Dock Controller Peripheral Detection via Hash Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing method of full enumeration and initialization of peripheral devices each time a compute device is reconnected to a computing dock is time-consuming, resource-intensive, and can result in faulty detection of peripherals, especially when the device configuration remains unchanged.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a dock controller to hash identification data of peripheral devices and compare it with stored data in a database, allowing for a shortened docking operation by retrieving operational data from the database instead of reinitializing each device, thus reducing processing bandwidth and time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If full enumeration and initialization is performed each time a compute device is reconnected to a computing dock, then device detection reliability is improved, but processing time and resource utilization increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice detection reliabilityVSAvoiddocking processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary hashing of peripheral device identification data when devices are first connected to the computing dock, storing these hashes in a database. Upon reconnection, the compute device compares previously stored hashes with current device hashes to quickly determine if devices are present, avoiding time-consuming full enumeration and initialization when devices haven't changed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of directly querying peripheral devices for their identification data during each connection, the system creates hash copies of the device identification data and stores them in a database. This allows for rapid comparison and device presence determination without requiring actual device communication, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If full enumeration and initialization is performed each time a compute device is reconnected to a computing dock, then device configuration accuracy is improved, but processing bandwidth and resource utilization increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice configuration accuracyVSAvoidprocessing bandwidth utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs only the necessary minimum action for device detection by comparing hashed identification data, rather than performing complete enumeration and initialization of all peripheral devices. This partial action approach uses significantly less processing bandwidth and resources while still achieving accurate device presence detection when configuration hasn't changed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses hash copies of device identification data stored in a database to verify device presence, eliminating the need for resource-intensive full enumeration and initialization processes. This copying mechanism maintains configuration accuracy by verifying device identity through cryptographic hashes while consuming minimal processing bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of time

If identification data matching is used to shorten docking operation, then processing time is reduced, but device detection reliability may deteriorate due to faulty detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocking processing timeVSAvoiddevice detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates cryptographic hash copies of peripheral device identification data and stores them in a database. These hash copies serve as reliable fingerprints that can be quickly compared to determine device presence. The use of cryptographic hashing ensures detection reliability is maintained even though the process is faster than full enumeration, as hash comparison is mathematically guaranteed to accurately identify device identity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical/electrical process of full device enumeration and initialization with a data-based hash comparison mechanism. This substitution uses cryptographic hash functions to verify device presence, achieving both speed (by avoiding physical device querying) and reliability (through mathematical guarantees of hash uniqueness), thus resolving the contradiction between fast detection and reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20230359775A1Peripheral device connections responsive to identification data matching

Publication Date: 2023.11.09 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

In an example in accordance with the present disclosure, a compute device is described. The compute device includes a host controller to 1) receive identification data of peripheral devices coupled to a computing dock and 2) compare the identification data with values stored in a database. A stored value indicates a combination of peripheral devices previously coupled to the computing dock. The compute device also includes a device connection controller to, responsive to the identification data matching a stored value, retrieve operational data for the peripheral devices from the database. The device connection controller is also to connect the compute device with the peripheral devices based on operational data retrieved from the database.