Patent · US Active

Replacement of inbox driver with third party driver

US9069572B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
4References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 27, 2012
Grant dateJun 30, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 29, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F9/4413
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments efficiently replace an inbox driver of a computer with a third party driver. The inbox and third party drivers are function drivers configured to service an external device connected to the computer. A Function Loader driver is installed within the computer to enable replacement of the inbox function driver with the third party function driver based on a highest ranking of matching criteria. The Function Loader driver cooperates with a Function Loader Child driver, which intercepts a packet exchange that pertains to the external device to determine whether specified rules for replacement are satisfied. If so, the Function Loader Child driver modifies content of the packet exchange to uniquely identify the third party function driver as having the highest ranking of matching criteria. Accordingly, the operating system recognizes the third party function driver as a preferred driver for servicing the external device and installs the third party driver.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.