US6151674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Network computer, and boot method applied to network computer
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1998-09-18
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Granted: 2000-11-21
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Expires: 2018-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A network computer, operating upon downloading programs and data necessary for data processing from a server computer, comprises a local storage device for storing programs and data downloaded from the server, and means for obtaining from the server an OS and information of setting up an environment for setting up working environment at the start of the network computer, and storing in the local storage device. By storing the OS and information of setting up the environment in the local storage device as described above, the network computer can be started from the local storage device at high speed without accessing the server, and a network computer suitable for mobile uses can be realized.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Takatani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/61; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4416
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A network computer connected to a server computer, comprising: a local storage device for storing an operating system and operating system start parameter downloaded from said server computer; first determining means for determining whether or not the local storage device stores the operating system; network boot means for downloading an operating system and an operating system start parameter corresponding to the operating system from said server computer and starting the network computer using a downloaded operating system and a downloaded operating system start parameter when said first determining means determines that the local storage device does not store an operating system; local boot means for starting the network computer using the operating system and the operating system start parameter stored in said local storage device when said determining means determines that the local storage device stores the operating system; second determining means for determining whether or not the local storage device stores a predetermined operating system designated by the server computer, after the network computer started; and replacing means for replacing an operating system and an operating system start parameter stored in said local storage device by the predetermined operating system and a predetermined operating system start parameter corresponding to the predetermined operating system when said second determining means determines that the local storage device does not store the predetermined operating system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A network computer connected to a server computer, comprising: a local storage device for storing an operating system and operating system start parameter downloaded from said server computer; first determining means for determining whether or not the local storage device stores the operating system; network boot means for downloading an operating system and an operating system start parameter corresponding to the operating system from said server computer and starting the network computer using a downloaded operating system and a downloaded operating system start parameter when said first determining means determines that the local storage device does not store an operating system; local boot means for starting the network computer using the operating system and the operating system start parameter stored in said local storage device when said determining means determines that the local storage device stores the operating system; second determining means for determining whether or not the local storage device stores a predetermined operating system designated by the server computer, after the network computer started; and replacing means for replacing an operating system and an operating system start parameter stored in said local storage device by the predetermined operating system and a predetermined operating system start parameter corresponding to the predetermined operating system when said second determining means determines that the local storage device does not store the predetermined operating system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The network computer according to claim 1, wherein said operating system start parameter comprises at least one of network server information, client information, and path names of files of an operating system to be downloaded to said network computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The network computer according to claim 1, wherein said operating system start parameter comprises Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol parameters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
224 words
A boot method of a network computer connected to a server computer, said network computer comprising a local storage device for storing an operating system and operating system start parameter downloaded from the server computer, the method comprising the steps of: determining whether or not the local storage device stores an operating system; downloading an operating system and an operating system start parameter corresponding to the operating system from said server computer and starting the network computer using a downloaded operating system and a downloaded operating system start parameter when it is determined that the local storage device does not store an operating system; starting the network computer using the operating system and the operating start parameter stored in said local storage device when it is determined that the local storage device stores the operating system; determining whether or not the local storage device stores a predetermined operating system designated by the server computer; and downloading the predetermined operating system and a predetermined operating system start parameter corresponding to the predetermined operating system from the server computer and replacing an operating system and an operating system start parameter stored in said local storage device by a downloaded predetermined operating system and a downloaded predetermined operating system start parameter when it is determined that the local storage device does not store the predetermined operating system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
224 words
A boot method of a network computer connected to a server computer, said network computer comprising a local storage device for storing an operating system and operating system start parameter downloaded from the server computer, the method comprising the steps of: determining whether or not the local storage device stores an operating system; downloading an operating system and an operating system start parameter corresponding to the operating system from said server computer and starting the network computer using a downloaded operating system and a downloaded operating system start parameter when it is determined that the local storage device does not store an operating system; starting the network computer using the operating system and the operating start parameter stored in said local storage device when it is determined that the local storage device stores the operating system; determining whether or not the local storage device stores a predetermined operating system designated by the server computer; and downloading the predetermined operating system and a predetermined operating system start parameter corresponding to the predetermined operating system from the server computer and replacing an operating system and an operating system start parameter stored in said local storage device by a downloaded predetermined operating system and a downloaded predetermined operating system start parameter when it is determined that the local storage device does not store the predetermined operating system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein said operating system start parameter comprises at least one of network server information, client information, and path names of files of an operating system to be downloaded to said network computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein said operating system start parameter comprises Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol parameters.
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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) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-05-22 | 2004-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | 2008-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-05-22 | 2012-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |