A connection hub

A CONNECTION HUB

0002FIELD OF INVEN TION The invention relates to data communication. More particularly, the invention relates to a connection hub for establishing communication link between at least two different types of terminals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0004Mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets are gaining popularity among consumers. Nowadays, many of the banking industries are still using desktop computers to carry out their daily operations. However, the desktop computers can be replaced by the tablet devices if they can be wiredly connected to a network or communicate with other device wiredly tor security purposes. Nonetheless, the compact design of a tablet device only allows it to carry a single communication port and this port can only connected to one connector or adapter. This greatly limits its capability in establishing interconnection with other types of devices. There are a few patented technologies over the prior art relating to aforementioned adapter. Of interest in respect to Universal Serial Bus (USB) to Ethemet adaptor is WO2003056442AJ . This patent discloses a USB to ethemet adaptor comprises a wall jack having an integral ethernet to USB converter, wherein the wall jack has a body, a USB socket being positioned in the body, connectors adapted to connect to wires of a telephone line in the body; the ethernet to universal serial bus converter being disposed between the socket and the connectors, the converter being adapted to condition data which passes through the body.

0005Another type of adapter is disclosed in US2007G204093A1. This patent discloses An exemplary device for USB to RS232. adapter includes a computer with a code update software stored therein, a connector, and a voltage converter coupled to the connector. The computer is configured to connect to one end of the USB to RS232 adapter. The connector is configured to connect to an opposite end of the USB to RS232 adapter for receiving a low voltage signal from the computer via the RS232 adapter. The voltage converter is for receiving the low voltage signal and converting the low voltage signal to a high voltage signal to be transmitted to the computer via the connector and the USB to R.S232 adapter, so that the computer starts the code update software to update the USB to RS232 adapter.

0006Referring to the prior art, they are not capable of connecting a smartphone or tablet device to a network and at least one external device simultaneously. Therefore, there is a need for prior connector to integrate the above mentioned functions so that the smartphone or tablet device can concurrently link to a network and external devices. The present invention provides such an apparatus.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

0008The invention provides a connection hub comprises a first terminal for the attachment of a Universal Serial. Bus, USB/lightoing port; a second terminal for the attachment of a .Ethernet port; a third terminal for the attachment of a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter, UA.RT port; and a microcontroller for facilitating communication links between the terminals; characterised in that the microcontroller includes a communication module configured to conduct a handshake for at least one terminal to establish a communication link, with other terminals, and a data transmission module to regulate data transmission between the terminals.

0009In one embodiment of the invention, the connection hub may further comprise a fourth terminal for the attachment of a RS-232 port, whereby the communication module of the microcontroller is further configured to conduct a further handshake to link the fourth terminal with other terminals. in another embodiment of the invention, the connection hub may further comprise a fifth terminal for the attachment of a Serial Peripheral Interface, SP1 port, whereby the communication module of the microcontroller is further configured to conduct a further handshake to link the fifth terminal \vith other terminals.

0010Yet in another embodiment of the inventions the connection hub may further comprise a sixth terminal for the attachment of a Inter-Integrated Circuit, I2C port, whereby the communication module of the microcontroller is further configured to conduct a further handshake to link the sixth terminal with other terminals.

0011Still in another embodiment of the invention, the connection hub may further comprise a seventh terminal for the attachment of a Transistor Transislor Logic, TTL norts wherebv the communication module of the microcontroller is further configured to conduct a further handshake to link the seventh terminal with other terminals.

0012Preferably, the microcontroller may further include a signal converter module for converting an incoming signal format of one teniiinai to a format suitable for another terminal to transmit.

0013Preferably, the connection hub can be housed within a casing. Such easing may have open-end compartments for containing the ports.

0014Yet in another embodiment of the invention, the connection hub further comprises a power terminal connectable to an external power source for supplying electricity to the microcontroller. Alternatively, the microcontroller can be powered by a mobile device connected to the first terminal.

0015The connection hub may further include a power supply circuit for regulating the power output of a power source.

0016One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as weli as those inherent therein. The embodiments described herein are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0018For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated. Fig. i is a perspective diagram illustrating an exemplary of a connection hub.

0019Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the connection hub in details.

0020Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a microcontroller of the connection hub.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0022The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings. Referring to Figs. I to 3, the connection hub 1 as illustrated therein comprises a casing 2 for containing a microcontroller 3, a plurality of terminals 5-1 i , and power supply circuit 4. Each terminal 5-11 is designed to readily receive a designated connection port. Preferably, the connection hub 1 includes a lightning/USB terminal 5 for receiving at least one lightning/TJSB port, a power terminal 6 for receiving at least one power jack/connector port, a Ethernet terminal 7 for receiving at least one Etheraet port, a I2C terminal 8 for receiving at least one I2C port, a TTL terminal 9 for receiving at least one TTL port, a RS-232 terminal 10 for receiving at least one RS-232 port, and an unique terminal 1 1 for receiving other serial port such as UART port, SP1 port, and etc. The casing 2 may have open-end compartments tor containing the different ports.

0023The different ports can be connected to different types of devices via the right type of cable. The connected devices can be categorised into host devices 12 and peripheral devices 13. Host devices 12 are devices that have computing-intensive functionality whereas peripheral devices 13 are internal or external devices that connect to the host device(s) 12 but does not contribute to the computing function. Host devices 12 can include personal digital assistants (FDA), smart phones, tablets, laptops, netbooks, phabiets, phoblets, iPad, and etc. Peripheral devices 13 can include biomeirie device, passport reader, printer, scanner, ID card reader, cash deposit machine, cash dispenser machine, internet banking system, virtual banking system, virtual teller machine, mobile sales system, ATM machine, cash deposit machine, instant acquisition system, card dispenser, cheque collector, cheque printing device, instant card embosser, bill payment system, branch delivery system, router, PIN encryption device, signature pad, cash register machine, and credit card machine.

0024The main functions of the microcontroller 3 are to establish communication links between the terminals, to handle all the communication signals, and to regulate the data transmission. The microcontroller may include a UART module 15 to process UART standard signals, a RS-232 module 16 to process RS-232 standard signals, a USB module 17 to process USB standard signals, a lightning module 18 to process lightning standard signals, a I2C module 19 to process I2C standard signals, a SP1 module 20 to process SPI standard signals, a TTL module 22 to process TTL standard signals, and a Ethernet module 21 to transmit or receive data to/from a local or internet, network 14. The microcontroller 3 may further include a communication module 26 configured to conduct handshakes for the establishment of communication links between the terminals 5-1 1 , a signal convenor module 25 for converting an incoming signal format of one terminal to a format suitable for another tenninal to transmit, a data transmission module 24 to regulate data transmission between the terminals 5-11 , an installer module 23 to provide an application which is installable by the connected host device 12 and to automate the installation process, and a power supply circuit 4 linked the power terminal 6 for regulating the power output of a power source. Alternatively, the microcontroller 3 can also be powered by a connected host device 12.

0025Preferably, the application contains configurations for different type of peripheral devices 13 so that the corresponding host device 12 can react to the signals of the connected peripheral devices through the connection hub 1. When a peripheral device 13 is connected to a host device 12 via the connection hub 1, the communication module will conduct a handshake between the two connected terminals to establish a communication link.. Once the communication link is established, the two devices 12, 13 can transmit signals to each other through the communication link. The signal converter module 25 will detect the format of the signals and perform a conversion. The transmission of signals will be regulated by the data transmission module 24. Simultaneously the host device 12 can also access to a local or internet network 14 via the Ethernet tenninal. in a first example of operation, a tablet, a signature pad, biometric device and a communication network 14 are connected to the connection hub 1 . The user can through the tablet selectively activate the signature pad or the biometric device for receiving digital signature or biometric data and then further transmit the received data to a server via the network 14 for authentication and verification purposes. This example of operation enables to banker/tellers to perform a verification process to authentication or verify the user via the tablet. hi a second example of operation, a smartphone or tablet can be connected to a cash dispenser, a receipt printer, a card reader, a pin pad and a communication network 14 via the connection hub 1. This arrangement transforms the entire assembly into a portable ATM system where the user can retrieve cash from the cash dispenser via inserting a bank card into the card reader and inputting his/her bank card PIN via the pin pad. Most importantly, the entire process is interfaced by the smartphone/tablet.

0026In a third example of operation, a smartphone or tablet can be connected to a printer, a cash counting module, a cash deposit machine and a communication network 14. This arrangement transforms the assembly into teller counter where different banking services can be provided.

0027In a fourth example of operation, a smartphone or tablet can be connected to an instant card embosser and a communication network 14 to transforms the assembly into an instant card issuance system. in a fifth example of operation, a smartphone or tablet can be connected to a passport- scanner, a boarding pass printer and a communication network 14 to transform the assembly into an airport check-in counter/kiosk. The user can scan his/her passport by the passport scanner to get the boarding pass printed via the boarding pass printer once confirmed by an airline server via the communication network 14, and yet the entire operation is interfaced via the smartphone or tablet.

0028In a sixth example of operation, the smartphone or tablet can be connected to a cash deposit module, a ticket and/or receipt printer and a communication network. This arrangement transforms the assembly into a ticketing counter/kiosk. The user can through the smartphone or tablet to selects his/her designated entry for shows/movie and pay/retrieve the ticket on spot via the cash deposit module and ticket/receipt printer. The present disclosure includes as contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been describetl in its preferred form with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the in v ention .