Instant on Platform
OwnerMark M. Lee, Philip Sheu +5inventors
InventorsMark M. Lee, Philip Sheu, Robert P. Ha, Thomas Deng, Wenchi Fang, Xun Fang, Yuchung Lu
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Abstract
A method and apparatus allows multiple computer operating systems (OS) and/or personalities to run concurrently. An instant-on platform includes a resource management service, a caching service, a profile manager, a network stack which provides TCP/IP communication to the OS, and at least one appliance. The instant-on platform can be placed in the path of network and disk traffic between said user OS and actual system hardware. User selectable profiles and personalities are also provided.
Claims25
An apparatus that allows multiple computer operating systems (OS) and/or personalities to run concurrently, comprising:
- an instant-on platform comprising a lightweight hypervisor that virtualizes a system network stack, wherein said instant-on platform is placed in the path of network and disk traffic between said user OS and actual system hardware;
- and
- a user operating system environment, wherein said user OS receives network traffic from said instant-on platform, which comprises a resource management service, a caching service, a profile manager, a network stack driver which effects TCP/IP communication with the OS, and at least one appliance;
- wherein the appliance is accessed using information obtained from at least one of a network, a local flash, a motherboard, a partitioned local hard disc drive, and an external memory;
- wherein the resource management service accesses only the system hardware needed to run the at least one appliance while it is active.
A method for allowing multiple computer operating systems (OS) and/or personalities to run concurrently, comprising the steps of:
- placing an instant-on platform in the path of network and disk traffic between a user OS and actual system hardware;
- providing a user operating system environment, wherein said user OS receives network traffic from said instant-on platform, which comprises a resource management service, a caching service, a profile manager, a network stack driver which effects TCP/IP communication with the OS, and at least one appliance;
- and
- providing a plurality of multi-personality windows, each window comprising a separate personality for different profiles and users;
- wherein each personality optionally offers end users pre-bundled, pre-configured, and/or pre-organized content, services, and software;
- wherein each personality can be one application on its own or a combination of content, services, or software;
- wherein personalities optionally comprise any of packages of personalities, or super-personalities;
- and
- wherein files and applications within each personality are separate from those of another personality and are not visible across personalities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.