Portable Desktop Hardware Recognition and Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable desktop solutions often compromise between portability and security, limiting their functionality and compatibility with various host computer systems, as they either restrict operation to identical systems for security or standard devices for portability, without effectively balancing both considerations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for host computer system hardware recognition and configuration, which involves recognizing and configuring hardware devices during the first boot, and using the configured settings for subsequent boots, ensuring compatibility and security by updating hardware profiles and drivers according to recognized devices, thereby enhancing portability and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the portable desktop device is configured to function only on identical systems with predefined computer configuration for security, then security control is improved, but portability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary hardware recognition and configuration during the first boot on a host system. It proactively identifies the hardware environment, configures appropriate drivers and settings, and stores this configuration information for future use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated configuration on subsequent boots, enabling the portable desktop to adapt quickly to different host systems while maintaining security through controlled configuration processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the boot sequence. On first boot, it performs comprehensive hardware recognition and configuration. On subsequent boots, it uses the pre-configured settings to achieve faster deployment. This dynamic approach allows the system to balance security (through controlled configuration) and portability (through adaptive reuse of configurations) depending on the specific boot context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the portable desktop O/S loads standard configuration and drivers for portability, then compatibility with multiple systems is improved, but security deteriorates due to reliance on standard drivers and hardware device security

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary configuration layer between the portable desktop O/S and the host hardware. Instead of directly relying on standard drivers or performing raw hardware recognition every time, it uses a pre-configured driver set that was selectively chosen and validated during the first boot. This intermediary layer filters and controls the interaction between the O/S and hardware, maintaining security while achieving compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of driver configuration from static standard drivers to dynamically selected drivers based on hardware recognition. During first boot, it identifies the specific hardware and configures appropriate drivers. This parameter change allows the system to move beyond fixed standard drivers, achieving better compatibility while maintaining security through controlled driver selection and validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If hardware recognition and configuration is performed on every boot for security, then security control is improved, but deployment time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoiddeployment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the time-consuming hardware recognition and configuration process as a preliminary action during the first boot only. The configured settings are then stored and reused on subsequent boots. This eliminates the need to repeat the lengthy configuration process on every startup, dramatically reducing deployment time while maintaining security through the controlled configuration process that was initially performed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic action by performing comprehensive hardware recognition only at specific intervals (first boot) rather than on every boot. Subsequent boots use the pre-established configuration, creating a periodic pattern of full configuration followed by faster startup cycles. This reduces average deployment time while maintaining security through periodic validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If the portable desktop is customized for specific host systems for security, then security control is improved, but adaptability to different systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary customization during the first boot on each host system by recognizing the specific hardware environment and configuring appropriate drivers and settings. This preliminary customization is then stored and reused on subsequent boots to the same host. This approach allows the system to be customized for security on each host while maintaining adaptability across different hosts through the ability to perform this preliminary configuration process whenever needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts its configuration based on the host system's hardware environment. Rather than being statically customized for a single predetermined system, it performs hardware recognition and configures itself dynamically during the first boot on any host. This dynamic approach maintains security through controlled customization while preserving adaptability to work with different host systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2483799B1Portable desktop device and method of host computer system hardware recognition and configuration
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 KINGSTON DIGITAL INC
  • EP2483799B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2483799B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A portable desktop device and method for host computer system hardware recognition and configuration are provided. The portable desktop device causes on a first boot, the host computer system to recognize hardware devices connected thereto, and to configure hardware configuration files of the portable desktop O/S in accordance with the recognized hardware. Once the hardware configuration files have been configured, the system is rebooted. On the second boot, the host computer determines that the portable desktop has been configured for its hardware, and initiates start-up of the portable desktop.