Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided that allow a host device to communicate video information, network information, and USB information over USB via a USB host controller. The video information and the network information are encapsulated within USB and communicated by the USB host controller. In some embodiments, the USB information communicated by the USB host controller is further communicated over a non-USB extension medium by an upstream facing port device and one or more downstream facing port devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and/or methods for managing power distribution over a USB topology. In some embodiments, a host device is coupled to an upstream facing port device (UFP device) via a USB compliant connection, and a USB device is coupled to a downstream facing port device (DFP device) via a USB compliant connection. The UFP device and DFP device are connected via a non-USB compliant extension medium. In various embodiments, the UFP device and DFP device may be individually powered by different types of sources (such as external power sources, power distributed over the extension medium, batteries, USB bus power, and/or the like). The UFP device and DFP device cooperate to provide USB power distribution functionality throughout the USB topology despite the presence of the non-USB compliant extension medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and/or methods for managing power distribution over a USB topology. In some embodiments, a host device is coupled to an upstream facing port device (UFP device) via a USB compliant connection, and a USB device is coupled to a downstream facing port device (DFP device) via a USB compliant connection. The UFP device and DFP device are connected via a non-USB compliant extension medium. In various embodiments, the UFP device and DFP device may be individually powered by different types of sources (such as external power sources, power distributed over the extension medium, batteries, USB bus power, and/or the like). The UFP device and DFP device cooperate to provide USB power distribution functionality throughout the USB topology despite the presence of the non-USB compliant extension medium.

Abstract: Boardroom table systems are provided that include a plurality of USB Type-C receptacles that can provide power and/or data transfer functionality to one or more devices attached thereto. Power transferred by the boardroom table system may be managed by USB Power Delivery, and may come from a source of wall power, or from a device coupled to one of the USB Type-C receptacles. Data transferred by the boardroom table system may include USB data, Ethernet data, video data, and/or any other type of data transmittable via a USB Type-C receptacle. In some embodiments, boardroom table systems also include presentation devices. In such embodiments, a device coupled to a USB Type-C receptacle could both transmit or receive power, exchange data, and transmit video to the presentation device via the same USB Type-C receptacle of the boardroom table system, thus eliminating the need for multiple sockets and cables.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and/or methods for managing power distribution over a USB topology. In some embodiments, a host device is coupled to an upstream facing port device (UFP device) via a USB compliant connection, and a USB device is coupled to a downstream facing port device (DFP device) via a USB compliant connection. The UFP device and DFP device are connected via a non-USB compliant extension medium. In various embodiments, the UFP device and DFP device may be individually powered by different types of sources (such as external power sources, power distributed over the extension medium, batteries, USB bus power, and/or the like). The UFP device and DFP device cooperate to provide USB power distribution functionality throughout the USB topology despite the presence of the non-USB compliant extension medium.

Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods are provided that allow a host device to communicate video information, network information, and USB information over USB via a USB host controller. The video information and the network information are encapsulated within USB and communicated by the USB host controller. In some embodiments, the USB information communicated by the USB host controller is further communicated over a non-USB extension medium by an upstream facing port device and one or more downstream facing port devices.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides techniques for reducing an amount of bandwidth used for the communication of DisplayPort information via a USB Type-C receptacle. In some embodiments, this reduction in bandwidth allows for the concurrent exchange of USB 2.0 information, SuperSpeed information, and four lanes of DisplayPort information via a single USB Type-C receptacle. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished in part by processing the information from the four DisplayPort lanes to be transmittable via two differential pairs of the USB Type-C connection, thereby providing four lanes of DisplayPort communication over the USB Type-C connection concurrently with SuperSpeed information. In some embodiments, the reduction in bandwidth of the DisplayPort information may be used for other purposes, such as transmitting high bandwidth DisplayPort information over a cable or connector of a low quality that would otherwise not support such an exchange.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extending USB-compliant communication distances, including USB 3.0 SuperSpeed communication, are provided. In some embodiments, a host is communicatively coupled to a device that provides an upstream facing port, and a USB device is communicatively coupled to a device that provides a downstream facing port. The upstream facing port and downstream facing port are coupled via a communication channel. In some embodiments, the upstream facing port and downstream facing port generate packets to ensure that timing requirements of the USB specification are met regardless of the latency of the communication channel.

Abstract: Methods and devices for transmitting SuperSpeed information between a host device and a USB device via an extension medium are provided. Link partner relationships are established between the host device and an upstream facing port device, between the USB device and a downstream facing port device, and between the upstream facing port device and the downstream facing port device. While the link partner relationship between the upstream facing port device and the downstream facing port device is substantially compliant to the USB 3.0 Specification, the link partner relationship may use a configurable link layer acknowledgement timer to compensate for delays in transmission over the extension medium.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extending USB-compliant communication distances, including USB 3.0 SuperSpeed communication, are provided. In some embodiments, a host is communicatively coupled to a device that provides an upstream facing port, and a USB device is communicatively coupled to a device that provides a downstream facing port. The upstream facing port and downstream facing port are coupled via a communication channel. In some embodiments, the upstream facing port and downstream facing port generate packets to ensure that timing requirements of the USB specification are met regardless of the latency of the communication channel.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating timing signals at a rate that matches a rate of remotely generated timing signals are provided. In some embodiments, a host generates timing signals in accordance with a USB specification, such as keep-alives, start-of-frame packets, or ITPs. An upstream facing port transmits the timing signals over a network to a downstream facing port. The downstream facing port generates and transmits timing signals to a USB device at a predetermined rate, and alters the predetermined rate based on an analysis of the rate at which timing signals are received from the upstream facing port.

Abstract: USB extension devices that transmit USB 3.0 differential signaling over an extension medium that supports serial communication are provided. In some embodiments, an electrical idle or suspend is detected from a transmit conductor of a USB host or device, and a corresponding USB extension device is reconfigured to couple a receive conductor of the USB host or device to a null data source instead of an extension medium transceiver. Once the electrical idle or suspend state ceases, the receive conductor of the USB host or device is reconnected to the extension medium transceiver. In some embodiments, a transmit input of the extension medium transceiver is coupled to a null data source upon detection of electrical idle or suspend from the USB host or device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to enable a plurality of standard USB peripheral devices, utilizing the USB specification, to be distributed at various nodes across a network, wherein communications across the network may take advantage of any pre-existing network connectivity of a standard, non-modified USB host computer. In particular, a virtual host controller function is added to the host computer in order to direct data communications towards a pre-existing network transceiver. As a result, the host computer is not required to be provided with USB hardware and is able to communicate across the network using pre-existing data communication components.

Abstract: USB extension devices that transmit USB 3.0 differential signaling over an extension medium that supports serial communication are provided. In some embodiments, an electrical idle or suspend is detected from a transmit conductor of a USB host or device, and a corresponding USB extension device is reconfigured to couple a receive conductor of the USB host or device to a null data source instead of an extension medium transceiver. Once the electrical idle or suspend state ceases, the receive conductor of the USB host or device is reconnected to the extension medium transceiver. In some embodiments, a transmit input of the extension medium transceiver is coupled to a null data source upon detection of electrical idle or suspend from the USB host or device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a port management protocol which can be used to manage communication between one or more USB devices and a USB host at a distance greater than that allowed by the USB Specifications are provided. In one aspect, a method for prolonging a bus event of a USB device at least until a notification is received that a corresponding bus event has been completed by the USB host is provided; and subsequently exchanging bus traffic between the USB host and USB device upon completion of the bus event by both devices.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for selectively pairing an upstream facing USB port device (UFP device) and a downstream facing USB port device (DFP device) over a network are disclosed. A controller device sends pairing commands to a selected UFP device and a selected DFP device, which then establish a connection with each other over a network. The controller device may subsequently cause the UFP device and/or the DFP device to remove the existing pairing and to instead pair with a different UFP device or DFP device. A pairing between a UFP device and a DFP device allows a host device coupled to the UFP device and a USB device coupled to the DFP device to communicate via a USB-compatible protocol.

Abstract: Methods and devices for transmitting SuperSpeed information between a host device and a USB device via an extension medium are provided. Link partner relationships are established between the host device and an upstream facing port device, between the USB device and a downstream facing port device, and between the upstream facing port device and the downstream facing port device. While the link partner relationship between the upstream facing port device and the downstream facing port device is substantially compliant to the USB 3.0 Specification, the link partner relationship may use a configurable link layer acknowledgement timer to compensate for delays in transmission over the extension medium.

Abstract: Devices and methods for communicating DisplayPort information and non-DisplayPort information over a DisplayPort cable are provided. In some embodiments, an integration device includes a main link switching circuit configured to selectively couple lanes of the DisplayPort main link to a DisplayPort source when configured to operate in a first mode, and to a non-DisplayPort source when configured to operate in a second mode. In some embodiments, the integration device may be configured to hot swap between the first mode and the second mode after an initial connection has been established.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating DVI (digital visual interface) and HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) information is provided. The system includes a local unit operable to produce a downstream request packet in reaction to received DVI or HDMI information from a video source device and to transmit the request packet to a remote unit via a first simplex channel of a communications link. The remote unit operates to produce an upstream reply packet in reaction to received DVI or HDMI information by the remote unit from a video sink device and to transmit the reply packet to the local unit via a communications link. The system allows greater distances and allows various communications mediums to be used between the source and sink, and can communicate DVI and HDMI information and other information via a variety of different communications links.

Abstract: Devices and methods for communicating DisplayPort information and non-DisplayPort information over a DisplayPort cable are provided. In some embodiments, an integration device includes a main link switching circuit configured to selectively couple lanes of the DisplayPort main link to a DisplayPort source when configured to operate in a first mode, and to a non-DisplayPort source when configured to operate in a second mode. In some embodiments, the integration device may be configured to hot swap between the first mode and the second mode after an initial connection has been established.