MTP Data Providers Overview

Architecture

MTP data providers are implemented as ECom plug-ins loaded into the MTP framework. They interact with the MTP framework using the MTP Data Provider API. For more information about the MTP architecture, refer to MTP Framework Overview.

Description

Data provider plug-ins can be built into the ROM or installed by means of SIS files without reflashing the firmware.

The Symbian MTP solution is implemented as a single-threaded server process which is referred to as a daemon. Each time an MTP client application starts the daemon for MTP services, the data provider loading mechanism uses the ECOM framework to list all of the registered MTP data providers from ROM and non-ROM drives. The data providers are then loaded from the appropriate directory based on the registration information.

Components

The Symbian platform provides the following data providers. The MTP Data Provider API enables device creators to create additional data provider plug-ins to support specific media and data types.

• The Device Data Provider is built into the MTP Framework. It provides device-related function such as getting device properties.

• The Proxy Data Provider is built into the MTP Framework. It is a special data provider which coordinates other data providers and the MTP framework. It provides routing mechanisms to select the right data provider(s) for some operation requests.

• The File Data Provider communicates with Windows file explorer. It enables the PC to display and manipulate the device's public file system. For a list of the supported properties, see Properties Supported by File Data Provider.

• The Image Data Provider enables transfer of images between a Symbian device and a Windows 7 PC. It supports the EXIF/JPEG (0x3801) image file format. Image files with the extensions .jpg and .jpeg are supported by the data provider.

  The Image Data Provider supports certain image-related properties. For a list of the supported properties, see Properties Supported by Image Data Provider.

• The Pictbridge Data Provider enables printing of JPEG/JPG images stored on a Symbian device directly to a Pictbridge capable printer by USB connection. Device creators can decide whether to include or exclude this data provider in the ROM image at build time. To include this data provider in the ROM image, enable the __USB_PICTBRIDGE flag.

  The object properties supported by this data provider are listed in Properties Supported by Pictbridge Data Provider.

Using MTP Data Providers

The MTP Framework manages data providers and loads specific data provider plug-in(s) to handle various MTP operations and requests.