Connection establishment method, communication method, state change transmission method, state changing method, wireless apparatus, wireless device, and computer
Abstract
An object of the present invention is to make a universal serial bus (USB) wireless. A wireless hub connected to a USB bus on the computer side and a wireless port connected to a USB interface of a peripheral device are provided, and wireless communication is performed between them. The wireless hub communicates with the computer and converts a USB packet to a device into a wireless signal and a wireless signal from the device into a USB packet. One wireless USB port is installed in each device and performs wireless-USB packet conversion in the same way as a wireless hub. Although a plurality of wireless ports are usually connected to one wireless hub, it is also possible to configure one wireless hub to correspond to one wireless port. The wireless hub and wireless port each have a unique device identifier assigned to them, and during USB-to-wireless conversion, the USB address and non-explicit destination designation by bus topology are converted into device identifiers. By applying this, communication between hosts is also possible.

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Projected expiry passed 3 August 2018, 8.1 years ago.
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29 claims: 20 independent, 9 dependent
- 1컴퓨터(computer)와 통신하는 제1 무선 장치(wireless apparatus)에 대해 제2 무선 장치가 접속을 확립하는 방법(method for establishing a connection)에 있어서, 상기 제1 무선 장치로의 접속을 허가하는 것을 나타내는 패킷을 상기 제1 무선 장치로부터 수신하는 것에 응답하여 자신의 식별 정보(identifier)를 포함한 접속 요구 패킷(connection request packet)을 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 컴퓨터의 버스에 관한 버스 정보를 포함한 접속 허가 패킷(connection permission packet)을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 소정의 패킷을 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 제2 무선 장치를 수신처(designation)로서 지정하지 않은 패킷을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정(setup)을 행하는 스텝 을 포함하는 접속 확립 방법.
- 2컴퓨터와 통신하는 제1 무선 장치가 제2 무선 장치와 접속을 확립하는 방법에 있어서, 상기 제2 무선 장치로부터 그 식별 정보를 포함하는 접속 요구 패킷을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제2 무선 장치용으로 상기 컴퓨터의 버스에 관한 제1 버스 정보를 생성하는 스텝과, 상기 제1 버스 정보를 포함한 접속 허가 패킷을 상기 제2 무선 장치로 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 제2 무선 장치로부터 소정의 패킷을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 식별 정보와 상기 제1 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하는 스텝과, 상기 컴퓨터가 상기 제1 버스 정보에 대응하여 제2 버스 정보를 생성한 경우, 상기 제2 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하는 스텝 을 포함하는 접속 확립 방법.
- 3컴퓨터와 통신하는 제1 무선 장치가, 어떤 장치와 통신하는 제2 무선 장치와 무선 통신하는 방법(method for communicating in wireless communication)에 있어서, 상기 컴퓨터로부터의 상기 어떤 장치와의 통신 요구에 응답하여 응답 기한 내에 상기 어떤 장치가 처리를 실시할 수 있는 상태에 없는 것을 의미하는 NAK 신호를 상기 컴퓨터에 송출하는 스텝과, 상기 제2 무선 장치에 상기 통신 요구를 송신하는 스텝 을 포함하는 통신 방법.
- 4제3항에 있어서, 상기 통신 요구가 상기 어떤 장치의 데이타 기록인 경우, 상기 제2 무선 장치로 송신되는 통신의 요구와 함께, 기록되는 데이타가 송신되는 것을 특징으로 하는 통신 방법.
- 5어떤 장치와 통신하는 제1 무선 장치가 제2 무선 장치와 무선 통신하는 방법에 있어서, 상기 제2 무선 장치로부터 데이타의 판독 요구를 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 어떤 장치에 판독 요구를 송출하는 스텝과, 상기 어떤 장치로부터 데이타를 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 어떤 장치에 소정의 메시지를 반송하는 스텝과, 상기 데이타를 상기 제2 무선 장치에 송신하는 스텝 을 포함하는 통신 방법.
- 6컴퓨터와 통신하는 제1 무선 장치로부터 제2 무선 장치에 상태 변화를 전달하는 방법(method for notifying a state change)에 있어서, 상기 컴퓨터로부터 중지 명령(suspend command)을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제2 무선 장치에 중지 명령을 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 중지 명령 송신 후, 상기 제2 무선 장치가 중지 상태인 것을 나타내는 상태 비트(state bit)를 포함하는 주기 패킷(periodic packet)을 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 컴퓨터로부터 재개(resume) 명령을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제2 무선 장치가 인에이블 상태(enabled state)인 것을 나타내는 상태 비트를 포함하는 주기 패킷을 송신하는 스텝 을 포함하는 상태 변화 전달 방법.
- 7제1 무선 장치와 무선 통신하는 제2 무선 장치가 상태 변화를 실행하는 방법(method for performing a state change)에 있어서, 자신의 상태가 디스에이블(disable)인 것을 나타내는 상태 비트를 포함한 주기 패킷을 상기 제1 무선 장치로부터 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 주기 패킷 수신 이전에, 상기 제1 무선 장치로부터 소정의 명령을 수신했는지의 여부를 판단하는 스텝과, 상기 소정의 명령을 수신하지 않는 경우, 자신을 접속 이외의 상태로 변화시키는 스텝 을 포함하는 상태 변화 실행 방법.
- 8제7항에 있어서, 상기 소정의 명령은 포트 중지 명령 또는 디스에이블 명령인 것을 특징으로 하는 상태 변화 실행 방법.
- 9컴퓨터와 통신하는 무선 장치(wireless apparatus)에 대해 접속을 확립하는 무선 디바이스(wireless device for establishing a connection)에 있어서, 상기 무선 장치로부터 무선 신호를 수신하는 수신 유닛(receiving unit)과, 상기 무선 장치에 무선 신호를 송출하는 송신 유닛(transmission unit)과, 상기 무선 장치로의 접속을 허가하는 것을 나타내는 패킷을 상기 수신 유닛이 상기 무선 장치로부터 수신하는 것에 응답하여 자신의 식별 정보를 포함한 접속 요구 패킷을 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하고, 상기 컴퓨터의 버스에 관한 버스 정보를 포함한 접속 허가 패킷을 상기 수신 유닛이 수신하는 것에 응답하여 소정의 패킷을 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하고, 상기 무선 디바이스를 수신처로서 지정하지 않는 패킷을 상기 수신 유닛이 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하는 제어 유닛(control unit) 을 포함하는 무선 디바이스.
- 10제9항에 있어서, 상기 제어 유닛은 상기 소정의 패킷을 송신한 후에, 상기 무선 디바이스를 수신처로서 지정하고 있는 패킷을 상기 수신 유닛이 수신한 것에 응답하여 상기 접속 요구 패킷을 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하는 것을 특징으로 하는 무선 디바이스.
- 11컴퓨터와 통신하는 무선 장치(wireless apparatus)에 있어서, 무선 신호를 수신하는 수신 유닛과, 무선 신호를 송신하는 송신 유닛과, 무선 디바이스로부터 그 식별 정보를 포함한 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 수신 유닛이 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 무선 디바이스용으로 상기 컴퓨터의 버스에 관한 제1 버스 정보를 생성하고, 상기 제1 버스 정보를 포함한 접속 허가 패킷을 상기 무선 디바이스로 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하고, 상기 무선 디바이스로부터 소정의 패킷을 상기 수신 유닛이 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 식별 정보와 상기 제1 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하고, 상기 컴퓨터가 상기 제1 버스 정보에 대응하여 제2 버스 정보를 생성한 경우 상기 제2 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하는 제어 유닛 을 포함하는 무선 장치.
- 12제11항에 있어서, 상기 제어 유닛은 상기 접속 허가 패킷을 송신한 후 소정 기간 내에 상기 소정의 패킷을 상기 수신 유닛이 수신하지 않은 경우, 상기 접속 요구 패킷을 송신한 상기 무선 디바이스를 수신처로서 지정한 패킷을 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하는 것을 특징으로 하는 무선 장치.
- 13제11항에 있어서, 상기 무선 디바이스로부터 상기 소정의 패킷을 수신한 후에 상기 송신 유닛이 송출하는 주기 패킷에서는 상기 접속 요구 패킷을 송신한 상기 무선 디바이스를 수신처로서 지정하지 않은 것을 특징으로 하는 무선 장치.
- 14컴퓨터와 통신하는 무선 장치에 있어서, 어떤 장치와 통신하는 무선 디바이스에 무선 신호를 송신하는 송신 유닛과, 상기 무선 디바이스로부터 무선 신호를 수신하는 수신 유닛과, (a) 상기 컴퓨터로부터의 상기 어떤 장치와의 통신 요구에 응답하여, 응답 기한 내에, 상기 어떤 장치가 처리를 실시할 수 있는 상태에 없는 것을 의미하는 NAK 신호를 상기 컴퓨터에 송출하고, (b) 상기 무선 디바이스에 상기 통신 요구를 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하는 제어 유닛 을 포함하는 무선 장치.
- 15제14항에 있어서, 상기 제어 유닛은 상기 무선 디바이스로부터의 응답을 상기 수신 유닛이 수신할 때까지, 상기 통신 요구와 동일한 요구에 응답하여 응답 기한 내에 상기 NAK 신호를 상기 컴퓨터에 송출하는 것을 특징으로 하는 무선 장치.
- 16제14항에 있어서, 상기 통신 요구가 상기 어떤 장치로부터의 데이타를 판독하는 경우, 상기 제어 유닛은 상기 무선 디바이스로부터 데이타를 상기 수신 유닛이 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 무선 디바이스에 대해 소정의 패킷을 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하고, 상기 통신 요구와 동일한 요구에 응답하여 수신한 데이타를 상기 컴퓨터에 송출하는 것을 특징으로 하는 무선 장치.
- 17어떤 장치와 통신하는 무선 디바이스(wireless device)에 있어서, 무선 장치로부터 무선 신호를 수신하는 수신 유닛과, 상기 무선 장치에 무선 신호를 송신하는 송신 유닛과, 상기 수신 유닛이 상기 무선 장치로부터 데이타의 판독 요구를 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 어떤 장치에 판독 요구를 송출하고, 상기 어떤 장치로부터 데이타를 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 어떤 장치에 소정의 메시지를 회신하고, 상기 데이타를 상기 무선 장치에 대해 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하는 제어 유닛 을 포함하는 무선 디바이스.
- 18컴퓨터와 통신하는 무선 장치에 있어서, 무선 디바이스에 무선 신호를 송신하는 송신 유닛과, 상기 컴퓨터로부터 중지 명령을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 무선 디바이스에 중지 명령을 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하고, 상기 중지 명령 송신 후 상기 무선 디바이스가 중지 상태인 것을 나타내는 상태 비트를 포함한 주기 패킷을 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하고, 상기 컴퓨터로부터 재개 명령을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 무선 디바이스가 인에이블 상태인 것을 나타내는 상태 비트를 포함한 주기 패킷을 송신하는 것을 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하는 제어 유닛 을 포함하는 무선 장치.
- 19무선 장치와 통신하는 무선 디바이스에 있어서, 상기 무선 장치로부터 무선 신호를 수신하는 수신 유닛과, 상기 무선 장치로부터 자신의 상태가 디스에이블인 것을 나타내는 상태 비트를 포함한 주기 패킷을 상기 수신 유닛이 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 주기 패킷 수신 이전에 상기 무선 장치로부터 소정의 명령을 수신한 것인지의 여부를 판단하고, 상기 소정의 명령을 수신하지 않는 경우 자신을 접속 이외의 상태로 변화시키는 제어 유닛 을 포함하는 무선 디바이스.
- 20버스를 포함하는 컴퓨터에 있어서, 상기 버스를 제어하는 버스 컨트롤러와, 상기 버스에 접속된 무선 장치 를 포함하고, 상기 무선 장치는 무선 신호를 수신하는 수신 유닛과, 무선 신호를 송신하는 송신 유닛과, (a) 무선 디바이스로부터 그 식별 정보를 포함한 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 수신 유닛이 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 무선 디바이스용으로 상기 컴퓨터의 버스에 관한 제1 버스 정보를 생성하고, (b) 상기 제1 버스 정보를 포함하는 접속 허가 패킷을 상기 무선 디바이스에 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하고, (c) 상기 무선 디바이스로부터 소정의 패킷을 상기 수신 유닛이 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 식별 정보와 상기 제1 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하고, (d) 상기 버스 컨트롤러로부터 상기 제1 버스 정보에 대응하는 제2 버스 정보를 수신한 경우 상기 제2 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하는 제어 유닛 을 포함하는 컴퓨터.
- 21버스를 포함하는 컴퓨터에 있어서, 상기 버스를 제어하는 버스 컨트롤러와, 상기 버스에 접속된 무선 장치 를 포함하고, 상기 무선 장치는 어떤 장치와 통신하는 무선 디바이스에 무선 신호를 송신하는 송신 유닛과, (a) 상기 버스 컨트롤러로부터의 상기 어떤 장치와의 통신 요구에 응답하여, 응답 기한 내에 상기 어떤 장치가 처리를 실시할 수 있는 상태가 아닌 것을 의미하는 NAK 신호를 상기 버스 컨트롤러에 송출하고, (b) 상기 무선 디바이스에 상기 통신 요구를 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하는 제어 유닛 을 포함하는 컴퓨터.
- 22버스를 포함하는 컴퓨터에 있어서, 상기 버스를 제어하는 버스 컨트롤러와, 상기 버스에 접속된 무선 장치 를 포함하고, 상기 무선 장치는 무선 디바이스에 무선 신호를 송신하는 송신 유닛과, (a) 상기 버스 컨트롤러로부터 중지 명령을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 무선 디바이스에 중지 명령을 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하고, (b) 상기 중지 명령 송신 후, 상기 무선 디바이스가 중지 상태인 것을 나타내는 상태 비트를 포함한 주기 패킷을 송신하도록 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하고, (c) 상기 버스 컨트롤러로부터 재개 명령을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 무선 디바이스가 인에이블 상태인 것을 나타내는 상태 비트를 포함한 주기 패킷을 송신하는 것을 상기 송신 유닛에게 명령하는 제어 유닛 을 포함하는 컴퓨터.
- 23제1 컴퓨터가 제2 컴퓨터와의 무선 통신을 위한 접속을 확립하는 방법에 있어서, 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터의 명령에 응답하여 상기 제1 컴퓨터의 버스에 대한 인터페이스(interface)와 상기 무선 통신에 관련된 데이타를 저장하는 버퍼(buffer)를 포함하는 제1 디바이스 브릿지(device bridge)를 기동(activate)하는 스텝과, 상기 제2 컴퓨터로부터 디바이스 브릿지의 접속을 허가하는 패킷을 상기 제2 컴퓨터가 사용하고 있는 제2 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제1 컴퓨터가 사용하는 제1 무선 채널의 정보를 포함한 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 제2 무선 채널로 상기 제2 컴퓨터에 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 제2 컴퓨터로부터 접속 허가 패킷을 상기 제2 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 소정의 패킷을 상기 제2 무선 채널로 상기 제2 컴퓨터에 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 제2 컴퓨터의 버스에 대한 인터페이스와 상기 무선 통신에 관련하는 데이타를 저장하는 버퍼를 포함하는 상기 제2 컴퓨터에서의 제2 디바이스 브릿지를 지정한 패킷을, 상기 제1 무선 채널로 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 제2 컴퓨터로부터 접속 요구 패킷를 상기 제1 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제2 컴퓨터에 상기 제1 무선 채널로 접속 허가 패킷을 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 제2 컴퓨터로부터 소정의 패킷을 상기 제1 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제2 무선 채널의 정보와 상기 제1 컴퓨터의 버스에 관한 제1 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하는 스텝 을 포함하는 접속 확립 방법.
- 24제23항에 있어서, 상기 제1 디바이스 브릿지에 대해 제2 버스 정보를 생성하는 스텝 을 더 포함하는 접속 확립 방법.
- 25제2 컴퓨터가 제1 컴퓨터와의 무선 통신을 위한 접속을 확립하는 방법에 있어서, 상기 제1 컴퓨터가 사용하는 제1 무선 채널의 정보를 포함한 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 제2 컴퓨터가 사용하는 제2 무선 채널에서 수신하는 스텝과 상기 제2 컴퓨터의 버스에 대한 인터페이스와 상기 무선 통신에 관련하는 데이타를 저장하는 버퍼를 포함하는 제2 디바이스 브릿지를 기동하는 스텝과, 상기 제2 무선 채널로 접속 허가 패킷을 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 상기 제2 디바이스 브릿지를 지정한 패킷을 상기 제1 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 상기 제1 무선 채널로 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 제1 무선 채널에서 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 접속 허가 패킷을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 소정의 패킷을 송신하는 스텝과, 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 상기 제2 디바이스 브릿지를 지정하지 않은 패킷을 상기 제1 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여, 상기 제1 무선 채널의 정보와 상기 제2 컴퓨터의 버스에 관한 제3 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하는 스텝 을 포함하는 접속 확립 방법.
- 26제25항에 있어서, 상기 제2 디바이스 브릿지에 대해 제4 버스 정보를 생성하는 스텝 을 더 포함하는 접속 확립 방법.
- 27제1 컴퓨터와 무선 통신하는, 제2 컴퓨터에 접속된 무선 장치에 있어서, 무선 신호를 수신하는 수신 모듈(receiving module)과, 무선 신호를 송신하는 송신 모듈(transmission module)과, (a) 상기 제2 컴퓨터의 버스에 대한 인터페이스와 상기 무선 통신에 관련하는 데이타를 저장하는 버퍼를 포함하는 제2 디바이스 브릿지를 동작시키고, (b) 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 디바이스 브릿지의 접속을 허가하는 패킷을 상기 제1 컴퓨터가 사용하고 있는 제1 무선 채널에서 상기 수신 모듈이 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제2 컴퓨터가 사용하는 제2 무선 채널의 정보를 포함한 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 제1 무선 채널로 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 송신하도록 상기 송신 모듈에게 명령하고, (c) 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 접속 허가 패킷을 상기 수신 모듈이 상기 제1 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 소정의 패킷을 상기 제1 무선 채널로 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 송신하도록 상기 송신 모듈에게 명령하고, (d) 상기 제1 컴퓨터의 버스에 대한 인터페이스와 상기 무선 통신에 관련하는 데이타를 저장하는 버퍼를 포함하는 상기 제1 컴퓨터에서의 제1 디바이스 브릿지를 지정한 패킷을 상기 제2 무선 채널로 송신하도록 상기 송신 모듈에게 명령하고, (e) 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 수신 모듈이 상기 제2 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 상기 제2 무선 채널로 접속 허가 패킷을 송신하도록 상기 송신 모듈에게 명령하고, (f) 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 소정의 패킷을 상기 제2 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제1 무선 채널의 정보와 상기 제2 컴퓨터의 버스에 관한 제1 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하는 제어 모듈(control module) 을 포함하는 무선 장치.
- 28제1 컴퓨터와 무선 통신하는, 제2 컴퓨터에 접속된 무선 장치에 있어서, 무선 신호를 수신하는 수신 모듈과, 무선 신호를 송신하는 송신 모듈과, 제어 모듈 을 포함하고, 상기 수신 모듈은 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 상기 제1 컴퓨터가 사용하는 제1 무선 채널의 정보를 포함한 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 제2 컴퓨터가 사용하는 제2 무선 채널에서 수신하고, 상기 송신 모듈은 상기 제2 무선 채널로 접속 허가 패킷을 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 송신하고, 상기 제어 모듈은 (a) 상기 제2 컴퓨터의 버스에 대한 인터페이스와 상기 무선 통신에 관련하는 데이타를 저장하는 버퍼를 포함하는 제2 디바이스 브릿지를 기동하고, (b) 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 상기 제2 디바이스 브릿지를 지정한 패킷을 상기 수신 모듈이 상기 제1 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 상기 제1 무선 채널로 송신하도록 상기 송신 모듈에게 명령하고, (c) 상기 수신 모듈이 상기 제1 무선 채널에서 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 접속 허가 패킷을 수신하는 것에 응답하여 소정의 패킷을 상기 제1 무선 채널로 송신하도록 상기 송신 모듈에게 명령하고, (d) 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 상기 제2 디바이스 브릿지를 지정하지 않은 패킷을 상기 수신 모듈이 상기 제1 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제1 무선 채널의 정보와 상기 제2 컴퓨터의 버스에 관한 제3 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하는 무선 장치.
- 29제1 컴퓨터와 무선 통신하는 제2 컴퓨터에 있어서, 무선 신호를 수신하는 수신 모듈과, 무선 신호를 송신하는 송신 모듈과, 제어 모듈 을 포함하고, 상기 제어 모듈은 (a) 상기 제2 컴퓨터의 버스에 대한 인터페이스와 상기 무선 통신에 관련하는 데이타를 저장하는 버퍼를 포함하는 제2 디바이스 브릿지를 동작시키고, (b) 상기 수신 모듈이 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 디바이스 브릿지의 접속을 허가하는 패킷을 상기 제1 컴퓨터가 사용하고 있는 제1 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제2 컴퓨터가 사용하는 제2 무선 채널의 정보를 포함한 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 제1 무선 채널로 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 송신하도록 상기 송신 모듈에게 명령하고, (c) 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 접속 허가 패킷을 상기 수신 모듈이 상기 제1 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 소정의 패킷을 상기 제1 무선 채널로 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 송신하도록 상기 송신 모듈에게 명령하고, (d) 상기 제1 컴퓨터의 버스에 대한 인터페이스와 상기 무선 통신에 관련하는 데이타를 저장하는 버퍼를 포함하는 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 있어서의 제1 디바이스 브릿지를 지정한 패킷을 상기 제2 무선 채널로 송신하도록 상기 송신 모듈에게 명령하고, (e) 상기 수신 모듈이 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 접속 요구 패킷을 상기 제2 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제1 컴퓨터에 상기 제2 무선 채널로 접속 허가 패킷을 송신하도록 상기 송신 모듈에게 명령하고, (f) 상기 제1 컴퓨터로부터 소정의 패킷을 상기 제2 무선 채널에서 수신하는 것에 응답하여 상기 제1 무선 채널의 정보와 상기 제2 컴퓨터의 버스에 관한 제1 버스 정보를 이용하여 설정을 행하는 컴퓨터.
Independent claims29
29 paragraphs, as filed
A wireless device and a method for establishing a connection between the wireless device
1 is a block diagram showing an example of an apparatus of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless packet;
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow when a wireless hub 3 and a wireless port 5 are connected;
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of communication between the wireless hub 3 and the computer 1;
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing movement of packets during wireless communication;
Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing processing at the time of suspension/resumption;
Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a process for stopping/resuming.
Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram of computers A and B in inter-host communication;
Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram of a DDB;
10 is a diagram illustrating a process flow for connection establishment in the case of performing communication between hosts.
Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow of communication between hosts;
Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing
One : Computer 3 : Wireless Hub
5 : wireless port 7 : device
9 : USB Controller 11: USB
13 : Connector 15 : USB Interface Unit A
17 : control unit A 19 : buffer
21 : Radio transceiver A 23 : Radio transceiver B
25 : Control unit B 27 : USB interface unit B
29 : Connector 31 : USB
33 : USB Controller 51 : Computer A
53 : Computer B 55, 57 : USB
59 : Wireless Hub A 60 : DDBa
61 : Wireless Hub B 62 : DDBb
63, 65, 67, 69: wireless port
<background-art><p>The present invention relates to a wireless communication method, and more particularly, to a method of wirelessly connecting a device to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) installed in a computer. . It also relates to a method of enabling inter-host communication with wireless USB. </p><p>USB is defined as a point-to-multipoint unified standard interface for connecting a computer, a mouse, a keyboard, and a medium/low-speed device such as a printer. Previously, you had to select a connection destination for each device, such as a keyboard to a keyboard port, a mouse to a mouse port, a printer to a printer port, a modem to a serial port, and so on. It was enough just to connect a USB compatible device. In addition, since the USB supports the function of Hot Plug Unplug, it is possible to easily change the connection even when the computer body is in use. However, in a mobile environment using devices such as a notebook type computer or PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), only the connection of the USB cable is a great burden to the user. Moreover, there exists a possibility that damage may arise in a connector part by attachment/detachment of a connector. Therefore, in such a mobile environment, it is more preferable that a wireless connection is possible. </p><p>Representative examples of current wireless communication systems include IEEE802.11 and IrDA of wireless LANs. IEEE802.11 is mainly established for the purpose of communication between computers, not for communication between computers and peripheral devices. On the other hand, IrDA is premised on a point-to-point connection, and a point-multipoint connection such as USB is not currently considered. USB is highly likely to become a mainstream interface for future personal computer (PC) connected devices, and is thought to be built into many devices. Therefore, if USB can be made wireless, it can be a means for connecting peripheral devices very easily.</p><p>By the way, as a document suggested about USB wirelessization, IBM TDB Vol. 40 No. 04 (April 1997) p87p88. However, no consideration has been given to the problem in the case of using a wireless device. In addition, a system in which a wireless module is connected to a bus conventionally existing in a computer and the wireless module is also connected to a peripheral device connected to the bus is described in IBM TDB Vol. 37 No. 04B (April 1994) p91-93. However, even this document does not describe at all about the problem in the case of making USB wireless. </p></background-art><tech><p>In USB, a system configuration is adopted in which the computer body manages all devices connected to the USB, and acquires communication contents and detects state changes by polling. . </p><p>(1) Designation of packet destinations</p><p>The destination of the USB packet is designated by a USB address that dynamically changes depending on the device configuration at that point in time or by a non-specified bus topology. In wireless communication, since it is difficult to assume a constant bus topology other than that address overlap with other systems is expected, it is impossible to uniquely determine the destination of a packet. </p><p>(2) time limitation for a response</p><p>In the USB specification, a device receiving a packet from a host or a function is required to give a response within a 16-bit time (1.33 μs at full speed). However, since the wireless communication speed is generally slower than USB at full speed of 12 Mbps, and some mechanism is often required to avoid packet collision, the above bus turnaround time is complied with. it is difficult to do </p><p>(3) Frame synchronization</p><p>USB uses regularly generated SOF packets to synchronize with 1 ms frames from the computer body. This packet should be transmitted exactly at the frame start time, but in wireless transmission, it is difficult to strictly determine the transmission time according to the surrounding conditions. In addition, when the communication speed is slow, transmission of the synchronization packet every 1 ms places an excessive burden on the communication path. </p><p>(4) Control provided by the signal line state </p><p>In USB, port control such as connection/disconnection/suspension/resumption/reset does not use packets and is notified according to static changes in the signal line state. do. It cannot be transmitted wirelessly as it is. </p><p>These obstacles have not been considered at all so far, and no attempt has been made to make USB wireless. </p><p>Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for overcoming the problems encountered in making a bus such as USB wireless. </p><p>It is also an object to eliminate the burden of cable connection by making USB wireless, and to facilitate attachment and detachment and movement of devices. </p><p>It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism that enables communication between hosts by extending Wireless USB. </p><p>In the present invention, a wireless hub connected to a USB bus on the computer side, and a wireless port connected to the USB interface of a peripheral device (generally any may be used, hereinafter referred to as a device) are provided, and between these conducts wireless communication in A wireless hub communicates with a computer, and converts a USB packet to a device (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as downstream) into a wireless signal and a wireless signal from the device into a USB packet. One wireless port is installed in each device and performs wireless-USB packet conversion in the same way as a wireless hub. Although a plurality of wireless ports are usually connected to one wireless hub, it is also possible to configure one wireless hub to correspond to one wireless port. The wireless hub and the wireless port each have a unique device identifier (ID) assigned to them, and during USB-to-wireless conversion, the USB address and non-explicit destination designation by bus topology are converted into device identifiers. </p><p>For example, a bidirectional buffer is installed in the wireless hub, and the wireless hub performs a proxy response according to a received packet and the state of the buffer. USB packets from the computer are stored in a buffer and transmitted when a wireless medium becomes available. The wireless port transmits the transmitted wireless packet to the device by reconverting it into a USB packet. The response from the device is converted wirelessly, transmitted, and stored again in a buffer of the wireless hub. When the wireless hub receives polling of the same content from the computer, it extracts the response from the device stored in the buffer and sends it to the USB bus. During the period from the first USB packet reception at the wireless hub to the wireless packet reception from the downstream, all communication request (IN/OUT) transactions of the same destination are ignored, and the device performs processing on the computer. A NAK signal is sent indicating that it is not in a capable state. However, the SETUP transaction is always transmitted wirelessly, and the computer responds with an ACK. A time out of USB is avoided by these series of operations. </p><p>The wireless hub periodically broadcasts packets indicating port status, controls the operation of the wireless port, and maintains frame synchronization in the wireless system. Conversely, a wireless port in which a device-side status change such as connection/disconnection or remote wake-up occurs reports the status change to the wireless hub as a response to this packet. The packet period is set to a length that does not impose an excessive burden on the communication path and does not interfere with port control, and allows a certain range of fluctuations in the transmission time for coexistence with the collision avoidance mechanism. To compensate for the uncertainty of this time, a shift from the scheduled transmission time is specified in the packet. Each wireless port basically transmits a synchronization packet to the device side frequently by an internal clock, but the periodic deviation with the computer is corrected by this periodic packet. On the other hand, a port control command from the computer, such as reset/stop, is transmitted as a wireless packet from the wireless hub, and the wireless port converts it into a state change of the USB signal line. The USB signal line status is notified without delay by these periodic packets and radio control packets. </p><p>Also, in the present system, two types of power saving states are provided. A state equivalent to a port power cut state and a suspended state. The wireless port receives periodic packets at a rate of once every several times in the port power cut state and every time in the suspended state, and determines whether the wireless hub is in a device connectable state or transitions to a resume state. A device in the power saving state stops supplying power except for the minimum circuit such as a mechanism necessary for synchronization during a period in which periodic packet reception is not scheduled. Thereby, while enabling power supply control by a computer, it implement|achieves the power saving mechanism essential for a portable apparatus. </p><p>The gist of the present invention is summarized as follows. To a first wireless device communicating with a computer, when a second wireless device (typically connected to a peripheral device) establishes a connection, it sends a packet from the first wireless device indicating permission to connect to the first wireless device. sending a connection request packet including identification information of the computer in response to receiving, and a predetermined packet ( typically sending an ACK) and setting using bus information in response to receiving a packet that does not designate the second wireless device as a destination (eg, correlation of a port number with identification information of the first wireless device) Steps to perform In this way, after confirming that communication has been reliably performed, the second wireless device can identify the wireless device that has established the connection. </p><p>After transmitting the predetermined packet, it is also conceivable to return to the step of transmitting the connection request packet in response to receiving the packet designating the second radio apparatus as the destination. This indicates that the first wireless device cannot receive the given packet, and the connection needs to be reestablished. </p><p>Further, when a first wireless device communicating with a computer establishes a connection with a second wireless device (typically connected to a peripheral device), it responds to receiving a connection request packet including identification information thereof from the second wireless device. generating first bus information (typically a port number) on the computer's bus for the second wireless device; sending a connection permission packet including the first bus information to the second wireless device; 2 in response to receiving a predetermined packet (typically an ACK) from the wireless device, performing settings (eg, registering them) using the identification information and first bus information, and the computer responds to the first bus information Thus, when the second bus information (USB address in the embodiment) is generated, a step of setting (for example, registration of identification information and first and second bus information) is executed using the second bus information. Accordingly, data necessary for communication between the computer and the second wireless device is registered correspondingly. </p><p>In the above case, when a predetermined packet is not received within a predetermined period of time after transmitting the connection permission packet, it is also conceivable to transmit a packet designated as a destination to the second radio apparatus that transmitted the connection request packet. It is considered that a certain problem has arisen that the final procedure is not carried out in spite of transmitting the connection request packet, especially for designating the second wireless device as a destination. </p><p>In addition, in the periodic packet after receiving the predetermined packet from the second radio apparatus, the second radio apparatus that transmitted the connection request packet can not be designated as the destination. This is to indicate to the second wireless device that the first wireless device can receive a given packet. </p><p>When a first wireless device communicating with a computer wirelessly communicates with a second wireless device communicating with a certain device (typically a peripheral device), it responds to a request for communication with the certain device from the computer within a response time limit. A step of sending a NAK signal indicating that a certain device is not in a state in which processing can be performed to the computer and a step of transmitting a communication request to the second wireless device are executed. In this way, it is possible to cope with the response deadline stipulated on the computer's bus. </p><p>The method may further include a step of sending a NAK signal to the computer within a response time limit in response to the same request as the communication request until a response is received from the second wireless device. This is an effective countermeasure that can increase the response time when the transmission of the NAK signal is allowed multiple times. </p><p>Further, when the communication request reads data from the certain device, the step of sending a predetermined packet to the second wireless device in response to receiving the data from the second wireless device, and responding to the same request as the communication request It is also conceivable to further include a step of transmitting the received data to the computer. By using a buffer, data from any of the above devices can be output as a response to the same communication request as before. </p><p>On the other hand, when the communication request is data recording to any of the above devices, it is also conceivable to transmit the data to be recorded together with the communication request to be transmitted to the second radio device. If the communication request and the recorded data are in different packets, a time problem arises in wireless communication. </p><p>when a first wireless device communicating with a certain device wirelessly communicates with a second wireless device, sending a read request to the certain device in response to receiving a data read request from the second wireless device; sending a predetermined message (typically an ACK) to the device in response to receiving data from the device; and sending the data to a second wireless device. Since the predetermined packet transmission deadline is determined according to the standard of the computer bus, it is necessary for the second wireless device to respond by proxy. </p><p>Further, when communicating a change of state from the first wireless device in communication with the computer to the second wireless device, sending a stop command to the second wireless device in response to receiving the stop command from the computer; transmitting a periodic packet including a status bit indicating that the wireless device is in a suspended state, and in response to receiving a resume command from the computer, transmitting a periodic packet including a status bit indicating that the second wireless device is in an enabled state. Execute the step. When the second wireless device enters the suspended state once, it receives only periodic packets, so that it is impossible to enable the second wireless device except for periodic packets. Therefore, the port status bit of this periodic packet is used. </p><p>When a second wireless device in wireless communication with the first wireless device performs a state change, its periodicity in response to receiving from the first wireless device a periodic packet including a status bit indicating that its state is disabled. A step of determining whether or not a predetermined command has been received from the first wireless device before packet reception, and a step of changing itself to a state other than the connected state if not receiving the predetermined command are executed. This is because, for example, when an abnormality occurs in wireless communication, the subsequent processing becomes simpler when the power-off state is changed once. </p><p>It is also conceivable that the predetermined command is a port stop command or a disable command. </p><p>In the above, the invention has been expressed as a flow of processing, but it is also possible to configure an apparatus for performing these processing. In addition, the case where the wireless device is mounted outside the computer or installed inside the computer is also conceivable. Similarly, the wireless device may be mounted on the USB interface of the device (device) or mounted inside the device. </p><p>Further, when the first computer establishes a connection for wireless communication with the second computer, it has an interface to a bus of the first computer in response to a command from the first computer and a buffer for storing data related to wireless communication. activating a first device bridge (DDB in the embodiment), and receiving a packet permitting connection of the device bridge from the second computer on a second wireless channel used by the second computer transmitting a connection request packet including information on the first radio channel used by the first computer to the second computer on the second radio channel in response to the request; receiving a connection permission packet from the second computer on the second radio channel in response to sending a packet (typically an ACK) to a second computer on a second wireless channel; transmitting a packet designated by the second device bridge in the second computer to the first wireless channel, the packet having an interface to the bus of the second computer and a buffer for storing data related to wireless communication, and a connection request packet from the second computer; sending a connection grant packet on the first wireless channel to a second computer in response to receiving on the first wireless channel a second wireless channel in response to receiving a predetermined packet from the second computer on the first wireless channel A step of setting is executed using the channel information and the first bus information (port number in the embodiment) on the bus of the first computer. </p><p>In the case of establishing a connection between hosts, the first and second device bridges are provided, the above-described connection establishment method is performed twice, and the communication channel is set separately. Accordingly, communication between hosts is possible in a state in which communication with peripheral devices in each host is enabled. For example, when a plurality of people gather together with a portable computer, communication between portable computers is possible without changing the configuration of peripheral devices of each portable computer. </p><p>The first computer further executes the step of generating second bus information (USB address in an embodiment) for the first device bridge. </p><p>On the other hand, when the second computer establishes a connection for wireless communication with the first computer, a connection request packet including information on the first wireless channel used by the first computer is transmitted through the second wireless channel used by the second computer. receiving, starting a second device bridge (DDB in the embodiment) having an interface to the bus of the second computer and a buffer for storing data related to wireless communication; transmitting the connection request packet to the first computer on the first wireless channel in response to receiving, on the first wireless channel, the packet designating the second device bridge from the first computer; transmitting a predetermined packet (typically an ACK) in response to receiving a connection grant packet from a first computer on a wireless channel; In response to receiving a packet not specifying the second device bridge from the first computer on the first wireless channel, executing a step of performing setting using information on the first wireless channel and third bus information on the second computer bus do. </p><p>The second computer further executes the step of generating fourth bus information (USB address in the embodiment) for the second device bridge. </p><p>In the above, the invention has been expressed as a flow of processing, but it is also possible to configure an apparatus for performing these processing. Also, as a wireless device to be connected to a computer, a case where it is incorporated in the computer body is also conceivable. In addition, these processes may be performed as a program, and in that case, they may be stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM, or may be stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk. </p></tech>
<p>Fig. 1 shows an example of the device configuration of the present invention. A wireless hub 3 is connected to the computer 1 by a connector 11 . On the other hand, a wireless port 5 is connected to the device 7 by a connector 29 . The computer 1 has a USB controller 9 , which is connected to the USB 13 . This USB 13 is connected to the connector 1 . The wireless hub 3 includes a USB interface unit A 15 , a buffer 19 , a control unit A 17 , and a wireless transceiver A 21 . The USB interface unit A 15 is connected to the buffer 19 and the control unit A 17 , and the radio transceiver A 21 is connected to the buffer 19 and the control unit A 17 . The buffer 19 and the control unit A 17 are also interconnected. The device 7 also has a USB controller 33 , and this USB controller 33 is connected to the USB 31 . This USB 31 is connected to the connector 29 . The radio port 5 includes a radio transceiver B 23 , a control unit B 25 and a USB interface unit B 27 , to which the radio transceiver B 23 and the control unit B 25 are connected, and control The unit B25 and the USB interface unit B27 are connected. In addition, although the USB interface units A and B are connected to a connector, it is not shown here. In addition, although only one wireless port is shown here, it is of course possible to install a plurality of wireless ports. </p><p>A CPU (not shown) of the computer 1 controls the USB controller 9 to transmit a USB packet to the USB 13 . This USB packet is received by the USB interface unit A15 of the wireless hub 3, and delivers the contents of the USB packet to the control unit A17. The USB interface unit A (15) stores data in the buffer (19) if necessary. Further, when the control unit A 17 receives the contents of the USB packet from the USB interface unit A 15 , it controls the transmitter of the radio transceiver A 21 to transmit the radio packet to the radio port 5 . The receiver of the radio transceiver B (23) receives the radio packet, converts the radio packet into an electric signal, and notifies the control unit B (25). The control unit B25 forwards the received content to the USB interface unit B27, and the USB interface unit B27 converts it into a USB packet and sends it to the USB31. The USB controller 33 performs necessary processing in response to the USB signal. </p><p>For example, when data is commanded to be read from the computer 1, the USB controller 33 outputs a USB packet including the necessary data to the USB 31, and the USB interface unit B 27 sends this USB packet. receive Then, the control unit B25 controls the transmitter of the radio transceiver B23 to transmit a radio packet in an appropriate format. Moreover, as will be described later, the control unit B25 has a function of proxy response and instructs the USB interface unit B27 to output the ACK of the USB packet. On the other hand, the receiver of the radio transceiver A 21 that has received the radio packet including the data from the device 7 notifies the control unit A 17 that it has received the data, and stores the data in the buffer 19 . When the control unit A 17 receives notification from the USB interface unit A 15 that a data read command of the same destination has been received from the USB controller 9, the control unit A 17 transfers the address of the data in the buffer 19 to the USB interface unit A 15 ) is sent to The USB interface unit A reads the data at the address and outputs it to the USB 31 as a USB packet. </p><p>Although the above is the outline of FIG. 1, the process required when making USB wireless is demonstrated in connection with the component shown in FIG. </p><p>(A) wireless communication system</p><p>The protocol of Wireless USB does not depend on a specific modulation scheme. For example, radio communication by direct sequence spread spectrum can be considered. A plurality of channels are secured by the CDMA method by sliding a spread code. </p><p>Frequency 2484 MHz</p><p>Occupied bandwidth 26MHz</p><p>Modulation method π/4 shift QPSK </p><p>Diffusion method Direct diffusion</p><p>Spread Code 11-bit Barker type</p><p>Baseband Signal Rate 2Mbps</p><p>Spread modulation rate 11 Mbaud</p><p>These are merely examples. </p><p>(B) wireless packet structure</p><p>A radio packet is configured as shown in FIG. 2 . In addition, the transmitter of the radio transceiver creates and transmits a packet of an appropriate type based on the command of the control unit. The left side in Fig. 2 is the head. In Fig. 2, R is a transition ramp time, SOP is a packet start symbol, BS is a bit sync signal, UW is a sync word, XID is a source ID, RID is a destination ID, and PT is the packet type, DATA is the transmitted data content, CRC is the cyclic redundancy check character from XID to DATA, and EOP is the end-of-packet symbol. </p><p>Packet types PTs include the following. </p><p>(a) standard packet</p><p>All USB packets generated by the device and IN tokens (read commands) from the computer 1 are transmitted in this kind of radio packets. In the packet type PT, a bit indicating a standard packet is set, and the data DATA includes all bits from the PID of the USB packet to just before the EOP. </p><p>(b) composite packet </p><p>It is a type of wireless packet used to transmit an OUT or SETUP token (write or setup command) and the data following it on USB at once. In the packet type PT, a bit indicating that it is a composite packet is set, and the data DATA includes an OUT or SETUP token and a data packet of USB. </p><p>(c) ACK packet</p><p>It is transmitted when a radio packet is normally received. It is used when the radio port 5 receives a radio control packet, when the radio hub 3 receives a control information packet, when the radio hub 3 receives a data packet in response to the IN token, and the like. There is no data DATA part in the ACK packet.</p><p>(d) NAK packets </p><p>A radio packet is transmitted when it has been able to receive it but the port is not in a state where it can perform processing. There is no data DATA part in the NAK packet. </p><p>(e) periodic packet</p><p>This packet is used for device connection, port status control, and USB frame cycle control. Data The DATA part includes a delay time part, a device type part, and a port status part. The delay time part indicates the delay time from the scheduled transmission time of the periodic packet. The device type part indicates the type of a connectable device. This device type includes a low-speed device, a full-speed device, a hub, a host-to-host communication virtual device, and a group. Devices can be registered in a group, and when you want to connect only devices in the group, you designate a group. The port state part is a bit map that is 1 when the port is in the enabled state and 0 otherwise (stop, disable, disconnect, power off), and is listed in order of port number. However, bit 0 indicates the status of the wireless hub. </p><p>It is also possible to provide a unit that performs processing necessary for transmitting periodic packets in the control unit A 17 of the wireless hub 3, and to periodically create the data DATA portion by the unit. Then, it is broadcast by the transmitter of the radio transceiver A (21). </p><p>(f) connection request packet</p><p>It is used when requesting a connection to the wireless hub 3 . Sent as a response to periodic packets. Data In the DATA part, the type of device connected to the port is input. </p><p>(g) connection approval (permission) packet</p><p>This is a packet for device connection authentication by the wireless hub 3 . Sent in response to a connection request packet. Data In the DATA part, a logical port number in the wireless hub is input. This port number is equivalent to the port number in USB. </p><p>(h) port state change packet</p><p>This is to notify the hub of a hardware port state change. Sent in response to periodic packets. Data The DATA part indicates what changes have been made, such as connection status, port invalidation, stop, overcurrent, reset shutdown, and remote resume. </p><p>(i) wireless control packet</p><p>This is a packet for transmitting a control command from the wireless hub 3 to the wireless port 5 . Data The DATA part contains control commands. </p><p>(j) control data packet </p><p>This is a packet for transmitting control information from the device 7 requested in the control command. Data The DATA part contains control information. </p><p>(C) interference/collision avoidance process</p><p>When performing wireless communication, some interference/collision prevention is implemented. Here, the wireless hub 3 or the wireless port 5 specifies the sender and the receiver of the packet by the assigned identifier, respectively, and prevents receiving the packet from another system. In addition, the CSMA/CA method for each transaction is adopted for preventing packet collision. Here, the radio transceiver and the control unit cooperate to execute the following processing. </p><p>One. Step 1</p><p>The control unit A 17 of the wireless hub 3 initiating a new transaction makes the wireless transceiver A 21 confirm the absence of a wireless carrier before transmitting the wireless packet. When a radio carrier exists, it waits for the end of the communication. </p><p>2. Step 2</p><p>When the absence of the wireless carrier is confirmed, the control unit A 17 of the wireless hub 3 starts a timer, and monitors the wireless carrier again to the wireless transceiver A 21 for an integer multiple of the unit back-off. make it do </p><p>This integer is a random integer within the maximum backoff. The maximum backoff is set to an initial value of, for example, 8, and is controlled according to communication conditions. In the case where more than the maximum backoff time has already elapsed since the loss of the immediately preceding carrier in step 1, the carrier monitoring in this step is not necessary. </p><p>3. Step 3</p><p>After the absence of a new carrier is confirmed during step 2, the wireless hub 3 (wireless transceiver A 21) starts transmitting a wireless packet. </p><p>4. step 4</p><p>After the radio port 5 (radio transceiver B 23), which has normally received the radio packet, confirms the end-of-packet symbol EOP and the subsequent loss of carrier, it starts transmitting a response within the radio turnaround time. </p><p>5. step 5</p><p>The wireless port 5 (radio transmitter B 23) continues to transmit the bit sync pattern from the start of transmission until the response content is confirmed, and starts sending the sync word UW when the preparation of the wireless packet to be transmitted is completed. . </p><p>6. step 6</p><p>The wireless hub 3 retransmits the wireless packet when a response cannot be obtained even after the turnaround time has elapsed from the end of the wireless packet transmission. For example, when a response cannot be obtained even after three radio packet transmissions, a cut-off process described later is performed.</p><p>(D) connection process</p><p>The connection of the wireless port 5 to the wireless hub 3 follows the following procedure. However, it is assumed that the wireless hub 3 is already in operation and the wireless port is in a power-off state. </p><p>Initially, the powered wireless port 5 activates the receiver of the wireless transceiver B 23 when the device 7 is connected to the wireless port 5 (FIG. 3, step 100). The control unit B25 causes the USB interface unit B27 to check the presence or absence of the connection of the device 7, and when the connection of the device 7 is confirmed, it operates the receiver. Then, periodic packets transmitted by the wireless hub 3 (step 110) are searched over all channels (step 120). Here, the periodic packet transmitted by the wireless hub 3 designates a connectable device by the destination ID (RID) and the device type in the data DATA. When a specific device is not specified, the destination ID is set to 0, for example. As a result of this search, for example, based on the following priorities, the wireless hub 3 to be connected is determined and synchronized therewith. </p><p>(a) Among the wireless hubs that transmit periodic packets whose destination ID matches the device ID of the wireless port 5, the one with the highest signal strength. </p><p>(b) Among the wireless hubs that transmit connectable periodic packets, the one with the highest wireless strength. </p><p>(c) The one with the highest signal strength among the wireless hubs that transmit unreachable periodic packets. </p><p>The receiver of the radio transceiver B 23 notifies the control unit B 25 of the content and signal strength of the received periodic packet, and determines which radio hub the control unit B 25 connects to. After determining, the control unit B 25 instructs the radio transceiver B 23 to synchronize with the periodic packet of the radio hub. </p><p>If no periodic packet is detected in step 120, this search is continued. Further, after determining the wireless hub 3 to be connected and establishing synchronization, only periodic packets are received, and the rest of the time, the power saving mode is shifted. After this, communications from other wireless hubs are completely ignored. In addition, for power saving, the wireless port can be monitored at a rate of once every several times, without needing to monitor periodic packets every time. </p><p>When the periodic packet (step 140) that the wireless port 5 receives after establishing synchronization with the wireless hub 3 indicates that it is connectable, the wireless port 5 sends a connection request packet to the wireless hub 3 (step 150). The device ID is included in this connection request packet. The control unit B25 receives notification of the contents of the periodic packet from the radio transceiver B23, and instructs transmission of the connection request packet. Upon receiving the connection request packet from the wireless port 5, the wireless hub 3 assigns a port number to the device ID of the wireless port 5 and transmits a connection permission packet including the port number (step 160). Since the wireless hub 3 needs to manage addresses of a plurality of wireless ports to be connected, it is also conceivable to include an address management unit specializing in address management in the control unit A17. For example, this address management unit assigns a port number to a device ID and holds it temporarily. The wireless port 5 receiving the connection permission packet transmits an ACK packet to the wireless hub 3 (step 170). The transmission of packets in steps 150, 160, and 170 must all occur within a predetermined radio turnaround time. </p><p>The wireless port 5 that has received the wireless permission packet has the device ID of the wireless hub 3 and the port number assigned to it, but has not yet been formally registered here. This is because there is a fear that the ACK packet may not be received by the wireless hub 3 . On the other hand, the wireless hub 3 receiving the ACK packet from the wireless port 5 causes the address management unit to register the device ID and port number in the table. This table may be provided in the buffer 19 or in the control unit A 17 . On the other hand, when the wireless hub 3 has not received the ACK packet, it is considered that the connection authentication has not succeeded. After that, for example, the wireless port through which the connection request packet was transmitted is designated as the destination ID in three periodic packets. </p><p>When the ACK packet is received, the radio port of the ACK packet transmission source is not designated as the destination ID in subsequent periodic packets (step 190). That is, another wireless port is designated as a destination, or a specific device is not designated. When this periodic packet is received by the wireless port 5, the wireless port 5 formally registers the device ID of the wireless hub 3 and the port number assigned to it (step 200). By receiving this periodic packet, it can be known that the ACK packet has been reliably received by the wireless hub 3, and the connection procedure is formally completed. </p><p>On the other hand, after transmitting the ACK packet, if the wireless port 5 receives a periodic packet that has designated itself as the destination, it is known that the wireless hub 3 cannot receive the ACK packet and the access procedure has ended in failure. Therefore, the flow returns to step 150 . </p><p>So far, the wireless hub 3 and the wireless port 5 have completed the connection procedure, but the existence of the wireless port 5 is not recognized by the computer 1 . Therefore, after the processing of FIG. 3 is completed, the same procedure as that of FIG. 4 is performed. That is, the USB controller 9 of the computer 1 periodically inquires the wireless hub 3 for status changes of hubs and ports (step 210). When there is a new entry in the table of port numbers and device IDs, the USB interface unit A 15 notifies that there is a change (step 220). Upon receiving the change, the computer 1 inquires the current port state (step 225). In response to this, the USB interface unit A 15 of the wireless hub 3 communicates the port status and changes to the computer 1 . When the USB controller 9 approves the change, it transmits the change approval to the wireless hub 3 (step 230). The change approval is transmitted to the control unit A17 via the USB interface unit A15, and the status of change is cleared. Then, the USB interface unit A 15 returns to the computer 1 that the change state has been cleared (step 235). If so, the USB controller 9 of the computer 1 commands a port reset of the wireless port related to the change (step 240). When the USB interface unit A 15 receives this port reset, the control unit A 17 responds to this command and instructs to initialize the port. Then, the USB address 0 is registered in the table corresponding to the port number and device ID of the wireless port related to the change. When the reset is finished, the control unit A 17 transmits the reset end to the USB interface unit A 15, and gives a reset end notification to the computer 1 (step 245). In response to this reset termination notification, the USB controller 9 in the computer 1 allocates and sets a USB address and notifies the wireless hub 3 (step 250). The USB interface unit A15 that has received this notification transfers the USB address to the control unit A17. The control unit A 17 records the notified USB address instead of the USB address 0 on the table (step 255). In this way, the correspondence between the USB address, the port number, and the device ID becomes clear. </p><p>(E) transmission and reception of USB packet</p><p>Since the absolute data rate and frame synchronization cannot be ensured in Wireless USB, only control transfer, bulk transfer, and interrupt transfer specified in USB are supported. For example, processing in the case of receiving an IN token from the computer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . First, the USB controller 9 of the computer 1 transmits the IN token 400 to the USB interface unit A 15 of the wireless hub 3 . The USB interface unit A 15 notifies the control unit A 17 which USB packet has been received, and stores the USB packet 400 in the buffer 19 . Then, the NAK 410 (USB packet) is transmitted to the USB controller 9 . This is because data cannot be transferred immediately because it is connected wirelessly. Then, after confirming that it is a read command and the destination, the control unit A 17 instructs the radio transceiver A 21 to transmit a standard packet 420 (wireless) including the IN token of the USB packet to the destination device. In addition, this transmission is performed when the wireless medium becomes available. </p><p>After receiving the standard packet 420 , the radio transceiver B 23 of the radio port 5 forwards it to the control unit B 25 , and the control unit B 25 constructs the received IN token 430 . It instructs the USB interface unit B 27 to do so. The USB interface unit B 27 outputs the USB packet 430 to the USB controller 31 of the device 7 . The device 7 forwards the USB packet 440 containing the data DATA0 to the USB interface unit B 27 of the wireless port 5 . The USB interface unit B 27 forwards the ACK packet 450 to the device 7 . This avoids the timeout. Further, the USB interface unit B 27 transfers the received USB packet 440 to the control unit B 25 , and the control unit B 25 sends the standard packet 460 (wireless) to the radio transceiver B 23 . command to send In addition, after outputting the IN token 430, if there is no response from the device 7 within the bus turnaround time of the USB bus, an empty standard packet is transmitted. Then, the radio transceiver A 21 of the radio hub 3 that has received the standard packet 460 output from the radio port 5 transmits the ACK packet 470 . The radio transceiver A 21 notifies the control unit A 17 that it has received the standard packet 460 and stores the contents of the packet 460 in the buffer 19 . </p><p>If an IN token 480 of the same destination is transmitted from the USB controller 9 of the computer 1 during the period from the transmission of the standard packet 420 to the transmission of the ACK packet 470 , the wireless hub 3 does nothing other than delivery of the NAK packet 490 . This is because, since it has been transmitted wirelessly once, further transmission of wireless packets will only congest the communication path. Therefore, it is necessary for the control unit A 17 of the wireless hub 3 to manage which packets are transmitted to which wireless ports. </p><p>After sending the ACK packet 470, when the IN token 500 of the same destination is transmitted again, the control unit A 17 transfers the address of the buffer 19 to the USB interface unit A 15, and the USB interface unit A 15 reads the USB packet 510 from the buffer 19 and outputs it to the USB controller 9 . In response, the USB controller 9 transmits an ACK packet 520 . </p><p>In the case of the OUT token, after the wireless hub 3 receives the USB packet including the write data, the composite packet (wireless) is transmitted to the wireless port 5 . Sending a NAK packet is the same. Then, after receiving the ACK packet from the wireless port 5, when an OUT token of the same destination is received from the computer 1, the wireless hub 3 transmits the ACK packet. </p><p>Also, NAK packets cannot be transmitted for the SETUP token. So, every time an ACK is sent to the computer 1 to receive a SETUP token, it is sent to the wireless port as a new communication. </p><p>(F) buffer</p><p>In USB, it is allowed to respond with NAK to IN/OUT transaction, but ACK response is mandatory for SETUP transaction. For this reason, it is preferable to prepare separate buffers for SETUP and IN/OUT transactions. Accordingly, the buffer 19 is divided into two buffers. </p><p>By using NAK in IN/OUT transaction, at least one buffer for computer 1 and for wireless port 5 is needed. One buffer requires 68 bytes of the maximum packet length of 67 bytes plus the port number. In reality, using this as a unit, the overall buffer size is determined in consideration of cost and communication efficiency. </p><p>In the case of SETUP, since ACK must be transmitted, a FIFO buffer only for the wireless port direction is prepared. Each entry in the buffer requires 15 bytes in total: token (3 bytes), data (11 bytes), and port number (1 byte). The number of entries required for reliable wireless transmission of all SETUP packets is the number of ports x the number of control points. However, considering the number of devices connected to one port and the ratio of all SETUP transaction traffic, it is considered that twice the number of ports is sufficient for the number of buffer entries. In addition, when the buffer for SETUP is full, the wireless hub 3 does not ACK to the computer 1 and sets it as a transaction error. </p><p>(G) state change</p><p>How to handle state changes such as pause/resume and truncation will be described below. </p><p>(1) Suspension and Resume</p><p>The state change is transmitted from the USB controller 9 of the computer 1 to the wireless hub 3 as a change of the signal line state of the USB. In addition, there are cases where all ports connected to the wireless hub 3 are stopped and cases where they are stopped on a port-by-port basis, and accordingly, the destination of the radio packet changes. Then, the USB interface unit A15 detects a change in the signal line state, and transmits it to the control unit A17 as a stop command (step 600 in Fig. 6). The control unit A 17 instructs the radio transceiver A 21 to transmit a radio control packet instructing to stop (step 610). Having received the radio control packet, the radio transceiver B 23 forwards the packet to the control unit B 25, and the control unit B 25 instructs the USB interface unit B 27 to set the signal line state to the stop state. (step 620). In this way, the stop command is transmitted to the device 7 . </p><p>After this, the wireless hub 3 shows on the bit map that the wireless port is in the suspended state in the port status part of the periodic packet (step 630). Also, the wireless port 5 is adapted to receive only periodic packets (step 640). In this way, the wireless port 5 in the suspended state receives only periodic packets, so when the computer 1 resumes the wireless port 5, the wireless port portion of the port status part of the periodic packet is changed to indicate resume. (step 650). Receiving this, the wireless port 5 instructs the control unit B25 to change the signal line state to indicate the restart of at least 20 ms to the USB interface unit B27 (step 660). Accordingly, the device 7 connected to the wireless port 5 resumes. </p><p>Also, if the device, such as a modem, is the device 7, there is a possibility that a remote wake-up will occur. Therefore, the USB interface unit B 27, which has received the remote wake-up signal from the device 7 from the USB controller 33, changes the signal line state to indicate the minimum 20 ms resumption in the same way as above (step 680). However, in response to receiving the next periodic packet from the wireless hub 3 (step 685), a port state change packet indicating resumption is transmitted (step 690). Having received the port state change packet, the wireless hub 3 instructs the USB interface unit A 15 to send the control unit A 17 to the computer 1 to that effect (step 700). </p><p>In addition, if a periodic packet reflecting the state change to resumption is transmitted, for example, three times, the wireless hub assumes that the resumption of the corresponding wireless port has been completed, and responds to the computer 1 . Therefore, the wireless port 5 may receive a standard packet (wireless) including an IN token from the wireless hub 3, but if the resumption is not completed at this point, a NAK packet (wireless) in response to the packet to the wireless hub 3 . </p><p>(2) disconnection</p><p>a) When the wireless port 5 detects that the device 7 connected to the wireless port 5 is disconnected, the disconnection is transmitted to the wireless hub 3 as a port state change packet in response to the periodic packet , transitions to the power-off state. The wireless hub 3 forwards it to the computer 1 . </p><p>b) The same is true when the user resets the wireless port. </p><p>c) When the USB controller 9 of the computer 1 requests port power release, the wireless hub 3 transmits a radio control packet to the target wireless port for power release. After receiving the ACK packet from the wireless port, or after a timeout, the port state is changed to disconnected. When the radio port 5 receives a radio control packet instructing disconnection, it transmits an ACK packet to the radio hub 3 and cancels the registration of the radio hub it owns. </p><p>d) In one wireless transaction, when, for example, three communication errors occur, the wireless hub 3 sets the port to a disconnected state and sets a cutoff in the port state part of the periodic packet. </p><p>e) If the wireless port 5 fails to detect a packet of, for example, three consecutive cycles, it is determined that the wireless hub 3 has fallen into a communication incapacitated state, the hub registration is canceled, and the state is transitioned to a power-off state. . In addition, since there is a possibility that the periodic packet detection may fail while the radio port is in a suspended or disabled state, in this case, radio packets are always monitored for a time equivalent to, for example, three periods in order to perform resynchronization. If the periodic packet cannot still be detected, the same processing as above is performed. </p><p>F) When the port state part of the periodic packet is changed to disabled, the radio control packet corresponding to the port stop or disable command is usually received from the radio hub 3 before that. Therefore, if they are not received, it is interpreted as being separated from the wireless hub due to a transaction failure, and the wireless hub's registration is canceled to change to a power-off state. </p><p>Next, a method of communication between hosts will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11 . Fig. 8 is a block diagram when the computer A 51 and the computer B 53 communicate. Computer A (51) is connected to wireless hub A (59) via USB (55). This wireless hub A 59 is performing wireless communication with the wireless port 63 and the wireless port 65 by the method described above. It is assumed that the radio channel A is used for communication with the radio port 63 and the radio port 65 . When an application on computer A 51 issues a connection establishment command to communicate with computer B 53, wireless hub A 59 sends DDBa 60 (Device-Device Bridge-a, Device-Device Bridge-a) a) is logically created and activated. This DDBa (60) will be described in detail later. On the other hand, the computer B53 is also connected to the wireless hub B61 by the USB57. Wireless hub B 61 is communicating with wireless port 67 and wireless port 69 over wireless channel B. The wireless hub B 61 logically creates and starts the DDBb 62 (Device-Device Bridgeb, Device-Device Bridge b) when communicating with the wireless hub A 59 . This DDBb 62 is functionally the same as the DDBa 60, and will be described later in detail. The DDBa (60) and DDBb (62) communicate between the computer A (51) and the computer B (53). In addition, transmission from the DDBa 60 to the DDBb 62 is performed on the radio channel B, and vice versa. </p><p>Since USB only stipulates communication between a host and a peripheral device, a communication method in which the peripheral device responds to a polling from the host is adopted. Therefore, it is impossible for the host and the host to communicate equally under USB. Simply, if a host operates as a peripheral device of another host, it is undesirable to give up connection with a peripheral device existing under a certain host. Accordingly, DDBa and DDBb are installed in each host (in this embodiment, in a wireless hub), and operate as virtual peripheral devices. Then, by performing wireless communication between the DDBa and the DDBb, communication between hosts is enabled. Since DDBa and DDBb are installed for communication between computer A and computer B, a new pair of DDB is installed for communication with another computer. In the present embodiment, the wireless hub is logically created and started. However, the control unit A 17 in Fig. 1 may emulate this DDB or install an appropriate number of DDBs in hardware. good. In addition, as the radio channel is cut as shown in FIG. 8, communication between host peripheral devices other than the host-to-host communication is simultaneously possible. </p><p>Fig. 9 shows the functional blocks of the DDB 71. As shown in Figs. When viewed from a computer, it has a USB interface 71a on the computer side in order to operate as a peripheral device in USB. The USB interface 71a responds to the polling from the computer according to the protocol of USB. On the other hand, it has a wireless interface 71c for communicating with the wireless transceiver A21 in the wireless hub 32 of FIG. Until data from the computer is received and transmitted as a radio signal by the radio transceiver A21, or until the radio transceiver A21 transmits the received signal in response to polling from the computer, data A buffer 71b to hold the . The structure of this buffer 71b may be any, but it is also possible to divide the buffer 71b into one for the direction of the wireless interface 71c from the USB interface 71a and one for the reverse direction thereof. Since the DDB is a logical device by the control unit A 17 in this embodiment, the buffer 71c becomes a part of the buffer 19 . </p><p>Next, an operation for establishing a connection between the computer A 51 and the computer B 53 will be described (see Fig. 10). Here, the case where the application in the computer A 51 generates a connection command is shown (step 800). When a connection command is generated, the wireless hub 59 creates and starts up the DDBa 60, and assigns a port number to the DDBa 60 (step 810). It is assumed that the DDBa 60 has the same device ID as that of the wireless hub A 59 . However, other IDs may be assigned. Then, the wireless hub A 59 searches for packets of the wireless hub B 61 over all wireless channels. When the packet of the wireless hub B 61 is found, the wireless hub A 59 avoids the transmission timing of its own periodic packet, monitors the wireless channel B, and waits for the reception of the periodic packet (step 820). If the periodic packet of the wireless hub B 61 is not received even by the monitor for three or more cycles, the wireless hub A 59 transmits the periodic packet transmission timing for its own system from the next time, for example, the radio frame length. delay by 1/2 of Prior to this, the wireless hub A 59 makes all wireless ports active, and notifies the change of the transmission timing by means of a wireless control command. </p><p>When the wireless hub A 59 receives the periodic packet from the wireless hub B 61 on the wireless channel B (step 830), the wireless hub A 59 knows that it is the DDB of the USB system operating on the wireless channel A. and transmits a connection request packet to the radio channel B (step 840). However, if the periodic packet from the wireless hub A 61 does not indicate that the DDB can be connected, the connection request packet cannot be transmitted. Then, the wireless hub B 61 transmits a connection permission packet to the wireless channel B (step 850). In the case of the wireless hub wireless port shown earlier, the port number is included in the access permission packet. This is because the port number is used when the state change is indicated by a bit map in the periodic packet. However, in communication between hosts, there are cases where the state change is not particularly notified, so whether or not the port number is included in the connection permission packet is arbitrary. After receiving the connection permission packet, the wireless hub A 59 transmits an ACK to the wireless hub B 61 on the wireless channel B (step 860). On the other hand, in the wireless hub B61, the DDBb 62 is created and started, and a port number is assigned (step 870). Also, the DDBb 62 has the same device ID as the wireless hub B 61 . However, other IDs may be assigned. It is also possible to generate and start the DDBb 62 in response to a connection request packet. </p><p>After transmitting the ACK, the radio hub A 59 switches the radio channel, and this time transmits a periodic packet destined for the DDBb 62 over the radio channel A used in its own system (step 880). This can be done by designating the DDB as the destination for the wireless hub B61. Then, having received the ACK and periodic packet, the wireless hub B 61 transmits a connection request packet to the wireless channel A (step 890). Having received the connection request packet, the wireless hub A 59 transmits a connection permission packet to the wireless channel A (step 900). Wireless hub B 61 transmits an ACK to wireless channel A in response thereto (step 910). When the wireless hub A 59 receives the ACK, it designates something other than the DDBb 62 in the subsequent periodic packet (step 920). Accordingly, when the wireless hub B 61 receives a periodic packet that does not designate itself on the wireless channel A, it can know that the ACK has been received by the wireless hub A 59, so that the wireless hub A 59 The device ID, the radio channel being A, and the port number of the DDBb 62 are stored correspondingly (step 930). On the other hand, the wireless hub A 59 temporarily stores the device ID and the wireless channel of the wireless hub B 61 and the port number of the DDBa 60 in correspondence thereto (step 940). However, this does not complete all settings. DDBa and DDBb must be identified by computer A and computer B, respectively. Such processing must be performed by the computer and the wireless hub as shown in Fig.4. </p><p>In this way, the USB address, wireless channel information, port number, and ID of the corresponding wireless hub are registered in correspondence with the wireless hub table, thereby terminating the establishment of the connection. </p><p>Next, processing in the case where a communication request is generated from the computer A to the wireless hub A will be described with reference to FIG. Upon receiving the communication request from the computer A51 to the computer B53, the wireless hub A59 (step 1000) transmits a NAK to the computer A51 (step 1010). Then, the radio channel used by the wireless hub B 61 connected to the computer B 53 is searched for and switched to the wireless channel, and after detecting the carrier, only data packets are transmitted to the wireless hub B 61 (step 1020). ). Also, the communication request includes an OUT token and a data packet, but the OUT token is discarded. After receiving the communication request, it may take some time for the data packet to be transmitted to the wireless hub B (61), so only the data packet is stored in the buffer of the DDBa (60). </p><p>Upon receiving the data packet, the wireless hub B 61 interprets the downstream direction packet as inter-host communication, and stores the data packet in the buffer of the DDBb 62 corresponding to the source ID (step 1030). The downstream direction indicates transmission from the wireless hub, and the upstream direction indicates transmission to the wireless hub. In this case, since it is transmitted from the wireless hub A 59, the data packet is in the downstream direction. However, the transmission from the normal wireless port is the transmission to the wireless hub, so it is distinguishable as the upstream direction. If the data packet can be stored in the buffer of the DDBb 62, the wireless hub B 61 transmits an ACK to the wireless hub A 59 (step 1050). On the other hand, when the buffer is full and cannot be stored, the NAK is transmitted to the wireless hub A 59 . </p><p>Then, the wireless hub A 59 that has received the ACK transmits the ACK to the computer A 59 when it receives the same command from the computer A 51 to the same destination (step 1040). Further, the wireless hub B 61 transmits the received data packet in response to the polling from the computer B (step 10160). Upon receiving this, the computer B 53 transmits an ACK to the wireless hub B 61, and in response to this, the wireless hub B 61 releases the buffer storing the data packet (step 1070). </p><p>In Fig. 11, the operation performed by the wireless hub to the computer corresponds to the DDB as a USB-connected device. </p><p>In this way, when the DDB is installed and communication between hosts is performed, the DDB cannot always monitor periodic packets of the wireless hub because the DDB uses a different wireless channel than the wireless port communication. Thus, the DDB maintains the link by the presence of packets from the peer. A link in which communication is not conducted for a certain period of time or longer is cut off by the host. This time can be set arbitrarily. Also, a USB system with an extended link for communication between hosts cannot be stopped. When DDB receives a port stop command, the DDB executes a truncation process. If the system stops, all links are cut. Here, for example, it is assumed that the link of communication between hosts is cut in the following cases. (a) disconnect command by USB host, (b) reset by user, (c) three consecutive errors within one wireless transaction, (d) hang up of wireless hub or wireless port, (e) more than a certain period of time lack of communication.</p><p>A truncation command by one host is transmitted to the other by a radio control packet. Thereby, the cutting|disconnection process is performed also in the other host. Disconnection due to conditions other than this is not notified to the other system. In the other party's system, disconnection processing is performed due to an error in a subsequent transaction or absence of communication. A truncated DDB cannot be reused during the lowest timeout period. </p><p>A network can be built very simply by the arrangement as described above, and it is possible to designate a host in exactly the same way as accessing a device. On the other hand, since it is communication only between directly connected hosts, it is limited to the range that radio waves of the network reach. In the case of performing communication beyond this, communication can be performed through an intermediate host. This is made possible by the protocol of the upper layer without making any changes to the mechanism. However, the upper device driver is responsible for maintaining the bus topology and communication path, and it is necessary to allocate a unique physical address of the communication network between USB hosts. </p><p>The above is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the separation method of functional blocks in the wireless hub 3 and the wireless device 5 is arbitrary, and any block separation capable of performing the above-described processing can be performed. In addition, although only one USB connector is shown in the computer 1, a plurality of USB connectors may be installed. Although only one device 7 is connected to the wireless port 5, it is also possible to change so that a plurality of devices can be connected. In addition, although FIG. 1 shows that the wireless hub 3 is installed outside the computer 1, it is also possible to install it inside the computer 1. As shown in FIG. Similarly, the wireless port 5 is provided outside the device 7 , but it is also possible to install it inside the device 7 . In addition, the control unit and the USB interface unit can be replaced by a microcontroller and a program.</p><p>In addition, the number of DDBs and the number of wireless ports shown in FIG. 8 are arbitrary. It is also possible to increase the number of computers. Functional blocks in the DDB are also arbitrary, and are not limited to FIG. 9 . Even if the DDB creation and start processing in Fig. 10 is not performed at the timing shown, there are cases in which the connection processing is not affected. For example, the DDBb 62 on the computer B side may be implemented between steps 830 and 850 . </p><p>In addition, the numerical values shown in the above embodiment are numerical values in the present embodiment, and are naturally changed when the implementation method is changed. </p>
<p>It could provide a way to overcome the problems of making a bus such as USB wireless. </p><p>Moreover, by making USB wireless, the burden and problem of cable connection were eliminated, and it was possible to carry out attachment/detachment and movement of a device easily. </p><p>It was possible to provide a configuration that enables host-to-host communication by wireless USB.</p>
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Numbers
- Publication
- 1019990023310
- Publication, DOCDB
- 19990023310
- Publication, EPODOC
- KR19990023310
- Application
- 100031524
- Application, DOCDB
- 19980031524
- Application, EPODOC
- KR19980031524
Titles4
- Korean
- 무선 장치 및 무선 장치 간에서의 접속 확립 방법
- English
- A wireless device and a method for establishing a connection between the wireless device
- Unlabeled
- 무선 장치 및 무선 장치 간에서의 접속 확립 방법
- Unlabeled
- A wireless device and a method for establishing a connection between the wireless device
Classification
- CPC, 5
- H04W76/10
- H04W4/18
- H04W8/26
- H04W72/00
- H04W72/04
- IPC, 6
- G06F13 00
- H04L12 28
- H04L29 08
- H04W74 04
- H04W84 12
- H04W88 00