Connecting device and connecting system

Abstract

The utility model provides a connecting device and a connecting system. The connecting device comprises a first connecting interface, a second connecting interface, a third connecting interface, a controller and a power supply selection assembly. Wherein the first transmission / reception line of the first connection interface is directly or indirectly coupled to the second transmission / reception line of the second connection interface. Wherein a first protocol communication terminal of the first connection interface, a second protocol communication terminal of the second connection interface and a third protocol communication terminal of the third connection interface are coupled to a controller, and the controller is at least used for executing a PD charging protocol. Wherein the power selection assembly selectively couples the first power bus of the first connection interface to the second power bus of the second connection interface or the third power bus of the third connection interface according to a control signal of the controller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present utility model relates to a connection device and a connection system; in particular, to a connection device and a connection system that support the PD charging protocol. Background Art

[0002] With the development of business electronization, people often use display media for conference negotiation. However, when the number of electronic devices in use increases, people pay more attention to issues such as the extension of cables, the quality of signals, the complexity of cables, or other cable-related issues. For example, various extension cables, adapters, or connection devices can be used for the extension or conversion of the same / different connection interfaces, or active transmission lines can be used to improve the signal quality of long-distance transmission.

[0003] On the other hand, people also hope to reduce the burden on the cables required for electronic devices (for example, power cables or signal cables). In current technologies, signals (especially video signals) can be transmitted through a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB Type-C), and the PD charging protocol suitable for USB Type-C can be used to charge electronic devices. For example, please refer to Figure 1A and Figure 1B , a video signal output device (for example, a notebook computer P01) can provide a video signal to a display device (for example, a screen P03) through a connection device (for example, an adapter P02A or a transmission line P02B). The screen P03 can also supply the power required by the notebook computer P01 through the power bus on the connection device P02 after establishing a PD charging protocol with the notebook computer P01. In this way, the number of cables that the notebook computer P01 needs to connect can be effectively reduced.

[0004] However, when the screen P03 (i.e., the power supply device) does not support the PD charging protocol or cannot provide sufficient power, the notebook computer P01 (i.e., the power demand device) will need an additional power cable to supply power. Among existing transmission lines, although there are transmission lines that provide an external power supply (for example, US Patent No. US 8,964,861B2), the external power supply is only used for the chips inside the transmission line, rather than for the devices connected at both ends of the transmission line. And among existing transmission lines (for example, Patent No. TWM641795U), the external power supply connected to the adapter is still only used for the chips inside the transmission line.

[0005] As can be seen from the above, in the cable connection of electronic devices, there are still problems such as being restricted by the power supply device in the existing technology that need to be overcome and solved. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] Therefore, the present utility model provides a connection device and a connection system to effectively solve various problems encountered in the existing technology.

[0007] One of the objectives of the present utility model is to provide a connection device and a connection system that can achieve the connection of a transmission line and can provide a stable power supply to a power demand device.

[0008] According to a preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model, there is a connection device. The connection device includes a first connection interface, a second connection interface, a third connection interface, a controller, and a power selection component. Among them, the first transmission / reception line of the first connection interface is directly or indirectly coupled to the second transmission / reception line of the second connection interface. Among them, the first protocol communication terminal of the first connection interface, the second protocol communication terminal of the second connection interface, and the third protocol communication terminal of the third connection interface are coupled to the controller, and the controller is at least used to execute the PD charging protocol. Among them, the power selection component can selectively couple the first power bus of the first connection interface to the second power bus of the second connection interface or the third power bus of the third connection interface according to the control signal of the controller.

[0009] In one embodiment, the connection device further includes: an active component, coupled between the first transmission / reception line and the second transmission / reception line; wherein the active component is used to perform an active signal processing on the signals transmitted on the first transmission / reception line and the second transmission / reception line.

[0010] In one embodiment, the active component includes a repeater or a re-timer, and the active signal processing includes a relaying process or a re-timing process.

[0011] In one embodiment, the active component includes a channel multiplexer, the channel multiplexer is coupled to the first transmission / reception line, and is used to distinguish multiple channels of the first transmission / reception line according to the bandwidth.

[0012] In one embodiment, the connection device further includes: a power conversion component, coupled to the power selection component; wherein the power conversion component is used to receive a PD power from one of the first power bus, the second power bus, or the third power bus, and convert the PD power into a board power supply.

[0013] According to a preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model, there is a connection system. The connection system includes any one of the foregoing connection devices and a power supply. The power supply includes a fourth connection interface, a fifth connection interface, and a PD power supply module. The fourth connection interface is configured to be detachably coupled to the third connection interface. The fifth connection interface is configured to be detachably coupled to a power supply interface. The PD power supply module is coupled between the fourth connection interface and the fifth connection interface. Among them, when the PD power supply module performs the PD charging protocol with the controller, a PD power supply is output from a fourth power bus of the fourth connection interface.

[0014] In one embodiment, when the first connection interface is connected to a first device and the second connection interface is connected to a second device, the first device performs a PD charging protocol with at least one of the second device and the power supply via a controller.

[0015] In summary, the connection device and the connection system of the present utility model have a third connection interface that supports the PD charging protocol and a corresponding power supply. When the power supply device connected to the second connection interface cannot provide the power required by the power demand device connected to the first connection interface, after establishing a PD charging protocol between the power supply and the power demand device through the power supply, the required power can be transmitted to the first connection interface through the third connection interface and provided to the power demand device. In this way, a stable power supply can be provided to the power demand device. And the connection device can provide functions such as connection, extension, transfer, or signal relay of the line between the power demand device and the power supply device. Description of the Drawings

[0016] The drawings presented in the present utility model are for helping to describe various embodiments of the present utility model. 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 can be singular or plural. The drawings presented in the present utility model are only for explaining these embodiments and not for limiting them.

[0017] Figure 1A And Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the setting of a transmission line and an adapter in the prior art.

[0018] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a connection device in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0019] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a connection device with an active component in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0020] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an active component in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a connection device with a power conversion component in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a connection system in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0023] Main Element Symbol Description:

[0024] P01 Notebook Computer

[0025] P02A Adapter

[0026] P02B Transmission Line

[0027] P03 Screen

[0028] 10 Connection System

[0029] 100 Connection Device

[0030] 100-V Power Supply Layer

[0031] 110 First Connection Interface

[0032] 120 Second Connection Interface

[0033] 130 Third Connection Interface

[0034] 140 Controller

[0035] 150 Power Supply Selection Component

[0036] 160 Active Component

[0037] 161 Repeater

[0038] 162 Retimer

[0039] 163 Channel Multiplexer

[0040] 164 Demultiplexer or Integrator

[0041] 170 Power Supply Conversion Component

[0042] 200 Power Supply

[0043] 210 Fourth Connection Interface

[0044] 220 PD Power Supply Module

[0045] 230 Fifth Connection Interface

[0046] D1 First Device

[0047] D2 Second Device

[0048] PW Power Supply Interface

[0049] TX / RX-1 First Transmission / Receiving Line

[0050] TX / RX-2 Second Transmission / Receiving Line

[0051] CC1 First Protocol Communication End

[0052] CC2 Second Protocol Communication End

[0053] CC3 Third Protocol Communication Terminal

[0054] CC4 Fourth Protocol Communication Terminal

[0055] CS Control Signal

[0056] PD PD Power Supply

[0057] P Power Supply

[0058] VBUS1 First Power Bus

[0059] VBUS2 Second Power Bus

[0060] VBUS3 Third Power Bus

[0061] VBUS4 Fourth Power Bus

[0062] VB Power Supply for Board Detailed Implementation Manner

[0063] Any reference to an element using names such as "first", "second", etc. in this text generally does not limit the number or order of these elements. On the contrary, these names are used in this text as a convenient way to distinguish two or more elements or instances of elements. Therefore, it should be understood that the names "first", "second", etc. 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. Regarding the terms "comprising", "including", "having", "containing", etc. used in this text, they are all open-ended terms, that is, they are intended to mean including but not limited to.

[0064] The term "coupled" is used in this text to refer to a direct or indirect electrical coupling between two structures. For example, in an example of indirect electrical coupling, one structure can be coupled to another structure via passive elements such as resistors, capacitors, or inductors.

[0065] In the present utility model, the words "exemplary", "for example" are used to mean "used as an example, instance, or illustration". Any implementation or aspect described as "exemplary", "for example" in this text is not necessarily interpreted as being more preferred or advantageous than other aspects of the present utility model. As the term "about", "substantially" used in this text with respect to a specified value or characteristic is intended to mean within a certain numerical value (e.g., 10%) of the specified value or characteristic.

[0066] The term "PD charging protocol" in the present utility model refers to the Power Delivery (PD) protocol. It can refer to the power transmission technology defined by the USB-IF Association. It can also refer to any relevant protocol for power transmission and power supply.

[0067] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 to describe a connection device 100. The connection device 100 includes a first connection interface 110, a second connection interface 120, a third connection interface 130, a controller 140, and a power supply selection component 150. Among them, the first transmission / reception line (TX / RX-1) of the first connection interface 110 is directly or indirectly coupled to the second transmission / reception line (TX / RX-2) of the second connection interface 120. Among them, the first protocol communication end (CC1) of the first connection interface 110, the second protocol communication end (CC2) of the second connection interface 120, and the third protocol communication end (CC3) of the third connection interface 130 are coupled to the controller 140, and the controller 140 is at least used to execute the PD charging protocol. Among them, the power supply selection component 150 can selectively couple the first power bus (VBUS1) of the first connection interface 110 to the second power bus (VBUS2) of the second connection interface 120 or the third power bus (VBUS3) of the third connection interface 130 according to the control signal (CS) of the controller 140.

[0068] The first connection interface 110, the second connection interface 120, or the third connection interface 130 can be any connection interface suitable for the PD charging protocol. Among the connection interfaces currently defined by the USB-IF Association, USB Type-C is the current only standard interface. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the first connection interface 110, the second connection interface 120, or the third connection interface 130 of the present invention is not limited to USB Type-C. When the standard of the PD charging protocol is updated or the technology is updated, without exceeding the spirit of the present invention, the present invention can still be applied to other suitable connection interfaces. In addition, the first connection interface 110, the second connection interface 120, or the third connection interface 130 can be a female socket, a male head, a cable-connected female socket, a cable-connected male head, or other conventional connection interface configurations. The present invention does not limit the mechanical configuration of the first connection interface 110, the second connection interface 120, or the third connection interface 130.

[0069] The controller 140 can be a computing-capable component such as an FPGA, an ASIC, or a microprocessor. Preferably, the controller 140 can be an integrated circuit selected for PD control of USB Type-C. When the first connection interface 110, the second connection interface 120, or the third connection interface 130 is respectively connected to a device (for example, the first connection interface 110 is connected to a notebook computer, the second connection interface 120 is connected to a display, and the third connection interface 130 is connected to a power supply capable of providing a PD charging protocol), the controller 140 can perform the PD charging protocol. Specifically, the PD charging protocol can enable the devices connected to the first connection interface 110, the second connection interface 120, or the third connection interface 130 to confirm parameters such as power supply capabilities, power supply requirements, or power supply paths with each other through the first protocol communication terminal (CC1), the second protocol communication terminal (CC2), and the third protocol communication terminal (CC3). Through the PD charging protocol, it can be ensured that PD power transmission can be carried out between the first connection interface 110, the second connection interface 120, and the third connection interface 130. The first protocol communication terminal (CC1), the second protocol communication terminal (CC2), and the third protocol communication terminal (CC3) are, for example, the configuration channels (Configuration Channel, CC) of USB Type-C, but are not limited thereto.

[0070] When the controller 140 completes the PD charging protocol, the controller 140 provides a control signal (CS) to the power selection component 150. According to the control signal (CS), the power selection component 150 selectively couples the first power bus (VBUS1) of the first connection interface 110 to the second power bus (VBUS2) of the second connection interface 120 or the third power bus (VBUS3) of the third connection interface 130. For example, the power selection component 150 is a component such as a transistor switch, a switch, or a switcher that can selectively couple lines. When the device connected to the first connection interface 110 is a power demand device and the device connected to the second connection interface 120 is sufficient to provide the power required by the power demand device and a PD charging protocol is established, the controller 140 can provide a control signal (CS) to couple the first power bus (VBUS1) to the second power bus (VBUS2), so that the device connected to the second connection interface 120 can provide PD power to the power demand device connected to the first connection interface 110. On the other hand, when the device connected to the second connection interface 120 is not sufficient to provide the power required by the power demand device, the device connected to the third connection interface 130 (preferably a power supply) will establish a PD charging protocol with the power demand device connected to the first connection interface 110. At this time, the controller 140 will provide a control signal (CS) to couple the first power bus (VBUS1) to the third power bus (VBUS3), so that the device connected to the third connection interface 130 can provide PD power to the power demand device connected to the first connection interface 110.

[0071] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the present invention does not limit the device connected to the third connection interface 130. The device connected to the third connection interface 130 can be any device that supports the PD charging protocol, and its source can be devices such as a screen, a power supply, and a computer. The third connection interface 130 serves as an auxiliary power supply for the second connection interface 120. When the device connected to the second connection interface 120 cannot provide the power required by the power demand device connected to the first connection interface 110, the required power can be transmitted to the first connection interface 110 through the third connection interface 130 and provided to the power demand device. This avoids the need for the power demand device to require additional lines to supply power, resulting in line chaos or increased line costs.

[0072] In the above embodiments, although the first connection interface 110 is coupled to the power demand device as an example, it should be understood that the first connection interface 110 and the second connection interface 120 in the present invention may also be symmetric and non-directional. For example, the power selection component 150 may be configured to further selectively couple the second power bus (VBUS2) to the third power bus (VBUS3) according to a control signal (CS). Therefore, the second connection interface 120 may also be connected to the power demand device to obtain the required power from the first connection interface 110 or the third connection interface 130.

[0073] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 3 , the connection device 100 further includes an active component 160, which is coupled between the first transmission / reception line (TX / RX-1) and the second transmission / reception line (TX / RX-2). The active component 160 is used to perform active signal processing on the signals transmitted on the first transmission / reception line (TX / RX-1) and the second transmission / reception line (TX / RX-2), including relay processing or re-timing processing. Relay processing is, for example, operations such as signal equalization, pre-emphasis, and / or de-emphasis for signal enhancement, modulation, or reproduction. The re-timing processing, for example, detects data and clock signals through a clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit to reduce output jitter. Therefore, the active component 160 may include a redriver 161 and / or a retimer 162, but is not limited thereto. Through the active component 160, the transmitted signal can be enhanced in the connection device 100, and signal attenuation compensation, as well as elimination of signal adverse factors such as jitter, clock skew, crosstalk, and electromagnetic interference, can be performed on the transmitted signal, but is not limited thereto.

[0074] In an application example of the active component 160, please refer to Figure 4, the active component 160 may also include a channel multiplexer 163, which can distinguish multiple channels on the first connection interface 110 or the second connection interface 120 according to the bandwidth. For example, when the first connection interface 110 and the second connection interface 120 are USB Type-C, a six-pair-four or six-pair-two channel multiplexer 163 can be used to divide the USB Type-C into two channels (2 LAN) or four channels (4 LAN) for relay processing or re-timing processing respectively. Through the channel multiplexer 163, the signals transmitted on the first connection interface 110 and the second connection interface 120 can be distinguished and processed separately. For example, the four-channel signal has a larger bandwidth and can be used for large-bandwidth video transmission or simultaneous data transmission and small-bandwidth video transmission. Then, corresponding relay processing can be performed on the video signal. The two-channel bandwidth is relatively small and can be used for data transmission. Then, corresponding relay processing can be performed on the data signal. Through the channel multiplexer 163, more types of repeaters 161 and / or re-timers 162 can be selected to form the active component 160. In this embodiment, a demultiplexer or integrator 164 can be set as appropriate to re-integrate the separated channel signals. However, the components constituting the active component 160 are not limited to multiplexers and / or demultiplexers. Appropriate active components 160 can also be selected according to the signal types transmitted on the first connection interface 110 and the second connection interface 120.

[0075] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 5 , the connection device 100 further includes a power conversion component 170 coupled to the power selection component 150. The power conversion component 170 receives the PD power (PD) from the first power bus (VBUS1), the second power bus (VBUS2), or the third power bus (VBUS3) from the power selection component 150 and converts the PD power (PD) into board power (VB). Specifically, the PD power is a power with a relatively large power and a relatively large voltage. When any component on the circuit board of the connection device 100 (such as the active component 160, the LED light, or the component that needs to be powered) needs power supply, the PD power often cannot be directly supplied. After the power conversion component 170 converts the PD power (PD) into board power (VB), the board power (VB) can be provided to the power layer (100-V) on the circuit board of the connection device 100 to supply the power required by the components on the circuit board. In this way, the connection device 100 can directly use the PD power from the first connection interface 110, the second connection interface 120, or the third connection interface 130 without an external power supply. The board power (VB) is preferably 5V, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that this embodiment is not intended to limit the present invention. When the components on the circuit board of the connection device 100 can directly use the PD power or do not require power, the power conversion component 170 may not be provided.

[0076] A preferred specific embodiment of the present utility model is a connection system 10. Please refer to FIG. 6. The connection system 10 includes a connection device 100 and a power supply 200. The power supply 200 includes a fourth connection interface 210, a fifth connection interface 230, and a PD power supply module 220. The fourth connection interface 210 is configured to be detachably coupled to the third connection interface 130. The fifth connection interface 230 is configured to be detachably coupled to a power supply interface (PW). The PD power supply module 220 is coupled between the fourth connection interface 210 and the fifth connection interface 230. When the PD power supply module 220 performs a PD charging protocol with the controller 140, a PD power supply (PD) is output from the fourth power bus (VBUS4) of the fourth connection interface 210.

[0077] Specifically, the fourth connection interface 210 is an interface corresponding to the third connection interface 130. For example, when the third connection interface 130 is a female socket of USB Type-C, the fourth connection interface 210 is also a corresponding male plug of USB Type-C. The fourth power bus (VBUS4) of the fourth connection interface 210 is coupled to the third power bus (VBUS3) of the third connection interface 130, and the fourth protocol communication terminal (CC4) of the fourth connection interface 210 is coupled to the third protocol communication terminal (CC3) of the third connection interface 130. The power supply interface (PW) is, for example, a wall-mounted utility power socket, a utility power socket transformer, or any power output interface with sufficient power to supply PD power. The fifth connection interface 230 is an interface corresponding to the power supply interface (PW). For example, if the power supply interface (PW) is a utility power socket, the fifth connection interface 230 is a utility power plug. After receiving the power (P) from the power supply interface (PW), the PD power supply module 220 can convert or transfer the power provided by the power supply interface (PW) (for example, alternating current 110 V or direct current 5-20 V) into a PD power supply and supply it to the fourth power bus (VBUS4) of the fourth connection interface 210.

[0078] The connection system 10 provides a stable PD power supply for the connection device 100 through the power supply 200. When the first connection interface 110 is connected to the first device (D1) and the second connection interface 120 is connected to the second device (D2), the first device (D1) performs a PD charging protocol with at least one of the second device (D2) and the power supply 200 via the controller 140. Therefore, the first device (D1) can receive the power required by the first device (D1) from at least one of the second device (D2) and the power supply 200. It should be noted that although in FIG. 6 the first device (D1) is a notebook computer and the second device (D2) is a screen, the connection system 10 is not limited to the device types and connection directions depicted in FIG. 6.

[0079] In summary, the connection device 100 and the connection system 10 of the present utility model have a third connection interface 130 that supports the PD charging protocol and its corresponding power supply 200. When the power supply device connected to the second connection interface 120 cannot provide the power required by the power demand device connected to the first connection interface 110, after establishing a PD charging protocol between the power supply 200 and the power demand device, the required power can be transmitted to the first connection interface 110 through the third connection interface 130 and provided to the power demand device. In this way, a stable power supply can be provided to the power demand device. And the connection device 100 can provide functions such as connection, extension, transfer, or signal relay of the line between the power demand device and the power supply device.

[0080] The foregoing description of the present utility model is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or implement the present utility model. Various modifications to the present utility model will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the present utility model, or the embodiments can be combined with each other or implemented separately. Therefore, the present utility model is not intended to be limited to the examples described herein, but rather to cover the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features of the utility model described herein.

Claims

1. A connection device, characterized in that: Include: a first connection interface; a second connection interface, wherein a first transmission / reception line of the first connection interface is directly or indirectly coupled to a second transmission / reception line of the second connection interface; a third connection interface; a controller for executing at least a PD charging protocol, wherein a first protocol communication end of the first connection interface, a second protocol communication end of the second connection interface, and a third protocol communication end of the third connection interface are coupled to the controller; and A power selection component, wherein the power selection component can selectively couple a first power bus of the first connection interface to a second power bus of the second connection interface or a third power bus of the third connection interface according to a control signal of the controller.

2. The connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that Further including: An active component is coupled between the first transmission / reception line and the second transmission / reception line; wherein the active component is used to perform an active signal processing on the signals transmitted on the first transmission / reception line and the second transmission / reception line.

3. The connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that The active component includes a repeater or a retimer, and the active signal processing includes a repeater process or a retimer process.

4. The connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that The active component includes a channel multiplexer coupled to the first transmission / reception line and used for distinguishing a plurality of channels of the first transmission / reception line according to bandwidth.

5. The connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Further including: A power conversion component is coupled to the power selection component; wherein the power conversion component is used to receive a PD power from one of the first power bus, the second power bus or the third power bus, and convert the PD power into a board power.

6. A connection system, characterized in that: It comprises a connecting device and a power supply, wherein: The connection device includes: a first connection interface; a second connection interface, wherein a first transmission / reception line of the first connection interface is directly or indirectly coupled to a second transmission / reception line of the second connection interface; a third connection interface; a controller for executing at least a PD charging protocol, wherein a first protocol communication end of the first connection interface, a second protocol communication end of the second connection interface, and a third protocol communication end of the third connection interface are coupled to the controller; and a power selection component, wherein the power selection component can selectively couple a first power bus of the first connection interface to a second power bus of the second connection interface or a third power bus of the third connection interface according to a control signal of the controller; and The power supply includes: a fourth connection interface configured to be detachably coupled to the third connection interface; a fifth connection interface configured to be detachably coupled to a power supply interface; and A PD power supply module is coupled between the fourth connection interface and the fifth connection interface; wherein after the PD power supply module and the controller perform the PD charging protocol, a PD power supply is output from a fourth power bus of the fourth connection interface.

7. The connection system according to claim 6, characterized in that The connecting device further comprises: An active component is coupled between the first transmission / reception line and the second transmission / reception line; wherein the active component is used to perform an active signal processing on the signals transmitted on the first transmission / reception line and the second transmission / reception line.

8. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that The active component includes a repeater or a retimer, and the active signal processing includes a repeater process or a retimer process.

9. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that The active component includes a channel multiplexer coupled to the first transmission / reception line and used for distinguishing a plurality of channels of the first transmission / reception line according to bandwidth.

10. The connection system according to claim 6, characterized in that The connecting device further comprises: A power conversion component is coupled to the power selection component; wherein the power conversion component is used to receive a PD power from one of the first power bus, the second power bus or the third power bus, and convert the PD power into a board power.

11. The connection system according to claim 6, characterized in that When the first connection interface is connected to a first device and the second connection interface is connected to a second device, the first device performs the PD charging protocol via the controller, the second device, and the power supply.

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