Abstract: A method and system for automatically installing drivers in a host device for driving an apparatus that is connected to the host device and having at least one emulation. The method includes the steps of executing a driver installation module included in the host device, the driver installation module requesting the apparatus to transmit model information of the apparatus and emulation information indicating which emulations are included with the apparatus, and receiving the emulation information and the model information from the apparatus. The driver installation module then automatically selecting and installing drivers based on the received emulation information and the received model information.

Abstract: A driving method for a video device is disclosed. The driving method includes following steps. Obtaining a first instruction from a virtual file system of a first operating system. Converting the first instruction into a second instruction compatible with a second operating system. Virtualizing a kernel of the second operating system. Controlling a video driver according to the second instruction through the kernel of the second operating system. A driving module for a video device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of easing a setup of an alternative apparatus on execution of alternative printing function. An installation unit installs driver software corresponding to a first image processing apparatus on the information processing apparatus. A collection unit collects information about a second image processing apparatus corresponding to other driver software that has been already installed on the information processing apparatus when the driver software is installed by the installation unit. A transmission unit transmits the information collected by the collection unit to the first image processing apparatus.

Abstract: Described is a system and method by which application programs running on a main computer system communicate with an auxiliary display device (such as a cell phone, pocket-sized computer, alarm clock, television, digital picture frame and so forth) to provide viewable information on the device, remote control capabilities, and notifications. Via API calls, programs provide information in the same format regardless of the device capabilities and/or the connection type. An auxiliary display platform converts the information into a format understood by a device driver, which then filters the information as desired for its particular hardware device before the information is communicated. Return communications return data such as status and user interaction with the displayed information. Software vendors may thus write code once to output information on auxiliary displays, while hardware manufacturers can have their devices work as auxiliary displays, with little or no modification to existing hardware.

Abstract: An installer system, includes: a detection unit configured to detect at least one device driver having been installed in a computer, in response to an installation instruction to install a device driver to be installed; an output unit configured to set at least one of the device driver detected by the detection unit as at least one device driver to be uninstalled and configured to output a screen for displaying information on the device driver to be uninstalled, the screen to which an uninstallation instruction can be input; and an uninstaller unit configured to uninstall the device driver to be uninstalled in response to the uninstallation instruction.

Abstract: A system having a plurality of hardware blocks and a method of operating that system where power to each hardware block is independently controlled according to whether or not the respective hardware block is needed for use. A counter is provided in the respective device driver of each hardware block, the counter being configured to be incremented each time a task requests use of the respective hardware block and to be decremented each time a task ceases use of the respective hardware block. The value of the counter is used to control whether or not to power up or power down the respective hardware block.

Abstract: The computer interface controller of this invention connects a peripheral device with a computer device through the computer communication interface provided in the computer device and comprises a central controller device, a computer interface controller device, a driver program memory, an audio output device, an audio input device, a virtual optical disc drive controller device and a driver program selection device. The optical disc drive controller device announces to the computer device that the computer interface controller is an optical disc drive and provides a driver program stored in the driver program memory to the computer device according to an operation system selected by the user, to enable the computer device to drive the peripheral device.

Abstract: A USB device set includes a first USB device, which is operable both as a host device and as a peripheral device; and a second USB device, which is operable both as a host device, and as a peripheral device. Each of the first and second USB devices includes: a first memory region storing device drivers of other USB devices; a second memory region storing its own device driver; and a device driver control circuit, which can update device drivers stored at least in the first memory region. In one of the first and second USB devices that is operating as a peripheral device, the device driver control circuit receives information on the device driver of the other USB device, operating as a host device, when the first and second USB devices are firstly connected to each other; and updates the first memory region in accordance with the received information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a number of processing modules which apply a process to predetermined data in inputted print data; a detecting unit configured to detect a processing module that has performed a process during processing by the plurality of processing modules of print data inputted in a predetermined mode; and a setting unit configured to make a setting that enables a processing module detected by the detecting unit, after the end of the predetermined mode.

Abstract: A method, used while building in processor memory a stack of device objects (DOs) representing a device, there being a multi-role driver for a plurality of roles at least one of which corresponds to the device, may include: registering a plurality of helper drivers so as to uniquely correspond to the plurality of roles, respectively, each helper driver mapping uniquely to one of the multiple roles of the multi-role driver, respectively; and indirectly specifying a corresponding one of the multiple roles of the multi-role driver by specifying the helper driver mapped thereto. A related apparatus and machine-readable medium bearing machine-readable instructions may include features similar to elements of the method.

Abstract: A method for dynamically switching between different device configurations to improve the utilization of the device and save the cost. The method comprises the steps of obtaining the current configuration information of a device connected to a host; and if the current configuration of the device does not meet the requirements of the host, switching the current configuration of the device to a suitable one for the host. A system for the same is also provided to improve the utilization of the device and save the cost.

Abstract: A user-mode device driver architecture is provided by the subject invention. The architecture includes a reflector, a driver manager and a host process which hosts and isolates one or more user-mode device driver(s). The user-mode device driver runs in the user-mode (UM) environment and has access to various UM services. The reflector resides in “kernel memory” (e.g., memory/resource(s) available to operating system) while the driver manager, host process and user mode device driver(s) are located in user space (e.g., memory/resource(s) available to user application(s)). The reflector provides a secure, stable communication path for application(s), the host process and/or user-mode device driver(s) to communicate with the operating system.

Abstract: Driver systems and methods are provided, such as those that include identifying a process corner of a driver; and configuring the driver based on the identified process corner. Further embodiments provide a method that includes detecting a process corner of a driver, setting a reference voltage of a calibration circuit based on the process corner detected, and configuring the driver based on the reference voltage.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus has a storage device that stores a device which incorporates access information regarding access to the server apparatus and a property display screen with instruction items for instructing a device driver request; a notification unit that, based on an instruction to the instruction items on the property display screen, refers to the access information and notifies the access information to an application that is capable of processing page information, in order to obtain driver update page information from the server apparatus; and an updating control unit that, based on an instruction to an update instruction section to request automatic update that is provided on a driver update page created based on the driver update page information obtained, controls a process to obtain device driver update information sent from the server apparatus and update the device driver stored in the storage device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer readable medium are disclosed. In one embodiment the method includes detecting a virtual machine (VM) attempting to communicate with a device coupled to a computer system using a first software plug-in interface that is incompatible with the device. The method continues by temporarily removing the VM from controlling system. Then the first software plug-in interface in the VM is replaced with a second software plug-in interface, which is compatible with the device, without the knowledge of the VM. Then control is returned to the VM and the VM is allowed to resume the communication attempt with the device using the second software plug-in interface.

Abstract: Module interrogation techniques are described in which modules configured to rely upon one or more operating system features are interrogated to determine which features are used and by which modules. A module is loaded that is configured to interact with a plurality of features provided by an operating system. Using one or more redirection techniques, calls made by the module to access features of the operating system are redirected to alternate functionality. Based on the redirection, data is generated to indicate the features of the operating system that are used by the module. The techniques may be performed for each of a plurality of modules to populate a database that relates features of the operating system to the plurality of modules.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a system memory, a device controller, a basic input/output system and a device driver. The device driver of the information processing apparatus forms its own data structure for communication control in the system memory separately from the basic input/output system, saves the address set in the register of the device controller when the device controller executes the communication with the various externally connected devices, sets an address for referring to the own data structure in the register of the device controller in order to make the device controller communicate with the various externally connected devices, and resets the saved address in the register of the device controller after the communication is completed.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a process of synchronization of a database of files checked by an anti-virus (AV) application implemented as a special AV driver. The database is updated by a special interface application using a log file and the AV driver cache. The AV driver monitors modifications of the files and records modification-related information in the context of the modified files. The AV driver creates and maintains a log of modified files. The AV driver supports a circular cache containing minimal required information about the modified files. This information is used for identification of the modified files by an application providing an interface between the AV driver and the database of checked files.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention involves a system and method for fast resume from sleep mode. Reserved cache memory is used to store drivers and configuration variables. Upon resume, the drivers and configuration are read from the ACPI reserved cache memory and executed in memory rather than read from slower flash or CMOS memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for controlling the installation of device driver software which is executed on computer. The method includes the step of displaying an installation procedure for the device driver software and installing the driver software onto the computer.

Abstract: A first information processing apparatus (superordinate model) comprises emulation driver program storing means which stores, in advance, an emulation driver program for: receiving a command issued by a second-device-using application program created for a second information processing apparatus (subordinate model); and controlling a first device mounted on the first information processing apparatus. At an execution of the second-device-using application program, the first information processing apparatus executes the second-device-using application program while controlling the first device by using the emulation driver program stored in the emulation driver program storing means.

Abstract: The dynamic resolution of dependent components of a plug-in including, during a runtime of an application, dynamically accessing, for a plug-in invoked by the application, a manifest listing classes capable of providing an interface for the plug-in, and dependent components that provide functionality to the plug-in, and dynamically instantiating a class instance of at least one of the listed classes. Furthermore, the process includes dynamically resolving the listed dependent components, and dynamically loading the plug-in.

Abstract: A hot key register request is created in an extensible firmware interface application, the hot key register request has a key number and a pointer to a hot key function for the new hot key. The hot key register request is sent to a keyboard driver in the extensible firmware interface. A hot key table is created in working storage from the hot key table in the keyboard driver, and a hot key entry is inserted into the hot key table in working storage. The entry includes the key number and pointer from the hot key register request to add the new hot key as a registered hot key. A success message is sent from the keyboard driver to the extensible firmware interface application. The success message indicates the new hot key has been registered.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to provide advanced power management in generic USB drivers. More particularly, a generic USB device driver architecture is described which enables development through a user-mode USB library that accesses a generic kernel-mode driver. The architecture may be utilized to provide advanced power management. In a described implementation, a method includes defining a power management policy for a device plugged into a computing system and utilizing the defined power management policy to determine when the device enters a suspend mode. Once the device enters the suspend mode, the method allows the computing system to enter a lower-power state. In a further described implementation, the power management policy is defined through a plurality of routines provided by a generic user-mode library (e.g., a dynamic link library (DLL)), where the generic user-mode library is communicatively coupled to a kernel-mode generic device driver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for instantiating a device driver for communication with a device by dynamically associating the device driver at run-time with a device-specific software component. For example, in some embodiments, a device driver is instantiated by dynamically associating a first software component with the device driver at run-time. The first software component contains information that facilitates communication with devices of a specific type. In other embodiments, a device driver is instantiated by defining a plurality of device parameters and associating one or more of the plurality of device parameters with a service. The device parameters that are associated with the service are then dynamically communicated to the device driver at run-time.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing data optimization routines in device drivers in a data transmission path. In a data transmission path, data optimization routines associated with device drivers are identified. When data is received in the data transmission path, a determination is made whether a data optimization routine associated with a device driver in the path comprises a same optimization or a competing optimization as a data optimization routine associated with one or more other device drivers in the path. If the data optimization routine for the device driver comprises a same or competing optimization routine as the data optimization routine associated with the other device drivers, one of the device drivers is selected to perform its associated data optimization routine on the data. A notification is sent to the other device drivers in the path to skip their associated data optimization routines on the data.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic device driver support in an open source operating system is disclosed in which a device driver includes one or more driver modules in executable format and a service layer provided to the user of the computer system in an open source format. The open source service layer can be compiled against the kernel of the operating system, causing the compiled service layer to be compatible with the kernel of the operating system, including any naming conventions followed by function calls of the kernel of the operating system. Because the executable driver modules are not easily accessible, proprietary information concerning the hardware architecture may be included in these modules.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) driver according to the present invention consists of a voltage pre-regulator and multiple linear current regulators with an adaptively-controlled drive voltage. In this LED driver, the efficiency maximization is achieved by eliminating the sensing of the voltage drops across the linear regulators, i.e., by removing the external voltage feedback for the adjustment of the output voltage of the pre-regulator. In the LED driver of the present invention, the self-adjustment of drive voltage is achieved by relying on a relatively strong dependence between the gate-to-source and drain-to-source voltages of a current-regulating transistor, e.g., a MOSFET, operating in the linear region. The driver powers all LEDs in a string with a constant current and provides consistent illumination and optimum operating efficiency at low cost over a wide range of input/output voltage and temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for flexible device driver resource allocation is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for allocating device driver resources in a data processing system includes statically allocating hardware resource pools to device drivers on a rigid basis during initialization of the data processing system, and dynamically altering the allocated hardware resource pools to the device drivers based on parameters associated with utilization of the allocated hardware resource pools during run-time.

Abstract: A method and a system for supporting multiple display adapters in the WDDM architecture are provided. A driver wrapper serves as the interface between the OS and the display drivers. The driver wrapper hides the display drivers from the knowledge of the OS and provides the standard display driver interface (DDI) to the OS. In the view of the OS, the driver wrapper is the single common driver which receives requests from the OS. The driver wrapper dispatches the requests from the OS to the display drivers and relays responses from the display drivers to the OS. The driver wrapper of the present invention is compatible with multiple distinct display drivers.

Abstract: In order to develop a mobile operating system for a computer, first the mobile operating system must be independent from the computer hardware device. Therefore, the present invention discloses a new computer system architecture which loads a Transient Resident Operating System (TROS) from an external device and provides a predefined hardware device driver to the operating system, and then the TROS can be stored into a portable memory storage device to be a Mobile Operating System (MOS). By applying the technique disclosed in the present invention, the TROS can work beyond the Intrinsic Operating System (IOS) of the computer without the mutual interference from each other, such that a computer environment with a Parasitic Operating System (POS) is created.

Abstract: An image forming method that is capable of interpreting a plurality of image forming processes includes a setting step of setting an image forming process that is activated by the image forming method, and an issuing step of issuing a manufacturer identifier and machine-type identifier and process identification information representing the image forming process set in the setting step.

Abstract: A push installation system including a server and clients connected via a network, the server installing a device driver on one or more clients via the network, is provided. The server includes an acquisition unit for acquiring, via the network, an operating state of each of the clients connected to the network; a determination unit for determining whether or not each of the clients is in a ready-for-installation state, in which installation can be performed, based on the operating state of each of the clients acquired by the acquisition unit; and an installation unit for performing processing, via the network, for installing or updating the device driver on at least one client that is determined to be in the ready-for-installation state.

Abstract: Described is a system and method by which an auxiliary computing device having an auxiliary display platform that displays information corresponding to data that originated on the main computer system may be extended by a device manufacturer. Extended hardware is added to the device, such as a radio receiver and/or an audio decoder. The auxiliary display platform is layered and extensible at each layer, and includes an extensible hardware abstraction layer that is extensible to support extended hardware if needed, and a driver layer that is extensible by adding driver code for the extended hardware. A runtime layer is also extensible to support the extended hardware as needed, as are libraries, the auxiliary shell program and other managed code. The client API is also extensible to allow applications on the main computer system to communicate with extended hardware via the device runtime layer.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus has an interface to which a peripheral composed of a plurality of devices is connected. The data processing apparatus operates on an operating system, which detects the plurality of devices included in the peripheral and installs device drivers corresponding to the plurality of devices. An external process is executed to receive, from the operating system, the number of the devices and the number of device drivers having been installed in the operating system. Then, the external process indicates the progression of the installation of all the device drivers in accordance with the number of the devices and the number of device drives having been installed in the operating system.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program implemented by a device driver executing in a computer for handling interrupts from an associated device, wherein the device driver is capable of interfacing with the associated device. The device driver periodically monitors usage of the processors in the system and pins a processor to execute the interrupt handler of the device driver based upon the monitored usage. If the usage of the pinned processor exceeds that of one or more of the other processors, the device driver may pin the interrupt handlers to a different, lower utilized processor.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying the configuration of one or more graphics adapters and one or more displays without rebooting the system allows a user to quickly transition between different graphics adapter/display configurations. A single display driver interfaces between the operating system and the one or more graphics devices. The display driver reconfigures the one or more graphics devices to change the adapter/display configuration without shutting down or rebooting the system. Unlike a conventional system reboot performed by the operating system, the display driver checks that there are no memory leaks or error conditions during the reconfiguration.

Abstract: Legacy devices are interfaced into a comprehensive multi-media surveillance system without requiring any modification to the legacy system. This allows a facility equipped with such systems to upgrade overall surveillance capability by overlaying the multi-function networked system over the legacy system and incorporating the legacy system directly into the more comprehensive networked system. This both enhances the functionality of the legacy system and preserves the investment made in prior art technology, while at the same time providing the user with state of the art capability for the overall system. The system provides an interface between legacy devices and a comprehensive, multi-media surveillance system. Data generated by the legacy device or legacy system is “picked-off” and transmitted to the multi-media, networked system. Any legacy device meeting minimum requirements can be interfaced to the networked system.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of automated registry clean-up for an operating system of a computer system. Interfaces on which each module depends is determined, and a module is marked as obsolete if the module depends on an interface that is non-existent in the operating system. Configuration data is removed from a system registry for modules marked as obsolete. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computing device has two or more software stacks, each stack simultaneously running a different operating system. Only one enabled operating system at a time has control of hardware resources of the computing device. Each disabled operating system has its device drivers disabled. The drivers may be disabled by stopping device driver messages to devices at a firmware layer unassociated with any operating system. The drivers may be disabled by having their associated operating system dynamically unload them when the operating system is disabled. In some instances, the drivers may be modified to include a “stop” control that tells the driver to stop communicating with its associated device, and a “resume” control that tells the driver to resume communication. When an operating system is disabled, the operating system may send a “stop” message to its device drivers. Drivers associated with messages passed between operating systems may remain enabled.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for performing requested commands for model-based applications. Embodiments of the invention permit efficient implementation of operations for model-based applications. Since drivers that are to implement an operation request data for implementing the operation, embodiments significantly reduce the likelihood of superfluous data being exchanged between an executive service and drivers. Further, if an operation is interrupted before implementation is complete, the operation can be resumed without having to re-perform already completed portions of the operation. Additionally, a user can be regularly updated on the progress of their commands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a printer driver according to a determined type of application and a method and apparatus for installing a printer driver. The method includes determining the type of application; and driving one of an extensible markup language (XML) paper specification (XPS) driver and a legacy driver in accordance with the determined type of application. The most appropriate printer driver is automatically selected in accordance with the determined type of application. Thus, a user does not have to inconveniently select a printer driver whenever the user prints data and the data may be printed using the most appropriate printer driver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring at least one network connected device (monitored device) using a controller is disclosed. Initially, the controller/monitoring system attempts to establish communication with the monitored device. If the controller cannot be configured to interface with the monitored device, then configuration information, such as, manufacturer, model, and a unique identifier are obtained from the monitored device. In the process of determining the configuration information, a determination is made to find out if the monitored device is supported by the controller using information from System Support Database (SSD). A device object is created using information from the SSD, thus establishing a communication protocol between the controller and the monitored device Subsequently, configuration information for the monitored device is updated in the System Configuration Database (SCD).

Abstract: A method to interact with a local USB device is disclosed. Messages are transmitted to a remote host controller driver from a host controller associated with the local USB device. Messages are received from the remote host controller driver for the host controller.

Abstract: A portable caching system is described that is composed of a user workstation, a prior art web browser executing on the user workstation, a portable caching device, a portable caching device driver, a cache manager, and a user carrying a portable caching device. A method for handling the browsing operations as integrated with the portable caching system is described, the method detecting if the portable caching device is present, directing a portion of the browsing operations, and performing the operations: open the home page, open, download, and upload files, open and update browsing history, open and update download history, open and update upload history, open bookmarks, read and write cookies; use certificates, use private encryption keys, use and update revocation list entries; use logon objects including website addresses, identifiers, and passwords.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a specific-use computing system are disclosed. A computing system may comprise a first set of predetermined application programs and a processor limited to executing the first set of predetermined application programs and pre-approved application programs received from a pre-approved computing device. The computing system may also include a communication interface configured to enable communication between the first computing system and the pre-approved computing device. Exemplary methods and computer-readable media are also enclosed.

Abstract: A method for installing a device driver for a device in a guest domain, that includes obtaining a first device driver for the device by a hypervisor, installing, by the hypervisor, the first device driver into memory allocated to the guest domain, and notifying an operating system in the guest domain of the first device driver after installing the device driver, wherein the operating system communicates with the device using the first device driver.

Abstract: A “policy distribution point” (PDP) allows service drivers to be installed remotely and automatically without rebooting the PDP or otherwise interrupting existing network-based services. The exposure of sensitive configuration data to non-secure networks is minimized by placing PDPs close to the devices to be configured. Service drivers on the PDP can be reused to configure multiple devices of the same type. The PDP receives an “activation” and uses a service driver on the PDP to translate the activation into “device-specific instructions.” The device-specific instructions are sent to a device and configure the device to set up the network-based service. One or more PDPs can be used to configure both computing device and networking devices to provide a single service.

Abstract: A system and method for passing data between a first device driver and a second device driver. Data to be provided to the second device driver is identified in the first device driver. A data exchange interface within a kernel space is invoked by the first device driver. The data exchange interface initializes a physical to Direct Memory Access (DMA) address translation table for the child device based on an identifier of a direct memory access window. The data is provided to the data exchange interface. The data exchange interface, in the kernel space, writes the data to a data structure maintained and used by the second device driver.

Abstract: A device driver customizing method that is performed when a second driver is installed in an information processing device in which one or more first drivers each for controlling an image processing device have been already installed, the driver customizing method comprising: a searching step of comparing items included in first configuration data of any of the first drivers, which have been already configured by a user, with items included in second configuration data of the second driver, which are to be newly configured by the user, and thereby searching the first configuration data for an item corresponding to one of the items included in the second configuration data; and a configuration step of configuring the one of the items included in the second configuration data to have a same value as a value given to the corresponding item, if the corresponding item has been found by the searching step.