Information processing device and BIOS update method

Abstract

Reduce reboot time when updating BIOS. [Solution] An information processing device includes a BIOS memory unit that stores at least a BIOS program, a main control unit that starts an OS by executing the BIOS program, and a sub-control unit that manages peripheral devices and can access the BIOS memory unit, wherein the BIOS memory unit has a first area that stores the current BIOS program and a second area for storing an update program for the BIOS, and the sub-control unit includes a BIOS update unit that, during the BIOS update process, stores the BIOS update program acquired by the main control unit in the second area, performs a restart, and enables the update program stored in the second area as the BIOS program.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a BIOS updating method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a technology for safely updating a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) has become known for information processing devices such as personal computers (PCs) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such conventional information processing devices, a BIOS storage unit that stores the BIOS program and setting information is locked so that the BIOS is not illegally changed while the OS (Operating System) is running. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-153334 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional information processing device, the BIOS storage unit is locked, so the BIOS cannot be updated while the OS is running. Therefore, in the conventional information processing device, the update program is temporarily stored in a storage unit different from the BIOS storage unit, and when the information processing device is restarted, the update program is written into the BIOS storage unit to update the BIOS, which poses a problem that it takes a long time to restart the device after updating the BIOS.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a BIOS updating method that can shorten the restart time when updating the BIOS. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device comprising: a BIOS memory unit that stores at least a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program; a main control unit that starts an OS (Operating System) by executing the BIOS program; and a sub-control unit that manages peripheral devices and can access the BIOS memory unit, wherein the BIOS memory unit has a first area that stores the current BIOS program and a second area for storing an update program for the BIOS, and the sub-control unit comprises a BIOS update unit that, during the BIOS update process, stores the BIOS update program acquired by the main control unit in the second area, performs a restart, and enables the update program stored in the second area as the BIOS program.

[0007] In addition, one aspect of the present invention is that in the above-mentioned information processing device, the BIOS update unit, when restarting the BIOS update process, may change the reference used to access the BIOS program from the BIOS program in the first area to the update program in the second area, and enable the update program as the BIOS program.

[0008] In addition, one aspect of the present invention is that, in the above-mentioned information processing device, the BIOS program in the first area is set to be prohibited from being changed from the OS, and the BIOS update unit may change the setting of the update program to be prohibited from being changed from the OS when enabling the update program as the BIOS program.

[0009] In addition, one aspect of the present invention is a method for processing an information processing device as described above, comprising the steps of: providing a backup memory unit for storing a backup of the BIOS program; and after the BIOS update unit enables the update program as the BIOS program, the BIOS update unit transfers the update program to the backup memory unit for storage; and if verification of the BIOS program fails, the sub-control unit executes a recovery process for repairing the BIOS program that starts the OS using the backup stored in the backup memory unit.

[0010] In addition, as one aspect of the present invention, in the information processing device described above, the first area and the second area may each be an independent storage device.

[0011] In addition, one aspect of the present invention is that in the above information processing device, the storage device may be an electrically rewritable memory chip, and may be connected to the sub-control unit via a SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface).

[0012] In addition, as one aspect of the present invention, in the information processing device described above, the storage device constituting the second area may be an electrically rewritable memory chip or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0013] Moreover, one aspect of the present invention is a BIOS update method for an information processing device having a BIOS memory unit that stores at least a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program, a main control unit that starts an OS (Operating System) by executing the BIOS program, and a sub-control unit that manages peripheral devices and can access the BIOS memory unit, wherein the BIOS memory unit has a first area that stores the current BIOS program and a second area for storing an update program for the BIOS, and the BIOS update method includes a BIOS update step in which the sub-control unit stores the BIOS update program acquired by the main control unit in the second area during the BIOS update process, performs a restart, and enables the update program stored in the second area as the BIOS program. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the reboot time required when updating the BIOS. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main hardware configuration of a notebook PC according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a notebook PC according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a BIOS update process of the notebook PC according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating an example of the BIOS update process of the notebook PC according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a third diagram illustrating an example of a BIOS update process of the notebook PC according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram illustrating an example of a BIOS update process of the notebook PC according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]5 is a flowchart showing an example of a BIOS update process of the notebook PC according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of recovery processing by backing up the BIOS of the notebook PC according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a notebook PC according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An information processing device and a BIOS updating method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [First embodiment] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a main hardware configuration of a notebook PC 1 according to embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the notebook PC 1 (notebook type personal computer) will be described as an example of an information processing device.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the notebook PC 1 includes a CPU 11, a main memory 12, a video subsystem 13, a display unit 14, a chipset 21, an SSD 22, a USB connector 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, an embedded controller (EC) 31, a BIOS memory 32, an input unit 33, and a power supply circuit 34. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 and the chipset 21 correspond to the main control unit 10.

[0019] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 executes various arithmetic processes under program control, and controls the entire notebook PC 1. The main memory 12 is a writable memory used as a read area for the execution program of the CPU 11 or as a work area for writing processing data for the execution program. The main memory 12 is composed of, for example, a plurality of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. The execution programs include a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program, an OS, various drivers for operating the hardware of peripheral devices, various services / utilities, application programs, etc.

[0020] Video subsystem 13 is a subsystem for implementing functions related to image display, and includes a video controller. This video controller processes drawing commands from CPU 11, writes the processed drawing information to a video memory, and also reads the drawing information from the video memory and outputs it to display unit 14 as drawing data (display data).

[0021] The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays a display screen based on drawing data (display data) output from the video subsystem 13.

[0022] The chipset 21 includes controllers such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a serial AT Attachment (Serial ATA), a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express bus, and an Embedded Serial Peripheral Interface (eSPI) bus, and is connected to a plurality of devices. In FIG. 1, an SSD 22, a USB connector 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, and an embedded controller 31 are connected to the chipset 21 as examples of devices.

[0023] The SSD 22 stores an OS, various drivers, various services / utilities, application programs, and various data. The SSD 22 may be accessible from the chipset 21 via an embedded controller 31.

[0024] The USB connector 23 is a connector for connecting peripheral devices that utilize USB. The audio system 24 records, plays back, and outputs audio data. A WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card 25 connects to a network via a wireless LAN and performs data communication.

[0025] The embedded controller 31 (an example of a sub-controller) is a one-chip microcomputer that monitors and controls various devices (peripheral devices, sensors, etc.) regardless of the system state of the notebook PC 1. In other words, the embedded controller 31 is an embedded controller that manages peripheral devices and can access the BIOS memory 32.

[0026] The embedded controller 31 also has a power management function for controlling the power circuit 34. The embedded controller 31 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and also has A / D input terminals for multiple channels, a D / A output terminal, a timer, and digital input / output terminals. For example, an input unit 33 and a power circuit 34 are connected to the embedded controller 31 via these input / output terminals, and the embedded controller 31 controls the operations of these.

[0027] Moreover, the embedded controller 31 has an SPI and is connected to the BIOS memory 32 via the SPI. In this embodiment, for example, the BIOS memory 32 is connected to the embedded controller 31 by a Slave Attached Flash method, and the main control unit 10 can access the BIOS memory 32 via the embedded controller 31. In the Slave Attached Flash method, the main control unit 10 is connected as a master to the embedded controller 31 as a slave, and the BIOS memory 32 is further connected to the embedded controller 31 as a slave. This connection enables the embedded controller 31 to access the BIOS memory 32, and enables the main control unit 10 to access the BIOS memory 32 via the embedded controller 31.

[0028] Furthermore, the embedded controller 31 can detect, via the power supply circuit 34, whether the notebook PC 1 is supplied with power from an external power supply or from a battery 35 built into the notebook PC 1 (its own device). Furthermore, during the BIOS update process, the embedded controller 31 writes (stores) the BIOS update program in, for example, the BIOS memory 32, and executes a process to enable the update program. Details of the BIOS update process will be described later.

[0029] The BIOS memory 32 is composed of an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash ROM. The BIOS memory 32 is connected to the embedded controller 31 by a method such as a slave attached flash method that allows the main control unit 10 to access the BIOS memory 32 via the embedded controller 31, and the BIOS memory 32 is configured to be accessible from the main control unit 10 via the embedded controller 31. The BIOS memory 32 stores the BIOS and system firmware for controlling the embedded controller 31, etc. The BIOS memory 32 stores, for example, a BIOS program, various setting information, etc. The BIOS memory 32 also stores a digest value (hash value) previously obtained from the BIOS program data.

[0030] The BIOS memory 32 includes a BIOS main memory 321 , a redundant memory 322 , and a backup memory 323 . The BIOS main memory 321 is an SPI memory (an example of a storage device) connected to the embedded controller 31 via an SPI, and mainly stores the BIOS main program, setting information, various firmware, and the like.

[0031] The redundant memory 322 is an SPI memory (an example of a storage device) connected to the embedded controller 31 via an SPI, and stores a BIOS update program, which will be described later.

[0032] The backup memory 323 is an SPI memory (an example of a storage device) connected to the embedded controller 31 via an SPI, and stores a backup of the BIOS program.

[0033] The input unit 33 is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard, a pointing device, or a touch pad. The power supply circuit 34 includes, for example, a DC / DC converter, a charge / discharge unit, and converts an external power source from an AC / DC adapter or a direct current voltage supplied from a battery 35 into a plurality of voltages required to operate the notebook PC 1. The power supply circuit 34 also supplies power to each part of the notebook PC 1 based on the control of the embedded controller 31.

[0034] The battery 35 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, and when external power is supplied from the AC / DC adapter, it is charged by the power supply circuit 34. Furthermore, when external power is not being supplied from the AC / DC adapter, the battery 35 supplies power to each component of the notebook PC 1 via the power supply circuit 34.

[0035] Next, the functional configuration of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment. 2, the notebook PC 1 includes a main control unit 10, an embedded controller 31, a storage unit 40, a NW (network) communication unit 41, and a BIOS storage unit 320. Note that in FIG. 2, only the main functional configuration related to the present embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0036] The storage unit 40 is, for example, a storage unit realized by the main memory 12, and stores various information used by the notebook PC 1. The storage unit 40 stores, for example, various information used in BIOS processing and OS processing.

[0037] The NW communication unit 41 is a functional unit realized by, for example, the WLAN card 25, and connects to the network NW1 by network communication such as wireless LAN or wired LAN to perform data communication. The NW communication unit 41 is used, for example, to obtain a BIOS update program.

[0038] The main control unit 10 has a CPU 11 and a chipset 21, and starts an OS (e.g., Windows (registered trademark)) by executing a BIOS program. After starting the OS, the main control unit 10 executes various applications that run on the OS. The main control unit 10 includes, for example, a BIOS processing unit 101 and an OS processing unit 102.

[0039] The BIOS processing unit 101 is a functional unit that is realized by causing the CPU 11 to execute a BIOS program, and executes various BIOS processes. The BIOS processing unit 101 executes, for example, a process of booting up the OS. The OS processing unit 102 is a functional unit that is realized by causing the CPU 11 to execute an OS program, and executes various types of OS processing.

[0040] The BIOS storage unit 320 is a storage unit realized by, for example, the BIOS memory 32, and stores at least a BIOS program. The BIOS storage unit 320 includes the above-mentioned BIOS main memory 321, redundant memory 322, and backup memory 323. In this embodiment, the BIOS main memory 321 corresponds to the main area A1 of the BIOS storage unit 320, and the redundant memory 322 corresponds to the redundant area A2 of the BIOS storage unit 320. The backup memory 323 corresponds to the backup area A3 of the BIOS storage unit 320. That is, the BIOS storage unit 320 has the main area A1 (first area), the redundant area A2 (second area), and the backup area A3 (third area).

[0041] The main area A1 is an area for storing the current BIOS program, the redundant area A2 is an area for storing BIOS update programs, and the backup area A3 is an area for storing a backup of the BIOS program, and is an example of a backup storage unit.

[0042] In this embodiment, the BIOS main memory 321 (main area A1), the redundant memory 322 (redundant area A2), and the backup memory 323 (backup area A3) are connected via SPI so as to be accessible from the embedded controller 31. In this embodiment, the main area A1, the redundant area A2, and the backup area A3 are each an independent storage device (SPI memory).

[0043] The embedded controller 31 includes a BIOS redirect information storage unit 311 and a BIOS update unit 312. The BIOS redirect information storage unit 311 stores redirect information indicating a reference destination used to access a BIOS program.

[0044] In the BIOS update process, the BIOS update unit 312 stores the BIOS update program acquired by the main control unit 10 in the redundant area A2, executes a reboot, and enables the update program stored in the redundant area A2 as a BIOS program.

[0045] For example, when restarting the BIOS update process, the BIOS update unit 312 changes the reference destination used to access the BIOS program from the BIOS program in the main area A1 to the update program in the redundant area A2, and enables the update program as the BIOS program. That is, the BIOS update unit 312 changes the redirect information stored in the BIOS redirect information storage unit 311 from the main area A1 to the redundant area A2, and disables the BIOS program in the main area A1 and enables the update program as the BIOS program.

[0046] Furthermore, when the BIOS update unit 312 validates the update program as a BIOS program, it changes the setting of the update program to prohibit modification from the OS. The BIOS update unit 312 locks the redundant area A2 so that the BIOS program in the redundant area A2, which is the update program, cannot be directly accessed from the OS.

[0047] After the BIOS update unit 312 validates the update program as a BIOS program, the BIOS update unit 312 transfers the update program to the backup area A3 and stores the update program. If the embedded controller 31 fails to verify the validity of the BIOS program in a Power On Self Test (POST) executed when booting the OS, the embedded controller 31 executes a recovery process to restore the BIOS program that boots the OS using the backup stored in the backup area A3.

[0048] Next, the operation of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the BIOS update process of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 are diagrams for explaining an example of the BIOS update process of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows the state of the notebook PC 1 before the BIOS is updated, and illustrates the startup process of the BIOS and the OS in the state before the BIOS is updated. 3, when the notebook PC 1 is powered on or reset (restarted), the main control unit 10 uses eSPI to access the main area A1 of the BIOS storage unit 320 via the embedded controller 31, reads (loads) a BIOS program (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a BIOS program), and starts the BIOS. The main control unit 10 also uses the BIOS to start the OS.

[0050] In the state shown in FIG. 3, the backup area A3 stores the same BIOS program as that stored in the main area A1 as a backup for the BIOS program. After the OS is started, the BIOS program (main) in the main area A1 is locked so that it cannot be directly accessed from the OS.

[0051] Next, the details of the writing process (storing process) of the update program in the BIOS update process of the notebook PC 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, the main control unit 10 transfers a BIOS update program (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as an update program) acquired, for example, via the network NW1 and the NW communication unit 41 to the embedded controller 31. The BIOS update unit 312 of the embedded controller 31 determines a redundant area A2 (here, an area in the redundant memory 322) in the BIOS storage unit 320, and stores the update program acquired from the main control unit 10 in the redundant area A2.

[0052] Here, the reason why the BIOS update section 312 stores the update program in the redundant area A2 is that the main area A1 is locked and therefore the update program cannot be directly stored in the main area A1. Furthermore, the BIOS update unit 312 executes a restart (global reset) after storing the update program in the redundant area A2.

[0053] Next, the reboot process after the update program is stored in the redundant area A2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in the reboot process, the BIOS update unit 312 enables the update program in the redundant area A2, disables the BIOS program in the main area A1, and starts up the BIOS with the update program.

[0054] The BIOS update unit 312 changes the redirection information of the reference destination of the BIOS program stored in the BIOS redirection information storage unit 311 from the main area A1 to the redundant area A2, enables the update program, and disables the BIOS program in the main area A1.

[0055] Moreover, the embedded controller 31 reads (loads) the update program in the redundant area A2 as the latest BIOS program, and transfers it to the main control unit 10. The main control unit 10 reads (loads) the update program in the redundant area A2 via the embedded controller 31, and starts up the BIOS and the OS.

[0056] The main control unit 10 uses eSPI to access the main area A1 of the BIOS storage unit 320 via the embedded controller 31, reads (loads) a BIOS program (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a BIOS program), and starts the BIOS. The main control unit 10 also uses the BIOS to start the OS. After the OS is started, the update program in the redundant area A2 is locked so that it cannot be directly accessed from the OS.

[0057] Next, the backup process of the BIOS program (update program) after reboot will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the BIOS update unit 312 of the embedded controller 31 transfers the update program in the redundant area A2 to the backup area A3 of the BIOS storage unit 320, and stores it as a backup of the BIOS program.

[0058] After the BIOS update process, the BIOS update unit 312 may treat the redundant area A2 that has been enabled as a BIOS program as the main area during the next BIOS update, and may use the disabled main area A1 as the redundant area for the next BIOS update, or may use another free area in the redundant memory 322 as the next redundant area.

[0059] Next, the operation of the embedded controller 31 in the BIOS update process of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a BIOS update process of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment.

[0060] 7, in the BIOS update process, the embedded controller 31 of the notebook PC 1 first determines a redundant area A2 and stores the BIOS update program acquired from the main control unit 10 in the redundant area A2 (step S101). The BIOS update unit 312 of the embedded controller 31 stores the update program acquired from the main control unit 10 using eSPI in the redundant area A2 using SPI. The BIOS update unit 312 determines the redundant area A2 from, for example, a free area of ​​the redundant memory 322.

[0061] Next, the BIOS update unit 312 restarts the notebook PC 1, enables the update program in the redundant area A2 as a BIOS program, and disables the BIOS program in the main area A1 (step S102). The BIOS update unit 312, for example, executes a global reset to restart the notebook PC 1 and changes the redirection information stored in the BIOS redirection information storage unit 311 from the main area A1 to the redundant area A2. This enables the update program in the redundant area A2 and disables the BIOS program in the main area A1.

[0062] Furthermore, when the notebook PC 1 is restarted, the BIOS update unit 312 reads out the update program in the redundant area A2 based on the redirect information in the BIOS redirect information storage unit 311 in response to a read request for the BIOS program from the main control unit 10, and transmits the read out update program to the main control unit 10. This starts up the BIOS based on the update program.

[0063] Next, the BIOS update unit 312 stores the update program in the backup area A3 as a backup after the OS starts up with the update program (step S103). As a runtime process after the OS starts up, the BIOS update unit 312 reads the update program from the redundant area A2 and stores it in the backup area A3 as a backup. After the process of step S103, the BIOS update unit 312 ends the BIOS update process.

[0064] Next, the BIOS recovery process of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of recovery processing by backing up the BIOS of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment.

[0065] 8, the embedded controller 31 of the notebook PC 1 first executes a POST process when the notebook PC 1 is started (step S201). The embedded controller 31 verifies the validity of the BIOS program, for example, by using a digest value (hash value) previously obtained from the BIOS program data.

[0066] Next, the embedded controller 31 determines whether the authenticity of the BIOS is confirmed based on the result of the POST process (step S201). If the authenticity of the BIOS is confirmed based on the result of the POST process (step S202: YES), the embedded controller 31 proceeds to step S203. If the authenticity of the BIOS is not confirmed based on the result of the POST process (step S202: NO), the embedded controller 31 proceeds to step S204.

[0067] In step S203, the notebook PC 1 starts the OS by the BIOS. That is, the main control unit 10 of the notebook PC 1 reads (loads) the BIOS program via the embedded controller 31 and executes the BIOS program to start the OS. After the process of step S203, the startup process of the notebook PC 1 ends.

[0068] In step S204, the embedded controller 31 restores the BIOS program using the backup in the backup area A3. The embedded controller 31 reads the backup of the BIOS program stored in the backup area A3, and rewrites it in the area (main area A1 or redundant area A2) in which the current BIOS program is stored. The embedded controller 31 determines the area to which the backup is to be rewritten based on the redirect information stored in the BIOS redirect information storage unit 311. After the process of step S204, the embedded controller 31 returns the process to step S101.

[0069] In the above description, the processes in steps S101 and S202 are executed by the embedded controller 31. However, the processes in steps S101 and S202 may be executed by the main control unit 10 instead of the embedded controller 31.

[0070] As described above, the notebook PC 1 (information processing device) according to this embodiment includes a BIOS storage unit 320, a main control unit 10, and an embedded controller 31 (sub-control unit). The BIOS storage unit 320 (BIOS memory 32) stores at least a BIOS program. The main control unit 10 starts the OS by executing the BIOS program. The embedded controller 31 (sub-control unit) is configured to manage peripheral devices and to be able to access the BIOS storage unit 320. The BIOS storage unit 320 also includes a main area A1 (first area) that stores a current BIOS program, and a redundant area A2 (second area) for storing a BIOS update program. The embedded controller 31 includes a BIOS update unit 312. In a BIOS update process, the BIOS update unit 312 stores the BIOS update program acquired by the main control unit 10 in the redundant area A2, executes a reboot, and enables the update program stored in the redundant area A2 as a BIOS program.

[0071] As a result, the notebook PC 1 (information processing device) according to this embodiment enables the BIOS update program stored in the redundant area A2 (second area) as a BIOS program and uses it as is, so there is no need to move the update program to the main area A1 when rebooting. Therefore, the notebook PC 1 (information processing device) according to this embodiment can reduce the reboot time when updating the BIOS.

[0072] In addition, in the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment, the pre-update BIOS program remains in the main area A1. Therefore, the BIOS update unit 312 invalidates the BIOS program stored in the redundant area A2 and re-enables the BIOS program stored in the main area A1, so that the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment can safely and easily return to the pre-update BIOS.

[0073] In addition, in this embodiment, when restarting the BIOS update process, the BIOS update unit 312 changes the reference used to access the BIOS program from the BIOS program in the main area A1 to the update program in the redundant area A2, and enables the update program as the BIOS program.

[0074] As a result, the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment can make the update program valid as a BIOS program by a simple method of changing the reference destination used for access. Also, in the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment, the main control unit 10 does not need to be aware that the storage location of the BIOS program has been changed by the update process, and the effect is that the processing of the conventional main control unit can be used as is.

[0075] In this embodiment, the BIOS program in the main area A1 is set to be prohibited from being changed from the OS. When the BIOS update unit 312 validates the update program as a BIOS program, the BIOS update unit 312 changes the setting of the update program to be prohibited from being changed from the OS.

[0076] As a result, in the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment, the BIOS program cannot be changed from the OS, so that the BIOS program can be protected and prevented from being tampered with illegally.

[0077] Furthermore, the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment includes a backup area A3 (an example of a backup storage unit) that stores a backup of the BIOS program. The BIOS update unit 312 validates the update program as a BIOS program, and then transfers the update program to the backup area A3 for storage. If verification of the BIOS program fails, the embedded controller 31 executes a recovery process to restore the BIOS program that starts the OS using the backup stored in the backup area A3.

[0078] As a result, in the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment, even if the BIOS program is corrupted due to, for example, data stored in the BIOS memory 32 being corrupted, the BIOS program can be safely repaired and restored.

[0079] In this embodiment, the main area A1 and the redundant area A2 are each an independent storage device (SPI memory). Here, the storage device is an electrically rewritable memory chip, and is connected to the embedded controller 31 via the SPI.

[0080] As a result, the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment can be configured with independent storage devices (SPI memories), thereby greatly increasing the BIOS program area and easily expanding the functions.

[0081] The BIOS update method according to the present embodiment is a BIOS update method for a notebook PC 1 including at least a BIOS storage unit 320 that stores a BIOS program, a main control unit 10 that starts an OS by executing the BIOS program, and an embedded controller 31 that manages peripheral devices and can access the BIOS storage unit 320, and includes a BIOS update step. The BIOS storage unit 320 has a main area A1 that stores a current BIOS program, and a redundant area A2 for storing a BIOS update program. In the BIOS update step, the embedded controller 31 stores the BIOS update program acquired by the main control unit 10 in the BIOS update process in the redundant area A2, executes a reboot, and enables the update program stored in the redundant area A2 as a BIOS program.

[0082] As a result, the BIOS updating method according to this embodiment has the same effect as the notebook PC 1 described above, and can shorten the restart time when updating the BIOS.

[0083] [Second embodiment] Next, a notebook PC 1a according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a modified example in which a backup storage unit 221 configured with an SSD 22 is used instead of the backup memory 323 will be described.

[0084] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the notebook PC 1a according to this embodiment. The main hardware configuration of the notebook PC 1a according to this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 9, the notebook PC 1a includes a main control unit 10, an embedded controller 31, a storage unit 40, a NW communication unit 41, a BIOS storage unit 320a, and a backup storage unit 221. In FIG. 9, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] The BIOS storage unit 320a is, for example, a storage unit realized by the BIOS memory 32, and stores at least a BIOS program. The BIOS storage unit 320a includes the BIOS main memory 321 and the redundant memory 322 described above.

[0087] The backup storage unit 221 is, for example, a storage unit realized by the SSD 22, and stores a backup of a BIOS program, similar to the backup memory 323 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the backup storage unit 221 corresponds to the backup area A3.

[0088] Moreover, the embedded controller 31 according to this embodiment includes a BIOS redirection information storage unit 311 and a BIOS update unit 312a. The basic functions of the BIOS update unit 312a are similar to those of the BIOS update unit 312 of the above-described first embodiment, except that the backup storage unit 221 is used instead of the backup memory 323 in the backup area A3.

[0089] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the backup storage unit 221 is realized by the SSD 22, but the redundant area A2 (redundant memory 322) may be realized by the SSD 22. That is, the storage device constituting the redundant area A2 may be an electrically rewritable memory chip or the SSD 22.

[0090] As described above, the notebook PC 1a according to this embodiment includes a BIOS storage unit 320a, a main control unit 10, and an embedded controller 31 (sub-control unit). The BIOS storage unit 320a (BIOS memory 32) stores at least a BIOS program. The BIOS storage unit 320a has a main area A1 (first area) that stores a current BIOS program, and a redundant area A2 (second area) for storing a BIOS update program. The embedded controller 31 includes a BIOS update unit 312a. In a BIOS update process, the BIOS update unit 312a stores the BIOS update program acquired by the main control unit 10 in the redundant area A2, executes a reboot, and validates the update program stored in the redundant area A2 as a BIOS program.

[0091] As a result, the notebook PC 1a according to this embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment described above, and can shorten the restart time when updating the BIOS.

[0092] Furthermore, the notebook PC 1a according to this embodiment includes a backup storage unit 221 (backup area A3) that stores a backup of the BIOS program. After the BIOS update unit 312 validates the update program as a BIOS program, the BIOS update unit 312 transfers the update program to the backup storage unit 221 for storage. If verification of the BIOS program fails, the embedded controller 31 executes a recovery process that uses the backup stored in the backup storage unit 221 to restore the BIOS program that starts the OS.

[0093] As a result, in the notebook PC 1a according to this embodiment, even if the BIOS program is corrupted due to data corruption in the BIOS memory 32, for example, the BIOS program can be safely repaired and restored.

[0094] In this embodiment, the main area A1 and the redundant area A2 are independent storage devices. The storage device constituting the redundant area A2 may be an electrically rewritable memory chip or an SSD 22.

[0095] As a result, the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment can greatly increase the BIOS program area by using an electrically rewritable memory chip or SSD 22 as the redundant area A2, and can easily expand functions.

[0096] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the information processing device is the notebook PC 1, but the information processing device is not limited to this, and may be, for example, another information processing device such as a tablet terminal device or a desktop PC.

[0097] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the redundant area A2 and the backup area A3 are provided outside the BIOS main memory 321, but this is not limited to this, and the redundant area A2 and the backup area A3 may be provided inside the BIOS main memory 321.

[0098] In the above embodiments, the notebook PC 1 (1a) acquires the BIOS update file via the network NW1, but the BIOS update file may be acquired as a capsule file encapsulated using encryption technology. In this case, by using the capsule file, the notebook PC 1 (1a) can reduce the possibility that the BIOS update program will be tampered with during transfer, and can perform the BIOS update process safely.

[0099] Each of the components of the notebook PC 1 (1a) described above has an internal computer system. A program for implementing the functions of each of the components of the notebook PC 1 (1a) described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform processing in each of the components of the notebook PC 1 (1a) described above. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, a "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, WAN, LAN, dedicated lines, and other communication lines. Furthermore, a "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0100] The recording medium also includes a recording medium installed inside or outside and accessible from a distribution server to distribute the program. The program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined with each component of the notebook PC 1 (1a), or each divided program may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a recording medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network. The above program may also be a recording medium for realizing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the recording medium may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0101] In addition, some or all of the above-mentioned functions may be realized as an integrated circuit such as LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each of the above-mentioned functions may be individually processed, or some or all of the functions may be integrated into a processor. The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. In addition, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI appears due to advances in semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on that technology may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1, 1a Notebook PC 10 Main control section 11 CPU 12. Main memory 13 Video Subsystem 14 Display section 21 Chipset 22 SSD 23 USB connector 24 Audio System 25 WLAN Card 31 Embedded Controller (EC) 32 BIOS memory 33 Input section 34 Power supply circuit 35 Battery 40 Storage section 41 Network Communications Department 101 BIOS processing unit 102 OS processing section 221 Backup memory section 311 BIOS redirection information storage 312, 312a BIOS update section 320, 320a BIOS storage 321 BIOS main memory 322 Redundant Memory 323 Backup Memory A1 Main Area A2 redundant area A3 Backup Area NW1 Network

Claims

1. a BIOS storage unit that stores at least a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program; a main control unit that executes the BIOS program to start up an OS (Operating System); a sub-control unit that manages peripheral devices and has access to the BIOS storage unit; Equipped with the BIOS storage unit has a first area for storing a current BIOS program and a second area for storing an update program for the BIOS; The sub-controller includes a BIOS update unit that stores the BIOS update program acquired by the main control unit in the second area, restarts the computer, and enables the update program stored in the second area as a program of the BIOS in the BIOS update process. Information processing device.

2. The BIOS update unit changes a reference destination used to access the BIOS program at the time of the restart of the BIOS update process from the BIOS program in the first area to the update program in the second area, thereby enabling the update program as the BIOS program. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The BIOS program in the first area is set to be prohibited from being changed by the OS, The BIOS update unit changes a setting of the update program to prohibit modification from the OS when the update program is enabled as a program of the BIOS. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. a backup storage unit for storing a backup of the BIOS program; the BIOS update unit makes the update program valid as a program of the BIOS, and then transfers the update program to the backup storage unit and stores the update program therein; When verification of the BIOS program fails, the sub-control unit executes a recovery process to restore the BIOS program that starts up the OS using the backup stored in the backup storage unit. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The first area and the second area are each an independent storage device. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. The storage device is an electrically rewritable memory chip and is connected to the sub-controller via an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface). The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The storage device constituting the second area is an electrically rewritable memory chip or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The information processing device according to claim 5 .

8. A BIOS update method for an information processing device including a BIOS storage unit that stores at least a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program, a main control unit that starts an OS (Operating System) by executing the BIOS program, and a sub-control unit that manages peripheral devices and has access to the BIOS storage unit, comprising: the BIOS storage unit has a first area for storing a current BIOS program and a second area for storing an update program for the BIOS; The sub-controller includes a BIOS update step of storing the BIOS update program acquired by the main control unit in the second area, restarting the computer, and validating the update program stored in the second area as a program of the BIOS in the BIOS update process. How to update BIOS.

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