Relay device, receiving device, and transmission system using the same

Abstract

There is a problem that image data cannot be relayed from a transmitting device having an HDMI connector to a receiving device having a USB Type-C connector. In order to solve the above problem, a receiving device having an HDMI receiving function unit and a relay device such as a conversion cable that relays image data from the transmitting device have the function of distinguishing between each other's devices, and the above problem can be solved by switching the validity / invalidity of terminal elements and protection elements and switching signal connections according to the judgment result of the function unit. In addition, a reverse plug connection that reverses the image data transmission direction of the relay device can also be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay device and a receiving device of an image signal and a transmission system using the same. Background Art

[0002] USB (Universal Serial Bus) is known as one of the serial bus standards for connecting peripheral devices to information equipment such as computers. As a connector standard established in the USB standard "USB 3.1", there is USB Type-C.

[0003] The USB Type-C connector has the following features: the insertion port is reversible and can be inserted regardless of the up or down orientation, and the same USB Type-C connector can be used on both the host side and the device side.

[0004] As background technologies in this technical field, there are Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes that a mobile device provides power and image data to a projector via a USB terminal. In addition, Non-Patent Document 1 describes a structural example of a cable assembly for transmitting images from a USB Type-C terminal of an image transmitting device to an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (Japanese registered trademark) terminal of an image receiving device.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0102736

[0008] Non-patent literature

[0009] Non-patent document 1: "HDMI Over USB Type-C", USB DeveloperDays 2016, October 19, 2016, p.21-27 (URL: http: / / www.usb.org / developers / presentations / USB_DevDays_Hong_Kong_2016_-_HDMI_Alt_Mode_USB_Type-C.pdf) Summary of the invention

[0010] Patent Document 1 does not describe or consider a method for transmitting video data to a video device having an HDMI terminal via a USB Type-C terminal.

[0011] Furthermore, in Non-Patent Document 1, there is no description or consideration of video transmission from the HDMI terminal of the video transmitting device to the USB Type-C terminal of the video receiving device.

[0012] The present invention has been completed in view of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a relay device, a receiving device and a transmission system using them that can transmit image data between an image device with an HDMI terminal and an image device with a USB Type-C terminal.

[0013] In view of the above-mentioned background technology and problems, the present invention, if taking one example, is a relay device for relaying images, which is configured to have: an input part for inputting images from a transmitting device; an output part for outputting images to a receiving device; a DC blocking element for connecting the first terminal of the input part and the second terminal of the output part; a terminal element connected to the first terminal; a protection element for pulling down the third terminal of the input part and the fourth terminal of the output part; a control part connected to the fifth terminal of the input part and the sixth terminal of the output part; and the seventh terminal of the input part connected to the control part, and when the control part determines that the receiving device has a predetermined receiving function based on information obtained from the sixth terminal and detects a predetermined voltage at the seventh terminal, the control part disconnects the protection element from the fourth terminal, applies a predetermined voltage to the terminal element, and when the control part detects the standby state of the receiving device from the third terminal, starts to supply terminal power to the terminal element, and transmits image data from the first terminal to the second terminal.

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a relay device and a receiving device that can mutually transmit image data between an image device having an HDMI terminal and an image device having a USB Type-C terminal, and a transmission system using the same. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example in which the transmission device and the reception device are connected by a conversion cable in the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal connection between a conventional transmission device and a conversion cable.

[0017] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal connection between the conversion cable and the receiving device in the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conversion cable in the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a receiving device in Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 6 : is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a terminal element in the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of connecting a transmitting device and a receiving device using a cable and a conversion adapter (dongle) in the second embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of connecting a transmitting device and a receiving device using a conversion adapter and a cable in Embodiment 3.

[0023] Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal connections between the transmission device, conversion adapter, cable, and reception device in the third embodiment.

[0024] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing an example of connecting a transmission device and a reception device using a conversion cable in Embodiment 4.

[0025] Fig.11 This is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal connection between the conversion cable and the receiving device in the fourth embodiment.

[0026] Fig.12 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conversion cable or a conversion adapter in the fourth embodiment.

[0027] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing an example of connecting a transmitting device and a receiving device using a conversion adapter and a cable in Embodiment 5.

[0028] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing an example of connecting a transmitting device and a receiving device using a cable and a conversion adapter in Example 6.

[0029] Fig.15 This is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal connections between the transmitting device, conversion adapter, cable, and receiving device in Example 6.

[0030] Fig.16 This is a diagram showing an example of connecting a transmission device and a reception device via a cable in the seventh embodiment.

[0031] Fig.17 This is a block diagram showing a structural example of a receiving device in Example 7.

[0032] (Explanation of symbols)

[0033] 10, 11: transmitter; 15, 16, 25, 26: conversion adapter; 20, 21: receiver; 30, 36, 38, 41: HDMI plug; 32, 33, 35, 39: USB-C plug; 31, 34, 37, 40: cable; 120, 210: input unit; 121, 122, 123, 124: pull-up element; 126, 127: protection element; 128: control unit; 129: USB2 function unit; 130: power supply terminal; 131 to 138: terminal element; 155, 156: switch; 160: output unit; 161 to 168: DC blocking element; 211, 212: pull-down elements; 227: control unit; 226: USB2 functional unit; 231 to 238: terminal elements; 240: switching unit; 241 to 248, 251 to 254: switching switches; 255, 256, 257: switches; 263, 264, 267, 268: DC blocking element; 280: HDMI receiving functional unit; 281, 282, 283: pull-up elements; 320, 360: terminal group. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described using the drawings.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the transmission device and the reception device in this embodiment connected by a conversion cable.

[0037] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, a transmitting device 10 having an HDMI socket and a receiving device 20 having a USB Type-C (hereinafter referred to as USB-C) socket are connected by an HC conversion cable, which is composed of an HDMI plug 30, a cable 31, and a USB-C plug 32. The HC conversion cable is a relay device, which determines that the receiving device 20 has a receiving function corresponding to this embodiment, and transmits the HDMI video signal transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device via the USB-C plug.

[0038] Figure 2This is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal connection of the transmission device and the conversion cable disclosed in non-patent document 1. The video signal (Internal HDMI) in the HDMI format formed by the video source inside the transmission device is output to the USB-C socket (USB Type C Receptacle) and transmitted to the USB-C plug (USB Type C Plug) of the CH conversion cable (Cable Assembly). The CH conversion cable outputs the video signal to the HDMI plug (HDMI Plug) and transmits it to the HDMI socket (not shown) of the receiving device.

[0039] USB-C has the following functions: the transmitter determines the front and back sides of the plug so that it can be inserted into the socket regardless of the front and back sides of the plug, and switches each signal to one of the two terminals. For example, if the plug is on the front side, the HPD (Hot plug Detect) signal is switched to the B8 terminal, and if it is on the back side, the HPD signal is switched to the A8 terminal.

[0040] Figure 3 The HC conversion cable receives the video signal output from the HDMI socket of the transmission device 10 via the HDMI plug 30 and outputs it to the USB-C plug 32 .

[0041] The receiving device 20 has the function of distinguishing the front and back sides of the USB-C plug 32 when receiving the output of the USB-C plug 32 through the USB-C socket, and selecting signals from two terminals so that the appropriate signal is input to the internal HDMI receiving unit.

[0042] Figure 3 The terminal connection of the HC conversion cable shown is set to take into account the case where the HC conversion cable is composed of a conversion adapter and a USB-C normal cable. Figure 2 The terminal connections in the CH conversion cable are different (referring to the dotted line frame 901 and the solid line frame 902, it can be seen that the connection destination of CLK+ is different in B3 and A10). The details of this connection are described in Example 3.

[0043] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an HC conversion cable in this embodiment. Figure 4In the figure, the input unit 120 is a terminal in the HDMI plug 30, and is composed of CEC and SCL, SDA, +5V, HPD, common (Utility), CLK+, CLK-, D0+, D0-, D1+, D1-, D2+, and D2-. The output unit 160 is a terminal in the USB-C plug 32, and is composed of A5 and B5, A6, A7, A8, B8, A10, A11, B3, B2, B11, B10, A2, and A3. Under each terminal symbol, each signal name is described in bracketed italic font. 128 is a control unit, 129 is a USB2 functional unit, 130 is a power terminal, 121 and 122, 123, 124 are pull-up terminals such as resistors, 126 and 127 are protection elements such as resistors, 155 and 156 are switches, 131 to 138 are terminal elements such as resistors, and 161 to 168 are DC blocking elements such as capacitors.

[0044] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a receiving device in this embodiment. Figure 5 In the figure, the input unit 210 is a terminal in the USB-C socket of the receiving device, and is composed of A5 and B5, A6, B6, A7, B7, A8, B8, A10, A11, B3, B2, B11, B10, A2, and A3. The input of the HDMI receiving function unit 280 is composed of CEC and SCL, SDA, +5V, HPD, common, CLK+, CLK-, D0+, D0-, D1+, D1-, D2+, and D2-. 211 and 212 are pull-down elements such as resistors, 281 and 282, and 283 are pull-up elements such as resistors, 231 to 238 are terminal elements such as resistors, 255 and 256, and 257 are switches, and 258 is a terminal power supply. 227 is a control unit, 226 is a USB2 function unit, and 263 and 264, 267, and 268 are DC blocking elements such as capacitors. 241 to 248, 251, 252, 253, 254 are switching switches.

[0045] Below, use Figure 4 , Figure 5 The operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0046] Figure 5 The control unit 227 receives the input signal through the terminal A5 and the terminal B5 of the input unit 210 and Figure 4 The terminal A5 and the terminal B5 of the output section 160 are connected to Figure 4 The control unit 128 is connected to establish a communication channel through the procedures specified in the USB Type-C standard.

[0047] The terminals A5 and B5 of the input unit 210 are pulled down to GND through the 5.1 kΩ pull-down elements 211 and 212, and the A5 terminal of the output unit 160 is connected to the +5 V power supply terminal 130 through the 56 kΩ pull-up element 124, so Figure 5 The receiving device is regarded as a sink on the side receiving the image signal, and the input unit 210 is regarded as an UFP (Upstream facing Port). Figure 4 The relay device is regarded as the source (Source) on the side that outputs the image signal, and the output unit 160 is regarded as a DFP (Downstream facing Port).

[0048] The B5 terminal of the output section 160 is kept open or pulled down in the control section 128 before the output section 160 is regarded as a DFP, so that Figure 4 The A5 terminal of the output unit 160 becomes 0.4V, and the B5 terminal becomes 0V. Figure 5 When the control unit 227 detects 0.4V at the terminal A5 of the input unit 210, it determines that the plug is inserted in the front side, and when it detects 0.4V at the terminal B5, it determines that the plug is inserted in the reverse side. According to the determination result 272, in addition to switching the switches 241 to 248 and 253 and 254 in the switching unit 240 in the dotted line frame, the switches 251 and 252 are also switched. When it is determined that it is inserted in the front side, the upper side selection is made as shown in the figure, and when it is determined that it is inserted in the reverse side, the lower side selection is made opposite to the figure.

[0049] The result is input into Figure 4 The HDMI signals HPD and common, CLK+, CLK-, D0+, D0-, D1+, D1-, D2+, D2- of the input unit 120 of the HC conversion cable are transmitted to Figure 5 The DDC signal and CEC signal transmitted by SCL and SDA are converted by the control unit 128 according to the CC communication protocol of USB-C, restored to the DDC signal and CEC signal by the control unit 227 and transmitted to the HDMI receiving function unit 280.

[0050] In addition, Figure 5 In the embodiment, the signal switching based on the front and back side discrimination of the plug is switched in the state of differential signal before the HDMI receiving function section 280, but it can also be switched after serial transmission decoding in the HDMI receiving function section 280. In this case, as shown in () below each terminal mark of the input section 210, for a part of the signal with opposite polarity, the signal can be inverted (one's complement processing in parallel signal).

[0051] The terminal CEC of the input unit 120 is connected to a terminal power supply 171 of 3.3 V via a 27 kΩ pull-up element 121, and the terminal SCL and the terminal SDA are connected to a terminal power supply 172 of 5 V via 47 kΩ pull-up elements 122 and 123. These terminal power supplies 171 and 172 can be supplied with power after power is supplied to the terminal +5 V of the power supply terminal 130.

[0052] Regarding HDMI video signals, DC coupling is used to match the protection standard for data transmission of USB-C, which is based on AC coupling. Figure 4 The HC conversion cable is inserted with DC blocking elements 161 to 168. Furthermore, the terminal elements 131 to 138 required for HDMI video signal transmission are connected to the terminal power supply 139. Each terminal element is set to a 50Ω resistor, for example. The control unit 227 confirms the HDMI receiving capability of the receiving device 20, and after confirming that +5V is supplied from the transmitting device 10, 3.3V is supplied to the terminal power supply 139.

[0053] Before the control unit 227 can confirm the HDMI receiving capability of the receiving device 20, the terminals A8 and B8 of the output unit 160 for transmitting the HPD and common signals are pulled down to GND by the protection elements 126 and 127 to protect the USB-C element. After the control unit confirms the HDMI receiving capability, the switches 155 and 156 are turned off according to the confirmation result 157, the pull-down is stopped, and the HPD and common signals are transmitted.

[0054] right Figure 5 The terminals B3, B2, A2, A3 of the input unit 210 are inserted with DC blocking elements 263, 264, 267, 268, thereby preventing damage to other USB-C devices even when a normal USB-C cable is mistakenly inserted.

[0055] For impedance matching, Figure 5 The HDMI receiving function section 280 is provided with 50Ω terminal elements 231 to 238. After confirming that the relay device has the function of transmitting HDMI video signals based on the information obtained from the terminal A5 or the terminal B5 of the input section 210, the control section 227 turns on the switch 257 between the terminal power supply 258 at 3.3V and these terminal elements, so that the TMDS signals of CLK+ and CLK-, D0+, D0-, D1+, D1-, D2+, and D2- can be received. In addition, due to Figure 4 The 50Ω terminal element 131 in the HC conversion cable and Figure 5Since the 50Ω terminal element 231 of the HDMI receiving function unit 280 is connected in parallel, the terminal impedance for the AC component is halved compared to the case where the HDMI transmitter and the HDMI receiver are connected by an HDMI cable without a 50Ω terminal, it is considered that the signal amplitude is half of the normal HDMI signal. Therefore, the HDMI receiving function unit 280 can have a receiving sensitivity corresponding to half of the normal HDMI signal, or switch the input gain to have a 2-fold amplification function.

[0056] Figure 6 Show Figure 4 Other structural examples of the terminal element 131 in the HC conversion cable. These are structural examples that can suppress the reduction in signal amplitude caused by the impedance of the terminal element.

[0057] exist Figure 6 In (a), a constant current element 413 of less than 5 mA, which is about half of the constant current source 10 mA in the transmitting device specified by HDMI, and a resistor element 412 of, for example, about 1 kΩ are connected to the terminal power supply. When the constant current source in the transmitting device is assumed to have a deviation of about 12 mA to 8 mA, the constant current element 413 is about 4 mA, which is half of the lower limit 8 mA, and the resistor element 412 needs to supply about 2 mA, which is half of the difference of 4 mA between the upper limit 12 mA and the lower limit 8 mA. A voltage drop of 700 mV is allowed in the HDMI output regulations, so the upper limit of the resistor element 412 is 350 Ω. Since the resistor element 412 affects the transmission impedance, a series inductor (not shown) can also be inserted on the basis of making the resistor element 412 about 350 Ω.

[0058] Figure 6 (b) is an example of connecting a constant current element 423 of about 5mA or more, which is about half of the constant current source 10mA in the transmitting device, to the terminal power supply and, for example, connecting a resistor element 422 of about 2kΩ to GND. When the constant current source in the transmitting device is assumed to have a deviation of about 12mA to 8mA, the constant current element 423 is about 6mA, which is half of the upper limit 12mA, and it is necessary to extract about 2mA, which is half of the difference of 4mA between the upper limit 12mA and the lower limit 8mA, from the resistor element 422. In the HDMI output regulation, if the terminal power supply is set to 3.3V, a voltage drop of up to 700mV is allowed, so the potential across the resistor element 422 is 2.6V. Therefore, the resistor element 422 becomes about 1.3kΩ as 2.6V / 2mA. Since the resistor element 422 affects the transmission impedance, a series inductor (not shown) can also be inserted on the basis of setting the resistor element 422 to about 1.3kΩ.

[0059] In addition, (a) shows an example of connecting the resistor element 412 to the terminal power supply (for example, 3.3V), and (b) shows an example of connecting the resistor element 422 to GND, but it can also be connected to the average voltage (3.05V) of the HDMI output. In this case, the constant current element is set to 5mA, and in order to use the resistor element to absorb the difference of 1mA, which is 6mA, which is half of the upper limit current 12mA, it becomes (700mV-250mV) / 1mA=450Ω. In order to use the resistor element to absorb the difference of 1mA, which is 4mA, which is half of the lower limit current 8mA, it becomes 250mV / 1mA=250Ω. The resistance values ​​of both are the maximum values, so it is best to be around 250Ω. It is also possible to consider impedance matching and set a series inductor for the resistor element.

[0060] Figure 6 (c) is a diagram showing feedback control applied to the current value of the constant current element 433 by detecting the average voltage. In (a) and (b), a resistor is connected in parallel to avoid voltage saturation, but it can be replaced by reducing the current value when the average voltage becomes higher and increasing the current value when the average voltage becomes lower, thereby adjusting the average voltage range so that the voltage drop from the terminal voltage is about 150 to 350 mV.

[0061] Figure 6 (d) is a diagram in which a resistor 442 and an inductor 443 are connected in series as a terminal element. The resistor 442 is 50Ω and supplies a DC current of 5 mA specified by HDMI. The AC component is cut off by the inductor to prevent the amplitude of the AC component from deteriorating.

[0062] In addition, depending on whether the structure of the terminal element is the above-mentioned resistor, a constant current element, or a structure based on inductance, the signal amplitude is affected, so this information can also be notified to the receiving device 20 via the CC communication channel through the HC conversion cable, so that the receiving device 20 can determine whether to increase or decrease the receiving sensitivity.

[0063] Furthermore, the terminal element 131 may be constructed as 100Ω on the USB-C plug 32 side, and the receiving device may be informed of this, so that the terminal element 231 of the receiving device 20 may also be 100Ω to ensure the signal amplitude. This has the advantage of ensuring the matching of the cable part with the differential impedance of 50Ω and maintaining the signal amplitude.

[0064] also, Figure 4The power supply terminal 130 of the HC conversion cable may be supplied from an external power supply, or the current received from the receiving device 20 from the terminals A4, B4, A9, and B9 (not shown) in the output unit 160 may be used as VBUS. When receiving power supply from an external power supply at the power supply terminal 130, power may be supplied to the receiving device 20 via the terminals A4, B4, A9, and B9 as VBUS. Regarding the use of VBUS, the procedure specified by USB may also be used.

[0065] As described above, the present embodiment is configured to include in a relay device for relaying images: an input unit (120) for inputting images from a transmitting device; an output unit (160) for outputting images to a receiving device; DC blocking elements (161 to 168) for connecting the first terminal (CLK+, D2-, etc.) of the input unit and the second terminal (A10, A3, etc.) of the output unit; terminal elements (131 to 138) connected to the first terminal; protection elements (126, 127) for pulling down the third terminal (HPD, common) of the input unit and the fourth terminal (A8, B8) of the output unit; a control unit ( 128), connected to the 5th terminal (CEC, SDL, SDA) of the input part and the 6th terminal (A5, B5) of the output part; and the 7th terminal (+5V) of the input part, connected to the control part, and when the control part determines that the receiving device has a predetermined receiving function based on the information obtained from the 6th terminal and detects a predetermined voltage at the 7th terminal, the protection element is disconnected from the 4th terminal, a predetermined voltage is applied to the terminal element, and when the control part detects the standby state of the receiving device from the 3rd terminal, the terminal power is started to be supplied to the terminal element, and the image data is transmitted from the 1st terminal to the 2nd terminal.

[0066] In addition, the receiving device for receiving images is configured to include: an input unit (210) for inputting images from a relay device; a receiving function unit (280) for receiving and processing the input images; a first switch (241-248) for switching and connecting a first terminal (A10, A11, etc.) of the input unit and a second terminal (CLK+, CLK-, etc.) of the receiving function unit; a terminal element (231-238) connected to the second terminal; a second switch (253-256) for switching and opening and closing a third terminal (A8, B8) of the input unit and a fourth terminal (HPD, common) of the receiving function unit; and a control unit (227) connected to a fifth terminal (A5, B5) of the input unit and a sixth terminal (CEC, SDL, SDA) of the receiving function unit, and the control unit applies a predetermined voltage to the terminal element when it is determined from information obtained from the fifth terminal that the relay device has a predetermined sending function.

[0067] In addition, in a transmission system for transmitting an image from a transmitting device to a receiving device via a relay device, the system has a discrimination function for discriminating between the functions of the transmitting device, the relay device, and the receiving device, the relay device discriminating the functions of the transmitting device and the receiving device, and switching the protection element and the terminal element provided at the input and output terminals in an effective / ineffective manner, and the receiving device discriminating the functions of the transmitting device and the relay device and the front and back sides of the plug, switching the corresponding connection between the data input terminal and the receiving function unit, and switching the input gain of the receiving function unit.

[0068] This makes it possible to transmit HDMI video signals from a transmitting device having an HDMI socket to a receiving device having a USB socket using the HC conversion cable.

[0069] Example 2

[0070] Figure 7 This is a block diagram of the transmission device and the reception device in this embodiment connected by a cable and a conversion adapter.

[0071] exist Figure 7 In, instead of Figure 1 The HC conversion cable uses a conventional HDMI cable consisting of HDMI plugs 36 and 38, a cable 37, and an HR-CP conversion adapter 25 having an HDMI socket and a USB-C plug to transmit the HDMI image signal from the sending device 10 to the receiving device 20.

[0072] HR-CP conversion adapter 25 Figure 4 The input portion 120 of the HC conversion cable is changed from a plug to a socket. Other than that, the same structure can be used, so the detailed operation description is omitted.

[0073] According to this embodiment, HDMI video signals can be transmitted from a transmitting device having an HDMI socket to a receiving device having a USB socket using conventional HDMI cables of various lengths and an HR-CP conversion adapter according to various distances between the transmitting device and the receiving device.

[0074] Example 3

[0075] Figure 8 This is a block diagram of the transmission device and the reception device in this embodiment connected by a conversion adapter and a cable.

[0076] exist Figure 8 In, instead of Figure 1 The HC conversion cable uses an HP-CR conversion adapter 15 having an HDMI plug and a USB-C socket and a normal USB-C cable consisting of USB-C plugs 33 and 35 and a cable 34 to transmit the HDMI image signal from the sending device 10 to the receiving device 20.

[0077] HP-CR conversion adapter 15 Figure 4 The output portion 160 of the HC conversion cable is changed from a plug terminal to a socket terminal, and other than this, the same structure can be used except for the terminal configuration. The conventional USB-C cable is a so-called crossing cable that switches the transmission and reception terminals, so the connection between the terminals is different from that in the first embodiment. Fig. 9 The terminal connections in this embodiment are shown.

[0078] Fig. 9 The terminal configuration of the HP-CR conversion adapter is as follows: Figure 2 As can be seen from the dashed line box 901 and the dashed line box 903, Figure 2 This allows the use of a CH conversion cable. In addition to the signal conversion function based on the front and back of the plug, Fig. 9 The HP-CR conversion adapter USB-C socket terminal and Figure 2 The terminals of the USB-C socket of the sending device can be identical, so incorrect connection can be avoided.

[0079] The conventional USB-C cable has a structure in which the transmission terminal and the reception terminal are swapped as described above, so the terminal configuration of the USB-C plug on the receiving device side is the same as that of the embodiment 1. Figure 3 The same. That is, Figure 3 The solid line frame 902 and Fig. 9 The solid line frame 904 is the same arrangement. The receiving device can have the same structure as that of the first embodiment.

[0080] According to this embodiment, even if a HP-CR conversion adapter and a normal USB-C cable are used, the same transmitting device and receiving device as in the first embodiment can be used, so there is an advantage of improved versatility.

[0081] Example 4

[0082] Fig.10 This is a block diagram of the transmission device and the reception device in this embodiment connected by a conversion cable.

[0083] exist Fig.10 In the embodiment, a transmitting device 11 having a USB-C socket and a receiving device 21 having an HDMI socket are connected by a C / H conversion cable composed of a USB-C plug 39, a cable 40, and an HDMI plug 41. This is the same connection as the conversion cable of Non-Patent Document 1, but a function of reversing the connection direction of the conversion cable is added.

[0084] The C / H conversion cable has the following characteristics: Fig.10The function of transmitting the image signal output by the USB-C socket of the sending device to the HDMI socket of the receiving device is as follows: Figure 1 The function of transmitting the video signal output from the HDMI socket of the transmitting device to the USB-C socket of the receiving device is switched. That is, if the direction is reversed, it can also be used as the HC conversion cable described in Example 1. This bidirectional connection function has the advantage that the user can use the conversion cable without checking which direction it corresponds to.

[0085] exist Fig.10 In the connection, the sending device 11 needs to be interchangeable with the sending device described in the non-patent document 1, so the terminal connection relationship is set to the same as that in the non-patent document 1. Figure 2 The terminal connection can also be set to be used as the embodiment 1 Figure 1 The HC conversion cable status shown is determined and switched Figure 3 The structure of the terminal connection is shown.

[0086] However, since it is difficult to secure space and power to accommodate components for switching terminal connections within the C / H conversion cable, it is not preferable to perform signal conversion.

[0087] Fig.11 This is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal connection between the C / H conversion cable and the receiving device with a USB-C receptacle when signal conversion in the conversion cable is not performed. Figure 2 The dashed box 901 and Fig.11 The dashed box 905 has the same configuration.

[0088] Fig.12 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a C / H conversion cable in this embodiment. Figure 4 The same number is attached to the parts with the same function. The terminal group 320 in the HDMI plug has terminals of CEC and SCL, SDA, +5V, HPD, common, CLK+, CLK-, D0+, D0-, D1+, D1-, D2+, and D2-. The terminal group 360 in the USB plug has terminals of A5 and B5, A6, A7, B8, A8, B3, B2, A10, A11, A2, A3, B11, and B10. 328 is a control unit, 129 is a USB2 function unit, 130 is a power supply terminal, 121 and 122, 123, and 124 are pull-up terminals such as resistors, 126 and 127 are protection elements such as resistors, 155 and 156, and 181 to 188 are switches, 131 to 138 are terminal elements such as resistors, and 161 to 168 are DC blocking elements such as capacitors.

[0089] The control unit 328 obtains the connection destination information via terminals A5 and B5, and determines whether the connection destination is an HDMI transmitter having a USB-C socket or an HDMI receiver. That is, if it is an HDMI transmitter, it is determined that Fig.10 structure, becoming Figure 2 The video signal is transmitted from the terminal group 360 to the terminal group 320. If it is an HDMI receiving device, it is determined that Figure 1 structure, becoming Fig.11 The image signal is transmitted from the terminal group 320 to the terminal group 360 through the terminal connection.

[0090] When it is determined that the connection destination is an HDMI sending device with a USB-C socket, if the terminal components 131 to 138 are not removed, the transmission obstruction described in non-patent document 1 may occur, so switches 181 to 188 may be set between the terminal power supply 375 and each terminal component 131 to 138, and each terminal component may be turned on using the instruction 374 of the control unit 328.

[0091] Furthermore, when it is determined that the connection destination is an HDMI transmission device having a USB-C receptacle, a switch 324 is provided to transmit the +5V power supplied to the B5 terminal of the terminal group 360 to the +5V terminal of the terminal group 320, and the current is transmitted by the instruction 374 of the control unit 328. When it is determined that the connection destination is other than an HDMI transmission device having a USB-C receptacle, the switch 324 is turned on.

[0092] For example, the SCL and SDA terminals of the terminal group 320 are configured with pull-up elements 122 and 123 of about 47 kΩ, pull-up elements 322 and 323 of about 1.9 kΩ, and switches 332 and 333. When it is determined that the connection destination is an HDMI transmitter with a USB-C socket, the switches 332 and 333 are closed by the instruction signal 373 of the control unit 328, and the pull-up resistors of SCL and SDA are respectively 47 kΩ and 5.1 kΩ, and the parallel composite resistance value is about 1.8 kΩ, and communication is performed with the HDMI receiving device with the HDMI terminal. The SCL and SDA of the control unit 328 perform the master action of i2C. When it is determined that the connection destination is an HDMI receiving device with a USB-C socket, it can be assumed that the communication with the HDMI transmitting device with the HDMI socket is opened. The SCL and SDA of the control unit 328 perform the slave action of i2C.

[0093] The receiving device can be Figure 5 In the structure of Figure 3 The solid line frame 912 is replaced by Fig.11 The dotted box 915.

[0094] In addition, the receiving device may also be provided with the following functions: Figure 3 The HC conversion cable shown is Fig.11 The C / H conversion cable shown switches the terminal configuration according to the result of information acquisition via the A5 terminal and the B5 terminal of the USB-C.

[0095] As described above, this embodiment is configured to detect in a relay device for relaying images that the second sending device is connected to a terminal group (360) and the second receiving device is connected to a terminal group (320), and transmit image data from the second terminal (A10, A3, etc.) to the first terminal (CLK+, D2-, etc.).

[0096] In addition, in a receiving device for receiving images, the control unit (227) switches the connection of the first switch (241-248) based on the information on the front and back connection status of the relay device obtained from the fifth terminal (A5, B5), and switches the input gain of the receiving function unit (280).

[0097] As described above, according to this embodiment, the operation can be performed even when the C / H conversion cable is used in the reverse connection mode, so there is an advantage that the time for confirming the transmission direction of the conversion cable can be saved and the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0098] Example 5

[0099] Fig.13 This is a block diagram of the transmission device and the reception device in this embodiment connected by a conversion adapter and a cable.

[0100] exist Fig.13 In, instead of Fig.10 The HDMI video signal is transmitted from the sending device 11 to the receiving device 21 using a CP / HR conversion adapter 26 having a USB-C plug and an HDMI socket and a conventional HDMI cable consisting of HDMI plugs 36 and 38 and a cable 37.

[0101] CP / HR conversion adapter 26 Fig.12 The terminal group 320 in the HDMI plug of the C / H conversion cable is changed from a plug to a socket, and other aspects can be realized with the same structure.

[0102] According to this embodiment, even if a CP / HR conversion adapter and a conventional HDMI cable are used, the same transmitting device and receiving device as in Embodiment 4 can be used, so there is an advantage of improved versatility.

[0103] Example 6

[0104] Fig.14This is a block diagram of the transmission device and the reception device in this embodiment connected by a cable and a conversion adapter.

[0105] exist Fig.14 In place of Fig.10 The C / H conversion cable uses a conventional USB-C cable consisting of USB-C plugs 33 and 35, a cable 34, and a CR / HP conversion adapter 16 having a USB-C socket and an HDMI plug to transmit an HDMI video signal from the sending device 11 to the receiving device 21.

[0106] Fig.15 Yes Description Fig.14 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the connection between the transmitting device 11, the CR / HP conversion adapter 16, the USB-C cable, and the terminals of the receiving device 21 in the structure of FIG. Figure 2 The same, but it is a cross connection inside the USB-C cable and needs to be swapped as shown in the dotted box 906 and the solid box 907.

[0107] That is, the CR / HP conversion adapter 16 converts Fig.12 The USB-C plug of the C / H conversion cable is changed to a socket, and the terminal configuration can be changed to Fig.15 As shown.

[0108] According to this embodiment, it is possible to transmit HDMI video signals from a sending device having a USB-C socket to a receiving device having an HDMI socket using conventional USB-C cables of various lengths and CR / HP conversion adapters according to various distances between the sending device and the receiving device.

[0109] Example 7

[0110] Fig.16 This is a block diagram of the cable connection between the transmitting device and the receiving device in this embodiment.

[0111] exist Fig.16 In the embodiment, video transmission is performed from a transmitting device 11 having a USB-C receptacle to a receiving device 20 having a USB-C receptacle using a common USB-C cable in which USB-C plugs 33 and 35 at both ends are connected by a cable 34. The receiving device 20 is equivalent to a device obtained by integrating the CR / HP conversion adapter of the sixth embodiment with an HDMI receiving device.

[0112] Here, Fig.17 It is shown that it is possible to Figure 1 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Example 7 Fig.16 An example of a structure of a receiving device that can cope with any of the connection structures.

[0113] exist Fig.17 In the example, the input section 410 of the USB socket is composed of terminals A5, B5, A6, B6, A7, B7, B8, A8, A10, A11, B3, B2, B11, B10, A2, and A3. The structure of the HDMI receiving function section 280 is similar to Figure 5 The same parts are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Reference numeral 450 denotes a switching matrix.

[0114] Below, use Fig.17 The operation of the receiving device will be described. Fig.17 The control unit 427 is connected to the terminal A5 and the terminal B5 of the input unit 410 of the USB socket, and Figure 5 Similarly, the control unit 227 establishes the communication channel through the steps specified in the USB Type-C standard. After the communication channel is established, the operation capability information of the sending device with USB-C socket, conversion cable, conversion adapter, and USB-C cable is obtained, and the operation capability information of the sending device with USB-C socket, conversion cable, conversion adapter, and USB-C cable is obtained. Figure 1 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Fig.17 structure, judgement needs Figure 3 , Fig. 9 , Fig.11 , Fig.15 The transformation matrix 450 is controlled by which terminal of is connected.

[0115] That is, it can be judged that Figure 3 ( Figure 1 HC conversion cable, Figure 7 HR-CP conversion adapter), Fig. 9 ( Figure 8 When connecting the terminals of the HP-CR conversion adapter, #1 and #2 are switched by judging the front and back of the plug. Fig.11 ( Fig.10 When connecting the terminals of the H / C conversion cable, #3 and #4 are switched by judging the front and back sides of the plug insertion.

[0116] In judging Fig.16 The USB-C cable connection structure becomes Fig.15 The terminal configuration is the same as that of the CR / HP conversion adapter, so it is set to connection #1. The front and back side judgment of the plug insertion is performed by the transmitter 11 with the USB-C socket, so there is no need to switch the front and back side of the plug in the USB-C receiving device 20. For the same reason, there is no need to switch the front and back side of the plug based on switches 253 and 254. However, it is necessary to switch the front and back side of the plug based on switches 251 and 252 according to the USB-C specification.

[0117] According to this embodiment, an HDMI video signal can be transmitted from a USB-C transmitting device to a USB-C receiving device via a USB-C cable.

[0118] As described above, it is possible to transmit HDMI video signals between a device having an HDMI connector and a device having a USB-C connector using a relay device such as a conversion cable. Furthermore, the conversion cable can also be used to reverse the image transmission direction. In addition, it is possible to transmit HDMI video signals via a USB-C cable between devices having a USB-C connector. Furthermore, these devices having a USB-C connector and an HDMI receiving function have the advantage of being able to operate when using various adapters in addition to the above-mentioned conversion cable and USB-C cable.

Claims

1. A relay device, the relay device relaying an image, characterized in that: have: An input unit for inputting images from a transmitting device; An output unit, outputting images to a receiving device; A DC blocking element connecting the first terminal of the input portion and the second terminal of the output portion; A terminal element connected to the first terminal; A protection element, pulling down the third terminal of the input part and the fourth terminal of the output part; a control unit connected to the fifth terminal of the input unit and the sixth terminal of the output unit; and The seventh terminal of the input unit is connected to the control unit. When the control unit determines that the receiving device has a predetermined receiving function based on the information obtained from the sixth terminal and a predetermined voltage is detected at the seventh terminal, the protection element is disconnected from the fourth terminal and a predetermined voltage is applied to the terminal element, and When the control unit detects the standby state of the receiving device from the fourth terminal, the control unit starts supplying terminal power to the terminal element and transmits the image data from the first terminal to the second terminal.

2. The relay device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It is detected that the second transmitting device is connected to the output unit and the second receiving device is connected to the input unit, and the image data is transmitted from the second terminal to the first terminal.

3. A receiving device for receiving an image, characterized in that: have: An input unit for inputting images from a relay device; The receiving function unit receives and processes the input image; a first switch for switching and connecting the first terminal of the input unit and the second terminal of the receiving function unit; A terminal element connected to the second terminal; a second switch for switching and opening and closing the connection between the third terminal of the input unit and the fourth terminal of the receiving function unit; and a control unit connected to the fifth terminal of the input unit and the sixth terminal of the receiving function unit, The control unit applies a predetermined voltage to the terminal element when determining based on the information obtained from the fifth terminal that the relay device has a predetermined transmission function.

4. The receiving device according to claim 3, characterized in that The control unit switches the first switch and the input gain of the reception function unit based on the information of the front and back connection state of the plug of the relay device obtained from the fifth terminal.

5. A transmission system for transmitting an image from a transmitting device to a receiving device via a relay device, characterized in that: When the relay device determines that the receiving device has a predetermined receiving function and a predetermined voltage is detected at the seventh terminal of the input portion of the relay device, the relay device switches the protection element and the terminal element of the relay device provided between the input portion of the relay device and the output portion of the relay device in an effective / ineffective manner, and The receiving device comprises: An input unit for inputting images from the relay device; The receiving function unit receives and processes the input image; as well as a first switch for switching the connection between the first terminal of the input unit and the second terminal of the receiving function unit; The receiving device switches the first switch and the input gain of the receiving function unit based on the information of the front and back connection state of the plug of the relay device obtained from the fifth terminal of the input unit of the receiving device.

Images