Input Redirection Component Emulates Signals for Guest Computers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in connecting guest computers to primary computers to utilize input devices for operating guest computers, as existing systems fail to efficiently provide emulated input signals, leading to increased memory and processor utilization on guest computers and the need for customized software.

Innovation Solution

An input redirection component is configured to receive messages from primary computers about input signals from input devices not directly connected to guest computers, generating emulated input signals that appear to originate from connected input devices, thereby allowing guest computers to interact with primary computer input devices without direct coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing systems are used to connect guest computers to primary computers for input device utilization, then guest computers can access input devices, but memory and processor utilization on guest computers increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput device accessibilityVSAvoidmemory and processor utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an input redirection component as an intermediary system between the primary computer and guest computer. This component captures input signals from the primary computer's input devices and generates emulated input signals for the guest computer, eliminating the need for the guest computer to directly process raw input data and thereby reducing its memory and processor utilization while maintaining input device accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates emulated input signals that are copies of the original input signals received by the primary computer. These emulated signals are formatted to appear as though they originated from input devices directly connected to the guest computer, allowing the guest computer to interact with input devices without actually connecting to them or processing the original input data directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing systems are used to connect guest computers to primary computers, then input device access is enabled, but customized software is required on guest computers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput device accessibilityVSAvoidcustomized software requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The input redirection component serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of input signal translation and emulation. By placing this functionality in a separate component rather than requiring customized software on the guest computer, the system enables input device access while reducing device complexity and software customization requirements on the guest computer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The input redirection component automatically captures input signals from the primary computer, transforms them into emulated input signals, and delivers them to the guest computer without requiring any specialized software or configuration on the guest computer side. The system serves itself by handling all the complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3207458B1Input signal emulation
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3207458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3207458B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3207458B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Input signals, received by a primary computer, are emulated to a guest computer. For example, an input redirection component is connected between the primary computer and the guest computer. The primary computer may be communicatively connected to an input device (e.g., a touch display, a keyboard, etc.). The guest computer may not, however, be communicatively connected to the input device, and thus may be unaware of input signals from the input device. Accordingly, the input redirection component may receive, from the primary computer, a message regarding an input signal from the input device. The input redirection component may emulate the input device (e.g., connect to the guest computer as though the input redirection component is the input device), and may provide an emulated input signal, emulating the input signal, to the guest computer (e.g., the input signal, received by the primary computer, may be used to control the guest computer).