Abstract: A driver model is generated that describes the configuration of one or more driver objects. The driver model and developer driver code are compiled to generate a driver including a machine readable driver model and compiled developer driver code, wherein the machine readable driver model and the complied developer driver code are independently serviceable.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an input unit that inputs a command, a wireless interface unit that wirelessly exchanges data with an image forming apparatus in a direct manner, a transmission/reception control unit that controls an operation of the wireless interface unit, and a program processing unit that performs an installation process of a program. The transmission/reception control unit causes the wireless interface unit to receive a driver module from the image forming apparatus. The program processing unit performs an installation process of the driver module received by the wireless interface unit.

Abstract: An executable file can be constructed that contains different driver installer code for use in different environments. A first executable file contains first program code that performs driver installation operations in a first environment, and that also checks to determine which environment the first program code is running in. If the first program code is running in the first environment, then the driver installation operations proceed using the first program code. If the first program code is running in a second environment, then second program code, which performs the driver installation operations in a second environment, is extracted from a resource in the first executable file. The second program code is copied into a second executable file. The second executable file is then invoked to perform the driver installation operations in the second environment.

Abstract: A web server that integrates portions of operating system code to execute substantially within user space to reduce context switching. The web server includes an application level interpreter, such as an HTTP interpreter, configured to process client requests. The web server typically includes a network interface dedicated to process traffic to and from the web server. The web server may include within its user space kernel device driver extensions enabling it to communicate directly with the network interface. The server may implement a polling architecture in which the server periodically monitors the interface for new requests. The web server typically includes a user space transmission protocol library that enables the server to perform its own network processing of requests and responses. The library may include TCP/IP drivers that are optimized or streamlined for to processing HTTP requests.

Abstract: A portable media storage device may include layers permitting applications to be used at a connected computing device, those systems optionally including drivers for operating a public context layered computing environment or a driver installation program. Also disclosed are computer systems for using other systems for creating those portable storage devices.

Abstract: An approach is provided for de-personalizing data. A request is received from an application for retrieval of data. An end user associated with the request is authenticated. A determination is made whether to mask the data based on the request and the authentication. In response to the determination, a masking algorithm is selected to apply to the data and to output mask data.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates communicating between device drivers within a computing system. The system first determines a need to invoke a function on a remote device from a local device driver, wherein the local device driver is not able to perform the function on the remote device. Once the need has been determined, the system obtains a unique identifier for a remote device driver capable of performing the function on the remote device, and uses the unique identifier to facilitate invoking the function in the remote device driver from the local device driver.

Abstract: A method for deploying software in a computer system includes providing a deployment maintenance mechanism (DMM) which includes drivers for hardware. A deployment mechanism which includes an image with drivers for hardware and which identifies hardware associated with the computer, along with a native operating system, are also provided. For hardware detected by the deployment mechanism and not having an associated driver in the image, a driver from the DMM is copied into the deployment mechanism using the native operating system. The native operating system is then re-booted to deploy drivers for hardware associated with the computer.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a system and method that utilizes external memory devices to cache sectors from a rotating storage device (e.g., a hard drive) to improve system performance. When an external memory device (EMD) is plugged into the computing device or onto a network in which the computing device is connected, the system recognizes the EMD and populates the EMD with disk sectors. The system routes I/O read requests directed to the disk sector to the EMD cache instead of the actual disk sector. The use of EMDs increases performance and productivity on the computing device systems for a fraction of the cost of adding memory to the computing device.

Abstract: A framework for point of sale system is discussed. The framework includes an application program stored on a tangible computer medium. When executed by a computing device, the application is capable of communicating using a first protocol. The framework further includes a first point of sale hardware device externally located from the computing device and configured to communicate with the computing device using a second protocol and a device abstraction layer capable of communicating with the application program using the first protocol and the first point of sale hardware device using the second protocol to pass information between the application program and the first point of sale hardware device.

Abstract: The invention features a system and method for installing and configuring a common software load in optical network elements. In brief overview, a configurable hardware abstraction layer (HAL) is interposed between the application software and the drivers in the common software load. With the use of a configurable HAL, network elements embodying the invention can use the same common software load for each type of card. Hence, an installer updating or originally configuring the cards in a plurality of network elements can accommodate all of the cards with the transmission of one software load. Instead of centrally tracking and organizing card specific software loads, the common software load in combination with the HAL manages the installation and upgrading process on the local card level.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a capability of a network interface card (NIC). The method includes sending a first data link provider interface (DLPI) request to the NIC and sending a DLPI acknowledgement to an operating system, where the DLPI acknowledgement includes the capability of the NIC. The method further includes enabling the capability on the operating system and establishing a direct communication channel between the NIC and the operating system using the capability.

Abstract: A method for switching from an OS of a portable computer to another OS of an auxiliary output device, and the portable computer containing the auxiliary output device, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary input/output device includes a control unit configured to control a data storage unit of the portable computer once an OS switching signal is generated in a main device of the portable computer; and an interface unit configured to enable communication between the main device and the auxiliary input/output device, wherein in response to the OS switching signal, the control unit is configured to execute a task that a main controller of the main device has been executing.

Abstract: A method of installing printer drivers of image forming apparatuses in an environment that employs a universal printer driver is provided. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an environment for using printer drivers of image forming apparatuses that is convenient to a user by deleting printer drivers of image forming apparatuses that were previously installed by using the universal printer driver and by installing printer drivers of image forming apparatuses corresponding to a predetermined standard.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a client on a host device using a configuration application on a configuring device, the system comprising: a link between the configuring device and the host device; host drivers for communicating between the host device and the configuring device over the link; and an interface between the host drivers and the configuration application, wherein said interface allows said configuration application to be independent of the host drivers while allowing the configuration application to configure the client.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a detecting unit configured to detect an additional function data file including a description of an added function that is provided in addition to an already-installed device driver, a storing unit configured to store the detected additional function data file in an information storage area recognized as a logical device by an operating system, and a driver control unit configured to incorporate contents of the additional function data file into the already-installed device driver in response to the additional function data file stored in the information storage area.

Abstract: A method and system whereby new devices may be introduced for use with a particular device driver without necessitating a change to the device driver binary is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an option ROM is provided within the hardware device. Program code contained in the option ROM executes during the system boot process and reads the vendor ID, device ID, subsystem vendor ID, and subsystem device ID from the device. This option ROM code then determines, based on the vendor ID, device ID, subsystem vendor ID, and subsystem device ID, whether to write a signature to a scratch pad register of the device. When the operating system is booted, the driver reads the signature written by the option ROM code. If the signature matches the signature programmed into the driver, the driver claims the device as its own and continues to load.

Abstract: Under the present invention, each client device will have a corresponding configuration that is accessible to the server. Each configuration sets forth various computer resources as well as corresponding normalization and importance factors for the associated client device. If a certain OSGi bundle is to be loaded and run on a particular client device, certain prerequisites (e.g., services packages, etc.) will likely be necessary. Any prerequisites that the client device lacks will be obtained using potential combinations of other OSGi bundles registered with the server. The most appropriate combination of OSGi bundles will be selected from the possible combinations by processing the configuration based on the amounts of computer resources of the client device that will be consumed by each of the possible combinations.

Abstract: A host device to install a driver and a driver installing method thereof. The host device includes a user interface to provide a step-by-step setup screen to install a driver of an external device and a setup method screen to inform a setup method of the step-by-step setup screen, and receives a selection signal with respect to the step-by-step setup screen, and a driver installer to install the driver according to the selection signal input through the user interface.

Abstract: The persistent binding of STP SAS addresses to SATA devices is disclosed so that SATA devices can be moved to different insertion points (ports) within a SAS expander and still properly receive I/O requests. When a SATA device is inserted into the SAS expander, it is interrogated to obtain information about the attached device. This information may be combined using a hashing function to obtain a unique ID for the SATA device. A table can be used to assign a STP SAS address to the Phy connected to the device based in the unique ID. In this manner, the same STP SAS address will be assigned to the Phy connected to a particular SATA device, regardless of where the device is connected to the SAS expander.

Abstract: A programmable serial interface is disclosed for use in a semiconductor circuit that supports a plurality of communication protocols. The programmable serial interface includes one or more shared hardware components that implement tasks and functions of a plurality of communication protocols, optional protocol specific hardware, a processor and memory. For each task or function required by a supported communication protocol, a determination is made as to which parts of the function will be implemented using shared hardware, protocol specific hardware or in software. The communication protocols to be supported are identified, and the functions performed in accordance with each of the supported protocols are analyzed to identify those functions suitable for common or shared hardware with other communication protocols. In addition, unique or time-critical functions are identified that must be implemented in hardware. Finally, any functions that are not implemented in hardware are implemented in software.

Abstract: A method for dynamically managing printers comprises a mechanism for printing from a network of printers that belong to a virtual printer group to meet the user's request for printing. The invention does this by requesting an options and capabilities file from each printer and then generating a virtual printer group, such that when a user wants to print a file, the invention looks for the best suited printer for the user and sends a file to that printer for printing. The invention has the capability to keep track of each printer's printing capabilities dynamically and to communicate to the user about the status of printing and printer location, and of informing a system administrator for manual intervention should the need arise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing driver configuration operations without a system reboot is disclosed. In one embodiment, a network server's adapter driver receives a request to change a configuration of a selected instance of a plurality of instances. In response, the adapter driver may then determine if there is data flow through the selected instance. If there is no data flow through the selected instance, the method includes blocking subsequent data flow and subsequent information requests issued to the adapter driver. The selected instance may then be reinitializing without rebooting the server.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implementing virtual USB ports are described herein. Embodiments of a system including a computer, which includes a first USB stack, a first remote host controller function implementing a first virtual USB port, an abstraction of a remote host controller, and a host controller, coupled with said computer, operating in combination with said abstraction of a remote host controller as a USB host controller of said computer, is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The invention concerns a radiocommunication module, of the type hosting and executing a main software providing in particular radiocommunication functions. The main software comprises means for executing drive controls, sent to the main software and belonging to a predetermined set of drive controls. The invention is characterised in that the radiocommunication module further hosts and executes at least a client software, called onboard client software. The onboard client software and the main software comprise means enabling the onboard client software acts at least as one of the following: a driver client software, sending drive controls to the main software, and receiving from the main software responses, resulting from the execution of some of the drive controls; a supervising client software, managing the execution if the drive controls sent by a driver client software, called external client software, hosted and executed by a third party equipment co-operating with the radiocommunication module.

Abstract: An electronic Input/Output Interface and device abstraction system used in gaming machines includes: a game central processing unit (game “CPU”); an intelligent input/output controller board (“IOCB”); an Industry Standard Architecture PC bus (“ISA” bus); and a framed message transport protocol. The IOCB facilitates communications between the game CPU and virtual device services, which are peripheral devices associated with the gaming system. The game CPU communicates to gaming peripherals by sending virtual device messages across the ISA bus to the IOCB. The IOCB routes virtual device messages to appropriate virtual device services. Virtual device services are responsible for handling specific hardware, and include virtual device drivers on the game CPU that communicate with virtual devices on the IOCB. Use of the IOCB and the high speed interface enables the game CPU to use more of its available functions for controlling gaming functions rather than one operation of its associated peripheral devices.

Abstract: A computer system, and related components including network interface devices, as well as methods for implementing and/or operating network interface devices to achieve network-based communications, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the computer system includes a network interface device, and a bus driver in communication with the network interface device. The bus driver has access to a plurality of driver programs, and the bus driver is capable of causing an installation of one such driver program on the network interface device. Also, in at least some embodiments, the bus driver facilitates communications between multiple network interface devices and an operating system of the computer system, and/or between the network interface devices and user mode applications implementing graphical user interfaces. Further, in at least some embodiments, the bus driver governs operation of the network interface devices, for example, in relation to power management and/or interrupt handling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamic assigning I/O device in virtual machine system, the virtual machine system comprises a service OS, a hypervisor and at least one guest OS. The service OS contains a device model module, the device model module providing an access platform for I/O device to the guest OS. The guest OS access the device model module through the hypervisor. One device state module for dynamic reflecting the device's state is increased in the device model module, the device state module dynamic altering the register condition of the device in hardware space. It is possible to dynamic control the access to I/O device by the guest OS by using the control panel in the service OS to dynamic alter the device's state in the device state module. One agent module is increased in guest OS, for altering the device's state in guest OS anytime based on the change of the device state.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an advantage over prior art software architectures by allowing a kernel to send requests to and receive corresponding results from user space applications. Because the kernel can utilize user space applications, the kernel can use the results of complex calculations without requiring a significantly larger kernel. This provides advantages because programming and debugging of complex algorithms can occur at the user space level rather than the kernel space level.

Abstract: Provided are a system and article of manufacture for device selection. A command is generated in a host, wherein the command is for a library manager not directly connected to the host. A device is selected from a subsystem in a storage library based on a preference order, wherein the storage library is coupled to the host and the library manager. The command is sent from the host to the selected device for communicating with the library manager.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a device driver to an operating system without user intervention. One or more operating systems (e.g., different operating system programs, different versions of one operating system) execute on a computer platform. During booting of an operating system a device is identified for which a driver is needed. The driver is requested from a service processor of the platform, which includes memory or storage for storing multiple device drivers (or multiple versions of one driver, for different operating systems). The driver is retrieved from the service processor's storage and delivered to the operating system.

Abstract: An I/O adapter is installed in a slot in a computer system. Online deletion of the I/O adapter is achieved by a three step process, in which a device driver that controls the adapter first attempts to quiesce the adapter, the slot is then powered off, if it is possible to do so, and finally, if the quiesce operation was successful or the slot is powered off, the driver completes the delete operation by unmapping buffers and cleaning up datastructures associated with the device driver.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a method for administering devices. Such exemplary embodiments include receiving a domain state object, identifying an action in dependence upon the domain state object, and executing the action. In many exemplary embodiments, receiving a domain state object includes receiving a signal to download the domain state object from a mobile sensor, and downloading the domain state object from the mobile sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing Storage Area Networks over an IP network. A SCSI request is generated and encapsulated in one or more IP packets. The encapsulated SCSI request is routed over an IP network and received by a storage router. The storage router extracts the SCSI request from the one or more IP packets and routes the extracted SCSI request through a virtual SCSI router to the storage area network.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of creating drivers for use in a network, the network including computers and devices, and corresponding apparatus and computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A system and method are provided which enable a user of a computer application without administrator privileges to write to a drive without using a third party driver and without using a customized driver acting in conjunction with an IDE bus. The system includes a driver programming interface in communication with the application, a service proxy in communication with the driver interface, a service with administrator privileges in communication with the service proxy, a driver in communication with the service with administrator privileges, and a drive in communication with the driver.

Abstract: A communication path is established that allows for communication between a filter graph space and a network driver space in a system. The communication path allows bi-directional communication between a filter graph driver in the filter graph space and a network driver in the network driver space. Addresses of data can be passed from the network driver to the filter graph driver, which allows the filter graph driver to communicate with a filter graph manager as necessary to configure the filter graph space to obtain data from the requested address. The data obtained from the address is then passed from the filter graph driver to the network driver.

Abstract: A communication path is established that allows for communication between a filter graph space and a network driver space in a system. The communication path allows bidirectional communication between a filter graph driver in the filter graph space and a network driver in the network driver space. Addresses of data can be passed from the network driver to the filter graph driver, which allows the filter graph driver to communicate with a filter graph manager as necessary to configure the filter graph space to obtain data from the requested address. The data obtained from the address is then passed from the filter graph driver to the network driver.

Abstract: A printer driver program which is improved in convenience of the form overlay function, and a printer system having the printer driver program are provided. A printer driver program, which is installed in a host computer and controls a print job request sent to a printer, wherein a computer is caused to execute a batch display procedure for, in response to batch designation for designating all of a plurality of recording media incorporated in or attached to the printer, extracting from the printer form information items that are already registered in the plurality of recording media of the printer and then displaying the extracted form information items onto the host computer, during a form overlay setting step.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for isolating a storage application from a network interface driver. The apparatus includes a definition module, an application interface, a translation module, and a data buffer. The definition module defines a set of storage application functions. The translation module translates each storage application function to one or more network interface driver functions. The data buffer transfers data blocks between the storage application and the network interface driver.

Abstract: If a new device object matching at least a portion of device information concerning a device of an existing device object is detected, the device information of the existing device object is acquired, and the existing device object is deleted. Device information of the new device object is updated by using the acquired device information.

Abstract: An engine (TOE) is provided in a virtualized computer system for offloading I/O tasks using any defined protocol such as TCP/IP. The system includes a virtual machine (VM), which has a guest operating system (OS) that runs via a virtual machine monitor (VMM) on a system-level software platform (vmkernel), which also forms the software interface layer to at least one physical network connection device. A TCP/IP stack is included in vmkernel. During normal I/O operation, for sockets associated with TOE, processes in an application layer in the guest OS are able to communicate directly with vmkernel's TCP/IP stack, thereby bypassing the guest OS kernel.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed that provides a set of common software routines that may be accessed by device drivers in support of the Windows Management Instrumentation system. The set of common routines includes typical routines that would ordinarily be executed by device drivers designed in accordance with WMI. The common routines may reside in a library, dynamically accessible by the device drivers. When a device driver receives a message from the WMI system, the device driver may pass the message to the library to be handled in a common manner. In this manner, the developers of device drivers in accordance with the WMI system need only develop so much code as is necessary to support any unique features or data storage of its associated hardware. The result is shortened development time and fewer programming errors. In addition, the overall system performance may be improved because fewer instances of similar code are loaded in memory to support the WMI system.

Abstract: A method of creating a peripheral driver for a particular peripheral by learning the peripheral options and the commands for those options from the peripheral itself. The computer access a specified location in the memory of the peripheral which contains either a generic peripheral description file or a pointer to such a file. The file is a text-based file, which contains the peripheral options as name-value entries. The computer parses the file and learns of the available options and the appropriate commands to use those options. The computer is thus able to create a driver for the peripheral.

Abstract: Provided are a method, apparatus, system, and article of manufacture for interfacing a device to a host, wherein in certain embodiments a device interface in the device receives a request generated by a device driver in the host. The device interface processes the request, wherein a plurality of device interfaces corresponding to a plurality of devices are capable of processing the request. An operation associated with the device is executed, by the device interface, in response to processing the request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing driver configuration operations without a system reboot is disclosed. In one embodiment, a network server's adapter driver receives a request to change a configuration of a selected instance of a plurality of instances. In response, the adapter driver may then determine if there is data flow through the selected instance. If there is no data flow through the selected instance, the method includes blocking subsequent data flow and subsequent information requests issued to the adapter driver. The selected instance may then be reinitializing without rebooting the server.

Abstract: A server apparatus manages a device driver for enabling any of a plurality of devices to which a plurality of client apparatuses are connected on a network. The server apparatus stores, for each client apparatus, a device driver that can be installed to the client apparatus in association with the client apparatus. In addition, the server apparatus creates a driver install task for installing any of the device drivers to any of the client apparatuses, and an agent install task for installing an agent that inquires any of the client apparatuses to install a device driver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus embodied in transaction layer software suitable for use with serial bus devices, such as IEEE standard 1394 serial bus devices for supporting multiple link device drivers. The invention acquires or otherwise ascertains the capabilities of link devices and provides link device driver configurations to such link devices based on the link device's capabilities and behaviors, among other factors.

Abstract: Applying policy rules to software installed on a device. A group of devices to receive policy rules for the software is identified. The devices belonging to the specified group is identified. A set of policy rules assigned to the devices in the specified group are identified. The policy rules assigned to the devices are aggregated into one or more policy documents. The one or more policy documents are received. The received policy documents are stored in a data store associated with the device. The set of policy rules specified by the received policy documents are applied to the software. A feedback is provided to the policy authority in response to the applying, and the feedback is indicative of whether the set of policy rules is applied to the software.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments that provide a device model to the data structure, or management protocol, of an element management system (EMS) to support new and non-standard devices and incorporate such devices into the EMS for management of the devices. The device model employs device plug-ins for the EMS to gain access to the device without the need to make modifications in the EMS server core.