BIOS Driver Companion Software Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems often lack the capability to recognize and implement functions associated with custom interfaces on devices, such as custom keys on keyboards, leading to unsupported interactions and a need for users to manually download companion applications.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system that includes a device, a driver, and a BIOS, where the BIOS receives input from custom interfaces and directs unrecognized inputs to a driver, which determines if a companion application is instantiated and, if not, accesses a network to download and install the necessary application, enabling persistent companion software support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the BIOS includes only basic procedures for standard functions, then the BIOS remains simple and reliable, but it cannot recognize or implement functions associated with custom interfaces on devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a driver as an intermediary layer between the BIOS and the device. The driver receives input from custom interfaces that the BIOS cannot recognize, determines whether a companion application is instantiated, and either directs the input to the companion application or downloads and installs it. This intermediary approach allows the BIOS to remain simple while gaining the ability to handle custom interface functions through the driver's mediation.
2Ease of operation
If users manually download and install companion applications, then custom device functions can be supported, but user effort and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling automatic detection and installation of companion applications. When the driver receives input from a custom interface, it automatically determines whether the required companion application is instantiated on the information handling system. If not, the driver automatically downloads and installs the necessary application without requiring user intervention, thereby simplifying the user experience while implementing an automated detection and installation mechanism.
3Reliability
If the driver always checks for and downloads companion applications, then all custom functions are supported, but network resources and time are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The driver implements partial action by checking whether the companion application is already instantiated before attempting to download or install it. This selective approach ensures that download and installation operations are performed only when necessary, rather than unconditionally for every custom interface input. This reduces unnecessary network resource consumption and minimizes time loss while still ensuring that companion applications are available when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system includes a device, a driver associated with the device, and a BIOS. The device provides first information associated with a first function and second information associated with a companion application. The BIOS receives the first and second information. The BIOS includes a procedure to implement the first function, but lacks a procedure to implement the second function. The BIOS sends the second input information to the driver. The driver determines that the companion application is instantiated on the information handling system and directs the second information to the companion application, and the driver determines that the companion application is not instantiated on the information handling system, accesses a network to install the companion application, and directs the second information to the companion application.