USB Device Auto-Recognition of Windows OS Versions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying a Microsoft Windows Operating System (OS) via USB devices are unable to distinguish specific releases, such as Windows XP, Vista, Win7, and Win8, without installing auxiliary programs on the host, limiting compatibility and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A USB device method that reports multiple configuration parameters to the host, enumerates as a Trans-Flash card device, and uses Microsoft OS Descriptors to determine the OS release by analyzing configuration descriptors and INQUIRY instructions, allowing the device to automatically identify the OS type without auxiliary programs, and adjusts its enumeration and driver loading accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a program is installed beforehand on an OS to determine OS type by sending OS-dependent identifying commands, then OS identification capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring different programs and commands for different OSs
Solution Approach 1:
The USB device performs self-identification by automatically detecting OS type and selecting appropriate configuration parameters without requiring external identification programs or commands from the host system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the identification approach from using OS-dependent commands to using USB configuration parameters that automatically adapt to different OS versions, with different parameter sets for different Windows versions
2Ease of operation
If a USB-specific descriptor is used to determine OS type, then automatic identification is improved, but OS identification precision deteriorates as only Windows vs Non-Windows distinction is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration parameters into multiple distinct sets (first configuration parameter for non-Windows, second for Windows XP, third for Vista/Win7, fourth for Win8), allowing precise identification of specific Windows versions while maintaining automatic identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to USB identification by using configuration parameter selection as an additional identification layer beyond standard USB descriptors, enabling version-specific differentiation
3Measurement precision
If multiple configuration parameters are reported to enable specific OS release identification, then OS identification precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the USB device universal by designing it to support multiple configuration parameters that can adapt to different OS versions, allowing a single device to function across Windows XP, Vista, Win7, and Win8 without modification
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a USB device and a method thereof for automatically recognizing a Microsoft windowing operating system version. The method comprises: a USB device accessing a host; the USB device reporting an MOSD supporting a configuration parameter designation function to the host, a designation configuration value of the configuration parameter designation function being set to the Nth configuration parameter; when the USB device detects that the host obtains a configuration descriptor corresponding to the Nth configuration parameter, determining that a Windows operating system version is Win8; when the USB device detects that the host obtains a configuration descriptor corresponding to the first configuration parameter, and if the USB device receives only one query instruction delivered by the host, determining that a Windows operating system version is XP; or otherwise determining that the current Windows operating system version is Vista or Win 7. Embodiments of the present invention can distinguish Windows operating system versions without installing any program on a host.