TWI822472B - Connecting device and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A connecting device comprises an input interface for connecting to a reversible first connector, an output interface for connecting to a reversible second connector, a switching unit, and a detecting unit. The switching unit provides a first route in response to a first switching command, or provides a second route in response to a second switching command. When the detecting unit detects the first and second connectors normally connecting to the input interface and the output interface, respectively, or detects the first and second connectors reversely connecting to the input interface and the output interface, respectively, the detecting unit generates the first command for enabling data transmission between the input interface and the output interface through the first route while when the detecting unit detects the first connector normally connecting to the input interface and the second connector reversely connecting to the output interface, respectively, or detects the first connector reversely connecting to the input interface and the second connector normally connecting to the output interface, respectively, the detecting unit generates the second command for enabling data transmission between the input interface and the output interface through the second route.

Description

Connection device and control method thereof

The present invention is a switching technology, and in particular refers to a connection device and a control method thereof that can switch a transmission path according to the forward and reverse connection status of a connector.

Please refer to FIGS. 1A and 1B , which are schematic diagrams of USB connection devices in conventional technology. The USB connection device 1 may be a USB expansion device, a switch, etc., and includes at least one USB Type C input interface 10 (female connector) and at least one USB Type C output interface 11 (female connector). The input interface 10 is used to electrically connect with the USC Type C connector 12 (male connector) of the transmission line CA1, and the output interface 11 is used to electrically connect with the USC Type C connector 13 (male connector) of the transmission line CA2.

In conventional technology, the male and female connection interfaces of USB Type C can support forward and reverse connections. For example, in FIG. 1A , the USB Type C connector 12 and the connector 13 are directly connected to the input interface 10 and the output interface 11 . In FIG. 1B , the USB Type C connector 12 is directly connected to the input interface 10 and the connector 13 is reversely connected to the output interface 11 . Because the USB Type C communication protocol, such as USB 3.1 Gen 1 or USB 3.1 Gen 2, has the ability to transmit data and transmit power, the transmitted power can be used to charge the device or supply the power required for the operation of the device. . In order to support high currents, for example, currents above 3 amps, an E-mark (Electrically marked) chip 14 is disposed on the connector 12 or 13 to manage the current.

When the connectors 12 and 13 with the E-mark chip 14 are both connected to the connecting device 1 forward (as shown in Figure 1A) or reversely connected to the connecting device 1, data transmission can operate normally. However, if the connection state is as shown in Figure 1B, the USB Type C connector 12 is connected to the input interface 10 and the connector 13 is reversely connected to the output interface 11, then a transmission from the connector 12 to the connector will occur. 13 has the problem that data cannot be transmitted because the E-mark chip 14 will hinder the signal transmission. Similarly, when the USB Type C connector 12 is reversely connected to the input interface 10 and the connector 13 is directly connected to the output interface 11, data cannot be transmitted.

In order to solve this problem, in conventional technology, as shown in FIG. 1C , the E-mark chip of one of the transmission lines is removed. For example, there is no E-mark chip on the connector 12 in FIG. 1C . In this way, the connector 12 can receive data regardless of whether the connector 13 is connected forward or reversely. Although the aforementioned method can solve the problem of forward and reverse data transmission, it cannot be applied in application scenarios that require currents greater than 3A, thus greatly limiting the use scenarios of USB Type C connection devices.

Based on the above, there is a need for a connection device and a control method thereof to solve the problems of conventional technologies.

The invention is a connection device and a control method thereof. The connection device has the function of detecting whether the input side and output side connectors are connected in the forward or reverse direction, and switches the corresponding data transmission path according to the forward and reverse connection status of the connector, so as to achieve Supports two-way forward and reverse connection functions.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a connection device including an input interface, an output interface, a switching unit and a detection unit. The input interface allows the first connector to be electrically connected in a positive or negative direction. The output interface allows the second connector to be electrically connected in a positive or negative direction. The switching unit provides the first path according to the first switching instruction, or provides the second path according to the second switching instruction. The detection unit detects when the first connector is connected to the input interface and the second connector is connected to the output interface, or detects when the first connector is reversely connected to the input interface and the second connector is reversely connected to the output interface, Generate a first switching instruction to enable transmission between the input interface and the output interface via the first path. When the detection unit detects that the first connector is connected to the input interface and the second connector is reversely connected to the output interface, or when it detects that the first connector is reversely connected to the input interface and the second connector is connected to the output interface, Generate a second switching instruction to enable transmission between the input interface and the output interface via the second path.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling a connection device. First, an input interface is used to connect a first connector, and an output interface is used to connect a second connector. Then, a detection unit is used to detect whether the first connector is connected correctly or reversely. Connected to the input interface, and detect whether the second connector is connected to the output interface normally or reversely; when the detection unit detects that the first connector is connected to the input interface, and the second connector is connected to the output interface, or detects that the second connector is connected to the output interface, When one connector is reversely connected to the input interface and the second connector is reversely connected to the output interface, a first switching command is generated; then, the detection unit detects that the first connector is connected to the input interface and the second connector is reversed. When connected to the output interface, or when it is detected that the first connector is reversely connected to the input interface and the second connector is connected to the output interface, a second switching instruction is generated; then, the switching unit provides the first path according to the first switching instruction. , so that the input interface and the output interface are transmitted through the first path; finally, the switching unit provides a second path according to the second switching instruction, so that the input interface and the output interface are transmitted through the second path.

Various exemplary embodiments may be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, some of which are shown. The inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Similar numbers always indicate similar components. The connection device and its control method will be described below with various embodiments and drawings. The following embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 2A , which is a block diagram of an embodiment of the connection device of the present invention. The connection device 2 in this embodiment can be applied to USB expansion devices, switches, etc. The connection device 2 includes an input interface 20 , an output interface 21 , a switching unit 22 and a detection unit 23 . The input interface 20 is for electrical connection of the first connector C1, and the output interface 21 is for the electrical connection of the second connector C2. The first connector C1 can be connected to the input interface 20 in a normal or reverse connection, and the second connector C2 can be in a normal connection. Or reversely connected to the output interface 21. The switching unit 22 is coupled between the input interface 20 and the output interface 21 . The detection unit 23 is coupled between the input interface 20 , the output interface 21 and the switching unit 22 . Here, the detection unit 23 detects whether the first connector C1 is connected normally or reversely to the input interface 20 , and detects whether the second connector C2 is connected normally or reversely to the output interface 21 to further generate the first switching command or the third switching command. The two switching instructions further drive the switching unit 22 to use the first path or the second path for transmission between the input interface 20 and the output interface 21.

In this embodiment, please refer to FIG. 2B and FIG. 3A-3B at the same time, wherein FIG. 2B is a block diagram of another embodiment of the connection device of the present invention. The input interface 20 is an interface that complies with USB Type C and supports USB .1 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 2 or later protocols. It is a female design and is not limited by the present invention. The configuration of the 20 channels of the input interface is shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3A. It should be understood that the input interface 20 has a first control channel 90 and a second control channel 91 respectively at positions A5 and B5 in FIG. 3A and data channels D+ and D- at positions A6 and A7, and at positions B6 and B7 has data channels D+ and D-, in which the first control channel 90 and the second control channel 91 represent CC1 and CC2 pins in the USB communication specification.

In this embodiment, the first connector C1 corresponds to the input interface 20 , that is, the first connector C1 is a connector that complies with USB Type C and supports USB .1 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 2 or later protocols. It is a male head design. The first connector C1 includes an E-mark chip 24 . As shown in FIG. 3B , which is a cross-sectional view of the first connector C1 when the first connector C1 is electrically connected to the input interface 20 in FIG. 2B , there is a control shown in FIG. 2B above the position A5 shown in FIG. 3B Channel 92 represents the CC1 pin in the USB communication specification, and has data channels D+ and D- at positions A6 and A7.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B , when the first connector C1 is directly inserted into the input interface 20 , the control channel 92 of the first connector C1 is electrically connected to the first control channel 90 at position A5 of the input interface 20 . When sexually connected, it means positive connection. At this time, the data channels D+ and D- of the first connector C1 are electrically connected to the data channels D+ and D- at positions A6 to A7 of the input interface 20 . When the first connector C1 is turned over and inserted into the input interface 20 so that the control channel 92 of the first connector C1 is electrically connected to the second control channel 91 at position B5 of the input interface 20, it represents a reverse connection. At this time, the data channels D+ and D- of the first connector C1 are electrically connected to the data channels D+ and D- at positions B6 to B7 of the input interface 20 . Forward connection or reverse connection are well-known connection methods for those in the technical field, and will not be described in detail here.

Returning to FIG. 2B , the first connector C1 is electrically connected to the signal source device S1 via the cable D1. The signal source device S1 can be a computer, a printer, a mobile phone, a flash drive, etc., but is not used in this way. for restrictions. The signal source device S1 has a voltage source that can supply control channel power, such as 5V, and an Rp resistor. Its configuration is a conventional technology and will not be described again here.

The output interface 21 of the connecting device 2 is electrically connected to the second connector C2, and the second connector C2 can be connected to the output interface 21 in a forward or reverse manner. In this embodiment, the output interface 21 is a USB Type C connector that supports USB .1 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 2 or later protocols, and is a female connector. Corresponding to the output interface 21, the second connector C2 is a USB Type C connector that supports USB .1 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 2 or later protocols, and is a male type. Similarly, the second connector C2 also includes an E-mark chip 24 . In one embodiment, when the second connector C2 shown in FIG. 2B is directly inserted into the output interface 21, the cross section of the second connector C2 and the output interface 21 is as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The third connector shown in the figure is The control channel 95 of the second connector C2 is electrically connected to the fourth control channel 94 at the B5 position of the output interface 21, which represents a reverse connection. At this time, the data channels D+ and D- of the second connector C2 are electrically connected to the data channels D+ and D- at positions B6 to B7 of the output interface 21 . On the contrary, when the second connector C2 is inserted into the output interface 21 so that the control channel 95 of the second connector C2 is electrically connected to the third control channel 93 at position A5 of the output interface 21, it represents a positive connection. At this time, the data channels D+ and D- of the second connector C2 are electrically connected to the data channels D+ and D- at positions A6 to A7 of the output interface 21 .

In one embodiment, the switching unit 22 is electrically connected to the input interface 20 and the output interface 21, and is used to control the first control channel 90, the second control channel 91, the third control channel 93 of the input interface 20 and the output interface 21, and The fourth controls the connection relationship between the channels 94. In this embodiment, the switching unit 22 provides the first path according to the first switching instruction and the second path according to the second switching instruction. In this embodiment, the first path represents the connection between the first control channel 90 and the third control channel 93 or the connection between the second control channel 91 and the fourth control channel 94 . The second path represents the connection between the first control channel 90 and the fourth control channel 94, or the connection between the second control channel 91 and the third control channel 93. The switching method will be described in embodiments later.

Here, the detection unit 23 is coupled to the input interface 20, the output interface 21 and the switching unit 22. The detection unit 23 detects the electrical characteristics of each control channel to further control the switching unit to perform path switching. In one embodiment, when the detection unit 23 detects that the first connector C1 is connected to the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 is connected to the output interface 21, it generates the first switching command or detects the first connector C1 When the second connector C2 is reversely connected to the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 is reversely connected to the output interface 21, a first switching command is generated so that transmission between the input interface 20 and the output interface 21 is carried out through the first path. In addition, when the detection unit 23 detects that the first connector C1 is connected to the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 is reversely connected to the output interface 21, it generates a second switching command, or detects that the first connector C1 is reversely connected to the output interface 21. When the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 are connected to the output interface 21, a second switching command is generated, so that signals are transmitted between the input interface 20 and the output interface 21 through the second path.

Next, the principle and embodiment of detection by the detection unit of the present invention will be described. The principle of determination is that the connection device 2 of the present invention is connected to the signal source device S1 connected to the first connector C1 on the input interface 20 side, such as a computer. or player, etc., the connecting device 2 will detect which channel of the first control channel 90 or the second control channel 91 has voltage. If the first control channel 90 has voltage, as shown in Figure 3A, it means that the CC1 pin has voltage. , thus representing that the first connector C1 is connected to the input interface 20 . On the contrary, if the second control channel 91 has voltage, as shown in FIG. 3A , it means that the CC2 pin has voltage, which means that the first connector C1 is reversely connected to the input interface 20 . As for the detection method, in one embodiment, since the signal source S1 has a voltage source, for example: 5V, electrically connected to the control channel 92 of the first connector C1, therefore when the first connector C1 is inserted into the input interface At 20 o'clock, the detection unit 23 can detect the voltage information of the first control channel 90 or the second control channel 91 , and can know whether the first connector C1 is directly connected to the input interface 20 or reversely connected to the input interface 20 . Based on the foregoing principle, in one embodiment, as long as the signal source device S1 is provided with a load circuit to connect the device 2 to the analog signal receiving device (Sink end, such as a display, etc.), the detection unit 23 can detect the first The voltage information of the second control channels 90 and 91 determines whether the first connector C1 is connected to the input interface 20 in a positive or reverse manner.

For the output interface 21, the detection unit 23 of the connection device 2 detects the signal receiving device S2 (Sink) connected to the second connector C2 on the side of the output interface 21 via the cable D2, such as a monitor, but not This is a limitation. It will detect whether the third control channel 93 or the fourth control channel 94 has voltage. If the third control channel 93 has voltage, as shown in Figure 3A, it means that the CC1 pin has voltage, so it means that the third control channel 93 has voltage. The second connector C2 is directly connected to the output interface 21 . On the contrary, if the fourth control channel 94 has voltage, as shown in FIG. 3A , it means that the CC2 pin has voltage, which means that the second connector C2 is reversely connected to the output interface 21 . Since the signal receiving device S2 (Sink) does not have a voltage source to supply power to the control channel 95 of the second connector C2, in an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting device 2 is virtualized to have a supply voltage, for example: 5V, and a load. The signal source device of the circuit. Therefore, when the second connector C2 is inserted into the output interface 21, the detection unit 23 can detect the voltage information of the third control channel 93 or the fourth control channel 94, and the second connection can be known. Device C2 is directly connected to the output interface 21 or reversely connected to the output interface 21. The signal receiving device S2 has an Rd resistor corresponding to the control channel. Its configuration is a conventional technology and will not be described in detail here.

Please refer to FIG. 2B. In this embodiment, the detection unit 23 further includes a load unit 230 and a judgment unit 233, which are coupled to the input interface 20 and the output interface 21. The detection unit 23 generates a signal generated by the load unit 230. The voltage information determines whether the first connector C1 is connected correctly or reversely to the input interface 20 , and determines whether the second connector C2 is connected correctly or reversely to the output interface 21 . In one embodiment, the load unit 230 further includes a first load circuit 231 and a second load circuit 232 . The first load circuit 231 is coupled to the input interface 20. The detection unit 23 determines whether the first connector C1 is connected to the input interface 20 in a positive or reverse manner according to the first voltage information generated by the first load circuit 231. The second load circuit 232 is coupled to the output interface 21. The detection unit 23 determines whether the second connector C2 is connected to the output interface 21 in a positive or reverse manner according to the second voltage information generated by the second load circuit 232. Among them, the first voltage information and the second voltage information can be 3.3 volts or 2.5 volts, which can be adjusted according to needs. This case is not a limitation.

The first load circuit 231 further includes a first load switch 231a, coupled to the input interface 20, providing a first load La to the first control channel 90 of the input interface 20, or providing a second load to the second control channel 91 of the input interface. Lb. They are used to simulate the USB protocol upstream facing point (UFP) respectively, which represents the Rd resistor of the signal receiving device. The first load switch 231a may be a cross point switch, or may be composed of two switches, one of which is responsible for the conduction between the first control channel 90 and the first load La, and the other switch Responsible for the conduction between the second control channel 91 and the first load Lb.

The second load circuit 232 further includes a second load switch 232a, coupled to the output interface 21, providing a third load L1a to the third control channel 93 of the output interface 21, or providing a fourth load L1a to the fourth control channel 94 of the output interface 21. Load L1b. It should be noted that the third load L1a and the fourth load L1b respectively have negative resistance values, and can be switched to simulate the USB communication protocol downstream facing point (DFP) according to the needs, which means that they represent the signal source device control channel. Rp resistance. The second load switch 232a may be a cross point switch, or may be composed of two switches, one of which is responsible for the conduction between the third control channel 93 and the third load L1a, and the other switch Responsible for the conduction between the fourth control channel 94 and the fourth load L1b.

In this embodiment, the switching unit 22 includes a first switch 220 , a second switch 221 and a third switch 222 . The first switch 220 is used to control one of the first control channel 90 and the third control channel 93 . connection or disconnection. The second switch 221 is used to control the conduction or disconnection between the second control channel 91 and the fourth control channel 94 . The third switch 222 is used to switch control to select the conduction or disconnection between the first control channel 90 and the fourth control channel 94 , or to switch control to select the conduction between the second control channel 91 and the fourth control channel 94 . or disconnected.

Next, the control method of the connection device of the present invention will be described. Please refer to FIG. 4 , which is a schematic flow chart of one embodiment of the control method of the connection device of the present invention. The control method 3 includes the following steps. First, step 30 is performed to connect the input interface 20 to the first connector C1. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2A or Figure 2B, one end of the first connector C1 is inserted into the input interface 20, and the opposite end is electrically connected to the signal source device S1 through the cable D1. Next, step 31 is performed to connect the output interface 21 to the second connector C2. In this embodiment, one end of the second connector C2 is inserted into the output interface 21, and the other end is electrically connected to the signal receiving device S2 via the cable D2. It should be noted that step 30 and step 31 do not have a certain order. This embodiment is only an illustration and is not limited to the order of this embodiment.

After that, step 32 is performed so that the detection unit 23 detects whether the first connector C1 is connected normally or reversely to the input interface 20 , and detects whether the second connector C2 is connected normally or reversely to the output interface 21 . In an embodiment of the detection step, the detection unit 23 can use a firmware program to detect the communication between the first control channel 90 , the second control channel 91 , the third control channel 93 and the fourth control channel 94 The signal is used to determine whether the first connector C1 and the second connector C2 are connected directly or reversely to the input interface 20 or the output interface 21 respectively. In addition, in another embodiment of step 32, the first load switch 231a of the detection unit 23 switches and selects the first load La to be electrically connected to the first control channel 90, and switches and selects the second load Lb to be electrically connected to the second control channel 91 Electrical connection, since the supply voltage of the signal source device S1 is transmitted to the first control channel 90 or the second control channel 91 of the input interface 20 through the control channel 92 of the first connector C1, therefore by switching the load and the first control channel 90 and After the second control channel 91 is electrically connected, the judgment unit 233 electrically connected to the first control channel 90 and the second control channel 91 can determine the first control based on their electrical characteristics, which in this embodiment is voltage information. Which channel of the channel 90 and the second control channel 91 has voltage, and based on which channel has voltage, it is determined whether the first connector C1 is connected to the input interface 20 in a forward or reverse manner.

Similarly, the second load switch 232a switches and selects the third load L1a to be electrically connected to the third control channel 93, and switches and selects the second load L1b to be electrically connected to the fourth control channel 94, because the signal receiving device S2 has no power supply. The third and fourth control channels 93 and 94 therefore provide a power supply of 5V from the connecting device 2, so that the connecting device 2 becomes a virtual signal source device and supplies voltage to the second connector through the third control channel 93 and the fourth control channel 94. C2. When the second connector C2 is connected to the output interface 21 , that is, the control channel 95 of the second connector C2 is electrically connected to the third control channel 93 , at this time the judgment unit 233 can detect the signal corresponding to the third control channel 93 There is voltage information on the circuit, but there is no voltage information on the circuit of the fourth control channel 94; conversely, when the second connector C2 is reversely connected to the output interface 21, that is, the control channel 95 of the second connector C2 and the fourth The control channel 94 is electrically connected. At this time, the judgment unit 233 can detect that there is voltage information on the circuit corresponding to the fourth control channel 94, but there is no voltage information on the circuit of the third control channel 93.

After detecting the forward and reverse connection status of the first connector C1 and the input interface 20, and the forward and reverse connection status of the second connector C2 and the output interface 21, step 33 is performed to generate a switching command according to the forward and reverse connection status. In an embodiment of step 33, when the detection unit 23 detects that the first connector C1 is connected to the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 is connected to the output interface 21, it generates the first switching command, or detects the first When the connector C1 is reversely connected to the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 is reversely connected to the output interface 21, the first switching command is generated. When the detection unit 23 detects that the first connector C1 is connected to the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 is reversely connected to the output interface 21, it generates a second switching command, or detects that the first connector C1 is reversely connected to the input interface. 20, and when the second connector C2 is connected to the output interface 21, a second switching command is generated.

After step 33, step 34 is performed, so that the switching unit 22 provides the first path according to the first switching instruction, so that the input interface 20 and the output interface 21 are transmitted through the first path, or the switching unit 22 provides the first path according to the second switching instruction. The second path enables transmission between the input interface 20 and the output interface 21 through the second path. In step 34, taking the connection device 2 of FIG. 2A as an example, the switching unit 22 can be a cross point switch, and the switching unit 22 is controlled through the first control command to operate so that the first control channel 90 of the input interface 20 It is electrically connected to the third control channel 93 of the output interface 21, and the second control channel 91 of the input interface 20 is electrically connected to the fourth control channel 94 of the output interface 21 to form a first path for transmission. The second control command controls the switching unit 22 to operate so that the first control channel 90 of the input interface 20 and the fourth control channel 94 of the output interface 21 are connected, or the second control channel 91 of the input interface 20 and the third control channel of the output interface 21 are connected. Channel 93 is turned on to form a second path for transmission.

In another embodiment, taking the connection device of Figure 2B as an example, as shown in Figure 5A, when the detection unit 23 detects that the first connector C1 is connected to the input interface 20, and the second connector C2 is connected to When the interface 21 is output, a first switching instruction is generated to the switching unit 22 . In this embodiment, after receiving the first switching command, the switching unit 22 controls the first switch 220 to turn on the first control channel 90 and the third control channel 93, and also controls the second switch 221 to turn on the second control channel 91. and a fourth control channel 94. The third switch 222 is in a disconnected state. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5B , when the detection unit 23 detects that the first connector C1 is reversely connected to the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 is reversely connected to the output interface 21 , it generates a first switching instruction to the switching unit. twenty two. In this embodiment, after receiving the first switching command, the switching unit 22 controls the first switch 220 to turn on the first control channel 90 and the third control channel 93, and also controls the second switch 221 to turn on the second control channel 91. and a fourth control channel 94. The third switch 222 is in a disconnected state.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C , the detection unit 23 generates a second switching command when it detects that the first connector C1 is connected to the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 is reversely connected to the output interface 21 . to switching unit 22. In this embodiment, after receiving the second switching command, the switching unit 22 controls the first switch 220 to disconnect the first control channel 90 and the third control channel 93, and also controls the second switch 221 to switch on the second control channel. 91 and the fourth control channel 94, and simultaneously control the third switch 222 to be in a conductive state, so that the signal output from the control channel 90 of the first connector C1 passes through the first control channel 90, the third switch 222 and the second switch 221 (in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 5C), and then the signal enters the fourth control channel 94 and is received by the control channel 95 of the second connector C2. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5D , when the detection unit 23 detects that the first connector C1 is reversely connected to the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 is connected to the output interface 21 , it generates a second switching command to the switching unit 22 . In this embodiment, after receiving the second switching command, the switching unit 22 controls the first switch 220 to turn on the first control channel 90 and the third control channel 93, and also controls the second switch 221 to turn off the second control channel. 91 and the fourth control channel 94, and controls the third switch 222 to be in a conductive state, so that the signal output from the control channel 90 of the first connector C1 passes through the second control channel 91, the third switch 222 and the first switch 220 (in the direction pointed by the arrow in Figure 5D), and then the signal enters the third control channel 93 and is received by the control channel 95 of the second connector C2. In other words, in this embodiment, the detection unit 23 confirms the E-mark chip 24 by detecting voltage information. Located in the first control channel 90, the second control channel 91, the third control channel 93 or the fourth control channel 94, to further use the first switching command or the second switching command to drive the corresponding first switch 220 and the second switch. The switch 221 or the third switch 222 is in the on state or the off state.

Through the control method of the present invention, the first connector C1 with the E-mark chip 24 can be directly connected to the input interface 20, and the second connector C2 with the E-mark chip 24 can be reversely connected to the output interface 21; or When the first connector C1 is reversely connected to the input interface 20 and the second connector C2 is connected to the output interface 21, the signal of the control channel 92 of the first connector C1 can still pass through the second connector between the input interface 20 and the output interface 21. The path passes to the control channel 95 of the second connector C2 without obstruction.

Please refer to FIG. 6 , which is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the connection device of the present invention. The structure of the connection device 2a of this embodiment is basically similar to that of FIG. 2B. The difference is that this embodiment is applied to the structure of the multi-input interface 20. Its structure and detection control method are as mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

In summary, the connection device and its control method shown in the previous embodiments of this case detect whether the input side and output side connectors are connected in the forward or reverse direction, and switch the corresponding data transmission path according to the forward and reverse connection status of the connector. It can support two-way forward and reverse connection. It should be noted that although the first connector C1, the second connector C2, the input interface 20 and the output interface 21 in the aforementioned embodiments are described as USB Type C, they are not actually limited to this. As long as the connector supports the reversible connection function and there is a problem of signal transmission obstruction due to the reversal connection of the connector, it can be implemented according to the spirit of the present invention.

The above description only describes the preferred implementation modes or examples of the technical means used to solve the problems of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the patent implementation of the present invention. That is to say, all changes and modifications that are consistent with the literal meaning of the patent application scope of the present invention, or are made in accordance with the patent scope of the present invention, are covered by the patent scope of the present invention.

2. 2a: Connection device

20:Input interface

21 output interface

22:Switching unit

220:First switcher

221: Second switch

222:Third switcher

23:Detection unit

230:Load unit

231: First load circuit

231a: First load switcher

232: Second load circuit

232a: Second load switcher

233: Judgment unit

24:wafer

90: First control channel

91: Second control channel

92:Control channel

93: The third control channel

94: The fourth control channel

95:Control channel

C1: first connector

C2: Second connector

D1~D2: Cable

S1: Signal source device

S2: Signal receiving device

La: first load

Lb: second load

L1a: third load

L2a: fourth load

3:Method

30~34: Steps

1A to 1C are schematic diagrams illustrating the connection state between a conventional connecting device and a connector. FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an embodiment of the connection device of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of the connection device of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pin configuration of the input interface and output interface of the present invention. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pin configuration of the first connector and the second connector of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the connection device control method of the present invention. 5A to 5D are schematic diagrams of the first connector, the second connector, the input interface and the output interface in a plug-in manner. Figure 6 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the connection device of the present invention.

2:Connection device

20:Input interface

21 output interface

22:Switching unit

23:Detection unit

C1: first connector

C2: Second connector

D1~D2: Cable

S1: Signal source device

S2: Signal receiving device

Claims (10)

A connection device including: An input interface for electrical connection with a first connector, and the first connector can be connected to the input interface in a positive or reverse manner; An output interface for electrical connection with a second connector, and the second connector can be connected to the output interface in a positive or reverse manner; A switching unit coupled between the input interface and the output interface, the switching unit provides a first path according to a first switching instruction, and provides a second path according to a second switching instruction; and a detection unit coupled to the input interface, the output interface and the switching unit; Wherein, when the detection unit detects that the first connector is connected to the input interface and the second connector is connected to the output interface, it generates the first switching command, or detects that the first connector is reversely connected to the output interface. The input interface, and when the second connector is reversely connected to the output interface, the first switching command is generated, and transmission is performed between the input interface and the output interface through the first path; Wherein, when the detection unit detects that the first connector is connected to the input interface and the second connector is reversely connected to the output interface, it generates the second switching command, or detects that the first connector is reversely connected. When the input interface and the second connector are connected to the output interface, the second switching command is generated, and transmission is performed between the input interface and the output interface through the second path. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit further includes a load unit coupled to the input interface and the output interface, and the detection unit determines the first connector based on the voltage information generated by the load unit. It is connected to the input interface normally or reversely, and it is determined whether the second connector is connected to the output interface normally or reversely. The connection device of claim 2, wherein the load unit further includes a first load circuit coupled to the input interface, and the detection unit determines the first voltage information based on the first voltage information generated by the first load circuit. The connector is connected to the input interface either forward or backward. The connection device of claim 3, wherein the first load circuit further includes a first load switch, coupled to the input interface, providing a first load to a first control channel of the input interface, or to a first load switch. A second control channel of the input interface provides a second load. The connection device of claim 2, wherein the load unit further includes a second load circuit coupled to the output interface, and the detection unit determines the second voltage information generated by the second load circuit. Connect the connector directly or backward to the output interface. The connection device of claim 5, wherein the second load circuit further includes a second load switch, coupled to the output interface, providing a third load to a third control channel of the output interface, or to a third load switch. A fourth control channel of the output interface provides a fourth load. The connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input interface further includes a first control channel and a second control channel, the output interface further includes a third control channel and a fourth control channel, and the switching unit switches the The first control channel is connected to the third control channel, and the second control channel is connected to the fourth control channel to form the first path. The connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input interface further includes a first control channel and a second control channel, the output interface further includes a third control channel and a fourth control channel, and the switching unit switches the The first control channel is connected to the fourth control channel, and the second control channel is connected to the third control channel to form the second path. A connection device control method, including: Connecting an input interface to a first connector; Connect an output interface to a second connector; Use a detection unit to detect whether the first connector is connected correctly or reversely to the input interface, and to detect whether the second connector is connected correctly or reversely to the output interface; When the detection unit detects that the first connector is connected to the input interface and the second connector is connected to the output interface, or it detects that the first connector is reversely connected to the input interface and the second connector When the connector is reversely connected to the output interface, a first switching command is generated; When the detection unit detects that the first connector is connected to the input interface and the second connector is reversely connected to the output interface, or it detects that the first connector is connected to the input interface reversely and the third connector When the two connectors are connected to the output interface, a second switching command is generated; A switching unit is used to provide a first path according to the first switching instruction, so that transmission between the input interface and the output interface is carried out through the first path; and The switching unit provides a second path according to the second switching instruction, so that transmission between the input interface and the output interface occurs through the second path. The connection device control method of claim 9, wherein the input interface further includes a first control channel and a second control channel, the output interface further includes a third control channel and a fourth control channel, wherein the third control channel A path is used for the switching unit to connect the first control channel to the third control channel and to connect the second control channel to the fourth control channel. The second path is for the switching unit to connect the first control channel to the fourth control channel. The fourth control channel is turned on and the second control channel and the third control channel are turned on.