USB Device Logic Controller Embedded Functional Requests
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In a restricted host environment, users are unable to install or update drivers for USB devices, limiting their functionality, and existing USB protocols do not provide mechanisms for executing functional requests such as security operations, buffer management, or modifying device parameters without additional software installation.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a USB device with a logic controller that decodes and executes functional sub-requests embedded in standard control endpoint requests, allowing for security operations, buffer management, and parameter modifications by encoding these requests within the wValue field of Get_Descriptor messages, enabling functionality without additional driver installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If USB devices operate with standard protocols in a restricted host environment, then system security and administrative control are maintained, but device functionality is limited due to inability to install additional drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the USB device functionality into two parts: standard USB protocol operations handled by the host, and additional functional requests handled by a logic controller embedded in the USB device itself. This segmentation allows the device to execute additional functions without requiring host driver installation, thus maintaining system security while enhancing device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB device performs additional functional requests through its own logic controller, making the device self-sufficient for executing extended functions. The logic controller autonomously processes functional requests embedded in standard USB packets, eliminating the need for external driver software on the host system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional drivers are installed to enable extended USB device functions, then device versatility is improved, but system security and administrative control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The logic controller acts as an intermediary within the USB device that handles extended functional requests. Instead of requiring external driver software on the host, the logic controller mediates between the host's standard USB protocol and the device's extended functions, processing functional requests embedded in standard USB packets without compromising host security.
3Ease of operation
If standard USB protocols are used without additional software, then system simplicity and ease of operation are maintained, but functional requests such as security operations and buffer management cannot be executed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges standard USB protocol operations with additional functional requests into a unified communication mechanism. Functional requests are embedded within standard USB control endpoint packets, allowing the device to execute extended functions while maintaining the simplicity of standard USB connectivity and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The logic controller provides universal functionality by handling multiple types of functional requests (security operations, buffer management, parameter modifications) through a single embedded controller. This multi-functional approach enables diverse operations without requiring separate software installations or complex host configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments include methods and apparatus to decode a functional request embedded in a portion of a standard device request, and execute the functional request by a universal serial bus (USB) device. The standard device request can include a Get_Descriptor request. Other embodiments are described.