USB Bridge Device for HID Sharing Across Hosts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human-machine interface device sharing systems are vulnerable to compatibility issues when the software environment of a host computer changes, leading to failures in remote control of devices like mice and keyboards across different computers.
Innovation Solution
A multi-host system utilizing a USB bridge device to generate human-machine interface device reports, allowing operation information to be shared between host equipment, thereby isolating the impact of software environment changes on the sharing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If human-machine interface device operation information is shared between host equipment through communication channels, then device sharing capability is improved, but compatibility with software environment changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a USB bridge device as an intermediary component between the human-machine interface device and the host equipment. This bridge device receives operation information from the HID and converts it into standardized USB reports, isolating the host equipment's software environment from direct interaction with the HID protocol. This mediation layer ensures that software environment changes on the host do not affect the stability of device sharing, as the USB bridge handles protocol conversion and data formatting independently of the host's operating system or application software.
2Adaptability or versatility
If application programs or drivers on host equipment are used to virtualize HID operation information, then remote control functionality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the software-based virtualization approach (application programs or drivers) with a hardware-based USB bridge device. Instead of relying on complex software layers to interpret and virtualize HID operation information, the USB bridge device performs the conversion function at the hardware level, directly translating HID reports into USB-compatible format. This substitution eliminates the need for complex application programs or drivers on the host equipment, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining remote control functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-host system, a host equipment, and an operation method for sharing a human-machine interface device are provided. The host equipment is controlled by human interface device (HID) operation information from another host equipment. The host equipment includes a universal serial bus (USB) host and a USB bridge device. The USB host receives the HID operation information from the another host equipment through a communication channel, and outputs the HID operation information through a USB downstream port of the USB host. A USB upstream port of the USB bridge device is coupled to the USB downstream port of the USB host to receive the HID operation information. The USB bridge device returns the HID operation information in an HID report form to the USB downstream port of the USB host through the USB upstream port of the USB bridge device.