Runtime BIOS Modification via SMI Handler

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional BIOS systems in information handling systems do not provide a mechanism for modifying BIOS settings during runtime, requiring multiple reboots to apply changes.

Innovation Solution

An Information Handling System (IHS) with a System Management Interrupt (SMI) handler that retrieves and applies BIOS setting modification information during runtime, allowing modifications to take effect without rebooting the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional BIOS setting modification method is used, then BIOS settings can be modified, but multiple reboots are required which reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBIOS setting modification efficiencyVSAvoidreboot time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The SMI handler is pre-configured in the BIOS to intercept and process setting modification requests during runtime. By having the handler ready in advance, the system can apply modifications immediately without requiring reboots, thus resolving the contradiction between modification capability and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If BIOS settings are modified during runtime, then system availability is improved, but system stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidsystem stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The SMI handler acts as an intermediary between the runtime environment and BIOS settings. It safely intercepts modification requests, validates them, and applies changes through controlled mechanisms, ensuring that runtime modifications do not compromise system stability while maintaining availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple reboots are required for BIOS setting modification, then setting application is ensured, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting application guaranteeVSAvoidmodification process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the setting modification functionality from the traditional reboot-dependent process and implements it within the runtime SMI handler. This separation allows modifications to be applied immediately during operation, eliminating the need for multiple reboots while maintaining reliable setting application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10956170B2BIOS setting modification system

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A BIOS setting modification system is provided in a computing device. During a computing device runtime for the computing device, an Out-Of-Band (OOB) controller device receives a first BIOS setting modification request and, in response, generates first BIOS setting modification information and causes the transmission of a System Management Interrupt (SMI). During the computing device runtime for the computing device, an SMI handler subsystem in the computing device retrieves, in response to the SMI, the first BIOS setting modification information, either directly from the OOB controller device, or from a storage subsystem in which it was provided by the OOB controller device. The SMI handler subsystem then applies the first BIOS setting modification information to at least one subsystem in the computing device such that a first BIOS setting modification provided by the first BIOS setting modification information takes effect during the computing device runtime for the computing device.