USB controlling apparatus for data transfer between computers and method for the same

• US 7,085,876 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2003
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VIA Technologies Incorporated (VIA Technologies)
• Original Assignee: VIA Technologies Incorporated (VIA Technologies)
• Inventors: Chen, Hung-Pin, Lai, Ching-Chung
• Primary Examiner(s): Myers, Paul R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STIGLIC, RYAN M
• Application Number:
  US10/617,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20040148451A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,114 Days
• Field of Search: 710/8, 710/31, 710/38, 710/62, 710/72, 710/104, 710/305, 710/313, 710/316
• US Class Current: 710/313
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices

Abstract

A USB controlling apparatus for data transfer between computers and method for the same are provided. The apparatus comprises a host controller providing a host function of USB interface; a device function circuit providing a device function of USB interface; at least one connection for connecting to a USB device or a USB cable by way of data transfer; and a path switch unit. The path switch unit connected to the host controller, device function circuit and the USB data lines, used to switch a connection path of the USB data lines between the host controller and the device function circuit, which is able to provide a host function mode to connect USB apparatus for data transmitting or a device function mode to connect with other computer host for data transmitting.

Claims

1. A method for a USB controlling apparatus including at least one connection port having a set of USB data lines for connecting to a USB device or a USB cable for data transfer, a path switch connected to a host controller, a device function circuit and said USB data lines, a power switch having one end connected to a power line on a motherboard and another end connected to a power adapting line, and a series connection of a pull-up resistor and a pull-up switch connected between said power adapting line and one of said set of USB data lines, said method comprising following steps:

setting a host function mode as a default operation mode of said USB controlling apparatus, setting said host function mode includes connecting said data lines to said host controller by said path switch and turning on said power switch and turning off said pull-up switch;

detecting whether a first connection port of said at least one connection ports is being used by said host controller;

when said first connection port is being used by said host controller, said USB controlling apparatus is operated in said host function mode;

when said first connection port is not being used by said host controller, said USB controlling apparatus is switched to operate in a device function mode, operating in said device function mode includes connecting said data lines to said device function circuit by said path switch and turning off said power switch and turning on said pull-up switch;

providing a predetermined waiting time;

detecting whether a connection is established through said first connection port for said USB controlling apparatus;

when said connection is established through said first connection port, said USB controlling apparatus is operated in said device function mode; and

,

when said connection is not established through said first connection port, examining whether said connection is established within said predetermined waiting time for reconfiguration of said first connection port responsive thereto.

2. The method as in claim 1, further comprising following steps:

operating said USB controlling apparatus in said device function mode if said connection is established within said predetermined waiting time;

else switching said USB controlling apparatus to said host function mode if said connection is not established within said predetermined waiting time.

3. The method as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined waiting time is a user-defined value.

4. A method for a USB controlling apparatus including at least one connection port having a set of USB data lines for connecting to a USB device or a USB cable for data transfer, a path switch connected to a host controller, a device function circuit and said USB data lines, a power switch having one end connected to a power line on a motherboard and another end connected to a power adapting line, and a series connection of a pull-up resistor and a pull-up switch connected between said power adapting line and one of said set of USB data lines, said method comprising following steps:

setting a host function mode as a default operation mode of said USB controlling apparatus, setting said host function mode includes connecting said data lines to said host controller by said path switch and turning on said power switch and turning off said pull-up switch;

detecting whether a first connection port of said at least one connection ports is being used by said host controller;

when said first connection port is being used by said host controller, said USB controlling apparatus is operated in said host function mode;

when said first connection port is not being used by said host controller, said USB controlling apparatus is switched to operate in a device function mode, operating in said device function mode includes connecting said data lines to said device function circuit by said path switch and turning off said power switch and turning on said pull-up switch;

providing a predetermined waiting time;

detecting whether a connection is established for said USB controlling apparatus;

when said connection is established, said USB controlling apparatus is operated in said device function mode;

when said connection is not established, examining whether said connection is established within said predetermined waiting time;

operating said USB controlling apparatus in said device function mode if said connection is established within said predetermined waiting time;

else switching said USB controlling apparatus to said host function mode if said connection is not established within said predetermined waiting time;

detecting whether a connection is established for said USB controlling apparatus;

if true, said USB controlling apparatus is operated in said host function mode;

else examining whether said connection is established within said predetermined waiting time;

operating said USB controlling apparatus in said host function mode when said connection is established within said predetermined waiting time.

switching said USB controlling apparatus to said device function mode when said connection is not established within said predetermined waiting time.