(12) United States Patent
`Goodman
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,704,824 B1
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`US006704824B1
`
`................ .. 717/176
`717/178
`709/311
`............. .. 713/2
`
`12/1997 Fenger
`2/1998 Merkin
`2/1998 Imai et al.
`4/1998 Davis et al.
`5/1998
`9/1998 Williams el al.
`9/1998 Kathail et al.
`10/1998 Hoese et al.
`11/1998 Choye et al.
`2/1999 Leyda
`9/1999 Jeon
`11/1999 Amberg et al.
`12/1999 Pleso
`2/2000 Perlman et al.
`6/2000 Garney
`.............. .. 713/1
`* 11/2000 Dawson et al.
`710/10
`*
`2/2001 Simmons ..... ..
`*
`4/2003 Vrhel et al.
`............... .. 717/121
`
`............. .. 717/178
`
`........... .. 717/175
`
`5,701,476
`5,715,463
`5,717,930
`5,742,829
`5,752,032
`5,802,363
`5,802,365
`5,819,115
`5,842,024
`5,867,730
`5,951,684
`5,995,757
`6,009,480
`6,023,585
`6,081,850
`6,154,836
`6,185,630
`6,543,047
`
`§_'3j>>>>>>>>>>>>>3>>>
`
`UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS ADAPTER WITH
`AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION
`
`Inventor: David D. Goodman, Arlington, VA
`(US)
`
`Assignee:
`
`Inline Connection Corporation,
`Washington, DC (US)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 197 days.
`
`Appl. No.: 09/619,958
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 20, 2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/145,836, filed 011 Jul. 27,
`1999.
`
`Int. Cl.7 .............................................. .. G06F 13/00
`US. Cl.
`........................... .. 710/300; 710/8; 710/10;
`710/100; 710/104; 710/305; 713/1; 713/2;
`713/100; 709/1; 709/221; 709/311; 703/24;
`717/174; 717/175; 717/176; 717/177; 717/178
`Field of Search ............................ .. 710/100, 8, 10,
`710/300, 305, 104; 713/1, 2, 100; 717/174-178,
`121; 709/1, 221, 311; 703/24
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,649,479
`4,975,829
`5,155,847
`5,247,683
`5,367,686
`5,559,965
`5,655,148
`5,664,195
`
`C1>>>>>D>>>
`
`3/1987 Advani et al.
`*
`* 12/1990 Clarey et al.
`* 10/1992 Kirouac et al.
`*
`9/1993 Holmcs ct al.
`* 11/1994 Fisher et al.
`..... ..
`*
`9/1996 Oztaskin et al.
`*
`8/1997 Richman et al.
`9/1997 Chatterji
`
`............... .. 709/1
`. . . . . .
`. . . .. 703/24
`709/221
`709/221
`717/174
`.. 710/104
`710/8
`
`........
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Gopal C. Ray
`Assistant Exczminer—Justin King
`(74) Attorney. Agent, or Firm—Hale and Dorr LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Aperipheral device and a method for operating the periph-
`eral 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 [or a
`device supported by the driver transferred to the computer.
`The peripheral device is then operates by interacting With
`the driver on the computer.
`
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`IDENTIFY
`ADAPTER AS
`KNOWN DEVICE
`
`UPLOAD AND
`INSTALL DRIVER
`
`|_._
`
`IDENTIFY
`ADAPTER AS
`N EW DEVICE
`
`OPERATE
`AS COMMUNICATION
`ADAPTER
`
`1
`
`DELPHI Exhibit 1017
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 6,704,824 B1
`
`160
`
`T-
`
`REMOVABLE
`STORAGE
`
`COMPUTER
`152
`
`155
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`STORAGE
`
`154
`
`INTERFACE‘.
`
`COMMUNICATION
`ADAPTER
`
`COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM
`
`FIG. 1
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 6,704,824 B1
`
`150
`
`COMPUTER
`
`152
`
`156
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`STORAGE
`
`INTERFACE
`
`154
`
`INTERFACE
`
`216 COMMUNICATION
`ADAPTER
`
`
`
`I
`
`214
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`T
`
`STORAGE
`
`INTERFACE
`
`218
`
`COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 6,704,824 B1
`
`310
`
`320
`
`IDENTIFY
`ADAPTER AS
`KNOWN DEVICE %
`
`UPLOAD AND
`INSTALL DRIVER
`
`IDENTIFY
`ADAPTER AS
`NEW DEVICE
`
`OPERATE
`AS COMMUNICATION
`ADAPTER
`
`FIG. 3
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 6,704,824 B1
`
`COMPUTER
`
`COMPUTER
`
`COMPUTER
`
`150
`
`150
`
`210
`
`210
`
`COMM.
`ADAPTER
`
`COMM.
`ADAPTER
`
`COMM.
`ADAPTER
`
`COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM
`
`INTERNET
`
`FIG. 4
`
`5
`
`

`

`US 6,704,824 B1
`
`1
`UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS ADAPTER WITH
`AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Application No. 60/145,836 filed Jul. 27, 1999, which is
`incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`This invention relates to an automatic installation of a
`
`communication adapter for a computer.
`“Universal Serial Bus” (USB) refers to a particular stan-
`dard that has been adopted by the electronics industry for
`establishing a communication between a computer and a
`number of peripheral devices. Afull 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 standard-
`ized 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 com-
`munication devices such as modems and Ethernet network
`interface adapters.
`The USB standard not only dictates low-level communi-
`cation 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.
`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 l1ost computer,
`the l1ost 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 rclay this data, in the
`correct form, to the part of a governing program, typically an
`operating system, which controls these movements.
`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.
`
`Drivers for some devices are preloaded on certain oper-
`ating system. For example, a generic keyboard driver, which
`supports keyboards from a variety of manufacturers, may
`
`2
`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
`
`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 11ot 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 devices makes
`use of the driver to operate in its native made rather than
`emulating another device.
`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
`dcvicc idcntification from the peripheral device to the com-
`puter. The method then includes emulating a device of a type
`determined by the first device identification, including trans-
`ferring a driver from the peripheral device to the computer.
`Then, the peripheral device sends a second device identifi-
`cation 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.
`The invention can include one or more of the following
`features.
`
`Sending the first device identification includes sending an
`identification of a keyboard device.
`Transferring the driver to the computer includes emulat-
`ing keystrokes for enterring data on the computer.
`Operating the peripheral device to interact with the driver
`includes providing communication services between the
`computer and a communication system.
`Providing communication services includes passing Eth-
`ernet signals between the peripheral device and the com-
`munication system.
`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.
`
`Sending the first device identification includes sending an
`identification of a storage device.
`Transferring a file from the storage device to the com-
`puter.
`In another aspect, in general, the invention is a peripheral
`device. The device has an interface for coupling the periph-
`eral 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.
`
`6
`
`

`

`US 6,704,824 B1
`
`3
`The device can include one or more of the following
`features:
`The interface includes a Universal Serial Bus interface.
`
`The first type of device is a keyboard device.
`The first type of device is a storage device.
`The second type of device is a communication adapter.
`'Ihe second type of device comprises an Ethernet com-
`munication adapter.
`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
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a prior approach
`to configuring a peripheral device;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates the present
`approach to configuring a peripheral device;
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart of operation of a peripheral device;
`and
`
`FIG. 4 illustrates multiple computers coupled through
`communication adapters to a communication system and to
`the Internet.
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`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, inter-
`face 154 is a USB interface. In alternative embodiments, the
`present approach can be used with different types of inter-
`faces. Initially when communication adapter 210 is con-
`nected to interface 154, computer 150 does not necessarily
`have suitable drives in its storage 156 to operate communi-
`cation adapter 210 in its native mode. Communication
`adapter 210, when operating in its native mode, provides a
`communication interface between computer 150 and a com-
`munication 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 neces-
`sarily 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.
`
`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 sys-
`tem 120. Interface 218 is an Ethernet interface. Communi-
`
`cation adapter 210 also includes a processor 212, such as a
`
`4
`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, commu-
`nication 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 ser-
`vices that allow computer 150 to communicate over com-
`munication 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.
`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 iden-
`tifies the adapter as a USB-based keyboard (step 310). The
`data that it sends is stored in storage 214 either in conjunc-
`tion with software instructions for controlling this first
`operating mode, or as a separate data block.
`After computer 150 receives the data that identifies com-
`munication adapter 210 as a keyboard, the computer com-
`municates with communication adapter 210 as if the adapter
`were actually a keyboard.
`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, communica-
`tion 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).
`Uploading of the driver (step 320) is performed as fol-
`lows. 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 executed by proces-
`sor 152 on computer 150. Under Windows® 98, this effect
`does not depend on what application software computer 150
`is currently executing.
`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.
`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 pre-
`loaded 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 its 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.
`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.
`After placing the driver file on storage 156, controller 212
`communicates with interface 154 according to USB standard
`
`7
`
`

`

`US 6,704,824 B1
`
`5
`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 lo physically discon-
`nected and reattached. Processor 212 then signals to com-
`puter 150 that that a USB—Ethernet adapter has been connect
`(step 330), and optionally, that indicate that the keyboard it
`was emulating has been disconnected. Processor 212 iden-
`tifies 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.
`Communication adapter 210 then operates in its native
`mode providing communication services between computer
`150 and communication system 120.
`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 boot-
`strap program on computer 150. The bootstrap program,
`which executes on computer 150, communicates with com-
`munication 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 comput-
`er’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.
`
`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, com-
`munication 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 an 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’s storage.
`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.
`The embodiments described above make use of the
`Microsoft Windows® operating system.
`In alternative
`embodiments, communication adapter 210 includes soft-
`ware 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.
`In alternative embodiments, storage 214 is writeable, and
`is updated from a server over communication system 120. In
`
`6
`yet other embodiments, software is transferred over com-
`munication system 120 when it is needed and stored tem-
`porarily on storage 214.
`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.
`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 communi-
`cation over other transmission paths, such as coaxial cable
`or using wireless transmissions.
`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.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for automatic installation of a driver for a
`peripheral device in a computer, comprising:
`emulating a keyboard comprising transmitting an identi-
`fication of the keyboard across an interface;
`receiving the identification of the keyboard,
`using a driver retrieved from storage to establish com-
`munication with the keyboard across the interface;
`emulating keystrokes issued by the keyboard,
`thereby
`controlling the computer in a manner that causes the
`computer to store a driver for a second device;
`transmitting, by the peripheral device, an identification of
`the second device across the interface, and operating
`the peripheral device as the second device;
`receiving the identification of the second device; and
`using the driver
`for
`the second device to establish
`communication, across the interface, with the second
`device.
`2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
`transferring an identification of a mass storage device
`across the interface,
`emulating the mass storage device, wherein the emulated
`keystrokes causes transmission of the driver of the
`second device across the interface; and
`using a mass storage device driver retrieved from storage
`to establish communication, across the interface, with
`the emulated mass storage device,
`wherein the emulation of the keystrokes causes transfer,
`across the interface, of the driver for the second device
`from said emulated mass storage device.
`3. The method of claim 2, wherein data passes through the
`interface according to a standard known as Universal Serial
`Bus.
`
`4. The method of claim 2, wherein the mass storage
`device is a CD—ROM disk.
`
`5. The method of claim 4, wherein data passes through the
`interface according to a standard known as Universal Serial
`Bus.
`
`6. The method of claim 1 , wherein data passes through the
`interface according to a standard known as Universal Serial
`Bus.
`
`8
`
`

`

`US 6,704,824 B1
`
`7
`7. A peripheral device, comprising:
`a processor; and
`an interface enabling said processor to communicate with
`a computer, wherein:
`the computer, having a version of the Windows®
`operating system installed, automatically executes at
`least a portion of an instruction set in a file named
`autorun.inf that is stored on a mass storage device,
`a storage medium readable by he computer comprises
`a driver for the mass storage device, and
`upon receiving an identification of a device from said
`processor, the computer uses a driver for the identi-
`fied device to establish communication, through said
`interface, with the identified device;
`said processor transfers an identification of the mass
`storage device across said interface to the computer;
`said processor emulates the mass storage device, the
`emulation comprising
`storing a file named autorun.inf, wherein said file
`comprises instructions that direct the computer to
`retrieve a driver for a second device from the mass
`storage device,
`said processor transmits the identification of the second
`device to the computer, and the peripheral device
`operates as the second device.
`8. The system of claim 7, wherein said interface operates
`according to a standard known as Universal Serial Bus.
`9. The system of claim 7, wherein the mass storage device
`is a CD-ROM drive.
`10. The system of claim 9, wherein said interface operates
`according to a standard known as Universal Serial Bus.
`11. A peripheral device comprising:
`a processor; and
`an interface for enabling said processor to communicate
`with a computer, wherein:
`a storage medium of the computer comprises a driver
`for a mass storage device, and
`upon receiving an identification of a device from said
`processor, the computer uses a driver for the identi-
`fied device to establish communication, through said
`interface, with the identified device;
`said processor transfers an identification of the mass
`storage device to the computer;
`said processor emulates the mass storage device, the
`emulation comprising storing
`a driver for a second device,
`the driver for the second device is transferred from the
`
`mass storage device to the computer while the com-
`puter operates by using the Windows® operating
`system,
`
`8
`said processor transmits an identification of the second
`device to the computer, and the peripheral device
`operates as the second device.
`12. The system of claim 11, wherein said interface oper-
`ates according to a standard known as Universal Serial Bus.
`13. The system of claim 11, wherein the mass storage
`device is a CD-ROM drive.
`
`14. The system of claim 13, wherein said interface oper-
`ates according to a standard known as Universal Serial Bus.
`15. Aperipheral device, comprising:
`a processor, and
`an interface for enabling said processor to communicate
`with a computer, wherein
`a storage medium of the computer comprises a driver
`for a keyboard, and a storage medium of the periph-
`eral device comprises a driver for a second device,
`upon receiving an identification of a device from said
`interface, the computer uses a driver for the identi-
`fied device to establish communication, through said
`interface, with the identified device;
`said processor transfers an identification of the key-
`board to the computer, and emulating keystrokes
`issued by the keyboard, thereby controlling the C011]-
`puter so that the driver for the second device is
`transferred to the computer,
`said processor transmits an identification of the second
`device to the computer, and the peripheral device
`operating as the second device.
`16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor further
`transfers an identification of a mass storage device to the
`computer, and
`emulates storing, on the mass storage device, the driver of
`the second device.
`
`17. The system of claim 16, wherein the mass storage
`device is a CD-ROM drive.
`
`18. The system of claim 17, wherein said interface oper-
`ates according to a standard known as the Universal Serial
`Bus standard.
`
`19. The system of claim 16, wherein said interface oper-
`ates according to a standard known as the Universal Serial
`Bus standard.
`
`20. The system of claim 15, wherein said interface oper-
`ates according to a standard known as the Universal Serial
`Bus standard.
`
`9
`
`