Platform Router for Intra-Platform Networking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating systems limiting the number and type of non-native device drivers registered can hinder hardware vendors' ability to develop new hardware devices and functionalities, as they empower OS vendors to control which hardware is available on a platform without input from hardware vendors, impacting innovation and security.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a platform router within computing devices that enables intra-platform communications by intercepting network packets and resolving hostname requests, allowing for the exposure of local components to the operating system and applications, even when not natively supported, through a platform network that supplements conventional communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operating systems limit the number and type of non-native device drivers registered, then security control is improved, but hardware vendor innovation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a platform router as an intermediary component that mediates between hardware vendors and the operating system. The platform router intercepts network packets and resolves hostnames to network addresses, enabling hardware vendors to expose new hardware devices and functionalities to the OS without requiring native device driver registration. This intermediary approach maintains OS security controls while facilitating hardware innovation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operating systems require proprietary device drivers for new hardware capabilities, then hardware functionality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication mechanism where the platform router handles multiple hardware devices and functionalities through a single standardized interface. Instead of requiring separate proprietary device drivers for each hardware capability, the system uses a unified packet interception and hostname resolution approach that works across different hardware types, reducing system complexity while maintaining hardware functionality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If operating systems empower OS vendors to control hardware availability unilaterally, then system stability is improved, but hardware ecosystem diversity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hardware exposure mechanism into two independent parts: the OS maintains its security and stability controls, while the platform router provides the flexibility for hardware ecosystem diversity. This segmentation allows OS vendors to preserve system stability by limiting device driver registration, while hardware vendors can introduce diverse hardware capabilities through the platform router's packet interception and hostname resolution functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for communicating with local components of a computing device include intercepting a name resolution request from a host application, resolving a hostname included in the name resolution request to obtain a network address assigned to a target destination of the network packet, and transmitting the network address to the host application in response to the name resolution request. Such technologies may also include receiving the network packet from the host application destined for the network address, determining whether the target destination of the network packet includes a local component of the computing device based on the network address, and transmitting the network packet to the local component of the computing device via a platform network in response to the network packet being destined for the local component of the computing device.