United States Patent 7,644,211
Toebes, et al. January 5, 2010

Method and system for controlling transmission of USB messages over a data network between a USB device and a plurality of host computers

Abstract

A solution is provided for controlling universal serial bus (USB) messages between a plurality of host computers and a USB device. First and second USB servers may communicate with first and second host computers, respectively. A USB client may then communicate with the USB device. A first control path between the USB client and the first USB server and a second control path between the USB client and the second USB server may be established. Then a first data transfer path may be established between the USB client and the first USB server, the first data transfer path enabling the sending of data between the USB client and the first USB server over a data network. Then a busy message may be sent from the USB client to the second USB server over the second control path when the first data transfer path is established with the first USB server.


Inventors: Toebes; John (Cary, NC), Howarth; Arthur (San Jose, CA), Sartin; Mickey (Apex, NC)
Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (San Jose, CA)
Appl. No.: 11/006,989
Filed: December 7, 2004

Full patent text at USPTO