Virtual USB Interface for Software Audio Endpoint Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conferencing software often faces difficulties in interfacing with software endpoints for control signal communication, as existing methods typically do not support the transmission of control signals via audio device drivers, leading to limitations in managing muting states, light indicators, and identifying endpoint functionalities.

Innovation Solution

A virtual USB interface is developed to transceive and adapt signals conforming to the USB standard to and from non-USB signals, enabling a software module to interface with a software audio endpoint as if it were a physical endpoint, thereby facilitating the communication of control signals and media channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If audio device drivers are used for interfacing software endpoints with conferencing software, then audio signal transmission is enabled, but control signal communication is not supported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol signal communication capabilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual USB interface enables a single interface to handle both audio signal transmission and control signal communication that were previously separated between audio device drivers and other interfaces. This multi-functional approach allows conferencing software to communicate with software endpoints through one unified interface, supporting muting states, light indicators, and endpoint functionality identification alongside audio streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual USB interface acts as an intermediary layer between the conferencing software and software endpoints, translating and routing both audio and control signals. This mediator approach allows control signals to be transmitted through the audio interface infrastructure without requiring direct hardware USB connections, bridging the gap between software-based endpoints and control signal requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If physical USB connections are used for software endpoints, then control signal communication is supported, but software-based endpoint flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware endpoint flexibilityVSAvoidinterface configuration ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual USB interface creates a software-based copy of the physical USB interface functionality, emulating USB protocol behavior within the software environment. This allows software endpoints to interact with conferencing software through a virtualized USB interface that mimics physical USB connections, providing control signal communication capabilities without requiring actual hardware USB ports or physical device attachments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical/physical USB connection system with a software-based virtual interface. Instead of requiring physical USB cables and hardware ports for control signal communication, the system substitutes these mechanical elements with software-implemented virtual USB interface that operates entirely within the computing device's software environment, enabling software endpoints to gain control signal capabilities without physical hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control mechanisms are implemented in conferencing software, then control signal compatibility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanism compatibilityVSAvoidsoftware architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual USB interface serves as a universal control mechanism that can handle multiple types of control signals (muting, light indicators, endpoint identification) through a single standardized interface. This eliminates the need for conferencing software to implement multiple separate control mechanisms for different endpoint types, as the virtual USB interface provides a unified approach that works with all software endpoints regardless of their specific functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250021293A1Virtual universal serial bus interface

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 SHURE ACQUISITION HLDG INC

AI summary

A virtual USB interface can enable a software module, e.g., conferencing software, to interface with a software audio endpoint as if the software audio endpoint were a physical USB endpoint. Signals conforming to the USB standard can be transceived and adapted to and from non-USB signals using the virtual USB interface. Both the signals conforming to the USB standard and the non-USB signals may include a media channel and/or a control channel.