Location-Based Peripheral Pairing for Zero-Operation Workstations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting computing devices to peripherals in dynamic environments like flex-offices and meeting rooms are cumbersome due to diverse computer connectivities and require manual driver installation, making them unsuitable for flexible workspaces.
Innovation Solution
An automated connection mechanism using localization technology to identify a target workstation based on a computing device's location, establishing a network tunnel for seamless peripheral configuration and driver setup without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If docking stations are used to simplify peripheral connections, then connection simplicity is improved, but adaptability to diverse computer connectivities and daily workstation changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables any computing device to connect to any workstation with diverse peripherals through a universal network-based solution. The peripheral management function acts as a universal interface that handles multiple connectivity types (USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, VGA) and device types (laptops, tablets, smartphones) without requiring device-specific docking stations, thus achieving both simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral management function serves as an intermediary between the computing device and the diverse peripheral hardware. It receives connections from various computing devices and translates them into appropriate driver configurations and network tunnel setups, abstracting the complexity of diverse connectivities from the user while maintaining simple connection operations.
2Reliability
If dedicated drivers are installed for each peripheral, then peripheral compatibility is improved, but connection complexity and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures and stores driver information in the peripheral management function before the computing device needs to connect. When a connection is established, the system automatically retrieves and applies the appropriate driver configuration in advance, eliminating the need for manual driver installation and reducing connection time while ensuring reliable peripheral compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device automatically triggers the driver configuration process through the network tunnel without requiring user intervention. The peripheral management function autonomously selects, downloads, and installs the necessary drivers based on the detected peripheral type and connection method, making the entire driver installation process self-service and time-efficient.
3Reliability
If manual configuration is required for peripheral connections, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates in dynamic work environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the connection status and automatically adjusts driver configurations based on feedback from the computing device and peripheral hardware. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable connections by adapting to different device types and connectivity methods while maintaining simple user operations, as the system handles configuration adjustments autonomously based on real-time connection information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises: identifying, in a set of workstations, a target workstation to be paired with a computing device connected to the network, the target workstation comprising hardware interfaces connected to peripherals, the target workstation being identified on the basis of an information representative of the localization of the computing device of the computing device; sending instructions to the computing device and to the target workstation for causing the computing device and the target workstation to establish a tunnel with each other via the network; providing, by the target workstation to the computing device through the tunnel, driving configuration data for configuring drivers adapted to be run by the computing device for driving the peripherals through the tunnel and the hardware interfaces of the target workstation.