Codec Feature Configuration via BIOS Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customizing audio codec features in personal computers is costly and time-consuming due to the need for individual certification of device driver packages, and existing methods often result in feature loss during automated operating system upgrades.
Innovation Solution
Storing configuration and feature data in the BIOS, allowing the device driver to configure and enable codec features independently of the operating system, ensuring WHQL certification is preserved across OS upgrades without requiring separate installation of configuration files.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If configuration files are included in device driver installation packages for WHQL certification, then codec features can be customized, but certification cost and time increase for each unique configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration data from the device driver package by storing it in the BIOS instead of including it in the WHQL-certified driver. This allows the driver to remain a single certified package while the BIOS contains customizable feature configuration data that doesn't require separate certification for each variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the BIOS as an intermediary between the device driver and the configuration data. The BIOS stores the configuration information and provides it to the device driver at runtime, allowing the driver to access customized features without the configuration being part of the certified driver package itself.
2Ease of manufacture
If configuration files are stored independently from device drivers, then WHQL certification is simplified, but configuration files are omitted during automated operating system upgrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by storing the configuration data in the BIOS before the operating system upgrade occurs. Since the BIOS is updated separately and persists through OS upgrades, the configuration data is preserved and automatically available when the new OS is installed, eliminating the need for manual reinstallation.
Solution Approach 2:
The BIOS serves itself as the storage medium for configuration data, making it self-persisting through OS upgrades. The device driver automatically retrieves the configuration from the BIOS during initialization, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external intervention or manual reconfiguration after upgrades.
3Reliability
If manual reinstallation of configuration files is performed after OS upgrades, then codec features are restored, but human error and upgrade failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically preserving and restoring codec configuration features through the BIOS without requiring user intervention. The configuration data persists in the BIOS through OS upgrades and is automatically retrieved by the device driver, eliminating manual reinstallation steps and associated errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by storing configuration data in the BIOS, which acts as a protective buffer that preserves configuration information through OS upgrades. This pre-positioned configuration data cushions against the potential loss that would otherwise occur during automated upgrades, ensuring continuous availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing system includes a codec device, a basic input-output system including both configuration data and feature data for the codec device, and a device driver for the codec device. The basic input-output system configures the codec device based on the configuration data. The device driver reads the feature data from the basic input-output system and enables one or more features of the codec device based on the feature data. In various embodiments, the device driver is WHQL certified and is included in an automated operating system upgrade of the computing system. Because the feature data is in the basic input-output system, the feature data is preserved during the operating system upgrade of the computing system. In some embodiments, the device driver enables one or more features of an application program based on the feature data.