Method and apparatus standardizing use of non-volatile memory within a BIOS-ROM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A Basic Input Output System (BIOS) program, comprising:
- BIOS function code modules; and
a BIOS editing management driver code module;
wherein the BIOS editing management driver code module is adapted to scan a candidate code module presented for addition to the BIOS program, to validate the candidate module as compatible and authorized to be added, to scan the BIOS program for space available to add the candidate module, and to add the candidate module if validated and space is available.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) includes a management and driver module adapted to accomplish editing functions for the BIOS. Plug-in modules are added to the BIOS by submitting the plug-ins to the driver module, which determines compatibility and available space for adding, and acts accordingly, adding a candidate module to the BIOS if space is available and the plug-in module is determined to be compatible with the BIOS and the driver module. Plug-ins can also be removed by action of the driver module, which also performs management functions in identifying and initializing resident plug-in modules.
88 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A Basic Input Output System (BIOS) program, comprising:
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BIOS function code modules; and a BIOS editing management driver code module; wherein the BIOS editing management driver code module is adapted to scan a candidate code module presented for addition to the BIOS program, to validate the candidate module as compatible and authorized to be added, to scan the BIOS program for space available to add the candidate module, and to add the candidate module if validated and space is available. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A Basic Input Output System (BIOS) comprising:
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a non-volatile storage device; a BIOS program residing on the non-volatile storage device and occupying a first number of bytes in a first storage region; and a BIOS editing management driver code module residing on the non-volatile storage device and occupying a second number of bytes in a second storage region, wherein the first number of bytes and the second number of bytes together are less than the maximum byte capacity by a third number of bytes defining a third storage region for storing plug-in modules; wherein the BIOS editing management driver code module has access to specifics of all resident code and characteristics of the storage device, and is adapted, upon execution, to add plug-in modules and to and remove plug-in modules from the storage device in the third storage region. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for adding a plug-in module to a BIOS program, comprising step of:
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(a) scanning a candidate plug-in module by a BIOS editing management driver program provided as a part of the BIOS program; and (b) adding the plug-in module if and only if the scan determines the plug-in module is compatible with the BIOS program. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for editing a BIOS program, comprising steps of:
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(a) providing an executable BIOS editing management driver module in the BIOS program; (b) submitting proposed edits to the driver module; and (c) accomplishing the proposed edits if and only if the driver module determines the edits are compatible with the BIOS program. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) cooperative software suite, comprising:
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a BIOS layer comprising BIOS function code; a BIOS editing management driver module adapted to perform editing and management functions with the BIOS layer; and an application layer adapted to create plug-in modules compatible with the BIOS layer and the driver module; wherein the driver module is adapted to scan candidate plug-in modules to be added to the BIOS layer, to determine if the modules are compatible, to check for space available to add, and to the plug-in candidate modules only if space is available and the modules are determined to be compatible. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification