Boot Selector Validation for Reliable Device Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

During system upgrades, erroneous secondary boot loaders can be loaded, making electronic devices unrecoverable, as they cannot load new system images, and existing solutions lack robust validation and backup mechanisms to ensure reliable boot operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a boot selector and backup boot loader stored in permanent memory, which searches and validates an upgradable boot loader in writable memory, selecting it if valid, or falling back to a backup loader to ensure a reliable boot chain operation, even if the upgradable loader is corrupted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an upgradable boot loader is loaded during system upgrades, then system functionality is improved, but the risk of loading erroneous boot loaders increases, making devices unrecoverable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem upgrade capabilityVSAvoidboot operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by validating the upgradable boot loader before loading it into the secondary boot loader position. The validation process checks the boot loader image in the third region (writable memory) before overwriting the second region (permanent memory), ensuring the new boot loader is correct before committing the upgrade. This prevents erroneous boot loaders from being loaded, resolving the contradiction between upgrade capability and boot reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by maintaining a backup boot loader in the second region (permanent memory) that remains unchanged during system upgrades. If the upgradable boot loader in the third region is found to be erroneous or the validation fails, the system can fall back to the backup boot loader, ensuring the device remains recoverable. This cushioning mechanism protects against the risks of system upgrades while maintaining upgrade capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If validation mechanisms are added to verify boot loader integrity, then boot reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot loader validationVSAvoidboot selection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the boot loader storage into three distinct regions: first region (read-only memory for primary boot loader), second region (permanent memory for backup boot loader), and third region (writable memory for upgradable boot loader). This segmentation allows validation to occur in the third region before committing to the second region, providing a structured approach to validation that manages complexity through clear separation of functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a validation mechanism that acts as a mediator between the upgradable boot loader image (in third region) and the secondary boot loader position (second region). The validation process verifies the integrity and correctness of the boot loader image before allowing it to replace the backup, providing a controlled transition that ensures reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a backup boot loader is maintained in permanent memory, then device recoverability is improved, but memory usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice recoverabilityVSAvoidpermanent memory storage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different storage characteristics to different boot loader components: the primary boot loader is stored in read-only memory (first region) for maximum protection, the backup boot loader is stored in permanent memory (second region) for recoverability, and the upgradable boot loader is stored in writable memory (third region) for update capability. This localized quality assignment optimizes memory usage by placing the backup boot loader only where it is strictly necessary for recoverability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10846099B2Selecting a boot loader on an electronic device

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

Systems, methods, and software can be used to select a boot loader. In some aspects, a primary boot loader on an electronic device invokes a boot selector stored on a permanent memory storage on the electronic device. The boot selector selects a secondary boot loader stored on the electronic device. The selected secondary boot loader is executed to boot the electronic device.