Unified Multi-Transport Device Representation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer systems present multi-transport devices as separate instances for each transport, leading to user confusion and inefficient management, as users and applications struggle to identify and interact with devices that can be accessed via multiple transports.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to represent multi-transport devices as a single entity by using a common identifier, creating a composite device object that aggregates functionalities across multiple transports, allowing seamless transport selection and management, and providing a unified interface for user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system recognizes individual device instances on different transports, then the computer can interface with each transport separately through dedicated drivers, but the user experiences confusion and difficulty in managing multi-transport devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple device instances from different transports into a single unified device object. The system creates a composite device representation that aggregates functionalities across USB, Bluetooth, and other transports, allowing users to manage the multi-transport device as one entity rather than separate instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified device object serves multiple functions by supporting interactions across different transport types. A single device interface can handle file transfers, data synchronization, and communication protocols through multiple transports simultaneously, making the system universally compatible without requiring separate management for each transport type.
2Reliability
If the system presents separate device instances for each transport, then transport-specific functionalities are preserved, but user perception does not match the actual single physical device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple transport-specific device instances are contained within a single unified device object. Each transport instance maintains its specific functionalities while being nested as a component of the overall device representation, similar to nested dolls where smaller elements are contained within larger ones.
3Extent of automation
If applications are abstracted from explicit transport selection, then continuous service is provided even when transports fail, but the system must automatically manage transport selection based on preferences and requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects and switches between transports based on current conditions, user preferences, and application requirements. The unified device object can adaptively change which transport is active, providing continuous service by switching to alternative transports when failures occur, without requiring manual intervention from users or applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system that accesses multi-transport devices and associates device instances of the multi-transport device with each other. Devices provide the same device identifier such as a device unique identifier regardless of the transport over which the device is accessed. A visual representation for the multi-transport device may be provided to a user using the device identifier. Also, a single functional representation for the multi-transport device may be provided based on an identifier provided by each function of the device. The functional representation may be independent of the addition and removal of transports and allows abstracting device access via multiple transports from a user and an application. Transports may be selected at an application and/or a system level. Operating characteristics of available transports may be used to select a desired transport, based on transport requirements specified by the application, the user or the system.