USB selector switch

• US 6,141,719 A
• Filed: 12/10/1998
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Video Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Network Technology PLC
• Inventors: Rafferty, Jarrod S., Craddock, Elizabeth L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne, Ario
• Application Number:
  US09/209,202
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 710/100, 710/101, 710/129, 710/131, 710/60, 710/62
• US Class Current: 710/316
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4022 using switching circuits, e.g. switching matrix, connection or expansion network G06F13/4009 takes precedence

Abstract

A switch for connecting a peripheral device to a downstream USB device includes a plurality of peripheral interfaces operably connectable to respective peripheral devices; a USB downstream interface operably connectable to the downstream USB device, where the downstream interface is adapted to simulate insertion and removal of an upstream USB device; and a switcher for selectively establishing communication between a desired peripheral interface and the USB downstream interface.

Claims

1. A switch for connecting a peripheral device to a downstream USB device, said switch comprising:

a plurality of peripheral interfaces operably connectable to respective peripheral devices;

a USB downstream interface operably connectable to said downstream USB device, said downstream interface being adapted to simulate insertion and removal of an already inserted upstream USB device; and

a switcher for selectively establishing communication between a desired peripheral interface and said USB downstream interface.

2. A switch according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said peripheral devices is an upstream USB device.

3. A switch according to claim 1, wherein said simulation of insertion or removal of an upstream USB device is provided by applying or removing, respectively, a voltage to a data line of said USB downstream interface.

4. A switch for connecting a peripheral device to a downstream USB device, said switch comprising:

a peripheral interface operably connectable to said peripheral device;

a plurality of USB downstream interfaces operably connectable to respective downstream USB devices, each said downstream interface being adapted to simulate insertion and removal of an already inserted upstream USB device; and

a switcher for selectively establishing communication between said peripheral interface and a desired USB downstream interface.

5. A switch according to claim 4, wherein said peripheral device is an upstream USB device.

6. A switch according to claim 4, wherein said simulation of insertion or removal of an upstream USB device is provided by applying or removing, respectively, a voltage to a data line of said USB downstream interfaces.

7. A switch for connecting a peripheral device to a downstream USB device, said switch comprising:

a plurality of peripheral interfaces operably connectable to respective peripheral devices;

a plurality of USB downstream interfaces operably connectable to respective downstream USB devices, each said downstream interface being adapted to simulate insertion and removal of an already inserted upstream USB device; and

a switcher for selectively establishing communication between a desired peripheral interface and a desired USB downstream interface.

8. A switch according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said peripheral devices is an upstream USB device.

9. A switch according to claim 7, wherein said simulation of insertion or removal of an upstream USB device is provided by applying or removing, respectively, a voltage to a data line of said USB downstream interfaces.

10. A switch for connecting an upstream USB device to a downstream USB device, said switch comprising:

a plurality of USB upstream interfaces operably connectable to respective upstream USB devices;

a USB downstream interface operably connectable to said downstream USB device, said downstream interface being adapted to simulate insertion and removal of an already inserted upstream USB device; and

a switcher for selectively establishing communication between a desired upstream USB interface and said USB downstream interface.

11. A switch according to claim 10, wherein said simulation of insertion or removal of an upstream USB device is provided by applying or removing, respectively, a voltage to a data line of said USB downstream interface.

12. A switch for connecting an upstream USB device to a downstream USB device, said switch comprising:

a USB upstream interface operably connectable to said upstream USB device;

a plurality of USB downstream interfaces operably connectable to respective downstream USB devices, each said downstream interface being adapted to simulate insertion and removal of an already inserted upstream USB device; and

a switcher for selectively establishing communication between said upstream USB interface and a desired USB downstream interface.

13. A switch according to claim 12, wherein said simulation of insertion or removal of an upstream USB device is provided by applying or removing, respectively, a voltage to a data line of said USB downstream interfaces.

14. A switch for connecting an upstream USB device to a downstream USB device, said switch comprising:

a plurality of USB upstream interfaces operably connectable to respective upstream USB devices;

a plurality of USB downstream interfaces operably connectable to respective downstream USB devices, each said downstream interface being adapted to simulate insertion and removal of an already inserted upstream USB device; and

a switcher for selectively establishing communication between a desired upstream USB interface and a desired USB downstream interface.

15. A switch according to claim 14, wherein said simulation of insertion or removal of an upstream USB device is provided by applying or removing, respectively, a voltage to a data line of said USB downstream interfaces.