Dynamic driver substitution
US7793279B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4411
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An agent loaded in a computer's operating system (OS) simulates disconnection and reconnection of a device, with no need to actually disconnect the device logically from a computer. During simulated reconnection, when the OS requests the hardware ID of the device, the agent returns a substitute ID, which causes the OS to load a substitute driver. Substitution of the ID also allows driver substitution for a not yet logically connected device; in this cases, no simulated disconnection or reconnection is needed. Driver substitution is dynamic and reversible, with no need to restart the system or reboot the OS and substitution of a driver for one device of a type does not disturb other devices of the same type. The invention may be implemented entirely in software, with no need for hardware modifications or device customization.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.