BIOS Configuration Update via Standardized Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current BIOS configuration methods are system-dependent and lack the ability for a system administrator to remotely configure computing systems from various manufacturers using a single administrative console, especially when the operating system is present.

Innovation Solution

The BIOS configuration update technique employs a BIOS configuration description that defines a schema or set of rules for hardware settings, allowing a management application to access and modify configurable elements across different manufacturers' systems, using a pre-defined schema or framework-based approach, enabling remote configuration from a single administrator console.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a manufacturer-specific BIOS setup utility is used, then the BIOS settings can be configured for that specific manufacturer's system, but the utility cannot access or modify BIOS settings on systems from other manufacturers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-manufacturer compatibilityVSAvoidsystem-dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standardized interface as an intermediary layer between the administrator console and manufacturer-specific BIOS utilities. This interface translates generic administrative commands into manufacturer-specific BIOS configuration commands, enabling cross-manufacturer compatibility without requiring the administrator to learn multiple proprietary interfaces. The standardized interface acts as a mediator that resolves the complexity of direct manufacturer-specific connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal administrator console that can function with multiple manufacturers' systems through a standardized interface. This single console performs multiple functions by adapting to different manufacturers' BIOS configurations through the standardized interface, eliminating the need for separate manufacturer-specific consoles and improving cross-manufacturer versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a remote BIOS setup utility is used, then BIOS settings can be configured remotely, but the utility is system-dependent and cannot work with systems from different manufacturers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-manufacturer supportVSAvoidinterface standardization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized interface serves as a mediator between the remote administrator console and various manufacturer-specific BIOS systems. It translates standardized administrative commands into manufacturer-specific BIOS utility calls, enabling the same remote console to operate across different manufacturers without requiring interface customization for each system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters by adapting the standardized interface to different manufacturers' BIOS configurations. The interface modifies its behavior and parameter mappings based on the detected manufacturer and system type, allowing a single standardized interface to accommodate multiple manufacturers while maintaining ease of operation through consistent interaction patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the operating system is present on the computing system, then the system can run applications, but the BIOS setup utility cannot be accessed for configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote configuration capabilityVSAvoidsystem state requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The standardized interface acts as an intermediary that operates independently of the operating system's presence. It provides a consistent access mechanism to BIOS configuration through the network, working whether the OS is running or not. This mediator layer abstracts away the OS state requirement, enabling remote configuration capability without requiring the system to be in a specific operational state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and configuration of the standardized interface before attempting BIOS access. By establishing the standardized interface connection and verifying system compatibility in advance, the system can prepare the configuration path regardless of whether the OS is currently running, enabling remote configuration without OS presence requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7698546B2BIOS configuration update technique

Publication Date: 2010.04.13 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

The present BIOS configuration update technique allows a system administrator the ability to remotely configure a set of computing systems from various manufacturers from a single administrator console. A BIOS configuration description is used for defining hardware settings within the computing system. The BIOS configuration description may pre-define a schema that various manufacturers use when designing the interface to the configurable elements within their computing systems. Alternatively, the BIOS configuration description may define a set of rules which the various manufacturers use when designing the interface to their configurable elements within their computing systems. Using the BIOS configuration description, one management application may then access the configurable elements on the computing systems from the various manufacturers.