Web Application USB Device Identification via Serial Number
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing web applications face difficulties in identifying and selecting specific USB devices among multiple devices of the same model connected via USB or Bluetooth, as they rely on vendor and product names which are not sufficient for differentiation, leading to user confusion and incorrect selection.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that includes a web browser with instructions to request device information from the operating system, provide a selection screen for connected devices, allow users to set identification names for selected devices, and store these names in association with device information, enabling unique identification and selection of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vendorId and productId are used to display connected devices, then the device listing process is simple, but multiple devices of the same model cannot be distinguished from each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device identification process into two parts: initial simple listing using vendorId and productId, followed by detailed identification using serialNumber. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while providing comprehensive identification capabilities when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by acquiring and storing the serialNumber of the connected device in advance, before the user needs to select it. This allows the serialNumber to be immediately available for display when the user needs to distinguish between multiple devices, eliminating the need for additional acquisition steps.
2Speed
If only basic USB interface specifications are used for device identification, then the identification process is fast, but unique device identification is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The serialNumber is acquired in advance through preliminary action, stored in the browser's storage area, and made immediately available for display. This eliminates the need for additional acquisition steps when device identification is needed, maintaining fast operation while providing precise identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the serialNumber as an intermediary piece of information that bridges the gap between fast basic identification (vendorId and productId) and precise unique identification. The serialNumber acts as a mediator that provides the additional precision needed without significantly impacting the overall speed of the device listing process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a plugin and driver installation process is used for USB device access, then device compatibility is improved, but the complexity of the access procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the device selection and identification functionality from the complex plugin and driver installation process. By using the WebUSB API, the essential device access functionality is separated from the cumbersome installation procedures, allowing devices to be accessed directly through the browser without requiring separate driver installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The WebUSB API provides universal functionality that works across different devices and browsers without requiring device-specific plugins or drivers. This multi-functional approach allows the same browser-based interface to access various USB devices uniformly, eliminating the need for separate installation procedures for each device type.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus on which a web browser is executed, the information processing apparatus causes to, in a case where a web site including a web application is accessed from the information processing apparatus, perform an acquisition request to an operating system to acquire information on each connected device if an access request to access a connected device connected to the information processing apparatus is executed based on the web application, provide a first screen for selection of a connected device, access to which is permitted to the web application, from a list of information on connected devices acquired based on the acquisition request, provide a second screen for setting of an identification name corresponding to the selected connected device; and store, in a storage area, information on the selected connected device and an identification name set in the second screen in association with each other.