Method and apparatus for booting up a computing system with enhanced graphics
First Claim
1. A method for booting up a computing system, the method comprises the steps of:
- (a) obtaining header information from a graphics controller, the header information having at least an extended mode identifier;
(b) interpreting the header information to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode by identifying the extended mode identifier as indicating one of VGA compatible extended operating mode and non-VGA compatible extended operating mode, when the graphics controller is to boot up in the extended operating mode;
(c) allocating memory for storing a boot up algorithm of the graphics controller;
(d) providing an address pointer to the graphics controller wherein the address pointer points to the memory; and
(e) when the graphics controller is to boot up, accessing the boot up algorithm from the memory.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for booting up a computing system having enhanced graphics and increased boot up speed begins by obtaining header information from a graphics controller. The header information includes a ROM signature, initialization size of the boot up algorithm, an entry point for the boot up algorithm, and at least one extended mode identifier. The processing then continues by interpreting the header information to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode. When the graphics controller is to boot up in the extended operating mode, the processing continues by allocating memory for storing a boot up algorithm of the graphics controller. Next the processing continues by providing an address pointer to the graphics controller, where the address pointer points to the memory where the boot up algorithm is stored. The processing then continues as the graphics controller is booted up by accessing the boot up algorithm directly from the memory at the address indicated by the address pointer.
95 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for booting up a computing system, the method comprises the steps of:
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(a) obtaining header information from a graphics controller, the header information having at least an extended mode identifier;
(b) interpreting the header information to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode by identifying the extended mode identifier as indicating one of VGA compatible extended operating mode and non-VGA compatible extended operating mode, when the graphics controller is to boot up in the extended operating mode;
(c) allocating memory for storing a boot up algorithm of the graphics controller;
(d) providing an address pointer to the graphics controller wherein the address pointer points to the memory; and
(e) when the graphics controller is to boot up, accessing the boot up algorithm from the memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
allocating memory for storing a non-extended boot up algorithm of the graphics controller; storing the non-extended boot up algorithm in the memory;
copying the non-extended boot up algorithm into system boot up memory; and
when the graphics controller is to boot up, accessing the non-extended boot up algorithm from the system boot up memory.
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3. The method of claim 1, wherein the header information includes at least one of:
- a ROM signature, initialization size of the boot up algorithm, entry point for the boot up algorithm, an extended mode identifier for VGA compatible extended operating mode, and an extended mode identifier for non-VGA compatible extended operating mode.
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4. The method of claim 3, wherein step (b) further comprises identifying the extended mode identifier for VGA compatible extended operating mode or the extended mode identifier for non-VGA compatible extended operating mode.
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5. The method of claim 1 further comprises:
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obtaining individual header information from a plurality of graphic controllers;
interpreting the individual header information of each of the plurality of graphics controllers to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode;
for each of the plurality of graphics controllers that is to boot up in the extended operating mode;
allocating memory for storing an individual boot up algorithm;
providing an address pointer to the each of the plurality of graphics controllers, wherein the address pointer points to the memory; and
when booting up, accessing the individual boot up algorithm from the memory.
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6. The method of claim 1 further comprises, while executing the boot up algorithm:
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obtaining, by the graphics controller, timing parameters of a display;
utilizing, by the graphics controller, the timing parameters to prepare a graphics display.
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7. The method of claim 1 further comprises:
utilizing a data bandwidth corresponding to data bandwidth capabilities of a central processing unit to execute the boot up algorithm.
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8. A computing system comprises:
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a processing module; and
memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to (a) obtain header information from a graphics controller the header information having at least an extended mode identifier;
(b) interpret the header information to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode by identifying the extended mode identifier as indicating one of VGA compatible extended operating mode and non-VGA compatible extended operating mode;
when the graphics controller is to boot up in the extended operating mode;
(c) allocate memory for storing a boot up algorithm of the graphics controller;
(d) provide an address pointer to the graphics controller, wherein the address pointer points to the memory; and
(e) access the boot up algorithm from the memory when the graphics controller is to boot up.- View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
when the graphics controller is not to boot up in the extended operating mode, allocate memory for storing a non-extended boot up algorithm of the graphics controller;
store the non-extended boot up algorithm in the memory;
copy the non-extended boot up algorithm into system boot up memory; and
access the non-extended boot up algorithm from the system boot up memory when the graphics controller is to boot up.
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10. The computing system of claim 8, wherein the header information includes at least one of:
- a ROM signature, initialization size of the boot up algorithm, entry point for the boot up algorithm, an extended mode identifier for VGA compatible extended operating mode, and an extended mode identifier for non-VGA compatible extended operating mode.
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11. The computing system of claim 8, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to interpret the header information by identifying the extended mode identifier for VGA compatible extended operating mode or the extended mode identifier for non-VGA compatible extended operating mode.
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12. The computing system of claim 8, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:
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obtain individual header information from a plurality of graphic controllers;
interpret the individual header information of each of the plurality of graphics controllers to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode;
for each of the plurality of graphics controllers that is to boot up in the extended operating mode;
allocate memory for storing an individual boot up algorithm;
provide an address pointer to the each of the plurality of graphics controllers, wherein the address pointer points to the memory; and
access the individual boot up algorithm from the memory when booting up.
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13. The computing system of claim 8, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to utilize a data bandwidth corresponding to data bandwidth capabilities of a central processing unit to execute the boot up algorithm.
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14. A digital storage medium for storing operation instructions that cause a processing module to boot up a computing system, the digital storage medium comprises:
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first storage means for storing operation instructions that cause the processing module to obtain header information regarding a graphics controller, the header information having at least an extended mode identifier;
second storage means for storing operation instructions that cause the processing module to interpret the header information to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode by identifying the extended mode identifier as indicating one of VGA compatible extended operating mode and non-VGA compatible extended operating mode;
when the graphics controller is to boot up in the extended operating mode;
third storage means for storing operational instructions that cause the processing module to allocate memory for storing a boot up algorithm of the graphics controller;
fourth storage means for storing operational instructions that cause the processing module to provide an address pointer to the graphics controller, wherein the address pointer points to the memory; and
fifth storage means for storing operational instructions that cause the processing module to access the boot up algorithm from the memory when the graphics controller is to boot up. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
allocate memory for storing a non-extended boot up algorithm of the graphics controller; store the non-extended boot up algorithm in the memory;
copy the non-extended boot up algorithm into system boot up memory; and
access the non-extended boot up algorithm from the system boot up memory when the graphics controller is to boot up.
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16. The digital storage medium of claim 14, wherein the header information includes at least one of:
- a ROM signature, initialization size of the boot up algorithm, entry point for the boot up algorithm, an extended mode identifier for VGA compatible extended operating mode, and an extended mode identifier for non-VGA compatible extended operating mode.
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17. The digital storage medium of claim 16 further comprises means for storing operational instructions that cause the processing module to interpret the header information by identifying the extended mode identifier for VGA compatible extended operating mode or the extended mode identifier for non-VGA compatible extended operating mode.
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18. The digital storage medium of claim 14 further comprises means for storing operational instructions that cause the processing module to:
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obtain individual header information from a plurality of graphic controllers;
interpret the individual header information of each of the plurality of graphics controllers to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode;
for each of the plurality of graphics controllers that is to boot up in the extended operating mode;
allocate memory for storing an individual boot up algorithm;
provide an address pointer to the each of the plurality of graphics controllers, wherein the address pointer points to the memory; and
access the individual boot up algorithm from the memory when booting up.
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19. A method for a graphics controller to boot up, the method comprises the steps of:
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a) providing header information, wherein the header information includes an extended mode identifier;
b) providing an extended boot-up algorithm to memory, when prompted by identifying the extended mode identifier as indicating one of VGA compatible extended operating mode and non-VGA compatible extended operating mode; and
c) storing an address pointer that points to the memory. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
obtaining timing parameters of a display; utilizing the timing parameters to prepare a graphics display.
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21. The method of claim 19, wherein the extended mode identifier includes at least one of:
- an extended mode identifier for VGA compatible extended operating mode, and an extended mode identifier for non-VGA compatible extended operating mode.
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22. A graphics controller comprises:
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processing module; and
memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to (a) provide header information, wherein the header information includes an extended mode identifier;
(b) provide an extended boot-up algorithm to memory, when prompted by identifying the extended mode identifier as indicating one of VGA compatible extended operating mode and non-VGA compatible extended operating mode; and
(c) store an address pointer that points to the memory. - View Dependent Claims (23)
obtain timing parameters of a display; utilize the timing parameters to prepare a graphics display.
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24. A method for booting up a computing system, the method comprises the steps of:
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(a) obtaining header information from a graphics controller, the header information having at least an extended mode identifier;
(b) interpreting the header information to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode by identifying the extended mode identifier as indicating one of VGA compatible extended operating mode and non-VGA compatible extended operating mode, when the graphics controller is to boot up in the extended operating mode;
(c) allocating memory for storing a boot up algorithm of the graphics controller;
(d) providing an address pointer to the graphics controller wherein the address pointer points to the memory;
(e) when the graphics controller is to boot up, accessing the boot up algorithm from the memory;
(f) using a bandwidth corresponding to data bandwidth capabilities of the computing system to execute the boot-up algorithm;
(g) obtaining timing parameters of an associated display from one of the associated display or via default display settings; and
(h) using the timing parameters to perform a boot-up graphics display. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
allocating memory for storing a non-extended boot up algorithm of the graphics controller; storing the non-extended boot up algorithm in the memory;
copying the non-extended boot up algorithm into system boot up memory; and
when the graphics controller is to boot up, accessing the non-extended boot up algorithm from the system boot up memory.
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26. The method of claim 24, wherein the header information includes at least one of:
- a ROM signature, initialization size of the boot up algorithm, entry point for the boot up algorithm, an extended mode identifier for VGA compatible extended operating mode, and an extended mode identifier for non-VGA compatible extended operation mode.
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27. The method of claim 24, wherein step (b) further comprises identifying the extended mode identifier for VGA compatible extended operating mode or the extended mode identifier for non-VGA compatible extended operating mode.
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28. The method of claim 24 further comprises:
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obtaining individual header information from a plurality of graphic controllers;
interpreting the individual header information of each of the plurality of graphics controllers to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode;
for each of the plurality of graphics controllers that is to boot up in the extended operating mode; allocating memory for storing an individual boot up algorithm;
providing an address pointer to each of the plurality of graphics controllers, wherein the address pointer points to the memory; and
when booting up, accessing the individual boot up algorithm from the memory.
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29. A computing system comprises:
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a processing module; and
memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to (a) obtain header information from a graphics controller, the header information having at least an extended mode identifier;
(b) interpret the header information to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode by identifying the extended mode identifier as indicating one of VGA compatible extended operating mode and non-VGA compatible extended operating mode;
when the graphics controller is to boot up in the extended operating mode;
(c) allocate memory for storing a boot up algorithm of the graphics controller;
(d) provide an address pointer to the graphics controller, wherein the address pointer points to the memory;
(e) access the boot up algorithm from the memory when the graphics controller is to boot up;
(f) use a bandwidth corresponding to data bandwidth capabilities of the computing system to execute the boot-up algorithm;
(g) obtain timing parameters of an associated display from one of the display or via default display settings; and
(h) use the timing parameters to perform a boot-up graphics display.
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Specification