The Device Inquiry message is a [https://www.midi.org/specifications/item/table-4-universal-system-exclusive-messages Universal System Exclusive] message that can be sent to a Midi device to learn its type.
Not all Midi devices support this, but where they do, the response will enable enables Box Of Stops to identify a recognised device type precisely, based on uniquely assigned [https://www.midi.org/specifications/item/manufacturer-id-numbers Manufacturer IDs]. For example, this is how Box Of Stops knows it can turn on the lights on an [[Akai APC Mini]] or [[Korg nanoKONTROL2]].