Peripheral Device External Storage Control Program
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peripheral devices like image scanners require device drivers and application software for operation, which can be cumbersome to install, especially for users without administrator privileges or those using multiple operating systems, leading to increased manufacturing costs and user burden.
Innovation Solution
A peripheral device is designed to be recognized as an external storage device, allowing it to function without installed drivers, using a storage area with control programs for different operating systems, enabling the computer to control the device through stored control commands and responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device drivers and application software are installed in the computer before connecting the peripheral device, then the peripheral device can be controlled properly, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and requires administrator privileges
Solution Approach 1:
The control program is stored in advance in the peripheral device itself, ready for automatic execution when the device is connected. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for separate driver installation steps, allowing the device to be controlled immediately upon connection without requiring administrator privileges or manual installation processes.
2Reliability
If device drivers are distributed via CD-ROMs or downloaded from the Internet, then the peripheral device can be controlled, but the user must prepare CD-ROMs or have Internet connection and correctly identify the device type
Solution Approach 1:
The control program is extracted from the peripheral device's storage unit and automatically executed by the information processing apparatus upon connection. This extraction eliminates the need for separate distribution media like CD-ROMs or Internet downloads, and removes the complexity of device identification and manual installation processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If peripheral devices are specialized for each operating system, then the device can be optimized for that specific OS, but the manufacturing cost increases and users must buy different devices for different OSs
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral device is designed with universal adaptability by storing multiple control programs corresponding to different operating systems in its storage unit. The device can automatically execute the appropriate control program based on the host OS, enabling a single device design to support multiple operating systems without requiring separate specialized models for each OS.
Data Source
AI summary
The storage unit of a peripheral device has a first storage area and a second storage area. The first storage area stores a plurality of control programs corresponding to a plurality of operating systems of different types. The second storage area is a storage area which is recognized by an information processing apparatus as an external storage device and in which at least one control program is replicated from the first storage area. The information processing apparatus reads out the control program from the second storage recognized by it as the external storage device, and executes the program. The information processing apparatus thus controls the peripheral device.