BIOS Keyboard Scan Code Modification for Case-Sensitive Passwords

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing BIOS password security methods are either case-insensitive or require language-specific keyboard drivers, limiting their flexibility and universality in handling passwords across different languages and cases.

Innovation Solution

Modifying the keyboard scan codes by utilizing bit 7 to signify whether the character represented by the key is uppercase or lowercase, allowing for case-sensitive and language-independent BIOS password security without the need for language-specific drivers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional scan codes are used for BIOS password security, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters (case-insensitive)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassword securityVSAvoidcase sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the scan code structure by changing the state of bit 7 based on caps lock and shift key states. This parameter change transforms the scan code from case-insensitive to case-sensitive representation, enabling the BIOS to distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters without requiring additional hardware or complex processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If language-specific keyboard drivers are used to achieve case-sensitive password security, then case sensitivity is achieved, but the system complexity increases and multiple drivers are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassword securityVSAvoidkeyboard driver complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the scan code itself carry case information that is universally interpretable by the BIOS regardless of keyboard layout or language. This universal approach eliminates the need for language-specific drivers, as the case information is embedded directly in the scan code structure rather than requiring driver-level interpretation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If modified scan codes with case information are implemented, then case-sensitive and language-independent password security is achieved, but the scan code structure must be modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanguage independenceVSAvoidscan code structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the case information (determined by caps lock and shift key states) and embeds it directly into bit 7 of the scan code. This extraction and embedding process allows case-sensitive password security to be achieved using the existing scan code transmission mechanism without requiring a completely new communication protocol or structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7619544B2BIOS password security using modified scan codes

Publication Date: 2009.11.17 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A BIOS password security technique includes first logic operable to extract a down scan code from a keyboard input queue, the down scan code having a most significant bit; second logic operable to examine case-related auxiliary information; and third logic operable to set the state of the most significant bit responsive to the case-related auxiliary information, thereby creating a modified scan code.