Multi-mode computer systems and operating methods thereof

• US 20060227806A1
• Filed: 09/28/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Tseng, Ruey-Yuan
• Granted Patent: US 7,660,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/465
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/441 Multiboot arrangements, i.e. selecting an operating system to be loaded

Abstract

Multi-mode computer systems and operating methods thereof. The computer system comprises a storage device and a boot program. The storage device includes a single disk partition comprising a first operating system corresponding to PC mode, and a second OS image and a file system image corresponding to media mode. If an instruction for PC mode is received, the boot program loads the first OS on the computer system, enabling the computer system to operate in PC mode. If an instruction for media mode is received, the boot program starts the computer system according to the second OS image and the file system image, enabling the computer system to operate in media mode.

Claims

1. A multi-mode computer system, comprising:

a storage device comprising a single disk partition comprising a first OS for PC mode, and a second OS image and a file system image for media mode; and

a boot program loading the first OS on the computer system to enable the computer system to operate in PC mode if an instruction for PC mode is received, and starting the computer system according to the second OS image and the file system image to enable the computer system to operate in media mode if an instruction for media mode is received.

2. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the boot program further decompresses and expands the second OS image to execute a second OS kernel on the computer system if the instruction for media mode is received.

3. The computer system of claim 2 wherein the boot program further decompresses and expands the file system image to install a file system for media mode on the computer system.

4. The computer system of claim 3 wherein the second OS kernel launches the file system image for media mode in a Ramdisk method.

5. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the second OS kernel establishes a ramdisk in a system memory of the computer system, and decompresses and expands the file system image for media mode therein.

6. The computer system of claim 5 wherein the second OS kernel further mounts a file system for PC mode on the file system for media mode, such that data corresponding to the second OS is stored therein.

7. The computer system of claim 1 further comprising an application to be executed when the computer system is in media mode.

8. An operating method for use in a multi-mode computer system, comprising a storage device comprising a single disk partition comprising a first OS for PC mode, and a second OS image and a file system image for media mode, the method comprising:

loading the first OS on the computer system to enable the computer system to operate in PC mode if an instruction for PC mode is received; and

starting the computer system according to the second OS image and the file system image to enable the computer system to operate in media mode if an instruction for media mode is received.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising decompressing and expanding the second OS image to execute a second OS kernel on the computer system if the instruction for media mode is received.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising decompressing and expanding the file system image to install a file system for media mode on the computer system.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising through the second OS kernel launching the file system image for media mode in Ramdisk method.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising through the second OS kernel establishing a ramdisk in a system memory of the computer system, and decompressing and expanding the file system image for media mode therein.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising through the second OS kernel mounting a file system for PC mode on the file system for media mode, such that data corresponding to the second OS is stored therein.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising executing an application when the computer system is in media mode.