Data routing device and system

• US 6,549,966 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2000
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Adder Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: Adder Technology Limited
• Inventors: Dickens, Nigel Anthony, Dickens, Adrian Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Auve, Glenn A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): King, Justin
• Application Number:
  US09/493,947
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 710/300, 710/104, 710/53, 710/314
• US Class Current: 710/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4022 using switching circuits, e.g. switching matrix, connection or expansion network G06F13/4009 takes precedence

Abstract

A serial data routing device for use in routing serial data between a computer and a peripheral device. The data routing device includes a computer data converter which communicates data under the USB protocol with a computer and which converts data received from the computer into converted computer data. A peripheral data converter is also included which communicates data under the USB protocol with the peripheral device and which converts data received from the peripheral device into converted peripheral data. A data router is provided in communication with the computer data converter and the peripheral data converter and transfers converted computer data and converted peripheral data between them. It includes a data routing controller which controls the routing of the converted computer data and the converted peripheral data between the computer data converter and the peripheral data converter such that the computer and peripheral device operate as though directly connected by a USB bus.

Claims

1. A serial data routing device for use in routing serial data between a computer and a peripheral device, the data routing device including:

a computer data converter which communicates data under the USB protocol with a computer and which converts data received from the computer into converted computer data;

a peripheral data converter which communicates data under the USB protocol with the peripheral device and which converts data received from the peripheral device into converted peripheral data; and

a data router in communication with the computer data converter and the peripheral data converter which transfers converted computer data and converted peripheral data therebetween, said data router including;

an emulator which generates data causing USB protocol signals to be output from the computer data converter to the computer, emulating the presence of a USB peripheral device connected to the computer, and from the peripheral data converter to the peripheral device, emulating the presence of a USB host connected to the peripheral device; and

a data routing controller which controls the routing of the converted computer data and the converted peripheral data between the computer data converter and the peripheral data converter,

such that the computer and peripheral device operate as though directly connected by a USB bus.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the computer data converter includes processing means to convert converted peripheral data into USB protocol signals which are communicated to the computer.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the peripheral data converter includes processing means to convert converted computer data into USB protocol signals which are communicated to the peripheral device.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the device has a USB connection transferring signals between the computer and the computer data converter and the USB protocol signals are output from the computer data converter to the computer via the USB connection and mimic the connection of a peripheral operating under the USB protocol directly to the computer via the USB connection.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, in which the device has a USB connection transferring signals between the peripheral device and the peripheral data converter and the USB protocol signals are output from the peripheral data converter to the peripheral device via the USB connection and mimic the connection of a computer operating under the USB protocol directly to the peripheral via the USB connection.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the device has a USB connection transferring signals between the peripheral device and the peripheral data converter and the USB protocol signals are output from the peripheral data converter to the peripheral device via the USB connection and mimic the connection of a computer operating under the USB protocol directly to the peripheral via the USB connection.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the data routing controller includes a microprocessor having a memory device.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, in which routing of the converted computer data and converted peripheral data is effected by transferring data between locations within the memory device.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7, in which the data router includes a non-USB bus in communication with the computer data converter, peripheral data converter and the microprocessor and the microprocessor processes converted computer data and converted peripheral data received via the non-USB bus and controls the routing of converted computer data and converted peripheral data in response to the processing of the converted computer or peripheral data or data stored in the memory device.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 and including a control panel having option switches in communication with the data routing controller which set the values of parameters used by the data routing controller to control the routing of the converted computer and peripheral data.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, in which the control panel includes a visual display which gives an indication of the status of the system.

12. A serial data routing system including a plurality of computers each having a USB connection, a peripheral device having a USB connection and a serial data routing device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the serial data routing device includes a plurality of computer data converters in communication with the data router, and each connected to a respective one of the plurality of computers by the respective USB connection and the peripheral device connected to the peripheral data converter by its USB connection.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12 and including a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the data routing device by the USB connection.

14. A system as claimed in claim 12 and including a plurality of peripheral devices and the serial data routing device having a plurality of peripheral data converters, each in communication with the data router, and each connected to one of the plurality of peripheral devices by a respective USB connection.

15. A system as claimed in claim 13, in which a plurality of the plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the data routing device by a single USB connection.

16. A system as claimed in claim 14, in which a plurality of the plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the data routing device by a single USB connection.