Split Device Driver for Hot-Pluggable Peripheral Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems malfunction when hot-pluggable peripheral devices are disconnected during computer operation, as the removal of the device driver and virtual serial port can cause communication issues with applications that rely on constant com port connections.

Innovation Solution

The device driver is split into two parts: a com interface part and a driver port part, where the com interface part remains in memory even after the device is unplugged, allowing applications to continue communicating as if the device is still connected, while the driver port part handles disconnection notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the device driver removes itself when a hot-pluggable device is unplugged, then system resources are freed, but application communication fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory resource usageVSAvoidapplication communication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device driver is segmented into two independent parts: a communication interface part that handles application communication and a device control part that manages the physical device. When the device is unplugged, only the device control part is removed while the communication interface part remains in memory, allowing applications to continue communicating without failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the virtual serial port is removed when device is unplugged, then system cleanliness is improved, but application functionality breaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem responsiveness to device removalVSAvoidapplication operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual serial port functionality is segmented into a persistent communication interface component and a transient device-specific component. The communication interface maintains the virtual port appearance for applications while the device-specific component is removed upon unplugging, achieving both system cleanliness and application continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication interface part acts as an intermediary between applications and the physical device. It maintains the virtual serial port interface for applications while managing the actual device connection status, allowing applications to operate uninterrupted even when the physical device is removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8346981B2Connection of peripherals to operating systems

Publication Date: 2013.01.01 MCCI CORP

AI summary

An arrangement for installing function drivers that provide communication between computer applications and various peripheral devices employs a master driver that is loaded for each peripheral device. The master drivers receive notification of the connection of the respective peripheral devices and, in time, load the proper function drivers. Each function driver has (1) an interface part that communicates with an application and (2) a peripheral part that communicates with the peripheral device associated with that application. When a device is disconnected, the associated function driver is notified and, in response, the driver discontinues operations of its peripheral part and retains operation of its interface part.