Pre-OS Diagnostic Scan Automation for Information Handling Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional diagnostic methods for information handling devices require human interaction, are inefficient for large volumes, vulnerable to security threats, and lack remote update capabilities, especially in pre-OS environments.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that enables a diagnostic application to run autonomously in a pre-OS environment with UEFI-compatible firmware, allowing wireless receipt and execution of diagnostic scans without user intervention, generating reports that can be transmitted remotely, thereby reducing human interaction, increasing efficiency, and enhancing security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If technicians physically interact with devices to run hardware tests, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic testing throughputVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic system enables devices to self-test through automated execution of diagnostic applications in pre-OS environments. The system autonomously launches diagnostics, collects results, and generates reports without requiring technician physical interaction, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through structured test protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration by embedding diagnostic capabilities within the device firmware and pre-OS environment before actual diagnostic execution. This preliminary setup allows automated diagnostics to run immediately when triggered, eliminating the need for manual intervention during the actual testing phase and significantly improving throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If diagnostic applications are updated remotely, then adaptability improves, but security vulnerabilities may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote update capabilityVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a secure communication intermediary layer that authenticates and validates remote update commands before executing diagnostic application updates. This intermediary mechanism verifies the authenticity of update sources and ensures integrity of transmitted diagnostic code, enabling remote adaptability while maintaining security through authenticated communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements preliminary security measures by establishing authenticated communication channels and validating update packages before they are executed. Security checks are performed in advance to verify digital signatures and authenticity of remote updates, preventing malicious code execution while allowing legitimate adaptive updates to proceed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Productivity

If multiple devices are tested simultaneously, then productivity increases, but device complexity management worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcurrent testing capacityVSAvoidtest coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the diagnostic testing process into independent, standardized modules that can be executed concurrently on multiple devices. Each device runs its own isolated diagnostic instance with standardized interfaces, allowing parallel execution without interference. This segmentation enables high concurrent testing capacity while managing complexity through modular, independent test units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a universal diagnostic platform with standardized protocols and interfaces that can test multiple device types simultaneously. The same core diagnostic infrastructure handles diverse devices through standardized communication protocols, enabling concurrent testing of multiple devices without proportionally increasing system complexity through universal design principles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If human error is eliminated through automation, then reliability improves, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidsystem configuration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automated diagnostic system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting device hardware configurations and selecting appropriate diagnostic test sequences without requiring manual setup. The system autonomously adapts to different device types and runs relevant diagnostics, eliminating human error in test selection while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adaptation to device-specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11467934B2Diagnostic scan

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an information handling device and in a pre-operating system (OS) environment, an indication to run a diagnostic application; conducting, using the diagnostic application, a diagnostic scan on one or more of the information handling device components; and generating, based on the diagnostic scan, a results report. Other aspects are described and claimed.