Self-installing peripheral device with memory wherein in response to user request for additional storage peripheral device being configured to remove installation software stored on memory

• US 7,293,117 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2004
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ohta, Seiya
• Primary Examiner(s): PEYTON, TAMMARA R
• Application Number:
  US10/864,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20050278461A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,244 Days
• Field of Search: 710 8- 10, 710 13- 15, 713/1, 713/2, 713/191
• US Class Current: 710/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4415 Self describing peripheral devices

Abstract

A self-installing peripheral device is provided. The device includes an onboard memory that stores a device driver that enables the device to communicate with a computer operating system. When the device is connected to a computer, the device automatically downloads the device driver to the computer and installs the device driver. In some embodiments, the device is a USB device that may include an internal USB hub. The onboard memory is connected to the USB hub and the primary functionality of the USB device also connects to the computer via a single USB connection through the USB hub. In other embodiments, the device connects to the computer via a wireless connection protocol. Such a device may be a Bluetooth-enabled device.

Claims

1. A self-installing peripheral device configured to be connected to a computing device comprising:

a housing;

a memory located inside the housing configured to store installation software in the memory; and

a hub device located in the housing and connected to the memory,

wherein in response to a user request for additional storage after the peripheral device has been installed in the computing device, the peripheral device being configured to remove the installation software stored in the memory to provide the additional storage on the peripheral device.

2. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 1, further comprising:

a USB component located in the housing and connected to the hub device, wherein the memory has stored thereon a device driver for the USB component.

3. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 2, wherein the self-installing peripheral device is a USB device.

4. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 3, wherein the hub is a USB hub.

5. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 4, wherein the USB component is a cursor control device.

6. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 5, wherein upon detecting a connection of the self-installing peripheral device to a computing device, the device driver is installed on the computing device.

7. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 5, wherein the memory is a USB flash memory.

8. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 7, further comprising:

an additional USB flash memory for storing an additional software thereon.

9. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 8, wherein the additional USB flash memory is connected to the USB hub.

10. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 9, wherein the device is a mouse having a sensor for determining displacement of the mouse relative to a supporting surface.

11. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 9, wherein the device is a trackball containing a rotatable ball disposed on an upper surface of the device a sensor for determining the rotation of the ball relative to the upper surface.

12. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 9, wherein the device is one of a printer, a digital camera having a memory and a lens for capturing images, and a MP3 player having a memory and software for playing MP3 files.

13. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the connection is a wireless connection.

14. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 13, wherein the device is a Bluetooth-enabled device.

15. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 1, wherein responsive to the user request and prior to removing the installation software stored in the memory, copying the installation software from the peripheral device to the computing device.

16. The self-installing peripheral device of claim 1, wherein after removing the installation software from the memory, providing the additional storage as part of a file system of the computing system.