Disconnected Device Driver Installation via Preliminary Action

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for updating device drivers typically require devices to be connected to a computing device, which can lead to delays or failures when devices are disconnected or have never been connected, affecting user experience and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution allows the operating system to obtain, install, and configure device drivers for connectable devices, even when they are disconnected, by using a network-accessible update service and managing driver updates through a client/server infrastructure, enabling seamless installation and updating of drivers for both connected and disconnected devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If device drivers are updated only when devices are connected, then driver installation reliability is improved, but driver update timeliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver installation reliabilityVSAvoiddriver update timeliness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs driver installation actions in advance by detecting disconnected devices through device IDs and installing drivers before the devices are physically connected. This preliminary action ensures drivers are ready when needed, resolving the contradiction between installation reliability and update timeliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If driver updates require user intervention, then installation accuracy is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects disconnected devices, retrieves driver information, and installs drivers without requiring user intervention. This self-service approach maintains installation accuracy through automated validation while significantly improving operational efficiency by eliminating manual steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If the system scans for all devices to update drivers, then driver completeness is improved, but system resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver completenessVSAvoidsystem resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and processes only the necessary driver installation information from disconnected devices using device IDs, rather than scanning and processing all device data. This selective extraction approach ensures driver completeness for disconnected devices while minimizing system resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3005084B1Driver installation for targeted and not-connected devices
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3005084B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3005084B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3005084B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for managing device drivers includes requesting a device driver update set for a plurality of devices connectable to a computing device. The method also includes receiving the device driver update set, installing each driver of the device driver update set on the computing device. At least one updated driver in the update set is an updated driver for a device that is disconnected from the computing device at the time of the request. The method further includes configuring the at least one updated driver for the non-connected to activate when the device is detected by the computing device.