Dynamic Hardware Configuration via Firmware Interface for Boot Troubleshooting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Computing devices often fail to boot due to improperly configured or faulty hardware components, making it difficult for users to diagnose and troubleshoot issues without physically disabling components, especially when display hardware is involved, leading to an unusable device.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a dynamic hardware configuration (DHC) function within the firmware interface that allows the processor to selectively disable hardware components or their functionality, enabling the device to boot even when default configurations fail, by configuring hardware components according to a user-specified or automatically determined DHC, allowing for troubleshooting without physical intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hardware components are configured according to default settings, then the device can boot normally, but if hardware components are faulty or improperly configured, the device fails to boot and users cannot diagnose issues without physically disabling components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of troubleshootingVSAvoidhardware configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of manually disabling hardware components with a software-based firmware interface. The firmware allows users to dynamically configure hardware components through software commands, eliminating the need for physical intervention such as removing RAM sticks or graphics cards. This substitution enables troubleshooting while the device remains physically intact and connected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The firmware interface acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the hardware components. Instead of directly manipulating hardware, users interact with the firmware which then translates these interactions into appropriate hardware configuration changes. This intermediary enables safe and controlled hardware configuration without requiring physical access or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If users physically disable hardware components to diagnose boot failures, then they can identify faulty components, but the device becomes unusable and requires physical intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot success rateVSAvoidtroubleshooting difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware interface enables preliminary configuration and testing of hardware components before actual boot failure occurs. Users can pre-configure hardware settings, enable/disable components, and test system stability without waiting for a boot failure. This preliminary action prevents the need for reactive physical disassembly after failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically removing and reinserting hardware components with a software-based enable/disable mechanism. The firmware provides commands to selectively activate or deactivate hardware components through software, eliminating the need for physical manipulation while achieving the same diagnostic purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If hardware components are permanently configured, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different configuration needs or troubleshoot issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidfirmware interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms static, permanent hardware configuration into a dynamic system where hardware settings can be changed at runtime through the firmware interface. The firmware allows users to modify hardware configuration on-the-fly, enabling adaptability to different troubleshooting scenarios and usage requirements without physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The firmware interface serves multiple functions: it manages hardware configuration, enables troubleshooting capabilities, provides system diagnostics, and allows dynamic adaptation to different hardware setups. This universal interface consolidates what would otherwise require multiple specialized tools or physical intervention methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10198270B2Dynamic hardware configuration via firmware interface at computing device boot

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 LENOVO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

At initiation of boot of a computing device, a processor executes a firmware interface of the computing device, like a basic input/output system (BIOS) or a unified extended firmware interface (UEFI). The processor executes the firmware interface to detect whether a dynamic hardware configuration (DHC) function has been enabled. In response to detecting that the DHC function has been enabled, the processor executes the firmware interface to configure hardware components of the computing device according to a DHC, such as to selectively disable the hardware components. After configuring the hardware components according to the DHC, the processor proceeds to boot the computing device.