FLEXIBLE MOBILE DEVICE CONNECTIVITY TO AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS WITH UBS HUBS

摘要

A system which is configured to enable a vehicle's embedded USB Host system to connect to multiple mobile devices through a USB Hub, regardless of whether the mobile devices are configured to act as USB Hosts or USB Devices, without the need to add or provide OTG controllers in the system or additional vehicle wiring, or inhibiting the functionality of any consumer devices operating in USB Device mode connected to a vehicle system Hub while another consumer device connected to the same Hub operates in USB Host mode. Preferably, the system is configured to provide that no additional cabling is required, and no hardware changes are required to be made to the HU. The system can be employed between a vehicle's embedded USB Host, USB Hub and at least one consumer accessible USB port. In the case where the consumer device is acting as a USB Host, signals between the consumer device and the vehicle's embedded USB Host are processed through a bridge, thereby rendering the consumer device compatible with the vehicle's embedded USB Host.

主权项

1. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub module, comprising:
a first USB port configured to be connected to a USB host; a second USB port configured to be connected to a consumer device; a USB hub interconnected to the first USB port and the second USB port; a USB bridge interconnected to the USB hub; and a USB routing switch interconnected to the USB bridge, the USB hub, and the second USB port, wherein the USB routing switch is configured to connect the second USB port to the first USB port through the USB bridge, thereby supporting bidirectional initiation of communication between the USB host and the consumer device when the consumer device connected to the second USB port is in a USB host mode and wherein the USB routing switch is configured to connect the second USB port directly to the first USB port through the USB hub, thereby supporting only communication initiated by the USB Host when the consumer device connected to the second USB port is in a USB device mode.