Peripheral Device Sharing via Peer-to-Peer Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack a mechanism for users to access peripheral devices, such as printers or cameras, connected to one device from another device, without direct physical connection or sharing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for establishing a peer-to-peer connection between devices to enable sharing of peripheral devices, where a central authority registers available peripheral devices and facilitates connections between devices based on user requests, using WebRTC for signaling and data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a peer-to-peer connection is established between devices for peripheral device sharing, then accessibility and collaboration are improved, but network security and connection management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A computing system acts as an intermediary between the first device (peripheral owner) and the second device (peripheral user). The computing system receives availability indications from the first device, processes access requests from the second device, and coordinates the establishment of peer-to-peer connections. This intermediary approach enables peripheral device sharing while offloading connection management complexity from the endpoint devices to a centralized system that can handle authentication, authorization, and connection coordination.
2Productivity
If direct peer-to-peer connection is established for peripheral access, then communication efficiency is improved, but system security and authorization control worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system performs preliminary actions by receiving and validating availability indications from the first device before establishing peer-to-peer connections. The system processes access requests from the second device, verifies authorization, and only then facilitates the connection. This preliminary authorization control ensures that only authenticated and authorized devices can establish peer-to-peer connections for peripheral access, maintaining security while enabling efficient direct communication between authorized devices.
3Ease of operation
If peripheral devices are made available for on-demand access, then user flexibility is improved, but device availability management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first device (peripheral owner) autonomously indicates when its peripheral device is available for sharing without requiring manual intervention from the computing system. The computing system automatically processes these availability indications and makes them available to other devices. This self-service approach allows peripheral owners to control device availability based on their needs, while the computing system automatically manages the sharing infrastructure, reducing the operational burden on users.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a computing system capable of performing a method that involves receiving, from a first device, a first indication that a peripheral device associated with the first device is available for sharing; sending, to a second device, a second indication that the peripheral device is available for sharing; receiving, from the second device, a request to access the peripheral device; and based at least in part on receipt of the request, causing a peer-to-peer connection to be established between the second device and the first device, the peer-to-peer connection enabling communication between the second device and the peripheral device. The peer-to-peer connection may, for example, enable direction of the peripheral device to the second device so that the peripheral device is a virtual device of the second device.