Transmission device, transmission method and apparatus for transmission device, medium, and product

Abstract

The present application relates to a transmission device, a transmission method and apparatus for a transmission device, a medium, and a product. The method comprises: when it is detected that at least three electronic devices are accessed, determining access priorities and charging modes of the electronic devices; communicating with the electronic devices, and identifying identity information and interface modes of the electronic devices to obtain an identification result; and when the identification result indicates that there are at least two target devices, on the basis of the access priorities, establishing a data transmission channel between two of the target devices, wherein the target device is an electronic device supporting a preset data communication transmission mode among the at least three electronic devices. By means of this solution, a transmission channel between any two devices can be established, thereby providing greater flexibility.

Description

Transmission equipment, transmission methods, apparatus, media and products

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 2025103905418, filed on March 28, 2025, entitled “Transmission apparatus and transmission method thereof”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the fields of charging and data transmission technology, and in particular to a transmission device, as well as a transmission method, apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product of the transmission device. Background Technology

[0004] Currently, most chargers on the market, including portable power banks, mainly provide basic charging functions with one or more ports. As people's requirements for charging cable functions increase, more and more users prefer charging cables with data transmission capabilities.

[0005] Existing one-in-two-out charging cables have one upstream USB Type-C (hereinafter referred to as USB-C) port and two downstream USB-C ports. Devices connected to the upstream USB-C port can charge devices connected to the two downstream USB-C ports, achieving unidirectional power transfer, and can also unidirectionally transfer data to devices connected to the two downstream USB-C ports. Therefore, existing one-in-two-out charging cables typically only support a fixed transmission direction. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a transmission device and a transmission method, apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product for addressing the aforementioned technical problems.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a transmission device for power transmission and data communication, the device comprising: an interface, a switching module, and a control module, wherein:

[0008] The number of interfaces is at least three;

[0009] The number of the switch modules is at least three;

[0010] Each pair of interfaces is connected via a control module, and the interfaces transmit electrical energy through the control module.

[0011] Each pair of interfaces is connected via at least one of the switch modules, and the interfaces communicate data through the switch modules.

[0012] The control module is used to control the power transmission between the interfaces and to enable data communication between any two interfaces by enabling the switch module.

[0013] The aforementioned transmission equipment, through the cooperation of a control module and multiple switch modules, can automatically connect or isolate the transmission channel between any two interfaces by controlling the corresponding switch modules to dynamically close or open without user intervention. This significantly improves the ease of user operation and enhances the intelligence and response speed of the equipment.

[0014] Secondly, this application also provides a transmission method applied to the aforementioned transmission device, wherein the interface of the transmission device is connected to an electronic device, and the electronic device realizes power transmission and data communication through the transmission device, the method comprising:

[0015] If at least three electronic devices are detected to be connected, determine the access priority and charging mode of the electronic devices.

[0016] Communicate with each of the electronic devices to identify the identity information and interface mode of each electronic device, and obtain the identification result;

[0017] When the identification result indicates that there are at least two target devices, a data transmission channel between two of the target devices is opened based on the access priority, wherein the target devices are electronic devices that support a preset data communication transmission mode among the at least three electronic devices.

[0018] Thirdly, this application also provides a transmission apparatus deployed on the aforementioned transmission equipment, the apparatus comprising:

[0019] The detection module is used to determine the access priority and charging mode of the electronic devices when at least three electronic devices are detected to be connected.

[0020] The identification module is used to communicate with each of the electronic devices, identify the identity information and interface mode of each electronic device, and obtain the identification result;

[0021] The transmission control module is used to, when the identification result indicates that there are at least two target devices, establish a data transmission channel between two of the target devices based on access priority, wherein the target devices are electronic devices that support a preset data communication transmission mode among at least three electronic devices.

[0022] Fourthly, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, performs the following steps:

[0023] If at least three electronic devices are detected to be connected, determine the access priority and charging mode of the electronic devices.

[0024] Communicate with each of the electronic devices to identify the identity information and interface mode of each electronic device, and obtain the identification result;

[0025] When the identification result indicates that there are at least two target devices, a data transmission channel between two of the target devices is opened based on the access priority, wherein the target devices are electronic devices that support a preset data communication transmission mode among at least three electronic devices.

[0026] Fifthly, this application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, performs the following steps:

[0027] If at least three electronic devices are detected to be connected, determine the access priority and charging mode of the electronic devices.

[0028] Communicate with each of the electronic devices to identify the identity information and interface mode of each electronic device, and obtain the identification result;

[0029] When the identification result indicates that there are at least two target devices, a data transmission channel between two of the target devices is opened based on the access priority, wherein the target devices are electronic devices that support a preset data communication transmission mode among at least three electronic devices.

[0030] The aforementioned transmission equipment, transmission method, apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product, when detecting at least three electronic devices connected, determine the access priority and charging mode of each electronic device, and further identify the identity and supported interface modes of the connected devices. If it is confirmed that at least two connected devices are compatible with and support a preset data communication transmission mode, a data transmission channel between two of the devices is established based on the device access priority. This entire solution can flexibly establish a data transmission channel between any two devices without requiring the user to switch data transmission channels via buttons, simplifying the user experience and significantly improving user satisfaction. Furthermore, it reduces the likelihood of subsequent connected devices being unable to transmit data due to data transmission between devices that do not support the preset data communication transmission mode. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the disclosed drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 is a structural block diagram of a transmission device in one embodiment;

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the connection relationship between the interface and the switch module in one embodiment;

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the connection relationship between the interface and the switch module in another embodiment;

[0035] Figure 4 is a structural block diagram of the transmission device in yet another embodiment;

[0036] Figure 5 is a structural block diagram of the transmission device in another embodiment;

[0037] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission method of a transmission device in one embodiment;

[0038] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the steps for identifying the identity and interface mode of an electronic device in one embodiment;

[0039] Figure 8 is a structural block diagram of the transmission device of a transmission equipment in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, this application embodiment provides a transmission device (hereinafter referred to as the device), which includes: at least three interfaces 100, a control module 200, and at least three switch modules 300, wherein:

[0042] Each pair of interfaces 100 is connected by a control module 200, and the interface 100 transmits electrical energy through the control module 200.

[0043] Each pair of interfaces 100 is connected by at least one switch module 300, and the interfaces 100 communicate with each other through the switch module 300.

[0044] The control module 200 is used to control the power transmission between each interface 100, and to enable data communication between any two interfaces 100 through the enable switch module 300.

[0045] An interface is a physical connection point used to transmit data or electricity. Common interface types include USB-A, USB-C, and Micro USB.

[0046] The control module 200 is integrated inside the device and is used to control the power transmission between various interfaces, as well as to control the switching module to conduct data communication between any two interfaces. Furthermore, when electronic devices (such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) are connected to the transmission device, the control module 200 is also responsible for transmitting power and data to the electronic devices. The control module 200 includes, but is not limited to, chips and programmable logic controllers. In this embodiment, the control module 200 can identify the type, power supply capability, and data transmission capability of the device connected to the interface 100, and control the closing and opening of the switching module 300. For example, the control module 200 can be a PD protocol controller. The PD protocol controller can be simply referred to as a PD controller or a PD chip. A PD chip is a dedicated control chip responsible for data and power delivery protocol communication. The PD controller operates based on the USB PD protocol and can manage the power and data transmission of the interface 100. Specifically, it is responsible for handshaking with the connected device using the PD protocol, determining the power supply and data transmission capabilities, and managing the delivery of data and power according to the protocol.

[0047] The switch module 300 is a switching electronic device used to dynamically connect or disconnect the data channels between interfaces 100 according to the instructions of the control module 200. In this embodiment, the switch module 300 includes, but is not limited to, an electronic switch.

[0048] Transmission equipment includes, but is not limited to, data cables, charging devices, or other devices capable of transmitting electrical energy, data, or other resources.

[0049] Specifically, the transmission device is configured with at least three interfaces 100. These interfaces can be of the same type or different types, such as USB-A, Micro-USB, and / or USB-C, to accommodate the connection needs of various electronic devices. Each interface is responsible not only for data transmission but may also provide power to external devices. Every two interfaces 100 are connected via at least one switch module 300, which allows current and data signals to be transmitted between the two interfaces when in a conducting state. The switch module 300 can be turned on or off according to instructions issued by the control module 200, thereby achieving precise control of data exchange and power distribution between the interfaces 100.

[0050] For example, assuming at least two devices are connected to interface 100, each time a device is connected to interface 100 for the first time, the control module 200 uses the CC1 and CC2 pins of the interface to handshake with the connected device according to a preset protocol (such as the PD protocol). The handshake process includes confirming whether the device supports the preset protocol and preset data transmission function, as well as negotiating the charging power (voltage and current) to ensure that the charging process is safe and efficient.

[0051] After configuring the power parameters of the connected devices based on the charging negotiation results, and confirming that at least two devices support preset protocols such as the PD protocol and preset data communication transmission modes, the control module 200 can send an enable control signal to the corresponding switch module 300 to close the switch module 300 and connect the data channel between the two interfaces 100, that is, to connect the data transmission channel between the two devices connected to the interface 100.

[0052] The aforementioned transmission equipment, through the cooperation of a control module and multiple switch modules, enables the equipment to automatically identify the type of device connected to the interface, its power supply capacity, and its data transmission capacity. Without user intervention, the control module can connect or isolate the transmission channel between any two interfaces by dynamically closing or opening the corresponding switch modules, significantly improving the ease of user operation and enhancing the intelligence and response speed of the equipment.

[0053] In some exemplary embodiments, the control module 200 is also used to control bidirectional power transmission between the interfaces 100, and to enable bidirectional communication between any two interfaces 100 by means of the enable switch module 300.

[0054] Bidirectional power transfer refers to the ability of electrical energy to flow in both directions between two or more devices. Bidirectional communication refers to the ability of two devices to exchange information, meaning that each device can not only send data but also receive data sent by the other.

[0055] In practical applications, the control module 200 disconnects or establishes power transmission channels between interfaces 100 by opening or closing the switch module 300. Furthermore, it can establish communication channels between specific interfaces 100 by selectively enabling a specific switch module 300. In this embodiment, the control module 200 can flexibly manage power transmission and information exchange between interfaces 100, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of the equipment.

[0056] In some exemplary embodiments, the number of control modules 200 is one.

[0057] In this embodiment, the control module 200 is used as an example of a PD controller. The PD controller is equipped with multiple control interfaces 100. Specifically, each interface 100 and the corresponding switch module 300 are connected to different control interfaces 100 of the controller, so that all connected devices can be centrally managed and monitored through a single PD controller.

[0058] Specifically, each control interface 100 can independently process information from an interface 100 and its associated switch module 300. When a device is connected to any interface 100, the PD controller receives information through the corresponding interface 100 and starts the identification process. Based on the identification result, the PD controller can send instructions to the corresponding switch module 300 through the control interface 100 to control its conduction or disconnection, thereby realizing the management of the power supply path or data transmission mode.

[0059] In this embodiment, the design based on a single controller simplifies the hardware structure of the device, making it easier to maintain and expand. Furthermore, the states of all interfaces 100 and switch modules 300 can be centrally managed, which helps to optimize overall performance and resource allocation.

[0060] In some exemplary embodiments, the control module 200 includes a plurality of control units, each corresponding to an interface 100 and the number of control units being equal.

[0061] In this embodiment, the control module 200 includes multiple control units. Taking the control unit as a controller, the module containing multiple controllers is collectively referred to as the control module 200. Specifically, unlike the previous embodiment where each interface 100 and its corresponding switch module 300 are uniformly connected to different interfaces 100 of a single controller, in this embodiment, each interface 100 and its corresponding switch module 300 are connected to their respective controllers. That is, each interface 100 and its corresponding switch module 300 are managed by a separate controller.

[0062] In this embodiment, each control unit processes data from only one interface 100, enabling a faster response to external changes (such as device insertion or removal). Furthermore, if a control unit malfunctions, the entire device will not fail.

[0063] There are various connection relationships between the switch module 300 and the interface 100. As shown in Figure 2, in some exemplary embodiments, every two interfaces 100 are connected through two switch modules 300, and the number of interfaces 100 is equal to the number of switch modules 300.

[0064] In this embodiment, each interface 100 is connected to a common connection point via a switch module 300, thus ensuring that the number of interfaces 100 is equal to the number of switch modules 300. The common connection point is a shared node or junction point through which data transmission and power distribution between multiple interfaces 100 and external devices can be achieved. Each interface 100 is connected to this common connection point via a switch module 300, allowing the controller to manage the data flow and current of each interface 100 as needed. See Figure 2 for a detailed diagram of the connection relationship between the interfaces 100 and the switch modules 300. Hollow dots represent switch modules 300, and solid dots represent common connection points.

[0065] In this embodiment, by connecting each interface 100 to this common connection point through a switch module 300, not only can the wiring layout be simplified, but the control module 200 can also manage the data flow and current of each interface 100 as needed, and realize power transmission and data communication between any two interfaces 100.

[0066] In addition to the methods described in the above embodiments, the connection between interface 100 and switch module 300 can also be in other ways. As shown in Figure 3, in some exemplary embodiments, every two interfaces 100 are connected through one switch module 300, and the relationship between the number of interfaces 100 and the number of switch modules 300 is m = n × (n-1) / 2, where m is the number of switch modules 300 and n is the number of interfaces 100.

[0067] In this embodiment, each pair of interfaces 100 is connected by an independent switch module 300. For example, if there are four interfaces 100, then six switch modules 300 are needed to connect these four interfaces 100. This allows for the flexible selection of any two interfaces 100 to be activated as needed, providing a more flexible and reliable power transmission and communication management solution. Furthermore, if a certain interface 100 or its connected device fails, the fault point can be isolated by disconnecting the corresponding switch module 300 without affecting the normal operation of other interfaces 100 and devices. This design improves the system's reliability and fault tolerance.

[0068] As shown in Figure 4, in some exemplary embodiments, the number of interfaces 100 and switch modules 300 is three. Specifically, interface 100 includes a first interface 1022, a second interface 1024, and a third interface 1026, and switch modules 300 include a first switch module 3022, a second switch module 3024, and a third switch module 3026.

[0069] The first interface 1022 is connected to the second interface 1024 through the first switch module 3022 and the second switch module 3024. The first interface 1022 is connected to the third interface 1026 through the first switch module 3022 and the third switch module 3026. The second interface 1024 is connected to the third interface 1026 through the second switch module 3024 and the third switch module 3026.

[0070] In this embodiment, the number of device interfaces 100 and switch modules 300 is described as 3.

[0071] For example, taking interface 100 as a USB-C interface, and the controller as a PD controller, the PD controller includes three sets of control interfaces: PD1, PD2, and PD3, as an example for explanation. The first USB-C interface is abbreviated as USB-C1, the second USB-C interface as USB-C2, and the third USB-C interface as USB-C3. The first switch module is abbreviated as SW1, the second switch module as SW2, and the third switch module as SW3.

[0072] In practical implementation, as shown in Figure 5, the PD controllers (PD1, PD2, PD3) are connected to the corresponding USB-C interfaces (USB-C1, USB-C2, USB-C3) via the CC1 and CC2 pins (configuration channels for the USB-C interface, including CC1_1 / 2, CC2_1 / 2, and CC3_1 / 2 in the figure), respectively, and are responsible for PD protocol communication of the USB-C interface. In addition, the PD controllers (PD1, PD2, PD3) are also connected to switches (SW1, SW2, SW3), respectively. The built-in logic of the PD controllers directly drives the closing and opening of the switches through enable control signals (i.e., EN1, EN2, and EN3 in the figure). Furthermore, the first port of SW1 is connected to USB-C1, and the second port of SW1 is connected to the common connection point; the first port of SW2 is connected to the common connection point, and the second port of SW2 is connected to USB-C2; the first port of SW3 is connected to the common connection point, and the second port of SW3 is connected to USB-C3.

[0073] When a device is first connected to the USB-C port, the PD controller uses the PD protocol via the CC1 and CC2 pins to handshake with the connected device. This handshake process includes confirming whether the device supports the PD protocol and USB OTG (USB On-The-Go), and negotiating charging parameters (voltage and current) to determine the charging mode, ensuring a safe and efficient charging process. USB OTG is a protocol defined by the USB Association for transferring data between two host devices. This protocol allows two USB devices (such as a mobile phone and a USB flash drive) to connect directly without requiring a computer as an intermediary for data exchange.

[0074] After configuring the power parameters of the connected device based on the charging negotiation results, and confirming that the connected device supports the PD protocol and USB OTG function, the PD controller (PD1, PD2, PD3) can send an enable control signal to the corresponding switch module to close the switch module and connect the data channel between the two interfaces.

[0075] For example, if it is necessary to activate the USB OTG data channel between USB-C1 and USB-C2, the PD controller sends an enable control signal to SW1 and SW2 to activate SW1 and SW2, thereby activating the USB OTG data channel between USB-C1 and USB-C2. If it is necessary to activate the USB OTG data channel between USB-C1 and USB-C3, an enable signal is sent to SW1 and SW3 to activate the USB OTG data channel between USB-C1 and USB-C3. If it is necessary to activate the USB OTG data channel between USB-C2 and USB-C3, an enable signal is sent to SW2 and SW3 to activate the USB OTG data channel between USB-C2 and USB-C3.

[0076] In some embodiments, the transmission device is not limited to three interfaces and three switch modules. Multiple additional interfaces can be added by simply adding corresponding switch modules and control interfaces to make the total number of interfaces and switch modules in the transmission device equal. The connection relationship between the interfaces and switch modules can be referred to the transmission device in the above embodiments to realize data transmission between any two interfaces.

[0077] In one exemplary embodiment, the device further includes a main control module, and the control module and each switch module 300 are connected to the main control module.

[0078] In one exemplary embodiment, the main control module may be any one of a microcontroller unit (MCU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0079] Among them, a microcontroller unit is a single-chip microcomputer that integrates a processor core, memory, and input / output interfaces.

[0080] For example, the microcontroller unit (MCU) and the control module (PD controller) are used as examples for explanation. In specific implementation, the PD controller may feed back the device identification result and the supported interface mode confirmation result to the MCU respectively. When the MCU determines that the transmission channel (including the data transmission channel and the power transmission channel) between the two interfaces needs to be activated, it sends a control signal to the corresponding switching module to activate the transmission channel between the two interfaces. Similarly, the specific details regarding the activation of the transmission channel can be found in the relevant content of the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] Furthermore, in other embodiments, the connection relationships between interfaces can be dynamically adjusted according to different application scenarios or requirements through intelligent control of the MCU. For example, in a multi-port charger, the power distribution strategy can be flexibly adjusted according to the needs of the connected devices.

[0082] In this embodiment, the combination of an MCU and a PD controller enables optimized configuration of power management and data transfer rates for each interface. For example, when a connected device is identified as supporting a fast charging protocol, the MCU can instruct the corresponding PD controller to adjust its output parameters to match the device's maximum charging efficiency. Furthermore, the MCU provides precise and complex control logic, ensuring that channel switching only occurs when specific conditions are met. This precise control helps avoid unnecessary energy loss while improving system stability and reliability.

[0083] As shown in Figure 6, based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a transmission method applied to the above-mentioned transmission device. An electronic device is connected to the interface of the transmission device, and the electronic device achieves power transmission and data communication through the transmission device. The method includes the following steps (hereinafter referred to as S) S202 to S206, wherein:

[0084] S202, when at least three electronic devices are detected to be connected, determine the access priority and charging mode of the electronic devices.

[0085] Electronic devices refer to various devices that connect to transmission devices via interfaces (such as USB, Type-C, etc.), including but not limited to smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Access priority is used to characterize the priority for electronic devices to access power or data; it can also be understood as the priority for enabling electronic devices. Charging modes include but are not limited to fast charging, standard charging, and trickle charging. Trickle charging is suitable for devices that are close to full charge and can extend battery life.

[0086] In practical applications, when a device connects, the transmission device records relevant device information and detects the number of currently connected devices. If two devices are confirmed to be connected, the power transmission channel and data transmission channel between the two devices can be directly established. If at least three devices are connected, two devices need to be selected, and the data transmission channel between them needs to be established. Specifically, the access priority and charging mode of the electronic devices can be determined first, followed by subsequent processing. Alternatively, the access time of a device can be recorded upon connection to determine its access priority. Specifically, when at least two target devices are confirmed, they can be sorted according to their access time to determine their access priority, and then the data transmission channel between the two target devices can be established based on their access priority. The target devices are electronic devices that support a preset data communication transmission mode among at least three electronic devices.

[0087] For ease of explanation, the following embodiments use the method applied to the PD controller of the transmission device as an example, and the interface includes three USB-C interfaces: USB-C1, USB-C2, and USB-C3.

[0088] In practical applications, when an electronic device (hereinafter referred to as a device) is first connected to the USB-C interface, the PD controller uses the standard handshake protocol defined by the PD protocol to inquire about the source capability and power requirements of the connected device. If at least three devices are connected, the PD controller initiates a handshake protocol via the CC line to inquire about the source capability of the power supply device connected to the USB-C1 port (such as a USB-C power adapter or computer) and the power requirements of the devices to be charged connected to the USB-C2 and / or USB-C3 ports (such as mobile phones, smartwatches, etc.). The devices respond with their maximum source capability and power acceptance range, reaching a negotiated agreement on charging parameters (including voltage and current). Based on the negotiated charging parameters, the PD controller determines the charging mode of each device. At the same time, the PD controller can determine the access priority of each device according to the device's needs or preset priorities.

[0089] For example, the PD controller can determine the access priority of each device based on factors such as device type, historical usage data of the device, or residual current, or it can determine the access priority of the device based on user settings, or it can determine the access priority of the device according to specific pre-set rules. The specific method can be determined according to the situation and is not limited to one.

[0090] S204 communicates with each electronic device to identify the identity information and interface mode of each electronic device and obtain the identification result.

[0091] Identity information refers to data used to identify a device, including but not limited to information such as the device's manufacturer, brand, and model. Interface mode refers to the various parameters and technical specifications supported by an electronic device when communicating and transmitting power with external systems through its interface. This typically includes power transmission capabilities such as maximum voltage, current, and supported communication protocols.

[0092] In practice, the controller can send a query command (such as the Discover Identity message in the USB PD protocol) to the device through the interface bus, requesting the device to provide its identity information (such as VID / PID-Vendor ID / Product ID, serial number, etc.) and interface mode (such as the maximum power, voltage, current, etc. supported). After receiving the query command, the device responds and returns the corresponding data packet. The controller parses these data packets to identify the device's identity information and interface mode.

[0093] S206, when the identification result indicates that there are at least two target devices, based on the access priority, the data transmission channel between two of the target devices is opened, wherein the target devices are electronic devices that support the preset data communication transmission mode among at least three electronic devices.

[0094] A data transmission channel is a path established between two devices for data exchange. In this embodiment, the preset data communication transmission mode can be a high-speed signal transmission mode and USB data communication capabilities (such as USB OTG function). The high-speed signal transmission mode includes, but is not limited to, high-speed USB 2.0 / 3.0 or other standards. The target device refers to an electronic device among the connected electronic devices that supports the preset data communication transmission mode.

[0095] Following the previous step, after receiving the device's identity information and interface mode, the controller can further determine whether the device supports high-speed signal transmission and USB data communication capabilities. If supported, the electronic device is identified as the target device. If at least two target devices are identified, they are prioritized according to their access priority, and a data transmission channel is established between the two highest-priority devices. Specifically, this can be achieved by controlling the closure of corresponding switch modules to establish a data transmission channel between the two highest-priority target devices. Afterward, relevant configuration commands can be sent to enable the communication channel between these two devices. For example, under the USB PD protocol, Source_Capabilities and Request messages can be sent to negotiate and determine appropriate communication parameters. Once the channel between the target devices is successfully established, data transmission begins.

[0096] The transmission method described above, when detecting at least three electronic devices connected, determines the access priority and charging mode of each electronic device, and further identifies the identity and supported interface modes of the connected devices. If at least two connected devices are confirmed to be compatible with and support the preset data communication transmission mode, the data transmission channel between two of the devices is established based on their access priority. This entire solution can flexibly establish data transmission channels between any two devices without requiring the user to switch data transmission channels via buttons, simplifying the user experience and significantly improving user satisfaction. Furthermore, it reduces the likelihood of data transmission between devices that do not support the preset data communication transmission mode, thus preventing subsequent connected devices from being unable to transmit data.

[0097] In some exemplary embodiments, determining the access priority of an electronic device includes: recording the access time of the electronic device when it accesses the network, and determining the access priority of the electronic device based on the access time, wherein the earlier the access time of the electronic device, the higher the access priority.

[0098] Access time is the specific point in time when a device first connects to the system, and it is usually stored in the form of a clock timestamp.

[0099] In practice, when the controller detects a device connecting, it reads the timestamp of the system clock and records the connection time. Then, it reads the connection time of all connected devices and sorts the devices according to the connection time. For example, a standard sorting algorithm (such as quicksort or mergesort) can be used to arrange them in ascending order of timestamp. Each device is then assigned a priority number, usually an integer that increases sequentially. For example, the earliest connected device has a priority of 1, the next one has a priority of 2, and so on.

[0100] In other embodiments, the data transmission channel between the two target devices that are connected first can be established based on access priority.

[0101] For example, if all three ports of a device (USB-C1, USB-C2, and USB-C3) are connected to the device, and all of these devices support USB OTG, then the PD controller will prioritize activating and maintaining the data transmission of the first two connected devices according to the device connection order.

[0102] If USB-C1 and USB-C2 are connected to the device first, the PD controller will close SW1 and SW2 respectively, thus establishing the data transmission channel between USB-C1 and USB-C2. When the user wants to establish the data transmission channel between USB-C2 and USB-C3, they can unplug the device connected to USB-C1. At this time, the PD controller will close SW2 and SW3, thus establishing the data transmission channel between USB-C2 and USB-C3.

[0103] In other embodiments, if USB-C1 and USB-C2 are connected to the device first, the PD controller will control SW1 and SW2 to close, thus opening the data transmission channel between USB-C1 and USB-C2. When USB-C3 is connected to the device, the PD controller will determine whether the device connected to USB-C3 has a higher priority requirement, such as an emergency charging request or an emergency data transmission requirement. If so, the data transmission channel between USB-C1 and USB-C3 will be opened.

[0104] If USB-C1 and USB-C3 are connected to the device first, the PD controller will close SW1 and SW3 respectively, thus establishing the data transmission channel between USB-C1 and USB-C3. When the user wants to establish the data transmission channel between USB-C1 and USB-C2, they can unplug the device connected to USB-C3. At this time, the PD controller will close SW1 and SW2, thus establishing the data transmission channel between USB-C1 and USB-C2.

[0105] If USB-C2 and USB-C3 are connected to the device first, PD2 and PD3 will control SW2 and SW3 to close respectively, thus opening the data transmission channel between USB-C2 and USB-C3.

[0106] In this embodiment, priority is determined based on access time, ensuring that devices that access first receive services first, thus improving fairness and predictability.

[0107] The method for identifying the identity information and interface mode of each electronic device is not limited. As shown in Figure 7, in some exemplary embodiments, identifying the identity information and interface mode of each electronic device includes:

[0108] S224, respectively send identity code acquisition requests to each accessed electronic device so that each electronic device can respond with an identity code.

[0109] S244, if it is determined from the received identity code that at least two electronic devices support the PD protocol and supplier-specific functions, an interface mode confirmation instruction is sent to at least two electronic devices respectively, so that at least two electronic devices can return the interface mode code.

[0110] S264, based on interface mode code, identifies whether at least two electronic devices support a preset data communication transmission mode.

[0111] The identification code typically refers to the device's identity information or identifier, such as VID / PID, used to identify basic information such as the device's supplier, manufacturer, brand, and model. In this embodiment, the identification code is used to confirm whether the device supports the PD protocol and supplier-defined information (VDM (Vendor Defined Messages) in the PD protocol). Supplier-defined messages allow device manufacturers to send custom information through the USB PD standard communication channel, thereby achieving functions beyond the basic USB PD specification. Supplier-specific functions refer to supplier-defined information.

[0112] Interface mode code refers to the code used to characterize the interface modes supported by the device. Through this code, we can understand the high-speed signal transmission modes supported by the device and whether it supports USB data communication capabilities.

[0113] In the embodiments of this application, the target device refers to an electronic device that not only supports the PD protocol and vendor-defined information, but also supports a preset data communication transmission mode. After receiving the identification codes of each electronic device, if there are at least two electronic devices that support the PD protocol and vendor-specific functions, an interface mode confirmation command is sent to each of them. Further, the existence of a target device supporting the preset data communication transmission mode is determined based on the interface mode codes returned by the electronic devices.

[0114] In practice, after each PD controller negotiates the charging parameters, it can send a PD-defined identification command (Discover_SVID) to the device connected to its USB-C port to inquire about the device's identity information. If the connected device returns the identification code "FF00", it indicates that the device supports the PD protocol and VDM. If no identification code is returned to the PD controller, it indicates that the device does not support the PD protocol and VDM.

[0115] If the connected device responds with the identification code "FF00", it indicates that the device supports the PD protocol and vendor-defined information. If, based on the received identification code, it is determined that at least two electronic devices support the PD protocol and vendor-defined information, the PD controller can send a PD protocol specification-defined interface mode confirmation command (Discover_modes) to each of these at least two electronic devices. If the electronic device responds with the interface mode code "FF01", it indicates that the device supports high-speed signal transmission mode and USB data communication capabilities. For example, "FF01" can indicate that the device supports DPALT mode (a mode defined in the PD protocol that supports high-speed signal transmission) and USB data communication capabilities. "FF00" and "FF01" are part of the vendor-defined information, a hexadecimal data packet or command that can be used for identification, function support confirmation, etc.

[0116] If the PD controller determines, based on the interface mode code received from the device, that at least two of the electronic devices supporting the PD protocol and vendor-defined information support high-speed signal transmission and USB data communication, then it identifies the device as the target device and controls the switch module associated with the target device to close, thereby enabling the USB OTG data channel between the two USB-C interfaces, i.e., enabling the data channel between the target devices connected to the two USB-C interfaces.

[0117] For example, if it is necessary to enable the USB OTG data channel between USB-C1 and USB-C2, an enable control signal is sent to SW1 and SW2 to enable SW1 and SW2, thereby activating the USB OTG data channel between USB-C1 and USB-C2. If it is necessary to enable the USB OTG data channel between USB-C1 and USB-C3, an enable signal is sent to SW1 and SW3 to activate the USB OTG data channel between USB-C1 and USB-C3. If it is necessary to enable the USB OTG data channel between USB-C2 and USB-C3, an enable signal is sent to SW2 and SW3 to activate the USB OTG data channel between USB-C2 and USB-C3.

[0118] In this embodiment, by sending an identity code acquisition request and an interface mode confirmation instruction, the device can accurately identify the identity information and supported functions of each device, reduce the transmission of data between devices that do not support the preset data communication transmission mode, and prevent subsequent connected devices from being unable to transmit data, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of subsequent operations.

[0119] In some exemplary embodiments, determining the charging mode of an electronic device includes: when the electronic device is connected, determining the role of the electronic device via pin signals; if, based on the identified role of the electronic device, it is determined that the connected electronic device includes a power supply device and a device to be charged, querying the power supply capability of the power supply device and the power demand of the device to be charged; and based on the power supply capability and power demand, determining the charging mode of the device to be charged and the power supply mode of the power supply device.

[0120] Power supply equipment refers to devices capable of providing power output, such as power adapters, power banks, mobile phones or other electronic devices that support reverse charging. Under the PD standard, these devices typically have a certain power output capability and can communicate with other devices via interfaces such as USB-C to negotiate power supply parameters.

[0121] Devices that need to be charged are those that require external power to replenish their batteries or operate directly, such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. These devices have different charging requirements depending on their hardware design, including the required voltage, current, and maximum acceptable power.

[0122] In practical applications, when an electronic device connects to a transmission device via an interface such as a USB Type-C interface, the controller in the transmission device detects the connection status through the CC pin. Further, based on the voltage level and resistance value on the CC pin, it determines whether the connected electronic device is a power supply device or a device to be charged. For example, if a specific pull-down resistor exists on the CC pin, the electronic device can be identified as a device to be charged; if a specific pull-up resistor exists, the electronic device can be identified as a power supply device. It is understood that other methods can also be used to determine the role of the connected electronic device, and this is not limited to these methods.

[0123] Subsequently, the controller can use the standard handshake protocol defined by the PD protocol to query the power supply capacity of the connected power supply equipment and the power requirements of the equipment to be charged, negotiate the optimal charging parameters, and determine the charging mode for each device. For details on the negotiation process, please refer to the relevant technologies for charging negotiation, which will not be elaborated here.

[0124] Using an interface with three USB-C ports as an example, when a power supply device (such as a power adapter) is connected to the first port (USB-C1), and a device to be charged (such as a smartphone or tablet) is connected to the second port (USB-C2) and / or the third port (USB-C3), the PD controller sends a request to the power supply device via the standard handshake protocol defined by the PD protocol. This request queries the power supply device for its maximum output power, currently available power output range, and supported voltage and current ranges. The controller then sends requests to each connected device to be charged via the same standard handshake protocol to query its charging requirements (including the required maximum input voltage, current, and supported charging protocol version). Based on the information collected from the power supply device and the devices to be charged, the controller determines the optimal power allocation strategy and configures the power supply parameters for both devices to match their needs. If the demand of a device exceeds the current capacity of the power supply device, the strategy can be adjusted, such as limiting the charging speed of certain devices or prioritizing charging more important devices. Once the negotiation is complete and the configuration is correct, the power supply device begins to provide power to each device according to the negotiated parameters.

[0125] In other embodiments, when one power supply device is connected to USB-C1 and multiple devices to be charged are connected to USB-C2 and USB-C3, the MCU begins establishing communication links with all connected devices. Subsequently, the MCU sends a request to the power supply device on USB-C1, inquiring about its power supply capabilities, including but not limited to maximum output voltage, current, and power. Next, the MCU sends requests to the devices to be charged on USB-C2 and / or USB-C3 respectively, to understand the specific power requirements of each device, such as the expected input voltage and current. Based on the collected information, the MCU evaluates whether the power supply device's capabilities can meet the needs of all devices to be charged. If so, it adjusts the output settings through the PD controller to distribute power in an optimized manner; if not fully met, it may need to partially meet the needs according to priority or other strategies.

[0126] In this embodiment, by inquiring about and negotiating the power supply equipment's capabilities and the charging equipment's needs, the available power resources can be maximized, avoiding waste or shortages.

[0127] To provide a clearer explanation of the transmission method of the transmission device provided in this application, a specific embodiment is described below, which includes the following:

[0128] The user connects the computer to the USB-C1 port of the transmission device, inserts one mobile phone into the USB-C2 port of the transmission device, and then inserts another mobile phone into the USB-C3 port of the transmission device. The PD controller of the transmission device communicates with the power adapter through the CC1 and CC2 pins using the PD protocol to inquire about and confirm its power supply capability.

[0129] Based on the negotiated charging parameters, the PD controller completes the power configuration for each device. Subsequently, the PD controller sends a "Discover_SVID" command to each connected device to confirm its identity. If a device responds with the code "FF00," it indicates that the device supports the PD protocol and VDM functionality. After confirming that at least two electronic devices support the PD protocol and VDM functionality, the PD controller sends a "Discover_modes" command to these two devices to inquire about their supported interface modes. If an electronic device responds with "FF01," it indicates that the device supports DPALT mode and USB data communication.

[0130] If the support interface mode code returned by the electronic device indicates that there are at least two target devices supporting DPALT mode and USB data communication, the PD controller will prioritize activating and maintaining the data transmission of the first two target devices connected, according to the access order of the target devices. For example, if USB-C1 and USB-C2 are connected to the device first, the PD controller will control SW1 and SW2 to close respectively, physically connecting the data pins (D+ and D-) of USB-C1 and USB-C2, activating the USB OTG function, and opening the data transmission channel between USB-C1 and USB-C2. Data will begin to be transmitted between USB-C1 and USB-C2, and power will also flow from the power adapter to the mobile phone.

[0131] It should be understood that although the steps in the flowcharts of the embodiments described above are shown sequentially according to the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless explicitly stated herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least some steps in the flowcharts of the embodiments described above may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed alternately or in turn with other steps or at least some of the steps or stages of other steps.

[0132] This application also provides a data transmission apparatus for implementing the transmission device described above. The solution provided by this apparatus is similar to the solution described in the above method; therefore, the specific limitations in one or more data transmission apparatus embodiments of the transmission device provided below can be found in the limitations on the transmission method of the transmission device described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0133] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG8, a transmission device 800 deployed in the transmission device of the above embodiment is provided, including: a detection module 810, an identification module 820, and a transmission control module 830, wherein:

[0134] The detection module 810 is used to determine the access priority and charging mode of electronic devices when at least three electronic devices are detected to be connected.

[0135] The identification module 820 is used to communicate with each electronic device, identify the identity information and interface mode of each electronic device, and obtain the identification result.

[0136] The transmission control module 830, when the identification result indicates that there are at least two target devices, establishes a data transmission channel between two of the target devices based on access priority, wherein the target devices are electronic devices that support preset data communication transmission modes among at least three electronic devices.

[0137] In some other exemplary embodiments, the detection module 810 is further configured to determine the access priority of the electronic device based on the access time of the electronic device, wherein the earlier the access time of the electronic device, the higher the access priority.

[0138] In some other exemplary embodiments, the detection module 810 is also configured to establish a data transmission channel between the two target devices that are accessed first, based on access priority.

[0139] In some other exemplary embodiments, the identification module 820 is further configured to send an identity code acquisition request to each of the accessed electronic devices, so that each electronic device can respond with an identity code. If it is determined from the received identity code that at least two electronic devices support the PD protocol and the vendor-specific function, an interface mode confirmation instruction is sent to at least two electronic devices, so that at least two electronic devices can respond with an interface mode code. Based on the interface mode code, it is determined whether each of the at least two electronic devices supports a preset data communication transmission mode.

[0140] In some other exemplary embodiments, the detection module 810 is further configured to determine the role of the electronic device through the signal of the pin when the electronic device is accessed, and if the accessed electronic device is determined to include a power supply device and a device to be charged based on the identified role of the electronic device, query the power supply capability of the power supply device and the power demand of the device to be charged, and determine the charging mode of the device to be charged and the power supply mode of the power supply device based on the power supply capability and the power demand.

[0141] Each module in the transmission device described above can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. These modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the computer device in hardware form, or stored in the memory of the computer device in software form, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to each module.

[0142] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps in any of the above-described transmission method embodiments of the transmission device.

[0143] In one embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps in any of the above-described transmission method embodiments of the transmission device.

[0144] It should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, data stored, data displayed, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use and processing of the relevant data must comply with relevant regulations.

[0145] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Any references to memory, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile memory and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can take many forms, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) or Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM). The databases involved in the embodiments provided in this application may include at least one type of relational database and non-relational database. Non-relational databases may include, but are not limited to, blockchain-based distributed databases. The processors involved in the embodiments provided in this application may be general-purpose processors, central processing units, graphics processing units, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, quantum computing-based data processing logic devices, artificial intelligence (AI) processors, etc., and are not limited to these.

[0146] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0147] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A transmission device for electrical energy transmission and data communication, wherein, The transmission device includes: an interface, a switch module, and a control module; The number of interfaces is at least three; The number of the switch modules is at least three; Each pair of interfaces is connected via the control module, and the interfaces transmit electrical energy through the control module. Each pair of interfaces is connected via at least one of the switch modules, and the interfaces communicate data through the switch modules. The control module is used to control the power transmission between the interfaces and to enable data communication between any two interfaces by enabling the switch module.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The control module is also used to control bidirectional power transmission between the interfaces, and to enable bidirectional communication between any two interfaces by enabling the switch module.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Every two of the interfaces are connected through two of the switch modules, and the number of the interfaces is equal to the number of the switch modules.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Every two interfaces are connected through one of the switch modules. The relationship between the number of interfaces and the number of switch modules is m = n × (n-1) / 2, where m is the number of switch modules and n is the number of interfaces.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The number of the interface and the switch module is three.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The control module includes multiple control units, each corresponding to one of the interfaces, and the number of control units is equal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, All of the interfaces support the USB OTG protocol.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The device also includes a main control module, which is connected to both the control module and the switch module.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The main control module is also used to receive the device identification result and the support interface mode confirmation result sent by the control module. If it is determined based on the device identification result and the support interface mode confirmation result that the data channel between the two interfaces needs to be connected, the main control module sends a control signal to the switch module connected to the two interfaces to connect the data transmission channel between the two interfaces.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The main control module is also used to adjust the connection relationship and power distribution strategy between the interfaces according to the application scenario or the needs of the access devices.

11. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the main control module includes a microcontroller unit.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The control module is a protocol controller.

13. A transmission method applied to the transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the interface of the transmission device being connected with an electronic device, the electronic device realizing power transmission and data communication through the transmission device, wherein, The method includes: If at least three electronic devices are detected to be connected, determine the access priority and charging mode of the electronic devices. Communicate with each of the electronic devices to identify the identity information and interface mode of each electronic device, and obtain the identification result; When the identification result indicates that there are at least two target devices, a data transmission channel between two of the target devices is opened based on the access priority, wherein the target devices are electronic devices that support a preset data communication transmission mode among the at least three electronic devices.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, Determining the access priority of the electronic device includes: When the electronic device is connected, the connection time of the electronic device is recorded; The access priority of the electronic device is determined based on its access time, wherein the earlier the access time of the electronic device, the higher the access priority.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The step of establishing a data transmission channel between two target devices based on the access priority includes: Based on the access priority, the data transmission channel between the two target devices that are connected first is established.

16. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein, Identifying the identity information and interface mode of each of the aforementioned electronic devices includes: Each of the connected electronic devices sends an identity code acquisition request to the respective electronic device, so that each electronic device responds with an identity code; If, based on the received identity code, it is determined that at least two electronic devices support the PD protocol and supplier-specific functions, an interface mode confirmation command is sent to the at least two electronic devices respectively, so that the at least two electronic devices can return the interface mode code. Based on the interface mode code, it is determined whether each of the at least two electronic devices supports a preset data communication transmission mode.

17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein, Determining the charging mode of the electronic device includes: When an electronic device is connected, its role is determined by the signals from its pins; If the accessed electronic device is determined based on the identified role of the electronic device, and the accessed electronic device includes a power supply device and a device to be charged, then query the power supply capacity of the power supply device and the power demand of the device to be charged. Based on the power supply capacity and the power demand, the charging mode of the device to be charged and the power supply mode of the power supply device are determined.

18. A transmission device deployed in the transmission apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The device includes: The detection module is used to determine the access priority and charging mode of the electronic devices when at least three electronic devices are detected to be connected. The identification module is used to communicate with each of the electronic devices, identify the identity information and interface mode of each electronic device, and obtain the identification result; The transmission control module is used to, when the identification result indicates that there are at least two target devices, establish a data transmission channel between two of the target devices based on the access priority, wherein the target devices are electronic devices among the at least three electronic devices that support a preset data communication transmission mode.

19. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, wherein, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 13 to 17.

20. A computer program product comprising a computer program, wherein, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 13 to 17.

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