Patent ID: 7237101
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A self-describing peripheral device for being integrated with a computer operating system, said device comprising: at least one hardware component resident in said device; at least one description subsystem resident in said device and associated with said at least one hardware component; said at least one description subsystem being adapted to facilitate integration of said device with a computer operating system; said at least one description subsystem comprising interface logic for interpreting commands received over an interface between said device and a computer operating system, wherein said interface logic is adapted to determine if said device is know to said operating system, and if said device is not known to said operating system, provide a reference to a network location where a recent version of a device driver is obtainable; said interface logic is further adapted to assist said computer operating system in obtaining a copy of the device driver for installation in said device; and wherein the currency of said installed device driver is periodically checked based upon the volatility of said driver and if a more recent device driver is available, said more recent device driver is installed in said device.