Home Gateway USB Sharing via Network Packet Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB devices attached to a home gateway become exclusive devices, preventing terminals like personal computers from directly and transparently accessing them without specific sharing and access software.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves receiving USB messages from the device, adapting them into network packets, and sending these packets to a virtual USB device interface on a terminal, allowing the terminal to read or write data, and generating virtual event messages to manage access according to a pre-configured policy, enabling transparent access to the USB device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the USB device is attached to the home gateway, then the USB device becomes an exclusive device of the home gateway, but the terminal cannot directly and transparently access the USB device without specific sharing and access software
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a USB sharing server as an intermediary component in the home gateway that mediates between the USB device and terminals. This server handles the complexity of USB device management, protocol conversion, and access control centrally, allowing terminals to access USB devices transparently without requiring complex client software or understanding of USB protocols. The intermediary absorbs the software complexity while providing simple access interfaces to terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB sharing server implements a universal access mechanism that supports multiple types of USB devices and multiple terminals simultaneously. Instead of requiring specific sharing software for each USB device type or terminal, the server provides a unified interface that handles various USB devices (storage, printers, cameras, etc.) and various terminals (PCs, mobile devices, tablets) through a single multi-functional system, reducing overall software complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the USB device is attached to the home gateway, then the USB device becomes an exclusive device of the home gateway, but multiple terminals require individual access configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The USB sharing server provides a universal access platform that simultaneously serves multiple terminals with different operating systems and device types. The server implements a unified access control mechanism that manages permissions, authentication, and session management for all terminals centrally, eliminating the need for individual access configurations on each terminal and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the USB sharing server continuously monitors USB device status, terminal connection states, and access patterns. Based on this feedback, the server dynamically adjusts resource allocation, manages concurrent access, and provides real-time updates to terminals about USB device availability and status, enabling seamless multi-terminal access without complex manual configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gateway supports specific sharing and access software for each USB device type, then access functionality is provided, but the gateway must implement one service access function for each type of USB device
Solution Approach 1:
The USB sharing server acts as a universal intermediary that decouples the USB device from the terminal through protocol conversion and abstraction layers. Instead of requiring the gateway to implement specific access functions for each USB device type (storage, printer, camera, etc.), the server provides a unified interface that handles protocol translation, device enumeration, and data transmission for all USB device types, significantly reducing gateway software architecture complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB sharing server implements a universal architecture that supports multiple USB device types through a single multi-functional platform. The server uses standardized USB protocol stacks and device drivers that can handle various device categories (storage, printers, cameras, audio devices, etc.) through common interfaces, eliminating the need for separate specialized software for each device type while maintaining full adaptability.
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AI summary
A method for accessing a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device attached to the home gateway is provided to solve the problem that after the USB device is attached to the home gateway, the USB device becomes an exclusive device of the home gateway, and application software on a personal computer (PC) or other terminals can not be directly used to transparently access the USB device. The method includes: receiving a USB message of the USB device attached to the home gateway; and adapting the USB message to a network packet and sending the network packet to a virtual USB device interface of a terminal to be read by an application program of the terminal; or parsing a network packet sent by the terminal through the virtual USB device interface into a USB data frame and writing the USB data frame into the USB device. Thereby, the terminal may make full use of abundant application software (application programs) to transparently access a real USB device attached to the home gateway, and implement various functions of the USB device, without requiring the home gateway to implement one service access function for each type of USB devices.