UEFI Virtual Video Controller for Remote Graphics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Information handling systems face challenges in efficiently processing and displaying graphics without dedicated video hardware, particularly in scenarios where video hardware is not available or cost-effective solutions are needed.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a soft video controller that utilizes firmware to initialize a graphics output protocol, reserving system memory as a frame buffer and providing a block transfer subroutine for image data manipulation, allowing graphics output to be sent to a remote device for display, thereby eliminating the need for local video hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If dedicated video hardware is used, then graphics processing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraphics processing capabilityVSAvoidvideo hardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/video hardware system with a software-based solution. The soft video controller implements video controller functionality through firmware and software routines rather than dedicated hardware components, thereby eliminating the need for complex video hardware while maintaining graphics processing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The soft video controller enables the system to perform multiple functions using general-purpose components. By implementing video controller functionality in software, the same hardware platform can support both traditional computing tasks and graphics processing without requiring specialized video hardware, achieving multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If dedicated video hardware is used, then graphics output quality is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraphics output qualityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cost-effective approach by using software-based video processing instead of expensive dedicated video hardware. The soft video controller provides sufficient graphics output quality for the intended application while significantly reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for costly video hardware components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If soft video controller is used, then device complexity is reduced, but graphics processing speed may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo hardware requirementsVSAvoidgraphics processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The soft video controller performs preliminary actions by pre-initializing the graphics output protocol and reserving system memory as frame buffer before actual graphics processing begins. This preparation work is done during system initialization, allowing the soft video controller to process graphics efficiently during runtime without the overhead of hardware setup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The soft video controller acts as an intermediary layer between the operating system and the display output. It provides a block transfer subroutine that facilitates efficient data manipulation and transfer, mediating between software processing and the final graphics output to maintain acceptable processing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9640139B2UEFI virtual video controller

Publication Date: 2017.05.02 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system includes a processor; a memory, a firmware, and a video agent. The memory includes a frame buffer for image data. The frame buffer accessible to an operating system. The firmware is configured to present to the operating system a graphics output protocol. The graphics output protocol includes an address of the portion of the reserved portion of the memory and soft video display parameters. The video agent is configured to retrieve image data from the reserved portion of the memory, and provide the image data to an external system for remote video display to be completed upon finalization of application.