Extended USB protocol plug and receptacle for implementing multi-mode communication

• US 7,104,848 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2004
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Super Talent Technology, Corporation
• Original Assignee: Super Talent Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Chou, Szu-Kuang, Chou, Horng-Yee, Chiou, Ren-Kang
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US10/835,423
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 439/660, 439/382, 439/535, 710/301, 710/300, 710/37, 710/74, 361/685, 235/492
• US Class Current: 439/660
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07732 the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks housings for electrical equipment in general, see H05K5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07733 the record carrier containing at least one further contact interface not conform ISO-7816
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

Host computers and peripheral devices communicating through extended USB connectors and plugs are disclosed. The host computer and peripheral device are capable of communicating via multiple communication modes, using the extended capability of the extended USB connectors and plugs. Software and hardware to facilitate such communication are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A host computer, comprising:

a host processor;

a set of protocol processors having at least a first protocol processor, said set of protocol processors being operatively coupled to communicate with said host processor, said first protocol processor being configured to process a first protocol; and

an extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) socket configured to facilitate communication between said host processor and an external device configured to be detachably coupled with said extended USB socket, including

an extended cavity having an extended cavity length longer than a length of a cavity of an industry-standard Series A USB socket, said length of said cavity of said industry-standard Series A USB socket being about 9 mm;

a plurality of USB socket contacts arranged in a first socket-pin row in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said extended USB socket, said plurality of USB socket contacts being disposed in said cavity and configured to carry USB signals; and

a plurality of non-USB socket contacts arranged in a second socket-pin row parallel to said first socket-pin row, said plurality of non-USB socket contacts being configured to carry non-USB signals;

wherein said extended USB socket is configured to be mechanically and electrically compatible with both an industry-standard Series A USB connector and an extended USB connector, said extended USB connector including an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of said industry-standard Series A USB connector, said length of said pin substrate of said industry-standard Series A USB connector being about 12 mm, and a plurality of USB connector contacts supported by said extended pin substrate and arranged in a first connector-pin row in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said extended USB connector, said plurality of USB connector contacts being configured to carry said USB signals, and a plurality of non-USB connector contacts supported by said extended pin substrate and arranged in a second connector-pin row parallel to said first connector-pin row, said plurality of non-USB connector contacts being configured to carry said non-USB signals, and wherein when said extended USB socket couples with said industry-standard Series A USB connector, said plurality of non-USB socket contacts are configured such that said plurality of non-USB socket contacts do not electrically contact either USB pins in said industry-standard Series A USB connector or a metal cover of said industry-standard Series A USB connector, and wherein said plurality of non-USB socket contacts being disposed in a longitudinally separate position relative to said plurality of USB socket contacts, thereby preventing said plurality of non-USB socket contacts from electrically coupling with said plurality of USB connector contacts configured to carry said USB signals in said industry-standard Series A USB connector when said industry-standard Series A USB connector is fully inserted into said extended USB socket.

2. The host computer of claim 1 wherein said first protocol is USB, said first protocol processor receives communication from said external device when said external device communicates in said first protocol irrespective whether said external device employs said industry-standard USB connector or said extended USB connector.

3. The host computer of claim 1 wherein said set of protocol processors further includes a second protocol processor operatively coupled to communicate with said host processor, said second protocol processor being configured to process a second protocol different from said first protocol, said host computer further includes:

a multi-personality bus switch operatively coupled to said plurality of non-USB socket contacts and said second protocol processor, said multi-personality bus switch being configured to transmit non-USB signals received via said non-USB socket contacts to said second protocol processor if said external device communicates using said second protocol.

4. The host computer of claim 3 wherein said second protocol represents one of PCI-EX, SATA, SAS and 1394.

5. The host computer of claim 3 wherein said set of protocol processors further includes a third protocol processor operatively coupled to communicate with said host processor, said third protocol processor being configured to process a third protocol different from said first protocol and said second protocol, said multi-personality bus switch being coupled with said third protocol processor, said multi-personality bus switch being configured to transmit said non-USB signals received via said non-USB socket contacts to said third protocol processor if said external device communicates using said third protocol.

6. The host computer of claim 5 wherein said second protocol represents one of PCI-EX, SATA, SAS and 1394 and said third protocol represents another one of said PCI-EX, said SATA, SAS and said 1394.

7. The host computer of claim 5 wherein said first socket-pin row and said second socket-pin row are disposed on a first interior wall of said extended cavity.

8. The host computer of claim 5 wherein said first socket-pin row are disposed on a first interior wall of said extended cavity, said second socket-pin row are disposed on a second interior wall of said extended cavity that is opposite said first interior wall.

9. The host computer of claim 5 wherein said first socket-pin row consists of four pins and said second socket-pin row consists of 8 pins.

10. The host computer of claim 5 wherein said first socket-pin row consists of four pins and said second socket-pin row consists of 6 pins.

11. The host computer of claim 5 further comprising a software personality selector circuit coupled to said multi-personality bus switch, said software personality selector circuit being configured to configure said multi-personality switch, responsive to said host computer receiving said non-USB signals, to employ one of said second protocol processor or said third protocol processor for communication.

12. The host computer of claim 11 wherein said non-USB signals are configured to be analyzed by said host processor to ascertain a personality of said external device, a result of an analysis of said non-USB signals enabling said software personality selector to configure said multi-personality switch for said communication.

13. A method for facilitating communication with a peripheral device, comprising:

providing a host computer including

providing a host processor;

providing a set of protocol processors having at least a first protocol processor and a second protocol processor, said set of protocol processors being operatively coupled to communicate with said host processor, said first protocol processor being configured to process a first protocol, said second protocol processor being configured to process a second protocol different from said first protocol; and

providing an extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) socket configured to facilitate communication between said host processor and an external device configured to be detachably coupled with said extended USB socket, said extended USB socket including

an extended cavity having an extended cavity length longer than a length of a cavity of an industry-standard Series A USB socket, said length of said cavity of said industry-standard Series A USB socket being about 9 mm;

a plurality of USB socket contacts arranged in a first socket-pin row in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said extended USB socket, said plurality of USB socket contacts being disposed in said cavity and configured to carry USB signals; and

a plurality of non-USB socket contacts arranged in a second socket-pin row parallel to said first socket-pin row, said plurality of non-USB socket contacts being configured to carry non-USB signals;

wherein said extended USB socket is configured to be mechanically and electrically compatible with both an industry-standard Series A USB connector and an extended USB connector, said extended USB connector including an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of said industry-standard Series A USB connector, said length of said pin substrate of said industry-standard Series A USB connector being about 12 mm, and a plurality of USB connector contacts supported by said extended pin substrate and arranged in a first connector-pin row in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said extended USB connector, said plurality of USB connector contacts being configured to carry said USB signals, and a plurality of non-USB connector contacts supported by said extended pin substrate and arranged in a second connector-pin row parallel to said first connector-pin row, said plurality of non-USB connector contacts being configured to carry said non-USB signals, and wherein when said extended USB socket couples with said industry-standard Series A USB connector, said plurality of non-USB socket contacts are configured such that said plurality of non-USB socket contacts do not electrically contact either USB pins in said industry-standard Series A USB connector or a metal cover of said industry-standard Series A USB connector, and wherein said plurality of non-USB socket contacts being disposed in a longitudinally separate position relative to said plurality of USB socket contacts, thereby preventing said plurality of non-USB socket contacts from electrically coupling with said plurality of USB connector contacts configured to carry said USB signals in said industry-standard Series A USB connector when said industry-standard Series A USB connector is fully inserted into said extended USB socket.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

providing a multi-personality bus switch operatively coupled to said plurality of non-USB socket contacts and said second protocol processor, said multi-personality bus switch being configured to transmit non-USB signals received via said non-USB socket contacts to said second protocol processor if said external device communicates using said second protocol.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said first protocol is USB.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said second protocol represents one of PCI-EX, SATA, SAS and 1394.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said second protocol represents a non-USB protocol.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

sending a USB reset command from said host computer to said peripheral device;

sending a USB read status command from said host computer to said peripheral device;

receiving status information from said peripheral device;

examining, using said host processor, whether there exists mode identification data indicating that said peripheral device support said non-USB protocol; and

if said mode identification data indicates that said peripheral device supports said non-USB protocol, instructing said peripheral device to initiate communication using said non-USB protocol.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising

receiving ready status data from said peripheral device responsive to said instructing said peripheral device to initiate said communication using said non-USB protocol;

and

if said status data indicates that said peripheral device is ready to communicate using said non-USB protocol, employing said second protocol processor to communicate with said peripheral device using said non-USB protocol.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising performing, if said status data fails to indicate that said peripheral device is ready to communicate using said non-USB protocol, one of communicating using said USB protocol and attempting to enable said peripheral device to communicate in said non-USB protocol.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein said first socket-pin row and said second socket-pin row are disposed on a first interior wall of said extended cavity.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein said first socket-pin row are disposed on a first interior wall of said extended cavity, said second socket-pin row are disposed on a second interior wall of said extended cavity that is opposite said first interior wall.

23. A peripheral device, comprising:

a device processor;

a set of protocol processors having at least a first protocol processor and a second protocol processor, said set of protocol processors being operatively coupled to communicate with said device processor, said first protocol processor being configured to process a first protocol, said second protocol processor being configured to process a second protocol different from said first protocol; and

an extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector configured to facilitate communication between said device processor and a host computer configured to be detachably coupled with said extended USB connector, including

an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of an industry-standard Series A USB connector, said length of said pin substrate of said industry-standard Series A USB connector being about 12 mm;

a plurality of USB connector contacts supported by said extended pin substrate and arranged in a first connector-pin row in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said extended USB plug, said plurality of USB connector contacts being configured to carry USB signals; and

a plurality of non-USB connector contacts supported by said extended pin substrate and arranged in a second connector-pin row parallel to said first connector-pin row, said plurality of non-USB connector contacts being configured to carry non-USB signals;

wherein said extended USB connector is configured to mechanically and electrically compatible with both an industry-standard Series A USB socket and an extended USB socket, said extended USB socket including an extended cavity having an extended cavity length longer than a length of a cavity of said industry-standard Series A USB socket, said length of said cavity of said industry-standard Series A USB socket being about 9 mm, and a plurality of USB socket contacts arranged in a first socket-pin row in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said extended USB socket, said plurality of USB socket contacts being disposed in said cavity and configured to carry said USB signals, and a plurality of non-USB socket contacts arranged in a second socket-pin row parallel to said first socket-pin row, said plurality of non-USB socket contacts being configured to carry said non-USB signals, and wherein when said extended USB connector couples with said industry-standard Series A USB socket, said plurality of non-USB connector contacts are configured such that said plurality of non-USB connector contacts do not electrically contact either USB pins in said industry-standard Series A USB socket or a metal cover of said industry-standard Series A USB socket, and wherein said plurality of non-USB connector contacts being disposed in a longitudinally separate position relative to said plurality of USB connector contacts, thereby preventing said plurality of non-USB connector contacts from electrically coupling with said plurality of USB socket contacts configured to carry said USB signals in said industry-standard Series A USB socket when said extended USB connector is fully inserted into said industry-standard Series A USB socket.

24. The peripheral device of claim 23 wherein said first protocol is USB, said first protocol processor receives communication from said host computer when said host computer communicates in said first protocol irrespective whether said external device employs said industry-standard USB socket or said extended USB socket.

25. The peripheral device of claim 23 further comprising a multi-personality bus switch operatively coupled to said plurality of non-USB connector contacts and said second protocol processor, said multi-personality bus switch being configured to transmit non-USB signals received via said non-USB connector contacts to said second protocol processor if said host computer communicates using said second protocol.

26. The peripheral device of claim 25 further comprising a mode light emitting diode (LED) for indicating which protocol is currently employed for communication by said peripheral device.

27. The peripheral device of claim 25 further comprising a reset circuit for resetting said peripheral device.

28. The peripheral device of claim 25 further comprising a write-protect mechanism, said write-protect mechanism, when activated, prevents a user from inadvertently writing to said peripheral device.

29. The peripheral device of claim 25 wherein said set of protocol processors further includes a third protocol processor operatively coupled to communicate with said device processor, said third protocol processor being configured to process a third protocol different from said first protocol and said second protocol, said multi-personality bus switch being coupled with said third protocol processor, said multi-personality bus switch being configured to transmit said non-USB signals received via said non-USB connector contacts to said third protocol processor if said host computer communicates using said third protocol.

30. The peripheral device of claim 29 wherein said second protocol represents one of PCI-EX, SATA, SAS and 1394 and said third protocol represents another one of said PCI-EX, said SATA, SAS and said 1394.

31. The peripheral device of claim 29 further comprising a software personality selector circuit coupled to said multi-personality bus switch, said software personality selector circuit being configured to configure said multi-personality switch to employ one of said second protocol processor or said third protocol processor for communication.

32. The peripheral device of claim 31 wherein said non-USB signals are analyzed by said device processor to ascertain a personality of said host computer, a result of an analysis of said non-USB signals enabling said software personality selector to configure said multi-personality switch for said communication.

33. The peripheral device of claim 25 wherein said second protocol represents one of PCI-EX, SATA, SAS and 1394.

34. The peripheral device of claim 33 wherein said first connector-pin row and said second connector-pin row are disposed on a first side of said extended pin substrate.

35. The peripheral device of claim 33 wherein said first connector-pin row are disposed on a first side of said extended pin substrate, said second connector-pin row are disposed on a second side of said extended pin substrate that is opposite said first side of said extended pin substrate.

36. The peripheral device of claim 33 wherein said first connector-pin row consists of four pins and said second connector-pin row consists of 8 pins.

37. The peripheral device of claim 33 wherein said first connector-pin row consists of four pins and said second connector-pin row consists of 6 pins.

38. The peripheral device of claim 33 wherein said second connector-pin row is recessed below a surface of said extended pin substrate.

39. A method for facilitating communication with a host computer, comprising:

providing a peripheral device including

providing a device processor;

providing a set of protocol processors having at least a first protocol processor and a second protocol processor, said set of protocol processors being operatively coupled to communicate with said device processor, said first protocol processor being configured to process a first protocol, said second protocol processor being configured to process a second protocol different from said first protocol; and

providing an extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector configured to facilitate communication between said device processor and said host computer that is configured to be detachably coupled with said extended USB connector, said extended USB connector including

an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of an industry-standard Series A USB connector, said length of said pin substrate of said industry-standard Series A USB connector being about 12 mm;

a plurality of USB connector contacts supported by said extended pin substrate and arranged in a first row in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said extended USB plug, said plurality of USB connector contacts being configured to carry USB signals; and

a plurality of non-USB connector contacts supported by said extended pin substrate and arranged in a second row parallel to said first row, said plurality of non-USB connector contacts being configured to carry non-USB signals;

wherein said extended USB connector is configured to mechanically and electrically compatible with both an industry-standard Series A USB socket and an extended USB socket, said extended USB socket including an extended cavity having an extended cavity length longer than a length of a cavity of said industry-standard Series A USB socket, said length of said cavity of said industry-standard Series A USB socket being about 9 mm, and a plurality of USB socket contacts arranged in a first socket-pin row in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said extended USB socket, said plurality of USB socket contacts being disposed in said cavity and configured to carry said USB signals, and a plurality of non-USB socket contacts arranged in a second socket-pin row parallel to said first socket-pin row, said plurality of non-USB socket contacts being configured to carry said non-USB signals, and wherein when said extended USB connector couples with said industry-standard Series A USB socket, said plurality of non-USB connector contacts are configured such that said plurality of non-USB connector contacts do not electrically contact either USB pins in said industry-standard Series A USB socket or a metal cover of said industry-standard Series A USB socket, and wherein said plurality of non-USB connector contacts being disposed in a longitudinally separate position relative to said plurality of USB connector contacts, thereby preventing said plurality of non-USB connector contacts from electrically coupling with said plurality of USB socket contacts configured to carry said USB signals in said industry-standard Series A USB socket when said extended USB connector is fully inserted into said industry-standard Series A USB socket.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising providing a mode light emitting diode (LED) for indicating which protocol is currently employed for communication by said peripheral device.

41. The method of claim 39 further comprising providing a reset circuit for resetting said peripheral device.

42. The method of claim 39 further comprising providing a write-protect mechanism, said write-protect mechanism, when activated, prevents an unauthorized user from inadvertently writing to said peripheral device.

43. The method of claim 39 further comprising:

providing a multi-personality bus switch operatively coupled to said plurality of non-USB connector contacts and said second protocol processor, said multi-personality bus switch being configured to transmit non-USB signals received via said non-USB connector contacts to said second protocol processor if said host computer communicates using said second protocol.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein said first protocol is USB.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein said second protocol represents one of PCI-EX, SATA, SAS and 1394.

46. The method of claim 44 wherein said second protocol represents a non-USB protocol.

47. The method of claim 46 further comprising:

receiving a USB reset command from said host computer;

receiving a USB read status command from said host computer;

responding to said host computer with status information, including mode identification data indicating that said peripheral device supports said non-USB protocol.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein said first connector-pin row are disposed on a first side of said extended pin substrate, said second connector-pin row are disposed on a second side of said extended pin substrate that is opposite said first side.

49. The method of claim 46 wherein said first connector-pin row consists of four pins and said second connector-pin row consists of 6 pins.

50. The method of claim 46 wherein said second connector-pin row is recessed below a surface of said extended pin substrate.

51. The method of claim 46 wherein said first connector-pin row and said second connector-pin row are disposed on a first side of said extended pin substrate.

52. The method of claim 46 further comprising

receiving an extended mode enable command from said host computer, said extended mode enable command enabling said peripheral device to communicate in said non-USB protocol;

receiving a read status command from said host computer; and

responding to said host computer with a ready status signal indicating to said host computer that said peripheral device would be communicating using said non-USB protocol and via said plurality of said non-USB connector contacts.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising configuring said multi-personality switch to enable said second protocol processor to be employed for communication using said non-USB protocol.

54. The method of claim 53 further comprising initializing said peripheral device for communication using said non-USB protocol.