Microcode Update Engine Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microcode updating in information handling systems requires significant effort, time, and cost due to the need for generating BIOS engine updates for multiple computing device platforms, and users cannot separately update BIOS and microcode, potentially leading to performance issues.

Innovation Solution

A microcode update system that includes a processing system with a microcode update engine capable of receiving, writing, and applying updates independently of BIOS engine updates, allowing for standalone microcode updates without requiring BIOS engine updates, and enabling users to choose whether to apply microcode updates during initialization operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If microcode updates are integrated with BIOS engine updates and delivered via BIOS engine update delivery mechanism, then microcode updates can be provided for computing devices, but significant effort, time, and costs are required to generate different BIOS engine updates for multiple computing device platforms and generations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrocode update deliveryVSAvoidtime required for validation and delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the microcode update process from the BIOS engine update process. Microcode updates are delivered as standalone updates separate from BIOS engine updates, allowing independent delivery and validation. This segmentation eliminates the need to create separate BIOS engine updates for each computing device platform and generation, significantly reducing the time and effort required for validation and delivery across multiple platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal microcode update delivery mechanism that can deliver microcode updates to multiple computing device platforms and generations through a single update process. The microcode update engine is designed to be platform-agnostic, enabling one microcode update package to serve multiple computing device types without requiring separate validation and delivery processes for each platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If microcode updates are integrated with BIOS engine updates, then microcode updates can be provided, but overhead costs increase due to revalidating BIOS engine updates for each computing device platform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrocode update provisionVSAvoidoverhead costs for validation and delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments microcode updates from BIOS engine updates, allowing microcode updates to be validated and delivered independently. This eliminates the recurring overhead costs of revalidating BIOS engine updates for each computing device platform, as the microcode update validation process is performed once and can be universally applied across multiple platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables a single validated microcode update package to be copied and deployed across multiple computing device platforms. The microcode update engine validates the update once, and then the validated update can be copied to multiple platforms without requiring repeated validation, significantly reducing overhead costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If microcode updates are integrated with BIOS engine updates, then updates can be delivered, but users cannot separately update BIOS or decline microcode updates that might reduce performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupdate flexibilityVSAvoiduser choice in updates

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments microcode updates from BIOS engine updates, allowing users to independently control each update type. Users can choose to apply only BIOS engine updates, only microcode updates, both, or neither, providing granular control over system updates. This segmentation enables users to decline microcode updates that might reduce performance while still receiving BIOS engine updates, or vice versa.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic update system where the microcode update engine can be independently configured and controlled from the BIOS engine update process. Users can dynamically adjust update preferences for microcode and BIOS engine updates separately, allowing flexible adaptation to different user needs and performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11281454B2Microcode update system

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A microcode update system includes at least one memory device having a code region and a data region, and a microcode update engine that receives a microcode update, and writes the microcode update to the data region of the at least one memory device. Subsequent to writing the microcode update to the data region of the at least one memory device, the microcode update engine utilizes initialization code in the code region of the at least one memory device to perform initialization operations. During a microcode update portion of the initialization operations, the microcode update engine identifies the microcode update in the data region of the at least one memory device, and performs microcode update operations using the microcode update in the data region of the at least one memory device.