BIOS Device Name Configuration via NVRAM Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems often label devices based on detection order or preconfigured identifiers, which do not match physical descriptions or user intentions, leading to inconvenient and non-intuitive device naming.

Innovation Solution

The system allows users to configure user-defined names for devices through a BIOS Configuration Interface, storing these names in non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), enabling end-user selection of names that reflect device functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the system uses preconfigured identifiers or detection order for device labeling, then the system operation is automated and simple, but the device names do not match physical descriptions or user intentions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice naming convenienceVSAvoiddevice identifier meaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to manually configure device names through a BIOS Configuration Interface, enabling users to assign meaningful identifiers that reflect physical descriptions and intended functionalities, thereby resolving the contradiction between automated naming and user-intent alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the device identifier parameter from system-generated values to user-defined values, allowing the identifier to be customized according to user needs while maintaining system operation simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the system allows user configuration of device names, then device identifiers align with user intentions, but the configuration process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice identifier meaningVSAvoidnaming configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The BIOS Configuration Interface serves as an intermediary between the user and the device naming system, providing a standardized interface for name configuration while handling the underlying complexity of identifier management and storage in NVRAM

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration actions by storing user-defined device names in non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) during the BIOS setup process, ensuring that the names are preserved and applied automatically during system initialization without requiring repeated user input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9195580B2Systems and methods for user configuration of device names

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A system includes a device, a BIOS, and a processor. The BIOS includes a storage operable to store predefined identifier/user defined name pairs. The processor is operable to, detect the device, determine a predefined identifier for the device, and access the storage to locate a predefined identifier/user defined name pair corresponding to the predefined identifier. The processor is further operable to provide a user defined name of the predefined identifier/user defined name pair when the predefined identifier/user defined name pair is present, and provide the predefined identifier of the predefined identifier/user defined name pair when the predefined identifier/user defined name pair is not present.