Adaptive Dongle Enumeration for Peripheral Audio Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dongles often enumerate as audio devices regardless of the connection status of the peripheral device, leading to user frustration and inability to use alternative audio devices without user intervention.

Innovation Solution

A dongle that can detect the communication status of a peripheral device and switch its enumeration type (e.g., audio device or HID) accordingly, establishing a communication link as a first or second type based on the device's state, allowing seamless switching without user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dongle enumerates as an audio device regardless of connection status, then the audio device is always available for selection, but the computing device cannot use alternative audio devices without user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio device availabilityVSAvoidability to use alternative audio devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dongle dynamically changes its enumeration state based on the connection status of the peripheral audio device. When the audio device is disconnected or turned off, the dongle stops enumerating as an audio device, allowing the computing device to automatically use alternative audio devices without requiring user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If the dongle enumerates as an audio device when the peripheral device is disconnected, then the audio device appears available, but other connected audio devices cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio device status informationVSAvoidaudio device selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dongle continuously monitors the connection status of the peripheral audio device and provides feedback by adjusting its enumeration state accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the computing device receives accurate information about audio device availability, enabling it to adaptively select the appropriate audio device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the dongle always enumerates as an audio device, then audio functionality is maintained, but user frustration increases due to inability to switch devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio device enumeration persistenceVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dongle changes its enumeration parameter (device type and availability status) based on the connection state of the peripheral audio device. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the dongle maintains audio functionality when needed while preventing user frustration by allowing seamless switching to alternative audio devices when the primary device is unavailable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12432796B2Smart enumeration for a dongle

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 LOGITECH EUROPE SA

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure provide an apparatus and method for smart enumeration of a dongle. An example method includes detecting a first communication interface of a dongle is in a first state. The method further includes establishing a communication link, with a host device, as a first type of device via a second communication interface of the dongle in response to detecting the first communication interface is in the first state.