Patent Publication Number: US-2015067228-A1

Title: Universal serial bus device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
     The present invention relates to the field of electronic communications, and more particularly, to a multi-functional Universal Serial Bus device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Universal Serial Bus (referred to as USB) was a data transmission bus originally advocated by Intel, Microsoft, Compad, IBM, NEC and several other major vendors. As its biggest feature is the ability to support Hot-plug and Plug &amp; Play“, the usage of USB is far more convenient than the PCI bus and the ISA bus. According to the standard definition of USB, the USB devices are divided into a USB host and USB slave. USB hosts include examples such as personal computers, whereas USB slaves include examples such as hard drives, personal digital assistants, digital cameras, printers, USB flash drives, and so on. Data transmission can only be realized when a USB host is connected to a USB slave. In illustrating such a model, the personal computer would be regarded as the Host device, while other device/s connected to that particular computer would be regarded as the slave/s. 
     The development of USB technology has enabled personal computers and peripheral devices to connect with devices having various data transfer speed through simple methods and modest manufacturing costs. The aforementioned applications are connected to personal computers via USB, with the data exchange done through the control of personal computers. However, as there is no device that can serve as a host like a personal computer (Host), once the personal computers are not used, this t convenient exchange among various devices will be unable to operate through the USB port. 
     The goal of OTG (USB On-The-Go) controller is to enable data transfer among devices in the absence of a Host. For example, by connecting two devices at the USB port through an OTG controller, a digital camera can be directly connected to the printer, and the captured images can instantly be printed as photos. Likewise, the data in the digital camera can also be sent to the flash drive at the USB port or SD cards through the OTG controller. Hence, bringing a portable computer for field or outdoor operation will no longer be necessary. 
     Apart from transferring data from the Host, regular USBs also possess a function of charging the portable devices through the Host or external power supply. In comparison, the USB with OTG controller cannot function as power cords. When a portable device needs to be recharged from an external power supply, the USB cannot be used for recharging. Rather, it would be necessary to replace the power cord, which complicates the operation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to solve the technical defects that USBs with OTG controller cannot be used as charging cords, providing a USB device with both the roles of a charging cord and OTG functionality. The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: a Universal Serial Bus device, comprising 
     an OTG controller used for connecting two external devices for data exchange;
 
a first plug used for insertion of the first external device;
 
a second plug used for insertion of the second external device, in which the OTG controller that connects with the first plug and the second plug;
 
wherein the Universal Serial Bus device also comprises a switching device that is used for controlling the connection of the first plug and the second plug, and performing data processing through the OTG controller.
 
     In this invention, the term “plug” refers to the various connection ports that connect two devices. For instance, in one embodiment, the first plug can be a UBS port, and the second plug can be an SD card reader. In another embodiment, the first plug can be an SD card reader, whereas the second plug can be an UBS port. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, the OTG controller is connected with the first plug and the second plug through a first data cable and a second data cable respectively; a socket used for tight connection with the first plug and the second plug in a snap-in manner is mounted on the OTG controller, and wherein the socket comprises an insertion slot and a sealing gasket. Preferably, the socket comprises an extension arm, and engaging holes for fastening with the extension are provided on the first plug and second plug, in order to further improve the insertion seal. 
     Preferably, the fastening structure is a zip-fastening structure, allowing the two cables to fasten or detach from each other. The fastening structure comprises a plurality of engaging portions located on the first data cable and the second data cable, and a plurality of occluders located on the first data cable and the second data cable, which are capable of engaging or detaching the engaging portions. 
     Preferably, the switching devices is disposed on a matching area of the first plug and the second plug, where is on one side of the projection on the first plug; and a waterproof pad is provided on peripheral edge of the switching device, in which the waterproof pad can be tightly sealed on the matching area of one side of a groove of the second plug. The waterproof pad can tightly seal the matching surface of the groove on the second plug. 
     Through switching the operating state of the switching devices of this invention, data connection between mobile devices, connection between the computer and mobile devices, or charging mobile devices or batteries can be achieved, thereby increasing the versatility and portability of the Universal Serial Bus device. The snap-in structure between the first plug, the second plug and the sockets can prevent short circuit of the first plug and the second plug due to water. The projections of the first plug and the second plug and the embedded groove structure can ensure the same level of the first plug and the second plug, which further improves the water-proof property at the insertion part. Fastening of the first data cable and the second data cable is a connection of convenient structure as well as the storage of the entire device. The switching device on the matching surface of the first plug can prevent short circuit of the switching device due to water. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the present invention may be clearly set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention, together with the advantages thereof may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings, wherein like reference signs identify like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a Universal Serial Bus device; 
         FIG. 2  a schematic view of  FIG. 1  in direction A; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one end of controller of a Universal Serial Bus Device; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first plug; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the second plug. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The structure of the device of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompany drawings. The description and explanatory embodiment herein are merely used to set forth the present invention, not to limit the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5 , a Universal Serial Bus device is disclosed in thin invention. The device includes an OTG controller  10  used for connecting two external devices for data exchange; a first plug  20  for insertion to the first external connection device, a second plug  30  for insertion to the second external connection device. The OTG controller  10  connects with the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  respectively. Through the connection with the first plug  20  and the second plug  30 , it connects with the first external device and the second external device. In addition, the device also includes a switching device  40 , which controls and checks if the connection between the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  has passed the data processing through the OTG controller  10 . The switching device  40  has two operating states. In the first state, the connection with OTG controller in the Universal Serial Bus device has OTG functions, which can enable data transmission between devices even in the absence of a Host. In the second state, the OTG controller does not process the data in the connection between the first plug  20  and the second plug  30 . The Universal Serial Bus device is an extension cable for normal Universal Serial Bus, which can enable the connection and data transmission between the Host and mobile device (or memory flash) in the presence of a Host. It can also serve as a power supply line that performs charging for the batteries of mobile devices through the host or supply of electricity. In order to improve the connectivity of the device with a corresponding device, the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  in this embodiment are connected to OTG controller  10  through the first data cable  21  and the second data cable  31  respectively. The flexible first data cable  21  and the second data cable  31  allows the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  to more conveniently connect to the corresponding devices. 
     In order to facilitate the storage of the device, the first data cable  21  and the second data cable  31  are arranged in a parallel and can be fastened together. When not in use, the first data cable  21  and the second data cable  31  of this device can be fastened to give an appearance of a single cable, with the length reduced by half and the easy storage. When using the device, the first data cable  21  and the second data  31  are released, which allows the first data cable  21  to detach from the second data cable  31 . This device is enough long, which enables the connection with corresponding devices. The fastening of the first data cable  21  and the second data cable  31  can either be done through zip-fastening or by means of using the fastening groove on the first data cable  21  and embedding the second data cable  31  into the fastening groove of the second data cable. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the zip-fastening is utilized. Specifically, a plurality of engaging portions  51  are arranged in the first data cable  21  and the second data cable  31 . The engaging portions  51  can be engaged and detached each other by the occluder  52  on the first data cable  21  and the second data cable  31 . 
     The superior portability of the invention allows this device to be used in different environments, especially for outdoor usage during travels and business trips. When using in outdoor circumstances, the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  can easily encounter short circuit due to water. This device of the invention is provided with a waterproof structure: a socket for snapping-in the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  is provided on the OTG controller  10 . The sockets include the insertion slots  22 ,  32 , and the gasket  60 . The first plug  20  and the second plug  30  are inserted in the insertion slots  22  and  32 , while the gasket  60  provides a seal from the outside. Two extension arms  23  and  33 , installed at the upper and lower parts of the insertion slots  22  and  32  respectively, can be fastened in the fastening holes  24  and  34  of the first socket  20  and the second socket  30 , which can further improve the insertion stability. A projection  25  and a sliding chute  35  are arranged on the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  respectively. The projection  25  can be inserted into the sliding chute  35  in order to match and secure the first plug  20  and the second plug  30 . Use of the snap-in structure can ensure better sealing after the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  are inserted into the insertion slots  22  and  32 . Preferably, the switching device  40  is placed on a matching area  26  of the first plug and the second plug. Meanwhile, the peripheral edge of the switching device  40  is covered by a waterproof pad  70 . When the projection  25  is inserted into the sliding chute  35 , the matching area of the second plug will seal the switching device in order to seal the switching device  40 . The following examples illustrate the use of this device. A: Data Connection between Smart Phone and USB flash memory—moving the occluder  52  to one end of the OTG controller  10  in order to separate the first data cable  21  from the data data cable  31  and allowing the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  to slide while facing each other; Detaching the projection  25  from the groove  35  so that the first plug  20  is separated from the second plug  30 ; meanwhile switching the switching device  40  to Position B that bears the icon of SD card and connecting the first plug  20  with the USB flash memory. By connecting the second plug  30  to the insertion port of the smart phone, the data interchange between the smart phone and the USB can be achieved. 
     B: Data Connection Between Notebook and Smart Phone: Moving the occluder  52  to one end of the OTG controller  10  in order to separate the first data cable  21  from the second data cable  31  and allowing the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  to slide while facing each other; Detaching the projection  25  from the groove  35  so that the first plug  20  is separated from the second plug  30 ; Meanwhile switching the switching device  40  to Position C that bears the icon of flash and connecting the first plug  20  with the insertion port on the smart phone. By connecting the second plug  30  to the insertion port of the smart phone, the data interchange between the notebook computer and smart phone can be achieved. 
     C: As Power Cord for Charging the Smart Phone: Moving the occluder  52  to one end of the OTG controller  10  in order to separate the first data cable  21  from the second data cable  31  and allowing the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  to slide while facing each other; Detaching the projection  25  from the groove  35  so that the first plug  20  is separated from the second plug  30 ; Meanwhile switching the switching device  40  to Position C that bears the icon of flash and connecting the first plug  20  with the insertion port for power. By connecting the second plug  30  to the insertion port of the smart phone, power charging for the smart phone can be achieved. 
     D: Storage of the Device—sliding the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  while making the plugs face each other; and embedding the projection  25  onto the groove  35  in order to fasten the first plug  20  with the second plug  30 ; sliding the occluder  52  to the end, where the first plug  20  is fastened with the second plug  30 , in order to allow the first data cable  21  to join with the second data cable  31  and form into one line; Finally, snapping the first plug  20  and the second plug  30  into the sockets  22  and  32 . 
     While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention described above are illustrative only, and all the changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art are covered by the appended claims.