Configurable Camera I/O Connector Pin Remapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional camera designs are constrained by multiple input/output connector ports and protocols, which limit the physical form factor and internal electronic characteristics, making it difficult to accommodate various peripheral devices effectively.
Innovation Solution
A configurable input/output connector system that detects peripheral devices and remaps pins to appropriate protocols, such as USB3 or I2C, for authentication and communication, enabling flexible connection and authentication of USB3 and non-USB3 devices while maintaining a unified physical form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input/output connector ports and protocols are used to connect with various peripheral devices, then the camera can communicate with diverse devices, but the physical form factor and internal electronic characteristics are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal input/output connector that can dynamically configure multiple protocols (USB 2.0, USB 3.0, I2C, SPI, MIPI) through a single physical interface. The connector includes multiple pins that can be electrically connected to different internal circuits based on the detected peripheral device type, allowing one connector to serve multiple communication functions that traditionally required separate dedicated ports
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input/output connector ports and protocols are used to connect with various peripheral devices, then the camera can communicate with diverse devices, but internal electronic characteristics are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic protocol configuration where the connector automatically detects the connected peripheral device type and reconfigures the electrical connections in real-time. Control logic monitors the connection status and switches between different protocol modes (USB 2.0, USB 3.0, I2C, SPI, MIPI) by enabling or disabling specific pin connections to corresponding internal communication circuits, allowing flexible adaptation without fixed architectural constraints
3Device complexity
If a unified physical form factor is maintained, then the camera's design is simplified, but flexibility to accommodate various peripheral devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector changes its electrical parameters (which pins are connected to which internal circuits) based on the detected peripheral device type. The same physical connector can configure different electrical connection patterns - for example, connecting certain pins to USB 2.0 differential pairs for USB 2.0 devices, or to I2C bidirectional lines for I2C devices, or to MIPI lanes for high-speed imaging devices, thereby achieving protocol flexibility through parameter reconfiguration rather than physical redesign
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for configuring a USB3 input/output port in a camera are disclosed. The method comprises responsive to an indication that a peripheral device is a non-USB3 device, remapping pins of the USB3 input/output port to a first predefined port configuration associated with an I2C protocol by remapping a RX1− pin to communicate a first I2C signal and remapping a RX1+ pin to communicate a second I2C signal, and responsive to successful authentication between the camera and the peripheral device via the I2C protocol, enabling communication with the peripheral device and remapping the pins of the USB3 input/output port to a second predefined port configuration compatible with operation of the authenticated peripheral device by remapping a TX2+ pin to communicate a first general purpose input/output signal and remapping a TX2− pin to communicate a second general purpose input/output signal.