WO2004104847A2

WO2004104847A2 - Device for signal connection and energy supply for consumer electronics apparatuses

Info

Publication number: WO2004104847A2
Application number: PCT/IB2004/050713
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Wendt
Original assignee: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh; Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V.
Priority date: 2003-05-26
Filing date: 2004-05-17
Publication date: 2004-12-02
Also published as: JP2007503657A; KR20060004701A; WO2004104847A3; CN1795427A; EP1631891A2

Abstract

A system of interconnected components, wherein a component is used as a central component (100) and at least one further component is used as a peripheral unit (201, 202, 203), which system has an improved energy consumption which is alternatively achieved in that the components are connected via a standard connection (USB connection) and that the required energy for reactivation from the standby mode as well as the wake-up signal are obtained via this connection, or that the relevant socket (240, 250) of a peripheral unit (202, 203) is remote-controlled so as to reactivate the central component (100).

Description

Device for signal connection and energy supply for consumer electronics apparatuses

The invention relates to a system comprising a plurality of components which are interconnected by means of the standard USB (Universal Serial Bus) protocol for the purpose of data transmission and energy supply. The USB is an I/O interface and is widely used in the field of data processing. In addition to the function of data transmission, it is also used for current supply for connected low-power units. The host (the connection in the computer) supplies a maximal current of 500 mA at an operating voltage of 5 V. The current supply for such peripheral apparatuses is ensured by a central unit. This has the advantage that additional operating voltage switches and additional mains apparatuses can be dispensed with. The current consumption of a computer installation in the standby mode represents an essential product property. By central control of the current supply, this high current consumption can be limited to a minimum.

The USB is implemented as a combined star bus structure. The USB host adapter in the computer is at the head of this structure. Up to 127 apparatuses can be connected to it. Individual apparatuses or USB hubs can be connected to the outputs of the host adapter. Such a hub is required as a splitter for more than two USB apparatuses. In addition to the current supply, the hubs also ensure that always one USB apparatus sends its data to the host controller. All data are guided via a bidirectional pair of lines, with the addition of a mass line as well as a power supply line (+5 V). The data are transmitted differentially, which proves that the USB is robust. To connect both slower and fast apparatuses via one and the same bus, the transmission via the USB is subdivided into channels. There is a low-speed channel of up to 1.5 mbit/s (for example, for the mouse, keyboard) and a medium speed channel up to 12 mbit/s (for example for ISDN, audio) and both channels are controlled via the same interface. A high-speed channel up to 500 mbit/s (for example, for video, storage media) is also provided. Independent of the speed category of an apparatus, it is always the same four-pole plug that is used. There are differences as far as the connection cables are concerned, with high-speed apparatuses requiring a shielded and twisted cable. An unshielded and twisted cable may be used for low-speed apparatuses.

Via the USB-On-The-Go function, two end apparatuses can directly exchange their data. Normally, USB apparatuses can only be used as slaves by a host computer. With USB-On-The-Go, for example, a digital camera can send data to a printer, without interconnection of a computer. The host capabilities of the "On-The-Go" apparatuses will of course be limited to what is minimally necessary for point-to-point operation. Consequently, not every USB apparatus can autarkically communicate with any other arbitrary apparatus. US patent 6,211 ,649 B 1 discloses a USB cable for charging the battery of an external apparatus, which connects the USB port of a PC with the apparatus plug of the external apparatus and has means for charging which are arranged between the two connection plugs for charging the battery of the external apparatus, while using the power from the USB port. The USB cable is also used for data transmission in both directions between the USB port and the plug of the external apparatus. However, during actual operation of the external apparatus, namely playing of music, a loudspeaker unit is used which belongs to the apparatus or is connected to it.

Sony's MP3 player/recorder MZ - Nl is known from practice, which is provided with a USB connection for charging a battery and for the PC connection that can be handled easily. The corresponding Music Management software provides the possibility of transferring of music files from the PC to the Sony player/recorder.

Via the USB connection, this apparatus can be supplied with digital music files for storage and playing, but a conventional analog connection of the loudspeakers by means of a connection plug is to be used for listening. Japanese patent JP 10-326128 discloses a method of energy supply for an indicator apparatus by means of a USB. In this method, energy is saved by the USB supplying energy required in the energy-saving mode for the indicator apparatus. In an audio/video installation consisting of, for example, stationary apparatuses, portable apparatuses and a television apparatus, a multiple socket is generally used for dividing the mains voltage. The on/off switch or other switches of each apparatus must be operated separately, or each apparatus must be remote-controlled separately. Each of these apparatuses which have a standby mode contributes to the overall current consumption of the audio/video installation and must individually check these signals on their activity for the purpose of automatically starting the operation from the standby mode. Said apparatuses of an audio/video installation are partly connected via audio or video signal connections. Quasi-learning remote controls are known from practice, which can replace the functions of individual remote controls for the different apparatuses of an installation. For the purpose of "learning", this remote control is formed with a receiver for, for example, IR signals or radio signals. The remote control of an apparatus, whose function is to be taken over by the universal remote control, is suitably aligned with the universal remote control and is activated when it is in the "learning" mode. This means that the universal remote control is formed with a receiver which is only used for the "learning" process. The remote control for the apparatus is also required only once, namely for informing the universal remote control code used by it. In an installation comprising a plurality of apparatuses, for example, an audio/video installation, a plurality of remote controls will be redundant when a universal remote control is used. Each of these apparatuses of the installation is formed with its own remote control receiver which is reached by the signals from the universal remote control.

It is an object of the invention to provide a system having a standard connection (USB connection) for signal connection and energy supply of at least two components of the system, having an improved energy consumption. It is also an object of the invention to provide a method of energy supply for a system with a USB connection between the components, decreasing the energy consumption of the system.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system comprising at least two components which are interconnected via an analog or a digital line at least for the purpose of signal transmission, which system has an improved energy consumption.

According to the invention, the object is solved by a system of interconnected components, comprising: a standard connection (USB connection) for data transmission between the components and for energy supply of the components, wherein, alternatively, a component is: an apparatus of type a) having an operating power which is smaller than or equal to the power supplied by the standard connection, or an apparatus of type b) having an operating power which is above the power supplied by the standard connection, a component of type b) is used as a central component in the system, at least one further component of type a) or b) is used as a peripheral unit, means, comprised by the central component, for controlling the data transmission between the interconnected components and for controlling their energy supply, and a standby device for the central component.

In the standby mode, the current consumption of an apparatus is reduced, for example, by separating the power supply, the EHT of a television or the drive for the spindle of a CD player from the operating voltage. Each individual apparatus formed with a standby device also consumes current in the standby mode because the apparatus must respond to the conditions for reactivation. A condition for reactivation is, for example, the occurrence of a remote control signal. This means that the remote control receiver is connected at regular intervals or constantly to a power supply voltage so that it consumes energy. It is alternatively possible, for example, to press the play key of an audio apparatus or actuate the program selection key of the television apparatus. The invention is based on the recognition that the power supply voltage for reactivation from the standby mode of a component of a system can be provided by means of a standard connection via this component, independent of the fact whether the operating power of the component is above or below the power of the standard connection.

In one embodiment of the invention, the central component comprises, in addition to the standby device, a receiver for the signals from a remote control. In accordance with a learning process as occurring, for example, in learning universal remote controls, the central component "knows" the different remote control codes of the peripheral units connected thereto. For this purpose, the actual remote control associated with the peripheral components is aligned with a relevant receiver (for example, infrared diode) of the central unit and is actuated while the receiver is in the learning mode. The functions of the original remote control can thus be copied to the universal remote control. The programmable remote control ProntoNeo SBCRU930 of Philips with a touch screen and a graphic face is known from practice. After receiving the activation signal for a given peripheral unit, this unit is "woken up" or reactivated by the central component via the standard connection. In order to render this possible, the central component is connected directly or indirectly to all peripheral units of the system so that the signal processing and energy supply can be realized via the standard connection and thus the activation signal of the remote control can also be sent to the corresponding apparatus. This means that a standby mode for a plurality of components is realized in the system according to the invention, although only the one standby device of the central component consumes current.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the central component is an audio amplifier. In this case, an apparatus of, for example, type a) is a portable CD player and an apparatus of type b) is, for example, a TV or a video recorder. An audio amplifier has a device for selecting the source, i.e. the component whose audio signals are to be transmitted to the loudspeaker unit. The advantage of using a USB connection as compared with analog connections is that the peripheral component does not only transmit the audio signal but, when the peripheral unit is provided with a corresponding signal processing device, also a control signal can be transmitted to the audio amplifier after pressing the play key so that it automatically adjusts the source selection. Further possibilities of source selection are provided by the remote control or by an entry field on the central component.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of loudspeakers is connected to the audio amplifier. Two loudspeakers are sufficient for simple audio reproduction. For enhanced acoustic effects, a plurality of loudspeakers is required, which must be controlled accordingly by the audio amplifier. In the system according to the invention, comprising interconnected components and a standard connection for data transmission, the corresponding source may transmit a control signal to the audio amplifier for the purpose of optimally controlling the loudspeakers. The manual selection by the user of the apparatus, and thus a source of errors, can then be dispensed with.

As regards the system comprising at least two components which are interconnected via analog or digital lines at least for the purpose of data transmission and having an improved energy consumption, the object according to the invention is solved in that both the component used as a central component and the at least one further component used as a peripheral unit are of type b) and are each connected via a socket to the mains from which they get their operating power, and in that the sockets or the mains switches of the peripheral unit or units are remote-controlled. The mains switch is preferably arranged in the corresponding socket but may also be a part of the current cable or arranged in the peripheral apparatus. The central component controls the mains switches and the socket in such a way that the peripheral unit is connected to the mains again when the operator generates a corresponding reactivation signal. The preferred variant has the advantage that the quiescent current consumption can also be lowered or avoided in apparatus which are not provided with a USB connection. An apparatus of type a) is a portable apparatus such as, for example, a portable

CD player, a walkman, or a game console.

An apparatus of type b) is a stationary apparatus such as, for example, a CD player, a CD recorder, a DVD player, a video recorder, a cassette deck, a laser video disc player, a magnetic tape apparatus, or a radio. In a further embodiment of the invention, one headphone per radio link is connected to the central component, and is controlled by the host device.

In accordance with an embodiment, the host device of the system according to the invention comprises a sound card and a controller. The central component is thus distinguished from conventional audio amplifiers. According to the invention, the object is also solved by a method of energy supply for a system of interconnected components, comprising a standard connection (USB connection) between the components for the purpose of signal processing and energy supply, wherein alternatively, a component is - an apparatus of type a) having an operating power which is smaller than or equal to the power supplied by the standard connection, or an apparatus of type b) having an operating power which is above the power supplied by the standard connection, - a component of type b) is used as a central component in the system, at least one further component of type a) or b) is used as a peripheral unit, and the central component comprises a standby device sending a wake-up signal to a given peripheral unit when the wake-up signal for this peripheral unit is received by the central component. The wake-up signal is generated by the user, for example, via the remote control associated with the system or by actuating the corresponding switch for selecting the source to be activated. The standby device of the central component thus regularly or constantly checks whether the user has generated a wake-up signal.

Both systems according to the invention can be used in an audio/video installation comprising consumer electronics apparatuses such as, for example, a home cinema.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the apparatus, which can be connected to a system according to the invention, is provided with a USB bus, or the apparatus comprises means for receiving or transmitting commands and audio streams in accordance with the USB standard. The invention is based on the recognition that only one cable instead of an analog normal cable is required in digital transmission, which simplifies the cable connection system and results in reduced costs by mounting a smaller number of buses on the housing of the apparatus.

The standards known in the field of data processing are adapted to a system in which the end of a transmitted data unit is already known in advance. Audio streams should be treated differently because they have unknown ends.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a system according to the invention for signal processing and energy supply, and

Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically a system according to the invention of interconnected components, each being connected to the mains via a socket.

The central component 100 comprises: a standby power supply 110 connected to the mains via a socket 120, - a remote control receiver 130 comprising, for example, an infrared diode 140, an amplifier device 150 connected via a USB hub 180 to a plurality of outputs Audio-Out AOi, AO₂ ... AO;, a device 160 rendering the central component 100 suitable as a host, a USB port 170 of type A representing the Audio-In input to which the one or more peripheral units 201, 202, 203 are connected.

The Figure shows by way of example how two or more loudspeakers L], L₂ ... Lj are connected to the central component 100 via a USB connection 180. The HUB 180 required for splitting the USB may be a separate apparatus or may be integrated in the central component 100 or one or more of the loudspeakers L_ls L₂ ... Lj. In a particularly advantageous manner, a HUB is arranged in one of the loudspeakers on the front side of a conventional home cinema system, i.e. in the left loudspeaker, the right loudspeaker, the center or the woofer channel, and a further HUB is arranged on the rear side, i.e. in the rear loudspeaker or in a woofer channel. The current supply for active loudspeakers cannot be realized via the USB because the available 2.5 W are usually not sufficient. To indicate the flexibility of the system, a headphone amplifier is shown in broken lines. However, a transmitter for a wireless headphone may be alternatively connected to the USB, in which case 2.5 W is sufficient for its supply.

The USB standard provides the possibility of flexible use because all USB connections offer the same possibilities in the central component 100. The user thus no longer needs to decide which bus is to be connected to which apparatus because the central component 100 can determine via the Plug-and-Play protocol fixed in the USB which apparatus can be reached with which connection.

The number of connected apparatuses 201, 202, 203 can be adjusted and managed in accordance with the possibilities provided by the central component 100. One or more peripheral units 201, 202, 203 can be connected, and when more than one component is used, a hub or another amplifier device is required at the USB port. A USB cable 301, 302, 303 is used for digital transmission of music (Audio-In) from the peripheral components 201, 202, 203 to the central component 100, as well as for transmitting a wake-up signal from the central component 100 to the relevant peripheral apparatus 201, 202, 203. It is also possible to send control signals from the peripheral unit 201, 202, 203 to the central component 100, for example, information about the play key being pressed on the peripheral apparatus 201, 202, 203, so that the host device 160 of the central component 100 automatically sets the source selection to this peripheral apparatus. The peripheral units 201 , 202, 203 have a USB port 210, 220, 230 of type B.

The central component 100 controls the loudspeakers Lj, L₂, ... L, in accordance with the acoustical properties of the source, i.e. the peripheral unit 201, 202, 203. When the source provides the possibility of, for example, surround sound, five loudspeakers each having a power of about 50 watts and one bass reflex subwoofer having a power of about 250 watts are controlled. In one embodiment of the invention, the device 160 rendering the central component 100 suitable as a host comprises a sound card.

Alternatively, the peripheral units may be of: type a) with an operating power which is smaller than or equal to the power provided by the standard connection, or - type b) with a power which is above the power supplied by the standard connection.

In this embodiment, the peripheral unit 201 is of type a) and is supplied with the operating power via the USB standard connection. The operating power provided via the known USB standard connection is currently about 2.5 W at +5 V max. In this embodiment, the peripheral units 202 and 203 are apparatuses of type b) each being connected via a socket 240, 250 to the mains for the purpose of power supply.

In the standby mode, the peripheral unit 202, 203 is separated from the mains, which is illustrated by the switch 204 and the switch 205. In the system according to the invention, having an improved energy consumption, the bidirectional property of the USB standard connection is utilized so as to send a wake-up signal to the corresponding peripheral unit 202, 203 from the host central component 100, when this unit is to be reactivated from the standby mode. The user generates the wake-up signal, for example, by means of the remote control. In a preferred embodiment, one and the same remote control receiver 130 is used for all components connected to the system. After connection of a peripheral unit, the remote control receiver 130 of the central component 100 must therefore learn the code which is valid for this connected peripheral unit. The wake-up signal is processed in the peripheral unit 202, 203 in such a way that it is connected to the mains via the mains switch 204 or 205. When music is to be played by means of an audio installation, the audio amplifier is connected to the mains anyway, because it controls the loudspeakers.

According to the invention, the standby power supply 110 of this central component 100 is used for the energy supply when performing a wake-up process. Also when the operating power of a peripheral unit of type b) is above the power supplied by the USB connection, it may be sufficient to control, for example, a relay which is used as a mains switch 204, 205.

The central component 100 is assigned to an individual remote control receiver 120 which is used for a plurality of components of the system.

Fig. 2 shows diagrammatically a system according to the invention, comprising interconnected components 202, 203 each being connected to the mains via a socket 240, 250. The peripheral units 202, 203 are connected to the central component 100 via an analog or digital line 501, 502. The peripheral units 202, 203 can each be separated from the mains via a mains switch 204, 205. Each switch 204, 205 can be controlled by the central component 100, which is denoted by the broken lines 401 and 402, respectively. It may be either a separate control line, or the connection 501, 502 is used, for example, when it is a USB connection. The mains switch 204, 205 is closed when the corresponding peripheral apparatus 202, 203 is to be reactivated from the standby mode. The user generates the reactivation signal, for example, by actuating the remote control or by selecting the corresponding source from a field 400 for source selection. The central component 100 gets the energy for generating the wake-up signal from the mains via a socket 120. Alternatively, an accumulator or battery may ensure the energy supply.

The system according to the invention has the advantage that the connection of the individual components 100, 201, 202, 203 is simplified and the overall installation has an improved cabling. Conventional USB cables 301, 302, 303 can be used for building up the system according to the invention. The central component 100 has a bus of type A 170 for downstreaming. In a corresponding manner, the peripheral apparatuses are provided with a bus of type B 210, 220, 230 for the purpose of upstreaming. In summary, the invention relates to a system of interconnected components, wherein one component is used as a central component (100) and at least one further component is used as a peripheral unit (201, 202, 203), which system has an improved energy consumption which is alternatively achieved in that the components are connected via a standard connection (USB connection) and that the required energy for reactivation from the standby mode as well as the wake-up signal are obtained via this connection, or that the relevant socket (240, 250) of a peripheral unit (202, 203) is remote-controlled so as to reactivate the central component (100).

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system of interconnected components (100, 201, 202, 203), comprising: a standard connection (USB connection) (301, 302, 303) for data transmission between the components and for energy supply of the components, wherein, alternatively, a component is: an apparatus (201) of type a) having an operating power which is smaller than or equal to the power supplied by the standard connection, or an apparatus (202, 203) of type b) having an operating power which is above the power supplied by the standard connection, - a component of type b) used as a central component (100) in the system, at least one further component (201, 202, 203) of type a) or b) used as a peripheral unit, characterized in that the central component (100) comprises: means (160) for controlling the data transmission between the interconnected components and for controlling their energy supply, and - a standby device (110).

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the central component

(100) comprises a receiver (130) for the signals from a remote control (500).

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central component (100) is an audio amplifier.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that a plurality of loudspeakers (Li, L₂ ... L_y) is connected to the audio amplifier (100).

5. A system comprising at least two components (100, 202, 203) which are interconnected via analog or digital lines (501, 502,) at least for the purpose of data transmission, wherein the components (100, 202, 203) are of type b) and are connected via a socket (120, 240, 250) to the mains from which they get their operating power, characterized in that the system comprises a component used as a central component (100) and one or more components used as peripheral units (202, 203), and in that the sockets (240, 250) or the mains switches (204, 205) of the peripheral units (202, 203) are remote-controlled.

6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus of type a) is a portable apparatus such as, for example, a portable CD player, a walkman, or a game console.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus of type b) is a stationary apparatus such as a CD player, a CD recorder, a DVD player, a video recorder, a cassette deck, a laser video disc player, a magnetic tape apparatus, or a radio.

8. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one headphone per radio link is connected to the central component (100).

9. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the host device (160) comprises a sound card and a controller.

10. A method of energy supply for a system of interconnected components, comprising a standard connection (USB connection) between the components for the purpose of signal processing and energy supply, wherein, alternatively, a component is: an apparatus (201) of type a) having an operating power which is smaller than or equal to the power supplied by the standard connection, or an apparatus (100, 202, 203) of type b) having an operating power which is above the power supplied by the standard connection, a component of type b) is used as a central component (100) in the system, at least one further component of type a) or b) is used as a peripheral unit (201, 202, 203), characterized in that the central component (100) comprises a standby device (110) sending a wake-up signal to a given peripheral unit (201, 202, 203) when the wake-up signal for this peripheral unit (201, 202, 203) is received by the central component (100).

11. Use of a system of interconnected components, particularly a system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, as an audio/video installation comprising consumer electronics apparatuses (201, 202, 203).

12. An apparatus suitable for playing and/or reading audio files stored on a storage medium, and being a component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the housing of the apparatus (201, 202, 203) is provided with a USB bus, or the apparatus comprises means for receiving or transmitting commands and audio streams in accordance with the USB standard.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that it is an apparatus (201, 202, 203) from the group of portable CD players, walkmans, game consoles, CD recorders, DVD players, video recorders, cassette decks, laser video disc players, magnetic tape apparatuses, or radios.