Protocol Conversion Device for Cross-Platform Input Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input control systems face challenges in seamlessly switching and controlling input devices across multiple computer devices with different operating systems, requiring frequent hardware changes and compatibility issues, which limits portability and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a main control device to detect input information from an input device, determine the target device, and convert the information into a transmission packet conforming to the supported protocol for transmission to a slave device, enabling cross-platform input operations without the need for specific hardware or complex compatibility considerations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware devices such as KVM switch or cross-device control keyboard are used to control multiple computer devices, then the input device can control multiple devices, but the hardware compatibility and software compatibility become complex and portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion device as an intermediary between the input device and multiple slave devices with different operating systems. This intermediary translates input information into appropriate transmission protocols for each slave device, eliminating the need for complex hardware switches and ensuring universal compatibility without sacrificing cross-device control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The input device is designed with universal control capability to work with multiple types of slave devices (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS) through a single interface. The protocol conversion device enables this universality by adapting the input information to different protocol requirements, making the system highly versatile without increasing hardware complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If hardware devices like KVM switch are used to switch between devices, then multiple devices can be controlled, but portability is reduced due to additional hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware switching system (KVM switch with physical connectors) with a software-based protocol conversion system. The input device communicates wirelessly or via standard connections to the protocol conversion device, which then routes input information to the appropriate slave device. This eliminates the need for physical hardware switches and plugging/unplugging operations, significantly improving portability while maintaining multi-device control capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If input device is plugged and unplugged frequently to connect to different target devices, then the input device can control different devices, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol conversion device serves as a central intermediary that maintains persistent connections with multiple slave devices. The input device only needs to connect to this single intermediary, which automatically routes input information to the currently active slave device. This eliminates the need for users to physically reconnect the input device when switching between devices, greatly improving user convenience while maintaining full device switching capability
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for switching an input device are disclosed. The method is adapted to the system for switching the input device including a main control device and a slave device. The main control device is connected to an input device and detects input information of the input device. The main control device detects a transmission protocol between the main control device and the slave device. Whether a control target device of the input device is the slave device is determined by the main control device. When the control target device of the input device is the slave device, the main control device converts the input information into a transmission packet conforming to the transmission protocol. The transmission packet is transmitted from the main control device to the slave device. The slave device parses the transmission packet to obtain the input information to perform an input operation according to the input information.