Autoconfigurable method and system having automated downloading
DC
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of upgrading a system for supporting a plurality of devices comprising steps of:
- locating a first device that is to be supported by said system;
as an automated response to locating said first device, determining location information relating to a remote site at which driver software specific to said first device is stored, said remote site being unsupported by said system;
as an automated response to determining said location information, accessing said remote site via transmission lines; and
downloading said driver software to said system from said remote site.
9 Assignments
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of upgrading a system, such as a computer, that supports a variety of devices includes locating and identifying a first supported device and determining location information related to a remote site at which device-level software is stored. The determination of location information is an automated response to identifying the first device and the device-level software at the remote site is specific to the identified device. The remote site is automatically accessed via transmission lines. The device-level software is then downloaded from the remote site to the system. In the preferred embodiment, the automated process that frees the user from intervention is carried to the installation of the downloaded software and the autoconfiguration of system resources. For personal computers, the downloaded software is typically driver software.
265 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method of upgrading a system for supporting a plurality of devices comprising steps of:
-
locating a first device that is to be supported by said system; as an automated response to locating said first device, determining location information relating to a remote site at which driver software specific to said first device is stored, said remote site being unsupported by said system; as an automated response to determining said location information, accessing said remote site via transmission lines; and downloading said driver software to said system from said remote site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of initializing a device into a system comprising steps of:
-
installing said device into said system, including connecting computer hardware and including providing system-accessible information identifying a remote site that relates to a supplier of said device; in an absence of user intervention, initiating communication between said system and said remote site in response to said system accessing said system-accessible information, including utilizing telecommunication lines to establish said communications; and exchanging data between said system and said remote site, including exchanging data relating to operating said device within said system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A system that is capable of autoconfiguration to accommodate support of a plurality of devices comprising:
-
means for identifying a first device as a device for which driver software is desired, said first device being one of said plurality of devices; site-detection means, responsive to said means of identifying, for detecting location information as an automatic response to said identifying said first device, said site-detection means having an output signal that is indicative of said location information that designates a remote site unsupported by said system; means, responsive to said output signal of said site-detection means, for automatically accessing said remote site via transmission lines; and storage means for receiving said driver software downloaded from said remote site via said transmission lines. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of automatically refreshing driver software of a device supported by a system, said method comprising steps of:
-
in response to a determination that said device is operating improperly, requesting that driver software specific to said device be acquired; as an automated response to said request, identifying a remote network site at which said driver software can be downloaded; as an automated response to said identification of said remote network site, accessing said site via telecommunications lines and downloading said driver software; and installing said downloaded driver software.
-
Specification
-
- Resources
Litigation Campaign Assessment
Thank you for your request. You will receive a custom alert email when the Litigation Campaign Assessment is available.
×
Litigation Data
-
Current AssigneeEnterprise Systems Technologies S.a.r.l. (Atos SE)
-
Original AssigneeSiemens Business Communication Systems Inc. (Siemens AG)
-
InventorsBeyda, William J.
-
Primary Examiner(s)Voeltz, Emanuel Todd
-
Assistant Examiner(s)Chaki, Kakali
-
Application NumberUS08/672,774Time in Patent Office956 DaysField of Search395/651, 395/712, 395/829US Class Current717/173CPC Class CodesG06F 9/4415 Self describing peripheral ...
