Control device, USB cable, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of cutting-off and reconnection of a connection via an object port without performing physical insertion-extraction of a cable and without exerting influence to a connection via another port.SOLUTION: A control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: instruction accepting means which accepts a control instruction instructing a path state being a state of a path for connecting devices between two connectors of a cable of USB (Universal Serial Bus) from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via a control path of the one of the connectors; and control means which controls, according to the control instruction, to set the path state of the path for connecting devices whether to a connected state or a disconnection state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a USB cable, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In devices equipped with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a controller is installed in both the host device and the device, and the host device and device are connected using a USB cable.

[0003] When a connection is made, the host device and the device are first connected by a cable. Then, after the device is inserted into the host device, enumeration, which is the process of communicating with the host device, is performed. This establishes a connection and makes it possible to transfer data between the host device and the device.

[0004] If there is some kind of error in USB communication, such as a failure in enumeration or a failure to send data during transfer, you will be asked to reconnect. There may also be cases where you want to disconnect and reconnect at will. In data transfers with commonly used USB cables, communication can be disconnected and reconnected on the host device by turning the host controller itself OFF and ON. Communication can also be disconnected and reconnected on the device device by turning the power of the device itself OFF and ON.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a service robot including a host unit and a lower unit connected by USB communication via a USB cable. The host unit controls the drive unit of the lower unit via USB communication. When the lower unit is to be brought to an emergency stop, the host unit stops the power output of the USB port to which the USB cable is connected. When the lower unit detects that no power is being output from the power line of the USB cable, it cuts off the supply of drive power to the drive unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-146184 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Generally, when the host controller is turned off and on in a host device, all USB ports are disconnected and reconnected, so it is not possible to disconnect only the USB port that is to be disconnected and reconnected. When all USB ports are disconnected and reconnected, the connection state of other devices that are already connected is not maintained. Furthermore, if a device does not have a function for turning the power off and on, the device cannot control the connection. Therefore, in order to disconnect and reconnect between a USB port of a host device and a device device connected to that USB port without affecting the connection of the other USB ports of the host device, it becomes necessary to physically insert and remove a cable.

[0008] The technology in Patent Document 1 does not allow a host device to disconnect and reconnect a connection through a target port without physically plugging or unplugging a cable and without affecting connections through other ports.

[0009] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a control device, USB cable, control method, and program that can disconnect and reconnect a connection through a target port without physically plugging or unplugging a cable and without affecting connections through other ports. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an instruction receiving means for receiving a control instruction indicating a path state, which is the state of an equipment connection path between two connectors of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via a control path of the one connector, and a control means for controlling whether the path state of the equipment connection path is to be a connected state or a disconnected state in accordance with the control instruction.

[0011] A control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure receives a control instruction indicating a path state, which is the state of a device connection path between two connectors of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable, from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via the control path of the one connector, and controls whether the path state of the device connection path is to be a connected state or a disconnected state in accordance with the control instruction.

[0012] A program according to one embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute an instruction receiving process that receives a control instruction indicating a path state, which is the state of a device connection path between two connectors of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, from a host device connected to one of the two connectors, via a control path of the one connector, and a control process that controls whether the path state of the device connection path is to be a connected state or a disconnected state in accordance with the control instruction. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The present disclosure has the advantage of making it possible to disconnect and reconnect a connection through a target port without physically plugging or unplugging a cable and without affecting connections through other ports. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a control process of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control process of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control process of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the host device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an implementation example of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of data transfer between a host device and an apparatus according to an implementation example of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of data transfer between a host device and a control IC chip according to an implementation example of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the arrangement of terminals in a USB Type-C connector. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to this implementation example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 1000 capable of realizing a control device and a host device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <First embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] The first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0018] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the control device 10 includes an instruction receiving unit 110 and a control unit 120.

[0019] The instruction receiving unit 110 receives a control instruction indicating a path state, which is the state of the device connection path between two connectors of a USB cable, from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via the control path of the one connector.

[0020] The control unit 120 controls whether the path state of the device connecting path is a connected state or a disconnected state in accordance with the control instruction.

[0021] In this embodiment, the USB cable is, for example, a USB cable that conforms to the USB Type-C standard and includes two connectors on both ends of the cable and a cable that connects the two connectors.

[0022] Generally, a USBType-C cable is a cable that complies with the USBType-C standard. Unlike other USB cables (for example, USBType-A or USBType-B cables), a USBType-C cable can be inserted without worrying about the front or back of the connector. In addition, a USBType-C cable also supports high-speed data communication of up to 20 Gbps (Gigabit per second), Alternate Mode, and USB Power Delivery. Alternate Mode is a mode that can also transmit video signals such as Display Port and HDMI (Hidh-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark). USB Power Delivery is a standard that allows power supply up to 100W (Watts).

[0023] This USB Type-C cable has two lanes of signal lines for transfer, one on the front and one on the back of the board inside the connector. The signal lines are arranged almost symmetrically inside the connector. Therefore, the USB Type-C cable can be used without having to worry about the front and back of the connector.

[0024] Also, USB Type-C cables can transfer data at up to 5Gbps (SuperSpeed) in Gen1 and up to 10Gbps in Gen2 per lane. Therefore, a two-lane USB Type-C cable can transfer data by combining these two lanes. Specifically, the possible transfers are 5Gbps transfer using one lane of USB3.2 Gen1, 10Gbps transfer using one lane of USB3.2 Gen2, 10Gbps transfer using two lanes of USB3.2 Gen1, and 20Gbps transfer using two lanes of USB3.2 Gen2.

[0025] In this embodiment, a USB Type-C connector is used as the connector of the USB cable. Then, one of the two lane signal lines is used for communication (i.e., data transfer) between a host device connected to one connector and a device (device) connected to the other connector. Then, the host device is connected to the device by a standard using one lane, such as one lane of USB3.2 Gen1 or one lane of USB3.2 Gen2. The lane used for data transfer is the above-mentioned device connection path. The control device 10 is mounted on, for example, a connector of the USB cable. Then, the one lane signal line of the USB cable that is not the device connection path is used for connection between the host device and the control device 10 (for example, transfer of a control signal). The lane used for connection between the host device and the control device 10 is the above-mentioned control path.

[0026] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned control instruction is, for example, an instruction to change the path state to a connected state (referred to as a connection instruction) or an instruction to change the path state to a disconnected state (referred to as a disconnection instruction).

[0027] In this embodiment, the state of the device connection path of the USB cable (i.e., the path state) can be, for example, a disconnected state in which the device connection path is disconnected, and a connected state in which the device connection path is connected.

[0028] The connected state is a state in which the device connection path is connected. The disconnected state is a state in which the device connection path is disconnected. The connected state of the device connection path is, for example, a state in which the host device determines that another device connected to the device connection path is connected. The disconnected state is, for example, a state in which the host device determines that another device connected to the device connection path is not connected.

[0029] The state in which the equipment connection path is connected (i.e., the connected state) is, for example, a state in which at least the signal line used for communication and the power line of the equipment connection path are connected. The signal line used for this communication is a signal line through which at least any signal transmitted and received between the host device and the other device passes when the other device is connected to the equipment connection path. The connected state may be a state in which all the signal lines of the equipment connection path are connected. The state in which the equipment connection path is disconnected (i.e., the disconnected state) is a state in which at least the power line (also written as the power line) of all the signal lines of the equipment connection path is disconnected. The disconnected state may be a state in which the power line of the signal lines of the equipment connection path is disconnected. Specifically, this power line is a signal line called a VBUS line.

[0030] In this embodiment, the control unit 120 controls the path state of the device connecting path, for example, by controlling a switching circuit configured to switch the path state of the device connecting path between a connected state and a disconnected state.

[0031] As described above, the switching circuit is a circuit configured to switch the path state of the device connection path between a connected state and a disconnected state. The switching circuit is mounted, for example, on a connector of a USB cable, for example, on which the control device 10 is mounted. The switching circuit switches the state of the device connection path according to the control of the control device 10. The switching circuit may be mounted on a portion other than the connector on which the control device 10 is mounted. In that case, the USB cable of this embodiment includes a signal line that connects the control device 10 and the switching circuit.

[0032] The control device 10 may be mounted on one of the two connectors. In this case, the USB cable may be configured to enable communication between the host device and the control device 10 regardless of which of the two connectors the host device is connected to. The connector to which the host device is connected may be specified as one of the two connectors. In this case, the USB cable is configured to enable communication between the host device and the control device 10 when the host device is connected to the specified connector.

[0033] The control device 10 may be mounted on both of the two connectors. The USB cable may be configured such that, when one of the two connectors is connected to a host device, for example, the control device 10 mounted on the connector other than the connector connected to the host device is connected to the host device via a control path. The USB cable may be configured such that, when one of the two connectors is connected to a host device, for example, the control device 10 mounted on the connector connected to the host device is connected to the host device via a control path.

[0034] The control instruction may be an instruction to connect the device connection path after the device connection path is disconnected (referred to as a reconnection instruction). A case where the control instruction is a reconnection instruction will be described later as a second modified example of the second embodiment.

[0035] <Operation> FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] The operation of the control device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0037] 2, the instruction receiving unit 110 receives a control instruction instructing the path state of the device connection path between two connectors of the USB cable (step S11). Next, the control unit 120 controls whether the path state of the device connection path is a connected state or a disconnected state according to the control instruction (step S12).

[0038] <Effects> The above-described embodiment has an advantage that it is possible to disconnect and reconnect a connection through a target port without physically inserting or removing a cable and without affecting connections through other ports. This is because the instruction receiving unit 110 receives a control instruction instructing the path state of the device connection path between two connectors of a USB cable from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via the control path of one of the connectors. Then, the control unit 120 controls whether the path state of the device connection path is in a connected state or a disconnected state according to the control instruction.

[0039] <Second embodiment> The second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0040] <Configuration> FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the control device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the control device 100 includes an instruction receiving unit 110, a control unit 120, and a switch unit 130. The instruction receiving unit 110 and the control unit 120 are the same as the instruction receiving unit 110 and the control unit 120 of the first embodiment. The instruction receiving unit 110 and the control unit 120 operate in the same manner as the instruction receiving unit 110 and the control unit 120 of the first embodiment, respectively. The switch unit 130 of this embodiment is the same as the switching circuit of the first embodiment. The control device 100 of this embodiment differs from the control device 10 of the first embodiment in that it includes the switch unit 130.

[0042] <Instruction Receiving Unit 110> The instruction receiving unit 110 receives a control instruction instructing the path state of the device connection path between two connectors of a USB cable from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via the control path of one of the connectors.

[0043] The USB cable of this embodiment is similar to the USB cable of the first embodiment, except that a control device 100 is mounted on the USB cable instead of the control device 10. In this embodiment, the control device 100 is mounted on the USB cable (for example, a connector portion of the USB cable) instead of the control device 10.

[0044] <Control unit 120> The control unit 120 controls whether the path state of the device connecting path is to be a connected state or a disconnected state in accordance with the control instruction.

[0045] In this embodiment, the path state is, for example, either a disconnected state in which the device connection path is disconnected, or a connected state in which the device connection path is connected. The control instruction may be an instruction to set the device connection path to a disconnected state. The control instruction may be an instruction to set the device connection path to a connected state. The control instruction may be an instruction to set the device connection path to a disconnected state and then to a connected state.

[0046] The control unit 120 controls the connection state of the equipment connection path, for example, by controlling the switch unit 130 described below, which switches the state of the power line of the equipment connection path between a state in which the power line of the equipment connection path is connected and a state in which the power line of the equipment connection path is disconnected.

[0047] <Switch section 130> The switch unit 130 changes the path state of the device connection path according to the control by the control unit 120. Specifically, the switch unit 130 switches the path state of the device connection path between a disconnected state in which the device connection path is disconnected and a connected state in which the device connection path is connected. Specifically, the disconnected state in which the device connection path is disconnected is, for example, a state in which the power line of the device connection path is disconnected. The connected state in which the device connection path is connected is, for example, a state in which the power line of the device connection path is connected. That is, the switch unit 130 switches the connection state of the device connection path between, for example, a state in which the power line of the device connection path is disconnected and a state in which the power line of the device connection path is connected.

[0048] The switch unit 130 is realized by a switching circuit that switches the state of the power line of the equipment connection path between a state in which the power line of the equipment connection path is connected and a state in which the power line of the equipment connection path is disconnected.

[0049] The control device 100 of this embodiment may be included in, for example, a connector portion of a USB cable. In the description of this embodiment, the connector portion is a portion including the connector of the USB cable and realized by, for example, resin or the like. The connector portion refers to the non-cable portions at both ends of the USB cable. The connector is a part that fits into the connector of the connected device when the USB cable is connected to a host device, electronic device, or the like. The control device 100 is communicatively connected to a terminal of a control path of the USB cable connector.

[0050] <Operation> FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] The operation of the control device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. For example, when a USB cable including the control device 100 is connected to a host device, the control device 100 performs the operation shown in Fig. 4.

[0052] 4, the instruction receiving unit 110 waits for a control instruction to be transmitted (step S101). That is, the instruction receiving unit 110 waits for a control instruction transmitted by the host device. If a control instruction has not been transmitted (NO in step S102), the instruction receiving unit 110 continues to wait for a control instruction to be transmitted (step S101).

[0053] If a control instruction has been transmitted (YES in step S102), the instruction receiving unit 110 receives the control instruction (step S103). Then, the control device 100 executes the control process (step S104). The control instruction will be described in detail later.

[0054] For example, the instruction receiving unit 110 judges whether the host device is connected to the connector (step S105). Specifically, the instruction receiving unit 110 judges whether the connection between the connector of the USB cable including the control device, which is connected to the host device, and the host device (specifically, the connector of the host device) is connected or not. For example, the instruction receiving unit 110 may judge whether the USB signal line is connected to the host device. If the connection is disconnected (YES in step S106), the control device 100 ends the operation shown in FIG. 4. If the connection is not disconnected (NO in step S106), in the operation shown in FIG. 4, the control device 100 continues the operation from step S101 onwards.

[0055] 4, the operations of steps S105 and S106 are performed after the operation of step S104. However, the control device 100 may perform the operations of steps S105 and S106 in parallel with the operations from step S101 to step S104.

[0056] Next, the control process will be described.

[0057] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a control process of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the control instruction is a disconnection instruction for instructing that the device connection path is in a disconnected state, or a connection instruction for instructing that the device connection path is in a connected state.

[0058] Hereinafter, the operation of the control process of the control device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0059] If the control instruction is not a connection instruction (NO in step S111), the control instruction is a disconnection instruction. In this case, control unit 120 controls switch unit 130 so that the device connection path is disconnected (step S112).

[0060] If the control instruction is a connection instruction (YES in step S111), the switch unit 130 is controlled so that the device connection path is in a connected state (step S113).

[0061] <Effects> This embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons that the effects of the first embodiment are obtained.

[0062] <First Modification of the Second Embodiment> In this modified example, a state in which the equipment connection path is connected (i.e., connected state) is a state in which, for example, at least the signal line used for communication and the power line of the equipment connection path are connected. The signal line used for this communication is a signal line through which at least one of the signals transmitted and received between the host device and another device passes when another device is connected to the equipment connection path. A state in which the equipment connection path is disconnected (i.e., disconnected state) is a state in which at least the power line (also written as power line) of all the signal lines of the equipment connection path is disconnected.

[0063] In this modification, the switch unit 130 is configured to be able to change the state of the communication lines for data transfer of the device connection path, independently of the change in the state of the power lines of the device connection path. Specifically, the switch unit 130 is configured to be able to change the state of the communication lines for data transfer of the device connection path between a state in which all communication lines of the device connection path are connected and a state in which signal lines of the device connection path that are not used in communication by USB2.0 are disconnected. The signal lines that are not used in communication by USB2.0 are, for example, the TX line and the RX line.

[0064] In the following description, the communication speed according to USB2.0 is also referred to as the first speed. A state in which communication according to USB2.0 is possible through the device connection path, but communication according to a standard capable of communication at a speed higher than the USB2.0 speed is not possible, is referred to as the first communication possible state. Standards capable of communication at a speed higher than the USB2.0 speed include, for example, USB3.2Gen1 and USB3.2Gen2. Standards capable of communication at a speed higher than the USB2.0 speed are not limited to these examples. The standard capable of communication at a speed higher than the USB2.0 speed may be a standard other than USB3.2 that is capable of communication at a speed higher than the USB2.0 speed. The communication speed according to a standard capable of communication at a speed higher than the USB2.0 speed is also referred to as the second speed. A state in which communication according to a standard capable of communication at a speed higher than the USB2.0 speed is possible through the device connection path is referred to as the second communication possible state.

[0065] In this modification, the first communication possible state is, for example, a state in which signal lines (for example, TX line and RX line) that are not used for communication by USB 2.0 on the device connection path are disconnected, and the second communication possible state is, for example, a state in which all signal lines for data transfer on the device connection path are connected.

[0066] In this modified example, the control instruction may be a low-speed state instruction (also referred to as a first-speed state instruction) that is an instruction to set the state of the device connection path to a state in which signal lines of the device connection path that are not used in USB 2.0 communication are disconnected.The control instruction may be a high-speed state instruction (also referred to as a second-speed state instruction) that is an instruction to set the state of the device connection path to a state in which all signal lines for data transfer of the device connection path are connected.

[0067] When the instruction receiving unit 110 receives a low-speed state instruction as a control instruction, the control unit 120 controls the switch unit 130 so that the state of the device connection path is a state in which the signal lines not used in the USB 2.0 communication of the device connection path are disconnected (also referred to as a first speed state or a low-speed state) according to the control of the control unit 120. At that time, when the signal lines not used in the USB 2.0 communication of the device connection path are connected, the switch unit 130 changes the state of the signal lines not used in the USB 2.0 communication of the device connection path to a disconnected state. When the signal lines not used in the USB 2.0 communication of the device connection path are disconnected, the switch unit 130 does not change the state of the signal lines not used in the USB 2.0 communication of the device connection path.

[0068] When the instruction receiving unit 110 receives a high-speed state instruction as a control instruction, the control unit 120 controls the switch unit 130 so that the state of the equipment connection path is a state in which all the signal lines for data transfer of the equipment connection path are connected (also referred to as a high-speed state or a second speed state). In this case, the switch unit 130 changes the state of the equipment connection path to a state in which all the signal lines for data transfer of the equipment connection path are connected, according to the control of the control unit 120. At that time, when all the signal lines for data transfer of the equipment connection path are in a connected state, the switch unit 130 does not change the state of all the signal lines for data transfer of the equipment connection path. When any of the signal lines for data transfer of the equipment connection path is in a disconnected state, the switch unit 130 changes the state of all the signal lines for data transfer of the equipment connection path to a state in which all the signal lines for data transfer of the equipment connection path are connected.

[0069] In addition, in this modified example, when a low-speed state instruction is received as a control instruction, and when the instruction receiving unit 110 receives a high-speed state instruction as a control instruction, the control unit 120 and the switch unit 130 do not change the state of the power line (i.e., the VBUS line).

[0070] Furthermore, in this modification, the control instruction may be either a disconnection instruction or a connection instruction. The operation of the control unit 120 and the switch unit 130 of this modification when a disconnection instruction is received as a control instruction is similar to the operation of the control unit 120 and the switch unit 130 of the second embodiment when a disconnection instruction is received as a control instruction. The operation of the control unit 120 and the switch unit 130 of this modification when a connection instruction is received as a control instruction is similar to the operation of the control unit 120 and the switch unit 130 of the second embodiment when a connection instruction is received as a control instruction.

[0071] That is, when the control instruction is a disconnection instruction, the control unit 120 controls the switch unit 130 so that the power line of the device connection path is in a disconnected state. In this case, the switch unit 130 sets the state of the power line of the device connection path to a state in which the power line of the device connection path is disconnected. When the control instruction is a connection instruction, the control unit 120 controls the switch unit 130 so that the power line of the device connection path is connected. In this case, the switch unit 130 changes the state of the power line of the device connection path to the connected state.

[0072] The first communication possible state is a state in which the state of the device connecting path is a connected state and a low speed state, and the second communication possible state is a state in which the state of the device connecting path is a connected state and a high speed state.

[0073] The operation of the control device 100 of this modified example is the same as the operation of the control device 100 of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.

[0074] 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the control process of the control device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the control instructions are a disconnection instruction, a connection instruction, a low-speed state instruction, or a high-speed state instruction. As described above, the disconnection instruction is an instruction to instruct the device connection path to be in a disconnected state. The connection instruction is an instruction to instruct the device connection path to be in a connected state. The low-speed state instruction is an instruction to set the state of the device connection path to a state in which signal lines not used in communication by USB 2.0 on the device connection path are disconnected. The high-speed state instruction is an instruction to set the state of the device connection path to a state in which all signal lines for data transfer on the device connection path are connected.

[0075] Hereinafter, the operation of the control process of the control device 100 according to the first modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0076] In FIG. 6, when the control instruction is a disconnection instruction (YES in step S121), control unit 120 controls switch unit 130 so that the device connecting path is disconnected (step S122).

[0077] If the control instruction is not a disconnection instruction (NO in step S121) but a connection instruction (YES in step S123), control unit 120 controls switch unit 130 so that the device connecting path is in a connected state (step S124).

[0078] If the control instruction is not a connection instruction (NO in step S123 in FIG. 6) but is a high-speed state instruction (YES in step S125 in FIG. 7), the control unit 120 controls the switch unit 130 so that the device connection path is in a high-speed state (step S126).

[0079] 7, if the connection instruction is not a high-speed state instruction (NO in step S125), the control instruction is a low-speed state instruction. In this case, control unit 120 controls switch unit 130 so that the device connection path is in a low-speed state (step S127).

[0080] <Second Modification of the Second Embodiment> As described above, the control instruction may be a reconnect instruction, which is an instruction to connect the device connection path after disconnecting the device connection path. In this case, when the control unit 120 receives a reconnect instruction as a control instruction, the control unit 120 controls the switch unit 130 so that the device connection path is disconnected. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the control unit 120 controlled the switch unit 130 so that the device connection path is disconnected, the control unit 120 controls the switch unit 130 so that the device connection path is connected.

[0081] In other words, when the control unit 120 receives a reconnection instruction as a control instruction, it performs the operation of step S112 shown in Fig. 5, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since performing the operation of step S112, it performs the operation of step S113 shown in Fig. 5. This predetermined time is a time that is set in advance.

[0082] This modification can be applied to the second embodiment. This modification can also be applied to the first modification of the second embodiment.

[0083] <Third embodiment> Next, an information processing system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0084] <Configuration> FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0085] The configuration of the information processing system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0086] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the information processing system 1 includes a host device 200, a USB cable 300 including the control device 100, and a device 400. The host device 200 is communicatively connected to the control device 100. Specifically, the host device 200 is connected to the control device 100 via a control path of the USB cable 300. The host device 200 is further connected to the device 400 via the USB cable 300 (specifically, a device connection path of the USB cable 300). The control device 100 of this embodiment is the same as the control device 100 of the second embodiment. The USB cable 300 of this embodiment is the same as the USB cable of the second embodiment.

[0087] The host device 200 includes a receiving unit 210 and a control instruction transmitting unit 220 .

[0088] <Receiving section 210> The receiving unit 210 receives an instruction to set the connection state between the device 400 and the host device 200 that are connected via the USB cable 300. In this embodiment, the receiving unit 210 receives, as the setting instructions, an instruction to change the connection state between the device 400 and the host device 200 to a disconnected state, and an instruction to change the connection state between the device 400 and the host device 200 to a connected state.

[0089] <Control instruction transmission unit 220> When the receiving unit 210 receives a setting instruction, the control instruction transmitting unit 220 transmits a control instruction corresponding to the setting instruction to the control device 100 (specifically, to the instruction receiving unit 110 of the control device 100). When the receiving unit 210 receives an instruction to change the connection state to a disconnected state as a setting instruction, the control instruction transmitting unit 220 transmits a disconnection instruction as a control instruction to the control device 100 (specifically, the instruction receiving unit 110 of the control device 100). When the receiving unit 210 receives an instruction to change the connection state to a connected state as a setting instruction, the control instruction transmitting unit 220 transmits a connection instruction as a control instruction to the control device 100 (specifically, the instruction receiving unit 110 of the control device 100).

[0090] <Operation> Next, the operation of the host device 200 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0091] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the host device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] The operation of the host device 200 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Fig. 9. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the receiving unit 210 receives a setting instruction for a connection state between the device 400 and the host device 200 connected via the USB cable 300 (step S201). Next, the control instruction transmitting unit 220 transmits a control instruction corresponding to the setting instruction to the control device 100 (step S202).

[0093] <Effects> The present embodiment described above has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0094] <First Modification of the Third Embodiment> The first modified example of the second embodiment can also be applied to the control device 100 according to the third embodiment.

[0095] In this case, the receiving unit 210 further receives, as the setting instructions, an instruction to change the connection state between the device 400 and the host device 200 to a high-speed state, and an instruction to change the connection state between the device 400 and the host device 200 to a low-speed state.

[0096] Furthermore, when the receiving unit 210 receives an instruction to change the connection state to a high-speed state as a setting instruction, the control instruction transmitting unit 220 transmits a high-speed state instruction as a control instruction to the control device 100 (specifically, to the instruction receiving unit 110 of the control device 100). When the receiving unit 210 receives an instruction to change the connection state to a low-speed state as a setting instruction, the control instruction transmitting unit 220 transmits a low-speed state instruction as a control instruction to the control device 100 (specifically, to the instruction receiving unit 110 of the control device 100).

[0097] <Second Modification of the Third Embodiment> The second modified example of the second embodiment can also be applied to the control device 100 according to the third embodiment.

[0098] In this case, the receiving unit 210 receives, as a setting instruction, an instruction to reconnect the path state between the device 400 and the host device 200 by changing the path state between the device 400 and the host device 200 to a disconnected state and then changing the path state between the device 400 and the host device 200 to a connected state.

[0099] Furthermore, when the receiving unit 210 receives an instruction to reconnect as a setting instruction, the control instruction transmitting unit 220 transmits a reconnection instruction as a control instruction to the control device 100 (specifically, to the instruction receiving unit 110 of the control device 100). Note that in the description of the embodiment and the description of the modified example of the present disclosure, reconnection indicates changing the path state between the device 400 and the host device 200 to a disconnected state, and then changing the path state between the device 400 and the host device 200 to a connected state.

[0100] This modification can also be applied to the first modification of the third embodiment.

[0101] <Implementation example> Hereinafter, implementation examples of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0102] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an implementation example of the present disclosure.

[0103] An implementation example of the present disclosure is realized by mounting a control IC (Integrated Circuit) chip on the connectors at both ends of a Type-C cable and mounting software for controlling the control IC chip on a host device, as shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the host device is indicated as Host. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the host device is connected to one connector of the Type-C cable, and a device (indicated as Device) is connected to the other connector. The device indicated as "Device" in FIG. 10 will also be indicated as Device in the following description.

[0104] The control IC chip corresponds to the control device 10 of the first embodiment and the control device 100 of the second and third embodiments. The Type-C cable corresponds to the USB cable of the first and second embodiments and the USB cable 300 of the third embodiment. The host device corresponds to the host device of the first and second embodiments and the host device 200 of the third embodiment. The device device corresponds to the other device of the first and second embodiments and the device 400 of the third embodiment. As described later, of the two lanes in FIG. 10, "1 lane" is used as a lane for data transfer. "2 lane" in FIG. 10 is used as a lane for IC chip control. The lane for data transfer corresponds to the device connection path in the above-mentioned embodiment. The lane for IC chip control corresponds to the control lane in the above-mentioned embodiment. The Type-C cable of this implementation example is the same as a USB cable conforming to the USB Type-C standard, except that the lane for IC chip control is used for communication between the host device and the control IC chip and is not used for communication between the host device and the device.

[0105] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a data transfer between a host device and a device according to an implementation example of the present disclosure.

[0106] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of data transfer between a host device and a control IC chip according to an implementation example of the present disclosure.

[0107] In this implementation example, the host transfers data between the host and the device in one lane using the original protocol specifications of the device without using the functions of the control IC chip as shown in Figure 11. The host transfers data in the other lane using the protocol specifications of the control IC chip between the control software mounted on the host and the control IC chip mounted on the connector on the device side as shown in Figure 12. The device transfers data using one lane of USB3.2 Gen1 or one lane of USB3.2 Gen2.

[0108] Also, the host device transmits control command data to the control IC chip using the data transfer line of the IC chip control lane of the Type-C cable under the control of the control software mounted on the host device. The control IC chip mounted on the connector on the device side receives the transmitted control command data. The control command data corresponds to the control instruction data of the above-mentioned embodiment. The control IC chip mounted on the connector on the device side electrically controls the connector after receiving the transmitted control command data. In this implementation example, the control IC chip is mounted on both connectors on both ends of the Type-C cable. Then, the control IC chip mounted on the connector on the device side operates according to the control command data from the host device.

[0109] 12, the switching circuit of the control IC chip corresponds to the switching circuit of the first embodiment and the switch unit 130 of the second and third embodiments. Firmware of the control IC chip realizes the functions of the instruction receiving unit 110 and the control unit 120 of the first to third embodiments. That is, under the control of the firmware of the control IC chip, the control IC chip operates as the instruction receiving unit 110 and the control unit 120 of the first to third embodiments.

[0110] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the arrangement of terminals in a USB Type-C connector.

[0111] The assignment of each line shown in Figure 13 is as follows. The "TX1+", "TX1-", "TX2+", "TX2-", "RX1+", "RX1-", "RX2+", and "RX2-" lines are data transfer signal lines. These lines make it possible to transfer data for USB 3.0 devices and protocols other than USB, such as DisplayPort. The "VBUS" line is a power supply line. The "CC1", "CC2", "SUB1", and "SUB2" lines are connection configuration lines used for detecting the stream direction and for negotiation to determine the role of each current / voltage terminal. The "D+" and "D-" lines are USB 2.0 transfer signal lines.

[0112] In this implementation example, control of each signal line of these USB Type-C cables is achieved by installing a control IC chip and control software built into the connector section.

[0113] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system according to this implementation example.

[0114] The operation of disconnecting and reconnecting the VBUS line in the control IC chip in this implementation example will be described with reference to FIG.

[0115] As described above, the control IC chip has a switching circuit and firmware inside. The firmware has a function as a USB vendor class device. First, for example, a user connects a host device and a device device with a Type-C cable (step S301). This Type-C cable is a Type-C cable equipped with a control IC chip. When a SuperSpeed ​​connection is made between the host device and the device device using the Type-C cable, in one lane (the above-mentioned one lane), the device device is recognized as a device for data transfer using a protocol conforming to the USB standard. Furthermore, in another lane (the above-mentioned two lanes), the host device recognizes the control IC chip as a vendor class device by the control software in the host device and the firmware in the control IC chip. As a result, the control IC chip connects to the control software of the host device (step S302). Note that in the description of the present disclosure, the operation of the host device that executes the control software and is controlled by the control software may be described as the operation of the control software. The operations described as the operation of the control software are operations of the host device that executes the control software under the control of the control software. Also, the operations of the control IC chip under the control of the firmware may be described as the operation of the firmware. The operations described as the operation of the firmware are operations of the control IC chip under the control of the firmware.

[0116] When disconnecting a device of the data transfer lane, the control software transfers a class request representing a disconnection command to the firmware in the control IC chip using the data transfer signal line of the lane for IC chip control. The firmware in the control IC chip receives the class request from the control software (step S303). Specifically, the control IC chip receives a class request from a host device that operates under the control of the control software. In this case, the class request received by the control IC chip is a class request representing a disconnection command. If the control command data is a disconnection command to turn off VBUS (OFF in step S304), the firmware in the control IC chip that receives the disconnection command switches the switching circuit in the control IC chip to OFF (step S305). As a result, the firmware in the control IC chip electrically disconnects the VBUS line of the connector part on which the control IC chip is mounted (step S306). As a result, the firmware in the control IC chip disconnects between the host device and the device (step S307). In this case, the VBUS line of the connector is the VBUS line of the data transfer lane. Turning VBUS OFF means electrically disconnecting VBUS. Turning the switching circuit OFF means putting the switching circuit into a state in which the VBUS of the data transfer lane is electrically disconnected.

[0117] Similarly, when the control software transfers a class request representing a connection command to the control IC chip, the firmware in the control IC chip receives the class request representing a connection command from the control software (step S303). In this case, the class request received by the control IC chip is a class request representing a disconnection command. If the received control command data is a connection command to turn on VBUS (ON in step S304), the firmware in the control IC chip that received the connection command switches the switching circuit in the control IC chip to ON (step S308). As a result, the firmware in the control IC chip electrically connects the VBUS line (step S309). As a result, the firmware in the control IC chip reconnects between the host device and the device device (step S310). In this case, the VBUS line of the connector is the VBUS line of the data transfer lane. Moreover, turning on VBUS means electrically connecting VBUS. Switching the switching circuit to ON means putting the switching circuit into a state in which the VBUS of the data transfer lane is electrically connected. In the description of this implementation example, reconnection means returning a signal line that has gone from an electrically connected state to an electrically disconnected state to an electrically connected state again.

[0118] In this way, by transferring a control command from the control software and electrically switching the VBUS of the data transfer lane in the cable OFF / ON, it is possible to disconnect and reconnect only the host device port even when the cable is physically connected between the host device and the device device. In addition, the control software can send a control command to the control IC chip of the selected port to disconnect and reconnect the selected port. The control software can select any port to which the Type-C cable of this implementation example is connected.

[0119] The control software may be configured to transmit control commands other than the control command for controlling ON / OFF of the VBUS line. By changing the control command transmitted by the control software to a control command for controlling other signal lines, the control software can control not only the VBUS line but also other signal lines.

[0120] The control command may be, for example, a control command to disable the TX line and the RX line of the data transfer lane. In other words, the control command to disable the TX line and the RX line of the data transfer lane is a control command to turn off the TX line and the RX line of the data transfer lane. In other words, the control command to disable the TX line and the RX line of the data transfer lane is a control command to electrically disconnect the TX line and the RX line of the data transfer lane. Such a control command corresponds to the above-mentioned low speed state instruction.

[0121] The control command may be, for example, a control command to enable the TX line and the RX line of the data transfer lane. In other words, the control command to enable the TX line and the RX line of the data transfer lane is a control command to turn on the TX line and the RX line of the data transfer lane. In other words, the control command to enable the TX line and the RX line of the data transfer lane is a control command to electrically connect the TX line and the RX line of the data transfer lane. Such a control command corresponds to the high-speed state instruction described above.

[0122] When a control command to disable the TX line and RX line of the data transfer lane is received from the control software, the control IC chip controls so as to disable the TX line and RX line, which are the data transfer signal lines of the data transfer lane shown in Figure 12. By disabling the TX line and RX line, which are the data transfer signal lines of the data transfer lane, the only signal line that can be used for data transfer is the D line. Therefore, data transfer via the data transfer lane becomes a USB 2.0 transfer.

[0123] When a control command to enable the TX line and RX line of the data transfer lane is received from the control software, the control IC chip controls to enable the TX line and RX line, which are the data transfer signal lines of the data transfer lane shown in Fig. 12. By enabling the TX line and RX line, which are the data transfer signal lines of the data transfer lane, the signal lines that can be used for data transfer are the TX line, the RX line, and the D line. Therefore, data transfer via the data transfer lane allows one lane of USB3.2 Gen1 data transfer and one lane of USB3.2 Gen2 data transfer.

[0124] Therefore, by using control software and a control IC chip, it is possible to control the USB transfer speed as well.

[0125] In this way, by making it possible to connect and control the transfer speed using a Type-C cable, it is possible to reconnect the USB and change the transfer speed even on commercially available devices that do not have a built-in power supply function, without having to physically plug and unplug the cable.

[0126] Generally, when disconnecting and reconnecting a USB in a system using a Type-C cable, it is necessary to manually insert and remove the cable on-site. However, by using this implementation example, connection control can be performed by software, making cable operation unnecessary. Therefore, even in telework environments, which have been increasing in recent years, it is possible to disconnect and reconnect the USB without having to go to the location where the hardware is installed and operate the cable.

[0127] In addition, in general, when evaluating a device by repeatedly inserting and removing the USB cable, it is necessary to either spend a huge amount of time manually inserting and removing the cable, or to automatically disconnect and reconnect the cable using an expensive dedicated device. However, by using this implementation example, it is possible to automatically perform evaluations of a device by repeatedly inserting and removing the USB cable using a Type-C cable and dedicated software. When evaluating a device by repeatedly inserting and removing the USB cable, manual work or dedicated devices are no longer necessary.

[0128] Generally, when changing the transfer speed by connecting a USB3.2 device to a USB2.0 port, it is required to use a USB2.0 cable or to plug the cable into a USB2.0 port. However, by connecting a USB3.2 device with a Type-C cable using this implementation example, it is possible to change the transfer speed as desired using control software.

[0129] <Other embodiments> The control device and the host device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be realized by a computer including a memory into which a program read from a storage medium is loaded and a processor that executes the program. The control device and the host device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized by dedicated hardware. The control device and the host device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can also be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned computer and dedicated hardware.

[0130] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 1000 that can realize a control device and a host device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example illustrated in FIG. 15, the computer 1000 includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage device 1003, and an I / O (Input / Output) interface 1004. The computer 1000 can also access a storage medium 1005. The memory 1002 and the storage device 1003 are, for example, storage devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a hard disk. The storage medium 1005 is, for example, a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a portable storage medium. The storage device 1003 may be the storage medium 1005. The processor 1001 can read and write data and programs from the memory 1002 and the storage device 1003. The processor 1001 can access, for example, other devices via the I / O interface 1004. The processor 1001 can also access the storage medium 1005. The storage medium 1005 stores a program for causing the computer 1000 to operate as a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, or a host device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0131] The processor 1001 loads a program stored in the storage medium 1005, which causes the computer 1000 to operate as a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, into the memory 1002. Then, the processor 1001 executes the program loaded into the memory 1002, causing the computer 1000 to operate as a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0132] The processor 1001 loads a program stored in the storage medium 1005, which causes the computer 1000 to operate as a host device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, into the memory 1002. The processor 1001 then executes the program loaded into the memory 1002, causing the computer 1000 to operate as the host device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0133] The instruction receiving unit 110, the control unit 120, the switch unit 130, the receiving unit 210, and the control instruction transmitting unit 220 can be realized, for example, by a processor 1001 that executes a program loaded in a memory 1002. Some or all of the instruction receiving unit 110, the control unit 120, the switch unit 130, the receiving unit 210, and the control instruction transmitting unit 220 can also be realized by a dedicated circuit that realizes the function of each unit.

[0134] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0135] (Appendix 1) an instruction receiving means for receiving a control instruction indicating a path state, which is a state of a device connection path between two connectors of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via the control path of the one connector; a control means for controlling whether the path state of the device connection path is a connected state or a disconnected state in accordance with the control instruction; A control device comprising:

[0136] (Appendix 2) the connection state is a state in which the host device determines that another device connected to the device connection path is connected, The disconnected state is a state in which the host device determines that another device connected to the device connection path is not connected. 2. The control device according to claim 1.

[0137] (Appendix 3) the control means sets the path state to the disconnected state by disconnecting a power supply line of the device connection path, and sets the path state to the connected state by connecting a power supply line of the device connection path. 3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0138] (Appendix 4) The control means sets the path state to one of a first speed state in which a speed of communication via the device connection path is limited to a first speed, and a second speed state in which communication via the device connection path at a second speed higher than the first speed is possible, which is indicated by the control instruction. 3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0139] (Appendix 5) The control means sets the path state to the first speed state by disconnecting a data transfer path that is used when communicating at the second speed via the device connection path and is not used when communicating at the first speed via the device connection path, and sets the path state to the second speed state by connecting the data transfer path. 5. The control device according to claim 4.

[0140] (Appendix 6) The control device according to claim 1 or 2, The control device is connected to a terminal of the control path of the one connector. USB cable.

[0141] (Appendix 7) The control device according to claim 1 or 2, The control device is connected to a terminal of the control path of one of the connectors and is included in a connector section including the other of the two connectors. USB cable.

[0142] (Appendix 8) Two control devices, each of which is a control device according to claim 1 or 2, one of the two control devices is connected to a terminal of the control path of the one of the connectors and is included in a connector section including the other of the two connectors; The other of the two control devices is connected to a terminal of the control path of the other connector and is included in a connector unit including the one connector. USB cable.

[0143] (Appendix 9) The control device according to claim 1 or 2, The control device is connected to a terminal of the control path of the one connector and to a terminal of the control path of the other connector of the two connectors. USB cable.

[0144] (Appendix 10) A control device according to claim 1 or 2; A USB cable including the control device; the host device connected to the control device via a terminal of a control path of the one connector of the USB cable; The host device includes: a receiving means for receiving a setting instruction for the path state of the device connection path of the USB cable; a control instruction transmitting means for transmitting, when the setting instruction is received, the control instruction corresponding to the setting instruction to the control device; An information processing system comprising:

[0145] (Appendix 11) receiving a control instruction indicating a path state, which is a state of a device connection path between two connectors of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via a control path of the one connector; Controlling whether the path state of the device connection path is in a connected state or a disconnected state according to the control instruction. Control methods.

[0146] (Appendix 12) the connection state is a state in which the host device determines that another device connected to the device connection path is connected, The disconnected state is a state in which the host device determines that another device connected to the device connection path is not connected. 12. The control method according to claim 11.

[0147] (Appendix 13) setting the path state to the disconnected state by disconnecting a power supply line of the device connection path, and setting the path state to the connected state by connecting a power supply line of the device connection path. 13. The control method according to claim 11 or 12.

[0148] (Appendix 14) The path state is set to one of a first speed state in which the speed of communication via the device connection path is limited to a first speed, and a second speed state in which communication via the device connection path at a second speed higher than the first speed is possible, as indicated by the control instruction. 13. The control method according to claim 11 or 12.

[0149] (Appendix 15) A data transfer path that is used when communicating at the second speed through the device connection path and is not used when communicating at the first speed through the device connection path is disconnected to set the path state to the first speed state, and a data transfer path is connected to set the path state to the second speed state. 15. The control method of claim 14.

[0150] (Appendix 16) A control device included in the cable executes the control method according to claim 11 or 12, The host device connected to the control device via a terminal of a control path of the one connector of the cable, receiving an instruction to set the path state of the device connection path of the cable; When the setting instruction is received, the control instruction corresponding to the setting instruction is transmitted to the control device. Information processing system control method.

[0151] (Appendix 17) an instruction receiving process for receiving a control instruction indicating a path state, which is a state of a device connection path between two connectors of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via the control path of the one connector; a control process for controlling whether the path state of the device connection path is in a connected state or a disconnected state in accordance with the control instruction; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0152] (Appendix 18) the connection state is a state in which the host device determines that another device connected to the device connection path is connected, The disconnected state is a state in which the host device determines that another device connected to the device connection path is not connected. 18. The program according to claim 17.

[0153] (Appendix 19) The control process sets the path state to the disconnected state by disconnecting a power line of the device connection path, and sets the path state to the connected state by connecting a power line of the device connection path. 19. The program according to claim 17 or 18.

[0154] (Appendix 20) The control process sets the path state to one of a first speed state in which a speed of communication via the device connection path is limited to a first speed, and a second speed state in which communication via the device connection path at a second speed higher than the first speed is possible, which is indicated by the control instruction. 19. The program according to claim 17 or 18.

[0155] (Appendix 21) The control process sets the path state to the first speed state by disconnecting a data transfer path that is used when communicating at the second speed via the device connection path and is not used when communicating at the first speed via the device connection path, and sets the path state to the second speed state by connecting the data transfer path. 21. The program according to claim 20.

[0156] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 1. Information Processing Systems 10 Control device 100 Control device 110 Instruction Receiving Department 120 Control section 130 Switch section 200 Host Device 210 Receiving Department 220 Control instruction transmission unit 300 USB cable 400 equipment 1000 Computers 1001 Processor 1002 Memory 1003 Storage device 1004 I / O Interface 1005 Storage medium

Claims

1. an instruction receiving means for receiving a control instruction indicating a path state, which is a state of a device connection path between two connectors of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via the control path of the one connector; a control means for controlling whether the path state of the device connection path is a connected state or a disconnected state in accordance with the control instruction; A control device comprising:

2. the connection state is a state in which the host device determines that another device connected to the device connection path is connected, The disconnected state is a state in which the host device determines that another device connected to the device connection path is not connected. The control device according to claim 1 .

3. the control means sets the path state to the disconnected state by disconnecting a power supply line of the device connection path, and sets the path state to the connected state by connecting a power supply line of the device connection path. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control means sets the path state to one of a first speed state in which a speed of communication via the device connection path is limited to a first speed, and a second speed state in which communication via the device connection path at a second speed higher than the first speed is possible, which is indicated by the control instruction. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control means sets the path state to the first speed state by disconnecting a data transfer path that is used when communicating at the second speed via the device connection path and is not used when communicating at the first speed via the device connection path, and sets the path state to the second speed state by connecting the data transfer path. The control device according to claim 4.

6. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, The control device is connected to a terminal of the control path of the one connector. USB cable.

7. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, The control device is connected to a terminal of the control path of one of the connectors and is included in a connector section including the other of the two connectors. USB cable.

8. Two control devices, each of which is a control device according to claim 1 or 2, one of the two control devices is connected to a terminal of the control path of the one of the connectors and is included in a connector section including the other of the two connectors; The other of the two control devices is connected to a terminal of the control path of the other connector and is included in a connector unit including the one connector. USB cable.

9. receiving a control instruction indicating a path state, which is a state of a device connection path between two connectors of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via a control path of the one connector; Controlling whether the path state of the device connection path is in a connected state or a disconnected state according to the control instruction. Control methods.

10. an instruction receiving process for receiving a control instruction indicating a path state, which is a state of a device connection path between two connectors of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, from a host device connected to one of the two connectors via the control path of the one connector; a control process for controlling whether the path state of the device connection path is in a connected state or a disconnected state in accordance with the control instruction; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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