US5787246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for configuring devices for a computer system
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 1994-05-27
•
Granted: 1998-07-28
•
Expires: 2014-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A system for configuring devices of a computer system without user intervention. Device information for each of the devices is collected to uniquely identify the devices and to describe the device characteristics associated with the operation of devices with the computer. Computer resources, which support the functions of the devices within the computer, are allocated based upon the device information. This allocation process prevents a potential conflicting use of the resources by the devices. A device driver, which enables communications between the corresponding device and the computer system, is also identified for each of the devices in response to the device information. In response to the allocation of resources, the identified device drivers are loaded and the devices are activated for operation with the computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Moshe Lichtman
- 👤 Mark R. Enstrom
- 👤 Thomas E. Lennon
- 👤 Ralph A. Lipe
- 👤 Pierre-Yves Santerre
- 👤 Robert T. Short
- 👤 David W. Voth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:29
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4411; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/177
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 106
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
In a computer system characterized by computer system resources, a method for identifying devices connected to a system bus of said computer system, comprising the steps of: a. instructing each of said devices to enter an inactive state, said devices having a function that is disabled during said inactive state; b. isolating said particular device from said remaining devices by denying said particular device access to said remaining devices via said system bus; c. assigning a device identification code to said particular device, wherein said device identification code uniquely identifies said particular device connected to said system bus; d. obtaining logical configuration data for said particular device, wherein said logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating said particular device with said computer system; e. repeating steps (a) through (d) for each of the remaining ones of said devices connected to said system bus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a computer system characterized by computer system resources, a method for identifying devices connected to a system bus of said computer system, comprising the steps of: a. instructing each of said devices to enter an inactive state, said devices having a function that is disabled during said inactive state; b. isolating said particular device from said remaining devices by denying said particular device access to said remaining devices via said system bus; c. assigning a device identification code to said particular device, wherein said device identification code uniquely identifies said particular device connected to said system bus; d. obtaining logical configuration data for said particular device, wherein said logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating said particular device with said computer system; e. repeating steps (a) through (d) for each of the remaining ones of said devices connected to said system bus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a computer system characterized by system resources, a method for identifying devices connected to one of a plurality of system busses of said computer system, comprising the steps of: a. selecting one of said system busses; b. instructing each of said devices to enter an inactive state, each of said devices having a function that is disabled during said inactive state; c. isolating said particular device from said remaining devices by denying said particular device access to said remaining devices via said selected system bus; d. retrieving an identification code from a memory storage device associated with said particular device, wherein said identification code uniquely identifies said particular device; e. appending to said identification code a system bus code to form a device identification code associated with said particular device, wherein said system bus code uniquely identifies said selected system bus; f. obtaining logical configuration data from said memory storage device wherein said logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating said particular device with said computer system; and g. repeating steps (b) through (f) for each of the remaining ones of said devices connected to said selected system bus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
191 words
In a computer system characterized by system resources, a method for identifying devices connected to one of a plurality of system busses of said computer system, comprising the steps of: a. selecting one of said system busses; b. instructing each of said devices to enter an inactive state, each of said devices having a function that is disabled during said inactive state; c. isolating said particular device from said remaining devices by denying said particular device access to said remaining devices via said selected system bus; d. retrieving an identification code from a memory storage device associated with said particular device, wherein said identification code uniquely identifies said particular device; e. appending to said identification code a system bus code to form a device identification code associated with said particular device, wherein said system bus code uniquely identifies said selected system bus; f. obtaining logical configuration data from said memory storage device wherein said logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating said particular device with said computer system; and g. repeating steps (b) through (f) for each of the remaining ones of said devices connected to said selected system bus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
161 words
A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program module for identifying devices connected to a system bus of a computer system characterized by computer system resources, the program module comprising instructions that, when executed by the programmed computer system, performs the steps of: a. instructing each of the devices to enter an inactive state, the devices having a function that is disabled during the inactive state; b. isolating the particular device from the remaining devices by denying the particular device access to the remaining devices via the system bus; c. assigning a device identification code to the particular device, wherein the device identification code uniquely identifies the particular device connected to the system bus; d. obtaining logical configuration data for the particular device, wherein the logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating the particular device of the computer system; e. repeating steps (a) through (d) for each of the remaining ones of the devices connected to the system bus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program module for identifying devices connected to a system bus of a computer system characterized by computer system resources, the program module comprising instructions that, when executed by the programmed computer system, performs the steps of: a. instructing each of the devices to enter an inactive state, the devices having a function that is disabled during the inactive state; b. isolating the particular device from the remaining devices by denying the particular device access to the remaining devices via the system bus; c. assigning a device identification code to the particular device, wherein the device identification code uniquely identifies the particular device connected to the system bus; d. obtaining logical configuration data for the particular device, wherein the logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating the particular device of the computer system; e. repeating steps (a) through (d) for each of the remaining ones of the devices connected to the system bus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a computer system characterized by computer system resources, a method for identifying devices connected to a plurality of system busses of said computer system, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting one of said plurality of system busses as a selected system bus; (b) detecting a particular one of said devices connected to said selected system bus; (c) assigning a device identification code to said particular device, wherein said device identification code uniquely identifies said particular device connected to said selected system bus; (d) obtaining logical configuration data for said particular device, wherein said logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating said particular device with said computer system; (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) for each of the remaining ones of said devices connected to said selected system bus; and (f) repeating steps (a)-(e) for each of the remaining ones of said plurality of system busses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a computer system characterized by computer system resources, a method for identifying devices connected to a plurality of system busses of said computer system, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting one of said plurality of system busses as a selected system bus; (b) detecting a particular one of said devices connected to said selected system bus; (c) assigning a device identification code to said particular device, wherein said device identification code uniquely identifies said particular device connected to said selected system bus; (d) obtaining logical configuration data for said particular device, wherein said logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating said particular device with said computer system; (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) for each of the remaining ones of said devices connected to said selected system bus; and (f) repeating steps (a)-(e) for each of the remaining ones of said plurality of system busses.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for supporting the operations of devices connected to a plurality of system buses of a computer system, said system comprising: means for detecting dynamic events effecting an asynchronous change in the operating state of said computer system; means for iteratively selecting each of the system buses; means for enumerating each of said devices connected to each of the system buses in response to detecting one of said dynamic events; and means for configuring each of said devices connected to each of the system buses in response to an allocation of resources of said computer system for use by said devices.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
102 words
A system for supporting the operations of devices connected to a plurality of system buses of a computer system, said system comprising: means for detecting dynamic events effecting an asynchronous change in the operating state of said computer system; means for iteratively selecting each of the system buses; means for enumerating each of said devices connected to each of the system buses in response to detecting one of said dynamic events; and means for configuring each of said devices connected to each of the system buses in response to an allocation of resources of said computer system for use by said devices.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for supporting the operations of devices connected to a plurality of system busses of a computer system, the system comprising: a detector for detecting dynamic events effecting an asynchronous change in the operating state of the computer system; an enumerator for each of the system busses for enumerating each of the devices connected to each of the system busses in response to detection of one of the dynamic events; and a configuration manager for managing configuration of each of the devices in response to an arbitrated assignment of resources of the computer system for use by the devices.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for supporting the operations of devices connected to a plurality of system busses of a computer system, the system comprising: a detector for detecting dynamic events effecting an asynchronous change in the operating state of the computer system; an enumerator for each of the system busses for enumerating each of the devices connected to each of the system busses in response to detection of one of the dynamic events; and a configuration manager for managing configuration of each of the devices in response to an arbitrated assignment of resources of the computer system for use by the devices.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
179 words
A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program module for identifying devices connected to a plurality of system buses of a computer system characterized by computer system resources, the program module comprising instructions that, when executed by the programmed computer system, performs the steps of: (a) selecting one of the plurality of system buses as a selected system bus; (b) detecting a particular one of the devices connected to the selected system bus; (c) assigning a device identification code to the particular device, by retrieving an identification code from the particular device, the identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define the particular device; and appending a system bus code to the identification code to form the device identification code, wherein the system bus code uniquely identifies the selected system bus; (d) obtaining logical configuration data for the particular device, wherein the logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating the particular device with the computer system; (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) for each of the remaining ones of the devices connected to the selected system bus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
179 words
A computer-readable medium on which is stored a program module for identifying devices connected to a plurality of system buses of a computer system characterized by computer system resources, the program module comprising instructions that, when executed by the programmed computer system, performs the steps of: (a) selecting one of the plurality of system buses as a selected system bus; (b) detecting a particular one of the devices connected to the selected system bus; (c) assigning a device identification code to the particular device, by retrieving an identification code from the particular device, the identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define the particular device; and appending a system bus code to the identification code to form the device identification code, wherein the system bus code uniquely identifies the selected system bus; (d) obtaining logical configuration data for the particular device, wherein the logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating the particular device with the computer system; (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) for each of the remaining ones of the devices connected to the selected system bus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a computer system characterized by system resources, a method for identifying devices connected to a plurality of system busses of said computer system, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting one of said system busses as a selected system bus; (b) detecting a particular one of said devices connected to said selected system bus; (c) retrieving an identification code from a memory storage device associated with said particular device, wherein said identification code uniquely identifies said particular device; (d) appending to said identification code a system bus code to form a device identification code associated with said particular device, wherein said system bus code uniquely identifies said selected system bus; (e) obtaining logical configuration data from said memory storage device, wherein said logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating said particular device with said computer system; (f) repeating steps (b)-(e) for each of the remaining ones of said devices connected to said selected system bus; and (g) repeating steps (a)-(f) for each of the remaining ones of said plurality of system busses.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a computer system characterized by system resources, a method for identifying devices connected to a plurality of system busses of said computer system, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting one of said system busses as a selected system bus; (b) detecting a particular one of said devices connected to said selected system bus; (c) retrieving an identification code from a memory storage device associated with said particular device, wherein said identification code uniquely identifies said particular device; (d) appending to said identification code a system bus code to form a device identification code associated with said particular device, wherein said system bus code uniquely identifies said selected system bus; (e) obtaining logical configuration data from said memory storage device, wherein said logical configuration data supplies configuration requirements for operating said particular device with said computer system; (f) repeating steps (b)-(e) for each of the remaining ones of said devices connected to said selected system bus; and (g) repeating steps (a)-(f) for each of the remaining ones of said plurality of system busses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said detecting step comprises the steps of: instructing each of said devices to enter an inactive state, said devices having a function that is disabled during said inactive state; and isolating said particular device from said remaining devices by denying said particular device access to said remaining devices via said selected system bus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said assigning step comprises the steps of: reading an identification code from a memory storage device associated with said particular device, said identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define said particular device; and appending a system bus code to said identification code to form said device identification code, wherein said system bus code uniquely identifies said selected system bus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said assigning step further comprises storing said device identification code within system memory of said computer system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said system memory comprises a plurality of hierarchically-arranged device nodes, said device identification code being stored within a selected one of said device nodes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said step of obtaining said logical configuration data comprises reading said logical configuration data from said memory storage device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said step of obtaining said logical configuration data further comprises storing said logical configuration data within said system memory of said computer system, said logical configuration data associated with said device identification code for said particular device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said system memory comprises a plurality of hierarchically-arranged device nodes, said logical configuration data being stored within a selected one of said device nodes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said assigning step comprises the steps of: retrieving an identification code from said particular device, said identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define said particular device; and appending a system bus code to said identification code to form said device identification code, wherein said system bus code uniquely identifies said selected system bus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said step of retrieving said identification code comprises reading said identification code from a memory storage device associated with said particular device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said assigning step further comprises storing said device identification code within system memory of said computer system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said step of obtaining said logical configuration data comprises retrieving said logical configuration data from said particular device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said step of retrieving said logical configuration data comprises reading said logical configuration data from a memory storage device associated with said particular device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said step of obtaining said logical configuration data further comprises storing said logical configuration data within system memory of said computer system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said device identification code comprises an identification code and a system bus code, wherein said identification code includes a string of characters which uniquely define said particular device and said system bus code uniquely identifies said selected system bus.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said logical configuration data comprises: resource requirement information and resource dependency information, said resource requirement information defines certain resources of said computer system which are necessary for operation of said particular device with said computer system, at least one of said resources comprising a plurality of resource elements, and said resource dependency information defines a particular combination of said resource elements which are necessary for operation of said particular device with said computer system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said detecting step is initiated in response to certain events affecting an asynchronous change in the operating state of said computer system.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said detecting step is initiated in response to powering said computer system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said detecting step is further initiated in response to the connection of another one of devices to said selected system bus.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said detecting step is further initiated in response to the removal of one of said devices from said selected system bus.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said detecting step comprises the steps of: instructing each of said devices to enter an inactive state, each of said devices having a function that is disabled during said inactive state; and isolating said particular device from said remaining devices by denying said particular device access to said remaining devices via said selected system bus.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said detecting step is initiated in response to certain events causing an asynchronous change in the operating state of said computer system.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said detecting step is initiated in response to powering said computer system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 30, wherein said detecting step is further initiated in response to connecting another one of said devices to said selected system bus.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 31, wherein said detecting step is further initiated in response to removing one of said devices from said selected system bus.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said appending step further comprises storing said device identification code with system memory of said computer system, said system memory comprising a plurality of hierarchically-arranged nodes, said device identification code being stored within a selected one of said nodes.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said step of obtaining said logical configuration data further comprises storing said logical configuration data within a selected one of said nodes of said system memory.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said identification code comprises a character string including ASCII characters to uniquely define said particular device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said logical configuration data comprises: resource requirement information and resource dependency information, said resource requirement information defines certain resources of said computer system which are necessary for operation of said particular device with said computer system, at least one of said resources comprising a plurality of resource elements, and said resource dependency information defines a particular combination of said resource elements which are necessary for operation of said particular device with said computer system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said dynamic events include at least one of the following; powering said computer system, connecting another one of said devices to one of said system busses, and removing one of said devices from one of said system busses.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said enumerate means comprises: means for detecting a particular one of said devices; and means for collecting device information from said particular device, said device information uniquely identifying said particular device and defining usage requirements of said resources for said particular device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
98 words
The system of claim 38, wherein said collection means comprises: means for reading an identification code from a memory storage device associated with said particular device, said identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define said particular device; means for appending a system bus code to said identification code to form said device identification code, wherein said system bus code uniquely identifies one of said system busses; and means for reading logical configuration data from said memory storage device, wherein said logical configuration data supplies said usage requirements of said computer resources for said particular device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 39, wherein said collection means further comprises means for storing said device identification code and said logical configuration data within a system memory of said computer system.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 40, wherein said system memory comprises a plurality of hierarchically-arranged nodes, said device identification code and said logical configuration data being stored within a selected one of said nodes.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said configuring means comprises: means for receiving said allocation of said resources; means for storing said allocation of said resources within a system memory of said computer system; and means for instructing said devices of said allocation of said computer resources.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the detecting step comprises the steps of: instructing each of the devices to enter an inactive state, the devices having a function that is disabled during the inactive state; and isolating the particular device from the remaining devices by denying the particular device access to the remaining devices via the selected system bus.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
69 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the assigning step comprises the steps of: reading an identification code from a memory storage device associated with the particular device, the identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define the particular device; and appending a system bus code to the identification code to form the device identification code, wherein the system bus code uniquely identifies the selected system bus.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 44, wherein the assigning step further comprises storing the device identification code within system memory of the computer system.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the system memory comprises a plurality of hierarchically-arranged device nodes, the device identification code being stored within a selected one of the device nodes.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the step of obtaining the logical configuration data comprises reading the logical configuration data from the memory storage device.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 47, wherein the step of obtaining the logical configuration data further comprises storing the logical configuration data within the system memory of the computer system, the logical configuration data associated with the device identification code for the particular device.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the system memory comprises a plurality of hierarchically-arranged device nodes, the logical configuration data being stored within a selected one of the device nodes.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the step of retrieving the identification code comprises reading the identification code from a memory storage device associated with the particular device.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the step of obtaining the logical configuration data comprises retrieving the logical configuration data from the particular device.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the device identification code comprises an identification code and a system bus code, wherein the identification code includes a string of characters which uniquely define the particular device and the system bus code uniquely identifies the selected system bus.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
81 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the logical configuration data comprises: resource requirement information and resource dependency information, the resource requirement information defines certain resources of the computer system which are necessary for operation of the particular device with the computer systems at least one of the resources comprising a plurality of resource elements, and the resource dependency information defines a particular combination of the resource elements which are necessary for operation of the particular device with the computer system.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the detecting step is initiated in response to certain events affecting an asynchronous change in the operating state of the computer system.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said assigning step comprises the steps of: reading an identification code from a memory storage device associated with said particular device, said identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define said particular device; and appending a system bus code to said identification code to form said device identification code, wherein said system bus code uniquely identifies said system bus.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 55, wherein said assigning step further comprises storing said device identification code within system memory of said computer system.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 56, wherein said system memory comprises a plurality of hierarchically-arranged device nodes, said device identification code being stored within a selected one of said device nodes.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 56, wherein said step of obtaining said logical configuration data comprises reading said logical configuration data from said memory storage device.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 58, wherein said step of obtaining said logical configuration data further comprises storing said logical configuration data within said system memory of said computer system, said logical configuration data associated with said device identification code for said particular device.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 59, wherein said system memory comprises a plurality of hierarchically-arranged device nodes, said logical configuration data being stored within a selected one of said device nodes.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said assigning step comprises the steps of: retrieving an identification code from said particular device, said identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define said particular device; and appending a system bus code to said identification code to form said device identification code, wherein said system bus code uniquely identifies said system bus.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 61, wherein said step of retrieving said identification code comprises reading said identification code from a memory storage device associated with said particular device.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 61, wherein said assigning step further comprises storing said device identification code within system memory of said computer system.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining said logical configuration data comprises retrieving said logical configuration data from said particular device.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 64, wherein said step of retrieving said logical configuration data comprises reading said logical configuration data from a memory storage device associated with said particular device.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 64, wherein said step of obtaining said logical configuration data further comprises storing said logical configuration data within system memory of said computer system.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said device identification code comprises an identification code and a system bus code, wherein said identification code includes a string of characters which uniquely define said particular device and said system bus code uniquely identifies said system bus.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said logical configuration data comprises: resource requirement information and resource dependency information, said resource requirement information defines certain resources of said computer system which are necessary for operation of said particular device with said computer system, at least one of said resources comprising a plurality of resource elements, and said resource dependency information defines a particular combination of said resource elements which are necessary for operation of said particular device with said computer system.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said instructing step is initiated in response to certain events affecting an asynchronous change in the operating state of said computer system.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said instructing step is initiated in response to powering said computer system.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 70, wherein said instructing step is further initiated in response to the connection of another one of devices to said system bus.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 71, wherein said instructing step is further initiated in response to the removal of one of said devices from said system bus.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said instructing step is initiated in response to certain events causing an asynchronous change in the operating state of said computer system.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 73, wherein said instructing step is initiated in response to powering said computer system.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 74, wherein said instructing step is further initiated in response to connecting another one of said devices to said selected system bus.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 75, wherein said instructing step is further initiated in response to removing one of said devices from said selected system bus.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said appending step further comprises storing said device identification code with system memory of said computer system, said system memory comprising a plurality of hierarchically-arranged nodes, said device identification code being stored within a selected one of said nodes.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 77, wherein said step of obtaining said logical configuration data further comprises storing said logical configuration data within a selected one of said nodes of said system memory.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said identification code comprises a character string including ASCII characters to uniquely define said particular device.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said logical configuration data comprises: resource requirement information and resource dependency information, said resource requirement information defines certain resources of said computer system which are necessary for operation of said particular device with said computer system, at least one of said resources comprising a plurality of resource elements, and said resource dependency information defines a particular combination of said resource elements which are necessary for operation of said particular device with said computer system.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
68 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the assigning step comprises the steps of: reading an identification code from a memory storage device associated with the particular device, the identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define the particular device; and appending a system bus code to the identification code to form the device identification code, wherein the system bus code uniquely identifies the system bus.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 81, wherein the assigning step further comprises storing the device identification code within system memory of the computer system.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 82, wherein the system memory comprises a plurality of hierarchically-arranged device nodes, the device identification code being stored within a selected one of the device nodes.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 82, wherein the step of obtaining the logical configuration data comprises reading the logical configuration data from the memory storage device.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 84, wherein the step of obtaining the logical configuration data further comprises storing the logical configuration data within the system memory of the computer system, the logical configuration data associated with the device identification code for the particular device.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer-readable, medium of claim 85, wherein the system memory comprises a plurality of hierarchically-arranged device nodes, the logical configuration data being stored within a selected one of the device nodes.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the assigning step comprises the steps of: retrieving an identification code from the particular device, the identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define the particular device; and appending a system bus code to the identification code to form the device identification code, wherein the system bus code uniquely identifies the system bus.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 87, wherein the step of retrieving the identification code comprises reading the identification code from a memory storage device associated with the particular device.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the step of obtaining the logical configuration data comprises retrieving the logical configuration data from the particular device.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the device identification code comprises an identification code and a system bus code, wherein the identification code includes a string of characters which uniquely define the particular device and the system bus code uniquely identifies the system bus.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
81 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the logical configuration data comprises: resource requirement information and resource dependency information, the resource requirement information defines certain resources of the computer system which are necessary for operation of the particular device with the computer system, at least one of the resources comprising a plurality of resource elements, and the resource dependency information defines a particular combination of the resource elements which are necessary for operation of the particular device with the computer system.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the instructing step is initiated in response to certain events affecting an asynchronous change in the operating state of the computer system.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said dynamic events include at least one of the following: powering said computer system, connecting another one of said device to said system bus, and removing one of said device from said system bus.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said enumerator comprises: a second detector for detecting a particular one of said devices; and a collector for collecting device information from said particular device, said device information uniquely identifying said particular device and defining usage requirements of said resources for said particular device.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
93 words
The system of claim 94, wherein said collector is operative to: read an identification code from a memory storage device associated with said particular device, said identification code including a string of characters which uniquely define said particular device; append a system bus code to said identification code to form said device identification code, wherein said system bus code uniquely identifies one of said system busses; and read logical configuration data from said memory storage device, wherein said logical configuration data supplies said usage requirements of said computer resources for said particular device.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 95, wherein said collector is further operative to store said device identification code and said logical configuration data within a system memory of said computer system.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
33 words
The, system of claim 96, wherein said system memory comprises a plurality of hierarchically-arranged nodes, said device identification code and said logical configuration data being stored within a selected one of said nodes.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said configuration manager is operative to: receive said allocation of said resources; store said allocation of said resources within a system memory of said computer system; and instruct said devices of said allocation of said computer resources.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-07-27 | 2002-01-26 | 2002-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-27 | 2006-01-26 | 2006-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-27 | 2010-01-26 | 2010-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |