USB hub with multiple uplink ports and data transmission method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a USB hub and a data transmission method thereof. The USB hub comprises a plurality of uplink port connectors, a plurality of downlink port connectors and a plurality of hub controllers. A first uplink port of the first hub controller is coupled to the first uplink port connector. A first downlink port of the first hub controller is coupled to the first downlink port connector. The first uplink port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second uplink port connector. The first downlink port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second downlink port connector. The second uplink port of the first hub controller is coupled to the second downlink port of the second hub controller, and / or the second uplink port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second downlink port of the first hub controller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device, and in particular to a USB hub with multiple upstream ports. Background Art

[0002] Universal Serial Bus is a serial port bus standard that connects a host to an external device, and is also a technical specification for an input and output interface. USB is widely used in personal computers, mobile devices, photographic equipment, digital televisions (set-top boxes), game consoles and other products. A USB hub allows a USB host to connect more USB devices. The USB devices may include a keyboard, mouse, printer or other peripherals. A USB hub can also be used as a repeater to broadcast data downloaded from the USB host to the USB device (external device), and transmit data uploaded from the USB device to the USB host.

[0003] Usually, a USB hub has only one USB Upstream-Facing Port (UFP) connector to connect to a USB host, and the rest of the connectors are USB Downstream-Facing Port (DFP) connectors to connect USB devices. A general USB hub cannot connect to multiple USB hosts at the same time. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a universal serial bus hub and a data transmission method thereof, which can flexibly and dynamically allocate resources of a plurality of downstream port connectors to a first upstream port connector and / or a second upstream port connector based on actual operation scenarios.

[0005] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the USB hub comprises a first upstream port (UFP) connector, a second upstream port connector, a plurality of downstream port (DFP) connectors, a first hub controller and a second hub controller. A first upstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to the first upstream port connector. A first downstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to a first downstream port connector among the downstream port connectors. A first upstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second upstream port connector. A first downstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to a second downstream port connector among the downstream port connectors. A socket of the second hub controller is coupled to a socket of the first hub controller. Among them, the second upstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to the second downstream port of the second hub controller; or, the second upstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second downstream port of the first hub controller; or, the second upstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to the second downstream port of the second hub controller and the second upstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second downstream port of the first hub controller.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data transmission method of the above-mentioned USB hub includes: providing the above-mentioned USB hub; coupling the first host to the first upstream port connector; coupling the USB device to one of these downstream port connectors and being controlled by the first host; coupling the second host to the second upstream port connector; determining whether the first hub controller or the second hub controller obtains mode control information; and in response to the mode control information obtained by the first hub controller or the second hub controller requiring the USB device to be controlled by the second host, the USB device controlled by the first host switches to being controlled by the second host.

[0007] Based on the above, the USB hub described in the embodiments of the present invention can be connected to one or more hosts. Based on the actual operation scenario, the USB hub can flexibly and dynamically allocate the resources of multiple downstream port connectors to the first upstream port connector and / or the second upstream port connector. For example, the USB hub can selectively allocate the resources of all downstream port connectors to a single upstream port connector (the first upstream port connector or the second upstream port connector). Alternatively, the USB hub can selectively allocate the resources of a portion of the downstream port connectors to the first upstream port connector, and selectively allocate the resources of another portion of the downstream port connectors to the second upstream port connector. Alternatively, when the first and second hosts are respectively coupled to the first and second upstream port connectors, the first host can communicate with the second host through the USB hub. Of course, the second host can also communicate with the first host through the USB hub.

[0008] In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, embodiments are given below with reference to the accompanying drawings for detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a circuit block diagram of a USB hub according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a USB hub according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 The present invention is a circuit block diagram of a USB hub according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E It is a schematic diagram of routing switching of the routing circuit illustrated in different operating scenarios of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a circuit block diagram of a USB hub according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6J It is a schematic diagram of routing switching of the routing circuit illustrated in different operating scenarios of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 The present invention is a flowchart of a data transmission method of a USB hub according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Description of Reference Numerals

[0017] 11, 11A, 11B: Host

[0018] 12: USB device

[0019] 13: Keyboard

[0020] 100, 200, 300, 500: USB hub

[0021] 110, 120, 210, 220, 310, 320, 510, 520: Hub controller

[0022] 230: Button

[0023] 311, 321, 511, 521: Control circuit

[0024] 312, 322, 512, 515, 522, 525: Routing circuits

[0025] 313, 323, 513, 523: Hub circuit

[0026] 514, 524: Host bridge

[0027] DFP11, DFP12, DFP13, DFP14, DFP21, DFP22, DFP23, DFP24, DFP31, DFP32, DFP33, DFP34, DFP51, DFP52, DFP53, DFP54: Downstream port connector

[0028] DN111, DN112, DN113, DN121, DN122, DN123, DN211, DN212, DN213, DN221, DN222, DN223, DN311, DN312, DN313, DN321, DN322, DN323, DN511, DN512, DN513, DN521, DN522, DN523: Downlink port

[0029] S710~S750: Steps

[0030] UFP11, UFP12, UFP21, UFP22, UFP31, UFP32, UFP51, UFP52: Uplink port connector

[0031] UP111, UP112, UP121, UP122, UP211, UP212, UP221, UP222, UP311, UP312, UP321, UP322, UP511, UP512, UP521, UP522: Uplink port DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The term "coupled (or connected)" used in the entire specification of this case (including the claims) may refer to any direct or indirect means of connection. For example, if the text describes a first device coupled (or connected) to a second device, it should be interpreted that the first device can be directly connected to the second device, or the first device can be indirectly connected to the second device through other devices or some connection means. The terms "first", "second", etc. mentioned in the entire specification of this case (including the claims) are used to name the components (element) or to distinguish different embodiments or scopes, and are not used to limit the upper or lower limit of the number of components, nor to limit the order of components. In addition, wherever possible, components / components / steps with the same number in the drawings and embodiments represent the same or similar parts. Components / components / steps using the same number or the same terminology in different embodiments can refer to the relevant descriptions of each other.

[0033] Figure 11 is a circuit block diagram of a universal serial bus hub 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The USB hub 100 includes a plurality of upstream port connectors UFP11, UFP12, a plurality of downstream port connectors DFP11, DFP12, DFP13, DFP14, and a plurality of hub controllers 110 and 120. The upstream port connector is, for example, a USB upstream port connector, and the downstream port connector is, for example, a USB downstream port connector. The number of upstream port connectors, the number of downstream port connectors, and the number of hub controllers can be determined according to actual design. In this document and the accompanying drawings, the upstream port connector of the hub 100 is represented by UFP, and the downstream port connector is represented by DFP. The upstream port connectors UFP11 and UFP12 are used to connect to the host 11. The downstream port connectors DFP11, DFP12, DFP13, and DFP14 are used to connect to the USB device 12, the keyboard 13, or other USB devices. In this document, the host 11 is, for example, a USB host.

[0034] The hub controller 110 includes upstream ports UP111, UP112, downstream ports DN111, DN112, and DN113. The hub controller 120 includes upstream ports UP121, UP122, downstream ports DN121, DN122, and DN123. The upstream port is, for example, a USB upstream port, and the downstream port is, for example, a USB downstream port. The number of upstream ports and downstream ports of the hub controller 110 can be determined according to the actual design. In addition, in this document and the accompanying drawings, the upstream port and downstream port of the hub controller are represented by UP and DP, respectively. The upstream port UP111 of the hub controller 110 is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP11, and the downstream ports DN111 and DN112 of the hub controller 110 are coupled to the downstream port connectors DFP11 and DFP12, respectively. The uplink port UP121 of the hub controller 120 is coupled to the uplink port connector UFP12 , and the downlink ports DN121 and DN122 of the hub controller 120 are coupled to the downlink port connectors DFP14 and DFP13 , respectively.

[0035] As mentioned above, the upstream port UP112 of the hub controller 110 is coupled to the downstream port DN123 of the hub controller 120, and the upstream port UP122 of the hub controller 120 is coupled to the downstream port DN113 of the hub controller 110. In other embodiments, the upstream port UP112 of the hub controller 110 is coupled to the downstream port DN123 of the hub controller 120, but the upstream port UP122 of the hub controller 120 is not coupled to the downstream port DN113 of the hub controller 110. Alternatively, the upstream port UP122 of the hub controller 120 is coupled to the downstream port DN113 of the hub controller 110, but the upstream port UP112 of the hub controller 110 is not coupled to the downstream port DN123 of the hub controller 120.

[0036] The socket of the hub controller 110 may be coupled to the socket of the hub controller 120 via a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) interface (or other interface). Figure 1 In the embodiment, the USB device 12 may include a keyboard 13, which may be coupled to one of the downstream port connectors DFP11, DFP12, DFP13, and DFP14. When the keyboard 13 is coupled to the hub controller 110 through the downstream port connector DFP11 or DFP12, the hub controller 110 may decode a hotkey signal of the keyboard 13 to obtain mode control information, and may provide the mode control information to the hub controller 120 through a socket. Similarly, when the keyboard 13 is coupled to the hub controller 120 through the downstream port connector DFP13 or DFP14, the hub controller 120 may also decode the hotkey signal of the keyboard 13 to obtain mode control information, and may provide the mode control information to the hub controller 110 through a socket. The hub controller 110 and the hub controller 120 may change the operation mode according to the mode control information.

[0037] Based on the actual operation scenario, the USB hub 100 can operate in different operation modes so as to flexibly and dynamically allocate the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP11, DFP12, DFP13 and DFP14 to the upstream port connectors UFP11 and / or UFP12. For example, when a single host 11 is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP11 and the upstream port connector UFP12 is not coupled to any host (a first operation scenario), the hub controller 110 can couple / provide a transmission path between the upstream port connector UFP11 and the downstream port DN113 of the hub controller 110, and the hub controller 120 can couple / provide a transmission path between the downstream port connectors (DFP13 and / or DFP14) and the upstream port UP122 of the hub controller 120. Therefore, in the first operation scenario, the host 11 can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP11 and / or DFP12 through the hub controller 110, and can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP13 and / or DFP14 through the hub controllers 110 and 120. Among them, the upstream ports UP111, UP122, the downstream ports DN111, DN112, DN113, DN121 and DN122 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP112, UP121 and the downstream port DN123 are disabled.

[0038] When a single host 11 is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP12 and the upstream port connector UFP11 is not coupled to any host (the second operation scenario), the hub controller 120 can couple / provide a transmission path between the upstream port connector UFP12 and the downstream port DN123 of the hub controller 120, and the hub controller 110 can couple / provide a transmission path between the downstream port connector (DFP11 and / or DFP12) and the upstream port UP112 of the hub controller 110. Therefore, in the second operation scenario, the host 11 can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP13 and / or DFP14 through the hub controller 120, and can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP11 and / or DFP12 through the hub controllers 120 and 110. Among them, the upstream ports UP112, UP121, the downstream ports DN111, DN112, DN121, DN122 and DN123 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP111, UP122 and the downstream port DN113 are disabled.

[0039] When a host (first host) is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP11 and another host (second host) is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP12 (third operating scenario), the hub controllers 110 and 120 can selectively operate in one of the multiple modes according to the above-mentioned mode control information, and the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0040] In the first mode of the third operation scenario, the hub controller 110 may couple / provide a transmission path between the upstream port connector UFP11 and the downstream port DN113 of the hub controller 110, and the hub controller 120 may couple / provide a transmission path between the downstream port connector (DFP13 and / or DFP14) and the upstream port UP122 of the hub controller 120. Furthermore, in addition to using the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP11 and / or DFP12 through the hub controller 110, the first host may also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP13 and / or DFP14 through the hub controllers 110 and 120. Among them, the upstream ports UP111, UP122, the downstream ports DN111, DN112, DN113, DN121 and DN122 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP112, UP121 and the downstream port DN123 are disabled.

[0041] In the second mode of the third operation scenario, the hub controller 120 can couple / provide a transmission path between the upstream port connector UFP12 and the downstream port DN123 of the hub controller 120, and the hub controller 110 can couple / provide a transmission path between the downstream port connector (DFP11 and / or DFP12) and the upstream port UP112 of the hub controller 110. Furthermore, the second host can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP13 and / or DFP14 through the hub controller 120, and can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP11 and / or DFP12 through the hub controllers 120 and 110. Among them, the upstream ports UP112, UP121, the downstream ports DN111, DN112, DN121, DN122 and DN123 of the hub controller 110 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP111, UP122 and the downstream port DN113 are disabled.

[0042] In the third mode of the third operation scenario, the upstream port UP112 of the hub controller 110 is disabled, and the upstream port UP122 of the hub controller 120 is disabled. Furthermore, the first host connected to the upstream port connector UFP11 can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP11 and / or DFP12 through the hub controller 110, and the second host connected to the upstream port connector UFP12 can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP13 and / or DFP14 through the hub controller 120. Among them, the upstream ports UP111, UP121, the downstream ports DN111, DN112, DN121 and DN122 of the hub controller 110 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP112, UP122, the downstream ports DN113 and DN123 of the hub controller 110 are disabled.

[0043] In the fourth mode of the third operation scenario, the hub controller 110 may couple / provide a transmission path between the upstream port UP111 of the hub controller 110 and the upstream port UP112 of the hub controller 110, and the hub controller 120 may couple / provide a transmission path between the downstream port DN123 of the hub controller 120 and the upstream port UP121 of the hub controller 120. Furthermore, the first host may communicate with the second host through the upstream ports UP111 and UP112 of the hub controller 110 and the downstream port DN123 and the upstream port UP121 of the hub controller 120. Similarly, the second host may also communicate with the first host through the same path.

[0044] In the fifth mode of the third operation scenario, the hub controller 120 may couple / provide a transmission path between the upstream port UP121 of the hub controller 120 and the upstream port UP122 of the hub controller 120, and the hub controller 110 may couple / provide a transmission path between the downstream port DN113 of the hub controller 110 and the upstream port UP111 of the hub controller 110. Furthermore, the second host may communicate with the first host through the upstream ports UP121 and UP122 of the hub controller 120 and the downstream port DN113 and the upstream port UP111 of the hub controller 110. Similarly, the first host may also communicate with the second host through the same path.

[0045] In the sixth mode of the above-mentioned third operating scenario, the hub controller 110 can couple / provide a transmission path between the upstream port UP111 of the hub controller 110 and the upstream port UP112 of the hub controller 110, the hub controller 110 can couple / provide a transmission path between the downstream port DN113 of the hub controller 110 and the upstream port UP111 of the hub controller 110, the hub controller 120 can couple / provide a transmission path between the upstream port UP121 of the hub controller 120 and the upstream port UP122 of the hub controller 120, and the hub controller 120 can couple / provide a transmission path between the downstream port DN123 of the hub controller 120 and the upstream port UP121 of the hub controller 120. Furthermore, the first host can communicate with the second host through the upstream ports UP111 and UP112 of the hub controller 110 and the downstream port DN123 and the upstream port UP121 of the hub controller 120. Similarly, the second host can communicate with the first host through the upstream ports UP121 and UP122 of the hub controller 120 and the downstream port DN113 and the upstream port UP111 of the hub controller 110.

[0046] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of a USB hub 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The USB hub 200 shown is Figure 1 The USB hub 100 shown is similar, except that Figure 2 The USB hub 200 shown also includes a button 230. Based on the actual design, the button 230 may include one or more buttons. The button 230 may be a mechanical button, a touch button, or other buttons. Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the button 230 is coupled to the hub controller 210. This embodiment does not limit the specific implementation of the button 230. For example (but not limited to this), the button 230 can be a simplified keyboard. The user can perform different operations on the button 230 (for example, a specific pressing sequence or other operations) to express a command to switch the operating mode. Alternatively, the button 230 can be a single button. The user can perform different operations on the button 230 (for example, single-clicking the button 230, double-clicking the button 230, or other operations) to express a command to switch the operating mode. Among them, Figure 2 The upstream port connectors UFP21, UFP22, the downstream port connectors DFP21, DFP22, DFP23, DFP24, and the hub controllers 210, 220 shown in FIG. Figure 1 The relevant descriptions of the corresponding components shown and the like are inferred and will not be repeated here.

[0047] In this embodiment, the hub controller 210 can decode the key signal (hot key signal) of the key 230 to obtain the mode control information. The hub controller 210 changes the operation mode of the hub controller 210 according to the mode control information. In addition, the hub controller 210 can provide the mode control information to the hub controller 220 through a socket (such as a GPIO interface or other interface), so the hub controller 220 can also change the operation mode of the hub controller 220 according to the mode control information. In other embodiments, the key 230 can also be coupled to the hub controller 220, and the hub controller 220 can refer to the description of the hub controller 210 and make analogies.

[0048] In summary, the USB hubs 100 and 200 of the above embodiments can be connected to one or more hosts 11. Based on actual operation scenarios, the USB hubs 100 and 200 can flexibly and dynamically allocate resources of multiple downstream port connectors to different upstream port connectors. In some operation scenarios, the USB hubs 100 and 200 can selectively allocate resources of all downstream port connectors to a single upstream port connector for use by the host coupled to the single upstream port connector. In other operation scenarios, the USB hubs 100 and 200 can also selectively allocate resources of a portion of the downstream port connectors to a certain upstream port connector, and selectively allocate resources of another portion of the downstream port connectors to another upstream port connector. In some embodiments, when multiple hosts are coupled to different upstream port connectors of the USB hub 100 or 200, the first host can communicate with the second host through the USB hub 100 or 200. Similarly, the second host can also communicate with the first host through the USB hub 100 or 200.

[0049] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a USB hub 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] in, Figure 3 The hub controllers 310 and 320 shown can be used Figure 1 and / or do Figure 2 One of many implementation examples of the hub controller shown. In addition, Figure 3 The upstream port connectors UFP31, UFP32, the downstream port connectors DFP31, DFP32, DFP33, DFP34, and the hub controllers 310 and 320 shown in FIG. Figure 1 or Figure 2 The relevant descriptions of the corresponding components shown in the figure are inferred by analogy and will not be repeated here. Figure 1 USB hub 100, Figure 3 The USB hub 300 further defines the architecture of the hub controller 310 and the hub controller 320. The hub controller 310 of this embodiment is defined to include a control circuit 311, a routing circuit 312, and a hub circuit 313, while the hub controller 320 is defined to include a control circuit 321, a routing circuit 322, and a hub circuit 323. The upstream ports and downstream ports provided by the hub controllers 310 and 320 can be referred to in Figure 1 or Figure 2 The relevant descriptions of the corresponding components shown and the like are inferred and will not be repeated here.

[0051] As mentioned above, the control circuit 311 is coupled to the socket of the hub controller 310, and the control circuit 321 is coupled to the socket of the hub controller 320. The control circuit 311 can provide mode control information (hot key signal) to the control circuit 321 (and vice versa) through the socket (e.g., GPIO interface or other interface). Therefore, the control circuit 311 can control the routing circuit 312 and the hub circuit 313 according to the mode control information, and the control circuit 321 can control the routing circuit 322 and the hub circuit 323 according to the mode control information, thereby changing the operation mode of the hub controllers 310 and 320.

[0052] The first port of the routing circuit 312 is coupled to the upstream port UP311 of the hub controller 310. The second port of the routing circuit 312 is coupled to the upstream port UP312 of the hub controller 310. The third port of the routing circuit 312 is coupled to the first port of the hub circuit 313. The routing circuit 312 is controlled by the control circuit 311 to dynamically determine the coupling relationship between the upstream ports UP311, UP312 and the hub circuit 313. The multiple second ports of the hub circuit 313 are respectively coupled to the downstream ports DN311 and DN312 of the hub controller 310. The third port of the hub circuit 313 is coupled to the downstream port DN313 of the hub controller 310. The hub circuit 313 is controlled by the control circuit 311 to dynamically determine the routing definition (coupling relationship) between the routing circuit 312, the downstream ports DN311, DN312 and DN313. Based on actual operation scenarios, the routing circuit 312 and the hub circuit 313 may flexibly and dynamically allocate resources of the multiple downstream ports DN311 , DN312 , and DN313 to the upstream ports UP311 and / or UP312 .

[0053] In this embodiment, the routing circuit 312 may include a multiplexer, a demultiplexer, a switch circuit or other routing circuits. The hub circuit 313 may include a USB router or other USB hub circuits. In some embodiments, the control circuit 311 may be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, firmware, software (i.e., program), or a combination of firmware / software. In addition, the control circuit 311 may also be implemented in the form of a combination of hardware, firmware, and software.

[0054] In hardware form, the control circuit 311 can be implemented as a logic circuit on an integrated circuit. For example, the relevant functions of the control circuit 311 can be implemented in various logic blocks, modules and circuits in one or more controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), central processing units (CPUs) and / or other processing units. The relevant functions of the control circuit 311 can be implemented as hardware circuits, such as various logic blocks, modules and circuits in an integrated circuit, using hardware description languages ​​(such as Verilog HDL or VHDL) or other suitable programming languages.

[0055] In software form and / or firmware form, the relevant functions of the control circuit 311 can be implemented as programming codes. For example, the control circuit 311 is implemented using general programming languages ​​(such as C, C++ or assembly language) or other suitable programming languages. The programming code can be recorded / stored in a "non-transitory machine-readable storage medium". The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium may include a semiconductor memory and / or a storage device. An electronic device (such as a CPU, a controller, a microcontroller or a microprocessor) can read and execute the programming code from the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium to implement the relevant functions of the control circuit 311.

[0056] The control circuit 321, the routing circuit 322 and the hub circuit 323 can refer to the relevant description of the control circuit 311, the routing circuit 312 and the hub circuit 313. The control circuit 311 can control the routing circuit 312 and the hub circuit 313 according to the mode control information, and the control circuit 321 can control the routing circuit 322 and the hub circuit 323 according to the mode control information, thereby changing the operation mode of the hub controllers 310 and 320.

[0057] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4ESchematic diagram of routing switching of routing circuits in different operation scenarios of the present invention. Figure 4A Draw Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the circuit shown in the first operating scenario. Please refer to Figure 4A When the host 11 is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP31, and the upstream port connector UFP32 is not coupled to the host, the routing circuit 312 can couple the upstream port UP311 of the hub controller 310 to the first port of the hub circuit 313, and the routing circuit 322 can couple the upstream port UP322 of the hub controller 320 to the first port of the hub circuit 323. Therefore, in addition to using the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP31 and / or DFP32 through the hub circuit 313, the host 11 can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP33 and / or DFP34 through the hub circuits 313 and 323. Among them, the upstream ports UP311, UP322, the downstream ports DN311, DN312, DN313, DN321 and DN322 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP312, UP321 and the downstream port DN323 are disabled.

[0058] Figure 4B Draw Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the circuit shown in the second operating scenario. Figure 4B When the host 11 is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP32, and the upstream port connector UFP31 is not coupled to the host, the routing circuit 312 can couple the upstream port UP312 of the hub controller 310 to the first port of the hub circuit 313, and the routing circuit 322 can couple the upstream port UP321 of the hub controller 320 to the first port of the hub circuit 323. Therefore, in addition to using the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP33 and / or DFP34 through the hub circuit 323, the host 11 can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP31 and / or DFP32 through the hub circuits 323 and 313. Among them, the upstream ports UP312, UP321, the downstream ports DN311, DN312, DN321, DN322 and DN323 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP311, UP322 and the downstream port DN313 are disabled.

[0059] FIG. 4C to FIG. 4E Draw Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the circuit in the third operating scenario. FIG. 4C to FIG. 4E As shown, in the third operation scenario, the hosts 11A and 11B are coupled to the uplink port connectors UFP31 and UFP32 respectively. Figure 1 or Figure 2 The host 11 is shown in FIG. 1 . In the third operation scenario, Figure 3The control circuit 311 can control the routing circuit 312 and the hub circuit 313 according to the mode control information (hot key signal). Figure 3 The control circuit 321 can control the routing circuit 322 and the hub circuit 323 according to the mode control information, thereby changing the operation mode of the hub controllers 310 and 320. That is, the hub controllers 310 and 320 can selectively operate in one of the multiple modes according to the mode control information (hot key signal) in the third operation scenario. FIG. 4C to FIG. 4E That is, a schematic diagram of routing switching in different operation modes is drawn.

[0060] When the hub controllers 310 and 320 selectively operate in the first mode (eg Figure 4C As shown in FIG. 1 , the routing circuit 312 couples the upstream port UP311 of the hub controller 310 to the first port of the hub circuit 313, and the routing circuit 322 couples the upstream port UP322 of the hub controller 320 to the first port of the hub circuit 323. Therefore, the host 11A can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP31 and / or DFP32 through the hub circuit 313, and can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP33 and / or DFP34 through the hub circuit 313 and the hub circuit 323. Among them, the upstream ports UP311, UP322, the downstream ports DN311, DN312, DN313, DN321 and DN322 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP312, UP321 and the downstream port DN323 are disabled.

[0061] When the hub controllers 310 and 320 selectively operate in the second mode (eg Figure 4D As shown in FIG. 1 , the routing circuit 312 couples the upstream port UP312 of the hub controller 310 to the first port of the hub circuit 313, and the routing circuit 322 couples the upstream port UP321 of the hub controller 320 to the first port of the hub circuit 323. Therefore, the host 11B can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP33 and / or DFP34 through the hub circuit 323, and can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP31 and / or DFP32 through the hub circuits 323 and 313. Among them, the upstream ports UP312, UP321, the downstream ports DN311, DN312, DN321, DN322 and DN323 are enabled, and the upstream port UP311, the upstream port UP322 and the downstream port DN313 are disabled.

[0062] When the hub controllers 310 and 320 selectively operate in the third mode (eg Figure 4E), the routing circuit 312 couples the upstream port UP311 of the hub controller 310 to the first port of the hub circuit 313, and the routing circuit 322 couples the upstream port UP321 of the hub controller 320 to the first port of the hub circuit 323. Therefore, the host 11B can use the resources of the downstream port connector DFP33 and / or DFP34 through the hub circuit 323, and the host 11A can use the resources of the downstream port connector DFP31 and / or DFP32 through the hub circuit 313. Among them, the upstream ports UP311, UP321, the downstream ports DN311, DN312, DN321 and DN322 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP312, UP322, the downstream ports DN313 and DN323 are disabled.

[0063] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram of a USB hub 500 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] in, Figure 5 The hub controllers 510 and 520 shown can be used as Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 One of many implementation examples of the hub controller shown. In addition, Figure 5 The upstream port connectors UFP51, UFP52, the downstream port connectors DFP51, DFP52, DFP53, DFP54, and the hub controllers 510 and 520 shown in FIG. Figure 1 or Figure 2 The relevant descriptions of the corresponding components shown in the figure are inferred by analogy and will not be repeated here. Figure 1 USB hub 100, Figure 5 The USB hub 500 further defines the architecture of the hub controllers 510 and 520. The hub controller 510 of this embodiment is defined to include a control circuit 511, a routing circuit 512, a hub circuit 513, a host bridge 514, and a routing circuit 515, while the hub controller 520 is defined to include a control circuit 521, a routing circuit 522, a hub circuit 523, a host bridge 524, and a routing circuit 525. The upstream ports and downstream ports provided by the hub controllers 510 and 520 can be referred to in Figure 1 or Figure 2 The relevant descriptions of the corresponding components shown and the like are inferred and will not be repeated here.

[0065] also, Figure 5 The control circuits 511 and 521 shown can refer to Figure 3The related descriptions of the control circuits 311 and 321 are analogous and will not be repeated. It is worth mentioning that the control circuit 511 of this embodiment controls the routing circuit 512, the hub circuit 513, the host bridge 514 and the routing circuit 515 according to the mode control information, and the control circuit 521 can control the routing circuit 522, the hub circuit 523, the host bridge 524 and the routing circuit 525 according to the mode control information, thereby changing the operation mode of the hub controllers 510 and 520.

[0066] The first port of the routing circuit 512 is coupled to the upstream port UP511 of the hub controller 510. The second port of the routing circuit 512 is coupled to the upstream port UP512 of the hub controller 510. The third port of the routing circuit 512 is coupled to the first port of the hub circuit 513. The fourth port of the routing circuit 512 is coupled to the first port of the host bridge 514. The routing circuit 512 is controlled by the control circuit 511 to dynamically determine the coupling relationship between the upstream ports UP511, UP512, the hub circuit 513 and the host bridge 514. The present embodiment does not limit the specific implementation of the routing circuit 512. For example, the routing circuit 512 may include a multiplexer, a demultiplexer, a switch circuit or other routing circuits.

[0067] The multiple ports of the hub circuit 513 are coupled to the routing circuit 515. The multiple ports of the routing circuit 515 are respectively coupled to different ports of the hub circuit 513. The fourth port of the routing circuit 515 is coupled to the second port of the host bridge 514. The multiple fifth ports of the routing circuit 515 are coupled to the downstream ports DN511 and DN512 of the hub controller 510. The sixth port of the routing circuit 515 is coupled to the downstream port DN513 of the hub controller 510. The routing circuit 515 is controlled by the control circuit 511 to dynamically determine the coupling relationship between the downstream ports DN511, DN512, DN513, the hub circuit 513 and the host bridge 514. In this embodiment, the hub circuit 513 may include a USB router or other USB hub circuits, and the routing circuit 515 may include a multiplexer, a demultiplexer, a switch circuit or other routing circuits.

[0068] The control circuit 521, routing circuit 522, hub circuit 523, host bridge 524 and routing circuit 525 provided by the hub controller 520 can refer to the relevant description of the corresponding components of the hub controller 510 and be deduced by analogy, and will not be repeated here. The host bridges 514 and 524 can provide a bridging interface so that different hosts can exchange data with each other. For example, based on the control of the control circuit 511, when the first electronic device is connected to the upstream port connector UFP51 and the second electronic device is connected to the upstream port connector UFP52, the first electronic device can provide data to the second electronic device through the host bridge 514 and / or the host bridge 524 (and vice versa). The control circuit 511 can control the routing circuit 512, the hub circuit 513, the host bridge 514 and the routing circuit 515 according to the mode control information, and the control circuit 521 can control the routing circuit 522, the hub circuit 523, the host bridge 524 and the routing circuit 525 according to the mode control information, thereby changing the operation mode of the hub controllers 510 and 520.

[0069] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6J Schematic diagram of routing switching of routing circuits in different operation scenarios of the present invention. Fig. 6A Draw Figure 5 The schematic diagram of the circuit shown in the first operating scenario. Please refer to Fig. 6A When the host 11 is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP51 and the upstream port connector UFP52 is not coupled to any host, the routing circuit 512 may couple the upstream port UP511 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 515 may couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 513 to the downstream ports DN511 and DN512 (the first downstream port) of the hub controller 510, respectively, and the routing circuit 515 may couple a third port of the hub circuit 513 to the downstream port DN513 (the second downstream port) of the hub controller 510. In addition, the routing circuit 522 may couple the upstream port UP522 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the hub circuit 523, and the routing circuit 525 may couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 523 to the downstream ports DN521 and DN522 (the first downstream port) of the hub controller 520, respectively. Therefore, the host 11 can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP51 and / or DFP52 through the hub circuit 513, and can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP53 and / or DFP54 through the hub circuits 513 and 523. Among them, the upstream port UP511, the downstream ports DN511, DN512 and DN513 are enabled, the upstream port UP512 is disabled, the upstream port UP522, the downstream ports DN521 and DN522 are enabled, and the upstream port UP521 and the downstream port DN523 are disabled.

[0070] Figure 6B Draw Figure 5 The schematic diagram of the circuit shown in the second operating scenario. Figure 6B When the host 11 is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP52 and the upstream port connector UFP51 is not coupled to any host, the routing circuit 512 can couple the upstream port UP512 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the hub circuit 513, and the routing circuit 515 can respectively couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 513 to the downstream ports DN511 and DN512 (the first downstream port) of the hub controller 510. In addition, the routing circuit 522 can couple the upstream port UP521 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 525 can respectively couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 523 to the downstream ports DN521 and DN522 (the first downstream port) of the hub controller 520, and the routing circuit 525 can couple a third port of the hub circuit 523 to the downstream port DN523 (the second downstream port) of the hub controller 520. Therefore, the host 11 can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP53 and / or DFP54 through the hub circuit 523, and can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP51 and / or DFP52 through the hub circuit 523 and the hub circuit 513. Among them, the upstream ports UP512, UP521, the downstream ports DN511, DN512, DN521, DN522 and DN523 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP511, UP522 and the downstream port DN513 are disabled.

[0071] FIG. 6C to FIG. 6J Draw Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the circuit in the third operating scenario. FIG. 6C to FIG. 6J As shown, in the third operation scenario, the hosts 11A and 11B are coupled to the uplink port connectors UFP51 and UFP52 respectively. Figure 1 or Figure 2 The host 11 is shown in FIG. 1 . In the third operation scenario, Figure 5 The control circuit 511 can control the routing circuit 512, the hub circuit 513, the host bridge 514 and the routing circuit 515 according to the mode control information (hot key signal). Figure 5 The control circuit 521 can control the routing circuit 522, the hub circuit 523, the host bridge 524 and the routing circuit 525 according to the mode control information, thereby changing the operation mode of the hub controllers 510 and 520. That is, the hub controllers 510 and 520 can selectively operate in one of the multiple modes according to the mode control information (hot key signal) in the third operation scenario. FIG. 6C to FIG. 6J A schematic diagram of routing switching in different operation modes is shown.

[0072] When the hub controllers 510 and 520 selectively operate in the first mode (eg Figure 6C As shown in FIG. 5 , the routing circuit 512 may couple the upstream port UP511 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 515 may couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 513 to the downstream ports DN511 and DN512 (the first downstream port) of the hub controller 510, and the routing circuit 515 may couple the third port of the hub circuit 513 to the downstream port DN513 (the second downstream port) of the hub controller 510. In addition, the routing circuit 522 may couple the upstream port UP522 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the hub circuit 523, and the routing circuit 525 may couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 523 to the downstream ports DN521 and DN522 (the first downstream port) of the hub controller 520, respectively. Therefore, the host 11A can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP51 and / or DFP52 through the hub circuit 513, and can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP53 and / or DFP54 through the hub circuits 513 and 523. Among them, the upstream ports UP511, UP522, the downstream ports DN511, DN512, DN513, DN521 and DN522 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP512, UP521 and the downstream port DN523 are disabled.

[0073] When the hub controllers 510 and 520 selectively operate in the second mode (eg Fig.6DAs shown in FIG. 5 ), the routing circuit 512 may couple the upstream port UP512 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the hub circuit 513, and the routing circuit 515 may respectively couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 513 to the multiple first downstream ports (e.g., downstream ports DN511 and DN512) of the hub controller 510. In addition, the routing circuit 522 may couple the upstream port UP521 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 525 may respectively couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 523 to the multiple first downstream ports (downstream ports DN521 and DN522) of the hub controller 520, and the routing circuit 525 may couple the third port of the hub circuit 523 to the downstream port DN523 (the second downstream port) of the hub controller 520. Therefore, the host 11B can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP53 and / or DFP54 through the hub circuit 523, and can also use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP51 and / or DFP52 through the hub circuits 523 and 513. Among them, the upstream ports UP512, UP521, the downstream ports DN511, DN512, DN521, DN522 and DN523 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP511, UP522 and the downstream port DN513 are disabled.

[0074] When the hub controllers 510 and 520 selectively operate in the third mode (eg Fig. 6E As shown in FIG. 5 , the routing circuit 512 can couple the upstream port UP511 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the hub circuit 513, and the routing circuit 515 can respectively couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 513 to the multiple first downstream ports (e.g., downstream ports DN511 and DN512) of the hub controller 510. In addition, the routing circuit 522 can couple the upstream port UP521 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the hub circuit 523, and the routing circuit 525 can respectively couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 523 to the multiple first downstream ports (e.g., downstream ports DN521 and DN522) of the hub controller 520. Therefore, the host 11B can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP53 and / or DFP54 through the hub circuit 523, and the host 11A can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP51 and / or DFP52 through the hub circuit 513. Among them, the upstream ports UP511, UP521, and the downstream ports DN511, DN512, DN521, and DN522 are enabled, and the upstream ports UP512, UP522, and the downstream ports DN513 and DN523 are disabled.

[0075] When the hub controllers 510 and 520 selectively operate in the fourth mode (eg Fig. 6FAs shown), the routing circuit 512 couples the upstream port UP511 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the host bridge 514, the routing circuit 512 couples the upstream port UP512 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 515 couples the second port of the host bridge 514 to the fourth port of the hub circuit 513, and the routing circuit 515 couples the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 513 to the multiple first downstream ports (for example, the downstream ports DN511 and DN512) of the hub controller 510 respectively. In addition, the routing circuit 522 can couple the upstream port UP521 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 525 can respectively couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 523 to the multiple first downstream ports (for example, downstream ports DN521 and DN522) of the hub controller 520, and the routing circuit 525 can couple the third port of the hub circuit 523 to the downstream port DN523 (second downstream port) of the hub controller 520.

[0076] The host bridge 514 can provide a bridge interface so that different hosts can exchange data with each other. When multiple hosts are coupled to different upstream port connectors of the USB hub 500, the host 11A can communicate with the host 11B (and vice versa) in sequence through the routing circuit 512, the host bridge 514, the routing circuit 515, the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 512, the routing circuit 525, the hub circuit 523, and the routing circuit 522. In addition, the host 11B can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP53 and / or DFP54 through the hub circuit 523, and use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP51 and / or DFP52 through the hub circuits 523 and 513. In the fourth mode, the upstream ports UP511, UP512, UP521, the downstream ports DN511, DN512, DN521, DN522 and DN523 are enabled, and the upstream port UP522 and the downstream port DN513 are disabled.

[0077] Figure 6GAnother exemplary embodiment of the hub controllers 510 and 520 selectively operating in the aforementioned fourth mode is shown. In this embodiment, the routing circuit 512 couples the upstream port UP511 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 512 couples the upstream port UP512 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the host bridge 514, the routing circuit 515 couples the second port of the host bridge 514 to the fourth port of the hub circuit 513, and the routing circuit 515 couples the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 513 to the multiple first downstream ports (e.g., the downstream ports DN511 and DN512) of the hub controller 510. In addition, the routing circuit 522 can couple the upstream port UP521 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 525 can respectively couple the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 523 to the multiple first downstream ports (for example, downstream ports DN521 and DN522) of the hub controller 520, and the routing circuit 525 can couple the third port of the hub circuit 523 to the downstream port DN523 (second downstream port) of the hub controller 520.

[0078] The host 11A can communicate with the host 11B (and vice versa) in sequence through the routing circuit 512, the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 515, the host bridge 514, the routing circuit 512, the routing circuit 525, the hub circuit 523, and the routing circuit 522. In addition, the host 11A can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP51 and / or DFP52 through the hub circuit 513, and the host 11B can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP53 and / or DFP54 through the hub circuit 523.

[0079] When the hub controllers 510 and 520 selectively operate in the fifth mode (eg Figure 6HAs shown in the figure), the routing circuit 512 couples the upstream port UP511 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 515 couples the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 513 to the multiple first downstream ports (for example, the downstream ports DN511 and DN512) of the hub controller 510, and the routing circuit 515 couples the third port of the hub circuit 513 to the downstream port DN513 (the second downstream port) of the hub controller 510. In addition, the routing circuit 522 couples the upstream port UP521 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the host bridge 524, the routing circuit 522 couples the upstream port UP522 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 525 couples the second port of the host bridge 524 to the fourth port of the hub circuit 523, and the routing circuit 525 respectively couples the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 523 to the multiple first downstream ports (for example, the downstream ports DN521 and DN522) of the hub controller 520.

[0080] The host bridge 524 can provide a bridge interface so that different hosts can exchange data with each other. When multiple hosts are coupled to different upstream port connectors of the USB hub 500, the host 11B can communicate with the host 11A (and vice versa) in sequence through the routing circuit 522, the host bridge 524, the routing circuit 525, the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 522, the routing circuit 515, the hub circuit 513, and the routing circuit 512. In addition, the host 11A can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP51 and / or DFP52 through the hub circuit 513, and use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP53 and / or DFP54 through the hub circuits 513 and 523. In the fifth mode, the upstream port UP511, the downstream port DN511, the downstream port DN512 and the downstream port DN513 are enabled, the upstream port UP512 is disabled, the upstream port UP521, the upstream port UP522, the downstream port DN521 and the downstream port DN522 are enabled, and the downstream port DN523 is disabled.

[0081] Fig.6IAnother exemplary embodiment of the hub controllers 510 and 520 selectively operating in the fifth operation mode is shown. In this embodiment, the routing circuit 512 couples the upstream port UP511 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 515 couples the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 513 to the multiple first downstream ports (e.g., downstream ports DN511 and DN512) of the hub controller 510, and the routing circuit 515 couples the third port of the hub circuit 513 to the downstream port DN513 (second downstream port) of the hub controller 510. In addition, the routing circuit 522 can couple the upstream port UP521 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 522 couples the upstream port UP522 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the host bridge 524, the routing circuit 525 couples the second port of the host bridge 524 to the fourth port of the hub circuit 523, and the routing circuit 525 respectively couples the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 523 to the multiple first downstream ports (for example, the downstream ports DN521 and DN522) of the hub controller 520.

[0082] The host 11B can communicate with the host 11A (and vice versa) through the routing circuit 522, the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 525, the host bridge 524, the routing circuit 522, the routing circuit 515, the hub circuit 513, and the routing circuit 512 in sequence. In addition, the host 11A can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP51 and / or DFP52 through the hub circuit 513, and the host 11B can use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP53 and / or DFP54 through the hub circuit 523.

[0083] When the hub controllers 510 and 520 selectively operate in the sixth mode (eg Figure 6JAs shown), the routing circuit 512 couples the upstream port UP511 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 512 couples the upstream port UP512 of the hub controller 510 to the first port of the host bridge 514, the routing circuit 515 couples the second port of the host bridge 514 to the fourth port of the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 515 couples the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 513 to the multiple first downstream ports (for example, the downstream ports DN511 and DN512) of the hub controller 510, and the routing circuit 515 couples the third port of the hub circuit 513 to the downstream port DN513 (the second downstream port) of the hub controller 510. In addition, the routing circuit 522 couples the upstream port UP521 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 522 couples the upstream port UP522 of the hub controller 520 to the first port of the host bridge 524, the routing circuit 525 couples the second port of the host bridge 524 to the fourth port of the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 525 couples the multiple second ports of the hub circuit 523 to the multiple first downstream ports (for example, the downstream ports DN521 and DN522) of the hub controller 520, and the routing circuit 525 couples the third port of the hub circuit 523 to the downstream port DN523 (the second downstream port) of the hub controller 520.

[0084] The host bridges 514 and 524 can provide a bridge interface so that different hosts can exchange data with each other. When multiple hosts are coupled to different upstream port connectors of the USB hub 500, the host 11A can communicate with the host 11B in sequence through the routing circuit 512, the hub circuit 513, the routing circuit 515, the host bridge 514, the routing circuit 512, the routing circuit 525, the hub circuit 523, and the routing circuit 522, and the host 11B can also communicate with the host 11A in sequence through the routing circuit 522, the hub circuit 523, the routing circuit 525, the host bridge 524, the routing circuit 522, the routing circuit 515, the hub circuit 513, and the routing circuit 512. In addition, the host 11A may use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP51 and / or DFP52 through the hub circuit 513 , and the host 11B may use the resources of the downstream port connectors DFP53 and / or DFP54 through the hub circuit 523 .

[0085] Figure 7 The present invention is a flowchart of a data transmission method of a USB hub according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiments can refer to each other's description. Figure 1 Helpful Instructions Figure 7 The embodiment shown, wherein Figure 7The embodiment shown can also be applied to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 7 , step S710 provides a USB hub 100. In step S720, a first host is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP11, and a USB device 12 is coupled to one of the downstream port connectors DFP11, DFP12, DFP13 and DFP14. At this time, the USB device 12 is controlled by the first host coupled to the upstream port connector UFP11 through the USB hub 100. In step S730, a second host is coupled to the upstream port connector UFP12. It is worth mentioning that the USB hub 100 of this embodiment can determine whether the hub controller 110 or 120 obtains the mode control information in step S740. When the mode control information obtained by the hub controller 110 or 120 is "requiring the USB device 12 to be controlled by the second host coupled to the upstream port connector UFP12" (the judgment result of step S740 is "yes"), the USB device 12 originally controlled by the first host is switched to be controlled by the second host (step S750).

[0086] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A USB hub, characterized in that: The USB hub comprises: First upstream port connector; Second upstream port connector; Multiple downstream port connectors; a first hub controller, wherein a first upstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to the first upstream port connector, and a first downstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to a first downstream port connector of the plurality of downstream port connectors; and A second hub controller, wherein a first upstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second upstream port connector, a first downstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to a second downstream port connector of the plurality of downstream port connectors, and a socket of the second hub controller is coupled to a socket of the first hub controller, wherein, The second upstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to the second downstream port of the second hub controller; or The second upstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second downstream port of the first hub controller; or The second upstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to the second downstream port of the second hub controller, and the second upstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second downstream port of the first hub controller.

2. The USB hub according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a keyboard is coupled to the first hub controller through one of the plurality of downstream port connectors, the first hub controller decodes a hotkey signal of the keyboard to obtain mode control information, and the first hub controller provides the mode control information to the second hub controller through the socket; When the keyboard is coupled to the second hub controller through one of the plurality of downstream port connectors, the second hub controller decodes the hotkey signal of the keyboard to obtain the mode control information, and the second hub controller provides the mode control information to the first hub controller through the socket; The first hub controller changes an operation mode of the first hub controller according to the mode control information; and The second hub controller changes an operation mode of the second hub controller according to the mode control information.

3. The USB hub according to claim 1, characterized in that: The USB hub further comprises: At least one button is coupled to the first hub controller, wherein the first hub controller decodes a button signal of the at least one button to obtain mode control information, the first hub controller changes an operation mode of the first hub controller according to the mode control information, the first hub controller provides the mode control information to the second hub controller through the socket, and the second hub controller changes an operation mode of the second hub controller according to the mode control information.

4. The USB hub according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a host is coupled to the first upstream port connector and the second upstream port connector is not coupled to any host, the second upstream port of the first hub controller is disabled, the first upstream port and the second downstream port of the second hub controller are disabled, the first hub controller provides a first transmission path between the first upstream port connector and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, and the second hub controller provides a second transmission path between the second downstream port connector and the second upstream port of the second hub controller, so that the host uses the resources of the second downstream port connector through the first hub controller and the second hub controller; or When the host is coupled to the second upstream port connector and the first upstream port connector is not coupled to any host, the first upstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller are disabled, the second upstream port of the second hub controller is disabled, the second hub controller provides a third transmission path between the second upstream port connector and the second downstream port of the second hub controller, and the first hub controller provides a fourth transmission path between the first downstream port connector and the second upstream port of the first hub controller, so that the host uses the resources of the first downstream port connector through the second hub controller and the first hub controller.

5. The USB hub according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a first host is coupled to the first upstream port connector and a second host is coupled to the second upstream port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to mode control information; When the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in a first mode among the plurality of operation modes, the second upstream port of the first hub controller is disabled, the first upstream port and the second downstream port of the second hub controller are disabled, the first hub controller provides a first transmission path between the first upstream port connector and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, and the second hub controller provides a second transmission path between the second downstream port connector and the second upstream port of the second hub controller, so that the first host uses resources of the second downstream port connector through the first hub controller and the second hub controller; When the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in a second mode among the plurality of operation modes, the first upstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller are disabled, the second upstream port of the second hub controller is disabled, the second hub controller provides a third transmission path between the second upstream port connector and the second downstream port of the second hub controller, and the first hub controller provides a fourth transmission path between the first downstream port connector and the second upstream port of the first hub controller, so that the second host uses resources of the first downstream port connector through the second hub controller and the first hub controller; as well as When the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in a third mode among the plurality of operation modes, the second upstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller are disabled, and the second upstream port and the second downstream port of the second hub controller are disabled.

6. The USB hub according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a first host is coupled to the first upstream port connector and a second host is coupled to the second upstream port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to mode control information; When the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in a fourth mode among the plurality of operation modes, the first hub controller provides a fifth transmission path between the first upstream port of the first hub controller and the second upstream port of the first hub controller, and the second hub controller provides a sixth transmission path between the second downstream port of the second hub controller and the first upstream port of the second hub controller, so that the first host communicates with the second host through the first hub controller and the second hub controller; When the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in a fifth mode among the plurality of operation modes, the second hub controller provides a seventh transmission path between the first upstream port of the second hub controller and the second upstream port of the second hub controller, and the first hub controller provides an eighth transmission path between the second downstream port of the first hub controller and the first upstream port of the first hub controller, so that the second host communicates with the first host through the first hub controller and the second hub controller; as well as When the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in a sixth mode among the multiple operation modes, the first hub controller provides the fifth transmission path between the first upstream port of the first hub controller and the second upstream port of the first hub controller, the first hub controller provides the eighth transmission path between the second downstream port of the first hub controller and the first upstream port of the first hub controller, the second hub controller provides the seventh transmission path between the first upstream port of the second hub controller and the second upstream port of the second hub controller, and the second hub controller provides the sixth transmission path between the second downstream port of the second hub controller and the first upstream port of the second hub controller, so that the first host communicates to the second host through the first hub controller and the second hub controller, and the second host communicates to the first host through the first hub controller and the second hub controller.

7. The USB hub according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first hub controller comprises: a control circuit coupled to the socket of the first hub controller; a routing circuit controlled by the control circuit, wherein a first port of the routing circuit is coupled to the first upstream port of the first hub controller, and a second port of the routing circuit is coupled to the second upstream port of the first hub controller; and A hub circuit controlled by the control circuit, wherein a first port of the hub circuit is coupled to a third port of the routing circuit, a second port of the hub circuit is coupled to the first downstream port of the first hub controller, and a third port of the hub circuit is coupled to the second downstream port of the first hub controller.

8. The USB hub according to claim 7, characterized in that: When a host is coupled to the first upstream port connector and the second upstream port connector is not coupled to any host, the routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit; as well as When the host is coupled to the second upstream port connector and the first upstream port connector is not coupled to any host, the routing circuit couples the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit.

9. The USB hub according to claim 7, characterized in that: When a first host is coupled to the first upstream port connector and a second host is coupled to the second upstream port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to mode control information; When the first hub controller selectively operates in a first mode among the plurality of operation modes, the routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit; When the first hub controller selectively operates in a second mode among the plurality of operation modes, the routing circuit couples the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit; as well as When the first hub controller selectively operates in a third mode among the plurality of operation modes, the routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, and the third port of the hub circuit is disabled.

10. The USB hub according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first hub controller comprises: a control circuit coupled to the socket of the first hub controller; a first routing circuit controlled by the control circuit, wherein a first port of the first routing circuit is coupled to the first upstream port of the first hub controller, and a second port of the first routing circuit is coupled to the second upstream port of the first hub controller; a hub circuit controlled by the control circuit, wherein a first port of the hub circuit is coupled to a third port of the first routing circuit; a host bridge controlled by the control circuit, wherein a first port of the host bridge is coupled to a fourth port of the first routing circuit; and a second routing circuit controlled by the control circuit, wherein the first port, the second port and the third port of the second routing circuit are respectively coupled to the second port, the third port and the fourth port of the hub circuit, the fourth port of the second routing circuit is coupled to the second port of the host bridge, the fifth port of the second routing circuit is coupled to the first downstream port of the first hub controller, and the sixth port of the second routing circuit is coupled to the second downstream port of the first hub controller.

11. The USB hub according to claim 10, characterized in that: When a host is coupled to the first upstream port connector and the second upstream port connector is not coupled to any host, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port and the third port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, respectively; as well as When the host is coupled to the second upstream port connector and the first upstream port connector is not coupled to any host, the first routing circuit couples the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port of the first hub controller.

12. The USB hub according to claim 10, characterized in that: When a first host is coupled to the first upstream port connector and a second host is coupled to the second upstream port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to a mode control information; When the first hub controller selectively operates in a first mode among the plurality of operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port and the third port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, respectively; When the first hub controller selectively operates in a second mode among the plurality of operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port of the first hub controller; as well as When the first hub controller selectively operates in a third mode among the multiple operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, the second routing circuit couples the second port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port of the first hub controller, and the second upstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller are disabled.

13. The USB hub according to claim 10, characterized in that: When a first host is coupled to the first upstream port connector and a second host is coupled to the second upstream port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to mode control information; When the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in a fourth mode of the plurality of operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the host bridge, the first routing circuit couples the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, the second routing circuit couples the second port of the host bridge to the fourth port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port of the first hub controller; When the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in a fifth mode among the plurality of operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port and the third port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, respectively; as well as When the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in a sixth mode among the multiple operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, the first routing circuit couples the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the host bridge, the second routing circuit couples the second port of the host bridge to the fourth port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port and the third port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, respectively.

14. The USB hub according to claim 10, characterized in that: When a first host is coupled to the first upstream port connector and a second host is coupled to the second upstream port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to mode control information; as well as When the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in a fourth mode of the multiple operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, the first routing circuit couples the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the host bridge, the second routing circuit couples the second port of the host bridge to the fourth port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port of the first hub controller.

15. A data transmission method of a USB hub, characterized in that: The data transmission method comprises: A USB hub is provided, wherein the USB hub comprises a first upstream port connector, a second upstream port connector, a plurality of downstream port connectors, a first hub controller and a second hub controller, wherein a first upstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to the first upstream port connector, a first downstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to a first downstream port connector of the plurality of downstream port connectors, a first upstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second upstream port connector, a first downstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to a second downstream port connector of the plurality of downstream port connectors, and a socket of the second hub controller is coupled to a socket of the first hub controller; Coupling a first host to the first upstream port connector; Coupling a USB device to one of the plurality of downstream port connectors and being controlled by the first host; coupling a second host to the second upstream port connector; determining whether the first hub controller or the second hub controller obtains mode control information; and In response to the mode control information obtained by the first hub controller or the second hub controller requiring the USB device to be controlled by the second host, the USB device controlled by the first host switches to being controlled by the second host.

16. The data transmission method according to claim 15, characterized in that: The second upstream port of the second hub controller is coupled to the second downstream port of the first hub controller, the second upstream port of the first hub controller is coupled to the second downstream port of the second hub controller, and the data transmission method further includes: In response to the first host being coupled to the first uplink port connector and the second host being coupled to the second uplink port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to the mode control information; In response to the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operating in a first mode among the plurality of operation modes, the second upstream port of the first hub controller is disabled, the first upstream port and the second downstream port of the second hub controller are disabled, the first hub controller provides a first transmission path between the first upstream port connector and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, and the second hub controller provides a second transmission path between the second downstream port connector and the second upstream port of the second hub controller, so that the first host uses resources of the second downstream port connector through the first hub controller and the second hub controller; In response to the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operating in a second mode among the plurality of operation modes, disabling the first upstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, disabling the second upstream port of the second hub controller, providing a third transmission path between the second upstream port connector and the second downstream port of the second hub controller by the second hub controller, and providing a fourth transmission path between the first downstream port connector and the second upstream port of the first hub controller by the first hub controller, so that the second host uses resources of the first downstream port connector through the second hub controller and the first hub controller; and In response to the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operating in a third mode among the plurality of operation modes, the second upstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller are disabled, and the second upstream port and the second downstream port of the second hub controller are disabled.

17. The data transmission method according to claim 15, characterized in that: The data transmission method further comprises: In response to the first host being coupled to the first uplink port connector and the second host being coupled to the second uplink port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to the mode control information; In response to the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operating in a fourth mode among the plurality of operation modes, the first hub controller provides a fifth transmission path between the first upstream port of the first hub controller and the second upstream port of the first hub controller, and the second hub controller provides a sixth transmission path between the second downstream port of the second hub controller and the first upstream port of the second hub controller, so that the first host communicates with the second host through the first hub controller and the second hub controller; In response to the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operating in a fifth mode among the plurality of operation modes, the second hub controller provides a seventh transmission path between the first upstream port of the second hub controller and the second upstream port of the second hub controller, and the first hub controller provides an eighth transmission path between the second downstream port of the first hub controller and the first upstream port of the first hub controller, so that the second host communicates with the first host through the first hub controller and the second hub controller; and In response to the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operating in the sixth mode among the multiple operation modes, the first hub controller provides the fifth transmission path between the first upstream port of the first hub controller and the second upstream port of the first hub controller, the first hub controller provides the eighth transmission path between the second downstream port of the first hub controller and the first upstream port of the first hub controller, the second hub controller provides the seventh transmission path between the first upstream port of the second hub controller and the second upstream port of the second hub controller, and the second hub controller provides the sixth transmission path between the second downstream port of the second hub controller and the first upstream port of the second hub controller, so that the first host communicates to the second host through the first hub controller and the second hub controller, and the second host communicates to the first host through the first hub controller and the second hub controller.

18. The data transmission method according to claim 15, characterized in that: The first hub controller includes a control circuit, a routing circuit and a hub circuit, the control circuit is coupled to the socket of the first hub controller, the routing circuit is controlled by the control circuit, a first port of the routing circuit is coupled to the first upstream port of the first hub controller, a second port of the routing circuit is coupled to the second upstream port of the first hub controller, the hub circuit is controlled by the control circuit, a first port of the hub circuit is coupled to a third port of the routing circuit, a second port of the hub circuit is coupled to the first downstream port of the first hub controller, a third port of the hub circuit is coupled to the second downstream port of the first hub controller, and the data transmission method further includes: In response to the first host being coupled to the first uplink port connector and the second host being coupled to the second uplink port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to the mode control information; In response to the first hub controller selectively operating in a first mode among the plurality of operation modes, coupling the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit by the routing circuit; In response to the first hub controller selectively operating in a second mode among the plurality of operation modes, coupling the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit by the routing circuit; and In response to the first hub controller selectively operating in a third mode among the plurality of operation modes, the routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit and disables the third port of the hub circuit.

19. The data transmission method according to claim 15, characterized in that: The first hub controller includes a control circuit, a first routing circuit, a hub circuit, a host bridge, and a second routing circuit. The control circuit is coupled to the socket of the first hub controller. The first routing circuit is controlled by the control circuit. The first port of the first routing circuit is coupled to the first upstream port of the first hub controller. The second port of the first routing circuit is coupled to the second upstream port of the first hub controller. The hub circuit is controlled by the control circuit. The first port of the hub circuit is coupled to the third port of the first routing circuit. The host bridge is controlled by the control circuit. The first port of the host bridge is coupled to the fourth port of the first routing circuit. The second routing circuit is controlled by the control circuit. The first port, the second port, and the third port of the second routing circuit are respectively coupled to the second port, the third port, and the fourth port of the hub circuit. The fourth port of the second routing circuit is coupled to the second port of the host bridge. The fifth port of the second routing circuit is coupled to the first downstream port of the first hub controller. And the sixth port of the second routing circuit is coupled to the second downstream port of the first hub controller.

20. The data transmission method according to claim 19, characterized in that: The data transmission method further comprises: In response to the first host being coupled to the first upstream port connector and the second host being coupled to the second upstream port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to the mode control information; In response to the first hub controller selectively operating in a first mode among the plurality of operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port and the third port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, respectively; In response to the first hub controller selectively operating in a second mode among the plurality of operation modes, coupling the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit by the first routing circuit, and coupling the second port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port of the first hub controller by the second routing circuit; and In response to the first hub controller selectively operating in a third mode among the multiple operating modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, the second routing circuit couples the second port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port of the first hub controller, and the second upstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller are disabled.

21. The data transmission method according to claim 19, characterized in that: The data transmission method further comprises: In response to the first host being coupled to the first uplink port connector and the second host being coupled to the second uplink port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to the mode control information; In response to the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operating in a fourth mode among the plurality of operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the host bridge, the first routing circuit couples the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, the second routing circuit couples the second port of the host bridge to the fourth port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port of the first hub controller; In response to the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operating in a fifth mode among the plurality of operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port and the third port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, respectively; and In response to the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operating in a sixth mode among the multiple operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, the first routing circuit couples the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the host bridge, the second routing circuit couples the second port of the host bridge to the fourth port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port and the third port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port and the second downstream port of the first hub controller, respectively.

22. The data transmission method according to claim 19, characterized in that: The data transmission method further comprises: In response to the first host being coupled to the first uplink port connector and the second host being coupled to the second uplink port connector, the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operate in one of a plurality of operation modes according to the mode control information; and In response to the first hub controller and the second hub controller selectively operating in a fourth mode among the multiple operation modes, the first routing circuit couples the first upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the hub circuit, the first routing circuit couples the second upstream port of the first hub controller to the first port of the host bridge, the second routing circuit couples the second port of the host bridge to the fourth port of the hub circuit, and the second routing circuit couples the second port of the hub circuit to the first downstream port of the first hub controller.

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