Universal serial bus female port, universal serial bus male port and electronic equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a universal serial bus female port, a universal serial bus male port and electronic equipment. The universal serial bus female port comprises a controller module, a Hall sensor and an indicator; the Hall sensor is connected with the controller module so as to send a detected magnetic field signal to the controller module; and the controller module is connected with the indicator and controls the indicator to send out a corresponding indication signal based on the change of the magnetic field signal. According to the embodiment of the invention, when a user plugs and unplugs a power interface or a USB, the interface can be found without turning a head or rotating a computer, and as long as the user gets close to the universal serial bus female port, the universal serial bus female port can send out a corresponding indication signal according to the positive and negative positions of the power interface or the USB; therefore, the position and the positive and negative direction of the USB female port are prompted to a user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of interface circuits, and particularly to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) female port, a USB male port, and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a Plug and Play interface is provided on an electronic device, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), to facilitate users to carry data conveniently. In actual use, it is found that many interfaces are not set in obvious positions. For example, the USB ports of a laptop computer are set on the side or the back. When a user plugs or unpluggs a charger or a USB device, they need to turn their heads to check the specific position of the port, and it is not easy to find the interface. Moreover, there is also a situation where the USB device is held upside down and cannot be connected.

[0003] Although in the prior art, there are identification patterns printed above the USB ports on some electronic devices, or indicator lights for indicating the position. However, since the device may be in a dark environment, it is not easy to see the pattern clearly. Or the indicator light only indicates the approximate position of the port. Since the USB port has a direction and needs to be fully aligned with the USB device before insertion, which requires a high degree of precision, the actual use effect is poor. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] In view of at least one of the above technical problems existing in the prior art, this application is proposed. According to one aspect of this application, a USB female port is provided, which includes a controller module, a Hall sensor, and an indicator:

[0005] The Hall sensor is connected to the controller module to send the detected magnetic field signal to the controller module;

[0006] The controller module is connected to the indicator and controls the indicator to emit a corresponding indication signal based on the change of the magnetic field signal.

[0007] In some embodiments, it includes:

[0008] The controller module determines the magnetic field direction according to the magnetic field signal, and determines the pre-connection state of the USB female port according to the magnetic field direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, it includes:

[0010] When the USB female port changes from the pre-connection state to the connection state, the controller module stops sending the indication signal to the indicator.

[0011] In some embodiments, it includes:

[0012] The controller module sends a first indication signal according to the first magnetic field direction and a second indication signal according to the second magnetic field direction.

[0013] In some embodiments, it includes:

[0014] A substrate and a plurality of pins disposed on the substrate;

[0015] The substrate includes a first surface, and the plurality of pins are all disposed on the first surface of the substrate. The first ends of the plurality of pins are all connected to the controller module.

[0016] Another aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a universal serial bus male connector, which is adapted to the above-mentioned universal serial bus female connector. The universal serial bus male connector includes a housing:

[0017] A magnet is disposed on the housing, and the magnet has a first magnetic field direction to provide the magnetic field signal.

[0018] In some embodiments, it includes: a substrate and a plurality of pins disposed on the substrate;

[0019] The substrate includes a first surface; the plurality of pins are all disposed on the first surface of the substrate.

[0020] Another aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides an electronic device, which includes the above-mentioned universal serial bus female connector.

[0021] Another aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides an electronic device, which includes the above-mentioned universal serial bus male connector.

[0022] The universal serial bus female connector of the embodiments of the present application includes a controller module, a Hall sensor, and an indicator: The Hall sensor is connected to the controller module to send the detected magnetic field signal to the controller module. The controller module is connected to the indicator and controls the indicator to emit a corresponding indication signal based on the change of the magnetic field signal. The embodiments of the present application can enable the user, when plugging or unplugging the power interface or USB, not to need to turn the head or rotate the computer to find the interface. As long as approaching the universal serial bus female connector, the universal serial bus female connector will issue a corresponding indication signal according to the front and back positions of the power interface or USB to prompt the user of the position and front and back directions of the universal serial bus female connector. Description of the Drawings

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic block diagram showing a universal serial bus female port according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing the Hall sensor detecting the magnetic field direction according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing the change in magnetic flux density output by the O1 and O2 pins of the Hall sensor when a magnet approaches the Hall sensor according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing the change in magnetic flux density when the Hall sensor detects the magnetic field direction according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 5 Schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the magnet direction and the state of the LED lamp according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 6 Schematic block diagram showing a universal serial bus male port according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 7 Schematic block diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 8 Schematic block diagram showing an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0033] Based on the foregoing at least one technical problem, the present application provides a universal serial bus female port, including a controller module, a Hall sensor, and an indicator: the Hall sensor is connected to the controller module to send the detected magnetic field signal to the controller module; the controller module is connected to the indicator and controls the indicator to emit a corresponding indication signal based on the change of the magnetic field signal.

[0034] The present application also provides a universal serial bus male port, including a housing: a magnet is provided on the housing, and the magnet has a first magnetic field direction.

[0035] In the embodiments of the present application, when the user plugs or unpluggs a power interface or a USB, there is no need to turn the head or rotate the computer to find the interface. As long as the user approaches the universal serial bus female port, the universal serial bus female port will emit a corresponding indication signal according to the front and back positions of the power interface or the USB, so as to prompt the user of the position and the front and back directions of the universal serial bus female port. The present application also provides a universal serial bus male port, including a housing: a magnet is provided on the housing, and the magnet has a first magnetic field direction. In the embodiments of the present application, when the user plugs or unpluggs a power interface or a USB, there is no need to turn the head or rotate the computer to find the interface. As long as the user approaches the universal serial bus female port, the universal serial bus female port will emit a corresponding indication signal according to the front and back positions of the power interface or the USB, so as to prompt the user of the position and the front and back directions of the universal serial bus female port.

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic flowchart showing a universal serial bus female port according to an embodiment of the present application; as Figure 1 shown, the universal serial bus female port 100 according to an embodiment of the present application may include a controller module 101, a Hall sensor 102, and an indicator 103.

[0037] Among them, the controller module 101 may be a microcontroller unit (MCU). The microcontroller unit may be integrated on the controller or processor of the electronic device where the universal serial bus female port is installed.

[0038] Among them, continuing to combine Figure 1 , the Hall sensor 102 is connected to the controller module 101 to send the detected magnetic field signal to the controller module 101. The microcontroller unit has general-purpose input / output pins GPIO1 and GPIO2. The general-purpose input / output pin GPIO1 is connected to the O1 pin of the Hall sensor 102, and the general-purpose input / output pin GPIO2 is connected to the O2 pin of the Hall sensor 102.

[0039] Among them, the controller module 101 is connected to the indicator 103 and controls the indicator 103 to emit corresponding indication signals based on the change of the magnetic field signal. The indicator 103 can adopt devices such as voice indication and signal lamp indication. In this embodiment, a laser light-emitting diode (LED) indicator lamp is used for indication. Combined with Figure 1 , the GREEN pin of the MCU for sending the green signal is connected to the LED1 pin of the indicator to control the indicator 103 to display green; the RED pin of the MCU for sending the red signal is connected to the LED2 pin of the indicator 103.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present application, the controller module 101 determines the magnetic field direction according to the magnetic field signal, and determines the pre-connection state of the universal serial bus female port according to the magnetic field direction.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present application, when the universal serial bus female port changes from the pre-connection state to the connection state, the controller module 101 stops sending indication signals to the indicator 103.

[0042] As an example, the controller module 101 sends a first indication signal according to the first magnetic field direction and a second indication signal according to the second magnetic field direction. In the embodiment of the present application, in order to display the usage state of the interface, two LED lights can be used: one green LED and one red LED.

[0043] For example, using the light emitted by the LED for guidance, a Hall sensor 102 is installed on the universal serial bus female port such as the computer end and the power adapter end. When the user plugs in the power supply or other Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices, when the power cord plug or the USB device approaches the computer port or the power adapter, the computer end or the power adapter should sense the approach behavior of the USB device and emit a beam of light with the same size as the interface from the universal serial bus female port of the computer port to guide and prompt the user of the interface position. If the sensed magnetic field direction indicates that the USB device direction is correct, the green LED light is displayed; if the sensed magnetic field direction indicates that the USB device direction is incorrect, the red LED light is displayed.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present application, the universal serial bus female port 100 further includes: a substrate and a plurality of pins arranged on the substrate; the substrate includes a first surface, and the plurality of pins are all arranged on the first surface of the substrate, and the first ends of the plurality of pins are all connected to the controller module.

[0045] Among them, the Hall sensor 102 is a sensor for measuring the magnetic field intensity, which can output an electrical signal by sensing the change of the magnetic field. In the embodiment of the present application, the Hall sensor 102 is used to detect the approach and departure of the magnet, and to detect whether the direction of the device (such as a device with a universal serial bus male port) is correct.

[0046] In the microcontroller (MCU) of the embodiment of the present application, it is the core of the entire system. It receives the signal of the Hall sensor 102 and controls the brightness of the LED lamp according to the state of the signal. This function can be completed by the embedded controller (EC) chip of the electronic device installed on the universal serial bus female port, without incurring additional costs. At the same time, in order to make the system work properly, a stable power supply is required to supply power to the microcontroller (MCU), the Hall sensor 102, and the LED lamp. The power supply can directly use the main board power supply.

[0047] For example, taking a notebook computer as an example, the EC / BMC / MCU on the notebook computer or desktop computer motherboard is used as the controller module of the Hall sensor 102. For example, the EC of the model IT8638E / EX is used as the controller, and two pins GP14 and GP15 of IT8638E / EX are used as the control pins of the Hall sensor 102, and the pins GP52 and GP51 are used as the control pins of the LED lamp.

[0048] Such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the magnetic field direction of the magnet is from the north pole (N) to the south pole (S). Then, when the Hall sensor (HALL) is located close to the north pole (N), it can detect the magnetic field in the direction from a distance towards the Hall sensor (HALL). At this time, a low-level signal is input to the pin O1 of the Hall sensor 102, and a high-level signal is input to the pin O2 of the Hall sensor 102. Thus, after receiving the magnetic field signal sent by the Hall sensor (HALL), the microcontroller (MCU) can judge the direction of the magnet according to the magnetic flux density (B) signal.

[0049] This usually involves the processing of analog signals, such as setting the magnetic flux density threshold (B HYS ) to distinguish the approach and departure of the magnet. As Figure 4 shown, it can be seen that the farther the magnet is from the Hall sensor 102, the weaker the magnetic flux density.

[0050] In the embodiment of the present application, the microcontroller can control the lighting of the LED lamp according to the signal of the Hall sensor 102. For example, when it is detected that the magnet approaches and meets the expected direction (the south pole faces the Hall sensor and the north pole is away from the Hall sensor), the green LED lamp is lit; otherwise, the red LED lamp is lit. In one example, asFigure 5 As shown, four states of the interface are first defined: initial, correct insertion, reverse insertion, and proper insertion. In the initial state, the levels received by pin O1 and pin O2 are high levels, that is, the signal values are both 1, and at this time, the LED is in the state of not lighting up. In the correct insertion state, pin O1 receives a low level, that is, 0, and pin O2 receives a high level, that is, the signal value 1, and at this time, the LED is in the state of lighting up green. In the reverse insertion state, pin O1 receives a high level, that is, the signal value 1, and pin O2 receives a low level, that is, the signal value is 0, and at this time, the LED is in the state of lighting up red. When properly inserted, pin O1 receives a low level, that is, 0, and pin O2 receives a high level, that is, the signal value 1, and at this time, the LED is in the state of lighting up green and then turning off after 10 seconds. In other embodiments, it can also be set to light up the red light to meet the expected direction, and light up the green light if the expected direction is not met. This embodiment is only used as an example to explain the present utility model and does not limit the scope of the utility model.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present application, in order to ensure the normal operation of the system, the microcontroller needs to continuously monitor the signal of the Hall sensor 102. Therefore, a loop or an interrupt needs to be used in software to continuously check the status of the sensor.

[0052] The specific implementation process of the embodiment of the present application is as follows:

[0053] First, set four GPIO pins on the microcontroller (MCU), two of which are used for the signal input of the Hall sensor 102, and the other two are used for the control of the LED.

[0054] Second, according to the specific application scenario, adjust the sensitivity and threshold of the Hall sensor 102. This can be achieved by adjusting the parameters of the Hall sensor 102 or programming in software. For example, if the model of the microcontroller is Arduino, the GPIO pins can be controlled and the signal of the Hall sensor 102 can be processed through C++ or the Arduino IDE.

[0055] Third, a status variable can be set to represent the direction of the magnet. When the signal of the Hall sensor 102 changes, check this status variable, and then control the brightness of the LED according to the value of the status variable.

[0056] In an application scenario, when the user brings the adapter (universal serial bus male port) socket close to the computer interface (universal serial bus female port), the computer interface will emit light, so that the user can clearly know the position of the computer interface. According to the positive and negative directions of the magnetic field in the adapter interface and the computer interface, the user is reminded whether the adapter (universal serial bus male port) socket is held backwards.

[0057] In the embodiments of the present application, when a user plugs or unpluggs a power interface or a USB, there is no need to turn the head or rotate the computer to find the interface. As long as the user approaches the universal serial bus female port, the universal serial bus female port will send corresponding indication signals according to the front-back positions of the power interface or the USB, so as to prompt the user of the position and the front-back direction of the universal serial bus female port.

[0058] The present application also provides a universal serial bus male port. As Figure 6 shown, it is a schematic diagram of the universal serial bus male port according to an embodiment of the present application. The universal serial bus male port 600 according to an embodiment of the present application may include a housing 601. A magnet 602 is provided on the housing, and the magnet 602 has a first magnetic field direction.

[0059] In the embodiments of the present application, the magnet may be provided around the housing, or on the upper inner wall, lower inner wall, left side wall, right side wall, etc. of the housing. The present application does not make any limitation thereto.

[0060] In the universal serial bus male port 600 as Figure 6 shown, the magnet is attached to the upper wall inside the housing 601 in the form of an extremely thin patch, and the opening of the housing 601 is adapted to the universal serial bus female port.

[0061] Wherein, the first magnetic field direction is the magnetic field direction from the north pole to the south pole; or the first magnetic field direction is the magnetic field direction from the south pole to the north pole.

[0062] In an embodiment of the present application, the universal serial bus male port 600 includes a substrate and a plurality of pins provided on the substrate; the substrate includes a first surface; the plurality of pins are all provided on the first surface of the substrate. The universal serial bus female port and the universal serial bus male port according to the embodiments of the present application are used in cooperation. When the universal serial bus male port 600 is inserted into the universal serial bus female port, its plurality of pins are connected to the pins of the universal serial bus female port for data transmission.

[0063] In the embodiments of the present application, when a user connects an electronic device with a serial bus male port, there is no need to turn the head or rotate the computer to find the interface. As long as the user approaches the universal serial bus female port, the universal serial bus female port will send corresponding indication signals according to the front-back positions of the power interface or the USB, so as to prompt the user of the position and the front-back direction of the universal serial bus female port.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the present application, there is also provided an electronic device, as Figure 7 shown, the electronic device includes a universal serial bus female port as Figure 1 shown.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present application, there is also provided an electronic device, as Figure 8As shown, the electronic device includes a universal serial bus male connector as Figure 8 shown.

[0066] Since the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present application can implement the functions of the aforementioned universal serial bus female connector or universal serial bus male connector, it has the same advantages as the aforementioned universal serial bus female connector or universal serial bus male connector.

[0067] Although example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that the above example embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make various changes and modifications therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present application. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application as claimed by the appended claims.

[0068] In the specification provided herein, a large number of specific details are set forth. However, it can be understood that the embodiments of the present application can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0069] Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to streamline the present application and assist in understanding one or more of the various aspects, in the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present application, the various features of the present application are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, the method of the present application should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed present application requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected by the corresponding claims, the inventive point lies in that a corresponding technical problem can be solved by features less than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into the detailed description, where each claim itself serves as a separate embodiment of the present application.

[0070] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, except where features are mutually exclusive, any combination can be employed of all the features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all the processes or units of any method or apparatus so disclosed. Unless otherwise expressly stated, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0071] In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments rather than other features, the combination of features of different embodiments means that it is within the scope of this application and forms different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any one of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0072] Each component embodiment of the present application can be implemented in hardware, or in software modules running on one or more processors, or in a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art should understand that a microprocessor or a digital signal processor (DSP) can be used in practice to implement some or all of the functions of some of the modules according to the embodiments of the present application. The present application can also be implemented as a device program (for example, a computer program and a computer program product) for executing part or all of the methods described herein. Such a program for implementing the present application can be stored on a computer-readable medium, or can be in the form of one or more signals. Such signals can be downloaded from an Internet website, or provided on a carrier signal, or provided in any other form.

[0073] It should be noted that the above embodiments illustrate rather than limit the present application, and those skilled in the art can design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in the claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The present application can be implemented by means of hardware including several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a unit claim listing several devices, several of these devices can be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third, etc. does not denote any order. These words can be interpreted as names.

[0074] As described above, this is only the specific implementation manner or the description of the specific implementation manner of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present application can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered by the protection scope of the present application. The protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A universal serial bus female port, characterized in that: Includes controller module, Hall sensor and indicator: The Hall sensor is connected to the controller module to send the detected magnetic field signal to the controller module; The controller module is connected to the indicator and controls the indicator to send a corresponding indication signal based on the change of the magnetic field signal.

2. The universal serial bus female port according to claim 1, characterized in that: include: The controller module determines the direction of the magnetic field according to the magnetic field signal, and determines the pre-connection state of the universal serial bus female port according to the direction of the magnetic field.

3. The universal serial bus female port according to claim 2, characterized in that: include: When the universal serial bus female port changes from a pre-connection state to a connection state, the controller module and the indicator stop sending an indication signal.

4. The universal serial bus female port according to claim 2, characterized in that: include: The controller module sends a first indication signal according to the first magnetic field direction; A second indication signal is sent according to the second magnetic field direction.

5. The universal serial bus female port according to claim 1, comprising: A substrate and a plurality of pins arranged on the substrate; The substrate comprises a first surface, the plurality of pins are arranged on the first surface of the substrate, and the first ends of the plurality of pins are connected to the controller module.

6. A universal serial bus male port, characterized in that: The universal serial bus male port is adapted to the universal serial bus female port according to claim 1, and the universal serial bus male port comprises a housing: The housing is provided with a magnet, and the magnet has a first magnetic field direction to provide the magnetic field signal.

7. The universal serial bus male port according to claim 6, characterized in that: include: The first magnetic field direction is the magnetic field direction from the North Pole to the South Pole; Alternatively, the first magnetic field direction is the magnetic field direction from the South Pole to the North Pole.

8. The universal serial bus male port according to claim 6, characterized in that: include: A substrate and a plurality of pins arranged on the substrate; The substrate comprises a first surface; the plurality of pins are all arranged on the first surface of the substrate.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises the universal serial bus female port as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises a universal serial bus male port as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8.

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