WiFi Serial Bus Attribute for USB Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless USB technologies rely on lower-layer discovery mechanisms for USB devices, which are not applicable to WiFi Point-to-Point (P2P) frameworks, making it difficult for users to make informed connectivity decisions when using wireless USB devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a WiFi Serial Bus (WSB) attribute that utilizes the WiFi P2P framework for device discovery, carrying information to facilitate user connectivity decisions by including fields such as attribute ID, USB version, device class, and capability bitmap, allowing for the extension of P2P applicability to WSB protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If lower-layer discovery mechanisms (MAC, IP) are used for wireless USB device discovery, then device connectivity can be established, but users cannot make informed connectivity decisions due to lack of USB-specific device information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of USB-specific information exchange on top of the existing WiFi communication layer. By defining a proprietary information element format that carries USB device descriptors, configuration data, and capability information, the system enables users to make informed connectivity decisions without altering the underlying WiFi MAC and IP discovery mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (USB Protocol Adaptation Layer) that sits between the WiFi communication stack and USB devices. This intermediary translates USB device information into WiFi-compatible information elements, allowing USB-specific data to be transmitted over WiFi without requiring changes to the physical USB interface or the core WiFi protocol stack.
2Adaptability or versatility
If WiFi P2P framework is used for device discovery, then wireless connectivity can be established, but the framework is not applicable to USB protocol adaptation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal information element format that can carry both WiFi connection information and USB device information simultaneously. The proprietary information element is designed to be compatible with the WiFi P2P framework while also conveying USB-specific descriptors, device classes, and capability data, enabling a single discovery mechanism to serve multiple protocol requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the information representation parameters by encoding USB device information (normally transmitted over physical USB wires) into WiFi-compatible data structures. By transforming USB descriptors into information elements with specific formats, lengths, and field definitions, the system adapts USB protocol parameters to fit within the WiFi P2P discovery framework.
Data Source
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AI summary
A WiFi serial bus (WSB) attribute for use in Wi-Fi Alliance defined point-to-point (P2P) discovery mechanism includes a plurality of fields disposed in the frame. The WiFi serial bus attribute is arranged to provide information in the plurality of fields to support connectivity decisions for a USB device in a point-to-point network using a WSB protocol. The WSB attribute includes WSB architectural element information and information associated with a USB device behind a USB protocol adaptation layer (PAL).