USB encapsulation for network transmission
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A universal serial bus (USB) remote host control driver, comprising:
- a port for connection to a network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with one or more USB device adapters via the port over the network, each of the one or more USB device adapters having a discrete network address;
a network protocol stack, the protocol stack configured for encapsulating USB packets in network packets and for decapsulating USB packets from network packets, wherein the USB device adapters are coupled to USB devices that send USB packets to a USB protocol stack, which passes those packets to a network bridging task that identifies address information associated with the USB devices and the remote host control driver, and that passes the address information to the network protocol stack;
a polling routine configured to poll each of possible USB device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the possible USB device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible USB device adapters, wherein the polling routine is further configured to encapsulate a USB packet in one or more network packets; and
a memory for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the one or more USB device adapters which responded to the polling and a corresponding identifier of each USB device connected via the corresponding USB device adapter to the remote host control driver.
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Abstract
A universal serial bus (USB) remote host control driver includes a connection to a local network, a network protocol stack and a memory for storing network addresses of USB device adapters and USB devices on the network. A USB device adapter has one or more USB ports, a network connection, a network address, and a network protocol stack. Together, the USB remote host control driver and the USB device adapter enable interaction between a network computer and peripheral USB devices on the network.
30 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A universal serial bus (USB) remote host control driver, comprising:
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a port for connection to a network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with one or more USB device adapters via the port over the network, each of the one or more USB device adapters having a discrete network address; a network protocol stack, the protocol stack configured for encapsulating USB packets in network packets and for decapsulating USB packets from network packets, wherein the USB device adapters are coupled to USB devices that send USB packets to a USB protocol stack, which passes those packets to a network bridging task that identifies address information associated with the USB devices and the remote host control driver, and that passes the address information to the network protocol stack; a polling routine configured to poll each of possible USB device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the possible USB device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible USB device adapters, wherein the polling routine is further configured to encapsulate a USB packet in one or more network packets; and a memory for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the one or more USB device adapters which responded to the polling and a corresponding identifier of each USB device connected via the corresponding USB device adapter to the remote host control driver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17)
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8. An Internet gateway, comprising:
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a port for connecting to the Internet; and a universal serial bus (USB) remote host control driver, the USB remote host control driver comprising; a port for connecting to a local network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with one or more USB device adapters via the port over the network, each of the one or more USB device adapters having a discrete network address; a local network protocol stack, the protocol stack for encapsulating USB packets in local network packets and for decapsulating USB packets from local network packets, wherein the USB device adapters are coupled to USB devices that send USB packets to a USB protocol stack, which passes those packets to a network bridging task that identifies address information associated with the USB devices and the remote host control driver, and that passes the address information to the network protocol stack; a polling routine configured to poll each of possible USB device adapters connected to the local network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the possible USB device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible USB device adapters, wherein the polling routine is further configured to encapsulate a USB packet in one, or more network packets; and a memory for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the USB device adapters which responded to the polling and an identifier of each USB device connected via the corresponding USB device adapter to the remote host control driver. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19)
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20. A serial data bus remote host control driver, comprising:
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a port for connecting to a network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with one or more serial data bus device adapters via the port over the network, each of the one or more serial data bus device adapters having a discrete network address; a network protocol stack, the protocol stack for encapsulating serial data bus packets in network packets and for decapsulating serial data bus packets from network packets, wherein the USB device adapters are coupled to USB devices that send USB packets to a USB protocol stack, which passes those packets to a network bridging task that identifies address information associated with the USB devices and the remote host control driver, and that passes the address information to the network protocol stack; a polling routine configured to poll each of possible device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the possible serial data bus device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible serial data bus device adapters, wherein the polling routine is further configured to encapsulate a USB packet in one or more network packets; and a memory for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the device adapters which responded to the polling and an identifier of each serial data bus device connected via the corresponding serial data bus device adapter to the remote host control driver. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An Internet gateway, comprising:
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a port for connecting to the Internet; and a serial data bus remote host control driver, the serial data bus remote host control driver comprising; a port for connecting to a local network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with one or more serial data bus device adapters via the port over the network, each of the one or more serial data bus device adapters having a discrete network address; a local network protocol stack, the protocol stack for encapsulating serial data bus packets in local network packets and for decapsulating serial data bus packets from network packets, wherein the USB device adapters are coupled to USB devices that send USB packets to a USB protocol stack, which passes those packets to a network bridging task that identifies address information associated with the USB devices and the remote host control driver, and that passes the address information to the network protocol stack; a polling routine configured to poll each of possible device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the serial data bus device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible serial data bus device adapters, wherein the polling routine is further configured to encapsulate a USB packet in one or more network packets; and a memory for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the device adapters which responded to the polling and an identifier of each serial data bus device connected via the corresponding serial data bus device adapter to the remote host control driver. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A universal serial bus (USB) remote host control driver, comprising:
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means for connecting to a network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with one or more USB device adapters via the means for connecting over the network, each of the one or more USB device adapters having a discrete network address; means for encapsulating USB packets in network packets and for decapsulating USB packets from network packets, wherein the USB device adapters are coupled to USB devices that send USB packets to a USB protocol stack, which passes those packets to a network bridging task that identifies address information associated with the USB devices and the remote host control driver, and that passes the address information to the means for encapsulating; means for polling each of possible USB device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the possible USB device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible USB device adapters, wherein the polling includes encapsulating a USB packet in one or more network packets; and means for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the USB device adapters which responded to the polling and an identifier of each USB device connected via the corresponding USB device adapter to the remote host control driver. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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41. An Internet gateway, comprising:
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means for connecting to the Internet; and a universal serial bus (USB) remote host control driver, the USB remote host control driver comprising; means for connecting to a network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with one or more USB device adapters via the means for connecting over the network, each of the one or more USB device adapters having a discrete network address; means for encapsulating USB packets in network packets and for decapsulating USB packets from network packets, wherein the USB device adapters are coupled to USB devices that send USB packets to a USB protocol stack, which passes those packets to a network bridging task that identifies address information associated with the USB devices and the remote host control driver, and that passes the address information to the means for encapsulating; means for polling each of possible USB device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the possible USB device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible USB device adapters, wherein the polling includes encapsulating a USB packet in one or more network packets; and means for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the USB device adapters which responded to the polling and an identifier of each USB device connected via the corresponding USB device adapter to the remote host control driver. - View Dependent Claims (42)
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43. A serial data bus remote host control driver, comprising:
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means for connecting to a network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with one or more serial data bus device adapters via the means for connecting over the network, each of the one or more serial data bus device adapters having a discrete network address; means for encapsulating serial data bus packets in network packets and for decapsulating serial data bus packets from network packets, wherein the USB device adapters are coupled to USB devices that send USB packets to a USB protocol stack, which passes those packets to a network bridging task that identifies address information associated with the USB devices and the remote host control driver, and that passes the address information to the means for encapsulating; means for polling each of possible device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the serial data bus device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible serial data bus device adapters, wherein the polling includes encapsulating a USB packet in one or more network packets; and means for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the device adapters which responded to the polling and an identifier of each serial data bus device connected via the corresponding serial data bus device adapter to the remote host control driver. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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45. An Internet gateway, comprising:
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means for connecting to the Internet; and a serial data bus remote host control driver, the serial data bus remote host control driver comprising; (a) means for connecting to a network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with one or more serial data bus device adapters via the means for connecting over the network, each of the one or more serial data bus device adapters having a discrete network address; (b) means for encapsulating serial data bus packets in network packets and for decapsulating serial data bus packets from network packets, wherein the USB device adapters are coupled to USB devices that send USB packets to a USB protocol stack, which passes those packets to a network bridging task that identifies address information associated with the USB devices and the remote host control driver, and that passes the address information to the means for encapsulating; (c) means for polling each of possible device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the serial data bus device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible serial data bus device adapters, wherein the polling includes encapsulating a USB packet in one or more network packets; and (d) means for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the device adapters which responded to the polling and an identifier of each serial data bus device connected via the corresponding serial data bus device adapter to the remote host control driver. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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47. A system comprising:
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a universal serial bus (USB) remote host control driver; and at least one universal serial bus (USB) device adapter, the USB remote host control driver being connected to at least one USB device via the at least one USB device adapter over a network, wherein the USB remote host control driver comprising; a port for connecting to the network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with the at least one USB device adapter via the port over the network, each USB device adapter having a discrete network address; a network protocol stack, the protocol stack for encapsulating USB packets in network packets and for decapsulating USB packets from network packets; a polling routine configured to poll each of possible USB device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the possible USB device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible USB device adapters, wherein the polling routine is further configured to encapsulate a USB packet in one or more network packets; and a memory for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the USB device adapters which responded to the polling and an identifier of each USB device connected via the corresponding USB device adapter to the remote host control driver, and wherein each of the one or more USB device adapters comprises; a memory for storing an assigned network address; a network protocol stack, the protocol stack for encapsulating USB packets in network packets and for decapsulating USB packets from the network packets; and a bridging task for receiving USB packets from one or more USB devices coupled to the corresponding USB device adapters and for passing USB device addressing information and the USB packets to the network protocol stack. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A system comprising:
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a serial data bus remote host control driver; and at least one serial data bus device adapter, the serial data bus remote host control driver connected to at least one serial data bus device via the at least one the serial data bus device adapter over a network, wherein the serial data bus remote host control driver comprising; a port for connecting to the network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with at least one serial data bus device adapter via the port over the network, each of the at least one serial data bus device adapter having a discrete network address; a network protocol stack, the protocol stack for encapsulating serial data bus packets in network packets and for decapsulating serial data bus packets from network packets; a polling routine configured to poll each of possible device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the serial data bus device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible serial data bus device adapters, wherein the polling routine is further configured to encapsulate a USB packet in one or more network packets; and a memory for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the device adapters and an identifier of each serial data bus device connected via the corresponding serial data bus device adapter to the remote host control driver, and wherein each of the at least one serial data bus device adapter comprises; a memory for storing an assigned network address; a network protocol stack, the protocol stack for encapsulating serial data bus packets in network packets and for decapsulating serial data bus packets from the network packets; and a bridging task for receiving serial data bus packets from one or more serial data bus devices coupled to the corresponding device adapters and for passing serial data bus device addressing information and the serial data bus packets to the network protocol stack. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. A system comprising:
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a universal serial bus (USB) remote host control driver; and at least one USB device adapter, the USB remote host control driver connected to the corresponding USB devices via the at least one USB device adapter over a network, wherein the USB remote host control driver comprises; means for connecting to the network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with the at least one USB device adapter via the means over the network, each of the at least one USB device adapter having a discrete network address; means for encapsulating USB packets in network packets and for decapsulating USB packets from network packets; means for polling each of possible USB device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the possible USB device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible USB device adapters, wherein the polling includes encapsulating a USB packet in one or more network packets; and means for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the USB device adapters which responded to the polling and an identifier of each USB device connected via the corresponding USB device adapter to the remote host control driver, and wherein each of the USB device adapters comprises; means for storing an assigned network address; means for encapsulating USB packets in network packets and for decapsulating USB packets from the network packets; and means for receiving USB packets from one or more USB devices coupled to the corresponding USB device adapters and for passing USB device addressing information and the USB packets to the means for encapsulating. - View Dependent Claims (62)
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63. A system comprising:
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a serial data bus remote host control driver; and at least one serial data bus device adapter, the serial data bus remote host control driver connected to at least one serial data bus device via at least one serial data bus device adapter over a network, wherein the serial data bus remote host control driver comprising; means for connecting to the network, the remote host control driver configured to communicate with the at least one serial data bus device adapter via the means over the network, each of the at least one serial data bus device adapters having a discrete network address; means for encapsulating serial data bus packets in network packets and for decapsulating serial data bus packets from network packets; means for polling each of possible serial data bus device adapters connected to the network in accordance with a candidate list, and compile a master list of only the serial data bus device adapters which responded to the polling and are therefore currently capable of establishing a connection over the network, wherein the candidate list is initially configured with one or more possible serial data bus device adapters, wherein the polling includes encapsulating a USB packet in one or more network packets; and means for storing the master list, the master list containing the discrete network address of each of the at least one serial data bus device adapter and an identifier of each serial data bus device connected via the corresponding serial data bus device adapter to the remote host control driver, and wherein each of the at least one serial data bus device adapters comprising; means for storing an assigned network address; means for encapsulating serial data bus packets in network packets and for decapsulating serial data bus packets from the network packets; and means for receiving serial data bus packets from one or more serial data bus devices coupled to the corresponding device adapters and for passing serial data bus device addressing information and the serial data bus packets to the means for encapsulating. - View Dependent Claims (64)
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Specification