Rapid-boot computing device with dual operating systems

Abstract

A computing device is booted in a manner that enables a software application to begin execution with minimal delay. When the device is powered up, a first processor begins booting under control of a first operating system, and a second processor begins booting under control of a second operating system. The first operating system is of a type that generally takes longer to complete booting than the second operating system. As soon as the second processor has booted up, it begins controlling execution of a software application. Then, when the first processor has booted up, control over the software application is transferred from the second processor to the first processor.

1 . A method for booting a computing device to enable a software application to begin execution rapidly, comprising:
 detecting an indication to start operating the computing device;   booting under control of a first operating system by a first processor in response to detection of the indication;   booting under control of a second operating system by a second processor in response to detection of the indication, the second operating system booting more rapidly than the first operating system;   beginning execution of the software application under control of the second operating system executed by the second processor when the second operating system completes booting on the second processor; and   transferring control over the software application to the first operating system executed by the first processor when the first operating system completes booting on the first processor.   
   
   
       2 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second processor can transmit a message to a switching circuitry that causes the switching circuitry to couple the first processor into control of the computing device and uncouple second processor from control of the computing device. 
   
   
       3 . The method claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the switching circuitry couples at least one user interface element to the first processor or second processor in control of the computer device to enable a user to interact with the computer device. 
   
   
       4 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first processor and second processor can communicate with each other via at least one connection. 
   
   
       5 . The method claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the connection between the first processor and second processor can enable the second processor to monitor the first processor and detect whether the first processor is booted up and ready for operation. 
   
   
       6 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first operating system comprises WINDOWS. 
   
   
       7 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second operating system is of a UNIX operating system family. 
   
   
       8 . The method claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the second operating system is LINUX. 
   
   
       9 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first processor comprises a plurality of processors. 
   
   
       10 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the computing device comprises a mobile vehicular computing device for an emergency responder motor vehicle and controls a system associated with the emergency responder motor vehicle; and   the system associated with the emergency responder motor vehicle is selected from the group consisting of: beacon light system; siren system; video recording system; and communication system.   
   
   
       11 . The method claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first processor can transmit a message to switching circuitry that causes the switching circuitry to couple the first processor into control of the computing device and uncouple second processor from control of the computing device. 
   
   
       12 . A system for booting a computing device to enable a software application to begin execution rapidly, comprising:
 a signal input for receiving an indication to start operating the computing device;   a first processor having a first operating system, the first processor booting in response to detection of the indication to start operating;   a second processor having a second operating system, the second processor booting in response to detection of the indication to start operating, the second processor booting more rapidly than the first processor, the second processor beginning execution of the software application when the second processor completes booting, and the second processor transferring control over the software application to the first processor when the first processor completes booting.   
   
   
       13 . The system claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising.
 a switching circuitry that upon the receipt of a message from the second processor causes the switching circuitry to couple the first processor into control of the computing device and uncouple second processor from control of the computing device.   
   
   
       14 . The system claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the first processor can transmit a second message to the switching circuitry that causes the switching circuitry to couple the first processor into control of the computing device and uncouple second processor from control of the computing device. 
   
   
       15 . The system claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the switching circuitry couples at least one user interface element to the first processor or second processor in control of the computer device to enable a user to interact with the computer device. 
   
   
       16 . The system claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 at least one connection to enable the first processor and second processor to communicate with each other.   
   
   
       17 . The method claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the connection between the first processor and second processor can enable the second processor to monitor the first processor and detect whether the first processor is booted up and ready for operation. 
   
   
       18 . The system claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first operating system comprises WINDOWS. 
   
   
       19 . The system claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the second operating system is of a UNIX operating system family. 
   
   
       20 . The system claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the second operating system is LINUX. 
   
   
       21 . The system claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first processor further comprises:
 a plurality of processors.   
   
   
       22 . The system claimed in  claim 12 , wherein:
 the computing device comprises a mobile vehicular computing device for an emergency responder motor vehicle and controls a system associated with the emergency responder motor vehicle; and   the system associated with the emergency responder motor vehicle is selected from the group consisting of: beacon light system; siren system; video recording system; and communication system.