US 8510543

US patent 8510543, titled "Firmware supporting multiple boot paths," was filed on May 25, 2010, and issued on August 13, 2013. The inventors are Subramonian Shankar, Jacob Narey, and Will Gysin. The current assignee is Amzetta Technologies LLC, which acquired the patent on April 14, 2020, following a chain of assignments from American Megatrends, Inc. and American Megatrends International, LLC, with a release by Midcap Financial Trust in October 2024.

Abstract:
The patent describes technologies for Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) firmware that can utilize different boot paths based on the operating system a user selects within a computer system. Each boot path customizes the system initialization according to the specific needs of the operating system and the overall project design. The method involves receiving a boot path indicator, executing the corresponding boot path, and then booting the associated operating system.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a computer-implemented method where a computer's BIOS firmware manages multiple ways to start the computer. The process involves the BIOS firmware receiving a signal (boot path indicator) that tells it which startup path to follow. In response, the BIOS executes that chosen boot path. This execution includes retrieving specific configuration details for that path, generating a tailored firmware setup based on these details, and performing this setup by initializing specific firmware components. Finally, the BIOS launches an operating system that is compatible with the selected boot path.

• Independent Claim 9 (Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium): This claim covers a non-temporary computer storage device (like a flash drive or hard drive) that holds computer instructions. When these instructions are run by a computer's BIOS firmware, they cause the computer to perform the same method described in Claim 1. Specifically, the computer receives a boot path indicator, executes the corresponding boot path (which involves retrieving configuration information, generating a firmware configuration, and performing that configuration by initializing firmware modules), and then launches the operating system supported by that boot path.

• Independent Claim 16 (Computer system): This claim defines a computer system designed to support multiple boot paths. The system includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a non-volatile memory that stores at least one operating system and the BIOS firmware. When the CPU runs the BIOS firmware, it is configured to perform the actions outlined in Claim 1. That is, it receives a boot path indicator, executes the indicated boot path by retrieving configuration details, generating a firmware configuration, and performing the configuration to initialize specific firmware modules, and subsequently launches the operating system that works with the chosen boot path.

A search of the USPTO database confirms the patent details as described herein. A search of CAFC 2026 dockets and general CAFC dockets for US patent 8510543 did not yield any results indicating ongoing litigation or cases involving this specific patent number.