Abstract:
A peripheral device and a method for operating the peripheral device for automatic installation, in which the method includes coupling the peripheral device to a computer and sending a first device identification from the peripheral device to the computer. The peripheral device emulates a device of a type determined by the first device identification, including transferring a driver from the peripheral device to the computer. Then, the peripheral device sends a second device identification from the peripheral device to the computer, such that the sent device identification is for a device supported by the driver transferred to the computer. The peripheral device then operates by interacting with the driver on the computer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/619,958, filed Jul. 20, 2000, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,704,824 on Mar. 9, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/145,836, filed Jul. 27, 1999, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    This invention relates to an automatic installation of a communication adapter for a computer.  
           [0003]    “Universal Serial Bus” (USB) refers to a particular standard that has been adopted by the electronics industry for establishing a communication between a computer and a number of peripheral devices. A full description of the USB standard can be found in “Universal Serial Bus Specification Revision 1.1” dated Sep. 23, 1998 and available from the USB Implementers Forum, Inc. The USB provides 12 megabit per second digital communication over standardized five-conductor cables, which connect devices that are less than 20 feet apart, and also provides limited power connections between devices. One of the most important applications for USB communication is the connection ordinary personal computers, such as Microsoft Windows® based personal computers, with peripheral equipment including input/output devices such as keyboards, and communication devices such as modems and Ethernet network interface adapters.  
           [0004]    The USB standard not only dictates low-level communication characteristics, but also specifies how a USB-compliant device identifies itself to a host computer to which it is connected. In particular, when a USB device is attached to a computer, a startup protocol is defined in which the host computer receives information about the device.  
           [0005]    For the host computer to make use of the functionality of the USB device, it generally requires software that is specific to that device, or at least specific to class of devices to which that device belongs and which share a common generic interface. This software is typically referred to as “driver” software. For example, if a pointing mouse connects to the USB port of a host computer, the host computer must understand that the data it inputs through the port must be used to control the movement of a pointer across the computer display. It must therefore relay this data, in the correct form, to the part of a governing program, typically an operating system, which controls these movements.  
           [0006]    Referring to FIG. 1, when a USB device, such as a communication adapter  110 , is first attached to an interface  154  on a computer  150 , the operating system executing on that computer typically determines whether it has available the appropriate driver software for that device in its storage  156  based on the identification of the device it receives over the USB connection. If it does not, the operating system may request that the user insert a removable storage  160 , such as a floppy disk, that has the driver so that it can be installed onto computer  150 . This procedure is typically used on the Microsoft Windows® 98 operating system. Communication adapter  110  then provides communication services using the driver for communicating between computer  150  and other computers on a communication system  120 , such as the Internet.  
           [0007]    Drivers for some devices are preloaded on certain operating systems. For example, a generic keyboard driver, which supports keyboards from a variety of manufacturers, may already be loaded. If such a driver is loaded, when a USB keyboard is attached to the host computer, the user may not have to supply a specific driver for the keyboard if it is compatible with the generic driver.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0008]    In situations in which the operating system of a host computer does not have a suitable driver already available for a USB, using prior approaches, a user may be asked to insert a disk containing the driver so that it can be loaded. In certain situations, the user may not have such a disk. In a general aspect, the invention is a method for coupling a USB device, in particular coupling a USB device which provides an Ethernet interface, to a host computer without necessarily requiring that a driver for that USB device be already available to the computer or requiring that the user provide a disk with the driver. The method includes the USB device emulating another type of device, such as keyboard device, for which the host computer does have a suitable driver and passing a driver for the device over the USB interface to the computer while emulating the device. After the driver is loaded onto the computer, the device makes use of the driver to operate in its native made rather than emulating another device.  
           [0009]    In one aspect, in general, the invention is a method for operating a peripheral device. The method includes coupling the peripheral device to a computer and sending a first device identification from the peripheral device to the computer. The method then includes emulating a device of a type determined by the first device identification, including transferring a driver from the peripheral device to the computer. Then, the peripheral device sends a second device identification from the peripheral device to the computer, such that the sent device identification is for a device supported by the driver transferred to the computer. The peripheral device is then operate by interacting with the driver on the computer.  
           [0010]    The invention can include one or more of the following features.  
           [0011]    Sending the first device identification includes sending an identification of a keyboard device.  
           [0012]    Transferring the driver to the computer includes emulating keystrokes for enterring data on the computer.  
           [0013]    Operating the peripheral device to interact with the driver includes providing communication services between the computer and a communication system.  
           [0014]    Providing communication services includes passing Ethernet signals between the peripheral device and the communication system.  
           [0015]    Coupling the peripheral device to the computer includes establishing communication between the peripheral device and the computer according to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard.  
           [0016]    Sending the first device identification includes sending an identification of a storage device.  
           [0017]    Transferring a file from the storage device to the computer.  
           [0018]    In another aspect, in general, the invention is a peripheral device. The device has an interface for coupling the peripheral device to a computer, and a processor. The processor is programmed (a) to emulate a first type of device, (b) to transfer a driver for a second type of device through the interface to the computer while emulating the first type of device, and (c) to operate as the second type of device after transferring the driver to the computer.  
           [0019]    The device can include one or more of the following features:  
           [0020]    The interface includes a Universal Serial Bus interface.  
           [0021]    The first type of device is a keyboard device.  
           [0022]    The first type of device is a storage device.  
           [0023]    The second type of device is a communication adapter.  
           [0024]    The second type of device comprises an Ethernet communication adapter.  
           [0025]    The invention has an advantage of neither requiring a specific device driver to be preloaded on the computer to use the USB device nor requiring that the user supply a disk with such a driver. For example, a hotel may equip each room with a cable to which guests can connect their laptop computers, and over which the computer can communicate over the Internet. A guest connects a USB device between his computer and the cable to provide provides an interface to the Internet. For example, if communication over the cable is according to the Ethernet standard, the USB device can be a USB Ethernet adapter that operates according to the present invention. According to the present invention, the guest does not have to manually install software on the computer, a procedure that may be time consuming, prone to errors, or beyond the expertise of the guest. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a prior approach to configuring a peripheral device;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates the present approach to configuring a peripheral device;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of operation of a peripheral device; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 illustrates multiple computers coupled through communication adapters to a communication system and to the Internet. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]    Referring to FIG. 2, computer  150  has an interface  154  for connecting peripheral devices, such as communication adapter #0210, to the computer. In this embodiment, interface  154  is a USB interface. In alternative embodiments, the present approach can be used with different types of interfaces. Initially when communication adapter  210  is connected to interface  154 , computer  150  does not necessarily have suitable drives in its storage  156  to operate communication adapter  210  in its native mode. Communication adapter  210 , when operating in its native mode, provides a communication interface between computer  150  and a communication system  120 . Communication adapter  210  is coupled to communication system  120  using an Ethernet standard, and communication system  120  includes a wiring network in a building that provides a communication link between computer  150  and the Internet. In alternative embodiments, communication adapter  210  does not necessarily use an Ethernet standard for communicating over communication system  120 . In yet other alternative embodiments, other types of peripheral devices that are not communication adapters are configured using the present invention.  
         [0031]    Communication adapter  210  includes an interface  216  for communicating with computer  150 . Interface  216  is a USB interface. Communication adapter  210  also includes an interface  218  for communicating with communication system  120 . Interface  218  is an Ethernet interface. Communication adapter  210  also includes a processor  212 , such as a micro-controller, and a storage  214 , such as a read-only semiconductor memory. Storage #0214 holds software instructions that are executed by processor  212 . Generally, the instructions allow communication adapter  210  to operate in two operating modes. In a first operating mode, communication adapter  210  emulates a common peripheral device for which a driver is already loaded in storage  156  on computer  150 . In a second operating mode, a “native” mode, communication adapter  210  provides communication services that allow computer  150  to communicate over communication system  120 . In this embodiment, in the first operating mode, communication adapter  210  emulates a standard USB keyboard for which a driver is preloaded onto the Windows® 98 operating system.  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 3, when communication adapter  210  is initially connected to computer  150 , the adapter makes use of the DC power that is available on the cable connecting to the computer. Processor  212  starts up emulating a known device. As part of that emulation, processor  212  sends data to computer  150  according to the USB standard that identifies the adapter as a USB-based keyboard (step  310 ). The data that it sends is stored in storage  214  either in conjunction with software instructions for controlling this first operating mode, or as a separate data block.  
         [0033]    After computer  150  receives the data that identifies communication adapter  210  as a keyboard, the computer communicates with communication adapter  210  as if the adapter were actually a keyboard.  
         [0034]    After sending the initial data, processor  212  waits until enough time has passed for computer  150  to configure itself to communicate with the adapter. At that time, communication adapter  210  essentially has as much power to control computer  150  as an individual has seated at a keyboard. Communication adapter  212  uses these capabilities to upload a driver for its native operating mode on computer  150  (step  320 ).  
         [0035]    Uploading of the driver (step  320 ) is performed as follows. Processor  212  first sends out a character code that would be sent by a keyboard if the “escape” key is pressed and released while the “control” key is held down. It then sends out a character code that would be sent if an “r” is pressed. This sequence of character codes invokes a “run” panel of Windows® 98 which is being execute by processor  152  on computer  150 . Under Windows® 98, this effect does not depend on what application software computer  150  is currently executing.  
         [0036]    After invoking the run panel, processor  212  sends out character codes that correspond to the keystroke sequence, “c:\windows\command.com” followed by the “enter” key. Computer  150  responds by opening up a “dos” window.  
         [0037]    At this point, processor  212  sends the character codes that correspond to the keystroke sequence “debug” followed by “enter.” In response, processor  152  on computer  150  begins to execute the standard “debug” program, which is preloaded on storage  156 . Using “debug,” it is generally possible for a computer operator to type in a data file of arbitrary length and content, store this file on the computer disk, and assign it any particular name in the disk directory. As a result of communication adapter  210  emulating a keyboard, processor  212  also has the ability to upload a file.  
         [0038]    Processor  212  then uploads a driver file by sending suitable character codes that correspond to inputting the contents of the driver file for processing by the “debug” program.  
         [0039]    After placing the driver file on storage  156 , controller  212  communicates with interface  154  according to USB standard in such a manner that interface  154  acts as if a new device was connected to it. A USB interface provides a connection for multiple peripheral devices, and therefore does not require communication adapter to be physically disconnected and reattached. Processor  212  then signals to computer  150  that a USB-Ethernet adapter has been connected (step  330 ), and optionally, that indicate that the keyboard it was emulating has been disconnected. Processor  212  identifies itself as a type of communication adapter such that the operating system executing on computer  150  finds the driver that was previously uploaded by the communication adapter without requiring intervention by the operator.  
         [0040]    Communication adapter  210  then operates in its native mode providing communication services between computer  150  and communication system  120 .  
         [0041]    In an alternative embodiment, rather than uploading an entire driver file using the “debug” program, processor  212  uploads a bootstrap program, and then executes the bootstrap program on computer  150 . The bootstrap program, which executes on computer  150 , communicates with communication adapter  210  to retrieve the driver. In order to support communication between the bootstrap program executing on computer  150  and communication adapter  210 , communication adapter additionally emulates a USB-based storage device, such as a CD-ROM, and the bootstrap copies the driver file from the emulated CD-ROM to the computer&#39;s storage. This approach may be faster than the first embodiment in which the entire driver is transferred using the “debug” program since it involves less overhead of emulating a keyboard. This approach relies on computer  150  including a suitable driver on its storage  156  for supporting an external USB-based CD-ROM drive.  
         [0042]    In alternative embodiments, communication adapter  210  emulates other types of devices in order to upload a driver for its native mode. In one alternative embodiment, communication adapter  210  emulates a CD-ROM drive. A feature of the Windows® 98 operating system is that a CD-ROM disk can include a program that is automatically invoked by the operating system when the disk is inserted into a CD-ROM drive. In particular, a file named “autorun.inf” provides information to the operating system that identifies a program file that is to be executed when the disk is inserted. In this alternative embodiment, communication adapter  210  identifies itself as an external USB-based CD-ROM drive, in a manner that is similar to its identifying itself as a external USB-based keyboard in the previously described embodiments. Rather than emulating keystrokes, communication adapter  210  emulates a disk being inserted into the drive, and then emulates processing of requests from computer  150  to read the “autorun.inf” file and to read the program that is to be executed. This bootstrap program then transfers the driver to the computer&#39;s storage.  
         [0043]    Other alternative types of devices may be emulated. If the emulated device has a provision for executing an externally-provided program on computer  150 , an approach of the type described above can be used.  
         [0044]    The embodiments described above make use of the Microsoft Windows® operating system. In alternative embodiments, communication adapter  210  includes software in storage  214  that is adapted to different and possibly multiple operating systems. Communication adapter  210  detects which operating system is used by computer  150  during the initial USB standard exchange, and performs suitable emulation and driver uploading procedures for that operating system.  
         [0045]    In alternative embodiments, storage  214  is writeable, and is updated from a server over communication system  120 . In yet other embodiments, software is transferred over communication system  120  when it is needed and stored temporarily on storage  214 .  
         [0046]    Referring to FIG. 4, an application of communication adapters  210  of the types described above is in a hotel communication system. A wiring network  410 , such as a twisted pair wiring network, which may be shared with ordinary telephone communication, links a hub  420  and each of a number of rooms. Each room includes a jack into which communication adapter  210  can be plugged. Hub  420  is coupled to a router  430  that provides a communication link to Internet  440 . In one embodiment, hub  420  and router  430  are located in a telephone wiring closet from which wiring network  410  runs to the hotel rooms.  
         [0047]    In alternative embodiments, communication adapter  210  does not necessarily communicate with hub  420  using an Ethernet standard. Alternative signaling techniques may be used for passing data over one of two pairs of wires used for active telephone communication or for passing communication over other transmission paths, such as coaxial cable or using wireless transmissions.  
         [0048]    It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.