre-sets the dynamic ports 100a, 100b to be a standard A-type port that conforms to the USB protocol and a type-C port that conforms to the USB protocol. In other words, the dynamic connection port 100a, 100b of the hub device 101 of the present invention is composed of at least two types of USB protocol ports, including a standard A-type port and a C-type port, controlled by the USB of the line device 101. The device 102 can know the type of the dynamic port 100a, 100b in advance.

Next, in an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when the USB controller 102 confirms that another dynamic port 100b of the host device 114 is not connected, the switching module 110 switches the connection of the host device 114. The other dynamic connection port 100b is another downlink connection port to connect the other downlink connection to one of the downlink control circuits 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and one of the downlink control circuits 108d, so that the other downlink connection is 100b is connected to another peripheral device 116. Vice versa, when the USB controller 102 confirms that another dynamic port 100a of the host device 114 is not connected, the switching module 110 switches the other dynamic port 100a that is not connected to the host device 114 to another downlink. The connection port is connected to the other downlink device 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, one of the downlink control circuits 108d, and the other downlink port 100a is connected to the other peripheral device 116. In another embodiment, when the USB controller 102 determines that the power level of each of the dynamic ports 100a, 100b is greater than the predetermined level, the USB controller 102 causes the uplink control circuit 104 and the Downlink control circuits 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d stop operating to suspend The downlink ports 106a, 106b, 106c transmit or receive the message received or transmitted by the uplink control circuit 104. In other words, when the two dynamic ports 100a, 100b are respectively connected to the two host devices 114, the present invention is applicable to the USB hub device 101 connecting different types of ports to further include a pointing device 111 to indicate the USB hub device 101. The status of the dynamic ports 100a, 100b is incorrect, and the pointing device 111 is connected to the USB controller 102. The USB controller 101 is configured to designate one of the dynamic ports 100a, 100b as a port for connecting to the host device 114.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 1, the power level is the level of the VBUS pin defined by the USB interface of the host device 114. In other words, the VBUS pin of the host device 114 is connected to the power pin 118 of one of the dynamic ports 100a, 100b of the hub device 101 via the connection line 112, and the USB controller 102 detects the dynamic port 100a. The power level of the power pin 118 is used to determine which dynamic port 100a, 100b is connected to the host device 114.

According to the above, the present invention is applicable to a hub device and a method for connecting a universal serial bus of different types of ports, and the USB controller determines the power level of each of the dynamic ports to determine one type of dynamics. The port is connected to the host device, and the dynamic port of the connection is defined as an uplink port, and the other unconnected dynamic port is defined as a downlink port to connect peripheral devices; or the USB controller selectively selects the other device The unconnected dynamic connection is forbidden to increase the flexibility of the connection between the hub and the host device.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a line concentrating device suitable for connecting universal serial bus bars of different types of ports according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The line concentrating device 101 includes a plurality of first and second uplink ports 100a1, 100b1, a USB controller 102, an uplink control circuit 104, The plurality of downlink ports 106a, 106b, 106c, the plurality of downlink control circuits 108a, 108b, 108c, the switching module 110, and the pointing device 111. The first uplink connection port 100a1, 100b1 of the line device 101 is connected to the host device 114 by a connection line 112. The USB controller 102 is connected to the uplink control circuit 104, the downlink control circuit 108, the switch module 110, and the indication. Device 111.

In the USB hub device of FIG. 2, which is suitable for connecting different types of USB ports, the first uplink port 100a1 includes a first type of port interface, which is suitable for connecting to a host device 114. The second uplink port 100b1 includes a second type of port interface, wherein the second type port port interface is different from the first type port port interface and is adapted to connect to the host device 114. The USB controller 102 is connected to the first and second uplink ports 100a1 and 100b1 for determining the power level of each of the first and second uplink ports 100a1 and 100b1 to confirm the first connection of the host device. The power supply level of the second uplink port 100a1, 100b1 is greater than a predetermined level.

The uplink control circuit 104 is connected to the USB controller 102 and the first and second uplink ports 100a1 and 100b1 connected to the host device 114. The USB controller 102 controls the first and second terminals connected to the host device 114. The uplink port 100a1, 100b1 is configured to receive the message of the host device 114 or to transmit the message to the host device 114, and parse the message with the USB controller 102. The plurality of downstream ports 106a, 106b, 106c are used to connect the plurality of peripheral devices 116, respectively. The plurality of downlink control circuits 108a, 108b, 108c are connected to the USB controller 102 and are connected to the downlink ports 106a, 106b, 106c, and the downlink control circuits 108a, 108b, 108c are configured to pass the downlink ports 106a, 106b, 106c transmits or receives the message received or transmitted by the uplink control circuit 104. The switching module 110 is connected to the first and second uplink ports 100a1, 100b1, the USB controller 102, and the uplink control circuit 104, when the USB controller 102 confirms the connection. When the first uplink port 100a1 of the host device 114 is used, the switching module 110 is configured to switch the uplink control circuit 104 to the first uplink port 100a1 connected to the host device 114. In one embodiment, the power level is a level of a VBUS pin defined by the USB interface of the host device 114. When the USB controller 102 confirms that the second uplink port 100b1 of the host device 114 is not connected, the switching module 110 disables the second uplink port 100b1 that is not connected to the host device 114, so that the disabled device is disabled. The second uplink connection 100b1 is suspended.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a connection method of the universal serial busbar line device 101 having different types of ports according to the present creation example.

In step S200, one of the plurality of dynamic connections is connected to a host device, and the dynamic ports include at least two different types of dynamic ports. In an embodiment, one of the dynamic ports is designated by the USB controller as a port for connecting to the host device. In another embodiment, the USB controller does not specify one of the dynamic connections as a port for connecting to the host device.

In an embodiment, the dynamic ports include a standard A-type port that conforms to the USB protocol and a C-type port that conforms to the USB protocol, and the USB controller does not preset the dynamic ports, and belongs to the standard type A. Connection port or the C type port. In another embodiment, the USB controller pre-sets the dynamic ports to be a standard A-type port that conforms to the USB protocol and a C-type port that conforms to the USB protocol.

In step S202, the power level of each of the dynamic ports is determined by a USB controller to confirm that the power level of the dynamic port connected to the host device is greater than a predetermined level. The power level is the level of the VBUS pin defined by the USB interface of the host device.

In step S204, the USB controller controls the connection with the dynamic connection port connected to the host device to receive the message of the host device or transmit the message to the host device.

In step S206, the plurality of peripheral devices are connected by a plurality of downlink ports.

In step S208, the complex downlink control circuit transmits or receives the message received or transmitted by the uplink control circuit via the downlink ports.

In step S210, when the USB controller confirms that another dynamic port of the host device is not connected, the switching module switches the other dynamic port that is not connected to the host device to another downlink port, to Connecting the other downlink connection to one of the downlink control circuits causes the other downlink connection to connect to another peripheral device. In another embodiment, when the USB controller determines that the power level of each of the dynamic ports is greater than the predetermined level, the USB controller stops the uplink control circuit and the downlink control circuits from operating. The message received or transmitted by the uplink control circuit is transmitted or received by suspending the downlink ports. At this time, the status of the dynamic connections of the USB hub device is indicated by a pointing device. In still another embodiment, when the USB controller confirms that another dynamic connection is not connected to the host device, the step of disabling the other dynamic connection port of the host device is disabled by the switching module, so that The other dynamic link that is disabled is suspended.

In summary, the present invention is applicable to a hub device and a method for connecting a universal serial bus of different types of ports, and the USB controller determines the power level of each of the dynamic ports to determine one of the types. The dynamic connection is connected to the host device, and the dynamic connection of the connection is defined as an uplink connection, and another unconnected dynamic connection is defined as a downlink connection to connect peripheral devices; or the USB controller selectively Another unconnected dynamic connection curb can be used to increase the connection of the connection between the hub and the host device elasticity.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make various changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Retouching, therefore, the scope of protection of this creation is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached.

100a, 100b‧‧‧dynamic link埠

101‧‧‧Set line device

102‧‧‧USB controller

104‧‧‧Upstream control circuit

106a, 106b, 106c‧‧‧ downlink links埠

108a, 108b, 108c, 108d‧‧‧ Downstream control circuit

110‧‧‧Switching module

111‧‧‧ indicating device

112‧‧‧Connecting line

114‧‧‧Host device

116a, 116b, 116c‧‧‧ peripheral devices

118‧‧‧Power pin

Claims (16)

A universal serial bus (USB) hub device suitable for connecting different types of ports, the hub device comprising: a plurality of dynamic ports, comprising at least two different types of dynamic ports, the different types of dynamic connections One is used to connect a host device; a USB controller is connected to the dynamic ports to determine the power level of each of the dynamic ports to confirm the power connection of the dynamic port connected to the host device The bit is greater than a predetermined level; an uplink control circuit is connected to the USB controller and the dynamic port connected to the host device, the USB controller controls the dynamic port connected to the host device to receive the host device The message transmits the message to the host device, and the USB controller analyzes the message; the plurality of downlink ports are connected to the plurality of peripheral devices respectively; the plurality of downlink control circuits are connected to the USB controller and the downlinks are connected The downlink control circuit is configured to transmit or receive, by using the downlink connection ports, the uplink control circuit to receive Is the message transmitted; and a switching module connecting the dynamic ports, the USB controller, the uplink control circuit, the downlink ports, and the downlink control circuits, when the USB controller confirms that the connection is not When the other device is connected to the other device, the switch module switches the other dynamic port that is not connected to the host device to another downlink port to connect the other downlink port to the downlink control circuit. First, the other downstream port is connected to another peripheral device. USB set suitable for connecting different types of ports as described in item 1 of the patent application scope The line device, wherein the dynamic ports include a standard A-type port conforming to the USB protocol and a C-type port that conforms to the USB protocol, and the USB controller does not preset the dynamic ports, and belongs to the standard type A port. Or the C type connection. The USB hub device for connecting different types of ports according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the USB controller presets the dynamic ports to be a standard A-type port conforming to the USB protocol and conforms to the USB protocol. Type C connection. The USB hub device for connecting different types of ports according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the USB controller determines that the power level of each of the dynamic ports is greater than the predetermined level, the USB The controller stops the uplink control circuit and the downlink control circuits to suspend the downlink ports to transmit or receive the message received or transmitted by the uplink control circuit. The USB hub device for connecting different types of ports, as described in claim 4, further includes a pointing device connected to the USB controller for indicating the status of the dynamic connections of the USB hub device. error. The USB hub device for connecting different types of ports is described in claim 1, wherein the USB controller specifies one of the dynamic ports as a port for connecting to the host device. The USB hub device for connecting different types of ports is described in claim 1, wherein the power level is a level of a VBUS pin defined by a USB interface of the host device. The USB hub device for connecting different types of ports according to the first aspect of the patent application, wherein the USB controller confirms that another dynamic connection is not connected to the host device. The switching module disables the other dynamic port that is not connected to the host device, and disables the other dynamic port that is disabled. A USB hub device for connecting different types of USB ports, the USB hub device comprising: a first uplink port, comprising a first type of port interface, suitable for connecting a host device; and a second uplink port The second type of port interface is different from the first type of port interface, and is suitable for connecting to the host device; a USB controller is connected to the first and second ports. The uplink connection port is configured to determine the power level of the first and second uplink ports to confirm that the power level of the first and second uplink ports connected to the host device is greater than a predetermined level; a control circuit, connected to the USB controller and the first and second uplink ports connected to the host device, the USB controller controlling the first and second uplink ports connected to the host device to receive the host The message of the device either transmits the message to the host device, and parses the message with the USB controller; a plurality of downlink ports are used to respectively connect the plurality of peripheral devices; a control circuit, connected to the USB controller and connected to the downlink ports, wherein the downlink control circuit is configured to transmit or receive the message received or transmitted by the uplink control circuit via the downlink ports; and a switching mode a group, connecting the first and second uplink ports, the USB controller, and the uplink control circuit, when the USB controller confirms the connection of the first uplink port of the host device, the switching module is configured to switch the An uplink control circuit is connected to the first connected to the host device Uplink connection. The USB hub device for connecting different types of USB ports according to claim 9 of the patent application scope, wherein the first and second uplink ports include a standard type A port conforming to the USB protocol and a type C conforming to the USB protocol. The port is connected, and the USB controller does not preset whether the first and second uplink ports belong to the standard type A port or the type C port. The USB hub device for connecting different types of USB ports according to claim 9 of the patent application scope, wherein the USB controller presets the first and second uplink ports to be a standard A-type port conforming to the USB protocol and conforms to The USB protocol type C connection port. The USB hub device for connecting different types of USB ports, as described in claim 9, wherein the USB controller determines that the power level of each of the first and second uplink ports is greater than the predetermined level. The USB controller stops the uplink control circuit and the downlink control circuits to suspend the downlink ports to transmit or receive the message received or transmitted by the uplink control circuit. The USB hub device for connecting different types of USB ports according to claim 12, further comprising a pointing device connected to the USB controller for indicating the first uplink port of the USB hub device and The status of the second uplink port is incorrect. The USB hub device for connecting different types of USB ports, as described in claim 9, wherein the USB controller specifies one of the first and second uplink ports as a port for connecting to the host device. The USB hub device for connecting different types of USB ports is described in claim 9 of the patent application scope, wherein the power source level is a level value of a VBUS pin defined by a USB interface of the host device. The USB hub device for connecting different types of USB ports according to claim 9 of the patent application scope, wherein the switch module is disabled when the USB controller confirms that the second uplink port of the host device is not connected The second uplink port of the host device is not connected, and the disabled second uplink port is suspended.