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US6081850A
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Storing dynamically loaded device drivers on a mass storage device to support access to removable computer cards
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1993-02-19
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Granted: 2000-06-27
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Expires: 2013-02-19
Abstract
Abstract Device drivers for removable system resources are stored on a mass storage device to provide dynamic device driver configuration for a computer system. By storing device drivers on a mass storage device, the device drivers need not be stored on their associated feature card and they can be easily updated as changes are required. The computer system comprises a processor, a system memory, a mass storage memory and an interface for receiving removable system resources (generally denoted feature cards or cards). Each feature card has a card information structure (CIS) area. The CIS includes one or more card identification fields that each hold a card identifier. The card identifier is the same for every feature card of a particular type, but it is unique for each different type of feature card. The mass storage device of the computer system has a lookup table which uses the card unique identifiers to map each type of feature card that will be used by the system to an associated device driver for controlling the feature card. Each device driver is stored on the mass storage device. The device driver for a particular feature card is copied into computer system memory upon insertion of the feature card into the computer system. The device driver may then be activated by the processor.
Inventors
- 👤 John I. Garney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/4068; G06F13/10; G06F13/102; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4411; G06F9/4413; G06F9/4415; G06F12/00; G06F12/02; G06F12/0223; G06F12/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
In a computer system having a processor, a system memory, a mass storage memory device and an interface for receiving a removable system resource, a process for dynamically configuring device drivers of removable computer system resources, said process comprising the steps of: configuring the system memory in a bootstrap initialization; and after said bootstrap initialization while an application program is running and prior to any subsequent bootstrap initialization, performing the following steps, (a) receiving a removable system resource at the interface; (b) retrieving a device driver identifier from the removable system resource; (c) copying a device driver corresponding to said device driver identifier from the mass storage memory device to the system memory; and (d) executing said device driver from the system memory.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a computer system having a processor, a system memory, a mass storage memory device and an interface for receiving a removable system resource, a process for dynamically configuring device drivers of removable computer system resources, said process comprising the steps of: configuring the system memory in a bootstrap initialization; and after said bootstrap initialization while an application program is running and prior to any subsequent bootstrap initialization, performing the following steps, (a) receiving a removable system resource at the interface; (b) retrieving a device driver identifier from the removable system resource; (c) copying a device driver corresponding to said device driver identifier from the mass storage memory device to the system memory; and (d) executing said device driver from the system memory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mass storage memory device further includes a device driver information block (DDIB) header corresponding to said device driver identifier, said copying step further including the step of copying said DDIB header into the system memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of: storing said device driver on the mass storage memory device in a location corresponding to said device driver identifier; and updating a device driver lookup table such that, based on said device driver identifier, said device driver lookup table points to a location corresponding to said device driver stored on said mass storage memory device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of displaying a message indicating that a removable system resource has been received at said interface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of suspending execution of said application program while said steps of retrieving, copying, and executing are performed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of retaining said device driver in system memory as long as the removable system resource is coupled to said interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of: receiving an indication if the removable system resource has been decoupled from the interface; and disabling access to said device driver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said configuring the system memory step occurs prior to bootstrap initialization.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said configuring the system memory step occurs subsequent to bootstrap initialization.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 further including a step of providing a resource memory in said removable system resource, said resource memory containing said device driver identifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a computer system having a processor, a system memory, a mass storage memory device and an interface for receiving a removable system resource, an apparatus for dynamically configuring device drivers of removable computer system resources, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for configuring the system memory in a bootstrap initialization; (b) means for receiving a removable system resource at the interface; (c) means for retrieving a device driver identifier from the removable system resource; (d) means for copying a device driver corresponding to said device driver identifier from the mass storage memory device to the system memory; and (e) means for executing said device driver from the system memory, said elements (b) through (e) being operable after said bootstrap initialization while an application program is running and prior to any subsequent bootstrap initialization.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a computer system having a processor, a system memory, a mass storage memory device and an interface for receiving a removable system resource, an apparatus for dynamically configuring device drivers of removable computer system resources, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for configuring the system memory in a bootstrap initialization; (b) means for receiving a removable system resource at the interface; (c) means for retrieving a device driver identifier from the removable system resource; (d) means for copying a device driver corresponding to said device driver identifier from the mass storage memory device to the system memory; and (e) means for executing said device driver from the system memory, said elements (b) through (e) being operable after said bootstrap initialization while an application program is running and prior to any subsequent bootstrap initialization.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said mass storage memory device further includes a device driver information block (DDIB) header corresponding to said device driver identifier, said means for copying further including means for copying said DDIB header into the system memory.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further including: means for storing said device driver on the mass storage memory device in a location corresponding to said device driver identifier; and means for updating a device driver lookup table such that, based on said device driver identifier, said device driver lookup table points to a location corresponding to said device driver stored on said mass storage memory device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further including means for displaying a message indicating that a removable system resource has been received at said interface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further including means for suspending execution of said application program while said means for retrieving, said means for copying, and said means for executing are operating.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further including means for retaining said device driver in system memory as long as the removable system resource is coupled to said interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further including: means for receiving an indication if the removable system resource has been decoupled from the interface; and means for disabling access to said device driver.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for configuring the system memory is operable prior to bootstrap initialization.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for configuring the system memory is operable subsequent to bootstrap initialization.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further including a resource memory in said removable system resource, said resource memory containing said device driver identifier.
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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) | 2003-06-27 | 2003-12-27 | 2004-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-27 | 2007-12-27 | 2008-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-27 | 2011-12-27 | 2012-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |