Dynamic Virtual COM Port Mapping for Client Server Peripheral Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In client/server computing models with multiple client computers and peripheral devices, static port mapping fails to accurately connect peripheral devices to corresponding application programs in dynamic environments with numerous users and devices, leading to incorrect allocations and connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
A system that redirects USB peripheral devices using VID/PID identifiers to assign a variable COM port on the server, providing a fixed virtual COM port and dynamically mapping it, ensuring correct device association without user intervention, through software utilities and driver management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static port mapping is used to connect peripheral devices to server ports, then device connectivity is established, but accurate connection to the correct application program fails in dynamic environments with multiple users and devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic port mapping that automatically adjusts to changing user sessions and peripheral device connections. Instead of fixed static mappings, the system continuously discovers and updates COM port assignments based on current client-server connections, ensuring that peripheral devices are always connected to the correct application program regardless of user logins or device reconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic self-discovery of peripheral devices and self-mapping to appropriate server ports without requiring manual configuration. The server automatically detects when a client connects, identifies the peripheral devices attached to that client, and dynamically assigns the correct COM ports to the appropriate application programs, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure port mappings in dynamic environments.
2Productivity
If multiple client computers connect to peripheral devices in a client/server model, then resource sharing is enabled, but correct device allocation to specific application programs becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic feedback loops where the server continuously monitors client connections, peripheral device status, and application program requirements. When changes are detected (such as a client logging in or a device being connected), the system automatically updates the port mapping configuration to maintain correct associations, eliminating the complexity of manual mapping management in multi-client environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal dynamic mapping system that handles multiple client computers, various peripheral device types, and different application programs through a single automated mechanism. This universal approach replaces the need for separate static mapping configurations for each client-device-program combination, simplifying management while enabling comprehensive resource sharing across the entire client/server network.
3Loss of energy
If peripheral device ports are allocated sparingly with special procedures, then bandwidth is conserved, but dynamic allocation accuracy deteriorates in environments with intermittent connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary discovery and mapping of peripheral devices when clients first connect, establishing accurate COM port assignments before data transmission begins. This preliminary action ensures that when peripheral devices are intermittently connected or disconnected, the correct port mappings are already in place, maintaining both bandwidth efficiency and allocation accuracy without requiring conservative sparing allocation procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for a server to assign a corn port to a peripheral device coupled to a client computer includes initiating a session in response to a request from a client, receiving from the client information identifying the peripheral device, calling on the server a driver for the identified peripheral device and assigning on the driver a fixed virtual port to the identified peripheral device; assigning on the server a virtual corn port in server space for the identified peripheral device, automatically specifying on the server the virtual corn port as the connection for the identified peripheral device, and mapping on the server a variable corn port to the peripheral device in server space.