I/O Device Hardware Feature Detection Without Processor Initialization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computer system configurations rely heavily on software to detect and configure hardware features, which can be cumbersome for end users and require processor and memory initialization, making it difficult to manage changes or detect features without a fully operational system.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating support for hardware feature inquiries and arbitration within the electronic system, allowing devices to detect and configure hardware features like DMA controllers without relying on software execution, using message transactions and configuration logic to determine availability and access hardware features across buses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software (firmware or device drivers) is used to detect and configure hardware features, then hardware feature detection and configuration capability is provided, but user complexity and difficulty of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware feature detection capabilityVSAvoiduser operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The I/O device performs self-detection and self-configuration of hardware features through hardware-based inquiry mechanisms. The device autonomously determines its own capabilities and configures itself without requiring processor execution of software or manual user intervention, thereby eliminating the complexity associated with software selection and installation while maintaining comprehensive hardware detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the software-based mechanical system (firmware execution and device driver installation) with a hardware-based inquiry mechanism. Instead of using processor-executed software to detect hardware features, the system uses direct hardware inquiries through configuration spaces and message transactions, substituting the software layer with a more direct hardware-to-hardware communication mechanism that bypasses user complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If firmware is used to detect and configure hardware features, then hardware feature detection is simplified for end users, but difficulty of making changes to accommodate new hardware increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveend user simplicityVSAvoidfirmware update flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to new hardware through hardware-based inquiry mechanisms rather than requiring static firmware updates. When new hardware is added, the I/O device can autonomously inquire about available hardware features through configuration spaces and message transactions, allowing the system to adapt to new hardware capabilities without requiring firmware flashing or burning operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hardware inquiry mechanism is established in advance within the I/O device, allowing it to proactively detect and configure hardware features as soon as they become available. This preliminary setup of inquiry capabilities eliminates the need for post-installation firmware updates, as the device can immediately query and configure itself when new hardware is introduced

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If software is used to detect and configure hardware features, then comprehensive hardware configuration is achieved, but requirement for processor and memory initialization makes feature detection unavailable in certain configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware configuration capabilityVSAvoidfeature detection availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the hardware feature detection function from the processor-executed software layer and implements it directly within the I/O device through hardware-based inquiry mechanisms. By taking out the dependency on processor and memory initialization, the detection capability becomes independently available to I/O devices even in configurations where a fully initialized processor is not present, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing comprehensive configuration capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7363393B2Chipset feature detection and configuration by an I/O device

Publication Date: 2008.04.22 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Apparatus and method for a first device to query a second device for the availability of a hardware feature within the second device, and for the second to receive and analyze the query to determine whether or not to respond, depending on the version of hardware feature sought, a code identifying a vendor, etc., and responding with a reply providing an indication of availability of the hardware feature and/or an address at which the hardware feature may be accessed, if the determination is made to reply.