Virtual Wireless Docking Host for Network Device Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless docking environments face challenges in reliably discovering and connecting multiple wireless peripheral devices to user devices, leading to increased costs and complexity, as existing solutions require physical docking stations and are inefficient with growing numbers of devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual wireless docking host (VWDH) functionality within a wireless network, allowing devices to discover and dock with multiple docking environments (WDNs) without physical hosts, reducing network traffic and enabling quality of service management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical docking stations are used to connect user devices with peripheral devices, then reliable connection is achieved, but additional cost and device complexity are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the docking station functionality through software implementation. The virtual docking station replicates the connection management capabilities of physical docking stations but operates entirely in the wireless network space, eliminating the need for physical hardware while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical docking station system with a wireless software-based system. Instead of requiring physical connectors and hardware docking stations, the solution uses wireless communication protocols and virtualization to achieve the same docking functionality, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating additional hardware costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wireless peripheral devices are supported in the wireless network, then device versatility is improved, but difficulty in discovering and connecting peripheral devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual docking station as an intermediary entity that manages multiple wireless peripheral devices. This intermediary provides centralized discovery and connection management, allowing user devices to easily discover and connect to peripheral devices through the virtual docking station without directly managing each device individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual docking station is designed to support multiple types of wireless peripheral devices simultaneously through a unified interface. This multi-functional approach allows a single virtual docking station to handle various device types (audio, video, input devices, etc.), improving versatility while simplifying the discovery process through a common connection mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If existing docking environment is used to connect peripheral devices, then connection functionality is provided, but additional cost for setting up docking environment is incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual replica of the docking environment that provides all necessary docking functionalities without requiring physical hardware. This virtual copying approach maintains ease of operation and docking functionality while eliminating the need to purchase and set up additional physical docking stations, thereby reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential docking functionality from physical docking station hardware and relocates it to a virtual software environment. By separating the core docking functions from the physical hardware, the solution maintains full docking capability while removing the need for additional physical equipment and associated costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device to implement virtual docking host functionality in a wireless network is disclosed. The method manages at least one docking environment device within a wireless network. Further, the method discovers at least one docking environment and docks a dockee device to at least one docking environment device.