Google Inc.

William Frank Richardson

Randall Spangler

William Alexander Drewry

Andrew Bowers

Neil Hendin

Sumit Gwalani

Luigi Semenzato

Christopher Thomas Lyon

Wai Hong Tam

A computing device includes a memory storing executable instructions, a processor configured to execute the instructions, a programmable display screen configured to display text-based information, and a multi-color indicator. The multi-color indicator is located on a surface of the computing device and includes a plurality of segments, each segment configured to display at least four different colors, where colors displayed by segments of the multi-color indicator are programmable, through execution of the instructions by the processor, to display non-text-based information.

Configurable colored indicator on computing device

Aspects of the subject technology relate to executing a boot sequence from a recovery image. A determination of a validity of one or more keyblocks is made. A determination of a first version identifier and a second version identifier is made. A comparison of the first version identifier and the second version identifier is performed. A boot sequence from a recovery image is executed based on the comparison.

Recovery rollback risk reduction

A charging device may include a computer plug, outlet plug, AC-to-DC converter, controller, and memory. The computer plug may provide power to a computing device and receive data from the computing device. The outlet plug may receive alternating current (AC) power from an electrical outlet. The AC-to-DC converter may convert the AC power into direct current (DC) power and provide the DC power to the computing device via the computer plug. The controller may control a voltage and/or current of the DC power based on data received from the computing device and instructions stored in a memory. The memory may include read-only instructions for the controller to modify a read-write portion of the memory based on data received from the computing device via the computer plug, and read-write instructions for the controller to set the voltage of the DC power based on the data received from the computing device.

Updating firmware for charging device

A dual-mode computing system and machine-implemented method for providing an indication of an operating mode of the system. The system including a processor, a memory storing verified code, a secure memory coupled to a processor and a developer mode indicator coupled to the secure memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute verified code to perform operations comprising initiating boot up of the system. The operations further comprising accessing a developer mode state stored within the secure memory to determine whether the system is in developer mode, wherein the developer mode allows the system to execute unverified code, activating the developer mode indicator when it is determined that the system is in developer mode and locking the secure memory to ignore subsequent calls to modify the developer mode state when it is determined that the system is in developer mode.

Indicator for developer mode

Configurations providing a non-zero threshold for verifying a root file system of an operating system stored on blocks of a boot storage are disclosed. In particular, the root file system is verified during a boot sequence for the operating system. For each block of the root file system of the boot storage, the subject technology verifies a respective block of the boot storage. A counter tracking a number of verification failures is incremented if the block fails verification. In some configurations, the subject technology determines whether the counter meets a predetermined non-zero threshold. If the counter meets the predetermined non-zero threshold, the root file system is marked as corrupted. A recovery mode for the operating system is then initiated. If the counter does not meet the predetermined non-zero threshold, the operating system is reset in order to verify the root file system during a subsequent boot sequence.

Verified boot path retry

Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for storing a recovery image on a secondary memory device on a computing system and updating the recovery image. In some aspects, the system may include a main storage device comprising an operating system, a secondary storage device, internal to the computer system and separate from the main storage device, comprising a recovery image, and a processor configured to determine whether to boot the computer system in a normal mode using the main storage device or in a recovery mode using the recovery image on the secondary storage device. In some aspects, the system may also include a recovery circuit configured to prevent access to the secondary storage device during the normal mode when the recovery circuit is disabled and to permit access to the second storage device when the recovery circuit is enabled during the recovery mode process.

System and method for updating a locally stored recovery image

A computing device comprising a security slot integral with an external surface of the computing device, wherein the security slot is configured to receive and mechanically cooperate with a blocking mechanism. In certain aspects, the computing device further comprises a switch mounted behind the security slot and integral to the computing device and configured to permit access to a developer mode when the switch is in a first position and to restrict access to the developer mode when the switch is in a second position.

Developer switch

Methods and apparatus for associating partitions in a computing device are disclosed. An example method includes, loading an operating system (O/S) kernel partition (kernel partition) and identifying one or more root filesystem (rootfs) partitions that are compatible with the loaded kernel partition. In the example method, the one or more compatible rootfs partitions are identified by comparing a set of compatibility bits of the loaded kernel partition with respective sets of compatibility bits of a plurality of rootfs partitions of the computing device. The example method still further includes selecting a rootfs partition from the one or more identified compatible rootfs partitions and loading the selected rootfs partition.

Associating partitions in a computing device

A system and method is disclosed for locking down a capability of a computer system. Hardware instructions initiate a sequence of boot cycles to launch a computer operating system on a computer-enabled device. During the boot cycles, multiple levels of boot code are verified. Each verified stage of boot code verifies a subsequent stage of boot code. If the subsequent stage of boot code cannot be verified, the verified stage locks a capability of the computer so that the subsequent stage of boot code cannot modify the capability.

System and method for locking down a capability of a computer system

A computer-implemented method for booting a computer is disclosed according to an aspect of the subject technology. The computer comprises firmware memory including a first section and a second section. The method comprises determining at boot time whether a developer mode is enabled on the computer, and, if the developer mode is enabled, then booting the computer using developer firmware stored in the first section of the firmware memory. The method also comprises, if the developer mode is disabled, then booting the computer using normal firmware stored in the second section of the firmware memory.

Separate normal firmware and developer firmware

A system and machine-implemented method for generating a screen layout for a BIOS display on a computing system, via accessing a screen layout definition, wherein the screen layout definition identifies which of a plurality of stored images are to be included in a screen layout, defines an order for overlaying the identified images, and defines a position for placing each identified image within the screen layout; and processing the screen layout definition to generate the screen layout, using the order for overlaying the identified images and the position for placing each identified image as defined in the screen layout definition, for the BIOS display.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

William Frank Richardson