RU2347263C2 - Method and system for self-acting installation of driver of functional block on main computing mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics; computer facilities.

SUBSTANCE: invention concerns to method and system for self-acting installation of the driver of the functional block on a main computing mechanism (host). Technical effect is the possibility to computer system to distinguish and adapt for changes of a configuration of hardware maintenance. The method of a self-acting fill in a main computing mechanism (host) of the driver of the functional block, stored as a part of the executed program in storage of the first functional block is featured. Thus the given expedient provides physical connection of the first functional block to a host and the first functional block itself informs a host, that is generalised storage device for use of the driver of a class of the generalised mass storage in a host. The operational system of a host reads out the file of the autostart forming a part of the mentioned executed program, for a fill and execution on a program host of the driver configuration, the mentioned executed program forming a part. The host uses the program of the driver configuration, at its execution on a host, for installation and execution of the driver of the functional block on a host.

EFFECT: possibility to computer system to distinguish and adapt for changes of a configuration of hardware maintenance.

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Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and system for automatically installing a function block driver on a host computing device (host), and relates, in particular, but not exclusively, to such a method and system for installing function block drivers on a host computer.

State of the art

“Plug and Play” technology is a combination of hardware and software that enables a computer system to recognize and adapt to hardware configuration changes with little or no user intervention. With “Plug and Play,” peripheral or other devices can be added or removed dynamically, without the inconvenient and messy manual configuration, and without the confusing knowledge of computer hardware.

In order to install or use a peripheral or other device without an external driver, this peripheral or other device must correspond to at least one of many specific classes. Operating systems, such as, for example, “Windows” 2000, must preload the driver of the corresponding class. With a preloaded class driver, the operating system can then perform the following tasks:

(a) automatic and dynamic recognition of installed hardware, including initial installation of the system, recognition of any “Plug and Play” hardware changes that have occurred since the last boot of the system, and reaction to runtime hardware events, such as, for example, docking and undocking and inserting or removing the device; and

(b) loading the appropriate drivers with the “Plug and Play” management tool, which determines which drivers are needed to support the particular function block, and loading these drivers.

However, the driver includes only certain common and existing classes, such as, for example, the class of generalized mass memory, the class of devices for interacting with humans, and the class of video devices. A particular class driver may no longer be applicable if the manufacturer has added some new functionality. In this case, the manufacturer of the function block may need to supply its own driver, preloaded into non-volatile memory, such as CDROM, or via the Internet. Without this driver, the function block cannot be used on the host or any other host computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred aspect, there is provided a method for automatically loading a driver of a function block stored as part of an executable program in the memory of the first function block, this method providing for the physical connection of the first function block to the host, the first function block itself informing the host that it is a generalized storage device for using the generalized mass memory class driver in the host. The host operating system reads an autorun file that forms part of the executable program for loading and executing on the host a driver configuration program that forms part of the executable program. The host uses the driver configuration program, when executed on the host, to install and execute the function block driver on the host.

According to a second aspect, a system is provided for automatically loading a function block driver into a host, the function block driver being stored as part of an executable program in the memory of the first function block being connected to the host. This executable program further comprises an autorun file for downloading and executing in the host a driver configuration program also forming part of said executable program. The driver configuration program is designed to be executed on the host to install and execute the function block driver on the host.

For both aspects, a function block driver can be for a first function block or for a second function block connected to a host, the first and second function blocks being separate blocks. The first and second functional blocks can be connected to the host using the same system, and this system is selected from the group consisting of: USB, IEEE 1394, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (b), Wi-Max and wireless USB.

After downloading and executing the driver configuration program on the host, the driver configuration program may instruct the first function block to connect the second function block to the host. Upon receipt of this command, the first function block can functionally connect the second function block to the host, and the host operating system can detect that the second function block has been connected, after which the function block driver for the second function block is installed on the host from the first function block.

The first and second functional blocks can be physically connected to the host in such a way that the host splits the allocation of one memory block into two areas of logical blocks. Only the first function block can be visible to the host operating system before executing the driver configuration program.

After the installation of the function block driver is completed, a command can be sent to the first function block and enumerated. The first and second functional blocks can be defined as two separate logical blocks. The first functional block may be assigned the first drive letter in the host, and the second functional block may be assigned the second letter in the host.

The file system driver for the second function block can be automatically installed after installing the function block driver. A file system driver can also form part of an executable program. The first function block may be designated by the host as the first drive, and the second function block may be designated by the host as a removable drive.

A file system driver can be one of: an encryption driver, a compression driver, an NT file system driver, a Linux file system driver, and a file system driver with a .MAX extension. The first functional unit may be a non-volatile memory device containing memory. The second functional unit may be a peripheral device selected from: a monitor, a keyboard, at least one loudspeaker, a mouse, a printer, a removable non-volatile memory device, a digital camera, a digital camera docking station, a projector, a wireless hub, a USB hub, a device for card reader, MP3 player, media player, external drive, video player, game console, scanner, biometric input device, musical instrument and external s sound card. The host can be selected from: a personal computer, a server, a travel computer, a laptop, a tablet computer, a personal electronic secretary and a computerized projector.

According to a final aspect, a removable non-volatile storage device for connecting to a host is provided, the removable non-volatile storage device comprising a computer-readable medium comprising computer program code that is configured to instruct at least one host processor to perform one or more functions to perform the aforementioned method.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

In order that the invention can be fully understood and easily put into practice, only preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example, this description being made with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which:

1 is a schematic illustration of a computer system according to a first embodiment;

figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional block of figure 1;

figure 3 is a complete flowchart during operation of the first embodiment;

4 is a block diagram of a second embodiment;

5 is a flowchart of a second embodiment;

6 is a block diagram of a third embodiment;

7 is a flowchart of a third embodiment;

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a fourth embodiment;

Fig.9 is a block diagram of a sequence of operations during operation of the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for similar components, sometimes with a prefix number to indicate the embodiment in question.

Figure 1 shows a relatively normal computer system comprising a monitor 10, a host computer 12, a keyboard 14, a pair of speakers 16, a mouse 18, a printer 20, and removable non-volatile storage device 22. Although a personal computer is shown, this invention also applies to servers, travel computers, laptops, tablet computers, personal electronic secretaries, computer projectors, and any other computer-controlled device that can host a peripheral device. The host 12 uses the operating system for its work and in order to manage the functional blocks connected to it. Function blocks can be connected via USB, IEEE1394 or wirelessly. The wireless connection can be Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (b) (WiFi), Wi-Max, or wireless USB.

Each of the monitor 14, a pair of speakers 16, a mouse 18, a printer 20, and removable non-volatile storage device 22 is a function block for use with the host 12. Other function blocks include, but are not limited to, digital cameras, digital camera docking stations, projectors, wireless hub, USB hub, card reader, MP3 player, media player, external drive, video player, game console, scanner, biometric device input, musical instrument, external sound card, etc. All such devices are called a function block and are assigned a group reference number 24.

A block diagram of such a function block is shown in FIG. The function block 24 has a microprocessor unit (MCU) 26 having an internal ROM 30. The operating system is loaded into the ROM 30 for execution by the microprocessor 26. The connector 32 may be USB, IEEE1394, a wireless connector, or another connector. The wireless connector can be Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (b) (WiFi), Wi-Max, or wireless USB. Unit 24 also has non-volatile memory 28 of any known type, including, but not limited to, flash memory, hard disk, CDROM, DVD, and the like. The memory 28 stores the driver for the connector 32. The memory may be from one or more modules and may be:

(a) is integrated in block 24;

(b) separate from unit 24, but attached to or inserted into unit 24; or

(c) separate from block 24, but configured to communicate with block 24 through host 12 or another device.

The installation of device 24 on host 12 is shown in FIG. 3 and is based on the “autostart” functionality provided by most operating systems. The memory 28 stores the driver of the function block 24 as an executable program to be installed in the operating system of the host 12. Other functions are also included in the executable program, as will be clear from the following description. These functions will vary according to specific circumstances.

When the functional unit 24 is connected to the host 12 (102), the functional unit 24 itself informs the host 12 that it is, for example, a generalized storage device, such as a CDROM device, connected to the host 12 through a known connecting system such as USB, and this enables the use of a generic mass storage class driver in host 12 (104).

Host operating system 12 will read autorun.inf (106). Using autorun.inf, the host operating system 12 will load (108) and execute (110) an executable program that is pre-loaded into memory 28. The executable program preferably includes, among other things, a driver configuration program and a driver for function block 24.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when executing an executable program, it can install a driver for the second function block 34. This is appropriate when the memory 28 is separate from the functional block 24. For example, the first functional block 24 may be the memory 28, and the second functional block 34 may be a printer, scanner, other mass storage device, or other devices listed above. Preferably, connecting both function blocks to host 12 uses the same system, such as, for example, USB, IEEE1394, or wirelessly. The wireless system can be Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (b) (WiFi), Wi-Max, or wireless USB.

After installing the driver configuration program on the host 12, the driver configuration program for the second function block 34 is executed on the host 12 and issues a command through the connector 32 and the driver 30 to inform the operating system of the device 24 that the installation is completed. Upon receipt of this command, the operating system of device 24 may then connect the second function block 34 to the operating system of host 12. The first function block may be, for example, CDROM, and the second function block 34 may be, for example, a smart card reader / writer. Preferably, both units 24, 34 are connected to host 12 via a hub 36.

When the first function block 24 is connected to the hub 36 (202), only the first function block 24 is available for the operating system of the host 12. After the “autorun” is downloaded from the first functional device 24 by the host 12 and runs on the host 12 ( 204), the host operating system 12 checks for an existing driver (206). If the driver is installed on host 12 (208), then it opens and executes (210). She then proceeds to step (216). If there is no driver installed on host 12 (212), then the executable program proceeds to install the driver configuration program (214). Upon completion, the driver configuration program issues a command to the first function block 24 (216), and then the block 24 connects the second function block to the port on the host 12. The operating system of the host 12 then detects that the block 34 has been connected (218). The driver for the second block 34 is loaded into the host 12 (220), and the second functional block can be controlled by the host 12 (222). No user intervention is required for installation, except for the physical connection of blocks 24, 34.

6 and 7 show a situation where the second functional unit 34 is also a mass storage device. With this invention, the host operating system (OS) 12 will support multiple mass storage devices, as detailed in the mass storage class specification. For an operating system on host 12 that does not support multiple mass storage devices, such as devices connected using a device such as a USB hub, the process is as follows:

1. physically connect two blocks 24, 34 as two logical blocks (302) by dividing the allocation of one memory block into two areas of logical blocks;

2. since the host operating system 12 does not support multiple blocks, only the first block 24 (for example, the CDROM drive) is visible to the operating system. Then comes “Autorun” (autostart) (304);

3. The host operating system 12 then checks for an existing driver (306). If the driver is installed on host 12 (308), then it opens and executes (310). She then proceeds to step (318). If there is no driver installed on host 12 (312), then the executable program proceeds to install the driver configuration program (314);

4. the driver is then downloaded and installed (316);

5. when the installation is completed, a command is sent to the first block 24 (318);

6. enumeration (320) is again performed and two blocks 24, 34 are defined as two separate logical blocks or drives. The first block 24 will be assigned the letter of the first drive in the operating system of the host 12, and the second block 34 will be assigned the second letter of the operating system of the host 12;

7. Then follows the installation of the file system driver by connecting two blocks 24, 34 as two logical blocks. Again, this is done by dividing one memory block into two areas of logical blocks (322); and

8. The first block 24 is assigned, for example, a CDROM drive, and the second block 34 is assigned a removable drive (324). Thus, the second functional unit 34 can be connected at any time after the first functional unit 24. Then, an automatic installation (332) occurs. Thus, the second functional unit 34 can be connected at any time after the first functional unit 24.

9 shows a variation. It is appropriate when two functional units 24, 34 are combined without a hub and are thus a composite device. Two function blocks 24, 34 can communicate with USB as an integral device if both blocks 24, 34 have the same interface. The specification of the mass memory class enables blocks 24, 34 to inform themselves as two logical blocks. After assignment (324), a query (326) is issued to determine whether the host operating system 12 supports multiple logical blocks. If yes (328), then blocks 24, 34 will be recognized and managed as two separate drives (330). If there is no such support and if, for example, the second block 34 is formatted by a file system other than the file system of the host 12 (such as, for example, “Linux” and not “Windows”), then the file system of block 34 cannot be interpreted by the file system host 12, so connecting the second block 34 will start the automatic installation of the file system driver (332), which forms part of the executable program on the first device 24. After installing the file system driver, the second block 34 is accessible from the host 12.

In this case, both units 24, 34 must be connected at the same time. A recount may be necessary.

Fig. 8 shows the installation of a compression and / or encryption driver on a second block 34, which is a mass storage device. The process flow is similar to the process described above with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7, up to and including process step 8. After this step:

1. the first block 24 is considered as, for example, a CDROM drive (426);

2. the second block 34 is considered as a removable drive (428);

3. when the host operating system 12 supports multiple logical blocks (430, 432), blocks 24, 34 will be recognized as two separate drives (434). If not, the process described above is executed. If the second block 34 has a different driver, such as, for example, the NT file system driver, Linux file system and the MAC file extension, the encryption driver, and the compression driver, then the file system of the second block 34 cannot be interpreted by the host 12 operating system. thus, connecting the second unit 34 will start the automatic installation (436) of the file system driver, which forms part of the executable program on the first device 24; and

4. after installing the file system driver, the second block 34 is accessible from host 12.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in the above description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications can be made in the details of the design or construction without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (23)

1. A method for automatically loading a driver of a functional block stored as part of an executable program in the memory of the first functional block into the main computing device, this method providing
physical connection of the first functional unit to the main computing device; message by the first functional unit about itself to the main computing device that it is a generalized storage device for using the generalized mass memory class driver in the main computing device; reading by the operating system of the main computing device the autorun file forming part of the said executable program for downloading and executing in the main computing device the driver configuration program forming part of the said executable program, and using the driver configuration program, when executed in the main computing device, to install and execution of the driver of the functional block in the main computing device,
the driver of the functional block is intended for the first functional block and the second functional block, each functional block being connected to the main computing device and both functional blocks being separate blocks, and after downloading and executing the driver configuration program in the main computing device, the configuration program driver issues a command to the first function block to connect the second function block to the main computing device ystvu. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the first and second functional units are connected to the main computing device using the same system, and this system is selected from the group consisting of USB, IEEE1394, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (b), Wi -Max and wireless USB. 3. The method according to claim 1, in which upon receipt of the aforementioned command, the first functional unit functionally connects the second functional unit to the main computing device, and the operating system of the main computing device detects that the second functional unit has been connected, after which the functional unit driver for the second functional unit block is installed on the main computing device from the first functional block. 4. The method according to claim 1, in which when physically connecting the first and second functional blocks to the main computing device, the main computing device splits the allocation of one memory block into two areas of logical blocks. 5. The method according to claim 4, in which only the first functional block is visible to the operating system of the main computing device before executing the driver configuration program. 6. The method according to claim 4, in which, after the installation of the driver of the function block is completed, a command is sent to the first function block and enumeration is performed, the first and second function blocks being defined as two separate logical blocks. 7. The method according to claim 6, in which the first functional block is assigned the first letter of the drive in the main computing device, and the second functional block is assigned the second letter in the main computing device. 8. The method according to claim 3, in which the file system driver for the second function block is automatically installed after installing the function block driver, and this file system driver also forms part of said executable program. 9. The method of claim 8, in which the first functional unit is assigned by the main computing device as a first drive and the second functional unit is assigned by the main computing device as a removable drive. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the file system driver is at least one selected from the group consisting of an encryption driver, a compression driver, an NT file system driver, a Linux file system driver, and a file system driver with a. MAC extension. 11. The method according to claim 1, in which the first functional unit is a non-volatile memory device containing memory, and the second functional unit is a peripheral device selected from the group consisting of a monitor, keyboard, at least one speaker, mouse, printer, interchangeable non-volatile storage device, digital camera, digital camera docking station, projector, wireless hub, USB hub, card reader, MP3 player, iapleera, external drive, a video player, a game console, a scanner, a biometric input device, a musical instrument and an external sound card. 12. The method according to claim 1, in which the main computing device is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, server, travel computer, laptop, tablet computer, personal electronic secretary and computerized projector. 13. A system for automatically loading a function block driver into a main computing device, wherein this function block driver is stored as part of an executable program in a memory of a first function block connected to the main computing device, wherein this executable program further comprises an autorun file for loading and execution in the main a computing device of a driver configuration program, also forming part of said executable program, wherein the program igurirovaniya drivers designed for execution on the main computing device to install and execute the functional unit driver on the main computing device,
the driver of the functional block is intended for the first functional block and the second functional block, each functional block being connected to the main computing device and both functional blocks being separate blocks, and after downloading and executing the driver configuration program in the main computing device, the driver configuration program instructs the first function block to connect the second function block to the main computing device ystvu. 14. The system according to item 13, in which the first and second functional units are connected to the main computing device using the same system, and this system is selected from the group consisting of USB, IEEE1394, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 (b), Wi -Max and wireless USB. 15. The system according to item 13, in which, after downloading and executing the driver configuration program in the main computing device, the driver configuration program instructs the first function block to functionally connect the second function block to the main computing device, and upon receiving this command, the first functional block functionally connects a second functional unit to the main computing device, and the operating system of the main computing device detects that the second function ionalny unit has been connected, whereupon the functional unit driver for second functional unit is installed on the main computing device from the first functional block. 16. The system according to item 13, in which when physically connecting the first and second functional blocks to the main computing device, they are allocated one memory block, divided into two areas of logical blocks. 17. The system according to item 13, in which after the installation of the driver of the functional block is completed, the first and second functional blocks are defined as two separate logical blocks, the first functional block being assigned the letter of the first drive in the main computing device, and the second letter in the main functional block being assigned computing device. 18. The system of claim 13, wherein said executable program includes a file system driver for a second function block, said file system driver being automatically installed on the host computing device after installing the function block driver. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the file system driver is at least one of the group consisting of an encryption driver, a compression driver, an NT file system driver, a Linux file system driver, and a MAC file system driver. 20. The system according to item 13, in which the first functional unit is a non-volatile storage device containing memory. 21. The system according to item 13, in which the second functional unit is a peripheral device selected from the group consisting of a monitor, keyboard, at least one speaker, mouse, printer, removable non-volatile storage device, digital camera, digital camera docking station, projector, wireless hub, USB hub, card reader, MP3 player, media player, external drive, video player, game console, scanner, biometric device and I, a musical instrument and an external sound card. 22. The system according to item 13, in which the main computing device is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, server, travel computer, laptop, tablet computer, personal electronic secretary and computerized projector. 23. Removable non-volatile storage device for connection to the main computing device, and this removable non-volatile storage device contains a machine-readable medium containing computer program code, which is configured to instruct at least one processor of the main computing device to perform one or more functions to implement the method according to to any one of claims 1-12.

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