Automatic embedded host configuration system and method

• US 7,287,257 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2003
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Oxford Semiconductor, Inc. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Meza, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson; William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cao; Diem K
• Application Number:
  US10/680,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,477 Days
• Field of Search: 719321-327, 719/310, 719/313, 709/200, 709/201, 709/220, 709230-232, 709/238, 709245-246
• US Class Current: 719/321
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/258 Data format conversion from or to a database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4415 Self describing peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0809 Plug-and-play configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0856 by backing up or archiving configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies

Abstract

A system and method for automatically detecting the attachment of a peripheral device to a host system, and configuring the host system for communication with the peripheral device is described. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, when a peripheral device is attached to the host system, the host detects the attachment of the device. If a device driver for controlling and communicating with the peripheral device is locally available, then the host system installs and loads the device driver. If the device driver is not locally present, then the host system establishes a connection with a server system that includes a database with the device driver needed for operation of the device. The device driver is forwarded to the host system and is then integrated into the host'"'"'s system software, so that the host can communicate with and control the peripheral device. In accordance with certain aspects of the invention, advertisements or other relevant information about the peripheral device or the host system is displayed to a user, when the host system detects the attachment of the device.

Claims

1. A method for directed information delivery to a host system comprising:

detecting attachment of a hardware device to a host system, wherein a client software running on the host system is notified of the hardware device attachment;

querying the hardware device for device information, wherein the client software queries the hardware device;

establishing a connection with a remote server system;

forwarding to the server system information related to the host system and the hardware device;

wherein the host related information includes host operating system information and host system hardware information; and

the hardware device information includes device class, device protocol, and vendor identification number to identify the hardware device; and

said server system searches the world wide web for information related to the host system and the hardware device based on the host system information and the hardware device information provided to the server system; and

a search result includes promotional or educational materials regarding the host system and the hardware device;

identifying presentation data based on the search result;

selecting most relevant data from among the presentation data, wherein the most relevant data is based on a user profile based on information collected by the client software;

formatting the most relevant data for presentation to the user, wherein the formatting is based on a host system limitation and a host system requirement and a hardware device limitation and a hardware device requirement including graphic display capabilities of the host system and available bandwidth; and

delivering to the host system formatted presentation data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the presentation data is selected in a predetermined order based on the user profile and demographics;

wherein the user profile is based on a type of software application used by the user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said host related information includes specifications about the host systems limitations and the host system requirement.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the host system limitation and the host system requirement relate to data communication limitations between the host system and the server system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the presentation data is formatted by the server system or by the client software running on the host system.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the presentation data can be stored by a user for re-display at a later time.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the presentation data is associated with a fee based service, where a third party can promote a service, product and idea by subscribing to a service provider.

8. A system for directed information delivery, comprising:

a host system that detects attachment of a hardware device, wherein a client software running on the host system is notified of the hardware device attachment and the client software queries the hardware device for information; and

a remote server system that receives, via a network connection, host related information and hardware device information, wherein the host related information includes host operating system information and host system hardware information; and

the hardware device information includes device class, device protocol, and vendor identification number to identify the hardware device; and

said remote server system searches the world wide web for information related to the host system and the hardware device, and a search result includes promotional or educational materials regarding the host system and the hardware device;

wherein based on the search result, presentation data is identified and most relevant data from among the presentation data is selected, wherein the most relevant data is based on a user profile based on information collected by the client software; and

the most relevant data is formatted for presentation to the user, wherein the presentation data is formatted based on a host system limitation and a host system requirement and a hardware device limitation and a hardware device requirement including graphic display capabilities of the host system and available bandwidth; and

the formatted presentation data is delivered to the host system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the presentation data can be selected in a predetermined order based the user profile and demographics;

wherein the user profile is based on a type of software application used by the user.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said host related information includes specifications about the host systems limitations and the host system requirement.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the host system limitations and the host system requirement relate to data communication limitations between the host system and the server system.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the presentation data is formatted by the server system or by the client software running on the host system.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the presentation data can be stored by a user for re-display at a later time.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the presentation data is associated with a fee based service, where a third party can promote a service, product or idea by subscribing to a service provider.