WO2001097025A1 - Installation de logiciel associe a l'unite - Google Patents

Installation de logiciel associe a l'unite Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001097025A1
WO2001097025A1 PCT/IL2001/000413 IL0100413W WO0197025A1 WO 2001097025 A1 WO2001097025 A1 WO 2001097025A1 IL 0100413 W IL0100413 W IL 0100413W WO 0197025 A1 WO0197025 A1 WO 0197025A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
related software
computer
operating system
peripheral device
operable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2001/000413
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Konstantin Kouperchliak
Alexander Aronson
Igor Royzis
Original Assignee
Silicom Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Silicom Ltd. filed Critical Silicom Ltd.
Priority to AU56627/01A priority Critical patent/AU5662701A/en
Publication of WO2001097025A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001097025A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F9/00—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units
    • G06F9/06—Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
    • G06F9/44—Arrangements for executing specific programs
    • G06F9/4401—Bootstrapping
    • G06F9/4411—Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
    • G06F9/4413—Plug-and-play [PnP]
    • G06F9/4415—Self describing peripheral devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to device-related software (hereinafter "DRS") installation and more particularly but not exclusively to the installation of DRS for universal serial bus (USB) devices.
  • DRS device-related software
  • USB interface After serial and parallel interfaces, the USB interface is fast becoming popular as a means of connecting peripheral devices to computers.
  • the USB interface is covered by an International standard and provides high speed communication. It is also particularly preferred in that it is specially designed to support plug and play connections without needing to open up the PC, for example to insert an adapter card.
  • USB devices that is to say the ⁇ peripheral devices designed to be connected to a computer via a USB interface
  • a software driver that operates in association with the operating system of the computer.
  • the peripheral device manufacturers generally prepare such a software driver and then make it available to the operating system providers so that it can be included with the operating system. Then, when the device is first connected to the cohiputer via the USB interface, the operating system identifies the device and installs the appropriate driver.
  • a peripheral device operable to identify whether a specific DRS is available for installation or is installed on a computer to which it is connected, and in the event that such a specific DRS is not installed or is not available for installation, is operable to install a DRS stored in its own memory onto the computer.
  • a peripheral device for a computer having stored therein device-related software for permitting interaction between the device and the computer, wherein said peripheral device is operable to upload the device related software to said computer for installation of said peripheral device by said computer.
  • the device-related software comprises a device driver. It may also comprise one or more configuration files and other software necessary for smooth running of the peripheral device under the operating system.
  • the device-related software comprises a plurality of software items, each of said items being appropriate for a different operating system or a different version of an operating system.
  • the peripheral is operable as a keyboard emulator.
  • the device may have a primary function embodied in a functional unit and a switch for switching between the keyboard emulator and the functional unit.
  • the peripheral is switched as a keyboard emulator upon starting of the computer.
  • One preferred embodiment is operable to recognize a device-related software identifier string relating to one of the software items stored therein and, in response thereto, to switch to the functional unit.
  • the keyboard emulator is operable to upload a program to the computer to obtain identification data of the operating system used by the computer.
  • An embodiment has stored therein a plurality of device-related software files and selects therefrom an appropriate device-related software file or files for uploading, preferably based on an identification of an operating system installed on said computer.
  • Embodiments of the present invention particularly relate to peripheral devices designed to be connected to a computer via a USB interface.
  • a device for connecting to a computer having an operating system and requiring a device-related software item suitable for said device and said operating system, to be installed on said computer to co-operate with said operating system to drive said device characterized by having a memory in which at least one suitable device-related software item is stored, and an uploading controller for uploading said device-related software item from said device to said computer.
  • the device is preferably a USB device and preferably the uploading controller is operable to recognize a device-related software identification string from the computer indicating that a suitable device-related software item is already installed on the computer.
  • the uploading controller is operable to recognize a device-related software identification string from the computer indicating that a suitable device-related software item is already installed on the computer.
  • the uploading controller is operable to upload said suitable device-related software item to said computer only when no said device-related software identification string is recognized.
  • the device stores plurality of device-related software items each suitable for a different operating system
  • said uploading controller is operable to interrogate said computer to find out what operating system is in use and thereby to select a device-related software item suitable for said operating system.
  • a method of installing a peripheral device requiring a device-related software item, onto a computer using an operating system having an automatic installation procedure comprising the steps of storing the device-related software item in the peripheral device, determining whether the device-related software item is operative on the computer, if the device-related software item is not operative on the computer then uploading the device-related software item from the peripheral device to the computer, and allowing the operating system to detect the device and carry out its automatic installation procedure using the uploaded device-related software item.
  • said peripheral device has a plurality of device-related software items stored therein, each one suitable for a different operating system or version of an operating system, said step of uploading comprising the steps of sending a command from the peripheral device to the computer requesting identification of the operating system, selecting one device-related software item from said plurality thereof, which is suitable for the operating system so identified, and uploading said selected device-related software item.
  • said command requesting identification of the operating system is sent as a character string issued by emulating a keyboard.
  • a peripheral device for a computer comprising a keyboard emulator, the device being operable to be switched between a first mode of standard operation as a peripheral device and a second mode of operation using said keyboard emulator.
  • the device is a USB device.
  • the device comprises one or more device-related software files and is operable in the second mode of operation to determine whether a device-related software item corresponding to said device is installed on a computer to which it is attached and, if not, to upload one of said device-related software files to said computer for installation.
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a computer having peripheral devices connected thereto in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a simplified block diagram showing the internal construction of a peripheral device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 is a simplified flow chart showing the operation of the peripheral device of Fig. 2.
  • FIG. 1 shows a computer 10 to which are connected plug-and-play peripheral devices including a printer 12, a joystick 14 and a modem 16. Also shown are a keyboard 18 and a mouse 20. A network connection is not shown but may also be present.
  • At least one of the peripherals 12 to 20 is a USB device and is connected via a USB interface.
  • At least some of the peripheral devices 12-20 requires a DRS which is a software program that interacts with the operating system to operate the device.
  • the operating system Upon attachment of a new plug-and play device to the computer, the operating system is generally operable to identify the device, following which it searches through its collection of DRS' s for the most appropriate software for the identified device.
  • the user is invited to insert a disk containing the DRS. If a suitable DRS is found the user is asked to confirm that the DRS is suitable or to choose another DRS, and, once a suitable DRS is settled on, the operating system installs the DRS and sets up the device for use.
  • the device being attached to the computer itself determines whether the required DRS is installed on the operating system. If so the device operates as normal. If, however, the required DRS is not installed on the operating system then the device uploads a suitable DRS from its own memory to the computer as will be described in more detail below. Installation may then proceed in the usual manner, using the uploaded DRS.
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram showing the internal construction of a USB device 30 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a functional module 32 preferably comprises all the functionality of the normal operation of the device under control of the DRS.
  • a keyboard emulator 34 is also provided, which provides an interface with the computer that allows the device 30 to appear to the computer as if it is a keyboard.
  • a function switch 36 is operable to switch between the functional module and the keyboard emulator.
  • a memory 38 preferably a non- volatile memory such as ROM, PROM or flash memory, is connected to the keyboard emulator 34. Within the memory is preferably stored a series of DRS' s, each one appropriate to a different operating system or version thereof. In addition there may be provided one or more configuration files allowing the peripheral device to be configured in different ways, either selectable by the user or by the software.
  • the peripheral device is preferably connectable to the computer via a USB interface 40.
  • a software installation module 42 preferably comprises a control program for the installation procedure. It is shown herein as a separate block for purposes of clarity although the skilled person will appreciate that in fact it can be implemented in various ways.
  • FIG. 3 is a generalized flow diagram showing operation of the peripheral device upon starting operation thereof.
  • the function switch 36 Upon starting the peripheral device, which generally occurs during plugging in of the device, the function switch 36 automatically switches the peripheral device over to the keyboard emulator.
  • the device therefore initially registers with the operating system as a keyboard.
  • the DRS if installed, either automatically sends out DRS identification strings, or replies to the device request for the identification strings, with the intention of obtaining the acknowledgement of the corresponding device.
  • strings received are intercepted at the keyboard emulator port and read. If the DRS identification string corresponding to the peripheral device of the invention is identified, then the device knows that the appropriate DRS is installed on the computer.
  • the keyboard emulator 34 is disconnected and the functional module 32 is connected in its place for normal operation of the device.
  • a time out or other condition may be set to define a window for receiving the identification string. If the DRS identification string is not identified within the window then the device begins an automatic installation procedure as follows: First of all the keyboard emulator preferably sends keyboard commands to the operating system to obtain the identity of the operating system. In response the operating system sends one or more data strings indicating its type and its version number. The received data strings are used to select the appropriate DRS for the operating system type and version number thus identified, and the appropriate DRS is uploaded to the computer. The keyboard emulator thus sends commands and data to upload the DRS or the installation program that will choose and install the DRS. This is followed by a step of disconnecting the keyboard emulator 34 and connecting the functional module 32 in its place so that the peripheral device no longer appears as a keyboard to the computer.
  • the operating system is operable to detect the device as a new device in the normal way.
  • the correct DRS is located on the computer in a place where the operating system may expect to find it, and thus a standard "plug & play" installation procedure can be carried out to install the new peripheral device. No intervention on the part of the user is required to find the correct DRS.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Stored Programmes (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif périphérique (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) pour ordinateur (10) contenant en mémoire un ou plusieurs logiciels (32), par exemple un logiciel associé à l'unité (DRS) et incluant des programmes de gestion qui permettent une interaction entre le dispositif et l'ordinateur. Le dispositif périphérique vérifie qu'un DRS est déjà installé, et, si ce n'est pas le cas, télécharge un ou plusieurs DRS appropriés (42) vers l'ordinateur en vue d'une installation et d'une commande adéquates du dispositif périphérique par l'ordinateur.
PCT/IL2001/000413 2000-06-16 2001-05-10 Installation de logiciel associe a l'unite WO2001097025A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU56627/01A AU5662701A (en) 2000-06-16 2001-05-10 Device-related software installation

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US59640300A 2000-06-16 2000-06-16
US09/596,403 2000-06-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001097025A1 true WO2001097025A1 (fr) 2001-12-20

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL2001/000413 WO2001097025A1 (fr) 2000-06-16 2001-05-10 Installation de logiciel associe a l'unite

Country Status (2)

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AU (1) AU5662701A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001097025A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2378531A (en) * 2001-07-11 2003-02-12 Sendo Int Ltd Providing application / driver software for an accessory of a communications device
EP1434128A1 (fr) * 2002-12-27 2004-06-30 Neodio Technologies Corporation Architecture d'interconnexion prête-a-l'emploi et méthode module mémoire interne dans un dispositif periphérique
WO2005029319A1 (fr) * 2003-09-24 2005-03-31 Lenovo (Beijing) Limited Equipement peripherique et procede de gestion correspondant munis d'une fonction pour la gestion d'un programme de pilotes internes
WO2007129159A1 (fr) * 2006-04-28 2007-11-15 Nokia Corporation Procédés, dispositif, terminal mobile et produit logiciel pour dissocier des réglages de composants matériels de composants logiciels
EP3245593A4 (fr) * 2015-01-14 2018-01-03 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Appareil de traitement d'informations, système de traitement d'informations, procédé de traitement d'informations, programme informatique et support d'informations

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5659800A (en) * 1993-10-06 1997-08-19 International Technologies & Systems Corporation (Its) System for directly sending undecoded raw signals from reader device via external slave interface to personal computer through communication port without first decoding the signals
US5732212A (en) * 1992-10-23 1998-03-24 Fox Network Systems, Inc. System and method for remote monitoring and operation of personal computers
US5870610A (en) * 1996-06-28 1999-02-09 Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc. Autoconfigurable method and system having automated downloading
US6209089B1 (en) * 1998-08-12 2001-03-27 Microsoft Corporation Correcting for changed client machine hardware using a server-based operating system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5732212A (en) * 1992-10-23 1998-03-24 Fox Network Systems, Inc. System and method for remote monitoring and operation of personal computers
US5659800A (en) * 1993-10-06 1997-08-19 International Technologies & Systems Corporation (Its) System for directly sending undecoded raw signals from reader device via external slave interface to personal computer through communication port without first decoding the signals
US5870610A (en) * 1996-06-28 1999-02-09 Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc. Autoconfigurable method and system having automated downloading
US6209089B1 (en) * 1998-08-12 2001-03-27 Microsoft Corporation Correcting for changed client machine hardware using a server-based operating system

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2378531A (en) * 2001-07-11 2003-02-12 Sendo Int Ltd Providing application / driver software for an accessory of a communications device
GB2378531B (en) * 2001-07-11 2003-04-16 Sendo Int Ltd Software driver code usage
EP1434128A1 (fr) * 2002-12-27 2004-06-30 Neodio Technologies Corporation Architecture d'interconnexion prête-a-l'emploi et méthode module mémoire interne dans un dispositif periphérique
WO2005029319A1 (fr) * 2003-09-24 2005-03-31 Lenovo (Beijing) Limited Equipement peripherique et procede de gestion correspondant munis d'une fonction pour la gestion d'un programme de pilotes internes
CN1315067C (zh) * 2003-09-24 2007-05-09 联想(北京)有限公司 具有内置驱动程序管理功能的外围设备及其管理方法
WO2007129159A1 (fr) * 2006-04-28 2007-11-15 Nokia Corporation Procédés, dispositif, terminal mobile et produit logiciel pour dissocier des réglages de composants matériels de composants logiciels
US7783878B2 (en) 2006-04-28 2010-08-24 Nokia Corporation Methods for decoupling hardware settings from software
EP3245593A4 (fr) * 2015-01-14 2018-01-03 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Appareil de traitement d'informations, système de traitement d'informations, procédé de traitement d'informations, programme informatique et support d'informations
US10261881B2 (en) 2015-01-14 2019-04-16 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, computer program, and storage medium

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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