Guest OS Embedding in Mobile Host Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to efficiently run multiple operating systems on mobile devices like PDAs and smartphones without requiring re-flashing of the OS, which is complex and risky, and do not allow easy switching between different OS without losing data.
Innovation Solution
A method to run a guest OS from within a host OS on mobile devices by packaging the guest OS image into a special host OS application, using a boot loader to load and start the guest OS while preserving the original OS's state and data, and providing mechanisms to switch between the two OS without data loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional re-flashing method is used to install multiple OS, then OS can be installed on mobile device, but the process is complex and risky and data is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the guest OS image and embeds it within the host OS application structure. This allows the guest OS to be installed without re-flashing the device memory, avoiding the complexity and risk of traditional re-flashing while enabling multiple OS operation. The guest OS image is copied into a designated area of the host OS memory space.
Solution Approach 2:
The guest OS image is nested within the host OS application memory space. The host OS contains both its own executable code and the embedded guest OS image in the same memory region. This nesting allows the mobile device to run multiple OS without physical re-flashing, reducing installation complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional re-flashing method is used to switch between OS, then OS can be installed, but data is lost and switching is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by saving the host OS state and data to a designated memory area before launching the guest OS. When switching back to the host OS, the saved state is restored, preserving all data and application configurations. This preliminary saving action prevents data loss during OS switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that manages the switching between host and guest OS. This intermediary saves and restores OS states, acts as a buffer between the two OS environments, and coordinates the switching process to prevent data loss while enabling easy OS alternation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual machine approach is used, then multiple OS can run simultaneously, but the system is too heavy for mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential functionality of virtual machines without implementing the complete virtualization infrastructure. Instead of creating a full virtual environment with hardware emulation, the guest OS image is directly embedded and executed within the host OS memory space, using the host's actual hardware resources. This extraction approach reduces energy consumption while maintaining multi-OS capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a lightweight approach where the guest OS image is stored as a simple embedded structure rather than a complex virtual machine. The guest OS can be quickly loaded, executed, and switched away from without requiring heavy virtualization overhead. This disposable-like approach minimizes resource consumption while enabling flexible multi-OS operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If guest OS uses all memory space, then guest OS can run fully, but host OS data cannot be preserved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory space into distinct regions: a first area for host OS executable code and a second area for the embedded guest OS image. This segmentation allows both OS to coexist in the same memory space without interfering with each other. The host OS data is stored in the first area while the guest OS image occupies the second area, enabling both full execution capability and data preservation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for running multiple operating systems in a single embedded or mobile device (include PDA, cellular phone and other devices) are disclosed. The invention allows a mobile device that normally can only run a single operating system to run another operating system while preserving the state and data of the original operating system. Guest OS is packaged into special format recognizable by the host OS that still can be executed in place by the system. The Methods include: Change the memory protection bits for the original OS; Fake a reduced physical memory space for guest OS; Use special memory device driver to claim memories of host OS; Backup whole image of the current OS and data to external memory card.