Abstract:
An adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a power supply line to be connected to an external power supply; a first connector including a plurality of terminals; and a second connector including a first terminal connected to at least one of the plurality of terminals of the first connector and a second terminal connected to the power supply line. The adaptor realizes the connection between an external device and a wireless USB module.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an adaptor interposed between devices, and to a wireless communication module. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Along with advances in computer technologies, a performance of an external device (such as printer, an input device, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like) has been enhanced. The computer and the external device are connected together through a communication cable conforming to a corresponding data communication standard. Many data communication standards have been hitherto proposed. In particular, a USB (Universal Serial Bus)—compliant connection system of the external device has been widely employed. 
         [0005]    Incidentally, the communication cable is not always necessary for a user although being necessary for connecting devices. This is because the communication cable would be an obstacle to improvements in portability and simplicity of a device. 
         [0006]    A connector shape, layout of terminals, and terminal functions are prescribed by the data communication standards. Some of the data communication standards do not stipulate that a connector should be furnished with a power supply input terminal. If no power is supplied from a main apparatus to a wireless communication module, a power supply or a power cable should be additionally provided to the wireless communication module. In such cases, usability of the wireless communication module is lowered. 
         [0007]    For example, Japanese Utility Model Registration Application No. 2003-2702 discloses a relay connector for connecting between an external device and a main apparatus based on serial ATA standards. In the relay connector conforming to the serial ATA standards, a signal section and a power supply section are physically separated. The signal section and the power supply section are fixed to each other by means of a bonding member but are not physically configured as one terminal. The power supply section only outputs power supplied from the external device based on the serial ATA standards. Hence, a power supply should be additionally provided to the external device as before. In short, power cannot be supplied from a main body to the external device through the power supply section of the relay connector. 
         [0008]    As described above, in the wireless communication module of the related art, if the data communication standard and the like disallow power supply from the main apparatus, a power supply unit should be additionally provided to the wireless communication module, and usability of the wireless communication module is lowered. 
         [0009]    Incidentally, a connector shape or the like varies depending on data communication standards. However, in general, a predetermined development period is necessary to change the connector shape or the like. Thus, the connector specifications could not be changed as soon as the data communication standard is changed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In one embodiment, an adaptor to be interposed between a first device and a second device, the adaptor includes a power supply line to be connected to an external power supply; a first connector including a plurality of terminals; and a second connector including a first terminal connected to at least one of the plurality of terminals of the first connector and a second terminal connected to the power supply line. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, a wireless communication module includes a communication module to communicate with a first device by radio; and an adaptor to connect the communication module with a second device, the adaptor comprises a power supply line to be connected to an external power supply; a first connector including a plurality of terminals and to be connected to the second device; and a second connector to be connected to the communication module, the second connector including a first terminal connected to at least one of the plurality of terminals of the first connector and a second terminal connected to the power supply line. 
         [0012]    In still another embodiment, an adaptor to be interposed between a first device and a communication module to enable signal transmission between the first device and the communication module, the adaptor comprises a power supply line to be connected to an external power supply; a first connector including a plurality of terminals and to be connected to a first device; and a second connector to be connected to the communication module, the second connector including a first terminal connected to at least one of the plurality of terminals of the first connector and a second terminal connected to the power supply line 
         [0013]    According to the above embodiments, power is transferable to an external device (the first device or the second device) through the second terminal included in the second connector. And, usability such as portability of the external device can be improved. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of an outer appearance of a data-communication adaptor according to a first embodiment to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view of a connector of the data-communication adaptor of the first embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view of the connector of the data-communication adaptor of the first embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view of a connector of an external device of the first embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a schematic plan view of a connector of a wireless communication module of the first embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an internal configuration of the wireless communication module of the first embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an internal configuration of a wireless communication module according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an internal configuration of a wireless communication module according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    The invention will be now described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many alternative embodiments can be accomplished using the teachings of the present invention and that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated for explanatory purposes. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , a wireless communication module according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described.  FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of the wireless communication module.  FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view of a connector of a data-communication adaptor.  FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view of the connector of the data-communication adaptor.  FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view of a connector of an external device.  FIG. 5  is a schematic plan view of a connector of the wireless communication module.  FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an internal configuration of the wireless communication module. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a wireless communication module  1  includes a wireless USB module  10  and an adaptor  11 . 
         [0026]    The wireless USB module  10  performs wireless communications based on various data communication standards. The wireless USB module  10  performs wireless communications based on USB standard. In this embodiment, the wireless USB module  10  and the adaptor  11  constitute the wireless communication module  1 . 
         [0027]    The wireless USB module  10  has various functional parts such as a control circuit or an interface similar to general modules. Incidentally, detailed description of its configuration is omitted here. The wireless USB module  10  includes a connector (module side connector)  101 . The connector  101  is a module side connector, and its configuration differs from a general connector configuration compliant with the USB standard. 
         [0028]    The adaptor  11  is connected to an external device  20  and the wireless USB module  10 . The adaptor  11  is a data-communication adaptor to realize data communications between the external device  20  and the wireless USB module  10 . The adaptor  11  includes a connector (first connector)  111  and a connector (second connector)  112 , which have different configurations as described later. 
         [0029]    The external device  20  is a device such as a hard disk drive, a printer, a scanner, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, which can perform communications based on the USB standards. The external device  20  includes a connector (device side connector)  201 . The connector  201  is a device side connector connectable with a external device through a general USB cable or the like. That is, the connector  201  has the configuration based on the USB standard. 
         [0030]    As described above, the connector  101  does not have the configuration based on the USB standard. On the other hand, the connector  201  has the configuration based on the USB standard. Thus, in this embodiment, the external device  20  cannot be directly connected to the wireless USB module  10 . Therefore, the external device  20  and the wireless USB module  10  need to be connected via the adaptor  11 . Incidentally, it is assumed that the external device  20  is equipped with a power supply unit (not shown) which supplies power independently of the wireless communication module  1 . 
         [0031]    The main apparatus  21  is a device such as a general PC (Personal Computer), a cell phone, a portable terminal device, or the like, which can perform communications based on the USB standards. The main apparatus  21  includes a wireless USB module communicable with the wireless USB module  10 . Further, a module (not shown) similar to the above wireless USB module  10  may be connected to a connector (not shown) of the main apparatus  21  to thereby establish communications between the main apparatus  21  and the wireless USB module  10 . 
         [0032]    The wireless communication module  1  is attached to the external device  20 . The adaptor  11  is previously attached to the wireless USB module  10 . 
         [0033]    The connector  101  of the wireless USB module  10  is plugged in the connector  112  of the adaptor  11 . Further, the connector  111  of the adaptor  11  is plugged in the connector  201  of the external device  20 . The data communications can be performed between the wireless USB module  10  and the external device  20 . The wireless communication module  1 , which is connected to the external device  20 , communicates with the main apparatus  21  by radio. Then, the external device  20  performs wireless data communications with the main apparatus  21  through the wireless communication module  1 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and optionally to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the configuration of the adaptor  11  is described in detail. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the adaptor  11  includes a power supply adaptor  113 , a power cable  114 , and a housing  115  as well as the connector  111  and the connector  112 . 
         [0036]    The connector  111  has the configuration based on the USB standard.  FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view of the connector  111 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the connector  111  is a B-plug connector prescribed by the USB standard. 
         [0037]    More specifically, the connector  111  includes power supply input terminals  311  and  312 , and signal terminals  321  and  322  prescribed by the USB standard. The power supply input terminals  311  and  312 , and the signal terminals  321  and  322  are arranged on an inner wall surface of a resin portion  33 . The resin portion  33  has an insulating property. Further, the resin portion  33  is surrounded by a metal shield  34 . In other words, the resin portion  33  is provided along an inner wall surface of the metal shield  34 . A hollow portion is defined in the resin portion  33  so as to receive the B-receptacle connector. The terminals  311 ,  312 ,  321 , and  322  are exposed at the inner wall surface of the hollow portion. The metal shield  34  is fixed to a casing  35 . 
         [0038]    The connector  112  has a configuration different from the configuration compliant with the USB standard.  FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view of the connector  112 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the connector  112  is an extended one of the B-receptacle connector prescribed by the USB standard. To be specific, the connector  112  includes an additional terminal other than the configuration of the B-receptacle connector prescribed by the USB standard. 
         [0039]    More specifically, the connector  112  includes power supply input terminals  413 ,  414 ,  415 , and  416  as additional terminals other than the power supply input terminals  411  and  412 , and the signal terminals  421  and  422 . The power supply input terminals  411  and  412  are provided on an upper surface of the resin portion  43 , and the signal terminals  421  and  422  are provided on a lower surface of the resin portion  43 . The resin portion  43  is an insulative portion surrounded by the metal shield  44 . 
         [0040]    The power supply input terminals  415  and  416  are provided on a side surface of the resin portion  43 . The power supply input terminals  413  and  414  are provided on an inner wall surface of the metal shield  44 . A slot that can receive the B-plug connector is formed between the resin portion  43  and the metal shield  44 . The terminals  411  to  416 ,  421 , and  422  are exposed at each surface. The metal shield  44  is fixed to the casing  45 . 
         [0041]    The power supply adaptor  113  has a plug that is to be inserted to a general socket. The power cable  114  electrically connects the power supply adaptor  113  and the connector  112 . In other words, the power supply adaptor  113  and the power cable  114  constitute a power supply unit for supplying power. The housing  115  shields terminals of the connectors  111  and  112  from the outside and protects connection portions between the terminals and the power cable  114  against damage. 
         [0042]    The adaptor  11  has the following connection structure in the housing  115 . That is, the power supply input terminals  311  and  312  of the connector  111  are connected to the power supply input terminals  411  and  412  of the connector  112 , respectively. The signal terminals  321  and  322  of the connector  111  are connected with the signal terminals  421  and  422  of the connector  112 , respectively. The power supply input terminals  413  to  416  of the connector  112  are connected to a plug of the power supply adaptor  113  through the power cable  114 . 
         [0043]    Subsequently, physical configurations of the connector  101  of the wireless USB module  10  and the connector  201  of the external device  20  are described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view of the connector  101  of the wireless USB module  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the connector  101  is an extended one of the B-plug connector prescribed by the USB standard. To be specific, the connector  101  includes an additional terminal other than the configuration of the B-plug connector prescribed by the USB standard. 
         [0045]    More specifically, the connector  101  includes power input terminals  313 ,  314 ,  315 , and  316  as additional terminals other than the power supply input terminals  311  and  312 , and the signal terminals  321  and  322  prescribed by the USB standard. The power supply input terminals  311  and  312 , and the signal terminals  321  and  322  are arranged on an inner wall surface of the resin portion  33 . The power input terminals  313  and  314  are provided on upper and lower outer wall surfaces of the resin portion  33 . The power input terminals  315  and  316  are arranged on an inner wall surface of the resin portion  33 . The resin portion  33  is surrounded by the metal shield  34 . A hollow portion is defined in the resin portion  33  so as to receive the B-receptacle connector. The terminals  311  to  316 ,  321 , and  322  are exposed at each surface. The metal shield  34  is fixed to the casing  35 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a schematic plan view of the connector  201  of the external device  20 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the connector  201  is a B-receptacle connector prescribed by the USB standard. 
         [0047]    To be specific, the connector  201  includes power input terminals  411  and  412 , and signal terminals  421  and  422 . The power input terminals  411  and  412  are provided on an upper surface of the resin portion  43 . The signal terminals  421  and  422  are provided on a lower surface of the resin portion  43 . The resin portion  43  is surrounded by the metal shield  44 . A slot that receives the B-plug connector is formed between the resin portion  43  and the metal shield  44 . The terminals  411 ,  412 ,  421 , and  422  are exposed at each surface. The metal shield  44  is fixed to the casing  45 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , electrical configuration of the wireless communication module  1  is described next.  FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the internal configuration of the wireless communication module  1 . Incidentally, in the illustrated example of  FIG. 6 , power is input/output along directions indicated by the black solid arrows. Further, signals are input/output upon data transmission from the main apparatus  21  to the external device  20  along directions indicated by arrows other than the black solid arrows. Incidentally, in the case of transmitting data from the external device  20  to the main apparatus  21 , the data is transmitted in opposite direction. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the connector  201  of the external device  20  is connected to the connector  111  of the adaptor  11 . To be specific, the power input terminals  411  and  412  of the connector  201  are connected to the power supply input terminals  311  and  312  of the connector  111 , respectively. The signal terminals  421  and  422  of the connector  201  are connected to the signal terminals  321  and  322  of the connector  111 , respectively. 
         [0050]    The connector  101  of the wireless USB module  10  is connected to the connector  112  of the adaptor  11 . To be specific, the power supply input terminals  311  and  312  of the connector  101  are connected to the power input terminals  411  and  412  of the connector  112 , respectively. The power input terminals  313  to  316  of the connector  101  are connected to the power supply input terminals  411  to  416  of the connector  112 , respectively. The signal terminals  321  and  322  of the connector  101  are connected to the signal terminals  421  and  422  of the connector  112 , respectively. 
         [0051]    Further, in the adaptor  11 , the terminals  311 ,  312 ,  321 , and  322  of a first connector  111  are connected to the terminals  411 ,  412 ,  421 , and  422  of a second connector  112 , respectively through lines  511  to  514 . 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the power cable  114  includes power supply lines  523 ,  524 ,  525 , and  526  connected to the plug of the power supply adaptor  113 . The power supply lines  523  to  526  are connected to the power supply input terminals  413  to  416  of the connector  112 , respectively. 
         [0053]    The wireless USB module  10  performs the following operations. When the plug of the power supply adaptor  113  is inserted to a power receptacle, power is supplied to the wireless communication module  10  through the adaptor  11 . The power supplied via the plug of the power supply adaptor  113  is transferred to the power supply input terminals  413  to  416  of the connector  112  through the power supply lines  523  to  526 . The power supply input terminals  313  to  316  of the connector  101  are supplied with the power output from the power supply input terminals  413  to  416  of the connector  112 . As a result, the power is supplied to the wireless USB module  10 , and the wireless USB module  10  is ready for operation. Incidentally, in this example, the power supply input terminals  411  and  412  of the connector  201  are not used. Thus, the external device  20  does not supply power to the wireless USB module  10 . 
         [0054]    The wireless USB module  10  establishes communications between the external device  20  and the main apparatus  21  as follows. 
         [0055]    The main apparatus  21  transmits data to the wireless USB module  10 . The wireless USB module  10  outputs data to the connector  112  of the adaptor  11  from the signal terminals  321  and  322 . The data output from the wireless USB module  10  is input to the signal terminals  421  and  422  of the connector  112 . Then, the connector  111  outputs the input data from the signal terminals  321  and  322 . The output data is input to the signal terminals  421  and  422  of the connector  201  of the external device  20 . Hence, data can be transmitted from the main apparatus  21  to the external device  20 . 
         [0056]    The external device  20  outputs data to the wireless USB module  10 . The data output from the external device  20  is input to the adaptor  11  through the signal terminals  321  and  322  of the connector  111 . The adaptor  11  outputs the data input from the external device  20  through the signal terminals  421  and  422  of the connector  112 . The wireless USB module  10  accepts the data from the adaptor  11  through the signal terminals  321  and  322  of the connector  101 . In this way, the external device  20  can transmit data to the main apparatus  21 . 
         [0057]    As described above, in the wireless communication module  1  of this embodiment, the adaptor  11  supplies power to the wireless USB module  10 . Hence, it is unnecessary to provide the wireless USB module  10  with a power supply unit, so portability (ease of transport) of the wireless USB module  10  is improved. 
         [0058]    Incidentally, the connector  201  of the external device  20  can be arbitrarily configured. Even if the connector configuration of the external device  20  is changed, the adaptor  11  can follow the change with ease. Thus, it is possible to prevent deterioration in usability of the wireless USB module  10 . To be specific, a connector having the same configuration as that of the connector  112  of  FIG. 3  may be provided to the external device  20 . That is, the adaptor  11  can suit to not only the external device  20  of the connector  201  but also the external device  20  of the connector  112  of  FIG. 3 . In this case, the wireless USB module  10  can be directly connected to the connector of the external device  20  not through the adaptor  11 . 
         [0059]    Further, the wireless USB module  10  can be provided at a low price. In general, a manufacturer of the wireless USB module  10  needs to sell the wireless USB module  10  and an external power supply device that supplies power thereto (a power supply adaptor, a battery, or the like) as a pair. The adaptor  11  of this embodiment can supply power to the wireless USB module  10 , so the power supply adaptor can be omitted. Therefore, the wireless USB module  10  can be provided at a low price, and a user can purchase a low-priced module. Further, since the adaptor  11  conforms to the USB standard, the user can purchase the wireless USB module  10  regardless of a manufacturer. Hence, the user can buy a new wireless USB module  10  with ease. 
         [0060]    Further, a developer of the wireless USB module  10  can save development costs of the wireless USB module  10 . In general, if a power supply adaptor supplying power to the wireless USB module  10  needs to be additionally provided, components connected to the power supply adaptor should be held in the wireless USB module  10 . Hence, development costs of the wireless USB module  10  increase. In contrast, the power supply adaptor is unnecessary for the adaptor  11  of this embodiment, so it is unnecessary to hold the components connected to the power supply adaptor. As a result, cost increases can be suppressed. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0061]    In the first embodiment, the adaptor  11  only supplies power to the wireless USB module  10 . In contrast, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the adaptor  11  supplies power to the external device  20  as well as the wireless USB module  10 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the internal configuration of the wireless communication module  1  of the second embodiment. Incidentally, in the illustrated example of  FIG. 7 , power input/output is indicated by the solid black arrows, and signal input/output is indicated by arrows other than the solid black arrows. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , in the adaptor  11  of this embodiment, the power cables  523  and  524  are connected to the power supply input terminal  312  of the connector  111 . The power cables  525  and  526  are connected to the power supply input terminal  311  of the connector  111 . 
         [0064]    In such configuration, power supplied from the power supply adaptor  113  is output from the power supply input terminals  311  to  312  of the connector  111  through the power supply lines  523  to  526 . The power output from the connector  111  is connected to the power supply input terminals  411  and  412  of the connector  201 . As a result, the external device  20  can operate in accordance with the power supplied through the adaptor  11 . 
         [0065]    As described above, according to this embodiment, the power supply input terminals  411  and  412  of the connector  201  can be effectively used, and it is possible to respond to the case where external device  20  includes no power supply unit. Thus, usability such as portability of the external device  20  can be improved. 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0066]    In the second embodiment, the adaptor  11  directly supplies power to the external device  20 . In contrast, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the adaptor  11  supplies power to the external device  20  through the wireless USB module  10 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of the internal configuration of the wireless communication module  1  of this embodiment. Incidentally, in the illustrate example of  FIG. 8 , power input/output is indicated by the solid black arrows, and signal input/output is indicated by arrows other than the solid black arrows. 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the adaptor  11  of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the adaptor  11  of the first embodiment. In contrast, the wireless USB module  10  includes a module substrate  102  in addition to the connector  101 . The module substrate  102  is connected to the power supply input terminals  311  to  316  of the connector  101 . To elaborate, the power supply input terminals  313  and  314  are connected to the power supply input terminal  311  through the module substrate  102 . The power supply input terminals  315  and  316  are connected to the power supply input terminal  312  through the module substrate  102 . 
         [0069]    In such configuration, power is supplied to the external device  20  through the wireless USB module  10 . More specifically, the power supplied from the power supply adaptor  113  is output from the power supply input terminals  413  to  416  of the connector  112  through the power supply lines  523  to  526 . The output power is input to the power supply input terminals  313  to  316  of the connector  101 . The input power is applied from the connector  101  to the module substrate  102  through the power supply input terminals  313  to  316 . The module substrate  102  outputs the power to the connector  101 . 
         [0070]    The output power from the module substrate  102  is input from the power supply input terminals  311  and  312  of the connector  101  to the power supply input terminals  411  and  412  of the connector  112 . The input power is supplied to the connector  111  through the lines  513  and  514 . The connector  111  outputs power from the power supply input terminals  311  and  312 . The output power is input to the external device  20  via the power supply input terminals  411  and  412  of the connector  201 . Hence, the external device  20  is supplied with power and can operate. 
         [0071]    As described above, according to this embodiment, the power supply input terminals  311  and  312  of the connector  101  can be effectively used, and it is possible to respond to the case where the external device  20  includes no power supply unit. As a result, usability such as portability of the external device  20  can be improved. 
         [0072]    Incidentally, the first and second embodiments describe an example where the external device  20  communicates with the wireless USB module  10  by use of the adaptor  11 . The adaptor  11  is applicable to the main apparatus  21  as well as the external device  20 . Incidentally, any other pair of plug connector and receptacle connector can be used as long as the adaptor  11  can supply power to the wireless USB module. 
         [0073]    Incidentally, in the second embodiment, power is supplied to the external device  20  through the adaptor  11 . Moreover, in the third embodiment, power is supplied to the external device  20  through the adaptor  11  and the wireless USB module  10  in this order. A power supply path is not limited to the above, and power may be supplied to the external device  20  through the adaptor  11 . The second and third embodiments may be combined. 
         [0074]    It is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments but may be modified and changed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.