HID Redirection in Thin Client Virtual Desktops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thin clients lack reliable support for Human Interface Device (HID) redirection, particularly over USB connections, and face challenges in communicating with remotely executed applications and embedded web browsers due to limitations in USB and COM redirection, leading to inconsistent network connections and lack of access to native APIs.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a communication channel between a HID connected to a client device and a remotely executing resource using a bootstrap program that initiates a mini device service with an API framework, enabling communication over a COM port tunnel with unsecure HTTP protocol and client-side encryption, allowing HID responses to be processed by embedded browsers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If USB redirection is implemented on thin clients, then HID communication capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to power cycling and intermittent network connections

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHID communication capabilityVSAvoidUSB redirection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (USB redirector service or virtualization layer) that mediates between the physical USB connection and the remote application. This intermediary maintains persistent connections and handles reconnection logic, isolating the unreliable network layer from the HID communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements beforehand cushioning by establishing connection resilience mechanisms in advance, such as persistent virtual device assignments, pre-configured reconnection protocols, and buffer zones that can absorb network interruptions without losing HID communication state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If web browsers are embedded in remote desktop applications, then web functionality is added, but access to native APIs and HID ports deteriorates due to additional separation layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweb functionalityVSAvoidHID port accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nested doll by embedding the web browser within the remote desktop application context, where the browser runs in a nested environment that still has access to the outer application's API context. This allows the embedded browser to access native APIs and HID ports through the parent application's permissions and interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements universality by creating a multi-functional communication interface that serves both web browser needs and native application needs simultaneously. This universal interface allows a single channel to handle both HTTP/HTTPS traffic and HID communication, eliminating the need for separate access paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If COM redirection is used for HID communication, then some HID support is achieved, but full HID communication capability deteriorates compared to direct local communication

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHID supportVSAvoidHID communication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating virtual copies of USB devices and their communication interfaces. Instead of directly redirecting the physical device, the system creates virtual device instances that replicate the original device's functionality, allowing multiple access paths and improving communication efficiency while maintaining full HID capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11429395B2Peripheral device support in thin client environments

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NA

AI summary

Systems and methods for facilitating communication between a Human Interface Device (HID) and a remote resource such as, for example, an application provided by a virtual desktop. Embodiments relate to using one or more Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to translate messages over a communication (COM) port tunnel, launching a program within the same session assigned to the COM port tunnel, utilizing client-side encryption, and redirecting HID messages to an embedded browser that is accessible over a virtual desktop.