An electrostatic protection system and communication recovery apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses an electrostatic protection system and a communication recovery device. The system comprises a host computer, an interface connector, a reference device and a communication device with an electrostatic protection structure. The interface connector, the host computer, the communication device and the reference device all have a first type interface, so that the communication device and the reference device are connected to the host computer through the interface connector. The communication device is used to control the first type interface of the communication device to recover to normal if the communication between the communication device and the host computer is invalid and the communication between the reference device and the host computer is valid after detecting that the communication device is connected to the interface connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to an electrostatic discharge protection system and a communication recovery device. Background Technology

[0002] Digital RMB hardware wallets and ID card readers, as human-machine interfaces, need to come into contact with people's fingers. Because electrostatic discharge (ESD) from the human body can directly enter the device, even with hardware protection, communication failures can still occur, resulting in severe communication breakdowns and a very poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address any of the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide an electrostatic discharge protection system and a communication recovery device.

[0004] To achieve the objectives of this application's embodiments, this application provides an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection system, including a host computer, an interface connector, a reference device, and a communication device with an ESD protection structure; wherein the interface connector, the host computer, the communication device, and the reference device all have a first type of interface, so that the communication device and the reference device are both connected to the host computer through the interface connector, wherein:

[0005] The communication device is configured to, upon detecting that the communication device is connected to the interface connector, if the communication between the communication device and the host computer fails, but the communication between the reference device and the host computer is valid, control the first type interface of the communication device to return to normal.

[0006] A communication recovery device is applied to a device connected to the host computer via the interface connector in the system described above. The device includes:

[0007] An identification module is used to identify whether the device is the communication device or the reference device;

[0008] The first recovery module is used to control the first type interface of the device to return to normal after detecting a communication failure between the device and the host computer if the device is a communication device.

[0009] The second recovery module is used to control the first type interface of the interface connector to return to normal if the device is a reference device.

[0010] One of the above technical solutions has the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0011] After detecting the communication device connection interface connector, if the communication between the communication device and the host computer fails, but the communication between the reference device and the host computer is valid, the first type interface of the communication device is controlled to return to normal, thereby restoring the communication between the communication device and the host computer and achieving the purpose of automatically restoring the communication between the communication device and the host computer.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the embodiments of this application will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the embodiments of this application. The objects and other advantages of the embodiments of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this application to explain the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electrostatic discharge protection system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0016] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Another schematic diagram of the system shown;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the communication recovery device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0018] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of the device shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system. (Example) Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes a host computer 10, an interface connector 20, and a communication device 30; wherein:

[0021] The communication device 30 can be a digital RMB hard wallet or an ID card reader.

[0022] The communication device 30 collects information from items (such as ID cards, mobile terminals, or chip cards with payment functions) placed within a preset range of the communication device 30, obtains the collection results, and sends them to the host computer 10 through the connected interface connector 20 for processing by the host computer 10.

[0023] Furthermore, the host computer 10 sends its data to the communication device 30 via the interface connector 20 as needed.

[0024] Since the communication device 30 serves as a human-machine interface and needs to come into contact with the human body, and since ESD from the human body will directly enter the communication device 30, the following solutions are proposed in the prior art to reduce electrostatic discharge interference, including:

[0025] Method 1: Add an additional conductive ESD protection layer to the communication device 30, wherein the ESD protection layer is connected to the bias voltage potential to improve ESD resistance.

[0026] Method 2: By adding an induction array and electrostatic discharge protection electrodes, the discharge path of the communication device 30 can be increased; in addition, two electrostatic discharge protection paths can be provided to achieve rapid discharge.

[0027] Method 3: A combination of software and hardware protection for device ESD protection. The software protection method enables the device to quickly recover from abnormalities caused by electrostatic discharge using software algorithms. The hardware reset circuit includes a delayed switching unit and a discharge unit, which can quickly reactivate the device and restore its functionality.

[0028] Analyzing the three methods above reveals that all three have shortcomings, including:

[0029] In method 1, while adding an ESD protection layer can protect the device, it increases the cost of the device. Moreover, adding an ESD protection layer will reduce the device's sensitivity and slow down its response speed.

[0030] In Method 2, adding a discharge path requires development and verification in conjunction with board-level equipment, which is time-consuming, has poor versatility, and is costly.

[0031] In Method 3, the combined software and hardware protection method for device ESD protection mainly relies on software compensation or hardware reset, which has high processing complexity.

[0032] In addition to the aforementioned drawbacks, all three methods share a serious limitation: they all fail to function when communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 fails. Therefore, how to quickly restore communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 when communication fails is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electrostatic discharge protection system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, the system includes a host computer 10, an interface connector 20, a reference device 40, and a communication device 30 with an electrostatic protection structure; wherein the interface connector 20, the host computer 10, the communication device 30, and the reference device 40 all have a first type interface K1, so that the communication device 30 and the reference device 40 are connected to the host computer 10 through the interface connector 20.

[0034] The communication device 30 can be configured with an electrostatic protection structure using the three methods mentioned above.

[0035] and Figure 1 A comparison of the systems shown reveals that... Figure 2 The system shown is further equipped with a reference device 40, which is connected to the interface connector 20 in the same way as the communication device 30 and the interface connector 20, that is, both are connected to the interface connector 20 through the first type interface K1.

[0036] In this case, the first type interface K1 of the reference device 40 is normal, that is, when the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20 is normal, the reference device 40 can communicate with the host computer 10 through the interface connector 20 based on the first type interface K1. In contrast, when the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20 is normal, the communication device 30 can only communicate with the host computer 10 through the interface connector 20 based on the first type interface K1 if the first type interface K1 of the communication device 30 is valid.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication device 30 is configured to, after detecting that the communication device 30 is connected to the interface connector 20, if the communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 fails, but the communication between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10 is valid, control the first type interface K1 of the communication device 30 to return to normal.

[0038] Specifically, the communication device 30 achieves a physical connection with the interface connector 20 through structural matching of the first type interface K1. If both the interface connector 20 and the first type interface K1 of the communication device 30 are valid, communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 can be realized. Conversely, if the first type interface K1 of at least one of the interface connector 20 and the communication device 30 fails, communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 cannot be realized.

[0039] In the above exemplary embodiment, since the communication between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10 is effective, it can be presumed that the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20 is effective. Therefore, the cause of the communication failure between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 is not the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20. It can be presumed that the cause of the communication failure between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 is that the first type interface K1 of the communication device 30 is not working properly. Therefore, the first type interface K1 of the communication device 30 can be controlled to return to normal, so that both the interface connector 20 and the first type interface K1 of the communication device 30 are normal, so as to ensure that the communication device 30 can automatically restore the communication with the host computer 10.

[0040] The system provided in this application embodiment, after detecting that the communication device 30 is connected to the interface connector 20, if the communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 fails, but the communication between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10 is valid, controls the first type interface K1 of the communication device 30 to return to normal, thereby realizing the restoration of communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10, and achieving the purpose of automatically restoring the communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10.

[0041] In one exemplary embodiment, the reference device 40 is configured to control the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20 to return to normal operation if communication between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10 fails.

[0042] In the above exemplary embodiment, since the communication between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10 has failed, it can be presumed that the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20 has failed. Therefore, the reference device 40 controls the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20 to return to normal, so as to restore the communication between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10. In addition, by restoring the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20 to normal, effective support can be provided for the communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10.

[0043] The reference device 40 can restore the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20 to normal operation in any of the following ways:

[0044] In mode A, reference device 40 outputs an alarm message indicating that the first type interface K1 of interface connector 20 has failed, thereby triggering an operator to manually restore interface connector 20.

[0045] In method B, a control device is added, which is connected to the reference device 40 and the interface connector 20. The reference device 40 can output a control command, which is used to instruct the control device to perform a reset operation on the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20. After receiving the control command, the control device performs a reset operation on the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20.

[0046] In method C, the interface connector 20 further includes a reset unit 21, which is used to perform a reset operation on the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20; the interface connector 20 and the reference device 40 also have a second type interface K2, so that the reference device 40 is also connected to the interface connector 20 through the second type interface K2, see details. Figure 3 , Figure 3 for Figure 2 Another schematic diagram of the system shown.

[0047] exist Figure 3 In the system shown, reference device 40 is used to send a reset command through a second type interface K2, which controls the reset unit 21 in the interface connector 20 to perform a reset operation.

[0048] Compared with methods A and B listed above, method C can automatically restore the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20 without requiring additional hardware costs.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the reference device 40 is used to detect the heartbeat signal generated by the heartbeat communication between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10; if no heartbeat signal is received between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10 within a preset time period, it is determined that the communication between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10 has failed.

[0050] Based on the heartbeat signal generated by the heartbeat communication between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10, it is determined whether the communication between the reference device 40 and the host computer 10 has failed. The hardware cost is low and the processing logic is simple.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication device 30 is configured to detect the heartbeat signal generated by the heartbeat communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10; if no heartbeat signal is received between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 within a preset time period, it is determined that the communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 has failed.

[0052] Based on the heartbeat signal generated by the heartbeat communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10, it is determined whether the communication between the communication device 30 and the host computer 10 has failed. The hardware cost is low and the processing logic is simple.

[0053] In one exemplary embodiment, the first type interface K1 is a USB interface.

[0054] Correspondingly, the interface connector 20 can be a hub, which can be equipped with multiple USB interfaces. Some of the USB interfaces can be used to connect to the USB interfaces of the communication device 30 and the reference device 40, while the other part of the interfaces can be used to connect to the host computer 10, thereby realizing communication between the devices connected by the two parts of the interfaces.

[0055] The hub includes a reset unit 21, which is used to reset the USB interface and restore its normal function.

[0056] Correspondingly, when the built-in USB interface of the communication device 30 fails, the communication device 30 can perform a USB re-enumeration operation to restore the normal function of the USB interface.

[0057] In one exemplary embodiment, the second type interface K2 is a GPIO (General-purpose input / output) interface.

[0058] Specifically, both the interface connector 20 and the reference device 40 are provided with GPIO interfaces, so that the interface connector 20 and the reference device 40 can be connected through the GPIO interfaces. The reference device 40 can send a reset command to the interface connector 20 through the GPIO interfaces, thereby controlling the interface connector 20 to reset the first type interface K1.

[0059] In one exemplary embodiment, at least one of the interface connector 20, the host computer 10, the communication device 30, and the reference device 40 has a first type interface K1 provided with an electrostatic discharge protection structure.

[0060] By setting an electrostatic discharge protection structure for the first type interface K1, the probability of functional failure caused by electrostatic discharge of the first type interface K1 can be reduced, thus providing communication stability.

[0061] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the communication recovery device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 As shown, this device is applied to Figure 2 or Figure 3 The device in the system shown is connected to the host computer 10 via the interface connector 20. This device can be a communication device 30 or a reference device 40.

[0062] Specifically, the device includes:

[0063] Identification module 51 is used to identify whether the device is the communication device 30 or the reference device 40;

[0064] The first recovery module 52, connected to the identification module 51, is used to control the first type interface K1 of the device to return to normal after detecting a communication failure between the device and the host computer 10 if the device is a communication device 30.

[0065] The second recovery module 53, connected to the identification module 51, is used to control the first type interface K1 of the interface connector 20 to return to normal after detecting a communication failure between the device and the host computer 10 if the device is the reference device 40.

[0066] Specifically, the second recovery module 53 is used to send a reset command, which is used to control the reset unit 21 in the interface connector 20 to perform a reset operation.

[0067] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of the device shown. (As shown) Figure 5 As shown, the device also includes:

[0068] The detection module 54, connected to the first recovery module 52 and the second recovery module 53, is used to detect the heartbeat signal generated by the heartbeat communication between the device and the host computer 10; if no heartbeat signal is received between the device and the host computer 10 within a preset time period, it is determined that the communication between the device and the host computer 10 has failed.

[0069] The device provided in this application embodiment, after detecting the device connection interface connector 20, if the communication between the device and the host computer 10 fails, automatically restores the normal function of the first type interface K1 between the device and the host computer 10, thereby achieving the purpose of automatically restoring the communication between the device and the host computer 10.

[0070] In summary, the solution provided in this application, after the communication device 30 is equipped with an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure, addresses the problem of communication failure that cannot be automatically recovered by automatically restoring the normal function of the first type interface K1, thus resolving the communication failure issue caused by ESD. The solution utilizes heartbeat communication with the host computer to determine whether communication has failed, requiring no modification to the original hardware circuitry; only a simple design is needed for the interaction logic between communications, resulting in low design costs.

[0071] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all or some of the steps, systems, or apparatuses disclosed above, and their functional modules / units, can be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, or suitable combinations thereof. In hardware implementations, the division between functional modules / units mentioned above does not necessarily correspond to the division of physical components; for example, a physical component may have multiple functions, or a function or step may be performed collaboratively by several physical components. Some or all components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a digital signal processor or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Such software may be distributed on a computer-readable medium, which may include computer storage media (or non-transitory media) and communication media (or transient media). As is known to those skilled in the art, the term computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information (such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data). Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical disc storage, magnetic cartridges, magnetic tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and can be accessed by a computer. Furthermore, it is well known to those skilled in the art that communication media typically contain computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in modulated data signals such as carrier waves or other transmission mechanisms, and may include any information delivery medium.

Claims

1. An electrostatic discharge protection system, characterized in that, This includes host computers, interface connectors, reference devices, and communication equipment with electrostatic protection structures; The interface connector, the host computer, the communication device, and the reference device all have a first type of interface, such that the communication device and the reference device are both connected to the host computer via the interface connector, wherein: The communication device is configured to, upon detecting that the communication device is connected to the interface connector, if the communication between the communication device and the host computer fails, but the communication between the reference device and the host computer is valid, control the first type interface of the communication device to return to normal.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reference device is configured to control the first type of interface of the interface connector to return to normal if communication between the reference device and the host computer fails.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The interface connector also has a reset unit, wherein the reset unit is used to perform a reset operation on a first type interface of the interface connector; The interface connector and the reference device also have a second type of interface, so that the reference device can also be connected to the interface connector via the second type of interface; The reference device is configured to send a reset command via a second type interface, the reset command being used to control the reset unit in the interface connector to perform a reset operation.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reference device is used to detect the heartbeat signal generated by the heartbeat communication between the reference device and the host computer; if no heartbeat signal is received between the reference device and the host computer within a preset time period, it is determined that the communication between the reference device and the host computer has failed. And / or, The communication device is used to detect the heartbeat signal generated by the heartbeat communication between the communication device and the host computer; if no heartbeat signal is received between the communication device and the host computer within a preset time period, it is determined that the communication between the communication device and the host computer has failed.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first type of interface is a USB interface.

6. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second type of interface is the GPIO interface.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: At least one of the interface connector, the host computer, the communication device, and the reference device has a first-type interface provided with an electrostatic protection structure.

8. A communication recovery device, characterized in that, The device, which is connected to the host computer via the interface connector in the system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, comprises: An identification module is used to identify whether the device is the communication device or the reference device; The first recovery module is used to control the first type interface of the device to return to normal after detecting a communication failure between the device and the host computer if the device is the communication device. The second recovery module is used to control the first type interface of the interface connector to return to normal after detecting a communication failure between the device and the host computer if the device is the reference device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second recovery module is used to send a reset command, which is used to control the reset unit in the interface connector to perform a reset operation.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The device further includes: The detection module is used to detect the heartbeat signal generated by the heartbeat communication between the device and the host computer; if no heartbeat signal is received between the device and the host computer within a preset time period, it is determined that the communication between the device and the host computer has failed.

Images