Qnx Software Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg

2236008 Ontario Limited

Qnx Software Systems Limited

8758271 Canada Inc.

Brian Stecher

7801769 Canada Inc.

Colin Burgess

Sheridan Ethier

Randy Martin

Brian John Stecher

Peter H Van Der Veen

Brian Edmond

A processing system is set forth that includes a processor, read only memory storing an operating system image file accessible by the processor, and random access memory that is also accessible by the processor. The processing system also includes a boot program that is executable by the processor to initialize the processing system in response, for example, to a power-on event, reset event, or a wake-up event. A power-on event occurs when power is initially provided to the processing system while a wake-up event occurs when the processing system is to exit a low-power mode of operation. A reset event occurs when, for example, a fault is detected that causes the system to restart. The boot program selectively performs a full boot copy of the operating system image file from the read only memory to the random access memory or a fast boot copy of only predetermined portions of the operating system image file from the read only memory to the random access memory. For example, the boot program may execute the full boot copy operation in response to the power-on event and the fast boot copy operation in response to the wake-up event and/or reset event. Further, the boot program may limit execution of the fast boot copy operation to those instances in which the random access memory passes an integrity check of the contents of one or more areas containing selected portions of the operating system copied from the read only memory during a prior full boot copy operation.

System executing a fast boot wake-up

A system for meeting demanding boot time requirements, such as those timing requirement mandated by vehicle telematics systems, is described. Current computer systems use expensive hardware like coprocessors to service requests, such as input/output requests, that have timing requirements which are less than the time required to load the operating system into memory. Instead, a mini-driver may be initialized early in the boot process before the operating system is loaded, to service these requests. For example, the mini-driver may buffer incoming data, and/or reply to incoming messages. After the operating system has loaded, a second device driver may be initialized, and the mini-driver may be transitioned to the second driver.

Method for transitioning control of a peripheral device from a first device driver to a second device driver during operating system initialization

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Kanata, Canada

Sheridan Ethier