KVM USB Address Mapping for Instant Multi-Host Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing KVM systems face limitations in switching USB peripheral devices between hosts due to the need for time-consuming address assignment and the inability to connect devices to multiple hosts without detection, and they are restricted by the 255-device limit and short cable lengths.
Innovation Solution
A KVM system with multiple remote devices and preconfigured assignment tables allows USB addresses to be manipulated independently of host assignment, enabling seamless switching and connection of devices to multiple hosts without detection, using a management device to manage unique identifiers and mapping tables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If USB address assignment is performed according to USB standard when switching peripherals between hosts, then connection reliability is ensured, but switching time increases due to enumeration process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary USB address assignment by creating a mapping table that stores the correspondence between peripheral device addresses and host addresses before actual switching occurs. This pre-established mapping allows instantaneous switching without triggering the time-consuming enumeration process, while maintaining connection reliability through the pre-configured address relationships.
2Length of stationary object
If USB cables are extended to connect hosts and peripherals in distant locations, then connection range is increased, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates due to cable length limits
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces remote devices as intermediaries between hosts and peripherals. These remote devices convert USB signals into network packets for transmission over the network, eliminating the need for long USB cables. The intermediary conversion process maintains signal transmission reliability while enabling connections between distant locations through the network infrastructure.
3Quantity of substance
If more than 255 USB devices are connected to a single host, then device connectivity is increased, but address uniqueness is violated due to 8-bit address limitation
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a single-dimension USB address space (8-bit, 255 addresses) to a multi-dimensional addressing scheme by introducing network layer addressing (IP addresses) as an additional dimension. The mapping table combines peripheral USB addresses with network addresses to create unique identifiers, effectively expanding the addressable device space beyond the 255-device USB limitation while maintaining address uniqueness through the composite addressing structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If USB peripheral devices are connected to multiple hosts, then device versatility is improved, but host detection accuracy decreases as hosts cannot distinguish device connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies of peripheral device connections through the mapping table mechanism. Each host sees a virtual representation of the peripheral device through its assigned USB address, while the actual physical connection remains unchanged. This copying approach allows peripherals to be logically connected to multiple hosts simultaneously, improving versatility while maintaining connection detection accuracy through address manipulation in the mapping table.
Data Source
AI summary
A KVM system is expanded in that the remote devices independently set up connections to the USB peripherals and in the process allocate USB addresses; in that provision is made for a management device that stores the USB addresses allocated by the hosts and the USB addresses allocated by the remote devices and assigns a unique identifier to each USB peripheral in the system; in that provision is made, in the management device, for at least one assignment table in which each address allocated by the hosts is assigned the unique identifier of a USB peripheral; in that, when data are transmitted from the USB peripheral to the host, the USB data are manipulated, either in the remote devices or in the local devices, such that the USB addresses allocated by the remote devices are replaced by the USB addresses allocated by the hosts; and in that, when data are transmitted from the host to the USB peripheral, the USB data are manipulated, either in the remote devices or in the local devices, such that the USB addresses allocated by the hosts are replaced by the USB addresses allocated by the remote devices.