Dual OS USB Sharing via Switched Hub Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-operating-system architectures face challenges in efficiently sharing USB devices without causing conflicts, as existing designs often require one OS to be in a sleep state and cannot seamlessly switch control of peripherals like USB devices between operating systems.
Innovation Solution
A dual-operating-system architecture that includes a USB hub and a switch, controlled by a controller, allowing seamless switching between operating systems to prevent conflicts and enable shared control of USB devices, with one OS functioning as a host and the other as a client, and direct communication between the OSes via an independent transmission interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single USB hub is shared between dual operating systems, then configuration costs are reduced and device sharing is enabled, but control conflicts and system instability occur when switching between OSes
Solution Approach 1:
The USB hub control is segmented into separate control paths for each operating system. The first USB hub is dedicated to the first OS while the second USB hub is dedicated to the second OS, allowing each OS to have its own independent control path without interfering with the other, thus resolving control conflicts while maintaining cost efficiency through shared physical hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
A switch component acts as an intermediary between the operating systems and USB hubs. The switch receives control signals from either OS and routes them to the appropriate USB hub, enabling seamless transitions between OSes while preventing direct control conflicts. This mediator ensures that only one OS can control the USB devices at a time, maintaining system stability.
2Reliability
If separate USB hubs are provided for each operating system, then control conflicts are avoided, but configuration costs increase and device sharing becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the control logic for multiple USB hubs into a single integrated controller that can manage both the first and second USB hubs. This unified controller receives commands from either operating system and automatically routes them to the appropriate hub, reducing configuration complexity and cost while maintaining separate control paths to prevent conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch component is designed with universal functionality to handle control signals from either operating system and route them to either USB hub as needed. This multi-functional design allows a single component to serve multiple purposes, reducing the overall number of components needed and simplifying the system configuration while maintaining reliable conflict-free operation.
3Productivity
If USB devices are shared between operating systems without isolation, then device utilization efficiency increases, but control interference and conflicts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The USB device assignment is made dynamic rather than static. The system can automatically or manually assign USB devices to different operating systems based on current usage needs. When the first OS needs a USB device, it is assigned to that OS; when the second OS needs it, the assignment switches. This dynamic reassignment enables high device utilization efficiency while preventing control interference through proper isolation during each assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch acts as an intermediary that mediates access to USB devices between the two operating systems. It receives control signals from either OS and grants exclusive access to the USB hub and its connected devices to the requesting OS, preventing control interference. This mediation enables seamless device sharing while maintaining proper isolation to avoid conflicts.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-operating-system architecture for sharing USB apparatus in provided. The apparatus includes: a first operating system; a second operating system; a USB hub, connected to at least one USB apparatus; and a switch, for disconnecting the first operating system from the USB hub and connecting the second operating system to the USB hub for gaining control over the at least one USB apparatus when the first operating system is switched to the second operating system.