Patent ID: 7930463
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An information processing apparatus for communicating with an external apparatus via a predetermined communication interface including a data signal line and an insertion/removal signal line, comprising: processing means for executing an application that a user desires; communication controlling means for controlling a communication operation using the predetermined communication interface; at least two communication connectors that comply with the predetermined communication interface; an analog switch for switching between each of the at least two communication connectors and the communication controlling means, the analog switch receiving the data signal line but not the insertion/removal signal line from each of the at least two communication connectors; and interface controlling means for receiving the insertion/removal signal line from each of the at least two communication connectors, detecting whether at least one of the at least two communication connectors is enabled according to the insertion/removal signal line and providing the detection result to the processing means, and when the at least one of the at least two communication connectors is enabled, enabling the data signal line of the at least one of the at least two communication connectors by switching connection to the data signal line using the analog switch so as to cause the communication controlling means to perform communication with an external apparatus connected to the enabled communication connector, wherein the processing means controls the interface controlling means to switch the connection of the data signal line in the analog switch to connect to the communication controlling means based on an upper layer of the application which controls both the interface controlling means and the communication controlling means.