CN1713144A - Firmware storage medium and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a firmware storage medium, apply to the computer, the firmware storage medium includes a control unit, a memory and a hard disk, etc.; the invention can store a starting program and a main firmware program in the memory and the hard disk respectively, and the control unit reads the main firmware program at the relative position of the hard disk after reading the starting program from the memory, thereby effectively reducing the capacity of the memory 22 and saving the overall cost of the computer; the firmware storage medium further comprises a storage medium reading device for storing a backup main firmware program, and when the main firmware program is damaged, the control unit can read an update firmware program from the memory so as to correct the error of the main firmware program.

Description

Firmware storage medium and method thereof

technical field

The invention relates to a firmware storage medium and its method, which are used in a computer to enable the computer to have the functions of booting up and updating firmware.

Background technique

Computer (computer) is an indispensable tool for people at present. Its versatility brings people a more convenient life than before, and also strengthens people's ability to deal with things.

A general computer is composed of many pieces of hardware. To make the computer work normally, it generally needs to start the program first, that is, let the computer hardware execute the required program before it can have the required function; Generally speaking, most of the programs that need to be loaded in the computer booting process are stored in the memory (ROM) in the form of firmware. The program can be read directly from the memory, so that the computer can be turned on smoothly. The following will further explain the existing computer architecture:

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a schematic diagram of some functional blocks of an existing computer. It can be seen that a computer at least includes a control unit 10, a memory 12 and a hard disk 14; generally speaking, the control unit 10 is composed of a central processing unit ( CPU), at least one system chipset (System Chip Set) and a high-speed cache (RAM) (the above are not shown in the figure). The processor stores the instructions to be executed in the high-speed cache through the system chip, and then the central processing unit reads and executes the judgment to achieve the desired function. The way it is composed is changing with each passing day. Part of the functions will be gradually integrated into the central processing unit, and will not be repeated here; the memory (ROM) 12 is electrically connected to the control unit 10, and is mainly used to store the boot program 120 and the main firmware program 122. The program 120 is a low-level programming language used to provide the necessary booting instructions for the computer. After the control unit 10 of the computer reads the booting program 120, the computer can be equipped with basic calculation and control command capabilities, and the main firmware program 122 is It varies according to the design of different manufacturers, and its main content generally includes the boot interface, peripheral device drivers, and some functional programs (such as providing password management programs, etc.). The above-mentioned boot program 120 and main firmware program 122 are in the form of firmware Stored in the internal memory 12, it is characterized in that when the computer is turned off, the boot program 120 and the main firmware program 122 will not be eliminated, so as to facilitate reading when the computer is turned on next time; while the hard disk (HardDisk) 14 is magnetic The recording medium is generally used to store some application software programs and data for execution by the control unit 10 .

The above is the operation principle and mode of the existing computer, but, in order to increase the function of the computer or to improve the user interface, the manufacturer of the computer will often improve the main firmware program 122, which includes the main firmware program 122. The boot interface is improved so that the user can have a more friendly and beautiful interface to use. Even, the manufacturer of the computer will also improve the peripheral device driver of the main firmware program 122, so that the computer can support more extensively. More peripheral devices, or to add more functional programs, such as multiple password management programs, hard disk formatting programs, etc., this time the design is all hope that the computer can have more capabilities, in order to obtain consumers' However, if you want to add these advanced functions, you must expand the space of the memory 12, but generally speaking, the price of the memory 12 is relatively low compared to other types of storage devices (such as hard disks, etc.). High, so computer manufacturers often have such a difficult dilemma in design, how to design a multi-functional computer, and at the same time have low-cost effects is really what the computer manufacturers want to solve Necessary question.

Contents of the invention

The present invention mainly provides a kind of firmware (firmware) storage medium, can be applied on the computer, and this computer at least comprises a memory (ROM) and a hard disk (Hard disk), and the present invention stores the boot program in the memory, and the main firmware The program is stored in the hard disk, so that the memory capacity of the computer can be greatly reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the computer can be reduced without affecting the function of the computer.

According to the above idea, the present invention provides a firmware storage medium used in a computer, which includes a control unit, the control unit includes a central processing unit, a high-speed cache, and a system chipset; a memory, electrically connected to the control unit, The memory includes a boot program: and a hard disk electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the hard disk includes a main firmware program; when the control unit reads the boot program from the memory, the control unit executes the main firmware program from the hard disk. What's more, the present invention can use the saved memory capacity to store an updated firmware program, so that when the main firmware program of the computer is damaged, the control unit of the computer can be read by a storage medium reading device. Back up the main firmware program to update the damaged main firmware program, thereby preventing the entire computer from being unusable.

According to the above idea, the present invention provides a firmware storage medium used in a computer, which includes a control unit; a memory, electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the memory includes a boot program and a firmware update program; a hard disk, electrically connected In the control unit, wherein the hard disk includes a main firmware program; and a storage medium reading device is electrically connected to the control unit for reading a backup main firmware program; when the control unit reads the backup main firmware by the storage medium reading device When programming, the control unit will execute the update firmware program from the memory, so that the backup main firmware program can update the main firmware program.

According to the above idea, the memory is a flash memory (flash ROM).

According to the idea above, the main firmware program at least includes a user interface program, a function setting program and a peripheral device activation program, and the function setting program is at least used to set a password.

According to the above idea, the storage medium reading device is an optical storage medium reading device, which is used to read the backup main firmware program in the optical disc, and the optical storage medium reading device is selected from one of the following: CD drive, CD recorder , DVD drive, DVD burner and COMBO drive, etc.; or, the storage medium reading device is a floppy drive, used to read the backup main firmware program in a floppy disk; or, the storage medium reading device is an external The hard disk is used for accessing the backup main firmware program.

According to the above idea, the present invention further provides a firmware storage method, so that the computer can be turned on for operation. The firmware storage method includes the following steps: after the control unit receives the boot command, it reads the boot program from the memory; the control unit confirms the storage medium Whether the reading device can read the backup main firmware program: if the storage medium reading device cannot read the backup main firmware program, the control unit will execute the main firmware program from a hard disk; if the storage medium reading device can read the backup main firmware program During the firmware program, the control unit will execute a firmware update program from the memory, so that the backup main firmware program actively updates the main firmware program, and the computer will be restarted.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an existing computer architecture.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural block diagram of a firmware storage medium used in a computer according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the steps of the firmware storage method of the present invention.

Description of figure number

10 Control Unit 12 Memory

120 Boot program 122 Main firmware program

14 Hard Disk 20 Control Unit

22 Memory 220 Boot program

224 Update firmware program 24 Hard disk

242 Main firmware program 26 Storage medium reading device

260 backup main firmware program

31～37 The steps of the firmware storage method of the present invention

Detailed ways

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 , which shows a functional block diagram of the firmware storage medium of the present invention applied to a computer, wherein the firmware storage medium of the present invention includes a control unit 20, a memory 22 (ROM) and a hard disk 24 (Hard disk), etc., wherein the mutual configuration of the control unit 20, memory 22 and hard disk 24 is roughly the same as the prior art, but the present invention stores the main firmware program originally stored in the memory 22 120 is stored in the hard disk 24 instead, and its boot program 220 is modified appropriately, so that the boot program 220 can make the control unit 20 read the boot program 220 from the internal memory 22, and then read it from the relative position of the hard disk 24. The main firmware program 242 makes the control unit 120 load the main firmware program 242 to generate corresponding boot interfaces, peripheral device drivers and some functional programs (such as providing password management programs, etc.). After the present invention is configured as above, it can The capacity of the memory 22 is effectively reduced to save the overall cost of the computer.

Because the present invention saves the space of the internal memory 22, the present invention further provides a function that can automatically update the main firmware program. Please refer to FIG. 2 again, the firmware storage medium of the present invention further includes a storage medium reading device 26, also electrically connected to the control unit 20, the storage medium reading device 26 is used to store a backup main firmware program 260, and at the same time, an update firmware program 224 is further included in the memory 22, so that when the control unit 20 reads the After taking the updated firmware program 224, the backup main firmware program 260 can be read from the storage medium reading device 26, and the main firmware program 242 in the hard disk 24 can be overwritten, so that the error of the main firmware program 242 can be corrected, and the problem that the computer cannot be started smoothly can be repaired ; Wherein, the above-mentioned storage medium reading device 26 can be an optical storage medium reading device, such as CD drive, CD recorder, DVD drive, DVD recorder and COMBO drive. Wherein, the backup main firmware program 260 can be stored in an optical disc (not shown in the figure); or, the above-mentioned storage medium reading device 26 can also be a floppy disk drive, wherein, the backup main firmware program 260 can be stored in In a floppy disk (not shown in the figure); Or, the above-mentioned storage medium reading device 26 can also be an external hard disk, and the backup main firmware program 260 can be stored in the sector (not shown in the figure) of the external hard disk , can also achieve the same effect.

The present invention is based on the above idea, and on the premise that the computer achieves the same effect, it can indeed save a lot of memory 22 space, thereby saving the manufacturing cost of the computer; furthermore, it can also use the saved memory 22 space to insert automatic update The function of firmware can prevent that when the main firmware program fails, it can be repaired directly.

In addition, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, this application provides a firmware storage method, wherein if the storage medium reading device 26 is an optical drive as an example, the steps are as follows:

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which shows the steps of the firmware storage method of the present invention: first, perform step 31 "starting up". Generally speaking, after the user presses the power-on button (not shown in the figure) of the computer, a power-on command will be activated; Read boot program 220 from internal memory 22, in order to provide necessary instruction in computer boot program; Afterwards, further step 33 " check whether there is backup main firmware program in CD-ROM drive ", this step command control unit 20 checks whether CD-ROM is arranged in CD-ROM drive , whether there is storage backup firmware program 260 in this optical disc: if the output of step 33 is "No", then enter step 34 " control unit reads main firmware program from hard disk, control unit 20 will read main firmware from hard disk 24 program 242, and then complete the booting program of the computer; if the output of step 33 is yes, it means that the state of the main firmware program 242 needs to be updated, then enter step 35 "the control unit reads the update firmware program from the internal memory, and the control unit will read the update firmware program from the optical drive. Read a backup main firmware program to cover the main firmware program. At this time, after the control unit 20 loads the updated firmware program 224 from the memory 22, the control unit 20 will read the backup main firmware program 260 from the CD-ROM to cover the main firmware program. Main firmware program 242, to repair damaged main firmware program 242; Then enter step 36 and take out the optical disc, that is, take out the optical disc; Then enter step 37 "end, restart", the control unit 20 will end the above steps, and return to step 31, The computer restarts.

After the above-mentioned step 37 is finished, it can also be designed to directly go back to step 33, and recheck whether there is a CD in the optical drive, and whether there is a backup firmware program 260 stored in the CD, and the same effect can be achieved.

In addition, the above-mentioned storage medium reading device 26 is an example of an optical drive. Similarly, the storage medium reading device 26 can also be a floppy disk drive or an external hard disk, which can also achieve the same effect.

Claims (20)

1, a kind of firmware storing media is used on the computing machine, it is characterized in that, makes this computing machine possess the function of start running, and this firmware storing media comprises:

One control module;

One internal memory is electrically connected on this control module, and wherein this internal memory comprises a boot program and a renewal firmware program;

One hard disk is electrically connected on this control module, and wherein this hard disk comprises a main firmware program; And

One storing media reading device is electrically connected on this control module, in order to read the main firmware program of a backup;

When this control module was read this and backed up main firmware program by this storing media reading device, this control module can be carried out this and upgrade firmware program in this internal memory, make this back up this main firmware program of main firmware program updating.

2, firmware storing media as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described this control module comprises a central processing unit, a high-speed cache and a system chipset at least.

3, firmware storing media as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, saves as a flash memory in described being somebody's turn to do.

4, firmware storing media as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described one this main firmware program comprises user's interface routine, a function setting program and peripheral unit driver at least.

5, firmware storing media as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described this function setting program is at least in order to set a password.

6, firmware storing media as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, described this storing media reading device is an optics storing media reading device, back up main firmware program in order to read in the CD this, this optics storing media reading device can be CD drive, CD CD writer, DVD CD player, DVD CD writer and COMBO CD-ROM drive.

7, firmware storing media as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described this storing media reading device is a floppy drive, backs up main firmware program in order to read in the floppy disk this.

8, firmware storing media as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described this storing media reading device is an external connected hand disk, should the main firmware program of backup in order to access.

9, a kind of firmware storage method is characterized in that, uses on the computing machine, makes can the start shooting running, this firmware storage method of this computing machine comprise the following step:

After a control module receives a start-up command, in an internal memory, allow and get a boot program;

This control module confirms whether a storing media reading device can read the main firmware program of a backup;

If this storing media reading device can't read this when backing up main firmware program, this control module can be carried out a main firmware program in a hard disk;

If this storing media reading device can read this when backing up main firmware program, this control module can be carried out one and upgrade firmware program in this internal memory, make this back up main firmware program and initiatively upgrade this main firmware program after, this computing machine will be started shooting again.

10, firmware storage method as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, described this control module comprises a processor at least.

11, firmware storage method as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, saves as a flash memory in described being somebody's turn to do.

12, firmware storage method as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, described this main firmware program comprises user's interface routine, a function setting program and peripheral unit driver at least.

13, firmware storage method as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, described this function setting program is at least in order to set a password.

14, firmware storage method as claimed in claim 9, it is characterized in that, described this storing media reading device is an optics storing media reading device, back up main firmware program in order to read in the CD this, this optics storing media reading device be selected from following one of them: CD drive, CD CD writer, DVD drive, DVD CD writer and COMBO CD-ROM drive.

15, firmware storage method as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, described this storing media reading device is a floppy drive, in order to read the main firmware program of this backup in the floppy disk.

16, firmware storage method as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, described this storing media reading device is an external connected hand disk, should the main firmware program of backup in order to access.

17, a kind of firmware storing media is characterized in that, uses on the computing machine, makes this computing machine possess the function of start running, and this firmware storing media comprises:

One control module comprises a central processing unit, a cache and a System on chip group;

One internal memory is electrically connected on this control module, and wherein this internal memory comprises a boot program; And

One hard disk is electrically connected on this control module, and wherein this hard disk comprises a main firmware program;

When this control module after this internal memory reads this boot program, this control module can be carried out this main firmware program in this hard disk.

18, firmware storing media as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, saves as a flash memory in described being somebody's turn to do.

19, firmware storing media as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, described this main firmware program comprises user's interface routine, a function setting program and peripheral unit driver at least.

20, firmware storing media as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, described this function setting program is at least in order to set a password.

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