Patent Publication Number: US-2011060898-A1

Title: Computer motherboard with basic input output system  capable of built-in bios fresh

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to computer motherboards, and more particularly, to a computer motherboard with a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) capable of built-in BIOS fresh. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Manufacturers usually provide an upgrade kit for the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) of a conventional computer motherboard. The upgrade kit comprises a BIOS file and a BIOS fresh utility for upgrading the BIOS. After obtaining (for example, downloading from a Website on the Internet) the upgrade kit, an end user executes the BIOS fresh utility included in the upgrade kit under an operating system, such as DOS, Windows, or Linux, installed on the conventional computer motherboard so as to update the BIOS. The conventional computer motherboard can fresh the BIOS on condition that: 1. a ready-to-operate operating system has been installed on the conventional computer motherboard; and 2. the manufacturer of the conventional computer motherboard provides a BIOS fresh utility compatible with the operating system currently installed on the conventional computer motherboard. However, if the BIOS fresh utility provided by the manufacturer of the conventional computer motherboard is not compatible with the operating system currently installed on the conventional computer motherboard, the current operating system will have to be uninstalled so as for another operating system compatible with the BIOS fresh utility to be installed on the conventional computer motherboard. 
     The inventor of the present invention realized the aforesaid drawbacks of the conventional computer motherboard in freshing the BIOS thereof and endeavored to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks by inventing a computer motherboard with a BIOS capable of built-in BIOS fresh, allowing a user to select, upon entry into a BIOS setup utility, an option of execution of BIOS fresh and therefore fresh the BIOS without the need of an operating system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the objective of the present invention to provide a computer motherboard with a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) capable of built-in BIOS fresh, allowing a user to select, upon entry into a BIOS setup utility, an option of execution of BIOS fresh and therefore fresh the BIOS without using an operating system. 
     To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a computer motherboard with a BIOS capable of built-in BIOS fresh, characterized in that the BIOS comprises: a first means being code integral to the BIOS and executable by a central processing unit (CPU) of the computer motherboard upon entry into an execution environment preset by the BIOS, thereby allowing a BIOS update file stored in a storage device to be selected, wherein the storage device is connected to the computer motherboard via an interface of the computer motherboard and configured to at least store the BIOS update file; and a second means being code integral to the BIOS and executable by the CPU of the computer motherboard upon entry into an execution environment preset by the BIOS so as for the BIOS update file to be freshed and stored in a BIOS memory. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To enable persons skilled in the art to gain insight into the structures, features, and effects of use of the present invention, the present invention is hereunder illustrated with preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the framework of a computer motherboard of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart of BIOS fresh executed by the computer motherboard of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a screen shot of a BIOS setup utility configured for the computer motherboard of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a screen shot of BIOS fresh carried out by the computer motherboard of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a screen shot showing how to select a BIOS update file in a storage device by the BIOS of the computer motherboard of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a screen shot showing how a user confirms that BIOS code in the BIOS is to be freshed by the computer motherboard of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7A  through  FIG. 7C  are screen shots showing how the user confirms that the BIOS code in the BIOS is to be saved by the computer motherboard of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , which is a schematic view of the framework of a computer motherboard of the present invention, a computer motherboard  10  of the present invention is characterized in that: a Basic Input Output System (BIOS)  20  is capable of built-in BIOS fresh so as to allow a user to enter the BIOS screen after the computer is powered on (for example, by pressing the Del key on the keyboard) and fresh BIOS code by following operation instructions displayed on the BIOS screen. As shown in the drawing, the computer motherboard  10  of the present invention is further characterized in that: a BIOS update file is stored in a storage device (for example, a USB storage device or a memory card), and the user directly selects the BIOS update file stored in the storage device by following operation instructions displayed on the BIOS screen. 
     The computer motherboard  10  of the present invention comprises the BIOS  20 . The BIOS  20  which is different from a conventional BIOS comprises a first means  201  and a second means  203 . Related details are disclosed hereunder. The first means  201  is code integral to the BIOS  20 . The first means  201  is executable by a central processing unit (CPU)  101  of the computer motherboard  10 . In an execution environment of the BIOS  20 , the CPU  101  executes the first means  201  and thereby enables the user to select a BIOS update file  40  stored in a storage device  30 . 
     The second means  203  is code integral to the BIOS  20 . The second means  203  is executable by the CPU  101 . In an execution environment of the BIOS  20 , the CPU  101  executes the second means  203  such that the BIOS update file  40  is freshed and stored in a BIOS memory for storing the new code of the BIOS  20 . 
     The storage device  30  is connected to the computer motherboard  10  via an interface  103  of the computer motherboard  10 . The storage device  30  is configured to at least store the BIOS update file  40 . The storage device  30  is, for example, a USB storage device or a memory card. Specifically speaking, the storage device  30  is, for example, a USB flash drive, an SD memory card, or a microSD memory card. 
     The interface  103  is, for example, a USB interface, a memory card interface, or a card reader interface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , which is a flow chart of BIOS fresh executed by the computer motherboard  10  of the present invention, after the computer motherboard  10  is powered on (S 201 ), the BIOS  20  checks the keyboard to determine whether the Del key has been pressed (S 202 ), and a TRUE determination is followed by entry into a BIOS setup utility (S 203 ), or else booting continues (S 204 ).  FIG. 3  shows a screen shot  20   a  of the BIOS setup utility (mentioned earlier in step  203 ) wherein the mark M-Flash indicates an option of execution of BIOS fresh of the present invention. The mark M-Flash used herein serves an illustrative purpose but is not used to limit the present invention. 
     A screen shot  20   b  of BIOS fresh shown in  FIG. 4  appears as soon as the user selects execution of BIOS fresh of the present invention. Afterward, the user selects the BIOS update file  40  stored in the storage device  30  (S 205 ). Referring to  FIG. 5 , which is a screen shot  20   c  showing how to select the BIOS update file  40  in the storage device  30  by the BIOS  20  of the computer motherboard  10  of the present invention, the user selects the BIOS update file  40  identified by a filename “A7522IMS.708” and saved in a memory card inserted in a card reader. Then, the BIOS  20  checks the BIOS update file  40  for the ID of the BIOS code (S 206 ), a follow-up step of BIOS fresh is executed when the check passes (S 207 ). Referring to  FIG. 6 , which is a screen shot  20   d  showing how the user confirms that the BIOS code in the BIOS  20  is to be freshed, the new BIOS code is flashed in a BIOS memory of the BIOS  20 . If the check fails, the user will have to select the BIOS update file  40  again. Eventually, after the BIOS code has been freshed, the computer motherboard reboots (S 208 ). 
     In step S 207 , prior to BIOS fresh, disabling a power button, a keyboard, and interruption precludes any adverse outcome of the user&#39;s improper operation and therefore ensures that BIOS fresh can be smoothly carried out. Upon completion of BIOS fresh, the power button, the keyboard, and interruption are resumed. 
     The BIOS  20  further comprises a third means  205 . The third means  205  is code integral to the BIOS  20 . The third means  205  is executable by the CPU  101  of the computer motherboard  10 . In an execution environment of the BIOS  20 , the CPU  101  executes the third means  205  and thereby backs up the BIOS code of the computer motherboard  10  and stored the backup BIOS code in the storage device  30 . 
       FIG. 7A  through  FIG. 7C  are screen shots showing that, in an execution environment of the BIOS  20 , the CPU  101  executes the third means  205  and thereby stores the BIOS code of the computer motherboard  10  in the storage device  30 . 
     The computer motherboard of the present invention enables users to be less dependent on an operating system when updating BIOS, minimizes the chance of users&#39; erring, and therefore reducing the chance of users&#39; returning the computer motherboard to the manufacturer of for maintenance. With a BIOS setup interface and support from the storage device, the computer motherboard of the present invention is capable of integrated BIOS fresh such that, upon entry into a BIOS setup utility, a user can select the storage device and then select a BIOS update file from a menu. The computer motherboard of the present invention automatically confirms that the computer motherboard matches the BIOS before BIOS fresh starts. The above technical features embody the advantages of the present invention. 
     The above description serves to expound preferred embodiments of the present invention rather than limit the scope of application of the present invention. Persons skilled in the art should be able to make obvious changes or modification of the present invention without departing from the substantive disclosure of the present invention.