JP2000284871A - Information processing device having PC card slot switchable to dedicated interface - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an information processing apparatus that expands various functions using a PC card in order to comply with the PCMCIA standard,
PCMC even when realizing only simple functions such as simple switch, input device such as mouse and keyboard etc.
To comply with the IA standard, a complicated circuit configuration and control method are required. The present invention provides a P
Provided is a small and inexpensive notebook-type information processing apparatus which can be used by attaching an interface in the form of a C card to a PC card slot. The present invention multiplexes a PCMCIA standard signal and a dedicated interface signal so as to be switchable, and utilizes a signal line used for recognition of a PC card or a signal for recognition. , PC card or dedicated card.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a PCMCIA card slot, and is a small and highly expandable information which can selectively use a PC card conforming to the PCMCIA standard and a card having a simple structure not conforming to the PCMCIA standard. It relates to a processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, interfaces for connecting an information processing apparatus to peripheral devices include a PS / 2 port for connecting a keyboard and a mouse, a parallel port for connecting a printer, a serial port for connecting a modem, and a CR.
A video port for connecting T has been used. More recently, a USB port called modern IO or IEEE
1394 ports are becoming popular. In addition to these ports, there are various cards for expanding the functions of the main body, and they use PC card slots conforming to the PCMCIA standard.

[0003] In recent years, portable information processing apparatuses are provided with a USB or I
While equipped with modern IO connectors such as EEE1394, extension ports such as PS / 2 port, parallel port, serial port, video port, and FDD connection port are generally removed, and an extension called a port replicator combining these connectors is provided. By connecting the port replicator and the information processing apparatus main body with a cable in a box, the size of the main body can be further reduced.

[0004] However, while the demand for miniaturization and thinning of the portable information processing device is increasing, the mounting space for the connector of the port replicator is secured for the miniaturization of the main body as the interface called modern IO increases. It's getting harder to do.

On the other hand, PCMCIA standard PC cards are capable of hot plugging and are easy to use.
Due to the progress of standardization and high compatibility, it has become popular, and its high expandability has made it an indispensable interface for small computers.

Therefore, there is a system that uses the space of the PCMCIA card slot to realize a PS / 2 port, a parallel port, a serial port, a video port, and an interface port for connecting an FDD, which are legacy IOs. Although it is conceivable that a circuit for driving the above-mentioned ports may be mounted on a PC card, in that case, the circuit normally mounted in the information processing apparatus is wasted and various ports are used. However, it is difficult to achieve compatibility of BIOS (basic software for controlling hardware) because the register configuration of PCMCIA is restricted by PCMCIA, and it cannot be said that cost performance is always excellent.

As a solution to the above problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-345
No. 95 discloses this. This is provided with a circuit for detecting that external power is supplied to the VPP1 and VPP2 terminals of the 68 PC card interface signals, and when power is externally supplied, a card different from the PCMCIA standard is connected. And a signal switching circuit for switching the input / output signal circuit appropriately.

However, in the embodiment of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-34595, it is necessary to apply power to the VPP1 and VPP2 from the card side in order to recognize a card that does not conform to the PCMCIA standard, and this function is not supported. When the card is connected to the information processing apparatus, a circuit must be configured so that even if a current flows from the card to the information processing apparatus main body, it is not unsafe, and the structure becomes complicated.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention makes it possible to selectively use a non-PCMCIA standard card, such as a connector for a port replicator, with a PC card by utilizing the mounting space of a PC card slot. ,
As shown in the conventional example, identification is performed by using a signal combination or detection unit not used in the PCMCIA standard without using a circuit for power supply on the card side.

[0010] Accordingly, the connector can be extended to the PC card slot only by signal wiring or a simple circuit, and an object of the present invention is to realize a small and thin information processing apparatus.

[0011]

In order to solve this problem, when an extension device that does not conform to the PCMCIA standard is connected to a PC card slot, a non-PCMCIA standard PC
# CD1 or # CD1 for PCMCIA standard PC card recognition without the need for power supply and power control from the card
Use CD2, # VS1 or # VS2, or use non-PCMC
Judgment of switching of input / output signals is performed by means such as adding an IA detection dedicated pin or generating a detection signal by a mechanical structure, and detecting this, selectively switching between PCMCIA control signals and multiplexed PCMCIA non-compliant signals. Thus, even a simple device having no function conforming to the PCMCIA standard can be used by connecting it to a PCMCIA card slot.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention relates to a PC card slot for connecting a PC card, a PCMCIA controller conforming to the PCMCIA standard, and various controllers for connecting peripheral devices. A PC card conforming to the PCMCIA standard or a non-PC card not conforming to the PCMCIA standard can be inserted into the PC card slot, and # CD1 and #CD on the non-PC card.
The CD2 signal is connected by an inactive element or a diode, and the #CD signal is detected. When a non-PC card is mounted, the signal connected to the PC card slot is switched to the various controllers instead of the PCMCIA controller. This is an information processing device having a PC card slot that can be switched to a dedicated interface, which can recognize a non-PC card even if only simple wiring or a diode is used, and uses a complicated circuit. And has the effect that various legacy IO connectors can be expanded using the space of the PC card slot.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the peripheral device includes one of a keyboard, a mouse, a printer, and a display, and is switched to the dedicated interface according to the first to third aspects. An information processing device having a PC card slot capable of
The connector of the port replicator for connecting O can be expanded by using the space of the PC card slot, which has the effect of realizing a small and thin information processing device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU which controls main processes and calculations of the information processing apparatus. Reference numeral 2 denotes an L2 cache, which is a high-speed memory for temporarily storing instructions and data processed by the CPU. 3 is a local bus, CP
This is a bus for connecting U and main circuits. Reference numeral 4 denotes a core logic which is composed of an LSI, and has a memory 5 and an auxiliary storage device 6.
And a PCI bus 8 and an ISA bus 9 that connect an interface circuit with a USB port 7, which is a modern IO, and a circuit for controlling peripheral devices. 11 is P
The CMCIA controller drives an interface for connecting a PC card conforming to the PCMCIA standard. Reference numeral 12 denotes a VGA controller, which is a circuit for connecting an external CRT and a circuit (not shown) for driving a display unit (comprised of an LCD) of the portable information processing apparatus and stores data for display. Memory (VRA
M). Reference numeral 13 denotes a super I / O, which drives a serial or parallel interface and an FDD interface, which are legacy IOs. A keyboard controller 14 drives a PS / 2 interface for connecting a keyboard and a mouse. A bus switch 15 selects a signal from the PCMCIA controller 11 and other signals and connects the signal to the PC card slot 16.

Table 1 shows signal assignments of a PCMCIA card, and Table 2 shows pin assignments in an example of a non-PCMCIA standard card. Even when conforming to the non-PCMCIA standard, # CD1: 36P, # CD2: 67
P, # VS1: 43P, # VS2: 57P and GND
The terminals are the same as those of the PCMCIA standard, and terminals of the non-PCMCIA standard are assigned to these terminals and terminals except the VCC and VPP terminals.

[0017]

[Table 1]

[0018]

[Table 2]

The PCMCIA standard has a hot-line connection function called hot plugging, and detects whether a PC card is mounted and the voltage supplied to the PC card by four signals # CD1 and # CD2 and # VS1 and # VS2. are doing. More specifically, when either of the # CD1 and # CD2 enable signals or both signals become L level, the PC
It is stipulated to recognize that the card is installed, and #
When both CD1 and # CD2 are at the H level, it means that no PC card is mounted. Therefore, non-PCM
By assigning the case where both # CD1 and # CD2 are at the H level to the CIA standard card, it is possible to realize a configuration without inconsistency even when used together with the PCMCIA standard card. Therefore, a non-PCMCIA card of item 16 in Table 3 is added.

[0020]

[Table 3]

FIG. 2A shows a drive circuit for the #CD signal and a PC.
This is the case where the MCIA standard card 17 is mounted. #C
When both D1 and # CD2 are H, the PCMCIA controller 11 detects # CD1: H and # CD2: H. Next, when CHK is enabled, # CD1 becomes L, but # C1 becomes L.
Since D2 remains at H, it is recognized that no card is mounted, and the PC card slot is not driven.

FIG. 2B shows a case where a card 18 of non-PCMCIA standard is mounted. # CD1 and # CD2 are both H
In the case of, the PCMCIA controller 11 # CD1:
H, # CD2: H is detected. Next, when CHK is enabled, # CD2 also becomes L, so that it can be recognized that a card other than the PCMCIA standard is mounted, and the bus switch 15 is switched to the non-PCMCIA controller side.

By connecting an interface of the super I / O 13, keyboard controller 14, or VGA controller 12 as a non-PCMCIA controller, it is possible to connect a port replicator using a card that simply connects a simple cable. Become.

Although the #CD signal is connected only by wiring for non-PC card recognition, it is possible to recognize a plurality of types of cards by connection using diodes.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 shows a method of adding a non-PCMCIA standard card according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Since the configuration of the main body circuit is the same as that of FIG. 1, the description will be omitted here, and a signal for recognizing a non-PCMCIA card will be described.

A pin for recognition is provided in the PC card slot 16 in addition to the 68 pins of the PCMCIA standard. These pins may be provided near the pins of the PC card, or may be provided using the side surface of the PC card. PCMCI
When a PC card of the A standard is inserted, the SEL signal becomes H level, and a signal of the normal PCMCIA standard is selected by the bus switch 15, so that compatibility with the PCMCIA standard can be maintained. When the SEL signal detects the L level, the bus switch 15 switches to the non-PCMCIA side and supplies the non-PCMCIA signal to the PC card slot.

As non-PCMCIA signals, the display controller 12 and the super I / O 13 shown in FIG.
By assigning the keyboard controller 14 and the like, the port replicator can be expanded using the PC card slot.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 shows a method of adding a non-PCMCIA standard card according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Since the configuration of the main body circuit is the same as that of FIG. 1, the description will be omitted here, and a signal for recognizing a non-PCMCIA card will be described.

A switch is provided in the vicinity of the PC card slot 16 and a protruding portion is provided on a non-PCMCIA standard card.
When a non-PCMCIA standard card is mounted, the projection is turned on. When a PCMCIA standard PC card is installed, the switch is turned off and the SEL signal also goes to H level. Since a normal PCMCIA standard signal is selected by the bus switch 15, the PCMCIA
Compatibility with the IA standard can be maintained. Non-PCMCI
When an A-standard card is inserted, the protruding portion is turned on by pressing the switch, and the SEL signal is switched to L level, so that the bus switch 15 is switched to the non-PCMCIA side,
The CMCIA signal is supplied to the PC card slot.

As described above, by allocating the display controller 12, the super I / O 13, and the keyboard controller 14 shown in FIG. 1 as non-PCMCIA signals, the port replicator can be expanded using the PC card slot.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is obtained an advantageous effect that a card having only a simple function which does not require a circuit for conforming to the PCMCIA standard can be connected using a PC card slot. As a result, the effect of using the port replicator and reducing the size and thickness of the information processing device main body can be obtained. Further, there is no need to supply power from the card side in order to recognize a non-PCMCIA standard card, and a circuit for supplying voltage is not required, so that the effect of cost reduction by simplifying the card can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a PC according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Circuit diagram when a PCMCIA standard PC card is mounted when a non-PCMCIA card is recognized using signal pins of the card. (B) Non-PCMCIA card using signal pins of PC card according to one embodiment of the present invention When recognizing
Circuit diagram when non-PCMCIA standard PC card is installed

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram around a PC card slot when pins for non-PC card recognition are used according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram around a PC card slot when a switch for non-PC card recognition according to a third embodiment of the present invention is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 CPU 2 L2 cache 3 Local bus 4 Core logic (chipset) 5 Memory (DRAM) 6 Auxiliary storage device 7 USB 8 PCI bus 9 ISA bus 10 BIOS ROM 11 PCMCIA controller 12 Display controller 13 Super I / O 14 Keyboard controller 15 Bus switch 16 PC card slot 17 PCMCIA standard PC card 18 Non-PCMCIA standard simple function PC card

Claims (4)

[Claims] A PC card slot for connecting a PC card, a PCMCIA controller conforming to the PCMCIA standard, and various controllers for connecting peripheral devices are provided.
A PC card that conforms to the standard or a non-PC card that does not conform to the standard can be inserted. The # CD1 and # CD2 signals are connected by an inactive element or a diode on the non-PC card, and the #CD signal is detected and disabled. An information processing apparatus having a PC card slot switchable to a dedicated interface, wherein a signal connected to the PC card slot is switched to the various controllers instead of the PCMCIA controller when a PC card is mounted. 2. A PC card slot for connecting a PC card, a PCMCIA controller conforming to the PCMCIA standard, various controllers for connecting peripheral devices, and a non-PC card detection terminal, wherein the detection terminal is provided. When detecting that a card that does not conform to the PCMCIA standard is installed, a signal to be connected to the PC card slot is switched to the various controllers instead of the PCMCIA controller. Information processing device. 3. A PC card slot for connecting a PC card, a PCMCIA controller conforming to the PCMCIA standard, various controllers for connecting peripheral devices, and a detection unit provided on the PC card for detecting a protrusion. When the detecting unit detects that a card that does not conform to the PCMCIA standard is installed, the signal connected to the PC card slot is switched to the various controllers instead of the PCMCIA controller. Information processing device having a simple PC card slot. 4. A PC card slot switchable to a dedicated interface according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device includes one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, a printer, and a display. Information processing device.