US5454110A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Techniques for supporting operating systems for portable computers
Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1994-08-26
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Granted: 1995-09-26
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Expires: 2014-08-26
Abstract
Abstract This invention describes a set of methods and techniques that together address the deficiencies of the basic input/output system (BIOS) and the advanced basic input/output system (ABIOS) in the context of a pen-based portable computer while retaining much of its strengths in terms of providing an insulating layer between the hardware and the operating system such that the same operating system code body will execute in a variety of hardware platforms. In particular, the following deficiencies have been addressed. (a) A dual boot capability allowing the user to select, through a set-up procedure, either a conventional (DOS-style) booting procedure or a Penpoint-style booting procedure. (b) The capability to mast certain device characteristics from the operating system, defined as a callback mechanism. (c) A method for collecting and maintaining device state information of a device that could be disconnected or reconnected during the operating of the computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Krishnamurthl Kannan
- 👤 David P. Lybrand
- 👤 Frank P. Novak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A system for detecting when a device has been attached to or detached from a computer without affecting the usability of the computer, comprising: an operating system, said operating system configured to control the operations of the computer, said operating system having requesting means for requesting the performance of a device checking function; operating system support means, configured to accept and transmit information to and from said operating system, said operating system support means comprising, sending means for sending a stimulus to the device; and transferring means for transferring control to the operating system; said operating system support means is configured to wait a predetermined amount of time for a response of the device, said response representing the presence or absence of the device; processing means for processing a staging event, said processing means determining if said staging event is due to an input from the device or from the expiration of said predetermined amount of time; and stimulating means for stimulating the device a predetermined number of times if said staging event is due to the expiration of said predetermined amount of time, and indicating the absence of the device if the device does not respond to said stimulation; and interpreting means for interpreting the input from the device and processing that input accordingly when said staging event is due to an input from the device; wherein said operating system support means transfers control to the operating system when the operations corresponding to said staging event are completed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
249 words
A system for detecting when a device has been attached to or detached from a computer without affecting the usability of the computer, comprising: an operating system, said operating system configured to control the operations of the computer, said operating system having requesting means for requesting the performance of a device checking function; operating system support means, configured to accept and transmit information to and from said operating system, said operating system support means comprising, sending means for sending a stimulus to the device; and transferring means for transferring control to the operating system; said operating system support means is configured to wait a predetermined amount of time for a response of the device, said response representing the presence or absence of the device; processing means for processing a staging event, said processing means determining if said staging event is due to an input from the device or from the expiration of said predetermined amount of time; and stimulating means for stimulating the device a predetermined number of times if said staging event is due to the expiration of said predetermined amount of time, and indicating the absence of the device if the device does not respond to said stimulation; and interpreting means for interpreting the input from the device and processing that input accordingly when said staging event is due to an input from the device; wherein said operating system support means transfers control to the operating system when the operations corresponding to said staging event are completed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said interpreting means further comprises means for determining whether said input from the device is a response to said stimulus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said interpreting means further comprises means for determining whether said input from the device is an input indicative of the attachment of the device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said interpreting means further comprises means for determining whether said input from the device is information resulting from the operation of the device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said response of the device may be manifested as a staging event.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for detecting when a device has been attached to or detached from a computer without affecting the usability of the computer, comprising the steps of: (1) requesting the performance of a device checking function by the computer operating system; (2) sending a stimulus to the device; (3) transferring control to the computer operating system; (4) waiting a predetermined amount of time for a staging event to occur, said staging event representing presence or absence of the device; and (5) processing said staging event comprising the steps of: (a) determining if said staging event is due to an input from the device or from the expiration of said predetermined amount of time, (b) stimulating the device a predetermined number of times if said staging event is due to the expiration of said predetermined amount of time, and indicating the absence of the device if the device does not respond to said stimulation, (c) interpreting the input from the device and processing that input accordingly when said staging event is due to an input from the device; and (d) transferring control to the operating system.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for detecting when a device has been attached to or detached from a computer without affecting the usability of the computer, comprising the steps of: (1) requesting the performance of a device checking function by the computer operating system; (2) sending a stimulus to the device; (3) transferring control to the computer operating system; (4) waiting a predetermined amount of time for a staging event to occur, said staging event representing presence or absence of the device; and (5) processing said staging event comprising the steps of: (a) determining if said staging event is due to an input from the device or from the expiration of said predetermined amount of time, (b) stimulating the device a predetermined number of times if said staging event is due to the expiration of said predetermined amount of time, and indicating the absence of the device if the device does not respond to said stimulation, (c) interpreting the input from the device and processing that input accordingly when said staging event is due to an input from the device; and (d) transferring control to the operating system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said interpreting step further comprises the step of determining whether said input from the device is a response to said stimulus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said interpreting step further comprises the step of determining whether said input from the device is an input indicative of the attachment of the device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said interpreting step further comprises the step of determining whether said input from the device is information resulting from the operation of the device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-25 | 1999-03-27 | 1999-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-25 | 2003-03-27 | 2003-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-25 | 2007-03-27 | 2007-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |