BIOS Data Transfer via Audio Codec Acoustic Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in accessing and managing BIOS settings on computing devices, especially when the BIOS is corrupted, as they cannot boot up to access the BIOS GUI, limiting the ability to make changes or recover from corrupted states.
Innovation Solution
A provisioning device communicates with a computing device using an audio codec to transfer BIOS data as acoustic signals, allowing for BIOS configuration and management through non-volatile memory, enabling backup and restoration of BIOS data even when the device is not powered on, and using multiple BIOS profiles for different boot scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the BIOS is corrupted, then the computing device cannot boot up, but the user still needs to access BIOS settings to recover from the corrupted state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (audio codec and controller) that mediates between the provisioning device and the BIOS data in non-volatile memory. This intermediary path allows BIOS configuration and management without requiring the traditional boot process or BIOS GUI access, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining BIOS functionality and ensuring BIOS accessibility even when corrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/interactive system of booting the device and accessing BIOS GUI with an acoustic signal-based system. The provisioning device sends acoustic signals through the audio codec to the controller, which then directly modifies BIOS data in non-volatile memory. This substitution eliminates the need for the device to boot up or for the user to interact with the BIOS GUI, allowing recovery even when the BIOS is corrupted.
2Ease of operation
If the traditional BIOS GUI access method is used, then the user can configure BIOS settings, but the device must be booted and the BIOS must be functional
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional boot-dependent BIOS configuration mechanism with an acoustic signal-based direct memory modification system. The controller receives acoustic signals from the provisioning device and directly writes to the BIOS data in non-volatile memory without requiring the boot process. This substitution maintains BIOS configuration capability while eliminating dependency on the boot process and functional BIOS.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the audio codec to transmit acoustic signals that carry BIOS configuration data from the provisioning device to the controller. This acoustic copy of the configuration data serves as an alternative to the traditional GUI interaction, allowing the same configuration functionality to be achieved through a different medium that does not require the BIOS to be functional or the device to boot.
3Device complexity
If the BIOS data is stored only in the main memory, then the BIOS configuration is simple, but the BIOS data cannot be backed up or restored when corrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the controller as an intermediary component between the audio codec and the non-volatile memory where BIOS data is stored. This intermediary enables the provisioning device to access and modify BIOS data directly through acoustic signals, facilitating backup and restoration capabilities. The added complexity of the controller and dual memory structure is justified by the significant improvement in BIOS data recoverability.
4Ease of operation
If the device must boot up to access BIOS settings, then the BIOS GUI can be accessed, but the process is time-consuming and cannot be done when the device is powered off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the boot process with an acoustic signal transmission mechanism. The provisioning device sends acoustic signals through the audio codec to the controller, which directly modifies BIOS data in non-volatile memory without requiring the device to boot up. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming boot process and enables BIOS configuration even when the device is powered off, significantly improving operational convenience while reducing time loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides an additional mechanism for managing BIOS settings beyond the traditional GUI, allowing for BIOS data backup, restoration, and configuration without requiring a boot process, ensuring device functionality even when corrupted, and enabling flexible configuration through different BIOS profiles.
Implementation Method 1
A provisioning device communicates with a computing device using an audio codec to transfer BIOS data as acoustic signals
Data Source
AI summary
An example computing device includes a non-volatile memory to store Basic Input/Output Systems (BIOS) data of the computing device, an audio codec, and a controller. The controller is to: receive a command from a provisioning device at the audio codec; and transfer a copy of the BIOS data between the controller and the memory based on the command.