Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing efficient startup to computers with peripheral devices

• US 20060064571A1
• Filed: 09/22/2004
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cyberlink Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cyberlink Corporation
• Inventors: Tseng, Wei-Hsin (Johnny)
• Granted Patent: US 7,600,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/441 Multiboot arrangements, i.e. selecting an operating system to be loaded

Abstract

The present invention is broadly directed to systems and methods for providing efficient startup procedures in computer systems. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an efficient startup procedure by implementing a streamlined boot code procedure. In this embodiment, the computer system performs normal BIOS initialization routines, but executes one of a number of different boot code sequences, based on an operational configuration selected by a user. In another embodiment, a single power key is provided, and a user selects an operational configuration using a mouse (and in response to a visual prompt displayed on the screen). In this embodiment, the system may utilize specifically customized boot code routines, or alternatively may utilize customized BIOS routines. The present invention is broadly directed to systems and methods for providing efficient startup procedures in computer systems.

Claims

1. A system for performing a streamlined startup procedure for a computer comprising:

a computer;

a first button and a second button;

logic responsive to activation of either the first button or second button to trigger execution of a conventional BIOS (basic input output service) routine;

modified boot code operative to determine with of the first button or second button has been activated, and to direct further execution to either of a first boot code or a second boot code;

first boot code responsive to the activation of the first button to cause the computer to execute a conventional boot code procedure; and

second boot code responsive to the activation of the second button to cause the computer to execute a streamlined boot code procedure, the streamlined boot code procedure configured to load or execute code segments than the conventional boot code procedure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second buttons are power buttons disposed on the computer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second buttons are keys located on a keyboard.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is a desktop computer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer is a notebook computer.

6. The system of claim 1, further including a peripheral device connected to the computer, wherein the streamlined boot code procedure comprises code for operating the peripheral device through the computer.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third button and third boot code responsive to the activation of the third button to cause the computer to execute a streamlined boot code procedure, the streamlined boot code procedure configured to load or execute code segments than the conventional boot code procedure.

8. A system for performing a streamlined startup procedure for a computer comprising:

a computer;

a power key;

logic responsive to the power key configured to present a plurality of selectable components to a user;

logic responsive to at least one component selection by the user to control a startup procedure that loads applications or drivers associated with the at least one component selected by the user.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the logic responsive to the power key comprises a modified boot code.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of selectable components include devices that are coupled to the computer.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of selectable components include applications that are executable by the computer.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the logic to control a startup procedure includes a plurality of boot code segments, with different of the boot code segments being executed based on the components selected.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the logic to control a startup procedure includes a modified BIOS that is configured to perform unique initialization routines based on the components selected.

14. A system for streamlining the operation of a computer, the system comprising:

a computer;

an interface electrically connected to the computer device, the interface comprising at least one input;

a boot input configured to boot the computer according to any of a plurality of boot procedures, wherein at least one of the boot procedures is configured to allow the computer to boot for streamline operation;

a boot code configured to give a user an option of implementing any of the plurality of boot procedures; and

at least one application configured to execute during streamline operation.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a media component that is electrically connected to computer.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one application comprises media-reading software.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the boot code gives the user the option through an interactive on-screen command.

18. A method for streamlining the operation of a computer, the method comprising:

operating an interface that is electrically connected to a computer, the interface comprising a plurality of inputs, wherein one of the inputs is a boot input configured to boot the computer according to any of a plurality of boot procedures, wherein at least one for the boot procedures is configured to allow the computer to boot for streamlined operation;

operating the boot input to boot the computer for streamlined operation; and

operating at least one application executed from the streamlined operation.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one application comprises media-reading software.

20. A system for performing an efficient startup procedure for a computer comprising:

a computer;

an interface that is electrically coupled to the computer, the interface comprising at least one input;

a boot input configured to boot the computer according to any of a plurality of boot procedures, wherein at least one of the boot procedures is configured to allow the computer to boot for streamlined operation;

a boot code configured to give a user an option of implementing any of a plurality of boot procedures; and

at least one application configured to execute during streamlined operation.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a media component that is electrically connected to computer.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one application comprises media-reading software.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the boot code gives the user the option through an interactive on-screen command.