Computer Peripheral USB Bridge for High-Speed HID Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB human interface devices like keyboards and mice are limited to low-speed signal transmission due to their compatibility with microcontroller units, even when connected to hosts supporting high-speed USB interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A bridging device is introduced to convert the HID into a CDC device, allowing high-speed signal transmission by using a control unit to generate input signals at a higher frequency and employing bulk transfer mode, thereby bypassing the limitations of low-speed transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a USB human interface device uses a microcontroller unit supporting low speed signal transmission to reduce costs, then the device cost is reduced, but the signal transmission speed is limited to low speed even when connected to a host supporting high speed signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bridging device as an intermediary component between the HID and the electronic device. This bridging device includes a first USB interface unit connected to the electronic device and a second USB interface unit connected to the HID. The bridging device receives input signals from the HID at low speed and retransmits them to the electronic device at high speed, thereby enabling high-speed communication without requiring the HID itself to support high-speed transmission natively.
2Productivity
If a USB interface on a computer host supports high speed signal transmission, then the host's data transfer capability is enhanced, but the USB interface is limited by the HID and only performs signal transmission at low speed, failing to effectively take advantage of the high speed signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The bridging device serves as a mediator that adapts between the HID's low-speed capabilities and the electronic device's high-speed interface. It contains a first USB interface unit that interfaces with the electronic device at high speed and a second USB interface unit that interfaces with the HID at low speed, effectively bridging the compatibility gap while maximizing data transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging device dynamically changes the signal transmission parameters by receiving signals at one speed (low speed from HID) and transmitting them at a different speed (high speed to electronic device). This parameter transformation allows the system to simultaneously maintain compatibility with low-speed HIDs while utilizing high-speed transmission capabilities when available.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer peripheral device is provided. The computer peripheral device is adapted to be installed in an electronic device supporting signal transmission of a first signal frequency. The computer peripheral device includes a human interface device (HID) and a bridging device. The HID includes a control unit to support signal transmission of a second signal frequency. The bridging device includes a first universal serial bus (USB) interface unit and a second USB interface unit. The first USB interface unit is adapted to be electrically connected to the electronic device, and supports signal transmission of the first signal frequency. The second USB interface unit is adapted to be electrically connected to the HID. The second USB interface unit regards the HID as a communication device class (CDC) device, instructs the control unit to generate an input signal at a timing corresponding to the first signal frequency, and transmits the input signal to the electronic device.