Connector assembly, transmission line system and applicable regulation and control method and instruction set thereof

Abstract

The invention provides an image transmission connector assembly. The image transmission connector assembly comprises an image transmission joint and a circuit substrate at least comprising a regulation and control module. The circuit substrate is coupled with the pin group of the image transmission connector through the first setting pad group. The regulation and control module comprises a control unit and a relay unit which is configured to be coupled to at least one signal transmission pin in the pin group of the image transmission connector. Wherein the control unit is coupled to the relay unit via communication transmission, and the relay unit receives at least one relay parameter setting from the control unit via communication transmission to adjust a signal transmitted to the at least one signal transmission pin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector assembly, a transmission line system and applicable control methods and instruction sets thereof; in particular, to a connector assembly with a control unit and a relay unit, a transmission line system and applicable control methods and instruction sets thereof. Background Art

[0002] In order to adapt to long-distance transmission, active transmission lines with relay units are widely used. However, the relay parameters in the relay unit need to be adjusted according to different applications. For example, when the signal attenuation at both ends of the active transmission line is greater than the standard specification, the relay parameters in the relay unit need to be adjusted to make the signal attenuation at both ends of the active transmission line meet the standard specification. However, when the relay parameters are set improperly, it may cause the signal to be over-amplified, resulting in the over-amplified signal being cut off or the eye diagram test failing.

[0003] The relay parameters of the relay unit in the connector assembly need to be adjusted according to, for example, the length of the transmission line, the wire diameter or the material of the transmission line. However, in the current image transmission connector assembly, the means of adjusting the relay parameters of the relay unit is, for example, by adjusting the layout of the passive components on the circuit substrate or the layout of the conductor lines so that the relay unit provides different relay parameters. As the number of relay parameter setting groups of the relay unit increases, the number of materials managed for the circuit substrate and / or passive components also increases accordingly. This greatly increases the manufacturer's purchasing, management and / or warehousing costs.

[0004] Therefore, how to set the relay parameters of the relay unit in the connector assembly in a simplified and single way will be a major focus of research and development in this field. Summary of the invention

[0005] One of the purposes of the present invention is to simplify the hardware requirements for setting relay parameters of a relay unit in an image transmission connector assembly.

[0006] One of the purposes of the present invention is to enable the image transmission connector assembly to be applicable to transmission line systems with different transmission lengths without changing the hardware architecture.

[0007] The present invention provides an image transmission connector assembly including an image transmission connector and a circuit substrate including at least a control module. The circuit substrate is coupled to a pin group of the image transmission connector via a first setting pad group. The control module includes a control unit and a relay unit configured to be coupled to at least one signal transmission pin in the pin group of the image transmission connector. The control unit is coupled to the relay unit via communication transmission, and the relay unit receives at least one relay parameter setting from the control unit via communication transmission to adjust the signal transmitted to at least one signal transmission pin.

[0008] In one embodiment, the circuit substrate further includes a second setting pad group having at least one signal setting pad, the signal setting pad is coupled to the relay unit, and is coupled to the at least one signal transmission pin via the relay unit.

[0009] In one embodiment, the communication transmission includes a data line and a clock line.

[0010] In one embodiment, the communication transmission is configured to be suitable for the Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) communication protocol.

[0011] In one embodiment, a programming pin of the control unit is coupled to a pin of the pin group of the image transmission connector.

[0012] In one embodiment, when the control unit burns an instruction set, the pin is coupled to the burning pin; when the control unit completes the burning of the instruction set, the coupling between the pin and the burning pin is interrupted.

[0013] In one embodiment, the pin coupled to the programming pin is a low-frequency pin in the pin group.

[0014] In one embodiment, the control unit stores an instruction set, which enables the control unit to perform the following operations:

[0015] A communication connection is established with the relay unit; and the at least one relay parameter setting is provided to the relay unit.

[0016] In one embodiment, the operation of providing the at least one relay parameter setting to the relay unit includes:

[0017] A value is written into a register of the relay unit, the value corresponding to the at least one relay parameter setting.

[0018] In one embodiment, the circuit substrate further includes a power module coupled to at least one power pin of the pin group, and the power module is used to provide power required for the operation of the control module.

[0019] In one embodiment, the specification of the image transmission connector is selected from one of High Definition Multimedia Interface and DisplayPort.

[0020] In one embodiment, the image transmission connector has a setting structure that limits the setting direction.

[0021] The present invention provides a transmission line system comprising a transmission cable and the above-mentioned image transmission connector component. The above-mentioned image transmission connector component is arranged on at least one end of the transmission cable.

[0022] The present invention provides a control method for an image transmission connector component, comprising: setting a control module on a circuit substrate of the image transmission connector component, the control module comprising a control unit and a relay unit, establishing a communication connection between the control unit and the relay unit; providing at least one relay parameter setting to the relay unit via the communication connection by the control unit; and the relay unit adjusting a signal transmitted to at least one signal transmission pin of the image transmission connector component according to the at least one relay parameter setting.

[0023] In one embodiment, the communication connection uses an inter-IC communication protocol.

[0024] The relay unit is configured to be coupled to at least one signal transmission pin in a pin group of an image transmission connector. The control unit stores an instruction set to control the control unit, and burns an instruction set into the control unit through a pin of the image transmission connector, wherein the instruction set enables the control unit to perform the following operations: establish a communication connection with the relay unit; and provide at least one relay parameter setting to the relay unit via the communication connection to adjust the signal transmitted to at least one signal transmission pin.

[0025] In one embodiment, after the instruction set is burned into the control unit, the coupling between the pin and the control unit is interrupted.

[0026] In one embodiment, the pin for burning the instruction set is a low-frequency pin of the image transmission connector.

[0027] In one embodiment, when the instruction set is burned into the control unit through the image transmission connector, a burning device is coupled to the pin of the image transmission connector.

[0028] In one embodiment, before the control module is arranged on the circuit substrate of the image transmission connector assembly, an instruction set is burned into the control unit, and the instruction set enables the control unit to perform the following operations:

[0029] The communication connection between the relay unit and the relay unit; and providing the at least one relay parameter setting to the relay unit via the communication connection.

[0030] In one embodiment, the step of providing the at least one relay parameter setting to the relay unit includes:

[0031] A value is written into a register of the relay unit, the value corresponding to the at least one relay parameter setting.

[0032] The present invention provides an instruction set stored in a control unit of an image transmission connector assembly, the instruction set enables the control unit to perform the following operations: establish a communication connection between the control unit and a relay unit of the image transmission connector assembly; and provide a relay parameter setting to the relay unit via the communication connection.

[0033] In one embodiment, the operation of providing the relay parameter setting to the relay unit includes: writing a value into a register of the relay unit, the value corresponding to the relay parameter setting.

[0034] In summary, the control unit can establish a communication connection with the relay unit, and control and set the relay unit. Thereby achieving the purpose of adjusting the relay parameters of the relay unit. Therefore, for the various relay parameter settings on the image transmission connector assembly, the control unit can be used to adjust the corresponding various relay parameter settings of the relay unit (for example, setting the relay parameters of the relay unit through instruction sets with different parameters) without changing the hardware architecture of the image transmission connector assembly (for example, the circuit layout and / or components on the circuit substrate). When the image transmission connector assembly needs to be matched with transmission cables of different lengths to form a transmission line system, different relay parameters can be used to enable transmission line systems of different transmission lengths to achieve the purpose of meeting the required transmission quality and standard specifications with the same hardware architecture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The drawings presented in this disclosure are intended to help describe various embodiments of the present invention. However, in order to simplify the drawings and / or highlight the content to be presented in the drawings, the existing structures and / or elements in the drawings may be drawn in a simple schematic manner or presented in an omitted manner. On the other hand, the number of elements in the drawings may be singular or plural. The drawings presented in this disclosure are only intended to illustrate these embodiments and are not intended to limit them.

[0036] Figure 1 and Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of an image transmission connector assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image transmission connector assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a connection diagram of a transmission line system in a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figures 5 to 7 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for controlling an image transmission connector assembly in a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the instruction set operation in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Description of main component symbols:

[0042] 10 Image transmission connector assembly

[0043] 11 Image transmission connector

[0044] 111 Pin Group

[0045] 111-A Any pin

[0046] 111-DC DC pin

[0047] 111-S Signal transmission pin

[0048] 12 Circuit board

[0049] 1201 First End

[0050] 1202 Second End

[0051] 1203 Page 1

[0052] 1204 Second Side

[0053] 121 Control Module

[0054] 1211 Control Unit

[0055] 1212 Relay Unit

[0056] 122 First Setting Pad Set

[0057] 123 Second Setting Pad Set

[0058] 123-S Signal Setting Pad

[0059] 124 Power Module

[0060] 20 Transmission Line Systems

[0061] 21 Universal Connector Assembly

[0062] 22 Image output device

[0063] 23 Signal output device

[0064] C Transmission Cable

[0065] CS Communication Transmission

[0066] CL Clock Line

[0067] DL cable

[0068] S1-1, S1-2, S1-3, S1-4 steps

[0069] S2-1, S2-2, S2-3, S2-4, S2-5 Steps

[0070] S3-1,S3-2,S3-3,S3-4,S3-5 steps

[0071] IS instruction set

[0072] POP command set preset

[0073] POP1, POP2, POP3 commands

[0074] OP1,OP2 instructions

[0075] VS Signal

[0076] VS' Relay signal DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] Any reference to elements using names such as "first", "second" and the like in this article does not generally limit the number or order of these elements. On the contrary, these names are used as a convenient way to distinguish two or more elements or element instances in this article. Therefore, it should be understood that the names "first", "second" and the like in the claims do not necessarily correspond to the same names in the written description. In addition, it should be understood that the reference to the first and second elements does not mean that only two elements can be used or that the first element must be before the second element. "Including", "including", "having", "containing" and the like used in this article are all open terms, that is, they mean including but not limited to.

[0078] The term "coupled" is used herein to refer to direct or indirect electrical coupling between two structures. For example, in one example of indirect electrical coupling, one structure may be coupled to another structure via a passive element such as a resistor, capacitor, or inductor.

[0079] In the present invention, the words "exemplary" and "for example" are used to mean "used as an example, instance or illustration". Any implementation or aspect described herein as "exemplary" or "for example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects of the present invention. The terms "approximately" and "substantially" as used herein with respect to a specified value or characteristic are intended to mean within a certain value (for example, 10%) of the specified value or characteristic.

[0080] First embodiment.

[0081] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 1 to 3An image transmission connector assembly 10 is described, which includes an image transmission connector 11 and a circuit substrate 12 including at least a control module 121. The circuit substrate 12 is coupled to the pin group 111 of the image transmission connector 11 via a first setting pad group 122. The control module 121 includes a control unit 1211 and a relay unit 1212 configured to be coupled to at least one signal transmission pin 111-S in the pin group 111 of the image transmission connector 11. The control unit 1211 is coupled to the relay unit 1212 via a communication transmission CS, and the relay unit 1212 receives at least one relay parameter setting from the control unit 1211 via the communication transmission CS to adjust the signal VS transmitted to at least one signal transmission pin 111-S.

[0082] Specifically, the specifications of the image transmission connector 11 can be selected from high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), DisplayPort (DP) or any other image transmission connector. In one embodiment, the image transmission connector 11 has a setting structure that limits the setting direction to avoid setting the wrong direction. The image transmission connector 11 can be a plug and a socket. Those skilled in the art can know that without affecting the implementation of the present invention, the plug and the socket of the present invention can perform equivalent exchange and / or substitution operations. The pin group 111 of the image transmission connector 11 can include pins corresponding to different tasks / functions. Taking the HDMI connector as an example, the pin group of HDMI can have a DC signal pin, a high-frequency signal pin and / or a low-frequency signal pin. The DC signal pin is, for example, a power pin for transmitting a DC voltage power supply and a ground pin as a ground terminal. The high-frequency signal pin is, for example, a differential signal transmission pin. Taking HDMI as an example, there can be three to four groups of differential signal transmission pin pairs for transmitting images or other high-frequency signals. The low-frequency signal pins are pins capable of transmitting low-frequency signals, such as Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) pins or HEAC pins.

[0083] The material of the circuit substrate 12 is, for example, glass fiber, bakelite or other existing substrate materials. The circuit substrate 12 can be used as a carrier to provide electronic components, chips, active / passive components, pins or wires for setting. The circuit substrate 12 can be single-layer, double-layer or multi-layer, which can be determined according to the complexity of the circuit and the structural limitations of the circuit. The first end 1201 of the circuit substrate 12 is the end connected to the image transmission connector 11. The surface of the circuit substrate 12 (for example, the first surface 1203 or the second surface 1204) near the first end 1201 has a first setting pad group 122, and the first setting pad group 122 is configured to be coupled with the pin group 111 of the image transmission connector 11. The coupling method is, for example, an existing connection method such as contact, welding or crimping. The second end 1202 of the circuit substrate 12 is configured to be coupled with the transmission cable C. The surface of the circuit substrate 12 (for example, the first surface 1203 or the second surface 1204) near the second end 1202 has a second setting pad group 123. The second setting pad group 123 can be coupled to the core wire of the transmission cable C by welding or any existing process means. The second setting pad group 123 has at least one signal setting pad 123-S that can be coupled to the high-frequency transmission core wire of the transmission cable C that is configured to transmit a high-frequency signal or image signal VS. Taking HDMI as an example, the high-frequency transmission line can be a differential signal transmission line. On the other hand, circuit protection elements such as diodes or TVS elements can also be set on the circuit substrate 12 to protect the control module 121 on the circuit substrate 12.

[0084] The control module 121 disposed on the circuit substrate 12 can be implemented by means of a single chip or multiple chips. For example, taking a single chip as an example, the control module 121 can be a single chip, and a relay unit 1212 and a control unit 1211 are configured in the chip. On the other hand, the control module 121 can be composed of multiple chips through circuits. For example, the control module can include a chip or a chipset used as the control unit 1211 and a chip or a chipset used as the relay unit 1212. In other words, the present invention does not limit the form and type of the control module 121, and any means that can achieve the control module 121 in the present invention should belong to the scope of the present invention. The relay unit 1212 and the control unit 1211 can be disposed on the first surface 1203 or the second surface 1204 of the circuit substrate 12, and are preferably disposed between the first setting pad group 122 and the second setting pad group 123 to facilitate the path planning of the conductor line. It should be noted that, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The configuration of components on the circuit substrate 12 is merely an example and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention does not limit the layout of the circuit configuration on the circuit substrate 12. The components on the circuit substrate 12 can be selected to be arranged on the first surface 1203 or the second surface 1204 of the circuit substrate 12 according to the existing operation of the circuit layout.

[0085] In one embodiment, the circuit substrate 12 may further include a power module 124. The power module 124 may be connected to the DC pin 111-DC (e.g., ground pin, power pin) in the pin group 111 of the image transmission connector 11 through a conductor line, and convert the power transmitted by the image transmission connector 11 into the power PW required by the relay unit 1212 and / or the control unit 1211. Therefore, when the power specification (e.g., voltage, power) required by the relay unit 1212 and / or the control unit 1211 is different from the voltage specification that can be provided by the DC pin 111-DC of the image transmission connector 11, the power management module 124 can still provide the power required by the relay unit 1212 and / or the control unit 1211. However, the power required by the relay unit 1212 and / or the control unit 1211 may also come directly from the DC pin 111-DC of the power supply of the image transmission connector 11 or provide the required power or grounding requirements through the power core wire (e.g., DC 5V) and the ground core wire in the transmission cable C. The power supply means of the present invention is not limited to the power management module 124.

[0086] The control unit 1211 is composed of a circuit having computing functions such as a microprocessor, FPGA, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), single chip system (SoC) or multi-chip system, and can be integrated on the circuit substrate 12 of the image transmission connector assembly 10. In this embodiment, the control unit 1211 is configured to have the ability to adjust the relay parameters of the relay unit 1212. Preferably, the control unit 1211 can store an instruction set and operate according to the instruction set. It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the burning method of the instruction set in the control unit 1211.

[0087] In one embodiment, the control unit 1211 may be pre-programmed with an instruction set and then disposed on the circuit substrate 12 .

[0088] In one embodiment, the programming pin of the control unit 1211 can be configured to be coupled to any pin 111-A in the pin group 111 of the image transmission connector 11, and the control unit 1211 is programmed through any pin 111-A of the image transmission connector 11. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the pin group 111 can be divided into a DC pin 111-DC, a signal transmission pin 111-S and an arbitrary pin 111-A. However, in this embodiment, the arbitrary pin 111-A can be any pin in the pin group 111. In other words, the DC pin 111-DC and the signal transmission pin 111-S can also be configured to be coupled to the control unit 1211 and used to burn the control unit 1211.

[0089] In this embodiment, the control unit 1211 can be programmed after the programming device is coupled to the pin of the image transmission connector 11. For example, the programming device can have a socket corresponding to the image transmission connector 11. When the image transmission connector 11 is set in the programming device, the programming device can program the control unit 1211 through the pin group 111 of the image transmission connector 11 coupled to the pin 111-A of the control unit 1211. It should be noted that the control unit 1211 can be configured to be "coupleable" to any pin 111-A. The definition of "coupleable" is that after the programming of the control unit 1211 is completed, the control unit 1211 and any pin 111-A of the image transmission connector 11 can be disconnected or continue to be coupled. For example, the control unit 1211 can be coupled to any pin 111-A of the image transmission connector 11 through the conductor wire and / or passive element (for example, a zero-ohm resistor) reserved on the circuit substrate 12. After the programming is completed, the passive element can be removed or the conductor wire can be disconnected. On the other hand, the pin 111-A and the control unit 1211 can also be switched by means of a switch, a multiplexer, a selector or a switch, and the above switching or disconnection means should all fall within the definition of "coupleable" in the present invention. In this way, the image transmission connector assembly 10 can avoid the influence of the control unit 1211 when transmitting signals, or the control unit 1211 can avoid occupying the pin 111-A and causing the transmission quality to decrease.

[0090] On the other hand, the control unit 1211 can be burned through the low-frequency pins that are not often used in the pin group 111 of the image transmission connector 11. Taking HDMI as an example, the CEC pin can be used for burning. In this way, after the control unit 1211 completes the instruction set burning, there is no need to disconnect the control unit 1211 and the low-frequency pin. In other words, using the low-frequency pin to burn the control unit 1211 can avoid affecting the high-frequency signal transmission or other signal transmission of the image transmission connector 11, and can also reduce the extra working hours required after burning. On the other hand, the retained coupling circuit can burn the control unit 1211 again or multiple times, which is conducive to parameter testing or repair and replacement.

[0091] In this embodiment, the burning device is, for example, a computing electronic device such as a desktop computer, a notebook computer, an industrial computer and / or a tablet computer. The burning device can also be an on-board burner connected to the computer. Compared with first burning the instruction set of the control unit 1211 and then setting it on the circuit substrate 12 of the image transmission connector assembly 10, the control unit 1211 is directly set by connecting the image transmission connector 11, which can have flexibility in setting. For example, when the control unit 1211 needs to expand, adjust, remove, or replace the firmware or instruction set, it is only necessary to connect the image transmission connector 11 through the burning device and directly set the control unit 1211 accordingly (for example, re-burn another instruction set), without completely removing the control unit 1211 and then replacing it. Rework can be avoided or the test / manufacturing process can be simplified. This improves the cost control of raw materials and / or working hours.

[0092] The relay unit 1212 (Redriver), for example, can relay the high-frequency signal VS transmitted (for example, received or sent) on at least one signal transmission pin 111-S of the image transmission connector assembly 10 into a relayed signal VS', and the relay processing is, for example, a signal enhancement, modulation or re-production operation such as a signal equalizer, pre-emphasis and / or de-emphasis. The control unit 1211 that has been set can establish a communication connection with the relay unit 1212. Specifically, the control unit 1211 can have a physical line connection with the relay unit 1212 (for example, a communication transmission CS on the circuit substrate 12). Through a physical line group such as a data line DL and a clock line CL, the control unit 1211 can establish a communication connection such as an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) communication protocol with the relay unit 1212. It should be noted that the communication transmission CS may also be a non-physical line group. For example, when the control unit 1211 allows wireless connection with the relay unit 1212, the control unit 1211 and the relay unit 1212 may also be connected via wireless transmission protocols such as infrared, Bluetooth, RFID or Zig-Bee. The control method of the present invention does not limit the type or protocol of the communication connection between the control unit 1211 and the relay unit 1212. The type or protocol of the communication connection may be adjusted according to the specifications provided by the control unit 1211 and the relay unit 1212 or the actual needs of the line and cost considerations.

[0093] The communication connection between the control unit 1211 and the relay unit 1212 is established through the communication transmission CS. The control unit 1211 can issue instructions to the relay unit 1212 so that the relay unit 1212 adjusts the relay parameters of the corresponding signal transmission pin 111-S. It should be noted that the relay unit 1212 can have multiple relay parameters to correspond to different signal transmission pins 111-S. Taking HDMI as an example, when HDMI has four groups of differential signal transmission pin pairs, the same relay parameters can be set for each group of differential signal transmission pin pairs, or different relay parameters can be set for each group of differential signal transmission pin pairs. The setting of the relay parameters can be adjusted according to the material, length and / or wire diameter of the transmission cable C to which the image transmission connector assembly 10 is to be connected. The purpose of adjusting the relay parameters is that when the image transmission connector assembly 10 and the transmission cable C form a transmission line system, the signals at both ends of the transmission line system need to comply with the standard specifications and signal eye diagrams. However, the specifications of different transmission cables have different requirements for the relay parameters of the transmission line system. For example, a longer transmission cable requires a higher gain to avoid excessive signal loss in the transmission line system. However, if a transmission line system with a shorter transmission cable uses the same gain as a long transmission cable, the signal will be over-amplified and cut off or fail to meet the eye diagram test of the standard specification.

[0094] It should be noted that the means for adjusting the relay parameters of the relay unit 1212 in the present invention are not limited, and can be controlled according to the specifications and operation guide of the relay unit 1212. For example, the gain value can be adjusted by adjusting the ratio between the passive components (such as capacitors, inductors or resistors) in the relay unit 1212. Alternatively, after writing a value to a register in the relay unit 1212, the relay unit 1212 can extract the value of the register and then perform self-regulation.

[0095] Through the above-mentioned image transmission connector assembly 10, the relay parameters of the relay unit 1212 can be adjusted without changing the hardware architecture of the image transmission connector assembly 10, so that the image transmission connector assembly 10 can be matched with transmission cables C of different lengths to meet standard specifications.

[0096] Second embodiment.

[0097] The image transmission connector assembly 10 in the first embodiment can be further configured into a second embodiment. Figure 4 And supplemented by Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 4The image transmission connector assembly 10 can be integrated with the transmission cable C to form a transmission line system 20. Specifically, each setting pad of the second setting pad group 123 of the image transmission connector assembly 10 is configured to be coupled to the corresponding core wire of the transmission cable C. The setting of the relay parameters of the image transmission connector assembly 10 can be adjusted according to the material, length and / or wire diameter of the transmission cable C to which the image transmission connector assembly 10 is to be connected. The purpose of adjusting the relay parameters is that when the image transmission connector assembly and the transmission cable C form the transmission line system 20, the signals at both ends of the transmission line system 20 need to comply with the standard specifications and signal eye diagram. However, the specifications of different transmission cables C have different requirements for the relay parameters of the transmission line system 20. For example, a longer transmission cable needs to have a higher gain to avoid excessive signal loss in the transmission line system 20. However, when the transmission line system 20 with a shorter transmission cable uses the same gain as the long transmission cable, the signal will be over-amplified and cut off or fail to meet the eye diagram test of the standard specifications.

[0098] It should be noted that the image transmission connector component 10 can be set at one end of the transmission cable C, and the other end can be selected with a universal connector component 21. For example, if the image transmission connector 11 of the image transmission connector component 10 is HDMI specification, then the other end of the transmission cable C can be selected with a conventional HDMI connector component. The end of the transmission line system 20 with the image transmission connector component 10 is preferably configured to be connected to a signal receiving end (for example, an image output device 22 such as a screen or projector). Specifically, the transmission line system 20 can be connected to a signal output end (for example, a signal output device 23 such as a set-top box or a TV box) from the end where the universal connector component 21 is set and receive the signal VS. The signal VS is transmitted to the end of the transmission line system 20 with the image transmission connector component 10 via the transmission cable C. The signal VS to be transmitted is subjected to corresponding relay processing via the image transmission connector component 10 to become a relayed signal VS', and the relayed signal VS' is provided to the image output device 22. However, the above configuration is only an example, and the transmission line system 20 can also be configured with image transmission connector components 10 at both ends.

[0099] The transmission line system 20 with the image transmission connector assembly 10 can be applied to transmission cables C of various materials or lengths (i.e., different electrical characteristics) without changing the hardware architecture of the image transmission connector assembly 10. This can simplify hardware design and reduce material storage requirements, thereby saving manufacturing, design, or R&D costs.

[0100] Third embodiment.

[0101] Figure 5A control method for an image transmission connector component is described, comprising: step S1-1: setting a control module on a circuit substrate of the image transmission connector component, wherein the control module includes a control unit and a relay unit; step S1-2: establishing a communication connection between the control unit and the relay unit; step S1-3: providing at least one relay parameter setting to the relay unit via the communication connection by the control unit; and step S1-4: the relay unit adjusts a signal transmitted to at least one signal transmission pin of the image transmission connector component according to the at least one relay parameter setting.

[0102] Specifically, in step S1-1, existing circuit process means can be used to generate contact pads for component placement and conductor lines connecting various components or pins on the circuit substrate of the image transmission connector assembly. The control module is placed on the circuit substrate of the image transmission connector assembly by means of punching or the like. The present invention is not limited to the process means of the circuit, and any circuit process means that can achieve step S1-1 should fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0103] The control unit can be programmed to store the instruction set, and the instruction set can be programmed into the control unit by programming it through the image transmission connector assembly or programming it in advance before setting. Figure 6 , after step S2-1: setting the control module on the circuit substrate of the image transmission connector assembly, it also includes step S2-2: after burning the control unit through any pin of the image transmission connector, executing step S2-3: communication connection with the relay unit and step S2-4: providing the relay unit with at least one relay parameter setting operation instruction set IS through the communication connection. After the relay unit receives at least one relay parameter setting, executing step S2-5: the relay unit adjusts the signal transmitted to at least one signal transmission pin of the image transmission connector assembly according to at least one relay parameter setting.

[0104] For example, a conductor line for coupling the burning pin of the control unit and any pin of the image transmission connector (and preferably a low-frequency pin) can be reserved in advance on the circuit substrate of the image transmission connector. After the control unit is set on the circuit substrate, the burning pin of the control unit can be coupled to any pin of the image transmission connector through the conductor line, and receive the instruction set from the image transmission connector. The above-mentioned burning process can be burned, for example, by a burning device coupled to the image transmission connector. After the control unit is burned with the instruction set, it can be selected to interrupt or retain the coupling between any pin of the image transmission connector and the control unit. In the embodiment of interrupting the coupling between any pin of the image transmission connector and the control unit, it can be interrupted by a switching method such as a switch or a selector, or the conductor line between any pin of the image transmission connector and the control unit can be directly cut off or the preset connection element (for example, a jumper or a low-ohm resistor) on the conductor line can be removed. This embodiment can retain the flexibility during burning. When the instruction set needs to be adjusted or tested, the control unit that has been set on the circuit substrate of the image transmission connector can re-burn a new instruction set. The image transmission connector can be adapted to various different settings.

[0105] On the other hand, the instruction set can be pre-burned into the control unit before the control unit is installed on the circuit board. Figure 7 , before step S3-2: setting the control module on the circuit substrate of the image transmission connector component, it also includes step S3-1: burning the instruction set to the control unit. Execute step S3-3: communication connection with the relay unit and step S3-4: provide the relay unit with an instruction set IS for the operation of at least one relay parameter setting via the communication connection. After the relay unit receives at least one relay parameter setting, execute step S3-5: the relay unit adjusts the signal transmitted to at least one signal transmission pin of the image transmission connector component according to at least one relay parameter setting. Specifically, the control unit can pre-store the instruction set in the memory of the control unit through existing chip burning means. After the control module is set on the circuit substrate of the image transmission connector, the control unit can directly operate according to the instruction set. This embodiment can batch burn the control units to reduce the time required for burning.

[0106] Through the above-mentioned control method, the relay parameters of the relay unit can be adjusted without changing the hardware architecture of the image transmission connector component. The image transmission connector component can be matched with transmission cables of different lengths to meet standard specifications. This improves the cost control of raw materials and / or labor hours.

[0107] Fourth embodiment:

[0108] Please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8An instruction set stored in a control unit of an image transmission connector assembly is described, wherein the instruction set enables the control unit to perform the following operations: operation OP1: establishing a communication connection between the control unit and a relay unit of the image transmission connector assembly; and operation OP2: providing relay parameter settings to the relay unit through the communication connection.

[0109] Specifically, before operating OP1, the instruction set can first declare variables (POP1), define values ​​or clocks (POP2) and / or declare registers (POP3) and other conventional instruction sets to pre-set POP. So that the communication connection between the control unit and the relay unit is stable and the connection can be completed. It should be noted that the order of the above instruction set pre-settings (POP1-POP3) can be adjusted, and can be executed or not executed as appropriate. Specifically, those skilled in the art can, in accordance with the content of the present invention, enable the instruction set to have other necessary or non-essential operating instructions so that a communication connection can be established between the control unit and the relay unit. Necessary or non-essential operating instructions can be adjusted according to the protocol of the communication connection. For example, if the protocol of the communication connection is the I2C protocol, the instruction set can have instructions for setting I2C related operations such as start bit, stop bit, response trigger, etc. However, the instruction set is not limited to the above operations. In addition, the communication connection of the present invention is not limited to I2C.

[0110] In operation OP2, the instruction set may have corresponding adjustment means according to the specifications or guidelines of the relay unit. For example, when the relay unit reads the value of the register in the relay unit to adjust the relay parameters, the instruction set may write to the target register of the relay unit, and the written value may correspond to different relay parameters. For example, when the register is 8 bits, it may correspond to at least 256 relay parameter settings. In addition, the relay unit may have multiple registers related to the relay parameters. The instruction set may write to multiple registers related to the relay parameters respectively, and may write different or the same values ​​so that the relay unit provides better relay parameters.

[0111] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the form of an instruction set. For example, the instruction set can be edited using any appropriate programming syntax (e.g., C language, hardware description language, assembly language). The syntax of the instruction set and the applicable syntax of the control unit can be converted by translation or compilation.

[0112] By writing the instruction set into the control unit, the instruction set enables the control unit to set the relay unit. In this way, the relay unit can have different relay parameters without changing the hardware architecture, so as to be applicable to different transmission line systems.

[0113] The previous description of the invention is provided to enable one skilled in the art to make or implement the invention. Various modifications to the invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations or the various embodiments may be combined with one another or implemented separately without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the examples described herein, but rather to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features of the invention herein.

Claims

1. An image transmission connector assembly, characterized in that: Include: an image transmission connector; and At least one circuit substrate of a control module is included, and the circuit substrate is coupled to a pin group of the image transmission connector via a first setting pad group, wherein the control module includes: a control unit; and A relay unit configured to be coupled to at least one signal transmission pin in the pin group of the image transmission connector; The control unit is coupled to the relay unit via a communication transmission, and the relay unit receives at least one relay parameter setting from the control unit via the communication transmission to adjust the signal transmitted to the at least one signal transmission pin.

2. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit substrate also includes: A second setting pad group at least has a signal setting pad, the signal setting pad is coupled to the relay unit, and is coupled to the at least one signal transmission pin via the relay unit.

3. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The communication transmission includes a data line and a clock line.

4. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The communication transport is configured to accommodate an inter-IC communication protocol.

5. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: A burning pin of the control unit is coupled to a pin of the pin group of the image transmission connector.

6. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the control unit burns an instruction set, the pin is coupled to the burning pin; when the control unit completes the burning of the instruction set, the coupling between the pin and the burning pin is interrupted.

7. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The pin coupled to the programming pin is a low-frequency pin in the pin group.

8. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit stores an instruction set, which enables the control unit to perform the following operations: establishing a communication connection with the relay unit; and The at least one relay parameter setting is provided to the relay unit.

9. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The operation of providing the at least one relay parameter setting to the relay unit includes: A value is written into a register of the relay unit, the value corresponding to the at least one relay parameter setting.

10. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit board also includes: A power module is at least coupled to a power pin of the pin group, and the power module is used to provide power required for the operation of the control module.

11. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The specification of the image transmission connector is selected from one of a high-definition multimedia interface and a DisplayPort.

12. The image transmission connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The image transmission connector has a setting structure that limits the setting direction.

13. A transmission line system, characterized in that: Include: a transmission cable; The image transmission connector assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the image transmission connector assembly is disposed on at least one end of the transmission cable.

14. A method for controlling an image transmission connector assembly, characterized in that: Include: A control module is arranged on a circuit substrate of the image transmission connector assembly, wherein the control module includes a control unit and a relay unit; Establishing a communication connection between the control unit and the relay unit; providing at least one relay parameter setting to the relay unit via the communication connection by the control unit; and The relay unit adjusts the signal transmitted to at least one signal transmission pin of the image transmission connector component according to the at least one relay parameter setting.

15. The control method according to claim 14, characterized in that: The communication connection uses an inter-IC communication protocol.

16. The control method according to claim 14, characterized in that: Also includes: A command set is burned into the control unit through a pin of the image transmission connector, and the command set enables the control unit to perform the following operations: the communication connection with the relay unit; and The at least one relay parameter setting is provided to the relay unit via the communication connection.

17. The control method according to claim 16, characterized in that: Also includes: After the instruction set is burned into the control unit, the coupling between the pin and the control unit is interrupted.

18. The control method according to claim 16, characterized in that: The pin used for burning the instruction set is a low-frequency pin of the image transmission connector.

19. The control method according to claim 16, characterized in that: When the command set is burned into the control unit through the image transmission connector, a burning device is coupled to the pin of the image transmission connector.

20. The control method according to claim 14, characterized in that: Also includes: Before setting the control module on the circuit substrate of the image transmission connector assembly, a command set is burned into the control unit, and the command set enables the control unit to perform the following operations: the communication connection with the relay unit; and The at least one relay parameter setting is provided to the relay unit via the communication connection.

21. The control method according to claim 14, characterized in that: The step of providing the at least one relay parameter setting to the relay unit comprises: A value is written into a register of the relay unit, the value corresponding to the at least one relay parameter setting.

22. An instruction set stored in a control unit of an image transmission connector assembly, characterized in that: The instruction set enables the control unit to perform the following operations: Establishing a communication connection between the control unit and a relay unit of the image transmission connector assembly; and A relay parameter setting is provided to the relay unit via the communication connection.

23. The instruction set of claim 22, wherein: The operation of providing the relay parameter setting to the relay unit includes: A value is written into a register of the relay unit, the value corresponding to the relay parameter setting.

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