Firmware configuration through emulated commands

A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereupon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

• initialize a firmware and at least one universal serial bus (“USB”) port of the computer;
• determine if a firmware configuration device is detected at the computer, the firmware configuration device interfaced with the at least one USB and being detectable as an emulated keyboard connected to the at least one USB port;
• responsive to detection of the firmware configuration device, initialize a firmware configuration module to communicate with the firmware configuration device;
• send, by means of the at least one USB port, a first command code to the firmware configuration device, wherein the first command code comprises a first combination of binary values corresponding to a first keyboard status light signal, the first command code indicating that the computer is ready to receive firmware configuration data to change a configuration of the firmware;
• receive emulated keystroke data from the firmware configuration device, the emulated keystroke data defining the firmware configuration data;
• and
• send, by means of the at least one USB port, a second command code to the firmware configuration device in response to the firmware configuration data, wherein the second command code comprises a second combination of binary values corresponding to a second keyboard status light signal, the second command code indicating a state of receipt of the firmware configuration data to change the configuration of the firmware.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a processor;
• a universal serial bus (“USB”) interface in communication with the processor;
• and
• a computer-readable storage medium in communication with the processor, the computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereupon which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to
• receive a sequence of command codes at the USB interface responsive to respective sets of first firmware configuration data to change a configuration of a firmware of a target computer, wherein the sequence of command codes is received as respective combinations of binary values corresponding to respective keyboard status light signals, a first command code in the sequence of command codes indicating that the target computer is ready to receive at least one of the respective sets of firmware configuration data, and
• responsive to the sequence of command codes, transmit second sets of emulated keystroke data or emulated mouse movement data over the USB interface, the emulated keystroke data or emulated mouse movement data defining second firmware configuration data.