USB device with secondary USB on-the-go function

• US 20060065743A1
• Filed: 09/30/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics Incorporated (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: STMicroelectronics Incorporated (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: Fruhauf, Serge
• Granted Patent: US 7,413,129 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices

Abstract

A USB device includes first and second communications ports and a processor operable for configuring the first communications port for connecting to a USB host and configuring the second communications port as a USB master connecting to a USB slave device. The processor can be formed as a USB device controller operatively connected to the first communications port and USB On-The-Go device controller operatively connected to a second communications port for creating a point-to-point connection to the USB slave device.

Claims

1. A USB device comprising:

first and second communications ports; and

a processor operable for configuring the first communications port for connecting to a USB host and configuring the second communications port as a USB master for connecting to a USB slave device.

2. A USB device according to claim 1, wherein said processor comprises a USB device controller operatively connected to the first communications port and a USB On-The-Go device controller operatively connected to second communications port for creating a point-to-point connection with a USB slave device.

3. A USB device according to claim 1, wherein said processor comprises a microcontroller.

4. A USB device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is operative for implementing the Session Request Protocol (SRP) and requesting a USB device to begin a communications session.

5. A USB device according to claim 4, wherein said processor is operative for requesting a USB device to begin a communications session by one of at least data-line pulsing and Vbus pulsing.

6. A USB device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is operative for implementing the Host Negotiation Protocol for transferring control from a default Host to a default peripheral USB device.

7. A USB device according to claim 1, and further comprising a memory for storing a program operative for managing communications through the first communications port to a USB host and simultaneously managing communications through the second communications port as a secondary function in accordance with the USB On-The-Go specification.

8. A USB device according to claim 7, wherein said memory comprises a Flash, EEPROM, RAM or ROM memory.

9. A USB device comprising:

first and second USB ports;

a USB device controller operatively connected to the first USB port and operable for configuring the first USB port for connecting to a USB host, said USB device controller further comprising a USB transceiver and logic controller;

a secondary USB On-The-Go device controller operatively connected to the second port and creating a point-to-point connection with a USB slave device, said USB On-The-Go device controller comprising a USB On-The-Go transceiver, a logic controller, and circuitry for implementing a USB On-The-Go protocol.

10. A USB device according to claim 9, wherein said USB On-The-Go device controller is operative for implementing the Session Request Protocol (SRP) and requesting a USB device to begin a session.

11. A USB device according to claim 10, wherein said USB On-The-Go device controller is operative for requesting a USB device to begin a session by one of at least data-line pulsing and Vbus pulsing.

12. A USB device according to claim 9, wherein said USB On-The-Go device controller is operative for implementing the Host Negotiation Protocol for transferring control from a default Host to a default peripheral USB device.

13. A USB device according to claim 9, and further comprising a memory for storing a program operative for managing communications through the first USB port to a USB host and simultaneously managing communications through the second USB port as a secondary function in accordance with the USB On-The-Go specification.

14. A USB device according to claim 13, wherein said memory comprises a Flash, EEPROM, RAM or ROM memory.

15. An integrated circuit for a USB device comprising:

a data interface;

a USB transceiver and USB On-The-Go transceiver connected to the data interface; and

a processor operable for configuring the USB transceiver and data interface for connecting to a USB host and simultaneously configuring the On-The-Go transceiver and data interface as a USB master for connecting to a USB slave device.

16. An integrated circuit according to claim 15, wherein said processor comprises a USB device controller and a secondary USB On-The-Go device controller for creating a point-to-point connection with a USB slave device.

17. An integrated circuit according to claim 15, wherein said processor is operative for implementing the Session Request Protocol (SRP) and requesting a USB device to begin a session.

18. An integrated circuit according to claim 17, wherein said processor is operative for requesting a USB device to begin a session by one of at least data-line pulsing and Vbus pulsing.

19. An integrated circuit according to claim 15, wherein said processor is operative for implementing the Host Negotiation Protocol for transferring control from a default Host to a default peripheral USB device.

20. An integrated circuit according to claim 15, and further comprising a memory for storing a program operative for managing communications through the data interface to a USB host and simultaneously managing communications through the data interface as a secondary function in accordance with the USB On-The-Go specification.

21. An integrated circuit according to claim 20, wherein said memory comprises a Flash, EEPROM, RAM or ROM memory.

22. A smart card comprising:

a smart card body;

contacts carried by the smart card body;

an integrated circuit carried by the smart card body and comprising a data interface operable with the contacts;

a USB transceiver and USB On-The-Go transceiver connected to the data interface; and

a processor operable for configuring the USB transceiver and data interface for connecting to a USB host and simultaneously configuring the On-The-Go transceiver and data interface as a USB master for connecting to a USB slave device.

23. A smart card according to claim 22, wherein said processor comprises a USB device controller and a secondary USB On-The-Go device controller for creating a point-to-point connection with a USB slave device.

24. A smart card according to claim 22, wherein said processor is operative for implementing the Session Request Protocol (SRP) and requesting a USB device to begin a session.

25. A smart card according to claim 24, wherein said processor is operative for requesting a USB device to begin a session by one of at least data-line pulsing and Vbus pulsing.

26. A smart card according to claim 22, wherein said processor is operative for implementing the Host Negotiation Protocol for transferring control from a default Host to a default peripheral USB device.

27. A smart card according to claim 22, and further comprising a memory for storing a program operative for managing communications through the data interface to a USB host and managing communications through the data interface as a secondary function in accordance with the USB On-The-Go specification.

28. A smart card according to claim 22, wherein said memory comprises a Flash, EEPROM, RAM or ROM memory.

29. A method for operating a USB device which comprises:

configuring a first USB port for connecting to a USB host and configuring a second USB port as a USB master for connecting to a USB slave device.

30. A method according to claim 29, which further comprises creating a point-to-point connection with a USB slave device.

31. A method according to claim 29, which further comprises implementing the Session Request Protocol (SRP) and requesting a device to begin a session.

32. A method according to claim 31, which further comprises requesting a device to begin a session by one of at least data-line pulsing and Vbus pulsing.

33. A method according to claim 29, which further comprises implementing the Host Negotiation Protocol for transferring control from a default Host to a default peripheral device.