Patent Abstract:
A computer readable memory to direct a computer to enable AutoRun functionality for basic removable disc drives. The computer readable memory stores a first, second and third set of instructions. The first set of instructions directs the computer to determine whether a removable disc has been inserted into a basic removable disc drive. The second set of instructions directs the computer to inform the operating system that the removable disc has been inserted into the basic removable disc drive, causing the operating system to execute an autorun.inf file on the removable disk without any user input. The third set of instructions directs the computer to repeat the execution of the first and second set of instructions while the computer does not seek to power down.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to automatic execution of media placed in removable disc drives. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for externally initiating automatic execution of media inserted into basic removable disc drives. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Current personal computer systems support a variety of storage device drives. These drives may store information on magnetic discs, a.k.a. floppy discs, or on optical discs, such as CD-ROMs or a re-writable phase change discs (PD). Storage discs may be internal; i.e. permanently incorporated into the drive, or the discs may be removable. The drives themselves may be permanent fixtures of a particular computer system or they may be removable. As used herein, the phrase “removable disc drive” means any drive, internal or removable, that accepts removable discs. 
     Some CD-ROM disc drives provide an internal mechanism to automatically execute programs residing on a CD-ROM upon insertion of the CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. This mechanism searches the root directory of the CD-ROM to locate a file called “autorun.inf”. A typical “autorun.inf” file looks like the following: 
     
       
         [AutoRun] 
       
     
     
       
         Load=ProgramName.exe 
       
     
     
       
         Icon=ProgramName.ico 
       
     
     In response to an “autorun.inf” file the CD-ROM disc drive causes the computer operating system to display the icon for ProgramName and to automatically execute ProgramName.exe. 
     In contrast to these CD-ROM disc drives, most removable disc drives lack an internal mechanism to automatically initiate execution of autorun.inf files, forcing computer users to take some positive action to initiate execution of programs residing on discs inserted into a removable disc drive. Hereinafter, removable disc drives lacking an internal mechanism to initiate automatic execution of programs stored on removable discs shall be referred to as basic removable disc drives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The computer readable memory of the present invention enables a computer to initiate automatic execution of removable discs placed in basic removable disc drives. The computer readable memory stores a first, second, and third set of instructions. The first set of instructions directs a computer to determine whether a removable disc has been inserted into a basic removable disc drive. The second set of instructions directs the computer to inform the operating system that the removable disc has been inserted into the basic removable disc drive, causing the operating system to automatically execute an autorun.inf file on the removable disk without any user input. The third set of instructions directs the computer to repeat the execution of the first and second set of instructions while the computer does not seek to power down. 
     Because the AutoRun functionality of the present invention is realized via software, the present invention avoids both hardware changes to basic removable disc drives and changes to existing operating systems. Users of the present invention need not replace any of their existing system hardware or software to obtain the AutoRun functionality of the present invention. Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings similar references indicate similar elements. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the inter-relationship of the software modules of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the instructions of the Installer module. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates instructions for dynamically loading AutoRun software modules. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates instructions for enabling power efficient operation of the AutoRun code. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the instructions for enabling future operation of the Un-Installer module. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the instructions of the AutoRun Driver module. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates the instructions for resolving access conflicts. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the instructions of the Drive Detector module. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the instruction of the Un-Installer module. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A. Introduction 
     FIG. 1 illustrates in block diagram form computer  20  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As will be described in more detail below, the AutoRun Code  30  of the present invention alters the operation of computer  20  enabling it to automatically execute an autorun.inf file stored on a removable disc in response to the disc&#39;s insertion into a basic removable disc drive. Because the present invention implements AutoRun functionality via software, basic removable disc drives; i.e. those lacking an internal AutoRun functionality, may be easily and inexpensively retrofitted without any hardware changes or changes to operating system (OS)  31 . 
     Prior to a more detailed discussion of AutoRun Code  30 , consider computer  20 . Computer  20  includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  22  that communicates with memory  28  over a system bus  26 . CPU  22  determines and takes the appropriate action in response to each user command and internal state by executing instructions stored electronically in memory  28 , including the instructions of operating system (OS)  31  and AutoRun Code  30 . CPU  22  also communicates with a set of input/output (I/O) devices  24  over system bus  26 . (I/O) devices  24  include a keyboard, mouse, video monitor, and printer (not illustrated). (I/O) devices  24  include embedded disc drives and removable disc drives. These drives may read optical or magnetic discs. The interactions between CPU  22 ,(I/O) devices  24 , system bus  26 , and memory  28  are known in the art. The present invention is directed toward the execution of AutoRun Code  30  in connection with these elements. 
     B. Overview of AutoRun Code 
     As shown in FIG. 1, AutoRun Code  30  includes four modules: Installer  32 , AutoRun Driver  34 , Drive Detector  36  and Un-Installer  38 . Installer  32  dynamically loads AutoRun Driver  34 , Drive Detector  36  and Un-Installer  38  into memory  28  from their initial memory location  25  outside computer  20 . AutoRun Driver  34  forces OS  31  to process an autorun.inf file residing on a removable disc upon detecting the presence of the removable disc within a basic removable disc drive. AutoRun Driver  34  uses Drive Detector  36  to identify removable disc drives associated with computer  20 . Given this knowledge, AutoRun Driver  34  polls the identified removable disc drives to determine whether a removable disc has recently been inserted into one of them, and if so, initiates automatic processing of an autorun.inf file on the removable disc, if one exists. At the computer user&#39;s command, Un-Installer  38  removes the AutoRun functionality from computer  20  by reversing the changes to computer  20  made by Installer  32 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates explicitly the relationship between modules  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  discussed above. Implementation of the AutoRun feature begins with installation into memory  28  of AutoRun Code modules  34 ,  36 , and  38  by Installer  32 . Installer  32  runs just once on computer  20  and its execution is initiated by the computer user. After installation, automatic execution of AutoRun Driver  34  begins. AutoRun Driver  34  and Drive Detector  36  continue running until the computer user decides to disable the AutoRun feature by launching Un-Installer  38 . 
     C. The Installer 
     FIG. 3 illustrates in flow diagram form instructions for Installer  32 . Installer  32 , as well as all other AutoRun Code modules discussed herein, may be realized in any computer language, including C++. 
     Execution of Installer  32  begins in response to a user&#39;s command to install AutoRun Code  30 . The method used to launch Installer  32  varies depending upon the approach used to distribute AutoRun Code  30 . According to one conventional distribution approach, AutoRun Code  30  is placed on a removable disc. To facilitate its easy discovery and execution, Installer  32  is placed in the root directory of the removable disc. Another popular distribution approach is posting AutoRun code  30  on a website. Site visitors interested in acquiring AutoRun capability can launch Installer  32  from the site. Regardless of the distribution approach used, Installer  32  need not copy itself into memory  28  because Installer  32  needs to be run only once on computer  20  to add AutoRun functionality for basic removable disc drives associated with computer  20 . 
     Briefly described, Installer  32  performs three tasks. First, during step  50 , Installer  32  dynamically loads into memory  28  AutoRun Driver  34 , Drive Detector  36  and Un-Installer  38 . Second, during step  52  Installer  32  enables power efficient operation of AutoRun. Finally, during step  54  Installer  32  enables future operation of Un-Installer  38 . 
     Given that brief description of Installer  32 , consider now FIG. 4, which illustrates in flow diagram form instructions  50  for dynamically loading AutoRun Driver  34 , Drive Detector  36  and Un-Installer  38  into memory  28  without re-booting computer  20 . Within the Windows™ OS  31  no documented way exists to dynamically load device drivers, such as AutoRun Driver  34 , into the appropriate block device chains without rebooting. However, analysis reveals that the Windows™ OS dynamically loads device drivers when a SCSI controller exists and is refreshed. For this reason, Installer  32  creates a “fake” or temporary SCSI controller during step  60 . Subsequently, during step  62  Installer  32  copies AutoRun Driver  34 , Drive Detector  36  and Un-Installer  38  into the computer&#39;s I/O subsystem directory. In the Windows™ OS  31 , Installer  32  places modules  34 ,  36 , and  38  into the directory named: windows\system\iosubsys. Preparations complete, Installer  32  accomplishes the dynamic loading of modules  34 ,  36  and  38  during step  64  by refreshing the fake SCSI controller created during step  60 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates in flow diagram form instructions  52  used by Installer  32  to enable power efficient operation of the AutoRun feature. During step  70  Installer  32  first enables OS  31  to perform AutoRun on removable discs. Without this step, OS  31  cannot process an autorun.inf file on a removable disc. The Windows™ OS does not document any means for enabling AutoRun for removable disc drives; however, research revealed a relevant registry key named: Software\Microsoft\Window\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer. For convenience, refer to this registry key as the Explorer key. The Explorer key includes two special keys: NoDriveTypeAutoRun and NoDriveAutoRun. The first key, NoDriveTypeAutoRun, defines what types of drives should process autorun.inf files. During step  70  Installer  32  sets to  0  bit  3  of the NoDriveTypeAutoRun key to enable OS  31  to process autorun.inf files residing on removable discs inserted into removable disc drives. 
     Enabling the processing of autorun.inf files residing on removable discs can noticeably slow OS operation. This delay arises from repeated pauses by OS  31  to look for an autorun.inf file on a disc in basic removable magnetic disc drive, which is empty typically. To avoid these delays, Installer  32  uses the second Explorer key: NoDriveAutoRun. This second Explorer key uses a bit for each drive to individually enable/disable the AutoRun feature. Thus, during step  72 , for each removable magnetic disc drive, Installer  32  sets the appropriate bit of the NoDriveAutoRun key to disable the AutoRun feature. 
     Although the AutoRun feature is disabled, as will be discussed shortly, AutoRun Driver  34  assumes the responsibility of detecting removable discs in removable disc drives and does so in a manner that has less impact on OS operation. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates in flow diagram form instructions  54 , which enable future operation of Un-Installer  38 . Installer  32  performs two tasks to enable operation of Un-Installer  38 . First, during step  80  Installer  32  copies Un-Installer  38  from its initial memory location  25  onto a hard drive of computer  20 . Second, during step  82  Installer  32  adds to OS  31  pertinent information about Un-Installer  38 . For the Windows™ OS this includes adding information to the registry such that Un-Installer  38  exists in the Windows™ Add/Remove Programs facility. 
     D. The AutoRun Driver 
     FIG. 7 illustrates in flow diagram form the instructions of AutoRun Driver  34 . AutoRun Driver  34  determines when a removable disc has been inserted into a removable disc drive and in response initiates automatic processing of an autorun.inf file residing on that removable disc. 
     AutoRun Driver  34  begins by identifying the removable disc drives currently associated with computer  20  during step  36 . How Drive Detector  36  performs this function will be discussed in detail later with respect to FIG.  9 . 
     Armed with the information from Drive Detector  36 , AutoRun Driver  34  begins the process of polling the identified removable disc drives. During step  90 , AutoRun Driver  34  selects for examination one of the identified removable disc drives. Before attempting to poll the selected removable disc drive, AutoRun Driver  34  first clears any access conflict between itself and OS  31  during step  92 . How AutoRun Driver  34  clears these conflicts will be discussed in detail later with respect to FIG.  8 . 
     During step  94  AutoRun Driver  34  accesses the selected drive and determines whether a removable disc has recently been inserted into the drive. For the Windows™ OS a number of polling commands are available; however, the polling command chosen should be compatible with the wide range of disc drives that OS  31  can accommodate. Furthermore, preferably, the results of the polling command should be visible to and compatible with the other device drivers associated with computer  20 . Failure to meet this requirement could lead to data loss. While the TEST UNIT READY pass through command may seem to be the logical choice for the polling command during step  94 , this pass-through command is not compatible with certain integrated drive electronics (IDE) disc drives. Analysis revealed that the IOR_MEDIA_CHECK_RESET command met the desired performance criteria for the polling command. Lower level device drivers translate this command into an appropriate lower level command. Thus, for the Windows™ OS, AutoRun Driver  34  uses the IOR_MEDIA_CHECK_RESET command during step  94  to poll the selected removable disc drive. 
     AutoRun Driver  34  addresses one additional concern during step  94 : making the polling command visible to other drivers, such a disc caches. To ensure that all drivers accessing the selected removable disc drive will have an opportunity to study the results of the polling command, AutoRun Driver  34  sends the polling command through the disc&#39;s driver stack using the IOS_SendCommand, rather than communicating directly with the selected disc drive. As a result of these actions during step  94 , AutoRun Driver  34  and all other drivers will be informed of the drive&#39;s response to the polling command. 
     If a removable disc has been inserted recently into the selected removable disc drive, then during step  96  AutoRun Driver  34  forces OS  31  to process an autorun.inf file on the removable disc, if one exists. AutoRun Driver  34  does so for Windows™ OS  31  by issuing the command ISP_DEVICE_ARRIVED. 
     During step  98  AutoRun Driver  34  turns its attention to power management concerns. Polling of disc drives by AutoRun Driver  34  may lead OS  31  to believe there is on-going system activity and to delay system power down. To prevent this, AutoRun Driver  34  discontinues polling removable disc drives when it determines that OS  31  wishes to power down. Examples of system events that causes AutoRun Driver to cease polling are: system critical shut-down, un-configuration of a device, system shut-down and un-initialization of a device or driver. In response to any of the following messages from Windows™ OS  31  AutoRun Driver ceases polling: AEP_SYSTEM_CRIT_SHUTDOWN, AEP_UNCONFIG_DCB, AEP_SYSTEM_SHUTDOWN and AEP_UNNTIALIZE. Upon detection of any of these events, AutoRun Driver  34  ceases execution until after computer  20  is powered up again. On the other hand, in the absence of any detected desire by OS  31  to power-down, AutoRun Driver  34  branches to step  100  from step  98 . 
     AutoRun Driver  34  determines during step  100  whether it has polled all removable disc drives it last detected. If not, AutoRun Driver  34  branches back to step  90  and polls a remaining removable disc drive. On the other hand, if all removable disc drives last detected have been polled, then AutoRun Driver  34  advances to step  102 . AutoRun Driver  34  pauses there for a few seconds prior to resume polling of removable disc drives. This pause reduces the impact of AutoRun Driver  34  on system operation. The exact amount of time chosen for this pause is a design choice. In one embodiment, AutoRun Driver  34  pauses 4 seconds before returning to step  36 . 
     D.1. Clearing Access Conflicts 
     FIG. 8 illustrates in flow diagram form instructions  92  used by AutoRun Driver  34  to clear disc drive access conflicts. Instructions  92  help insure that the periodic polling of removable disc drives does not degrade their performance. Polling can degrade disc drive performance in two ways. First, increased command traffic can slow disc drive performance and, second, some removable disc drives lose the contents of their internal buffers if polled too quickly after a device change. 
     Instructions  92  minimize these impacts by determining whether OS  31  is accessing the selected drive or a related drive during step  110 . In the Windows OS  31 , Instructions  92  determine whether a disc drive is being accessed by examining the drive&#39;s driver stack. Concerns regarding multiple logical unit drives (hereinafter referred to as multiple LUNs) also cause Instructions  92  to examine the driver stack of related drives during step  92 , when necessary. Multiple LUNs are drives that support multiple types of discs. For example, the phase change drives (PD) accept both standard CD-ROM discs or re-writable optical discs. Multiple LUN drives present themselves to OS  31  as two disc drives. Accessing one of the drives of a multiple LUN drive while the other is being accessed by OS  31  can lead to undesirable race conditions within the multiple LUN. For this reason, if one drive of a multiple LUN is being accessed by OS  31 , Instructions  92  will not access the other related drive. 
     If it is discovered that the selected drive or a related drive are being accessed by OS  31 , then AutoRun Driver  34  pauses for a few seconds during step  112 . As before, the exact amount of delay is a design choice. After this pause, AutoRun Driver  34  returns to step  110  to determine whether the access conflict has been resolved. AutoRun Driver  34  continues to wait to poll the selected drive until the access conflict resolves itself. 
     E. The Drive Detector 
     FIG. 9 illustrates in flow diagram form the instructions of Drive Detector  36 . Drive Detector  36  detects which drives associated with computer  20  accept removable discs and are physical drives and of these which is associated with a multiple LUN. Drive Detector  36  begins in step  120  by broadcasting a configuration check command to IO devices  24 . In the Windows™ OS, Drive Detector  36  uses the message: AEP_CONFIG_DCB. Each IO device  24  responds by identifying its type. During step  122  Drive Detector  31  examines the type of each IO device  24  to identify which devices are physical and accept removable discs. Drive Detector  34  considers physical all direct access drives and optical drives. In the Windows™ OS, these drives are designated by device types: 0x00, 0x07 and 0x84. Devices of type 0x00 may or may not be removable, therefore during step  122  Drive Detector  36  also examines the device flags passed with the AEP_CONFIG_DCB message to determine whether devices of this type are removable and physical. 
     During step  124  Drive Detector  36  identifies which drives are part of multiple LUNs. For the Windows™ OS, Drive Detector  36  does so by examining the flags associated with the AEP_CONFIG_DCB message for the DCB_scsi_lun. (Note both IDE and SCSI drives may be multiple LUNs.) AutoRun Driver  34  will later use this information to identify possible access conflicts with OS  31 . 
     F. The Un-Installer 
     FIG. 10 illustrates in flow diagram form the instructions of Un-Installer  38 . Un-Installer  38  removes AutoRun functionality from computer  20  by reversing the steps taken by Installer  32 . During step  130  Un-Installer  38  eliminates the fake SCSI controller created by Installer  32 . Subsequently, during step  132 , Un-Installer  38  removes the reference to AutoRun Driver  34  in the OS directory. Next, Un-Installer  38  disables the ability of OS  31  to process autorun.inf files by returning the two keys of the Explorer key to their appropriate values during steps  134  and  136 . Finally, during step  138 , Un-Installer  38  removes references to itself in the programs facility. In the Windows™ OS this facility is named Add/Remove Programs. 
     G. Conclusion 
     Thus, an apparatus and method for adding AutoRun functionality to a computer including basic removable disc drives that does not require any hardware changes has been described. 
     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6