TWM615436U - Multi-image output system and usb hub thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-image output system and a USB hub thereof are provided. The USB hub includes multiple USB upstream ports, multiple downstream ports, multiple image processing units, a USB hub unit, a first multiplexer, and a second multiplexer. The first multiplexer is coupled to a first USB upstream port, a second USB upstream port, a first image processing unit, a second image processing unit, and the USB hub unit. The second multiplexer is coupled to the first image processing unit, the second image processing unit, the USB hub unit, a first downstream port and a second downstream port.

Description

Multi-image output system and its USB hub

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and particularly relates to a multi-image output system and its Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub.

Universal serial bus (Universal Serial Bus, USB) is a serial port bus standard for connecting a host and external devices, and it is also a technical specification for an input and output interface. USB is widely used in personal computers, mobile devices, photographic equipment, digital televisions (set-top boxes), game consoles and other products. The USB hub (Hub) allows the host system to connect to more external devices. The USB hub can also be used as a repeater to broadcast data downloaded from the host to a USB device (external device), and transmit data uploaded by the USB device to the host. The USB device may include a keyboard, a mouse, a printer, or other peripheral devices. Generally speaking, a USB system can only have one USB host, and other electronic devices in this USB system are all USB devices. Generally, a USB hub has only one upstream port (USB connector) to connect to the USB host. Generally, a USB hub cannot be connected to multiple USB hosts at the same time.

The present invention provides a multi-image output system and its Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub to provide multiple USB upstream ports and enable the image data transmission of these USB upstream ports to be independent of each other.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned USB hub includes a plurality of USB upstream ports, a plurality of downstream ports, a plurality of image processing units, a USB hub unit, a first multiplexer, and a second multiplexer. Workers. These USB upstream ports include a first USB upstream port and a second USB upstream port. These downstream ports include a first downstream port and a second downstream port. These image processing units include a first image processing unit and a second image processing unit. The first multiplexer is coupled to the first USB upstream port, the second USB upstream port, the first image processing unit, the second image processing unit, and the USB hub unit. The second multiplexer is coupled to the first image processing unit, the second image processing unit, the USB hub unit, the first downstream connection port and the second downstream connection port.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned multi-image output system includes a first USB host, a second USB host, a USB hub, a first image display device, and a second image display device. The USB hub includes a first USB upstream port, a second USB upstream port, and a plurality of downstream ports. Wherein, the first image display device and the second image display device are coupled to these downstream connections Port two of them.

Based on the above, the USB hubs in the embodiments of the present invention provide multiple USB upstream ports for coupling to multiple USB hosts. The USB hub also provides a plurality of image processing units, so that the image data transmission of these USB upstream ports can be independent of each other.

In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages of the new creation more obvious and understandable, the following specific examples are given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to describe in detail as follows.

11, 12: USB host

21, 22: Video display device

100, 600: USB hub

111, 112, 611, 612: USB upstream port

120, 160, 620, 660: multiplexer

120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e, 120f, 160a, 160b, 160c, 160d, 160e, 160f, 160g, 620a, 620b, 620c, 620d, 620e, 620f, 620g, 620h, 660a, 660b, 660c, 660d, 660e, 660f, 660g, 660h: connecting end

131, 132, 631, 632: image processing unit

132a, 632a: second end

132b, 632b: third end

140, 640: USB hub unit

140d1, 140d2, 140d3, 640d1, 640d2, 640d3, 690d1, 690d2: Downstream

140up, 640up, 690up: Upstream

150a, 150b, 650a, 650b: connecting terminal

150, 650: host bridge unit

171, 172, 173, 174, 671, 672, 673, 674: Downstream port

180, 680: Controller

690: Device router unit

690dp: video end

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit block of a multi-image output system and a universal serial bus (USB) hub according to an embodiment of the invention.

2 to 5 are schematic diagrams illustrating different operation scenarios of the multiplexer shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of a multi-image output system and its USB hub according to another embodiment of the invention.

7 to 14 are schematic diagrams illustrating different operation scenarios of the multiplexer shown in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

“Coupling” used in the full description of the case (including the scope of the patent The term "connected (or connected)" can refer to any direct or indirect means of connection. For example, if the text describes that the first device is coupled (or connected) to the second device, it should be interpreted as that the first device can be directly connected to the second device, or the first device can be connected through other devices or some This kind of connection means is indirectly connected to the second device. The terms "first" and "second" mentioned in the full text of the description of this case (including the scope of the patent application) are used to name elements, or to distinguish different embodiments or ranges, and are not used to limit the number of elements The upper or lower limit of is not used to limit the order of components. In addition, wherever possible, elements/components/steps with the same reference numbers in the drawings and embodiments represent the same or similar parts. Elements/components/steps that use the same reference numerals or use the same terms in different embodiments may refer to related descriptions.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is widely used as a data transmission interface between a host and a device. In addition to the USB protocol, based on application requirements, the USB data transmission path can be applied to other communication protocols, such as DisplayPort (DP) protocol, Thunderbolt protocol, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ) Protocol or other communication protocol. The Power Delivery (hereinafter referred to as PD) controller of the host can negotiate with the PD controller of the device through the configuration channel (Configuration Channel, CC) pins of the USB connector to negotiate the USB configuration (which communication protocol is running on) ).

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit block of a multi-image output system and its USB hub 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-image output system shown in Figure 1 includes USB host 11, USB host 12, and USB hub The device 100, the image display device 21, and the image display device 22. The USB hub 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a controller 180, a multiplexer 120, a multiplexer (path switching circuit) 160, a USB hub unit 140, a host bridge circuit 150, and multiple USB upstream ports (e.g., 111 And 112), multiple downstream ports (such as 171 and 172), and multiple image processing units (such as 131 and 132). Wherein, the multiplexer 120 may be a path switching circuit. In addition, the USB hub 100 provides a plurality of image processing units 131 and 132, so that the USB upstream ports 111 and 112 can be independent of each other during image data transmission. In some embodiments, the image processing unit 131 and/or 132 may include a DP circuit that complies with the DP protocol.

The USB upstream port 111 and/or the USB upstream port 112 may be USB type-C connectors or other USB connectors. The USB upstream port 111 and the USB upstream port 112 can be electrically connected to the USB downstream ports of different USB hosts 11 and 12 (such as computers or other electronic devices). The downstream connection port 171 and/or the downstream connection port 172 may include a USB downstream connection port, such as a USB type-C connector or other USB connectors. The downstream connection port 171 and the downstream connection port 172 can be connected to different USB devices (such as a monitor, keyboard or other peripheral equipment, not shown) or other types of image devices (such as the image display devices 21 and 22). According to actual design, in some embodiments, at least one of the downstream port 171 to the downstream port 172 may be an image output port (such as a DP connector), and the other of the downstream port 171 to the downstream port 172 The connector may be a USB connector. The DP connector can be connected to a DP device (such as a display or other DP device, not shown). That is, the image display device 21 and the image display device 22 It can be coupled to the image output port and two of these downstream ports.

The multiplexer 120 shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of connection ends, such as a connection end 120a, a connection end 120b, a connection end 120c, a connection end 120d, a connection end 120e, and a connection end 120f. The connection terminal 120a is coupled to the USB upstream connection port 111. The connection terminal 120b is coupled to the USB upstream connection port 112. The connecting terminal 120 c is coupled to the first terminal of the image processing unit 131. The connecting end 120d is coupled to the first end of the image processing unit 132. The connection terminal 120e is coupled to the upstream terminal 140up of the USB hub unit 140. The USB hub unit 140 is, for example, a hub unit conforming to the USB3 specification, so the implementation details of the USB hub unit 140 will not be repeated here. The downstream end 140d1 of the USB hub unit 140 is coupled to the connection end 150b of the host bridge unit 150. The connection terminal 120f is coupled to the connection terminal 150a of the host bridge unit 150.

The host bridge unit 150 can provide a bridge interface so that different USB hosts can exchange data with each other. For example, based on the control of the controller 180 to the multiplexer 120, when the USB host 11 (first electronic device) is connected to the USB upstream port 111 and another USB host 12 (second electronic device) is connected to the USB upstream connection Port 112, the first electronic device can provide data to the second electronic device through the USB upstream port 111, the multiplexer 120, the USB hub unit 140, the host bridge unit 150, the multiplexer 120, and the USB upstream port 112 , And the second electronic device can also provide data to the first electronic device through the USB upstream port 112, the multiplexer 120, the host bridge unit 150, the USB hub unit 140, the multiplexer 120, and the USB upstream port 111.

The multiplexer 160 shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of connecting ends, such as connecting ends 160a, The connecting end 160b, the connecting end 160c, the connecting end 160d, the connecting end 160e, and the connecting end 160f. The connecting end 160c is coupled to the downstream end 140d2 of the USB hub unit 140. The connecting end 160d is coupled to the downstream end 140d3 of the USB hub unit 140. The connection end 160e is coupled to the downstream connection port 171. The connection terminal 160f is coupled to the downstream connection port 172. The connecting end 160 a is coupled to the second end of the image processing unit 131. The connecting end 160b is coupled to the second end of the image processing unit 132.

In some embodiments, the image processing unit 131 and the image processing unit 132 are two independent circuits that comply with the DP specification. For example, the image processing unit 131 includes a DP engine, and the image processing unit 132 includes another DP engine. This embodiment does not limit the implementation details of the image processing unit 131 and the image processing unit 132. According to design requirements, in some embodiments, the image processing unit 131 and/or the image processing unit 132 may include a DP Multi-Stream Transport (MST) function that complies with the DP specification. In some embodiments, the image processing unit 131 and/or the image processing unit 132 may include a link training adjustable PHY repeater (Link- Training Tunable PHY Repeater (LTTPR) circuit. For example, the image processing unit 131 may be a repeater unit (such as an LTTPR circuit) conforming to the DP specification, and the image processing unit 132 may include a DP MST image processing unit conforming to the DP specification.

According to actual design, the controller 180 may include a power delivery (Power Delivery, hereinafter referred to as PD) controller that complies with the USB specification. The controller 180 may be coupled to and control the connection route between the multiplexer 120 and the multiplexer 160. For example, control The device 180 can negotiate a communication protocol (USB configuration) with electronic devices (for example, the USB hosts 11 and 12) via the configuration channel (Configuration Channel, CC) pins of the USB upstream port 111 and/or the USB upstream port 112. The controller 180 can control the connection route of the multiplexer 120 according to the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 111 and/or the USB upstream port 112. The controller 180 can also negotiate a communication protocol (USB configuration). The controller 180 can control the connection route of the multiplexer 160 according to the communication protocol transmitted in the downstream port 111 and/or the downstream port 112.

When the USB host (11 or 12) is operating in DP Alternate Mode (or DP ALT mode), part or all of the multiple data channels of the USB upstream port (111 or 112) can be used Transmission of DP data conforming to DP specifications. The data channel is a differential pin pair (high-speed data transmission channel) of the USB upstream port, for example, the D+ and D- pin pair, the TX1+ and TX1- pin pair, and the RX1+ and RX1- pin pairs specified by the USB specification. Pin pair, TX2+ and TX2- pin pair, and/or RX2+ and RX2- pin pair. Therefore, when the protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 111 and the protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 112 are both in DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 120 can couple the USB upstream port 111 to the image processing unit 131 and One of the image processing units 132 and the USB upstream port 112 are coupled to the other of the image processing unit 131 and the image processing unit 132.

For example, when the protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 111 and the protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 112 are both in DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 120 can couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 111 It is connected to the first end of the image processing unit 131, and the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 111 are coupled to the upstream end 140up of the USB hub unit 140. The multiplexer 120 can also couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 112 to the first end of the image processing unit 132, and couple the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 112 to the connection end of the host bridge unit 150 150a.

For another example, when the protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 111 is in DP ALT mode and the protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 112 is not in DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 120 can connect at least the USB upstream port 111 One data channel is coupled to the first end of the image processing unit 131, and the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 111 are coupled to the upstream end 140up of the USB hub unit 140. Since the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 112 is not in the DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 120 can couple the data channel of the USB upstream port 112 to the connection end 150a of the host bridge unit 150.

In the case that the communication protocol transmitted by the downlink port 171 and the communication protocol transmitted by the downlink port 172 are both in DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 160 may couple at least one data channel of the downlink port 171 to the image processing unit 131 And the second end of one of the image processing unit 132, and at least one data channel of the downlink port 172 is coupled to the second end of the other of the image processing unit 131 and the image processing unit 132.

For example, when the protocol transmitted by the downstream port 171 and the protocol transmitted by the downstream port 172 are both in DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 160 may couple at least one data channel of the downstream port 171 to The second end of the image processing unit 131 and the remaining data channels of the downstream connection port 171 are coupled to the downstream end 140d2 of the USB hub unit 140. The multiplexer 160 can also couple at least one data channel of the downstream port 172 to the second end of the image processing unit 132, and couple the remaining data channels of the downstream port 172 to the downstream end 140d3 of the USB hub unit 140.

For another example, when the protocol transmitted by the downstream port 171 is in DP ALT mode and the protocol transmitted by the downstream port 172 is not in DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 160 can transfer at least one data from the downstream port 171 The channel is coupled to the second end of the image processing unit 131, and the remaining data channels of the downstream port 171 are coupled to the downstream end 140d2 of the USB hub unit 140. Since the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 172 is not in the DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 160 can couple the data channel of the downstream port 172 to the downstream end 140d3 of the USB hub unit 140.

2 to 5 are schematic diagrams illustrating different operation scenarios of the multiplexers 120 and 160 shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the number of USB upstream ports is assumed to be two (that is, the USB upstream port 111 and the USB upstream port 112 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5), and the number of downstream ports The number is assumed to be four (that is, the downlink port 171, the downlink port 172, the downlink port 173, and the downlink port 174 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5). In Figure 2 to Figure 5 In the exemplary embodiment, the downstream port 171 is, for example, an image output port (such as a DP connector), and the downstream port 172, downstream port 173, and downstream port 174 are, for example, a USB connector (such as a USB type-C connector). .

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the image processing unit 132 may include a DP multi-stream transmission (MST) function that complies with the DP specification. Therefore, the image processing unit 132 has, for example, a second end 132a and a third end 132b. The connecting end 160 b of the multiplexer 160 is coupled to the second end 132 a of the image processing unit 132. The connecting end 160 g of the multiplexer 160 is coupled to the third end 132 b of the image processing unit 132.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 111 and the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 112 are both in DP ALT mode. The scenario shown in FIG. 2 is that the USB upstream port 111 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 112.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the case where the USB upstream port 111 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 112, the multiplexer 120 can couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 111 It is connected to the first end of the image processing unit 132, and the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 111 are coupled to the upstream end 140up of the USB hub unit 140. The multiplexer 120 can also couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 112 to the first end of the image processing unit 131, and couple the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 112 to the connection end of the host bridge unit 150 150a.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the multiplexer 160 can couple the downstream port 171 to the second end 132 a of the image processing unit 132. Transmit on downstream port 172 The communication protocol is, for example, USB3 mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 160 can couple the downstream port 172 to the downstream end 140d2 of the USB hub unit 140. The communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 173 is DP ALT mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 160 can couple at least one data channel of the downstream port 173 to the third end 132b of the image processing unit 132, and couple the remaining data channels of the downstream port 173 to the downstream end of the USB hub unit 140 140d3. The communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 174 is DP ALT mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 160 can couple all the data channels of the downstream port 174 to the second end of the image processing unit 131.

The operating scenario of the multiplexer 120 shown in FIG. 3 is that the communication protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 111 and the communication protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 112 are both DP ALT mode, and the USB upstream port 111 is earlier than the USB upstream connection. The port 112 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device, which is the same as the operation scenario of the multiplexer 120 shown in FIG. 2, so the multiplexer 120 will not be described. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the multiplexer 160 can couple the downstream port 171 to the second end of the image processing unit 131. The communication protocol transmitted in the downstream port 172 is the USB3 mode, so the multiplexer 160 can couple the downstream port 172 to the downstream end 140d2 of the USB hub unit 140. The communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 173 is DP ALT mode, so the multiplexer 160 can couple at least one data channel of the downstream port 173 to the second end 132a of the image processing unit 132, and connect the downstream port 173 to the second end 132a of the image processing unit 132. The remaining data channels are coupled to the downstream end 140d3 of the USB hub unit 140. The communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 174 is DP ALT mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 160 can couple all the data channels of the downstream port 174 to the image processing unit 132 The third end 132b.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 111 and the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 112 are both in DP ALT mode. The scenario shown in FIG. 4 is that the USB upstream port 112 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 111. 4, when the USB upstream port 112 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 111, the multiplexer 120 can first connect at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 112 It is coupled to the first end of the image processing unit 132, and the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 112 are coupled to the upstream end 140up of the USB hub unit 140. After the USB upstream port 111 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of another electronic device, the multiplexer 120 can couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 111 to the first end of the image processing unit 131, and The remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 111 are coupled to the connection end 150a of the host bridge unit 150. The operation scenario of the multiplexer 160 shown in FIG. 4 is the same as the operation scenario of the multiplexer 160 shown in FIG. 2, so the multiplexer 160 will not be described.

The operating scenario of the multiplexer 120 shown in FIG. 5 is that the protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 111 and the protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 112 are both DP ALT mode, and the USB upstream port 112 is earlier than the USB upstream When the port 111 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device, it is the same as the operation scenario of the multiplexer 120 shown in FIG. 4, so the multiplexer 120 will not be described. In addition, the operation situation of the multiplexer 160 shown in FIG. 5 is also the same as the operation situation of the multiplexer 160 shown in FIG.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multiplexer 120 may, for example, couple at least one data channel that is electrically connected to the USB upstream port of the electronic device to the image processing unit 132. The image processing unit 132 includes, for example, a DP Multi-Stream Transport (MST) function that complies with the DP specification. On the other hand, at least one data channel electrically connected to the USB upstream port of the electronic device is coupled to the aforementioned image processing unit 131. The image processing unit 131 is, for example, a display port repeater unit conforming to the DP specification. Of course, in other preferred implementations, the coupling relationship between the data channels of the USB upstream ports and the image processing unit 131 and the image processing unit 132 can be adjusted according to design requirements, and there is no limitation here.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of a multi-image output system and its USB hub 600 according to another embodiment of the invention. The multi-image output system shown in FIG. 6 includes a USB host 11, a USB host 12, a USB hub 600, an image display device 21, and an image display device 22. The USB hub 600 shown in FIG. 6 includes a controller 680, a multiplexer (path switching circuit) 620, a multiplexer (path switching circuit) 660, a USB hub unit 640, a host bridge unit 650, a device router unit 690, and multiple USB devices. Uplink ports (e.g., 611 and 612), multiple downstream ports (e.g., 671 and 672), and multiple image processing units (e.g., 631 and 632). The USB hub 600 provides a plurality of image processing units 631 and 632, so that the image data transmission of the USB upstream ports 611 and 612 can be independent of each other. In some embodiments, the image processing unit 631 and/or 632 may include a DP circuit that complies with the DP protocol. For example, the image processing unit 631 may conform to The display port repeater unit (such as the LTTPR circuit) of the DP specification, and the image processing unit 632 may include a DP MST image processing unit compliant with the DP specification.

The downstream connection port 671 and/or the downstream connection port 672 may include a USB downstream connection port, such as a USB type-C connector or other USB connectors. The downstream connection port 671 and the downstream connection port 672 can be connected to different USB devices (such as a monitor, a keyboard or other peripheral devices, not shown) or other types of image devices (such as the image display devices 21 and 22). According to actual design, in some embodiments, at least one of the downstream port 671 to the downstream port 672 may be an image output port (such as a DP connector), and the downstream port 671 to the other downstream ports 672 The connector may be a USB connector. The DP connector can be connected to a DP device (such as a display or other DP device, not shown). That is, the image display device 21 and the image display device 22 can be coupled to the image output port and two of these downstream ports.

6 shows the USB hub 600, controller 680, multiplexer 620, multiplexer 660, USB hub unit 640, host bridge unit 650, USB upstream port 611, USB upstream port 612, downstream port 671, downstream The connection port 672, the image processing unit 631, and the image processing unit 632 may refer to the USB hub 100, the controller 180, the multiplexer 120, the multiplexer 160, the USB hub unit 140, and the host bridge unit 150, shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. The related descriptions of the USB upstream port 111, the USB upstream port 112, the downstream port 171, the downstream port 172, the image processing unit 131, and the image processing unit 132 are analogized, so they will not be repeated. In this embodiment, the device router unit 690 is coupled to the image processing unit 631, the image processing unit 632, and the USB hub unit 640.

The multiplexer 620 shown in FIG. 6 has multiple connection terminals, such as connection terminals 620a, 620b, 620c, 620d, 620e, 620f, 620g, and 620h. The connection end 620a is coupled to the USB upstream connection port 611. The connection end 620b is coupled to the USB upstream connection port 612. The connecting end 620c is coupled to the first end of the image processing unit 631. The connecting end 620d is coupled to the first end of the image processing unit 632. The connection terminal 620h is coupled to the USB4 upstream terminal 690up of the device router unit 690. The connection terminal 620g is coupled to the image terminal 690dp of the device router unit 690. The connection end 620e is coupled to the upstream end 640up of the USB hub unit 640. The upstream end 640up of the USB hub unit 640 is also coupled to the USB3 downstream end 690d1 of the device router unit 690. The USB hub unit 640 and the device router unit 690 are hub units and device router units that comply with the USB4 specification, so the implementation details of the USB hub unit 640 and the device router unit 690 will not be repeated here. The downstream end 640d1 of the USB hub unit 640 is coupled to the connection end 650b of the host bridge unit 650. The connection terminal 620f is coupled to the connection terminal 650a of the host bridge unit 650.

The controller 680 can control the connection route of the multiplexer 620 according to the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 611 and/or the USB upstream port 612. For example, when the protocol transmitted by the USB upstream port 611 and the protocol transmitted by the USB upstream port 612 are both in DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 620 can connect at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 611 Is coupled to the first end of one of the image processing unit 631 and the image processing unit 632, and connects the USB At least one data channel of the uplink port 612 is coupled to the first end of the other of the image processing unit 631 and the image processing unit 632. For another example, if the protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 611 is DP ALT mode and the protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 612 is not DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 620 can connect the USB upstream port 611 At least one data channel is coupled to the first end of one of the image processing unit 631 and the image processing unit 632. The data channel is a differential pin pair (high-speed data transmission channel) of the USB upstream port, for example, the D+ and D- pin pair, the TX1+ and TX1- pin pair, and the RX1+ and RX1- pin pairs specified by the USB specification. Pin pair, TX2+ and TX2- pin pair, and/or RX2+ and RX2- pin pair.

The multiplexer 660 shown in FIG. 6 has multiple connection terminals, such as connection terminals 660a, 660b, 660c, 660d, 660e, and 660f. The connecting end 660a is coupled to the second end of the image processing unit 631. The connecting end 660b is coupled to the second end of the image processing unit 632. The connection terminal 660c is coupled to the USB4 downstream terminal 690d2 of the device router unit 690. The connecting end 660d is coupled to the downstream end 640d2 of the USB hub unit 640. The connection terminal 660e is coupled to the downstream connection port 671. The connection terminal 660f is coupled to the downstream connection port 672.

The controller 680 can also control the connection route of the multiplexer 660 according to the communication protocol transmitted in the downstream port 671 and/or the downstream port 672. For example, when the protocol transmitted by the downstream port 671 and the protocol transmitted by the downstream port 672 are both in DP ALT mode, the multiplexer 660 can couple at least one data channel of the downstream port 671 to The second end of one of the image processing unit 631 and the image processing unit 632, and at least the One data channel is coupled to the second end of the other of the image processing unit 631 and the image processing unit 632.

7 to 14 are schematic diagrams illustrating different operation scenarios of the multiplexers 620 and 660 shown in FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 14, the number of USB upstream ports is assumed to be two (ie, the USB upstream port 611 and the USB upstream port 612 shown in FIGS. 7 to 14), and the number of downstream ports The number is assumed to be four (ie, the downstream port 671, the downstream port 672, the downstream port 673, and the downstream port 674 shown in FIGS. 7 to 14). In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 to 14, the downstream port 671 is a DP connector, and the downstream ports 672, 673, and 674 are USB connectors (such as USB type-C connectors).

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 to 14, the image processing unit 632 may include a DP multi-stream transmission (MST) function that complies with the DP specification. Therefore, the image processing unit 632 has a second end 632a and a third end 632b. The connection terminal 660 b of the multiplexer 660 is coupled to the second terminal 632 a of the image processing unit 632. The connection terminal 660 g of the multiplexer 660 is coupled to the third terminal 632 b of the image processing unit 632.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 611 is the USB4 protocol, and the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 612 is the DP ALT mode. The scenario shown in FIG. 7 is that the USB upstream port 611 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 612. Because the USB upstream port 611 is connected to the electronic device first, the multiplexer 620 can couple all the data channels of the USB upstream port 611 to the USB4 upstream end 690up of the device router unit 690. Regarding the later electrical connection to the USB upstream port of an electronic device 612. The multiplexer 620 couples at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 612 to the first end of the image processing unit 631, and couples the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 612 to the host bridge unit 650 Connect end 150a. In addition, the multiplexing circuit of the multiplexer 620 can couple the image end 690dp of the device router unit 690 to the first end of the image processing unit 632. Therefore, the multiplexer 620 can couple the data channel of the USB upstream port 611 to the first end of the image processing unit 632 through the device router unit 690, and directly couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 612 to the image. The first end of the processing unit 631.

It should be noted that the multiplexing circuit of the multiplexer 620 couples the image terminal 690dp of the device router unit 690 to the first terminal of the image processing unit 632 in the operation scenario of FIG. 7, however, the multiplexing circuit of the multiplexer 620 In other operation scenarios, the image end 690dp of the device router unit 690 can also be coupled to the first end of the image processing unit 631. The multiplexer circuit between the image terminal 690dp and the image processing unit (631 and 632) is incorporated into the multiplexer 620 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-14. In other preferred embodiments, the multiplexing circuit between the image terminal 690dp and the image processing unit (631 and 632) can also be independent of the multiplexer 620, and there is no restriction herein.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the multiplexer 660 can couple the downlink port 671 to the second end 632 a of the image processing unit 632. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 672 is the USB4 protocol. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple the downstream port 672 to the USB4 downstream end 690d2 of the device router unit 690. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 673 is DP ALT mode. therefore, The multiplexer 660 can couple at least one data channel of the downstream port 673 to the third end 632b of the image processing unit 632, and couple the remaining data channels of the downstream port 673 to the downstream end 640d2 of the USB hub unit 640. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 674 is the DP ALT mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple all the data channels of the downstream port 674 to the second end of the image processing unit 631.

The operating scenario of the multiplexer 620 shown in FIG. 8 is that the communication protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 611 is the USB4 protocol, and the communication protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 612 is the DP ALT mode. In addition, the USB upstream port 611 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 612. The operation situation of the multiplexer 620 shown in FIG. 8 is the same as the operation situation of the multiplexer 620 shown in FIG. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the multiplexer 660 can couple the downlink port 671 to the second end of the image processing unit 631. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 672 is the USB4 protocol. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple the downstream port 672 to the USB4 downstream end 690d2 of the device router unit 690. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 673 is DP ALT mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple at least one data channel of the downstream port 673 to the third end 632b of the image processing unit 632, and couple the remaining data channels of the downstream port 673 to the downstream end of the USB hub unit 640 640d2. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 674 is the DP ALT mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple all the data channels of the downlink port 674 to the second end 632a of the image processing unit 632.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 611 is the DP ALT mode, and the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 112 is the USB4 protocol. The scenario shown in FIG. 9 is that the USB upstream port 612 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 611. Because the USB upstream port 612 is connected to the electronic device first, the multiplexer 620 can couple all the data channels of the USB upstream port 612 to the USB4 upstream end 690up of the device router unit 690. Regarding the later electrical connection to the USB upstream port 611 of the electronic device, the multiplexer 620 can couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 611 to the first end of the image processing unit 631 and connect the USB upstream The remaining data channels of the port 611 are coupled to the connection end 650a of the host bridge unit 650. In addition, the multiplexer 620 can couple the image end 690dp of the device router unit 690 to the first end of the image processing unit 632. Therefore, the multiplexer 620 can couple the data channel of the USB upstream port 612 to the first end of the image processing unit 632 through the device router unit 690, and directly couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 611 to the image. The first end of the processing unit 631. In addition, the operation situation of the multiplexer 660 shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the operation situation of the multiplexer 660 shown in FIG.

The operating scenario of the multiplexer 620 shown in FIG. 10 is also that the communication protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 611 is DP ALT mode, and the communication protocol transmitted on the USB upstream port 112 is the USB4 protocol, and the USB upstream port 612 is early The USB upstream port 611 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device, which is the same as the operation scenario of the multiplexer 620 shown in FIG. 9, so the multiplexer 620 will not be described. picture The operation scenario of the multiplexer 660 shown in 10 is the same as the operation scenario of the multiplexer 660 shown in FIG. 8, so the multiplexer 660 will not be described.

As in the above-mentioned embodiment, the multiplexer 620 of this embodiment can also, for example, couple at least one data channel electrically connected to the USB upstream port of the electronic device to the above-mentioned image processing unit 632. The image processing unit 632 includes, for example, a DP Multi-Stream Transport (MST) function that complies with the DP specification. On the other hand, at least one data channel electrically connected to the USB upstream port of the electronic device is coupled to the aforementioned image processing unit 631. The image processing unit 631 is, for example, a display port repeater unit that complies with the DP specification. Of course, in other preferred implementations, the coupling relationship between the data channels of the USB upstream ports and the image processing unit 631 and the image processing unit 632 can be adjusted according to design requirements, and this text does not make any limitation here.

FIGS. 11 to 14 illustrate the implementation of the implementation architecture of FIGS. 7 to 10 when the USB upstream port 111 and the USB upstream port 112 transmit communication protocols in the DP ALT mode. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 14, the USB hub unit 640 further includes a downstream end 640d3. The downstream end 640d2 of the USB hub unit 640 is coupled to the connection end 660d of the multiplexer 660. The downstream end 640d3 of the USB hub unit 640 is coupled to the connection end 660h of the multiplexer 660.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 611 and the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 612 are both in DP ALT mode. The scenario shown in FIG. 11 is that the USB upstream port 611 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 612. Connect in USB upstream When the port 611 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 612, the multiplexer 620 can couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 611 to the image processing unit 632. One end, and the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 611 are coupled to the upstream end 640up of the USB hub unit 640. The multiplexer 620 can also couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 612 to the first end of the image processing unit 631, and couple the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 612 to the connection end of the host bridge unit 650 650a.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the multiplexer 660 can couple the downlink port 671 to the second end 632 a of the image processing unit 632. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 672 is the USB3 mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple the downstream port 672 to the downstream end 640d3 of the USB hub unit 640. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 673 is DP ALT mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple at least one data channel of the downstream port 673 to the third end 632b of the image processing unit 632, and couple the remaining data channels of the downstream port 673 to the downstream end of the USB hub unit 640 640d2. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 674 is the DP ALT mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple all the data channels of the downstream port 674 to the second end of the image processing unit 631.

The operation scenario of the multiplexer 620 shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the operation scenario of the multiplexer 620 shown in FIG. 11, so the multiplexer 620 will not be described. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the multiplexer 660 can couple the downlink port 671 to the image processing unit 631 The second end. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 672 is the USB3 mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple the downstream port 672 to the downstream end 140d3 of the USB hub unit 640. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 673 is DP ALT mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple at least one data channel of the downstream port 673 to the second end 632a of the image processing unit 632, and couple the remaining data channels of the downstream port 673 to the downstream end of the USB hub unit 640 640d2. It is assumed here that the communication protocol transmitted on the downstream port 674 is the DP ALT mode. Therefore, the multiplexer 660 can couple all the data channels of the downlink port 674 to the third end 632b of the image processing unit 632.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 611 and the communication protocol transmitted in the USB upstream port 612 are both in DP ALT mode. The scenario shown in FIG. 13 is that the USB upstream port 612 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 611. In the case that the USB upstream port 612 is electrically connected to the USB downstream port of the electronic device earlier than the USB upstream port 611, the multiplexer 620 can couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 611 to the image processing unit The first end of 631 and the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 611 are coupled to the connection end 650a of the host bridge unit 650. The multiplexer 620 can also couple at least one data channel of the USB upstream port 612 to the first end of the image processing unit 632, and couple the remaining data channels of the USB upstream port 612 to the upstream end of the USB hub unit 640 640up. The operation scenario of the multiplexer 660 shown in FIG. 13 is the same as the operation scenario of the multiplexer 660 shown in FIG. 11, so the multiplexer 660 will not be described.

The operation scenario of the multiplexer 620 shown in FIG. 14 is the same as the operation scenario of the multiplexer 620 shown in FIG. 13, so the multiplexer 620 will not be described. The operation scenario of the multiplexer 660 shown in FIG. 14 is the same as the operation scenario of the multiplexer 660 shown in FIG. 12, so the multiplexer 660 will not be described.

According to different design requirements, the aforementioned controller 180, USB hub unit 140, host bridge unit 150, image processing unit 131, image processing unit 132, controller 680, USB hub unit 640, host bridge unit 650, image processing unit 631, The implementation of the image processing unit 632 and/or the device router unit 690 may be hardware, firmware, software (program), or a combination of more of the three.

In terms of hardware, the aforementioned controller 180, USB hub unit 140, host bridge unit 150, image processing unit 131, image processing unit 132, controller 680, USB hub unit 640, host bridge unit 650, and image processing unit 631 , The image processing unit 632 and/or the device router unit 690 may be implemented in a logic circuit on an integrated circuit. The aforementioned controller 180, USB hub unit 140, host bridge unit 150, image processing unit 131, image processing unit 132, controller 680, USB hub unit 640, host bridge unit 650, image processing unit 631, image processing unit 632, and ( Or) The related functions of the device router unit 690 can be implemented as hardware using hardware description languages (for example, Verilog HDL or VHDL) or other suitable programming languages. For example, the aforementioned controller 180, USB hub unit 140, host bridge unit 150, image processing unit 131, and image processing unit The related functions of the unit 132, the controller 680, the USB hub unit 640, the host bridge unit 650, the image processing unit 631, the image processing unit 632, and/or the device router unit 690 can be implemented in one or more controllers, micro Controller, microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and/ Or various logic blocks, modules and circuits in other processing units.

In terms of software and/or firmware, the aforementioned controller 180, USB hub unit 140, host bridge unit 150, image processing unit 131, image processing unit 132, controller 680, USB hub unit 640, and host bridge unit 650 The related functions of the image processing unit 631, the image processing unit 632, and/or the device router unit 690 can be implemented as programming codes. For example, the controller 180, the USB hub unit 140, the host bridge unit 150, the image processing unit 131, and the image processing unit can be realized by using general programming languages (such as C, C++ or assembly language) or other suitable programming languages. 132, a controller 680, a USB hub unit 640, a host bridge unit 650, an image processing unit 631, an image processing unit 632, and/or a device router unit 690. The programming code can be recorded/stored in a "non-transitory computer readable medium (non-transitory computer readable medium)", for example, including Read Only Memory (ROM) and/or storage device . The storage device includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD) or other storage devices. The recording medium may include tape, Disk (disk), card (card), semiconductor memory, programmable logic circuit, etc. A central processing unit (CPU), a controller, a microcontroller, or a microprocessor can read and execute the programming code from the non-temporary computer readable medium, thereby realizing the aforementioned controller 180, USB hub unit 140, host bridge unit 150, image processing unit 131, image processing unit 132, controller 680, USB hub unit 640, host bridge unit 650, image processing unit 631, image processing unit 632, and/or device router Related functions of unit 690.

In summary, the USB hubs described in the above embodiments provide multiple USB upstream ports (for example, 111 and 112 shown in FIG. 1, or 611 and 612 shown in FIG. 6) for coupling to multiple USB hosts. The USB hub also provides multiple image processing units (such as 131 and 132 shown in FIG. 1, or 631 and 632 shown in FIG. 6), so that the image data transmission of these USB upstream ports can be independent of each other.

Although the creation of this new type has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the creation of this new type. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can make some changes and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the creation of the new type. Retouching, therefore, the scope of protection for the creation of this new model shall be subject to the scope of the attached patent application.

11, 12: USB host

21, 22: Video display device

600: USB hub

611, 612: USB upstream port

620, 660: multiplexer

620a, 620b, 620c, 620d, 620e, 620f, 620g, 620h, 660a, 660b, 660c, 660d, 660e, 660f: connection terminal

631, 632: image processing unit

640: USB hub unit

640d1, 640d2, 690d1, 690d2: Downstream

640up, 690up: Upstream

650: host bridge unit

650a, 650b: connecting terminal

671, 672: Downstream port

680: Controller

690: Device router unit

690dp: DP output

Claims (17)

A USB hub, comprising: a plurality of USB upstream connection ports, including a first USB upstream connection port and a second USB upstream connection port; a plurality of downstream connection ports, including a first downstream connection port and a second downstream connection Port; a plurality of image processing units, including a first image processing unit and a second image processing unit; a USB hub unit; a first multiplexer, coupled to the first USB upstream port, the second USB Uplink port, the first image processing unit, the second image processing unit, and the USB hub unit; and a second multiplexer coupled to the first image processing unit, the second image processing unit, and the USB The hub unit, the first downstream connection port and the second downstream connection port. The USB hub according to claim 1, further comprising: a controller coupled to and controlling the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer, wherein the controller is connected to the second multiplexer via the first USB upstream port A channel pin of at least one of the two USB upstream ports is configured to negotiate a communication protocol with at least one first electronic device, and the controller is based on the relationship between the first USB upstream port and the second USB upstream port The communication protocol transmitted by the at least one controls a connection route of the first multiplexer. The USB hub according to claim 2, wherein the controller negotiates a communication with at least one second electronic device via a configuration channel pin of at least one of the first downstream port and the second downstream port Protocol, and the controller controls a connection route of the second multiplexer according to the communication protocol transmitted at the at least one of the first downstream port and the second downstream port. The USB hub according to claim 1, wherein the first image processing unit is a display port multi-stream transmission image processing unit conforming to a display port specification, and the second image processing unit is a display conforming to the display port specification Port repeater unit. The USB hub according to claim 1, wherein when a communication protocol transmitted in the first USB upstream port and a communication protocol transmitted in the second USB upstream port are both in a display port alternative mode, the The first multiplexer couples the first USB upstream port to one of the first image processing unit and the second image processing unit, and couples the second USB upstream port to the first image processing Unit and the other of the second image processing unit. The USB hub according to claim 1, wherein when one of a communication protocol transmitted in the first USB upstream port and a communication protocol transmitted in the second USB upstream port is a display port replacement mode The first multiplexer couples the first USB upstream port or the second USB upstream port of the display port replacement mode to the first image processing unit or the second image processing unit. The USB hub according to claim 1, further comprising: a host bridge unit coupled to the first multiplexer and the USB hub unit. The USB hub according to claim 1, further comprising: a device router unit coupled to the first image processing unit, the second image processing unit, and the USB hub unit; wherein the first multiplexer is coupled To the device router unit; wherein the second multiplexer is coupled to the device router unit. A multi-image output system includes: a first USB host; a second USB host; a USB hub, including: a first USB upstream port, a second USB upstream port, and a plurality of downstream ports; An image display device; and a second image display device; wherein the first image display device and the second image display device are coupled to two of the downstream ports. The multi-image output system according to claim 9, wherein the USB hub includes: a plurality of image processing units, including a first image processing unit and a second image processing unit; and a USB hub unit; A device router unit, coupled to the first image processing unit, the second image processing unit, and the USB hub unit; a first multiplexer, coupled to the first USB upstream port and the second USB upstream Connection port, the first image processing unit, the second image processing unit, the USB hub unit, and the device router unit; and a second multiplexer coupled to the first image processing unit and the second image processing Unit, the USB hub unit, the device router unit, and the downstream ports. The multi-image output system according to claim 10, wherein the USB hub further includes a controller for coupling and controlling the first multiplexer and the second multiplexer, and the controller is connected upstream via the first USB Port and a configuration channel pin of at least one of the second USB upstream port to negotiate a communication protocol with at least one of the first host and the second host, and the controller according to the first USB upstream port The communication protocol transmitted by the at least one of the connection port and the second USB upstream port controls a connection route of the first multiplexer. The multi-image output system according to claim 11, wherein the controller communicates with at least one of the first image display device and the second image display device via a configuration channel pin of at least one of the downlink ports A communication protocol is negotiated, and the controller controls a connection route of the second multiplexer according to the communication protocol transmitted in the at least one of the downstream ports. The multi-image output system according to claim 10, wherein the first image processing unit is a display port multi-stream transmission image processing unit conforming to a display port specification And the second image processing unit is a display port repeater unit conforming to the display port specification. The multi-image output system according to claim 10, wherein, when a communication protocol transmitted in the first USB upstream port and a communication protocol transmitted in the second USB upstream port are both a display port replacement mode , The first multiplexer couples the first USB upstream port to one of the first image processing unit and the second image processing unit, and couples the second USB upstream port to the first The other of the image processing unit and the second image processing unit. The multi-image output system according to claim 10, wherein one of a communication protocol transmitted in the first USB upstream port and a communication protocol transmitted in the second USB upstream port is replaced by a display port In the mode, the first multiplexer couples the first USB upstream port or the second USB upstream port of the display port replacement mode to the first image processing unit or the second image processing unit. The multi-image output system according to claim 10, wherein the USB hub further includes: a host bridge unit coupled to the first multiplexer and the USB hub unit. The multi-image output system according to claim 9, wherein the downstream ports include an image output port and a USB downstream port.

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