USB Multi-Host Sharing and Switching Device

Abstract

This invention relates to a USB multi-host sharing and switching device, comprising: a first USB bridge and a processing module. The processing module is used to configure a first virtual hub in the first USB bridge, the first virtual hub being connected to a first host via the first USB bridge. The processing module is configured to have a USB host controller and an internal or external USB hub. Through the USB host controller and the USB hub, the processing module, in response to the electrical connection of a first USB device, enumerates the first USB device and determines its device information, configuration description, and endpoint configuration data. The processing module configures a first virtual USB device in the first virtual hub, the first virtual USB device having the same device information and endpoint configuration data as the first USB device, and the first virtual USB device is connected to the first host via the first virtual hub. Each endpoint of the first virtual USB device is connected to the same endpoint of the first USB device via the first USB bridge.

Claims

1. A USB multi-host sharing and switching device, comprising: First USB bridge; A second USB bridge; The system also includes a processing module for configuring a first virtual hub in the first USB bridge, the first virtual hub being connected to a first host via the first USB bridge, and for configuring a second virtual hub in the second USB bridge, the second virtual hub being connected to a second host via the second USB bridge; wherein the processing module is configured to have a USB host controller and a USB hub, and via the USB host controller and the USB hub, the processing module, in response to the electrical connection of a first USB device, enumerates the first USB device and determines the device, configuration description, and endpoint configuration data of the first USB device; wherein the processing module configures a first virtual USB device in the first virtual hub, the first virtual USB device having at least the same device, configuration description, and endpoint configuration data as the first USB device, the first virtual USB device being connected to the first host via the first virtual hub, and each endpoint of the first virtual USB device being connected to the same endpoint of the first USB device via the first USB bridge; The processing module sets up a second virtual USB device in the second virtual hub. The second virtual USB device has at least the same device, configuration description and endpoint configuration data as the first USB device. The second virtual USB device is connected to the second host through the second virtual hub, and each endpoint of the second virtual USB device is connected to the same endpoint of the first USB device through the second USB bridge.

2. The USB multi-host sharing and switching device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the endpoint configuration data includes endpoint configuration data of any transmission type, wherein a first host issues a transmission request to an endpoint, the transmission content being connected to the same corresponding endpoint of a USB device via the first USB bridge, and the endpoint content being transmitted to a USB device via the USB host controller and the USB hub; wherein when a USB device responds to the endpoint content, it is directly connected to the same corresponding endpoint of a USB virtual device via the first USB bridge, and the endpoint content is transmitted to the first host via the first USB bridge; a second host issues a transmission request to an endpoint, the transmission content being connected to the same corresponding endpoint of a USB device via the second USB bridge, and the endpoint content being transmitted to a USB device via the USB host controller and the USB hub; and when a USB device responds to the endpoint content, it is directly connected to the same corresponding endpoint of a USB virtual device via the second USB bridge, and the endpoint content is transmitted to the second host via the second USB bridge.

3. The USB multi-host sharing and switching device as described in claim 2, wherein the processing module manages and controls the device to avoid conflicts arising when the first host and the second host communicate simultaneously with the same USB device.

4. The USB multi-host sharing and switching device as described in claim 1, wherein the processing module is configured to generate a first USB virtual network device in the first virtual hub and connect to the first host via the first virtual hub, and generate a second USB virtual network device in the second virtual hub and connect to the second host via the second virtual hub; wherein when the first host generates endpoint output data to the first USB virtual network device, the endpoint data is copied to the input endpoint of the second USB virtual network device of the second USB bridge via the first USB bridge and transmitted to the second host; and when the second host generates endpoint output data to the second USB virtual network device, the endpoint data is copied to the input endpoint of the first USB virtual network device of the first USB bridge via the second USB bridge and transmitted to the first host, thereby establishing a mechanism for mutual network interconnection between the first host and the second host.

5. The USB multi-host sharing and switching device as described in claim 4, wherein, by means of the operating system of the first host and the operating system of the second host, a USB device that is used independently by the first host or the second host is configured to be a device shared by the first host and the second host, wherein the device shared is a USB disk drive, a USB storage device, a USB network device, a USB camera, or a USB list device.

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