Uninstall System for Multifunction Device Driver Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional uninstall systems cannot efficiently uninstall multiple device drivers simultaneously, such as printer, scanner, and fax drivers, due to the lack of association data in the operating system, making it difficult to remove all drivers at once.
Innovation Solution
An uninstall system that records function-specific device specification data and device driver specification data in a device registration area, allowing for the identification and removal of associated device drivers upon user request, using additional registration areas to manage device associations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple device drivers are installed individually through conventional install systems, then each driver can be installed with proper configuration, but the uninstallation process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring individual removal of each driver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple device driver specifications into a single unified registry key structure under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall. Each multifunction device's drivers (printer, scanner, fax) are grouped together with a common uninstall identifier, allowing simultaneous removal of all drivers associated with a single device through one uninstallation operation, rather than requiring individual removal of each driver
2Adaptability or versatility
If device drivers are installed without association data in the operating system, then installation is simpler, but subsequent management and bulk uninstallation of drivers become impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by establishing an organized registry structure during the installation phase. Association data including driver specifications, device identifiers, and uninstall identifiers are pre-configured in the registry keys when drivers are installed. This preliminary organization enables efficient bulk uninstallation and driver management operations later without requiring complex runtime processing or additional association mechanisms
3Loss of information
If conventional install systems record driver data separately without grouping, then individual driver installation is straightforward, but identifying and removing all drivers for a single device becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by creating a unified registry key structure that provides immediate visibility of all device drivers associated with a single multifunction device. The registry keys contain device identifiers and uninstall identifiers that feedback the relationship between multiple drivers and their parent device, enabling users to easily identify which drivers belong together and facilitating selective bulk uninstallation based on device-level operations rather than individual driver management
Data Source
AI summary
In order to enable an user to uninstall multiple device drivers that are required by a single multifunction device all at once, an uninstall system creates during installation an installer registry for the multifunction device that is different from a system registry. Data specifying the multiple related device drivers, such as a scanner driver, printer driver, and fax driver, is stored in association with each other in this installer registry, enabling the multiple device drivers to be easily identified and uninstalled together. Further, by displaying a list dialog box, the user can indicate specific device(s) for which the multiple device drivers are to be uninstalled.