Limited Function USB Host Controller for Peripheral Device

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing peripheral interfacing technologies, such as USB host controllers, face challenges in providing cost-effective and full functionality support for a wide range of peripherals, as implementing a full-functionality USB host controller in peripherals is complex and costly, while limited-functionality controllers do not support all necessary peripherals.

Innovation Solution

A system with a limited functionality embedded USB host controller that manages specific subsets of USB peripheral devices, such as low-speed and full-speed human interface devices, and dynamically interfaces with any USB compliant device through a high-speed USB hub, allowing control and emulation of key features without the need for a full-functionality host controller, thereby offloading complexity and cost to the host PC.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a full-functionality USB host controller is implemented in a peripheral, then support for all USB peripherals is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for USB peripheralsVSAvoidcomplexity of USB host controller

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments USB host controller functionality into two parts: a limited-functionality controller in the peripheral device for basic operations, and a full-functionality controller in the host computer for advanced operations. This segmentation allows the peripheral to have USB hosting capability without the complexity and cost of a complete host controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hub device as an intermediary between the limited-functionality USB host controller in the peripheral and the full-functionality USB host controller in the host computer. This intermediary enables the peripheral to interact with various USB devices while offloading complex processing to the host.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a full-functionality USB host controller is implemented in a peripheral, then complete peripheral support is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperipheral support capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments USB host controller functionality into two parts: a limited-functionality controller in the peripheral device for basic operations, and a full-functionality controller in the host computer for advanced operations. This segmentation allows the peripheral to have USB hosting capability without the complexity and cost of a complete host controller.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a cost-effective limited-functionality USB host controller in the peripheral device that handles basic USB operations. This approach uses a simpler, cheaper controller component while maintaining essential functionality, reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If a limited-functionality USB host controller is used in a peripheral, then cost is reduced, but support for full-functionality peripherals is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsupport for USB devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hub device as an intermediary between the limited-functionality USB host controller in the peripheral and the full-functionality USB host controller in the host computer. This intermediary enables the peripheral to interact with various USB devices while offloading complex processing to the host.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves universal support for various USB devices through a combination of the limited-functionality controller in the peripheral, the hub intermediary, and the full-functionality controller in the host. This multi-functional approach allows a single peripheral configuration to support diverse USB devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8832329B2USB peripheral device comprising limited function USB host controller

Publication Date: 2014.09.09 RGB SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A USB peripheral device comprising a limited function Universal Serial Bus (USB) host controller configured to control HID compliant USB peripheral devices on a downstream facing USB port is disclosed. The port is also capable of dynamically interfacing to any USB compliant peripheral device.