Portable Device Driver Integration for Automatic Host Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience in installing and managing device drivers for portable devices, as each device typically requires its own driver, which can be lost or difficult to retrieve, especially during system rebuilds or when the installation media is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the device driver into the portable device's non-volatile memory, allowing it to automatically install and update the driver when connected to a host device, either wired or wirelessly, and periodically checking for updates via the internet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If device drivers are stored on external installation media (CDs), then drivers can be installed for portable devices, but users face inconvenience of losing or being unable to retrieve the installation media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the device driver with the portable device by integrating the driver into the device's firmware or flash memory. This combination ensures the driver is always available with the device, eliminating the need for separate installation media and resolving the contradiction between installation convenience and driver availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device driver is pre-loaded into the portable device during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures the driver is ready for immediate transfer to the host system without requiring users to locate or retrieve external installation media later, thus improving both convenience and reliability.
2Reliability
If each portable device has its own dedicated driver, then the driver can be specifically optimized for that device, but users need to save and manage separate installation media for each device
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device performs self-service by automatically transferring its own driver to the host system when connected. This eliminates the need for users to manually manage separate installation media for each device, reducing management complexity while maintaining device-specific driver compatibility through automatic driver identification and transfer.
3Ease of operation
If drivers are transferred automatically when device is connected, then installation process is simplified, but the host system must handle unexpected driver installation requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the portable device presents itself as a storage device first, allowing the host system to naturally mount and execute the driver installation without encountering unexpected installation requests. This intermediary approach simplifies the user experience while managing host system processing through standard device recognition protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable device may be connected to a host system using a connection technology such as the universal serial bus (USB) or the IEEE 1934, either via wire or wirelessly. A driver that enables the portable device to properly interact with the host system may be stored in a non-volatile memory inside the portable device. When the portable device is connected to the host system, the portable device may automatically install the driver stored therein in the host system if it is determined that the host system does not have driver for the portable device or the driver in the host system are outdated by the driver stored in the portable device. When connected to the Internet, the portable device may further search the Internet for the latest driver. The portable device may download and install in the host system the latest driver found in the Internet and update the driver stored in the portable device accordingly, if appropriate.