TWI777111B - Dual connector memory device and transmission control circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

A dual connector memory device includes a circuit board, a memory circuit and a switching circuit disposed on the circuit board, and first and second connectors coupled to the circuit board. The first connector is electrically connected to the memory circuit through a first data transmission channel and includes a transmission interface module and a metal housing. The metal housing is disposed around the transmission interface module and has a connection portion electrically connected to the switching circuit. The second connector is electrically connected to the memory circuit through a second data transmission channel. When one of the first connector and the second connector is coupled to an external electronic device, the switching circuit selectively turns on the first data transmission channel or the second data transmission channel according to the voltage state of the connection portion. A transmission control circuit is also provided.

Description

Dual-connector memory device and transmission control circuit

The present invention relates to an electronic device with dual connectors, and more particularly, to a dual connector memory device and a transmission control circuit.

With the advancement of technology, daily life has been filled with various electronic devices, such as mobile phones, notebook computers, etc. When it is necessary to transmit data between different electronic devices, it may encounter incompatible transmission connectors equipped with the electronic devices. For example, notebook computers are equipped with the standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) 3.0, while mobile phones are only equipped with USB Type-C transmission interface. To cope with this situation, dual-connector storage devices with connectors of different specifications are also produced.

The circuit board inside the dual-connector storage device is connected to two connectors of different specifications. When the dual-connection storage device is connected to an external electronic device, the dual-connection storage device needs to detect which connector is connected to the external electronic device so as to switch the data transmission channel. Therefore, the dual-connector storage device needs a transmission control circuit with a simple structure and low cost. In addition, the connectors produced by some manufacturers may not meet the standard requirements, resulting in a mismatch between the connector and the circuit board during assembly. For example, some manufacturers omit GND, one of the ground terminals for making the connector. Therefore, it is also desirable to provide a dual-connector storage device with high compatibility, the circuit board of which can be easily combined with connectors of various specifications or provided by different manufacturers, so as to avoid the problem of mismatch between the connector and the circuit board or the signal quality. lowering problem.

The present invention provides a dual-connector memory device, which has the advantages of simple structure and low cost, and does not need to rely on the transmission terminal of the connector to detect whether an external electronic device is inserted, so it also has the advantage of high compatibility in the assembly process. The present invention also provides a transmission control circuit, which is suitable for the above-mentioned dual-connector memory device and can switch transmission channels.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a dual-connector memory device including a circuit board, a memory circuit, a switching circuit, a first connector and a second connector. Both the memory circuit and the switching circuit coupled to the memory circuit are disposed on the circuit board. The first connector is coupled to the circuit board and is electrically connected with the memory circuit through the first data transmission channel. The first connector includes a transmission interface module and a metal shell. The metal casing is arranged around the transmission interface module and has a connecting portion, wherein the switching circuit is electrically connected to the connecting portion. The second connector is coupled to the circuit board and is electrically connected with the memory circuit through the second data transmission channel. When one of the first connector and the second connector is coupled to the external electronic device, the switching circuit selectively conducts the first data transmission channel or the second data transmission channel according to the voltage state of the connecting portion.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a transmission control circuit disposed on a circuit board, wherein the circuit board is coupled to the first connector and the second connector. The transmission control circuit includes a switching circuit, a first data transmission channel and a second data transmission channel. The first data transmission channel is electrically connected with the first connector, and the second data transmission channel is electrically connected with the second connector. The switching circuit is used for selectively conducting the first data transmission channel or the second data transmission channel according to the sensing signal, wherein the sensing signal comes from the connection part of the metal shell of the first connector, and the first connector is fixed to the The circuit board is isolated from the power supply of the second connector.

Based on the above, embodiments of the present invention provide a dual-connector memory device and a transmission control circuit suitable for the dual-connector memory device. When one of the first connector and the second connector is coupled to the external electronic device, the switching circuit switches the first data transmission channel and the second data transmission according to the voltage state of the connection part of the metal shell of the first connector aisle.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a dual-connector memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the dual-connector memory device 100 includes a circuit board 102 , a first connector 110 , a second connector 120 , a switching circuit 130 and a memory circuit 140 . One end of the circuit board 102 is coupled to the first connector 110 , and the other end is coupled to the second connector 120 . A transmission control circuit 104 is disposed on the circuit board 102 to switch data transmission channels. In this embodiment, the transmission control circuit 104 includes a switching circuit 130, an impedance element 150, a first data transmission channel P1 and a second data transmission channel P2.

The first connector 110 and the second connector 120 can be standard USB (such as USB 2.0, USB 3.2, USB 4, etc.), Micro USB, USB Type-C and other standard connectors for coupling to external electronic devices for data processing transmission. The present invention does not limit the specifications of the first connector 110 and the second connector 120 .

The switching circuit 130 and the memory circuit 140 are both disposed on the circuit board 102 , wherein the switching circuit 130 is coupled to the memory circuit 140 , the first connector 110 and the second connector 120 . The first connector 110 is electrically connected to the memory circuit 140 through the first data transmission channel P1, and the second connector 120 is electrically connected to the memory circuit 140 through the second data transmission channel P2.

The first connector 110 includes a metal shell, and the metal shell includes at least one connecting portion 112 . The connecting portion 112 is also metal. The first connector 110 is fixed to the circuit board 102 by the connecting portion 112 . Besides, in this embodiment, the switching circuit 130 is electrically connected to the connecting portion 112 of the first connector 110 , so when one of the first connector 110 and the second connector 120 is coupled to an external electronic device , the switching circuit 130 selects to turn on the first data transmission channel P1 or the second data transmission channel P2 according to the voltage state of the connecting portion 112 . In addition, the connection portion 112 is electrically isolated from the second connector 120 . That is, the connection portion 112 and the second connector 120 will not be coupled to the common power supply voltage through the peripheral circuit.

2 is a schematic diagram of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention from different perspectives, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an assembly of the connector and a circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , the connector 200 is a USB Type-C connector as an example, but it can also be a connector of other specifications, which is not limited in the present invention. Connector 200 can be adapted to

The first connector 110 or the second connector 120 . For the convenience of description, the first connector 110 takes the connector 200 as an example, and the second connector 120 takes the USB 3.0 connector as an example, but it is not limited thereto.

The connector 200 includes a metal shell 210 and a transmission interface module 220 . The metal shell 210 is arranged around the transmission interface module 220 , and a plug port 230 is formed at one end to be coupled to a socket of an external electronic device. When the connector 200 is coupled to an external electronic device, the metal shell 210 is grounded to provide electromagnetic shielding effect on the enclosed transmission interface module 220 to reduce electromagnetic interference near the connector end.

The transmission interface module 220 includes a plurality of conductive terminals 222, such as a ground terminal GND, differential signal terminals TX+, TX-, RX-, RX+, D+ and D-, a power terminal VBUS, a detection terminal CC, and the like. The conductive terminals 222 can be soldered to the metal pads 320 of the circuit board 102 . The memory circuit 140 can communicate with external electronic devices through these conductive terminals 222 .

Two sides of the other end of the metal casing 210 respectively have connection parts 240 . In this embodiment, the connecting portions 240 respectively pass through the two assembly holes 310 of the circuit board 102 to fix the connector 200 to the circuit board 102 . It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the shape of the connection portion 240 and the implementation of how the connector 200 is fixed to the circuit board 102 through the connection portion 240 .

In addition, in the embodiment in which the connector 200 is used as the first connector 110 , the switching circuit 130 is also electrically connected to the sensing portion 242 on at least one connecting portion 240 for sensing the voltage state on the connecting portion 240 . It should be noted that, whether the first connector 110 or the second connector 120 and the external electronic device perform hand shaking or data transmission, the voltage state of the connecting portion 240 does not change.

In the embodiment in which the connector 200 is used as the first connector 110 , when the first connector 110 is coupled to an external electronic device, the voltage state of the connecting portion 240 is ground. When the first connector 110 is not coupled to any external electronic device, the voltage state of the connection portion 240 is Open. Besides, the memory circuit 140 transmits data to the external electronic device through the first transmission interface module 220 and the first data transmission channel P1 , and the first data transmission channel P1 does not include the metal casing 210 .

Please go back to the embodiment of FIG. 1 , an impedance element 150 is also disposed on the circuit board 102 . One end of the impedance element 150 receives a reference bias voltage VDD, and the other end of the impedance element 150 is coupled to the connecting portion 112 (refer to the sensing portion 242 of FIG. 2 ). The connection part 112 (refer to the sensing part 242 of FIG. 2 ) is electrically connected to the switching circuit 130 and provides the sensing signal S to the switching circuit 130 . The sensing signal S varies with the voltage state of the connection portion 240 . The switching circuit 130 selects and turns on one of the first data transmission channel P1 and the second data transmission channel P2 according to the sensing signal S. Specifically, the sensing signal S may be a voltage signal from the connection portion 240 of the metal shell 210 of the first connector 110 .

It is particularly noted that, unlike the prior art, the signal of the sensing conductive terminal is selected to determine whether the connector is coupled to the external electronic device. In this embodiment, the voltage state of the connection portion 240 is used for the determination. In this embodiment, it is only necessary to sense the voltage state of the connection portion 240 of the first connector 110 without sensing the voltage state of the connection portion 240 of the second connector 120 .

4 is a block diagram illustrating a dual-connector memory device coupled to an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4 , when the first connector 110 is coupled to the external electronic device H, the metal casing 210 is grounded through the socket of the external electronic device, not through the transmission interface module 220 , so the voltage state of the connecting portion 112 is ground. The circuit board 102 can receive the power supply voltage from the external electronic device H through the transmission interface module 220 of the first connector 110 to provide the reference bias voltage VDD. Specifically, the circuit board 102 can receive a ground signal and a power supply voltage, such as 5V (volts) through the ground terminal GND and the power terminal VBUS of the transmission interface module 220 to maintain the operation of the transmission control circuit 104 and the memory circuit 140 of the circuit board 102 In one embodiment, the memory circuit 140 outputs the reference voltage VDD to the impedance element 150, such as 3.3 V. In another embodiment, a voltage divider circuit is additionally provided on the circuit board 102 to provide the reference voltage VDD. In another embodiment In an embodiment, the reference voltage VDD may be the power supply voltage directly. The present invention does not limit the implementation of the reference voltage VDD.

In this embodiment, although one end of the impedance element 150 is supplied with the reference bias voltage VDD, since the connection part 112 is grounded at this time (the Ground shown in FIG. 4 ), the sensing signal S is in a low voltage state (logic “0” , referred to here as the first state). When the switching circuit 130 receives the sensing signal S in the first state, it is determined that the first connector 110 is coupled to the external electronic device H, and thus the first data transmission channel P1 is turned on. The second data transmission channel P2 is disconnected. The memory circuit 140 transmits data with the external electronic device H through the first data transmission channel P1 and the first connector 110 .

5 is a block diagram illustrating a dual-connector memory device coupled to an external electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5 , when the second connector 120 is coupled to the external electronic device H, the voltage state of the connecting portion 112 of the first connector 110 is an open circuit (Open as shown in FIG. 5 ). The circuit board 102 can receive the power supply voltage from the external electronic device H through the transmission interface module 220 of the second connector 120 to provide the reference bias voltage VDD. The method for generating the reference bias voltage VDD has been described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Since the connection portion 112 of the first connector 110 is open at this time, the sensing signal S will be pulled up to a high voltage state by the reference bias voltage VDD (logic “1”, referred to as the second state herein). When the switching circuit 130 receives the sensing signal S in the second state, it is determined that the second connector 120 is coupled to the external electronic device H, and thus the second data transmission channel P2 is turned on. The first data transmission channel P1 is disconnected. The memory circuit 140 transmits data with the external electronic device H through the second data transmission channel P2 and the second connector 120 .

To sum up, the embodiments of the present invention provide a dual-connector memory device and a transmission control circuit. The dual-connector memory device includes at least two connectors and the above-mentioned transmission control circuit. The switch of the transmission control circuit determines which connector is currently coupled to the external electronic device and switches to the corresponding data transmission channel according to the voltage state of the metal shell of one of the connectors. Instead of sensing the voltage state of the transmission terminal of the connector, the voltage state of the connection part of the metal shell is sensed, so that the mismatch between the connector and the circuit board can be avoided and the detection effect can be affected, and the correct judgment can be made. Which connector is coupled to the external electronic device. In addition, because of the metal shell of the detection connector, the present invention does not need to add additional sensing elements, and has the advantages of simple structure and low cost.

100: Dual connector memory device 102: circuit board 104: Transmission control circuit 110: First connector 112: Connection part 120: Second connector 130: switching circuit 140: Memory circuit 150: Impedance element 200: Connector 210: Metal shell 220: Transmission interface module 222: Conductive terminal 230: plug interface 240: Connector 242: Sensing Department 310: Assembly hole 320: Metal gasket Ground: ground H: External electronics Open: open circuit S: sensing signal P1: The first data transmission channel P2: Second data transmission channel VDD: reference bias

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a dual-connector memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a connector from different perspectives according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the assembly of a connector and a circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a dual-connector memory device coupled to an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a dual-connector memory device coupled to an external electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

100: Dual connector memory device

102: circuit board

104: Transmission control circuit

110: First connector

112: Connection part

120: Second connector

130: switching circuit

140: Memory circuit

150: Impedance element

S: sensing signal

P1: The first data transmission channel

P2: Second data transmission channel

VDD: reference bias

Claims (9)

A dual-connector memory device, comprising: a circuit board; a memory circuit and a switching circuit coupled to the memory circuit, both disposed on the circuit board; a first connector coupled to the circuit board and It is electrically connected to the memory circuit through a first data transmission channel, and includes: a transmission interface module; and a metal casing ringed around the transmission interface module and having a connecting portion, wherein the switching circuit is electrically connecting the connection part; and a second connector, coupled to the circuit board and electrically connected to the memory circuit through a second data transmission channel; wherein, when the first connector and the second connector are connected When one of them is coupled to an external electronic device, the switching circuit selectively conducts the first data transmission channel or the second data transmission channel according to the voltage state of the connecting portion, wherein when the first connector is coupled to the external electronic device When the device is installed, the memory circuit transmits a data with the external electronic device through the transmission interface module and the first data transmission channel, and the first data transmission channel does not include the metal casing. The dual-connector memory device of claim 1, wherein when the first connector is coupled to the external electronic device, the voltage state of the connection portion is grounded. The dual-connector memory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connector is fixed to the circuit board through the connecting portion. The dual-connector memory device as claimed in claim 3, wherein two sides of one end of the metal casing respectively have the connecting portions, and the connecting portions pass through two assembly holes of the circuit board to connect the The first connector is fixed to the circuit board. The dual-connector memory device of claim 1, further comprising: an impedance element, one end of which receives a reference bias voltage, and the other end of which is coupled to the connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is electrically connected to the connecting portion The switching circuit provides a sensing signal to the switching circuit, and the switching circuit selects and conducts one of the first data transmission channel and the second data transmission channel according to the sensing signal. The dual-connector memory device of claim 5, wherein when the first connector is coupled to the external electronic device, the voltage state of the connecting portion is grounded, and the sensing signal is at a first state, the switching circuit conducts the first data transmission channel; and when the second connector is coupled to the external electronic device, the voltage state of the connecting portion is open, and the sensing signal is in a second state, the switching The circuit conducts the second data transmission channel. The dual-connector memory device of claim 5, wherein when the first connector or the second connector is coupled to the external electronic device, the circuit board receives a power supply voltage from the external electronic device to provide this reference bias. A transmission control circuit is arranged on a circuit board, wherein the circuit board is coupled to a first connector and a second connector, the transmission control circuit comprises: a switching circuit, a first data transmission channel and a second a data transmission channel, wherein the switching circuit is coupled to a memory circuit on the circuit board, the first data transmission channel is electrically connected to the first connector, and the second data transmission channel and the second connector Electrical connection, wherein the switching circuit is used for selectively conducting the first data transmission channel or the second data transmission channel according to a sensing signal, wherein the sensing signal comes from a metal shell of the first connector a connecting part through which the first connector is fixed to the circuit board, and the connecting part is isolated from the power supply of the second connector, wherein when the first connector is coupled to an external electronic device, the memory The circuit transmits a data with the external electronic device through a transmission interface module of the first connector and the first data transmission channel, and the first data transmission channel does not include the metal casing. The transmission control circuit according to claim 8, further comprising: an impedance element, one end of which receives a reference bias voltage, and the other end of which is coupled to the connection part, wherein the connecting part is electrically connected to the switching circuit to provide the sensing signal to the switching circuit.

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