Virtual Device Object for Remote Peripheral Interconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to provide error-free communication between devices operating at different speeds and communication standards, especially when underlying network media does not meet the requirements of peripheral buses, leading to communication errors and failures.
Innovation Solution
A virtual device object is created to enable communication between peripheral devices connected to local and remote electronic devices, using a generic method that works independently of specific devices and operating systems, and supports both synchronous and asynchronous communication standards, with an I/O buffer to compensate for different transfer speeds and outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices communicate over network media with different speeds and standards, then communication versatility is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to speed mismatches and protocol incompatibilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between peripheral devices on different electronic devices. The gateway translates communication protocols, buffers data transfers, and reconciles speed differences between devices operating at various standards (e.g., USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi). This mediator enables versatile multi-standard communication while maintaining reliable data transfer by handling protocol conversion and speed matching centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple communication standards and protocols simultaneously. It can interface with different peripheral device types (storage, audio, video) and different communication interfaces (wired and wireless), providing universal compatibility across diverse device ecosystems while maintaining reliable communication through standardized translation layers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If peripheral devices are connected remotely over networks, then device portability and flexibility are improved, but communication errors increase due to network media not meeting peripheral bus requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between network media and peripheral bus requirements. It receives data from remote devices over network protocols, buffers and processes the data, then transmits it through emulated peripheral bus interfaces that meet the timing and protocol requirements of local peripheral devices. This eliminates communication errors by translating network-level data into peripheral-bus-compatible formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of peripheral bus interfaces and device objects in the gateway. These virtual device objects replicate the behavior and interface characteristics of local peripheral devices, allowing remote devices to communicate as if they were locally connected. The gateway emulates the electrical and protocol characteristics of physical bus connections, enabling flexible remote connectivity without compromising communication reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual device drivers are used to enable cross-device communication, then device interoperability is improved, but system complexity increases due to driver management and contention handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple device driver functions into a single gateway device. Instead of requiring separate virtual device drivers on each host device to manage remote peripheral access, the gateway consolidates protocol translation, data buffering, contention management, and device emulation functions in one location. This reduces overall system complexity by eliminating redundant driver code and centralized control logic in the gateway.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device provides self-service capabilities by automatically detecting remote peripheral devices, negotiating communication protocols, and configuring virtual device objects without requiring manual driver installation or configuration on host devices. The system performs self-configuration and automatic device enumeration, reducing the burden on users and simplifying deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
A peripheral device connected to a local electronic device which is connected to at least one communication network can communicate with a peripheral device attached to a remote electronic device as if the remote peripheral device was locally attached. Data designated for the remote peripheral device is received by a local virtual device object and transmitted to the remote electronic device via at least one of the electronic devices communication interfaces or peripheral devices. Data received by the remote electronic device's communication interface or peripheral device is written to the peripheral device at the remote electronic device by a virtual device object. For compensation of different transfer speeds or outages between the peripheral device and the communication interface or another peripheral device the virtual device provides the ability to utilize the virtual devices emulation driver that is attached to the virtual device object as an I/O buffer.