Patent ID: 6963943

Claim:
A method for allowing a device to be removably attached to a computer system while maintaining the system integrity, comprising the steps of: configuring a bridge between the device and the computer system; wherein while in an attached state if recognizing that the device has been removed from the bridge, then the bridge transitioning into a cleanup state, then a removed state; while in the cleanup state, performing the ordered steps of the bridge sending a first signal to the computer system; in response to the first signal, the computer system sending a second signal to the bridge; and in response to the second signal, the bridge sending a third signal to the computer system to indicate that the device has been removed from the computer system; removing the device from the bridge is performed without giving prior notice to the bridge, nor the computer system; the attached state indicating that the device has been attached to the computer system; and the removed state indicating that the device has been removed from the computer system.