OS Toggle State Transfer via Reserved Memory Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing devices face inefficiencies in switching between multiple operating systems, particularly when using slower data storage devices, as they require lengthy shutdowns and lose active state, leading to performance bottlenecks and increased power utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a computing device with a reserved memory area to store and transfer state data between operating systems, allowing seamless toggling without shutting down, using a memory reservation module and toggle event module to manage state data between active and storage states, optimizing performance on various data storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a computing device uses a multi-boot configuration to support multiple operating systems, then operating system compatibility is improved, but switching between operating systems becomes lengthy and requires shutting down the unused operating system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-copying the state data of the inactive operating system to a reserved memory area before the toggle event occurs. This allows the inactive OS to be quickly loaded into memory when switching is needed, eliminating the lengthy shutdown and reload process. The state data is prepared in advance and stored in a readily accessible location, enabling rapid OS transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reserved memory area as an intermediary between the active and inactive operating systems. This intermediate storage space holds the state data of the inactive OS, allowing it to be quickly transferred to memory when switching occurs. The reserved memory area acts as a buffer that facilitates rapid OS transitions without requiring full shutdowns or lengthy data transfers from persistent storage.
2Loss of information
If a computing device uses hibernation-based toggling to switch between operating systems without losing state, then state retention is improved, but toggle time increases due to disk I/O operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the state data copying operation from the critical toggle path. Instead of copying state data from persistent storage during the toggle event, the invention extracts this operation and performs it asynchronously in the background after the inactive OS has already been loaded into the reserved memory area. This separation removes the I/O bottleneck from the toggle time calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading the inactive operating system's state data into the reserved memory area before the actual toggle event occurs. This allows the OS to be ready for immediate execution when switching is triggered, eliminating the need for time-consuming disk reads during the toggle moment.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a computing device places the inactive operating system into S4 hibernation state to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but toggle performance deteriorates due to slow disk I/O
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reserved memory area as an intermediary storage space that holds the state data of the inactive operating system. This intermediate memory space allows the OS to be quickly transferred to active memory during toggling without requiring slow disk I/O operations. The reserved memory acts as a buffer that decouples the power-saving hibernation state from the performance-critical toggle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-copying the inactive OS state data to the reserved memory area before the toggle event. This preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming disk reads during the actual toggle, allowing rapid switching while maintaining power efficiency through connected standby state.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a computing device uses connected standby state instead of S3 sleep state, then network task capability is improved, but the ability to enter deep sleep mode is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-copying the inactive OS state data to the reserved memory area before the toggle event. This preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming disk reads during the actual toggle, allowing rapid switching while maintaining power efficiency through connected standby state.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples for transitioning between operating systems are disclosed. An example apparatus includes reserved copy circuitry to copy state data of a first operating system from a first portion of first memory to a second portion of the first memory in response to an operating system toggle event; toggle event circuitry to, in response to a determination that the state data has been copied to the second portion of the first memory, initiate execution of a second operating system, the second operating system loaded from a hibernation file in second memory; and write out circuitry to copy the state data of the first operating system from the second portion of the first memory to the hibernation file while the second operating system is executed on the apparatus.