Hybrid Resource Manager for Multifunction Hardware

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multifunction hardware devices pose challenges due to conflicts between multiple device drivers accessing a single device, leading to system malfunctions and security issues, particularly when legacy applications require dedicated drivers for each function.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid resource manager is introduced to coordinate and manage individual device drivers for multifunction hardware devices, implementing a consistent management and policy framework to prevent conflicts and ensure secure access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dedicated device drivers are used for each function of a multifunction hardware device, then legacy application compatibility is maintained, but command conflicts and system malfunctions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelegacy application compatibilityVSAvoidsystem stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A resource manager is introduced as an intermediary component between the operating system and multiple device drivers. The resource manager receives resource allocation requests from the OS, determines which device driver should access the hardware device based on current device state and allocation policies, and directs the appropriate driver to send commands. This mediator prevents direct conflicts between drivers by centralizing access control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a single multifunction driver is used to control the hardware device, then command conflicts are prevented, but development and maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconflict preventionVSAvoiddriver complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver functionality is segmented into two independent parts: a single multifunction resource manager that handles resource allocation and conflict prevention, and multiple specialized device drivers that handle specific device functions. This segmentation allows the resource manager to maintain simple allocation logic while individual drivers remain focused on their specific functions, reducing overall system complexity compared to a single monolithic multifunction driver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If multiple device drivers independently access a multifunction hardware device, then each driver can control its specific function, but security issues and unauthorized access occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver independenceVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The resource manager serves as a security intermediary that all device drivers must pass through to access the hardware device. It enforces security policies by checking whether the requesting driver has authorization to access the device in its current state, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring that only approved drivers can issue commands to the hardware device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8042122B2Hybrid resource manager

Publication Date: 2011.10.18 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A hybrid resource manager is provided for use in a computing environment. The hybrid resource manager serves as the single resource manager that cooperates with an operating system to manage each of the individual device drivers associated with the various functions of a multifunction hardware device. In one example the hybrid resource manager implements a consistent management and policy framework to prevent conflicts from arising when multiple functions are simultaneously requested by various applications.