Multi-Host Hub Port Switching for Shared Peripheral Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

A typical hub allows only one computer host to connect with multiple peripheral devices, limiting flexibility and convenience in information transmission.

Innovation Solution

A hub with multiple up-stream ports and control units that enable multiple electronic devices to share down-stream ports, allowing selective data communication between devices through media access control circuits and physical layer transceivers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hub has only a single up-stream port, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and versatility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of electronic devices that can connectVSAvoidnumber of up-stream ports and control units

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic port functionality where down-stream ports can be dynamically assigned to different up-stream ports through control units. The media access control circuits enable dynamic selection and switching, allowing a down-stream port to be brought into data communication with different up-stream ports based on connection requirements, thus providing adaptability without requiring dedicated physical ports for each device pair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The down-stream ports are designed to serve multiple functions by being shareable among multiple up-stream ports. The control units enable a single down-stream port to be allocated to different up-stream ports as needed, making the hub interface universal and adaptable to various connection scenarios without increasing the physical number of ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple up-stream ports are added to enable multiple electronic devices to connect, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of electronic devices that can connectVSAvoidnumber of control units and media access control circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the hub into multiple independent control units, each associated with specific up-stream and down-stream ports. Each control unit with its media access control circuit operates as an independent segment that can manage port assignments autonomously, allowing the system to scale by adding modular control units rather than creating a monolithic complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by having control units that selectively activate only the necessary port connections needed at any given time. Instead of maintaining all possible connections simultaneously, the system activates only the required up-stream to down-stream port pairings, reducing the effective complexity while maintaining the capability for multiple device connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20260023708A1Hub and electronic device

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

A hub includes a first up-stream port (USP), a second USP, a down-stream port (DSP), a first control unit, and a second control unit. The first USP is configured to connect to a first electronic device. The second USP is configured to connect to a second electronic device. The DSP is configured to connect to a third electronic device. The first control unit is connected to the first USP and the DSP, to select whether to bring the DSP into data communication with the first USP. The second control unit is connected to the second USP and the DSP, to select whether to bring the DSP into data communication with the second USP.