Method and apparatus for remote delivery of managed USB services via a mobile computing device

摘要

A managed Universal Serial Bus (USB) service capability is disclosed. The managed USB service capability is configured to use a mobile computing device (e.g., a smartphone or other suitable mobile computing device) to support a set of services for a computer (e.g., a desktop, a laptop, and the like) capable of connecting to the mobile computing device via a USB connection. The managed USB service capability enables local and/or remote control of the mobile computing device to operate in various USB device classes, such that the mobile computing device can provide various managed USB services for the computer via the peripheral connection. In this manner, the mobile computing device may be dynamically configured to operate as one or more of a network interface, a virtual private network (VPN) client, a smart card, a serial console, a mass-storage device, a booting device, and the like.

主权项

1. A mobile computing device, comprising:
a processor and a memory communicatively connected to the processor, the processor configured to:
receive, at the mobile computing device via a wireless interface of the mobile computing device from a remote network server via a network connection between the mobile computing device and the remote network server, a request to configure the mobile computing device to operate in a selected peripheral connection device class of a plurality of peripheral connection device classes;configure the mobile computing device to operate in the selected peripheral connection device class;receive, at the mobile computing device from the remote network server via the network connection, information associated with a service to be provided for a host computer by the mobile computing device based on the selected peripheral connection device class; andcommunicate with the host computer, via a peripheral connection interface of the mobile computing device configured to support a peripheral connection between the mobile computing device and the host computer, based on the service to be provided for the host computer by the mobile computing device based on the selected peripheral connection device class.