Background

[0001 ] An electronic device includes a connector to connect to an electrical cable for communicating with another electronic device (or multiple other electronic devices). The connector can include an arrangement of pins used to communicate various signals, including data signals, power signals, ground signals, control signals, and so forth. The arrangement of pins of the connector can be defined by a standard.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0002] Some implementations of the present disclosure are described with respect to the following figures.

[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an arrangement that includes devices and cables that interconnect electronic devices, in accordance with some examples.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an arrangement of signal pins of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C connector, according to some examples.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a cable interconnecting electronic devices, according to some examples.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a cable interconnecting electronic devices, according to further examples.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic device, according to some examples.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a USB Type-C connector, according to some examples. [0009] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

Detailed Description

[0010] In the present disclosure, use of the term "a," "an," or "the" is intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, the term "includes," "including," "comprises," "comprising," "have," or "having" when used in this disclosure specifies the presence of the stated elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of other elements.

[0011 ] A type of connector for an electronic device is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C connector, according to the USB Type-C Specification. USB Type-C is also referred to as USB-C.

[0012] A current version of USB-C employs 24 pins. It is noted that different versions of the USB-C can employ different arrangements of pins.

[0013] A "pin" of a connector can refer to an electrical contact that can electrically mate with an electrical contact of a corresponding connector (such as a connector of a cable or another electronic device). A "cable" can refer to an arrangement of electrical conductors used to transfer signals, power, ground, and so forth. The arrangement of electrical conductors can be contained within a protective outer sheath. In some examples, a "cable" can also refer to multiple subsets of electrical conductors, where each subset of electrical conductors is contained with a respective different protective outer sheath.

[0014] A DisplayPort technology enables communications of audio and video data over a single cable. A current version of the DisplayPort technology is DisplayPort 2.0. DisplayPort 2.0 provides for a relatively high bandwidth communications of video data, and DisplayPort 2.0 can support 4K or 8K video data, for example. Although reference is made to DisplayPort 2.0 in some examples, it is noted that the term "DisplayPort" can refer to DisplayPort 2.0 or another version of DisplayPort.

[0015] As used here, "video data" can refer to still image data and/or motion image data that depicts depicted objects in motion.

[0016] DisplayPort data can be carried over designated pins of a LISB-C connector. In some examples, DisplayPort data is transmitted in only a single direction through a LISB-C connector between electronic devices. Some examples may support multiple DisplayPort lanes using respective sets of pins of the LISB-C. However, such multiple DisplayPort lanes are used to increase the bandwidth in a single direction, by performing unidirectional transmission of multiple sets of video data over the multiple DisplayPort lanes. A "lane" can refer to a set of signals or pins.

[0017] In some contexts, it may be desirable to perform high-speed bidirectional communication of video data between electronic devices. In accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, a LISB-C connector is provided in which multiple sets of video signal pins are used to concurrently transmit video data bidirectionally in opposite directions through a LISB-C connector.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example arrangement in which bidirectional communication of video data between devices can occur over a LISB-C communication link. As used here, a "communication link" can refer to a cable and/or a connector.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows an example arrangement that includes a user device 102, a console device 104, and a computer device 106. Although FIG. 1 shows a specific arrangement of devices, it is noted that different arrangements of devices can be used in other examples. For example, in other examples, instead of three devices, an arrangement can include just two devices or more than three devices. [0020] The user device 102 can include any or some combination of the following: a desktop computer, a notebook computer, an all-in-one (AIO) computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a game appliance, a vehicle, a controller in a vehicle, a household appliance, an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, and so forth.

[0021] The console device 104 can perform certain control operations associated with communication and/or presentation of video data. For example, the console device 104 can be a conference room control device used in a meeting room where participants can attend an online video conference with other participants at other location(s). For example, the console device 104 can be used to connect to a computer device 106 to establish a videoconferencing session that involves multiple participants, including participant(s) at the user device 102, participant(s) at the console device 104 (such as in a meeting room), and possibly additional participants at additional user devices.

[0022] The computer device 106 executes a session control program 108, which can be used to control the establishment of a communication session, such as a videoconferencing session, in response to initiation at the console device 104 or at the user device 102, for example. The session control program 108 can be any of various different commercially available videoconferencing session programs such as SKYPE, WEBEX, MICROSOFT TEAMS, ZOOM, and so forth. In other examples, other types of session control programs can be used.

[0023] In some examples, a user at the console device 104 can use control elements of a control interface 130 of the console device 104 to initiate a communication session such as a videoconferencing session using the session control program 108 in the computer device 106. The control elements of the control interface 130 can include graphical control elements displayed in a touch-sensitive display screen 132 of the console device 104, for example.

[0024] The user device 102 can be connected over a cable 116 to the console device 104. For example, a given participant in the meeting room in which the console device 104 is located may connect the given participant's user device 102 to the console device 104, so that the given participant can view video of the communication session on a display screen 134 of the user device 102. The user device 102 also includes a program 136 to generate an output that includes image data, which can be presented as part of the communication session. For example, the program 136 can produce a spreadsheet or other graphical output for sharing. Although not shown, the user device 102 may also include a camera to acquire video of the given participant that is using the user device 102.

[0025] In a communication session, the user device 102 can send video data (e.g., image data output by the program 136 and/or camera video data from the camera of the user device 102) to the console device 104 over the cable 116. In other examples, the user device 102 can send video data to the console device 104 over a wireless link.

[0026] The console device 104 also includes a video feed 138 received from a video source, such as a camera (or multiple cameras) connected to the console device 104. In other examples, the console device 104 can include camera(s) to produce the video feed 138. The video feed 138 can include video data of the participants in the meeting room where the console device 104 is located.

[0027] The console device 104 sends the user device video data (received from the user device 102) and the video feed 138 to the computer device 106 over a cable 122.

[0028] The computer device 106 includes a video switching module 140 that receives video data 142 transmitted by the console device 104 to the computer device 106. The video switching module 140 is to route different portions of the received video data 142 along different paths. In some examples, the video switching module 140 can be implemented using machine-readable instructions executable in the computer device 106. In other examples, the video switching module 140 can be implemented using a hardware processing circuit in the computer device 106. [0029] The video switching module 140 can send the user device video data (144) over an interface 124-1 from the computer device 106 to a first display device 110-1 connected to the computer device 106. The user device video data 144 (which may have been produced by the program 136 at the user device 102, for example) can be displayed at the first display device 110-1.

[0030] The video switching module 140 can pass the video feed 138 received at the console device 104 to the session control program 108, which can combine the video feed 138 from the console device 104 and video data from another participant device (or multiple other participant devices) of other participant(s) that is (are) involved in the communication session. The other participant device(s) can be coupled to the computer device 106 and/or the console device 104 over a network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a public network such as the Internet, and so forth.

[0031] The session control program 108 can send the combined video feed 146 (of all participants of the communication session) over an interface 124-2 from the computer device 106 to a second display device 110-2, which can display the combined video feed 146.

[0032] In some examples, the session control program 108 can send video data 148 in the other direction over the cable 122 to the console device 104.

[0033] In accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, the cable 122 is able to support concurrent bidirectional communication of video data in opposite directions between the console device 104 and the computer device 106. The concurrent bidirectional communication of video data includes the user device video data and the video feed 138 sent by the console device 104 to the computer device 106, and the video data 148 sent by the computer device 106 to the console device 104.

[0034] More generally, "concurrent bidirectional communication of video data" can refer to communication of first video data in a first direction and communication of second video data in an opposite second direction through a cable or a connector in which there is some time overlap (partial or entire) of the first video data communication and the second video data communication.

[0035] In some examples, the user device 102 includes a user device connector 112, and the console device 104 includes a first console device connector 114. The cable 116 interconnects the user device connector 112 and the first console device connector 114. In some examples, the connectors 112 and 114 are LISB-C connectors, and the cable 116 is a LISB-C cable.

[0036] A LISB-C connector is able to perform communications according to the LISB-C Standard, and a LISB-C cable includes electrical lines to connect to pins of a LISB-C connector.

[0037] An "electrical line" can refer to an electrical conductor or a pair of electrical conductors. In examples where an electrical line includes a pair of electrical conductors, the pair of electrical conductors is used to communicate a differential signal. Note that each electrical line to transfer power, ground, or certain other signals includes a single electrical conductor.

[0038] The console device 104 further includes a second console device connector 118, and the computer device 106 includes a computer device connector 120. The cable 122 interconnects the connectors 118 and 120.

[0039] The connectors 118 and 120 are LISB-C connectors, and the cable 122 is a LISB-C cable 122. In accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, the LISB-C connectors 118, 120 and the LISB-C cable 122 support concurrent bidirectional communication of video data.

[0040] In some examples, the interface 124-1 between the computer device 106 and the first display device 110-1 is a LISB-C interface, and the interface 124-2 between the computer device 106 and the second display device 110-2 is a High- Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface. Although specific interfaces are mentioned for the connections between the computer device 106 and the display devices 110-1 and 110-2, in other examples, different interfaces can be used. An "interface" can refer to a combination of connectors and cables, or to a wireless link.

[0041] Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which two display devices are connected to the computer device 106, in other examples, more than two display devices or less than two display devices can be connected to the computer device 106.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an arrangement of pins of a LISB-C connector 200, which can be the connector 118 or the connector 120 of FIG. 1 . The LISB-C connector 200 includes 24 pins A1 -A12 and B1 -B12. In other examples, a LISB-C connector can include a different arrangement and/or a different quantity of pins.

[0043] In accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, the LISB-C connector 200 includes repurposed pins for supporting bidirectional communication of video data through the LISB-C connector 200. The repurposed pins are used for a different purpose than contemplated by the current LISB-C Standard. However, a later version of the LISB-C Standard (or another standard) may define a use of pins of a LISB-C connector consistent with the description provided in the present disclosure according to some examples.

[0044] Although FIG. 2 shows assignment of specific pins of the LISB-C connector 200 for corresponding purposes, in other examples, a different assignment of pins of the LISB-C connector 200 for corresponding purposes is within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0045] In examples according to FIG. 2, pins B2, B3 are used to transmit first video data (DP0+, DP0-) in a first direction (such as through the cable 122 of FIG. 1 ), and pins A11 , A10 are used to transmit second video data (DP1 +, DP1 -) in the first direction (such as through the cable 122 of FIG. 1 ). The pins B2, B3 constitute a first differential pair of pins to transmit the first video data (in the form of differential signals), and the pins A11 , A10 constitute a second differential pair of pins to transmit the second video data (in the form of differential signals). [0046] In accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, pins A6, A7 are used to receive third video data (DP0X+, DP0X-) transmitted in a second direction (such as through the cable 122 of FIG. 1 ) that is opposite the first direction. The pins A6, A7 constitute a differential pair of pins to receive the third video data (in the form of differential signals). The third video data can be communicated in one direction using the pins A6, A7 concurrently with the first and second video data communicated in the opposite direction using pins B2, B3 and A11 , A10.

[0047] In some examples, the first video data, second video data, and third video data are DisplayPort data, in some examples. According to DisplayPort Alt Mode 2.0, two DP (DisplayPort) lanes can be used to carry video data along a given direction. In the example of FIG. 2, a first DP lane employs pins B2, B3 of the USB- C connector 200, and a second DP lane employs pins A11 , A10 of the LISB-C connector 200. In the reverse direction, a DP lane employs pins A6, A7 of the USB- C connector 200.

[0048] For audio and/or video data transmitted in each direction, auxiliary pins are defined to carry auxiliary information, which can include miscellaneous data separate from the audio and/or video data carried using the DP pins (any of B2, B3, or A11 , A10, or A6, A7). The content of the auxiliary information can be defined by a DisplayPort Standard, for example.

[0049] For example, pins A8, B8 constitute a differential pair of pins that carry auxiliary information (ALIX+, ALIX-) for the audio and/or video data transmitted in the first direction, using pins B2, B3 and/or A11 , A10. Similarly, pins B7, B6 constitute a differential pair of pins that carry auxiliary information (ALIXX+, ALIXX-) for the audio and/or video data transmitted in the second direction, using pins A6, A7.

[0050] In some examples, pins A2, A3 constitute a differential pair of pins to transmit USB data, and pins B11 , B10 constitute a differential pair of pins to receive USB data. [0051 ] The remaining pins of the LISB-C connector 200 are used to communicate other signals according to the LISB-C Standard, including a power supply voltage (e.g., A9, B4, B5, A4, B9) and ground (e.g., A12, B1 , A1 , B12).

[0052] The pin A5 is used to carry the CC signal, and the pin B5 is used to carry the VCONN signal. The purpose of the CC signal and the VCONN signal are explained by the LISB-C Standard.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating electrical lines between a first electronic device 302 and a second electronic device 304. For example, the electronic device 302 can be the console device 104 of FIG. 1 , and the electronic device 304 can be the computer device 106 of FIG. 1 . In other examples, other types of electronic devices 302 and 304 can be used.

[0054] The electronic device 302 has a LISB-C connector 306, and the electronic device 304 has a LISB-C connector 308.

[0055] A cable 310 (e.g., the cable 122 of FIG. 1 ) interconnects the LISB-C connectors 306 and 308. The cable 310 includes various signal lines, including a USB transmit signal line 312 (SSTX1 ) that is connected to pins A2, A3, a USB receive signal line 314 (SSRX1 ) that is connected to pins B11 , B10, a first DisplayPort signal line 316 that is connected to pins B2, B3, a second DisplayPort signal line 318 that is connected to pins A11 , A10, an auxiliary signal line 320 that is connected to pins A8, B8, a third DisplayPort signal line 322 that is connected to pins A6, A7, and an auxiliary signal line 324 that is connected to pins B7, B6. There are other signal lines of the cable 310 that are not shown, such as to carry VBUS, GND, CC, and VCONN.

[0056] Each signal line shown in FIG. 3 includes a differential pair of electrical conductors to carry a differential signal.

[0057] The DisplayPort signal lines 316 and 318 carry DisplayPort data in a first direction over the cable 310, and the DisplayPort signal line 322 carries DisplayPort data in a second direction opposite the first direction over the cable 310. [0058] In further examples, the arrangement of FIG. 1 can support a convertible keyboard/mouse and video management (KVM) mode of operation, in which the user device 102 can be a smartphone or a tablet computer, the console device 104 is a docking station, and the computer device 106 can be an all-in-one (AIO) computer or another type of computer device.

[0059] In such an example, the docking station can send video data (e.g., DisplayPort data) from the smartphone or computer to the AIO computer over the cable 122, and the docking station can receive video data from the AIO computer in the opposite direction over the cable 122. User inputs made at the smartphone or tablet computer can be sent as data over the cable 122 to the AIO computer.

[0060] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a cable 400 according to some examples. The cable 400 includes an arrangement of electrical lines according to LISB-C. The arrangement of electrical lines supports concurrent bidirectional communication of video data and includes a first video signal line 402 to carry video data 404 (e.g., DisplayPort data or other video data) in a first direction 406 in the cable 400, and a second video signal line 408 to carry video data 410 (e.g., DisplayPort data or other video data) in an opposite second direction 412 in the cable 400.

[0061 ] In some examples, the first video signal line 402 includes electrical conductors to connect to A11 and A10 pins or B2 and B3 pins of a LISB-C connector, and the second video signal line 408 includes electrical conductors to connect to A6 and A7 pins of the LISB-C connector.

[0062] In some examples, an auxiliary signal line for the second video signal line 408 includes electrical conductors to connect to B7 and B6 pins of the LISB-C connector.

[0063] In some examples, an auxiliary signal line for the first video signal line 402 includes electrical conductors to connect to A8 and B8 pins of the LISB-C connector. [0064] In some examples, the first video signal line 402 and the second video signal line 408 are separate and distinct from a USB signal line (e.g., the transmit USB signal line and/or the receive USB signal line) of the cable 400.

[0065] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a first electronic device 500 including a USB- C connector 501 to connect to a cable for communication with a second electronic device. The USB-C connector 501 supports concurrent bidirectional communication of video data.

[0066] The USB-C connector 501 includes a first video signal pin 502 (e.g., a DisplayPort pin or other type of video signal pin) to send first video data 504 in a first direction 506 in the cable, and a second video signal pin 508 to receive second video data 510 in an opposite second direction 512 in the cable.

[0067] In some examples, the first video signal pin 502 is part of a first pair of video signal pins to send the first video data 504 in the first direction 506, and the second video signal pin 508 is part of a second pair of video signal pins to receive the second video data 510 in the second direction 512.

[0068] In some examples, the first electronic device 500 (e.g., the console device 104 of FIG. 1) includes a display device and a controller to receive the first video data 504 from a third electronic device (e.g., the user device 102 of FIG. 1), and to send the first video data 504 to the second electronic device using the first video signal pin 502. The controller is to receive the second video data 510 from the second electronic device using the second video signal pin 508.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a USB-C connector 600 for an electronic device, which supports concurrent bidirectional communication of video data. The USB-C connector 600 includes a first pair of DisplayPort signal pins 602 to send first video data 604 in a first direction 606 over a cable connected to the USB-C connector 600, and a second pair of DisplayPort signal pins 608 to receive second video data 610 in an opposite second direction 612 over the cable. [0070] In the foregoing description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the subject disclosed herein. However, implementations may be practiced without some of these details. Other implementations may include modifications and variations from the details discussed above. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and variations.