Firmware Orchestration for OS-Agnostic Collaboration Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transition from x86 to ARM-based processors in Information Handling Systems (IHSs) presents challenges in managing collaboration settings, deployment, and configuration, particularly in heterogeneous computing platforms, as existing methods often require host OS involvement, leading to inefficiencies and limited customization options.

Innovation Solution

A heterogeneous computing platform with an orchestrator device that applies collaboration settings independently of the host OS, using firmware services and APIs to manage settings such as microphone control, video capture, and display configurations through firmware installation packages, enabling ITDMs and OEMs to customize settings based on contextual information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If host OS involvement is used to manage collaboration settings, then compatibility with existing OS frameworks is improved, but system resource consumption and management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOS compatibilityVSAvoidsystem resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the collaboration settings management functionality from the host OS and places it in the firmware layer. The orchestrator device applies collaboration settings directly through firmware services and APIs, bypassing the need for host OS involvement. This extraction reduces system resource consumption while maintaining compatibility through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an orchestrator device as an intermediary between the firmware layer and collaboration applications. The orchestrator receives collaboration settings from the firmware layer and applies them through device drivers and APIs, serving as a mediator that enables OS-agnostic management while maintaining compatibility with various host OS frameworks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If host OS involvement is required for collaboration settings management, then integration with OS-level applications is improved, but deployment flexibility and customization options decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOS integrationVSAvoiddeployment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts collaboration settings management from the host OS to the firmware layer, enabling deployment flexibility and customization options to be improved while maintaining OS integration through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal firmware-based management layer that can operate across different host OS frameworks. The orchestrator device provides multi-functional capabilities, enabling collaboration settings management to work with various OS-level applications while maintaining deployment flexibility and customization options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If firmware-based management is used, then deployment flexibility and customization are improved, but complexity of firmware development and maintenance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidfirmware development complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The orchestrator device serves as an intermediary that simplifies firmware development and maintenance complexity. It provides a standardized interface between the firmware layer and collaboration applications, reducing the burden of firmware development while maintaining deployment flexibility and customization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If collaboration settings are managed through host OS, then ease of configuration for end users is improved, but management efficiency and response time decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration easeVSAvoidmanagement efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts collaboration settings management from the host OS to the firmware layer, enabling management efficiency and response time to be improved while maintaining ease of configuration through standardized user interfaces and application programming interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12360723B2Management of collaboration settings in a heterogenous computing platform

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Systems and methods for managing collaboration settings in a heterogenous computing platform are described. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include: a heterogeneous computing platform comprising a plurality of devices, and a memory coupled to the heterogeneous computing platform, where the memory comprises a plurality of sets of firmware instructions, where each set of firmware instructions, upon execution by a respective device, enables the respective device to provide a corresponding firmware service, and where at least one of the plurality of devices operates as an orchestrator configured to receive a policy that indicates a collaboration setting and apply the collaboration setting to a selected one of the plurality of devices.