Automated configuration of computer accessories

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral configuration

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C710S010000, C710S062000, C370S406000, C360S069000, C713S100000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06662240

ABSTRACT:

The invention includes an identification code within computer equipment. Using the code, the computer configures itself to be compatible with the equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computers generally, and microcomputers specifically, such as the well known personal computer designed around the 8XX86 microprocessor developed by INTEL Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif., are designed to operate in conjunction with peripheral devices, such as tape drives and floppy diskettes, and with other accessories, such as “extension cards.”
FIG. 1
illustrates a generic extension card
3
, for connection to a personal computer PC. Edge-card connectors
6
connect the extension card to the computer's system bus.
Many extension cards, and also some peripherals, require “configuration,” meaning that the computer must be given information about the operating characteristics of the card, or peripheral. Commonly, the configuration is undertaken by a human user of the computer, by entering appropriate data into the computer. As a specific example, a configuration program can be supplied with the card, which is run by the user in connection with installation of the card. The user supplies information to the program, which the user obtains from an instruction manual supplied with the card, from an examination of the card itself, or from another source.
Involving the user in the configuration process is undesirable, because users can make mistakes in providing information to the configuration program. Further, the process of configuration is somewhat time-consuming to the user. Still further, as microcomputer systems become more powerful, and associated peripherals and accessories develop similarly high power, the configuration process can be expected to become more complex.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a system which simplifies the configuration process required when accessories and peripherals are added to computers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form of the invention, equipment which is installed in a computer contains a code, which is readable by the computer. Software is supplied with the equipment, which contains a “look-up table” of configuration information. The computer obtains the code from the equipment, locates the equipment's configuration information in the table, using the code, and configures itself accordingly.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4701878 (1987-10-01), Gunkel et al.
patent: 5088091 (1992-02-01), Schroeder
patent: 5115511 (1992-05-01), Nilsson
patent: 5173865 (1992-12-01), Koike
patent: 5224094 (1993-06-01), Maher
patent: 5373288 (1994-12-01), Blahut
patent: 5394541 (1995-02-01), Chesley et al.
patent: 5408619 (1995-04-01), Oran
patent: 5491804 (1996-02-01), Heath et al.
patent: 5539590 (1996-07-01), Tateishi
patent: 5561813 (1996-10-01), Hwang
patent: 5619724 (1997-04-01), Moore
patent: 5634074 (1997-05-01), Devon et al.
patent: 5636342 (1997-06-01), Jeffries
patent: 5675811 (1997-10-01), Broedner et al.
patent: 5682529 (1997-10-01), Hendry
patent: 5684469 (1997-11-01), Toms et al.
patent: 5689684 (1997-11-01), Mulchandani et al.
patent: 5768542 (1998-06-01), Enstrom et al.
patent: 5768622 (1998-06-01), Lory et al.
patent: 5774662 (1998-06-01), Sakagawa
“Hardware Adapter Configuration”, IBM TDB vol. 31, No. 12, p. 344, May 1989.

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Automated configuration of computer accessories does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Automated configuration of computer accessories, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Automated configuration of computer accessories will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3151416

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.