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US5867730A
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Method for configuration of peripherals by interpreting response from peripherals to enable selection of driver file and altering configuration file to enable loading of selected driver file
Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
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Filing: 1997-07-31
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Granted: 1999-02-02
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Expires: 2017-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A system for the automatic identification and configuration of a computer peripheral uses an initialization program to send one or more query instructions to a peripheral device such as a CD-ROM drive. In response to the query instructions, the CD-ROM drive replies with data that can be used to uniquely identify the model number or type of CD-ROM drive. The system then selects the appropriate software driver for the identified CD-ROM drive and loads the selected driver. The system can further verify proper operation of other peripheral devices, such as a hard disk drive, by using commands within the disk operating system. A floppy disk, or other computer readable storage media, contains the initialization program and a software driver file for every type of CD-ROM drive supported by the system. The system automatically identifies and loads the appropriate software driver without requiring the user to respond to technical questions related to the hardware.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeff Leyda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for the automatic identification and configuration of a peripheral device included in a computer system using a plurality of driver files for operation of a plurality of different types of the peripheral device, the method comprising: loading a configuration file into a computer memory, the configuration file containing computer commands to load the plurality of driver files; executing a query instruction, including an identification request to the peripheral device; interpreting a response from the peripheral device to enable the selection of one of the plurality of driver files; altering the configuration file to enable the loading of said selected driver file; and loading said selected driver file.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for the automatic identification and configuration of a peripheral device included in a computer system using a plurality of driver files for operation of a plurality of different types of the peripheral device, the method comprising: loading a configuration file into a computer memory, the configuration file containing computer commands to load the plurality of driver files; executing a query instruction, including an identification request to the peripheral device; interpreting a response from the peripheral device to enable the selection of one of the plurality of driver files; altering the configuration file to enable the loading of said selected driver file; and loading said selected driver file.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 for use with an initialization program stored on a bootable floppy disk and said act of executing said query instruction is executed as part of said initialization program.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said plurality of driver files are stored as files on said bootable floppy disk and said step of loading said selected driver file includes loading said selected file from said floppy disk.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the peripheral device is a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said CD-ROM drive is an integrated device electronics (IDE) device and said query instruction comprises an attention application programming interface (ATAPI) identify device instruction to said CD-ROM drive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said CD-ROM drive is a small computer system interface (SCSI) device and said query instruction comprises one or more SCSI instructions to a SCSI interface coupled to said CD-ROM drive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said selected driver file corresponds to said identified SCSI interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6 for use with a hard disk drive, the method further including the step of executing an additional query instruction, said additional query instruction including an operation verification instruction to the hard disk drive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said additional query instruction is executed following said step of loading said selected driver file corresponding to said CD-ROM drive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5 for use with a hard disk drive, the method further including the step of executing an additional query instruction, said additional query instruction including an operation verification instruction to the hard disk drive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said additional query instruction is executed following said step of loading said selected driver file corresponding to said CD-ROM drive.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for the automatic identification and configuration of a peripheral device included in a computer system using a plurality of driver files for operation of a plurality of different types of the peripheral device, the method comprising the steps of: loading a configuration file into a computer memory, the configuration file containing computer commands to load the plurality of driver files; executing a query instruction, including an identification request to the peripheral device; interpreting a response from the peripheral device, said response including identification data for the peripheral device to enable the selection of one of the plurality of driver files; altering the configuration file based on said identification data to disable the loading of all of said plurality of driver files except said selected driver file; and loading said selected driver file corresponding to the peripheral device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for the automatic identification and configuration of a peripheral device included in a computer system using a plurality of driver files for operation of a plurality of different types of the peripheral device, the method comprising the steps of: loading a configuration file into a computer memory, the configuration file containing computer commands to load the plurality of driver files; executing a query instruction, including an identification request to the peripheral device; interpreting a response from the peripheral device, said response including identification data for the peripheral device to enable the selection of one of the plurality of driver files; altering the configuration file based on said identification data to disable the loading of all of said plurality of driver files except said selected driver file; and loading said selected driver file corresponding to the peripheral device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the peripheral device is a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said CD-ROM drive is an integrated device electronics (IDE) device and said step of executing said query instruction includes executing an attention application programming interface (ATAPI) identify device instruction to said CD-ROM drive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said CD-ROM drive is a small computer system interface (SCSI) device and said query instruction includes one or more SCSI instructions to a SCSI interface coupled to said CD-ROM drive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12 for use with a hard disk drive, the method further including the step of executing an additional query instruction, said additional query instruction including an operation verification instruction to the hard disk drive.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-01 | 2002-08-03 | 2003-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-01 | 2006-08-03 | 2007-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-01 | 2010-08-03 | 2011-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |