Media Sharing Apparatus with KVM Switch and Drive Emulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current media sharing apparatuses are inconvenient for IT departments as they require manual insertion of media into each computing device for updates and identification, and traditional systems cannot simultaneously share a single drive among multiple devices.

Innovation Solution

A media sharing apparatus with a KVM switch and system firmware that emulates a shared drive, allowing multiple computing devices to access it alternately using a time-sharing method, eliminating the need for manual insertion and enabling simultaneous sharing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional media sharing apparatus switches or disconnects the drive to different computers at different times, then each computing device can access the drive sequentially, but multiple computing devices cannot share the drive simultaneously and manual identification is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive sharing capabilityVSAvoidmanual identification and insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple drive access interfaces (IDE, SATA, USB) into a single media sharing apparatus that can simultaneously serve multiple computing devices. The switch device merges multiple connection paths into one physical drive interface, enabling concurrent access without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The media sharing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the physical drive and multiple computing devices. It receives requests from multiple devices, manages access rights, and routes requests to the drive automatically, eliminating the need for manual identification and connection switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a single drive is shared among multiple computing devices simultaneously, then management efficiency increases, but data interference and access conflicts may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement efficiencyVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically allocates drive access rights based on real-time requests. The media sharing apparatus monitors access requests from multiple computing devices and dynamically switches connections, ensuring that only one device accesses the drive at a time while maintaining the appearance of simultaneous availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the media sharing apparatus continuously monitors access requests from multiple computing devices. When a request is received, the system checks current access status, manages conflicts, and provides feedback to requesting devices, ensuring data integrity while maintaining efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7493421B2Media sharing apparatus, system, and method for enabling computing devices to share a drive

Publication Date: 2009.02.17 ATEN INTERNATIONAL CO LTD

AI summary

A media sharing apparatus includes a plurality of connecting ports for connecting with a plurality of computing devices. A KVM switch connecting with a drive is coupled to the media sharing apparatus. A system firmware has an emulating function for emulating said drive to said computing devices and has a command program and an access program of this drive.