Providing a user input interface prior to initiation of an operating system

• US 20030107600A1
• Filed: 12/12/2001
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Kwong, Wah Yiu, Proefrock, Wayne L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,849,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/764
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/363 Graphics controllers

Abstract

A processor-based system, including systems without keyboards, may receive user inputs prior to booting. This may done using the graphics controller to generate a window which allows the user to input information. The system firmware may then compare any user inputs, such as passwords, and may determine whether or not to actually initiate system booting.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a user input;

in response to the detection of a user input, generating a graphical user interface before the operating system has booted;

receiving an input from the user through said graphical user interface; and

booting the operating system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting a user input includes detecting the operation of a push button.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein generating a graphical user interface includes generating a graphical user interface using a graphics controller.

4. The method of claim 3 including storing information for generating said graphical user interface on an option memory.

5. The method of claim 1 including using boot code running on a graphics controller to generate the graphical user interface.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein generating a graphical user interface includes generating a graphical user interface to enable the user to input a password.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein generating a graphical user interface includes generating an on-screen keyboard.

8. The method of claim 1 including receiving inputs from the user through the graphical user interface without a keyboard.

9. The method of claim 1 including authenticating a user and allowing the operating system to boot if the user has been authenticated.

10. The method of claim 9 including receiving a password entered without a keyboard using the graphical user interface.

11. An article comprising a medium storing instructions that enables a processor-based system to:

detect a user input;

generate a graphical user interface before the operating system has booted;

receive an input from the user through said graphical user interface; and

boot the operating system.

12. The article of claim 11 wherein said medium stores instructions that enable the processor-based system to detect the operation of a push button.

13. The article of claim 11 wherein said medium stores instructions that enable the processor-based system to generate a graphical user interface using a graphics controller.

14. The article of claim 13 wherein said medium stores instructions that enable the processor-based system to generate said graphical user interface on an option memory.

15. The article of claim 11 wherein said medium stores instructions that enable the processor-based system to use the boot code running on a graphics controller to generate the graphical user interface.

16. The article of claim 11 wherein said medium stores instructions that enable the processor-based system to generate a graphical user interface to enable the user to input a password.

17. The article of claim 16 wherein said medium stores instructions that enable the processor-based system to generate an on-screen keyboard.

18. The article of claim 11 wherein said medium stores instructions that enable the processor-based system to receive inputs from the user through the graphical user interface without a keyboard.

19. The article of claim 11 wherein said medium stores instructions that enable the processor-based system to authenticate a user and allow the operating system to boot if the user has been authenticated.

20. The article of claim 19 wherein said medium stores instructions that enable the processor-based system to receive a password entered without a keyboard using the graphical user interface.

21. A system comprising:

a processor;

a storage coupled to said processor; and

a graphics controller coupled to said storage to generate a graphical user interface before the operating system has booted.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said system does not include a keyboard.

23. The system of claim 21 including a touch screen display.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein said storage stores instructions that enable the processor to automatically boot the operating system when a user input is received through a graphical user interface before the operating system is booted.

25. The system of claim 21 including an option read only memory that stores information to generate a graphical user interface for the entry of a password prior to booting of a operating system.