Dynamic detection of player actuated digital input devices coupled to a computer port
First Claim
1. A method for automatically reconfiguring an operating system of a computer after any of a plurality of different types of player actuated digital input devices is coupled to or decoupled from a port of the computer, where said port is one of an RS-232 serial port, a parallel port, and a game port, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a software interface that universally accepts input signals applied to the port by each of the different types of digital input devices;
(b) automatically detecting each of the digital input devices currently coupled to the port and automatically identifying its type from among the plurality of different types; and
(c) without requiring that the computer be rebooted, processing the input signal received through the port from each digital input device that is thus detected as appropriate for said type of digital input device, to provide an application input signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Digital input devices are automatically identified when attached to a game port, serial port, or parallel port of a personal computer, without requiring user interaction. In a disclosed embodiment, a digital game pad is connected to the game port of a personal computer and includes a device port for connecting other input devices, including another digital game pad, a digital joystick, or an analog input device. A polling request is implemented by a class driver to detect a digital input device and to determine its type. A class driver calls a device detection function that successively checks for registered devices in a list. A minidriver for each class of device is responsible for determining if the type of device with which it is used is attached to the port. Once the connected device is identified, the operating system registry is updated with the ID of the connected device. When a digital input device is disconnected, the system responds by removing its ID from the registry and removing any drivers that are no longer required.
-
Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A method for automatically reconfiguring an operating system of a computer after any of a plurality of different types of player actuated digital input devices is coupled to or decoupled from a port of the computer, where said port is one of an RS-232 serial port, a parallel port, and a game port, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) providing a software interface that universally accepts input signals applied to the port by each of the different types of digital input devices; (b) automatically detecting each of the digital input devices currently coupled to the port and automatically identifying its type from among the plurality of different types; and (c) without requiring that the computer be rebooted, processing the input signal received through the port from each digital input device that is thus detected as appropriate for said type of digital input device, to provide an application input signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An apparatus for automatically communicating with any of a plurality of different types of player actuated digital input devices that are coupled to or decoupled from a port of a computer, where the port is one of an RS-232 serial port, a parallel port, and a game port, comprising:
-
(a) a processor for executing machine instructions that comprise an operating system, said machine instructions further comprising a software driver interface that universally accepts input signals applied to the port by the plurality of different types of digital input devices; (b) a memory coupled to the processor, for storing the machine instructions; and (c) said machine instructions causing the processor to; (i) automatically detect each digital input device currently coupled to the port and automatically identify its type; and (ii) without requiring that the computer be rebooted, process the input signal received through the port from each digital input device detected, as appropriate for said type of digital input device, to provide an application input signal to an application being executed by the processor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. An article of manufacture for use with a computer, for causing the computer to respond automatically to a change of configuration after any of a plurality of different types of player actuated digital input devices is coupled to or decoupled from a port of the computer, where said port is one of an RS-232 serial port, a parallel port, and a game port, comprising:
-
(a) memory medium for use with the computer; and (b) a plurality of machine instructions stored on the memory medium, said machine instructions comprising a software interface that universally accepts input signals applied to the port by each of the plurality of different types of digital input devices and causing the computer to; (i) automatically detect each digital input device currently connected to the port and automatically identify its type from among the plurality of different types; and (ii) without requiring the computer to be rebooted, process the input signal received through the port from each digital input device detected as appropriate for said type of digital input device, to provide an application input signal. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification