Patent ID: 6912613
Filing Date: 2005-06-28
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for connecting at least one function-extending module, which is detachably inserted into a module rack, to a base module capable of reproducing audio/video (AV) data to be communicated between said at least one function-extending module and the base module, the apparatus comprising: a detecting unit for detecting the installation of said at least one function-extending module in the module rack and for generating a detection signal; a switching unit for connecting the base module to said at least one function-extending module; and a control unit for controlling the switching unit so that said at least one function-extending module is connected to the base module in a daisy-chain fashion according to the detection signal from the detecting unit; wherein the base module has a port and each function-extending module has first and second ports; wherein the switching unit comprises a first switching part for selectively connecting the port of the base module to the first port of one function-extending module, and a second switching part for selectively connecting the second port of said one function-extending module to the first port of any other function-extending module; wherein the second switching part comprises n switching devices, each switching device corresponding to a given function-extending module, said each switching device comprising a common port and n−1 selection ports, one selection port for each of n−1 other switching devices; and wherein the common port of said each switching device is connected to the second port of said given function-extending module, and said n−1 selection ports of said each switching device are connected to the first port of n−1 other function-extending modules, respectively.