Network Input Routing for Embedded Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional user interfaces for embedded systems, such as IP phones and PDAs, are inadequate for invoking applications and capturing data, and existing remote control solutions require costly hardware and significant processing power, while existing methods for connecting PC input devices to embedded systems often necessitate customization and physical interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method for routing PC input device signals across a network from one application to another on an embedded system, allowing off-the-shelf PC keyboards and mice to control multiple embedded systems without physical interfaces, by mapping hotkeys and translating input events for contextual interpretation by the embedded system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional user interfaces (softkeys, buttons, touch screens) are used for embedded systems, then the system can provide basic control functionality, but the hardware cost increases and the interface is inadequate for invoking applications and capturing data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single PC keyboard and mouse to control multiple embedded systems through network connectivity, eliminating the need for customized input devices for each embedded system. The PC input devices serve universal functions across different embedded targets, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical hardware buttons and specialized input interfaces with virtual network-based input routing. Instead of mechanical buttons on embedded devices, the system uses network-transmitted keyboard and mouse events from PC input devices, substituting mechanical control with electronic signal transmission.
2Ease of operation
If remote control products (Windows Remote Desktop, VNC) are used to control embedded systems, then remote access is achieved, but tremendous amounts of information must be transmitted and significant processing power is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential input control signals (keyboard and mouse events) from the full remote desktop protocol suite. Instead of transmitting complete graphical interface representations and all interface elements, the system transmits only the minimal input event data needed to control the embedded system, dramatically reducing network traffic and processing requirements.
3Ease of operation
If PC input devices are connected to embedded systems with customized designs, then direct control is achieved, but physical interfaces and customization are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes PC input devices universally compatible with multiple embedded systems through network connectivity. A single keyboard and mouse can control different embedded targets (IP phones, PDAs, etc.) without physical reconfiguration or customization, achieving both direct control and broad adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network-based intermediary layer that translates PC input device events into embedded system-specific commands. The input routing software acts as a mediator, converting universal keyboard and mouse events into device-specific control signals, enabling compatibility without direct physical connections.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method is set forth for routing user inputs from a PC to at least one embedded system over a network, comprising configuring at least one hotkey combination within the PC that maps to the at least one embedded system, upon receipt of the at least one hotkey combination capturing user interface input events to the PC and transmitting the user interface input events over the network to the at least one embedded system, and within the at least one embedded system injecting the user interface input events into an RTOS/Graphic engine.