Multifunction Peripheral Command Processing with Single Standard Driver

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing USB peripherals, especially multifunction devices, face challenges in interfacing with host systems due to the need for specific device managers, elevated administrative rights, and compatibility issues across different operating systems and BIOS versions, limiting their use and support.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that process commands in multifunction peripherals to connect them to a host system with only a single standard peripheral manager, analyzing commands to determine associated parameters and execute requests accordingly, allowing the peripheral to be identified as a standard device and accessed using standard drivers without requiring specific managers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a multifunction peripheral implements multiple USB classes (e.g., mass storage and PKCS#11), then the peripheral provides diverse services, but the host system requires multiple specific device managers and drivers, increasing system complexity and reducing compatibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultifunctionality of peripheralVSAvoidnumber of device managers and drivers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single device manager that can handle multiple USB device classes through a unified command processing interface. The device manager analyzes command parameters to determine the target function and routes requests accordingly, eliminating the need for separate device managers for each USB class while maintaining full functionality of mass storage, PKCS#11, and other services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a specific device manager is installed for each USB class, then the peripheral functions correctly, but elevated administrative rights are required for installation, limiting ease of use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrect operation of peripheralVSAvoidinstallation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the device to function with a single standard device manager that automatically identifies and handles multiple USB classes. The device manager analyzes command parameters to determine the target function and routes requests appropriately, eliminating the need for users to manually install multiple device managers with administrative rights, while ensuring correct operation of all peripheral functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple device-specific drivers are provided for different operating systems, then the peripheral supports various OS versions, but the burden of testing and validation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating system compatibilityVSAvoidtesting and validation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a single device manager that handles multiple USB device classes through a unified command processing interface. This universal approach reduces the need for multiple device-specific drivers across different operating systems, as the standardized command structure and parameter-based routing mechanism can be implemented once and adapted to various OS environments, significantly reducing testing and validation burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a peripheral is identified as a composite device, then it can provide multiple functions, but some BIOS versions refuse to work with composite devices even though they support individual classes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple functions of peripheralVSAvoidBIOS compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an intermediary approach by using a single device manager as a mediator between the BIOS and the multifunction peripheral. The device manager translates and routes commands to the appropriate USB classes, allowing the peripheral to present itself as a single standard device type that is BIOS-compatible, while still providing access to multiple functions through the unified command processing interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2124153B1Methods and device for implementing multi-functional peripherals using a single standard driver

Publication Date: 2013.01.09 BULL SA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

The method involves receiving a command, and processing the command based on a function e.g. network interface, cryptography or storage function, of a multifunction peripheral (205). The command is analyzed for determining whether a specific parameter e.g. data storage address, related to other function is associated to the command, where the latter function is distinct from the former function. A request related to the latter function is executed in response to the analysis of the command when the specific parameter related to the latter function is associated to the command. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for pre-processing a command in a host system for allowing processing of the command in a multifunction peripheral (2) a computer program comprising instructions for implementing a multifunction peripheral command processing method (3) a device for a multifunction peripheral, comprising a communication interface.