WO2020117204A1

WO2020117204A1 - Connector cables to transmit data and power

Info

Publication number: WO2020117204A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/063708
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ji-xiong WU; Yun fei ZHU
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2018-12-04
Filing date: 2018-12-04
Publication date: 2020-06-11

Abstract

In one example, a connector cable may include a Y-cable having a first end and a second end split into a first leg and a second leg, a first connector at the first end to connect to a peripheral device, and a second connector at an end of the first leg. The second connector may connect to an external power source to transmit power from the external power source to the peripheral device. Further, the connector cable may include a third connector at an end of the second leg. The third connector may connect to a computing device to transmit data between the computing device and the peripheral device.

Description

CONNECTOR CABLES TO TRANSMIT DATA AND POWER

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[0001] Computing devices may have several hardware interfaces that allow peripheral devices to be connected to the computing devices via connector cables. Example peripheral devices may include thermal printers, portable flash drives» audio speakers, display monitors, and die like. A universal serial bus (USB) interface is an example hardware interface to connect such peripheral devices to the computing devices. When a peripheral device is connected to a computing device via the USB interlace, the peripheral device may act as a USB client and tee computing device may act as a USB host, and vice versa. In some examples, an external power adapter, e.g., an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) power supply, may be utilized to provide power to the peripheral device in addition to a data cable, e.g., a USB cable, to transmit data to/from the peripheral device and the computing device.

BRIEF DESCRtPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Examples are described in the following detailed description and in reference to the drawings, in which:

[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an «(ample connector cable, including a Y-cable to transmit data and power to a peripheral device;

[0004] F!G. 2A is a block diagram of an example connector cable, depicting a second USB Type-C connector and a USB connector connected to a first USB Type-C connector to transmit a power signal and a data signal, respectively;

[0005] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of the example connector cable of

FIG. 2A, depicting a Y-cable including a first cable section, a second cable section, and a third cable section; [0006] FIG. 2C is a block diagram of the example connector cable of FIGs. 2A and 2B, depicting power transmission lines between the first arid second USB Type-C connectors and date lines between toe first USB Type-C connector and the USB connector,

[0007] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example connector cable, depicting a second USB Type-C connector and a third USB Type-C connector connected to a first USB Type-C connector to transmit a power signal and a data signal, respectively;

[0008] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example connector cable, depicting a main cable connected between a computing device and a peripheral device and a power cable extending from the main cable and connected to an external power source; and

[0000] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example point of sale (POS) system, depicting a POS terminal and an AC adapter to transmit data and pow, respectively, to a thermal printer via a Y-cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Computing devices may have hardware interfaces that allow peripheral devices to be connected to the computing devices via connector cables. Some example systems may utilize an external power adapter (e g., an AC/DC power supply) to provide power to a peripheral device in addition to a data cable (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) cable) to transmit data between the peripheral device and a computing device, In this example, the peripheral device may be designed to have a power port and a USB port to be connected to the external power adapter and the data cable, respectively, which may increase the number of ports on toe peripheral device. With the increase in the number of ports, the size and/or weight of the peripheral device can be increased. Also, multiple cables may increase the cost and weight of the peripheral devices and/or toe computing devices. [0011] In some other examples, the computing device may be provided with two USB ports such that the peripheral device can be connected to the computing device via a USB connector cable. The USB connector cable may be arranged in such a manner to supply electrical power and data transmission between the computing device and the external peripheral device via the USB connector cable. In this example, the USB port of the computing device may support a low power profile, Le„ a voltage of about *5 volts and a maximum current strength of about 3A may be provided by the USB connection. However, some external peripheral devices may have a higher power requirement (e.g., a voltage ³ 9 volts and a current ³ 3 amperes) in order to operate. In this example, the computing device may be unable to supply the power as needed by the peripheral device. An example peripheral device having a higher power requirement may include a thermal printer. For example, point of sale (POS) systems having a Type- A port or a Type-C port integrated therein may support approximately 5 volts/3 amperes power profile and hence may not support the operation of the thermal printers.

[0012] Examples described herein may provide a connector cable including a Y-cable, a first connector at one end of the Y-cable, and second and third connectors at another end of the Y-cable. The first connector may connect to a peripheral device. The second connector may connect to an external power source to transmit power from the external power source to toe peripheral device. The third connector may connect to a computing device to transmit data between the computing device and the peripheral device.

[0013] The connector cable described herein may enable a thermal printer with a single port (e.g., a USB Type-C port) to be versatile for use in various kinds of POS systems having a USB Type-A port, USB Type-B port, or a USB Type-C port. In the examples described herein, the thermal printers can be provided with a single USB Type-C port and the Y-cable is to interact with the USB Type-C port instead of a separate data port and a power port, thereby reducing the number of ports on the thermal printers. The USB Type-C port may enable to design thermal printers with smaller, thinner, and lighter form factors. [0014] In toe following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of toe present techniques. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present apparatus, devices and systems may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to“an example" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described may be included in at least that one example, but not necessarily in other examples.

[00110 Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example connector cable 100, inctudlng a Y-cable 102 to transmit data and power to a peripheral device 112. Example peripheral device 112 may be a thermal printer. In other examples, peripheral device 112 may include a data storage device, an audio speaker, a display monitor, or toe like. As shown in FIG. 1 , a computing device 116 and an external power source 114 may be connected to peripheral device 112 using connector cable 100.

[0016] Connector cable 100 may include Y-cable 102 having a first end and a second end split into a first leg 104A and a second leg 104B. Further, connector cable 100 may include a first connector 106 at the first end to connect to peripheral device 112. Furthermore, connector cable 100 may indude a second connector 108 at an end of first leg 104 A. Second connector 108 may connect to external power source 114 to transmit power from external power source 114 to peripheral device 112. First leg 104A may supply a voltage greater than or equal to 9 volts and/or a current greater than or equal to 3 amperes from external power source 114 to peripheral device 112.

[001h For example, external power source 114 may be a USB charge alternating current (AC) adaptor that receives an electric current from an electric outlet and supplies the electric current to peripheral device 112 via first leg 104A of Y-cable 102. In this example, first leg 104A attached to the USB charge AC adaptor may have a USB Type-C connector and supplies, for instance, 9 volts power via a VBUS line of the USB Type-C connector. [0018] Further, connector cable 100 may indude a third connector 110 at an end of second leg 104B. Third connector 110 may connect to computing device 116 to transmit data between computing device 116 and peripheral device 112, for instance, via second leg 104B. In one example, peripheral device 112 may receive data and power simultaneously from computing device 116 and external power source 114, respectively, via Y-cable 102. in one example, first connector 106 may be a first USB Type-C connector second connector 108 may be a second USB Type-C connector, and third connector 110 may be a USB connector such as a USB Type- A connector, a USB Type-8 connector, or a third USB Type-C connector.

[0019] For example, computing device 116 may be a point of sate (POS) terminal that is communicatively coupled to a thermal printer (e.g., peripheral device 112) to transmit data therebetween (i,e., via the USB connector and the first USB Type-C connector). Further, the thermal printer may be connected to toe USB charge AC adaptor via a USB Type C-C interface (i.e., the first USB Type-C connector and the second USB Type-C connector) to receive the higher power (e.g., a voltage ³ 9 volts) so as to permit operation of the toermai printer

[0020] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an example connector cable 200, depicting a second USB Type-C connector 204 and a USB connector 206 connected to a first USB Type-C connector 202 to transmit a power signal arid a data signal, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2A, connector cable 200 may indude first USB Type-C connector 202 having a first set of power and control pins 208A and a first set of data pins 208B. In one example, first set of power and control pins 208A may indude a bus power (VBUS) pin, a configuration channel (CC) pin, a

VCQNN pin, and a ground pin of first USB Type-C connector 202, First set of data pins 208B may indude a USB D+ pin, a USB D- pin, and the ground pin of first USB Type-C connector 202.

[0021] Further, connector cable 200 may include second USB Type-C connector 204 haying a second set of power and control pins 210 conductively coupled to a corresponding one of first set of power and control pins 208A in first USB Type-C connector 202 to transmit the power signal from second USB Type- C connector 204 to first USB Type-C connector 202. in one example, second set of power and control pins 210 may include a Vsus pin, a CC pin, a VCONN pin, and a ground pin of second USB Type-C connector 204. For example, the Vsus pin of second USB Type-C connector 204 may be conductively coupled to the Vsus pin in first USB Type-C connector 202, for instance, via a cable splitter (e.g., cable splitter 216 as shown in FIG.2B), and the CC pin of second USB Type-C connector 204 may be conductively coupled to the CC pin in first USB Type-C connector 202 via the cable splitter, and the like.

[0022] Furthermore, connector cable 200 may indude USB connector 206 having a second set of data pins 212 conductively coupled to a corresponding one of first set of data pins 208B in first USB Type-C connector 202 to transmit the data signal between USB connector 206 and first USB Type-C connector 202. In one example, second set of date pins 212 may indude a USB D+ pin, a USB D- pin, and a ground pin of USB connector 206. For example, the USB D+ pin of USB connector 206 may be conductively coupled to the USB D+ pin in first USB Type- C connector 202, for instance, via the cable splitter, and the USB D- pin of USB connector 206 may be conductively coupled to the USB D- pin in first USB Type-C connector 202 via the cable splitter.

[00233 In one example, first set of power and control pins 208A and first set of date pins 208B may connect to a connector receptede of a peripheral device via first USB Type-C connector 202. Second set of power and control pins 210 may connect to a connector receptede of an external power source via second USB Type-C connector 204. Second set of date pins 212 may connect to a connector receptacle of a computing device via USB connector 206. An example connection diagram of connector cable 200 is shown in FIG. 2B.

[0024] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of example connector cable 200 of

FIG. 2A, depicting a Y-cable 214 induding a first cable section 218, a second cable section 220, and a third cable section 222. For example, similarly named elements of FIG. 2B may be similar in structure and/or function to elements described with respect to FIG.2A. Connector cable 200 may indude a cable splitter 216. As shown in FIG. 2B, Y-cable 214 may be formed by connecting second and third cable sections 220 and 222 to one side of a cable splitter 216 and connecting first cable section 218 to another side of cable splitter 216. For example, second cable section 220 and third cable section 222 may indude different lengths.

[0025] Second USB Type-C connector 204 and USB connector 206 may be conductively coupled to first USB Type-C connector 202 via cable splitter 216. In one ©sample, first cable section 218 may have two opposite ends connected to first USB Type-C connector 202 and cable splitter 216. Second cable section 220 may have two opposite ends connected to second USB Type-C connector 204 and cable splitter 216. Third cable section 222 may have two opposite ends connected to USB connector 206 and cable splitter 216. First USB Type-C connector 202 may connect to a connector receptacle 226 of a peripheral device 224. Second USB Type-C connector 204 may connect to a connector receptacle 230 of an external power source 228. USB connector 206 may connect to a connector receptacle 234 of a computing device 232. The respective pin layouts of USB Type-C connectors and USB Type-C receptacles may be implemented in accordance with the USB Type-C specification. In other examples, pin layouts Of USB connectors and USB connector receptacles may be implemented in compliance with the USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 standard. In this example, peripheral device 224 may receive data and power simultaneously from computing device 232 and external power source 228, respectively, via Y-cable 214.

[0026] FIG. 2C is a block diagram of example connector cade 200 of FIGs.

2A and 2B, depicting power transmission lines between first and second USB Type-C connectors 202 and 204 and data lines between first USB Type-C connector 202 and USB connector 206. For example, similarly named elements of FIG. 2C may be similar in structure and/or function to elements described with respect to FlGs. 2A and 2B.

[0027] For example, first cable section (i.e., first cable section 218 as shown in FIG. 2B) may include a first set of power transmission lines 252 and a first set of data lines 254 coupled to first set of power and control pins 208A and first set of data pins 208B, respectively. Further, second cable section (i.e., second cable section 220 as shown in FIG. 2B) may indude a second set of power transmission lines 256 coupled to second set of power and control pins 210. Furthermore, third cable section (i.e., third cable section 222 as shown in FIG. 2B) may include a second set of data lines 258 coupled to second set of data pins 212.

[0028] For example, first set of power and control pins 2G8A of first USB

Type-C connector 202 may include A9/B4/A4/B9 (VBUS pin for bus power), A5 (CC1 pin for configuration channel), B5 (VCONN pin for VCONN power), and A12/B1/A1/B12 (Ground pin). First set of data pins 208B of first USB Type-C connector 202 may include A7 (Dn1 pin) and A6 (Dpi pin). Second set of power and control pins 210 of second USB Type-C connector 204 may indude B9/A4/A9/B4 (VBUS pin for bus power), A5 (CC1 pin for configuration channel), B5 (VCONN pin for VCONN power), and B12/A1/A12/B1 (Ground pin).

[0028] Example USB connector 206 shown in FIG. 2C can be a USB Type- A or a USB Type-B connector. In the example USB Type-A or the USB Type-B connector, second set of data pins 212 may indude pin 2 (USB D- pin) and pin 3 (USB D+ pin). Further, a ground pin of the USB Type-A or foe USB Type-B connector may be connected to a ground pin of first USB Type-C connector 202 via a ground line.

[0030] Further, second set of power transmission lines 256 may be electrically connected to first set of power transmission lines 252 to transmit power from foe «eternal power source (e.g., external power source 228 of FIG. 2B) to foe peripheral device (e.g., peripheral device 224 of FIG. 2B), Similarly, second set of data lines 258 may be electrically connected to first set of data lines 254 to transmit date between foe computing device (e.g., computing device 232 of FIG. 2B) and foe peripheral device (e.g., peripheral device 224 of FIG. 2B).

[0031] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example connector cable 300, depicting second USB Type-C connector 204 and a USB connector 302 connected to first USB Type-C connector 202 to transmit a power signal and a data signal, respectively. For example, similarly named elements of FIG. 3 may be similar in structure and/or function to elements described with respect to FIGs. 2A-2C. [0032] Example USB connector 302 shown in FIG. 3 can be a third USB

Type-C connector. In the example third USB Type-G connector, second set of data pins 304 may include A7 (Dn1 pin) and A6 (Dpi pin). Further, a ground pin

(A1/B12/A12/B1 ) of third USB Type-C connector 302 may be connected to a ground pin (A12/B1/A1/B12) of first USB Type-C connector via a ground line. Also, A5 (CG1 pin) of third USB Type-C connector 302 may be connected to ground pin (A12/B1/A1/B12) of first USB Type-C connector through a resistor R (e.g.* 5.1 KW). In tills example, a second set of data lines 306 may be electrically connected to first set of date lines 254 to transmit data between computing device (e.g., computing device 232 of FIG. 2B) and peripheral device (e.g., peripheral device 224 of FIG. 2B).

[0033] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example connector cable 400, depicting a main cable 402 connected between a computing device 410 and a peripheral device 408 and a power cable 414 extending from main treble 402 and connected to an external power source 418. Example connector cable 400 may include main cable 402 having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. Further, connector cable 400 may indude a first USB connector 404 at the first end of main cable 402. First USB connector 404 may include a first set of data pins and a first set of power and control pins, for instance, housed in a metallic housing of first USB connector 404.

[0034] Furthermore, connector cable 400 may include a second USB connector 406 at the second end of main cable 402. First USB connector 404 and second USB connector 406 may electrically connect to peripheral device 408 and computing device 410, respectively, for data transmission therebetween. Second USB connector may include a second set of data pins conduetively coupled to a respective one of the first set of data pins in first USB connector 404. Second set of data pins may be housed in a metallic housing of second USB connector 406. For example, second USB connector 406 may be connected to computing device 410 such as an entertainment unit, a navigation device, a communications device, a smart phone, a tablet, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a monitor, a television, a music player, a video player, or tire like. [0035] Also, connector cable 400 may indude a cable splitter 412 disposed between the first end and toe second end of main cable 402. Further, connector cable 400 may indude power cable 414 extending outwardly and laterally from main cable 402 via cable splitter 412 and having a distal end. in one example, connector cable 400 may indude a third USB connector 416 connected to the distal end of power cable 414. For example, main cable 402 may indude three lines: D+, D-, and ground. Power cable 414 may indude four lines: VBUS, control channel, VCONN, and ground.

[0035] Third USB connector 416 may electrically connect to external power source 418 to supply power from external power source 418 to peripheral device 408. For example, third USB connector 416 may include a second set of power and control pins conductively coupled to a respective one of the first set of power and control pins in first USB connector 404. Second set of power and control pins may be housed in a metallic housing of third USB connector 418. In this example, external power source 418 may supply a voltage greater than or equal to 9 volts and/or a current greater than or equal to 3 amperes to peripheral device 408 via third USB connector 416 and first USB connector 404 of connector cable 400 to permit operation of peripheral device 408.

[003h FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example POS system 500, depicting a POS terminal 506 and an AC adapter 510 to transmit data and power, respectively, to a thermal printer 502 via a Y-cable 514. Consider that thermal printer 502 may be connected to POS terminal 506 having a USB Type-A receptacle 508. In this example, POS terminal 506 with USB Type-A receptacle 508 may not support a high-power requirement (e.g., ³ 9 volts/3 amperes) of thermal printer 502. In this example, USB Type-A connector 518 at a first end of Ϋ cable 514 may be connected to USB Type-A receptacle 508 of POS terminal 506, USB Type-C connector 520 at toe first end of Y-cable 514 (i.e., same end as USB Type-A connector 518) may be connected to a USB Type-C receptacle 512 of AC adaptor 510, and USB Type-C connector 516 at a second end of Y cable 514 may be connected to a USB Type-C receptacle 504 of thermal printer 502. Thus, thermal printer 502 can be used with a POS terminal having USB Type-A receptacle 506 to transmit date therebetween. Simultaneously, thermal printer 502 may receive power of approximately 9 voits/3 amperes from AC adapter 510 so as to perform the operations. Since thermal printers may receive power from external AC adaptors, thermal printers with a USB Type-C port can be versatile for use in various kinds of POS terminals having any USB Type port that may support data signals and may not support a high-power requirement (i.e., ³ 9 volts/3 amperes) of thermal printers.

[0038] It may be noted that the above-described examples of the present solution are for the purpose of illustration only. Although the solution has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, numerous modifications may be possible without materially departing from foe teachings and advantages of foe subject matter described herein. Other substitutions, modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present solution. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disdosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exdusive.

[003¾ The terms“indude,"“have,” and variations thereof, as used herein, have the same meaning as the term“comprise" or appropriate variation thereof. Furthermore, the term "based on,” as used herein, means“based at least in part on.” Thus, a feature that is described as based on some stimulus can be based on the stimulus or a combination of stimuli including the stimulus.

[00403 The present description has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing examples. It is understood, however, that other forms, details, and examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matterthat is defined in the following claims;

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A connector cable comprising:

a Y-cable comprising a first end and a second end split into a first teg and a second leg;

a first connector at the first end to connect to a peripheral device;

a second connector at an end of the first leg, wherein the second connector is to connect to an external power source to transmit power from the external power source to the peripheral device; and

a third connector at an end of the second (eg, wherein toe third connector is to connect to a computing device to transmit date between toe computing device and the peripheral device.

2. The connector cable of daim 1 , wherein the first connector is a first universal serial bus (USB) Type-C connector, the second connector is a second USB Type- C connector, and the third connector is a USB connector.

3. The connector cable of daim 2, wherein toe USB connector is a USB Type-

A connector, a USB Type-B connedor, or a third USB Type-C connetior.

4. The connector cable of daim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a thermal printer and the computing device is a point of sate (POS) terminal.

5. The connector cable of daim 1 , wherein the first leg is to supply at least one of a voltage greater than or equal to 9 volts and a current greater than or equal to 3 amperes from toe external power source to toe peripheral device.

6. A connector cable, comprising:

a first universal serial bus (USB) Type-C connector comprising a first set of power and control pins and a first set of data pins;

a second USB Type-C connector comprising a second set of power and control pins conductively coupled to a corresponding one of the first set of power and control pins in the first USB Type-C connector to transmit a power signal from the second USB Type-C connector to the first USB Type-C connector; and a USB connector comprising a second set of data pins conductively coupled to a corresponding one of the first set of data pins in the first USB Type-C connector to transmit a data signal between the USB connector and the first USB Type-C connector.

7. The connector cable of claim 6, further comprising:

a cable splitter;

a Y-cable comprising:

a first cable section connected to the first USB Type-C connector and the cable splitter;

a second cable section connected to the second USB Type-C connector and the cable splitter; and

a third cable section connected to the USB connector and the cable splitter.

8, The connector cable of claim 7, wherein the first cable section comprises a first set of power transmission lines and a first set of data Sines coupled to the first set of power and control pins and the first set of data pins, respectively, wherein the second cable section comprises a second set of power transmission Sines coupled to the second set of power and control pins, and wherein the third cable section comprises a second set of data lines coupled to the second set of data pins.

9. The connector cable of claim 6, wherein the first set of power and control pins comprises a bus power (VBUS) pin, a configuration channel (CC) pin, a VCONN pin, and a ground pin of the first USB Type-C connector, and wherein the first set of data pins comprises a USB D+ pin, a USB D- pin, and the ground pin of the first USB Type-C connector, wherein the second set of power and control pins comprises a bus power (VBUS) pin, a CC pin, a Vcom pin, and a ground pin of the second USB Type-C connector, and wherein the second set of data pins comprises a USB D+ pin, a USB D~ pin, and a ground pin of the USB connector

10. The connector cable of claim 6, wherein the first set of power and control pins and the first set of data pins are to connect to a connector receptacle of a peripheral device via the first USB Type-C connector, wherein the second set of power and control pins is to conned to a connector receptacle of an external power source via the second USB Type-C connector, and wherein toe second set of date pins is to connect to a connector receptacle of a computing device via the USB connector.

11. A connector cable comprising:

a main cable having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first universal serial bus (USB) connector at the first end of the main cable; a second USB connector at the second end of the main cable, wherein toe first USB connector and the second USB connector are to electrically connect to a peripheral device and a computing device, respectively, for data transmission therebetween;

a cable splitter disposed between toe first end and the second end;

a power cable extending outwardly and laterally from the main cable via toe cable splitter, and having a distal end; and

a third USB connector connected to the distal end of the power cable, wherein the third USB connector is to electrically connect to an external power source to supply power from the external power source to the peripheral device.

12. The connector cable of claim 11 , wherein the first USB connector comprises a first set of data pins arid a first sat of power and cbntrol pins, the second USB connector comprises a second set of date pins conductive!y coupled to a respective one of the first set of data pins in the first USB connector, and toe third USB connector comprises a second set df power arid control pins conductively coupled to a respective one of the first set of power and control pins in the first USB connector.

13. The connector cable of claim 12, wherein the first set of power and control pins comprises a bus power (VBUS) pin, a configuration channel (CO) pin, a VCONN pin, and a ground pin of the first USB connector, toe first set of data pins comprises a USB D+ pin, a USB D- pin, and the ground pin of the first USB connector.

14. The connector cable of daim 12, wherein the second set of data pins comprises a USB D+ pin, a USB D- pin, and a ground pin of the second USB connector, the second set of power and control pins comprises a bus power (Veus) pin, a configuration channel (GC) pin, a VCONN pin, and a ground pin of the third USB connector.

15. The connector cable of daim 11, wherein the external power source is to supply at least one of a voltage greater than or equal to 9 volts and a current greater than or equal to 3 amperes to the peripheral device via the third USB connector and the first USB connedor of file connector cable to permit operation of the peripheral device.