Loading different device drivers for one device
US8832327B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/44505
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An embodiment enables an operating system to load multiple device drivers for a single device without interfering in the operations of the device. Multiple device drivers may be needed in order to communicate with the device. In one embodiment, a device, such as disk drive, is configured to present its identification information in multiple forms that are functionally analogous. The disk drive is configured to provide its serial number in different forms that convert to a same identification. For example, the disk drive may provide its serial number using different cases, such as uppercase or lowercase text. The difference in is transparent to software applications, and thus, does not affect the operations of the device. However, the different forms of the serial number are reported to the operating system as different numbers, and thus, enable the operating system to load different device drivers for the same device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.