WO2008061265A1

WO2008061265A1 - Method for operating a peripheral device connected to a host system, system, and peripheral device

Info

Publication number: WO2008061265A1
Application number: PCT/AT2007/000522
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Grossberger; Stefan Vogt
Original assignee: Matthias Grossberger; Stefan Vogt
Priority date: 2006-11-23
Filing date: 2007-11-20
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: AT504735A1; AT504735B1; WO2008061265A9

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a peripheral device (3) having a host system (2) that is connected via a bus system (6), a system (1), and an associated peripheral device (3). For simple operation, according to the invention the connected peripheral device (3) is automatically recognized by the host system (2) as belonging to a class based on a distinct identification, a generic data file (DG) associated with the class of the connected peripheral device (3) and stored in the host system is loaded, and communication with a control unit (8) in the peripheral device (3) is established, this data file (DG) subsequently querying the host system (2) and the peripheral device (3) for a specific data file (DS) associated with the connected peripheral device (3), and possibly transferring the specific data file (DS) from the peripheral device (3) to the host system (2). According to the invention, the specific data file (DS) is furthermore loaded in the host system (2), and the functions necessary for the general operation and management of the peripheral device (3) are implemented by means of the control unit (8), so that the peripheral device (3) is completely controlled by the host system (2).

Description

Method of operating a peripheral device, system and peripheral device connected to a host system

The invention relates to a method for operating a peripheral device of a class with a host system connected via a bus system, wherein files required for operation and management are loaded in the host system.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a system having a host system and at least one peripheral device of a class connected thereto via a bus system, wherein files necessary for the operation and the management are loaded in the host system.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a peripheral device for connection to a host system with a connection for connection to a bus system connected to the host system.

Modern computers are to a large extent modular, with the host system and the peripherals being interconnected by bus systems. Some peripheral devices, such as Memory and input devices are generally necessary for normal operation of the operating system. Other peripherals, such as Bluetooth adapters, GPS receivers or the like are only connected to the host system when needed.

Some bus systems allow you to add and remove peripherals during operation. These include u.a. the interface known as "Firewire", "i.Link" or "IEEE1394", which was developed by Apple in 1986 or the bus system known as "Universal Serial Bus" (USB) for connecting computers to peripheral devices. Especially the "Universal Serial Bus" is characterized by easy handling and scalability of the systems based on it.The USB system is meanwhile very widespread and constantly gaining importance.

For a host system to use the peripherals, special resources are required for operation and management. These resources can be applications, drivers, configuration files, authorization information, keys or be other files. These files must be installed on the host system before using the appropriate peripheral device for the first time.

Many peripherals, such as keyboards, differ little or no in the basic functionality provided. In order to facilitate the simplest possible administration, but also to avoid the development effort, to develop for each of these peripherals own but almost functionally identical drivers, so-called class drivers have been developed. These class drivers define a set of basic functions that must be implemented by all peripheral devices that belong to this class. Many modern operating systems include a set of such class drivers for certain peripherals. Examples of such classes are so-called "human interface devices ^λλ for input devices, such as mice, keyboards, etc., and so-called" mass storages "for hard disks, flash disks, etc. If a peripheral device now provides at least the functionality expected of a particular class driver, this way it can be run with it, in which case no additional driver specific to the peripheral needs to be provided, but of course this can of course be done.

If peripheral devices do not belong to any of these classes or if they have an extended range of functions, additional drivers must be provided by the manufacturers, which are normally delivered on CD-ROM, floppy disk or via the Internet and must be installed separately by the user.

If a peripheral device is used on different host systems, the user must manually deploy and install appropriate drivers for each of these systems. This is associated with a lot of effort. In addition, it is generally very difficult for a security officer to control which users are given access to the functionalities provided by the peripheral device.

For convenience, various methods have become known which allow the operation of peripherals connected to a host system. simplify equipment.

For example, DE 103 36 877 B3 shows a method for starting up a peripheral device and such a peripheral device, in which a memory necessary for operation with the host system driver is stored in a memory of the peripheral device, which when connecting the peripheral device to the host system in a closer automatically installed on the host system, so that the control of the peripheral device can be taken over by the host system. The disadvantage here is that the host system would initially have to automatically execute a file from the memory of the peripheral device. However, there is no known method which ensures this functionality. In addition, no access control to the functionality of the peripheral device is possible.

US 6,754,725 Bl describes a method in which peripheral devices on a host system are deemed to belong to the class of "mass storages." The drivers necessary for the operation of the peripheral device are supplied from a memory in an unspecified manner loaded on the host system, whereupon the interfaces of the peripheral device can be addressed.

US 2005/0028172 A1 shows a method and a device for installing software, in which drivers of peripheral devices are preinstalled on the corresponding peripheral devices and can be loaded into the host system before being put into operation. The disadvantage here is that no access control is given to the functionality of the peripheral device. Also, there is no way to subsequently save other than the preinstalled drivers on the peripheral device.

Finally, DE 102 08 530 A1 shows a method and a device according to the present application, wherein the peripheral devices are recognized by the host system and the configuration files necessary for the configuration of the peripheral devices are provided by the peripheral device to the host system. Particularly disadvantageous in this case is that there are no possibilities of access control because the unit, over which theoretically could be an access control, is explicitly disabled in normal operation.

A disadvantage of the known methods is that no or only a very limited possibility of access control is given to the functionality of the peripherals. Furthermore, known methods are often limited to a particular bus system and operating system. Moreover, there is usually no possibility of automatically transferring the files necessary for the operation and management of the peripheral device to the host system and no possibility of updating drivers on the peripheral device or host system.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an abovementioned method for operating peripheral devices which are connected via a bus system to a host system, which is as simple and standardized as possible and which offers the greatest possible degree of automation. Disadvantages of known methods should be avoided or at least reduced.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a system as described above, with which the implementation of said method in a simple, unified and automated as possible possible.

Finally, another object of the invention is to provide a peripheral device for connection to a host system for carrying out the above-mentioned method.

The first object according to the invention is achieved by a method mentioned above, wherein the connected peripheral device is automatically recognized by the host system as belonging to the class based on a unique identification, a generic file assigned to the class of the connected peripheral device and stored in the host system is loaded in the host system and a communication with a control unit in the peripheral device, then this file polls the host system and the peripheral device for a specific file associated with the attached peripheral device, and the specific file optionally from the peripheral device to the host system, further transmitting the specific file in the host system, and implementing, via the control unit, the functions necessary for general operation and management of the peripheral device, and thus completely controlling the peripheral device from the host system. The inventive method provides for separation of the necessary resources or files into a generic file installed on the host system and specific files stored on the peripheral device or host system.

An interface definition defines the functions required for general operation and management of the peripheral device. After the generic file is installed on the host system, the functionality specified by the interface definition and implemented by the peripheral device is provided to the host system. The functions defined in this interface definition make it possible for the generic file loaded on the host system, inter alia, to establish communication with the connected peripheral device and to query this, if necessary, for specific files stored therein. The specific files found on the peripheral device or on the host system may be transferred from the peripheral device to the host system and eventually loaded on the host system, thereby providing control of the host system beyond the interface device definition via the peripheral device. The inventive method is not limited to a particular bus system or a particular operating system. In addition, the inventive method allows controlled access to the functionalities of the peripheral device. The automatic detection of the peripheral device based on a unique identification allows the automatic installation of the corresponding files of the peripheral device on the host system, so that without user intervention, the provided by the peripheral device functionality can be integrated into the operating system. The unique identifier may be stored on the peripheral device in various ways and is transmitted to the host system as needed. It is advantageous if the authorization of the user of the host system is checked before transferring the specific file from the peripheral device to the host system. This ensures that only authorized users of the host system are allowed to use the attached peripherals. Such a check of the authorization can be done not only before a transfer of files but also at every function call.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, if the version of the specific files is determined and if the specific file of the peripheral device is more up-to-date than the specific file of the host system or the specific file of the host system is more current than the specific file of the peripheral device or Host system or in the peripheral device no specific file is present, the specific file of the peripheral device in the host system or the specific file of the host system is transferred to the peripheral device and stored there, it can be ensured that always the most recent specific file is used and thus the functionality of Peripheral device can be optimally utilized.

It is also an advantage when updating the files that the authorization of the user of the host system is checked before the files are transferred to the peripheral device or the host system and stored.

In addition, it is advantageous if the generic file is transferred from the host system to the peripheral device and stored there. As a result, it can be ensured that the respective generic file adapted to the operating system of the host system is stored in the peripheral device and is available for any subsequent use.

For security, the specific file or generic file may be encrypted prior to transmission to or from the host system and decrypted in the peripheral or host system. Depending on the intended security level, different encryption methods can be used. If a specific file can not be found either in the peripheral device or on the host system, a corresponding message is advantageously output to the user. In this case, the necessary file for operation of the peripheral device in a conventional manner, for example, from a CD-ROM or via the Internet in the host system must be transferred and loaded there.

The second object according to the invention is also achieved by an abovementioned system, wherein a unit for the automatic recognition of peripheral devices connected to the bus system is provided as class-specific on the basis of a unique identification contained in a memory of the peripheral devices, furthermore in the host system a memory for one of the class the peripheral device associated generic file and in the peripheral device memory for a peripheral device associated with the specific file and further in the peripheral device connected to the memory and connectable via a connector to the bus control unit for implementing the specified in the interface definition and for general operation and the Management of the peripheral device necessary functions is provided. Such a system can simplify and standardize the operation of a peripheral device connected to a host system.

Advantageously, a unit for checking the authorization of the user of the host system for operating the peripheral device is provided. This can ensure that only authorized users are allowed to operate the corresponding peripherals. For each system, it can be determined which users of the host systems are authorized to use the peripheral device. The corresponding information may be on the peripheral ^'IE device itself, be stored on the host system or in an external memory.

To secure the files during transmission to or from the host system, encryption and decryption of the files may be provided prior to their transfer to or from the host system. The further object according to the invention is also achieved by an abovementioned peripheral device in which a memory for a specific file assigned to the peripheral device and a control unit connected to the memory and the connection for the bus system are implemented for implementing the interface function and for general operation the management of the peripheral device necessary functions is provided and further a memory for a unique identification is included. By a combination of hardware and software measures in the peripheral device, a simplified connection of the peripheral devices to host systems can be achieved. The unique identification contained in the memory of the peripheral device facilitates the automatic recognition of the peripheral device as soon as it is connected to the bus system of the host system.

According to a further feature of the invention, the function-specific part of the peripheral device is not connected directly, but via the control unit to the connection for the bus system. As a result, this part of the peripheral device can be managed and operated by the host system exclusively via this control unit.

According to another feature of the invention, means may be provided for encrypting and decrypting the files prior to their transfer to or from the host system.

Finally, another memory connected to the control unit may be provided in the peripheral device or a connection connected to the control unit may be provided for connection to an external memory. In such a memory, for example, the generic file, configuration files, keys or any other files, which are transmitted from the host system to the peripheral device or vice versa, are stored.

The connection of the peripheral device can be formed by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. purifies.

1 shows a schematic block diagram of a system according to the invention; and

FIGS. 2 and 3 show schematic functional sequences of various embodiments of the method according to the invention for operating a peripheral device with a host system.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the block diagram of a system 1 in which a host system 2 is connected to a plurality of peripheral devices 3. The connection of the host system 2 with the peripheral devices 3 via a bus system 6 which is connected to the host system 2 and the peripheral devices 3 via corresponding ports 4, 5. The bus system may, for example, be a "Universal Serial Bus" (USB), but the method according to the invention and the devices according to the invention are not limited to this particular bus system.

In the host system 2, a memory 7 for a class of the connected peripheral device 3 associated generic file D _{G is} provided. If a peripheral device 3 via the bus system β connected to the host system 2, the generic file D _G is loaded in the host system 2 and establish communication with the peripheral devices. 3 For this purpose, there are 3 control units 8 in the peripheral devices, which are connected to the bus system 6 via the connections 5. Of the control units 8 of the peripheral devices 3, the functions of the peripheral devices 3 necessary for general operation and management are made available to the host system 2. For this purpose, the control units 8 are connected, inter alia, to memories 9 in which the specific files D ₃ assigned to the respective peripheral device 3 are stored. In order for peripheral devices 3 to be automatically recognized as such with the function according to the invention, memory 10 with unique identifications can be provided in the peripheral devices 3. Of course, the memories 9, 10 need not be formed as physically separate memories, but may each represent parts of an existing memory. Furthermore the memories 9, 10 need not necessarily be provided in the host system 2 or peripheral device 3, but can also be arranged externally and connected to the host system 2 or peripheral device 3 via corresponding connections.

If the generic file D _{G has been} loaded in the host system 2, it now queries both the control unit 8 of the peripheral device 3 and the host system 2 for specific files D ₃ . Such can be stored in a memory 9 of the peripheral devices 3 but also in a memory 11 of the host system 2. In addition, the version of the specific file D ₃ can be determined and the more current file D transferred to the host system 2 ₃ and loaded therein. This now gives the host system 2 in addition to the control of the function-specific part 14 of the peripheral device 3. Thus, the control of the peripheral device 3 was completely taken over by the host system 2. The transfer of the files D ₃ , D _G from or to the host system 2 can also be encrypted (not shown). Moreover, it is advantageous if the authorization of the user of the host system 2 is checked before executing a function provided by the specific file D ₈ or the generic file D ₆ or the transfer of a file from or to the peripheral device 3.

In the peripheral device 3, a further memory 12 may be provided in soft different files, such as the generic file D _{G of} the host system 2 or other data can be stored. The memory 12 does not necessarily have. be integrated in the peripheral device 3, but it can also be an external memory 15 is provided and connected via a corresponding terminal 13 to the peripheral device 3.

2 schematically shows a flow chart when carrying out an embodiment of the method according to the invention for operating a peripheral device with a host system without checking the authorization and without adjusting the resources. This embodiment may also be considered a special case where the user of a host system is entitled to use the peripheral device and according to the settings, does not update the files on either the peripheral device or on the computer Host system to be made. The flowchart is divided into four blocks 100, 200, 300, and 400, where block 100 includes procedures that require the functionality of the host system. In the process steps within block 200, the host system is involved while in the method steps within block 300 the peripheral device is involved and in the method steps within block 400 the user of the host system is involved. According to step 101, a peripheral device is connected to the bus system of the host system. According to step 102, the connection of the peripheral device to the host system is automatically detected. In query 103, the host system determines whether or not it is a peripheral device according to the present invention. If this is not the case, then according to step 104, the peripheral device is treated as it was previously the case when connecting peripheral devices to host systems. If, however, the peripheral device is a peripheral device according to the invention, the generic file in the host system is loaded in accordance with step 105. According to method step 201, the host system is searched for a specific file. If such is present on the host system, the retrieved specific file is loaded in accordance with step 203 and thus takes over control of the connected peripheral device.

If no specific file can be found on the host system in the query according to step 201, the peripheral device is searched for in accordance with step 301. If, according to query 302, a specific file is found on the peripheral device, this is copied to the host system in accordance with step 303 and there, according to step 202, initializations are made and transferred to step 203. According to step 203, the peripheral device is now controlled by the host system.

If a specific file can not be found in the peripheral device, a message is sent to the user in accordance with step 401 and the latter is requested, for example, to transfer a suitable file from a CD-ROM or via the Internet into the host system according to step 402.

Two basic functionalities are essential for a radio tion of the procedure. For the time being, the host system must be able to recognize a peripheral device according to the invention as such and in this case load the appropriate generic files. If the connection of a peripheral device to the bus system of the host system is not automatically detected, this functionality is to be ensured by an additional method, eg a manually activating enursion function, which scans the bus system for new peripheral devices.

The flowchart according to FIG. 3 shows a variant of the method according to the invention for operating a peripheral device with a host system, in which the authorization of the user is also checked and an adjustment of the resources is carried out.

As in FIG. 2, according to step 101, the connection of a peripheral device to the bus system of the host system takes place. According to step 102, the host system detects the connection of a peripheral device. According to query 103, it is checked whether the peripheral device is an inventive peripheral device. If this is not the case, the treatment of the peripheral device takes place in accordance with step 104 as in the prior art. If the peripheral device is a peripheral device according to the invention, the generic file in the host system is loaded in accordance with step 105. According to step 106, the generic file from the peripheral requests the manifest most encrypted. This contains, among other information, the list of authorized users. At step 107, it is checked whether the user is authorized to use the peripheral device. If there is no authorization, according to step 108, a corresponding message can be issued to the user and the method is ended. If the user has an authorization, according to method step 109, a request is made to the peripheral device for listing all specific files. According to step 110, it is checked whether the host system also has a matching specific file. If so, step 111 checks to see if the peripheral device has a suitable specific file. If this is not the case, it is checked according to query 112 whether the user is authorized to update the specific file on the peripheral device. If the user is authorized to do so, according to step 113, a query is made as to whether the update of the specific file is to take place automatically. If an automatic update of the specific file is to be carried out, it is queried in accordance with step 114 whether the specific file on the peripheral device is to be updated. If so, then at step 115, the update of the specific file on the peripheral device is made and jumped to step 116, where the generic file is loaded on the host system and the appropriate installation or initialization routines are performed and then controlled to the specific file of the peripheral device passed in accordance with step 117 and thus takes over control of the peripheral device. If the update according to query 113 is not carried out automatically, the user is asked in accordance with step 118 and decision 119 is made as to whether the update should be carried out or not; if so, go to step 115 otherwise jump directly to step 116. If the user is not authorized to perform updates at query 112, step 116 is performed directly without updating the specific file.

According to query 111, if the peripheral device has a suitable specific file, step 120 determines the version of the file and verifies that the specific file in the peripheral device is more recent than that in the host system. If this is not the case, the system jumps to step 112. If, however, the specific file in the peripheral device is more up-to-date than that in the host system, it is checked according to query 121 whether the user is authorized to update the specific file on the host system. If the user is not authorized to update, then immediately go to step 116 without making an update. However, if the user is authorized to perform updates of the specific file on the host system, a query is made as to whether the ^" update should be performed automatically ^{" in} step 122. If yes, a decision is made as to whether to perform the update or not , jumps to step 116. If an update is made, this is done in accordance with step 124. After the update has been performed, step 116 is proceeded to. - IA - the, according to step 125, a question to the user and according to whose decision is jumped either to step 116 or step 124 either directly.

If, according to query 110, the host system can not have a suitable specific file, it is checked in step 127 whether the peripheral device contains suitable specific files. If this is the case, jump to step 121. If the peripheral device can not present a specific file, a corresponding message can be output to the user in accordance with step 128 and the method is ended.

The inventive method does not limit the interface of the peripheral device to the cited functionality. It is perfectly within the meaning of the invention that further functions become part of the basic functionality of a peripheral device. It would be conceivable, e.g. an optional autonomy mode that allows a peripheral device to autonomously measure at specific intervals.

The following are some examples of use of special peripherals. Previously, some of the advantages of the invention that are common to all examples are listed:

• The combination of hardware and software offers the greatest possible comfort. In virtually all cases no installation effort is necessary.

• The application can remember the configuration for several users.

• If necessary, the application and the files can be replaced by newer versions, which offer even more possibilities. It is conceivable to do this completely automatically through a subscription service.

• By combining hardware and software on the peripheral device, it can be operated on multiple host systems without any installation effort. All settings are saved on the peripheral device. You unplug the peripheral and plug it into another host system. The functionality and all settings are immediately available on the new device. remote control

On a peripheral device designed as a remote control there is a powerful infrared transmitter as well as - of course configurable and extensible - software for the remote control of various household appliances (for example hi-fi, video and TV). After connecting the remote control peripheral, this functionality is immediately available. Of course, this is just a small excerpt from the many possibilities that such a peripheral device offers.

Audio module

A designed as an audio module peripheral device contains an array of several high-quality directional microphones, a microphone input, a headphone jack, a digital signal processor and in addition a separate memory for sound files. The application, which is also located on the audio module, allows journalists, for example, to comfortably record conversations without any installation effort, save them as mp3s and transmit them via e-mail, Bluetooth or W-LAN.

Mobile module

A trained as a mobile module peripheral device includes at least one GSM (or UMTS or HSDPA) unit, a microphone and a speaker. It therefore already represents an independent mobile phone. It should be emphasized in this example that the application can be adapted particularly easily to a specific target group. Older people, for example, can choose an application that will make the buttons and font extra large on the host system. Furthermore, a special host system can be selected, which offers a particularly loud ringtone.

User Interface Module

Peripheral devices are also conceivable which do not provide any special functionality in the narrower sense. They only offer special user interfaces. For example, if required, a special keyboard can be connected, which considerably simplifies the operation of an application or even makes it possible. Examples of this are control crosses, joysticks, (scroll) wheels, backlit buttons, sensor the, just to name a few.

E-book reader module

A designed as an e-book reader module peripheral device includes a memory for e-books, a convenient reading application and various controls that greatly simplify the reading of electronic books. For example, custom buttons for page forward and backward, notes, or for a bookmark are conceivable. Especially when reading electronic books, it is very important to provide maximum comfort in order to be able to compete with the haptic experience despite all the advantages of electronic media. In this case, of course, the quality of the screen plays a special role. For example, a host system with an e-paper screen is conceivable. This is where the advantage of the present invention becomes apparent. Because other readers are just limited to a basic device. On the other hand, the e-book reader module according to the invention can be used without any additional expenditure, without any installation with any other host system according to the invention, if required.

radiometer

In laboratories or other environments with increased radiation exposure, it is necessary for workers to be in it for a limited time only. The access to such environments and the rest periods that are necessary afterwards are defined in most cases, but only very expensive to control. It is now possible to place peripherals designed as radiometers at the entrance to such environments. The employee must connect to their personal host system before entering any of these peripherals. This can now check whether all regular rest periods have been complied with and then releases access only via a signal to a corresponding door sensor. Within the high radiation environment, the radiometer records the measured values and the length of stay and stores it on the employee's personal host system. Of course, the radiometer can also act as a warning device if the radiation exceeds a certain upper limit. After leaving the environment, the employee places the radiometer back in the container provided. Blood glucose meter

For example, a peripheral device may be formed by a blood glucose meter, which a patient may receive from the doctor together with a host system. On the peripheral device, so the blood glucose meter, the specific files required for operation on the host system and the acquisition software are preinstalled.

In order to ensure the security of the personal data, only the patient and possibly also a doctor as authorized persons are entered on the peripheral device. The storage of the measured data takes place exclusively on the peripheral device. An encrypted transmission of the data and an authentication function prevent unauthorized access as best as possible.

The specific functionalities or files can now be sent to the patient e.g. Remember measurement times or save additional information. After completing the series of measurements, the blood glucose meter is read out by the doctor, if necessary, the data is further processed or deleted and assigned to the next measurement series.

The following is a list of other ideas for peripherals that offer the greatest possible level of comfort, control, security, and flexibility at the same time by combining hardware and the software needed for operation on the peripheral device:

RFID reader

• Barcode scanner

• weather station

• Digital projector USB stick magnetometer

• Fingerprint reader power meter

• Referee Golf

• Acupuncture meter ^• Marcoumarcheck

ECG • Pulse Monitor

Stethoscope with recording function etc.

This is only a very small extract from the many applications that this invention offers.

Claims

Claims:

A method of operating a peripheral device (3) of a class with a host system (2) connected via a bus system (6), wherein files necessary for operation and management are loaded in the host system (2), characterized in that the connected Peripheral device (3) automatically recognized by the host system (2) as belonging to the class based on a unique identification, one of the class of the connected peripheral device (3) and stored in the host system (2) stored generic file (D _G ) loaded in the host system (2) and a communication with a control unit (8) in the peripheral device

(3), then retrieving this file (D _G ) from the host system (2) and the peripheral device (3) for a specific file (D ₃ ) associated with the attached peripheral device (3), and optionally the specific file (D _s ) from the peripheral device (3) to the host system (2) transmits that further the specific file

(D ₈ ) is loaded in the host system (2) and via the control unit

(8) the functions necessary for the general operation and management of the peripheral device (3) are implemented, and thus the peripheral device (3) is completely controlled by the host system (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that prior to a transfer of the specific file (D ₃ ) from the peripheral device (3) to the host system (2) the authorization of the user of the host system (2) is checked.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the version of the specific file (D ₈ ) is determined and in case that the specific file (D _s ) of the peripheral device (3) is more current than the specific file (D ₃ ) of the host system (2) or the specific file (D ₃ ) of the host system (2) is more current than the specific file (D ₃ ) of the peripheral device (3) or either in the host system (2) or in the peripheral device (3) no specific File (D ₃ ) is present, the specific file (D ₃ ) of the peripheral device (3) in the host system (2) or the specific file (D ₃ ) of the host system (2) in the peripheral device (3) is transmitted and stored.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the authorization of the user of the Hostsytems (2) is checked before the files (D _G , D ₃ ) in the peripheral device (3) or the host system (2) are transmitted and stored.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the generic file (D _G ) from the host system (2) in the peripheral device (3) is transmitted and stored.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the specific file (D ₃ ) or the generic file (D _G ) encrypted before transmission from or to the host system (2) and in the peripheral device (3) or host system ( 2) is decrypted again.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the case of not finding a specific file (D ₃ ) in the peripheral device (3) and host system (2) a corresponding message is delivered to the user.

8. system (1), with a host system (2) and at least one connected thereto via a bus system (6) peripheral device (3) of a class, with necessary for operation and management files in the host system (2) are loaded, characterized in that a unit for the automatic detection of on the bus system

(6) connected peripheral devices (3) as belonging to the class by means of a memory in a memory (10) of the peripheral devices (3) provided unique identification, that further in the host system (2) a memory (7) for one of the class of the connected peripheral device (3) associated generic file (D _G ), and in the peripheral device (3) a memory (9) for a ^• the peripheral device (3) associated with specific file (D ₅ ), and further in the peripheral device (3) one with the memory ( 9) and via a connection (5) to the bus system (6) connectable control unit (8) is provided for implementing the necessary for the general operation and management of the peripheral device (3) functions.

9. System (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that a unit for checking the authorization of the user of the host system (2) for operating the peripheral device (3) is provided.

10. System (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that in the host system (2) and peripheral device (3) means for encrypting and decrypting the files (D _G , D ₃ ) prior to their transmission to or from the host system (2 ) are provided.

Peripheral device (3) for connection to a host system (2), with a connection (5) for connection to a bus system (6) connected to the host system (2), characterized in that a memory (9) for a peripheral device (3) associated with specific file (D ₃ ) and one with the memory (9) and the connection (5) for the bus system (6) connected control unit (8) for implementing the general operation and management of the peripheral device (3) necessary functions is provided, and further that a memory (10) for a unique identification is included.

12. Peripheral device (3) according to claim 11, characterized in that the function-specific part (14) via the control unit (8) with the connection (5) for the bus system (6) is connected.

13. Peripheral device (3) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a device for encrypting and decrypting the files (D _G , D _s ) before their transmission to or from the host system (2) is provided.

14. Peripheral device (3) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that with the control unit (8) connected memory (12) ^'is provided.

15. Peripheral device (3) according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that a control unit (8) connected to the connection (13) for connection to an external memory (15) is provided.

16. Peripheral device (3) according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the connection (5) is formed by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection.