US 6085318

Here is a concise summary of US Patent 6,085,318:

• Title: Computer system capable of booting from CD-ROM and tape
• Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP (Current Assignee)
• Inventors: Kerry B. Vander Kamp, Roberta W. Hensley, Curtis R. Jones
• Filing Date: 1997-10-24
• Issue Date: 2000-07-04
• Abstract: The patent describes a computer system that can boot from commercially available CD-ROMs or tapes without requiring modifications to the ISO standard or specialized software. A bootable CD-ROM, according to the invention, includes an ISO-defined boot record located within the system area, which is a writable region. The computer's operating code scans the CD-ROM's initial sectors for this boot record. Floppy disk boot images are stored at the end of the primary volume space. The boot code within the boot record identifies the volume size and the correct floppy image to use, then determines its location. The system then boots using this floppy image.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (System): This claim describes a computer system designed for booting from alternative media. It includes a microprocessor, system memory, a traditional "first" mass storage device (like a disk drive), and a "second" mass storage device (like a CD-ROM or tape drive). The second device reads a medium that has a special boot record and an "image" that acts like the first storage device. The boot record contains information to help find and access this image. The system's boot memory has specific instructions to:

  1. Check if a boot record is present on the second storage medium.
  2. Load information from this boot record into the system's memory.
  3. Determine where the emulated storage device image is located on the second storage medium using the loaded boot record information.
  4. Load the initial boot code from this image.
  5. Make the microprocessor run this boot code to load any other necessary software from the image.

• Independent Claim 14 (Method of CD-ROM Booting): This claim outlines a method for a computer system (with a disk drive and a CD-ROM drive) to boot from a CD-ROM. The steps involve:

  1. Identifying that the CD-ROM drive is the intended device for booting.
  2. Locating a "disk image" on the CD-ROM, which functions as a bootable disk.
  3. Loading the operating system from this CD-ROM.
  4. Starting the computer using that operating system.
  5. Loading specific program instructions to control the CD-ROM drive.
  6. Reconfiguring the system so that the original disk drive can be used fully after the boot process.

• Independent Claim 21 (Method of Emulation Booting): This claim describes a method for booting a computer from a second mass storage device by making it temporarily act like a first mass storage device. The steps include:

  1. Recognizing the second mass storage device as the desired boot device.
  2. Configuring this second device to emulate, or act like, the first mass storage device.
  3. Issuing a common type of command (referred to as a "first type of command," like an INT 13 interrupt) from the microprocessor, targeting the second mass storage device.
  4. In response, booting the computer from the second mass storage device.
  5. Reconfiguring the second mass storage device so it no longer emulates the first device.
  6. Using the "first type of command" to control the actual first mass storage device.
  7. Using a "second type of command" (different from the first) to control the second mass storage device.

• Independent Claim 30 (CD-ROM Data Structure): This claim defines the structure of a CD-ROM designed to hold data for a computer's boot operation. The CD-ROM contains:

  1. A data structure composed of information spread across multiple sectors.
  2. Several "system sectors."
  3. A primary volume descriptor.
  4. A "disk image" that includes boot code and is designed to mimic a bootable disk.
  5. A boot record that contains information specifically for determining the exact location of this disk image.

USPTO and CAFC 2026 Docket Search:
A search of public records, including the Google Patents record which pulls legal status, indicates that US Patent 6,085,318 has "Expired - Lifetime" status, with an anticipated expiration date of 2013-09-10. Given its expired status, it is highly unlikely to be involved in new litigation for direct infringement in CAFC 2026 dockets. While the patent family has previously been involved in litigation (e.g., US International Trade Commission case 337-TA-509), there is no authoritative information available indicating active litigation for this specific patent in the CAFC 2026 dockets.