Method for managing the assignment of device drivers in a computer system
First Claim
1. A method for identifying one of a plurality of device drivers maintained by a computer system, said computer system including a database,said database containing a plurality of records, each of said records containing a device identification field and a compatible device identification field,said device identification field operative for recording a primary identification code for identifying a primary device operable with said computer system, andsaid compatible device identification field operative for recording said primary identification code, and for recording a plurality of compatible identification codes identifying compatible devices, each of said compatible devices being functionally compatible with said primary device,said compatible device identification field further operative for recording priority data for said compatible devices, said priority data identifying a relative ranking for each of said compatible devices, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) searching said computer database to locate a selected one of said records containing a certain one of said primary identification code within said primary device identification field;
(b) reviewing said selected record to determine if said compatible device identification field contains said certain primary identification code;
(c) if said compatible device identification field contains said certain primary identification code, retrieving from said computer system a certain one of said device drivers corresponding to said certain primary identification code;
(d) if said compatible device identification field does not contain said certain primary identification code, reviewing said selected record to determine if said compatible device identification field contains at least one of said compatible identification codes;
(e) if said compatible device identification field contains at least one of said compatible identification codes, selecting one of said compatible identification codes for said compatible device that has the highest one of said rankings; and
(f) retrieving from said computer system another one of said device drivers corresponding to said selected compatible identification code.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for managing the assignment of device drivers to devices of a computer system. The computer system can maintain device-related information for a primary device and for devices that are "compatible" with the primary device. This device information supplies an indication of whether a device driver intended for primary use with a device is maintained by the computer system. Moreover, the device information provides an indication of whether one or more device drivers compatible with the primary device are maintained by the computer system. During assignment of device drivers to devices of the computer system, the device information is examined to determine whether the intended device driver for the primary device is available to support the operations of that device. If not, the device information is examined to determine whether a device driver for a device that is compatible with the primary device is available for supporting computer operations of the primary device. In this event, if the device information lists more than one device that is compatible with the primary device, then the compatible device having the highest priority or ranking can be selected and the device driver for the selected device is used to support the operations of the primary device.
200 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for identifying one of a plurality of device drivers maintained by a computer system, said computer system including a database,
said database containing a plurality of records, each of said records containing a device identification field and a compatible device identification field, said device identification field operative for recording a primary identification code for identifying a primary device operable with said computer system, and said compatible device identification field operative for recording said primary identification code, and for recording a plurality of compatible identification codes identifying compatible devices, each of said compatible devices being functionally compatible with said primary device, said compatible device identification field further operative for recording priority data for said compatible devices, said priority data identifying a relative ranking for each of said compatible devices, said method comprising the steps of: -
(a) searching said computer database to locate a selected one of said records containing a certain one of said primary identification code within said primary device identification field; (b) reviewing said selected record to determine if said compatible device identification field contains said certain primary identification code; (c) if said compatible device identification field contains said certain primary identification code, retrieving from said computer system a certain one of said device drivers corresponding to said certain primary identification code; (d) if said compatible device identification field does not contain said certain primary identification code, reviewing said selected record to determine if said compatible device identification field contains at least one of said compatible identification codes; (e) if said compatible device identification field contains at least one of said compatible identification codes, selecting one of said compatible identification codes for said compatible device that has the highest one of said rankings; and (f) retrieving from said computer system another one of said device drivers corresponding to said selected compatible identification code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program module for identifying one of a plurality of device drivers maintained for use by a device of a computer, the computer including a database maintained in a memory storage device, the database containing a plurality of records, each of the records containing a device identification field and a compatible device identification field, the device identification field operative for recording a primary identification code for identifying a primary device operable with the computer, and the compatible device identification field operative for recording the primary identification code, and for recording a plurality of compatible identification codes identifying compatible devices, each of the compatible devices being functionally compatible with the primary device, the program module comprising instructions which, when executed by the programmed computer, performs the steps of:
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(a) searching the computer database to locate a selected one of the records containing a certain one of the primary identification code within the primary device identification field, the certain primary identification code assigned to identify a selected primary device; (b) reviewing the selected record to determine if the compatible device identification field contains the certain primary identification code; (c) if the compatible device identification field contains the certain primary identification code, retrieving from the computer a certain one of the device drivers corresponding to the certain primary identification code, the certain device driver operative with the selected primary device; (d) if the compatible device identification field does not contain the certain primary identification code, reviewing the selected record to determine if the compatible device identification field contains at least one of the compatible identification codes; (e) if the compatible device identification field contains at least one of the compatible identification codes, selecting one of the compatible identification codes; and (f) retrieving from the computer a selected one of the device drivers corresponding to the selected compatible identification code, the selected device driver operative with the selected primary device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer operative to execute a program module for identifying one of a plurality of device drivers maintained by the computer, comprising:
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a processing device; a memory, coupled to the processing device, for storing the program module; a database containing a plurality of records, each of the records containing a device identification field and a compatible device identification field, the device identification field operative for recording a primary identification code for identifying a primary device operable with the computer, and the compatible device identification field operative for recording the primary identification code, and for recording a plurality of compatible identification codes identifying compatible devices, each of the compatible devices being functionally compatible with the primary device, and the processing device, responsive to instructions of the program module, operative to; (a) search the computer database to locate a selected one of the records containing a certain one of the primary identification code within the primary device identification field; (b) review the selected record to determine if the compatible device identification field contains the certain primary identification code; (c) if the compatible device identification field contains the certain primary identification code, load one of the device drivers corresponding to the certain primary identification code; (d) if the compatible device identification field does not contain the certain primary identification code, reviewing the selected record to determine if the compatible device identification field contains at least one of the compatible identification codes; (e) if the compatible device identification field contains at least one of the compatible identification codes, selecting one of the compatible identification codes for the compatible devices; and (f) load one of the device drivers corresponding to the selected compatible identification code. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for identifying one of a plurality of device drivers maintained by a computer, comprising the steps of:
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(a) searching a database comprising records, the database maintained in a memory storage device of the computer, each of the records identifying a primary device operable with the computer and compatible devices functionally compatible with the primary device, (b) locating a selected one of the records for the primary device; (c) reviewing the selected record to determine if one of the device drivers is assigned for use with the primary device and is available for operation with the primary device; (d) if so, retrieving the device driver designated for operation with the primary device; (e) otherwise, reviewing the selected record to determine if a device driver is assigned for use with at least one compatible device compatible with the primary device and is available for operation with the primary device; (f) if so, then selecting the device driver assigned to the compatible device compatible with the primary device and available for operation with the primary device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for assigning a device driver to a peripheral device that is functionally connected to a computer system, comprising the steps of:
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searching for a primary device driver for the peripheral device; if the primary device driver for the peripheral device is located, assigning the primary device driver to the peripheral device regardless of whether the primary device driver is already assigned to another peripheral device; if the primary device driver for the peripheral device is not located, searching for a first compatible device driver for the peripheral device; if the first compatible device driver for the peripheral device is located, assigning the first compatible device driver to the peripheral device regardless of whether the first compatible device driver is already assigned to another peripheral device; if the first compatible device driver for the peripheral device is not located, searching for a second compatible device driver for the peripheral device, the second compatible device driver having a lower assigned priority than the first compatible device driver; and if the second compatible device driver for the peripheral device is located, assigning the second compatible device driver to the peripheral device regardless of whether the second compatible device driver is already assigned to another peripheral device. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification