2011

Unified Linux Input System

A new innovative way to provide support to Input Devices

P Vigneshwaran SRM Valliammai Engineering College 8/20/2011

Abstract
The Unified Linux Input System [ULiS] defines a new innovative way to support various input device on a monolithic kernel system like UNIX, GNU\Linux etc which will reduce over head on monolithic kernel developers in developing kernel modules [ device driver ] for the input device. The problem in present kernel development is that on the introduction of any new devices in the market the kernel developers has to include those device drivers source code [mostly provided by the device vendor] in kernels source code which may cause bugs and performance degradation in the kernel which need to be fixed. It will downgrade production speed in adding new features in to kernel. This thing will get even worse when the device vendor didnt provide license free source code to kernel developers. The Unified Linux input system project aims to solve this issue by implement a server [ ULiS Server ] which listens to all the input devices and sends corresponding signal to kernel. ULiS Server Properties
1. 2. 3. All input devices communicating with ULiS Server should follow a standard protocol[ I propose a new protocol for this called as URCP [ Unified Remote Control Protocol ]] and On doing research and several analysis on various input devices, I decided to categorizing all the input devices [ whatever possible, even in future ] under 7 categories mentioned below. ULiS Server should have extension mechanism so that if the device provides the some additional functionality in addition to the basics features of it category, then it can be utilized.

Supporting Existing Devices Since old devices are not designed to communicate with ULiS with URCP protocol, ULiS will handles the old devices using traditional device driver for backward compatibility. Categories which encapsulate all present input devices
1. 2. 3. 4. Pointing Qwerty Sense of Shape [ 2D or 3D. Example : fingerprint reader, digital cam, video camera ] Sense of Vibration [ Example: Sound (microphone) , Mechanical vibration ]

Categories which will encapsulate yet to be invented devices too

5. 6. 7. Sense of touch Sense of smell Sense of pain

Pictorial Representation of the Idea

Pointing
\

Webcam OMR
Stylus

QWERTY

K E R N E L

Visual Model Sound Touch Smell Pain

U L I S

MIC
Keyboard

Mouse