111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007120835B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Qin et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,120,835 B2
`Oct. 10, 2006
`
`(54) COMPUTER EQUIPMENT HAVING A
`PROMPT ACCESS FUNCTION AND
`RELATED METHOD
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Simon Qin, Chongqing (CN); Jiessie
`Zhang, Chongqing (CN)
`
`(73) Assignee: Far Stone Tech, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 487 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/241,626
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 11, 2002
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0149910 Al
`
`Aug. 7, 2003
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Feb. 1, 2002
`
`(TW)
`
`............................... 91101762A
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 11100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................... 714/46; 707/204
`(58) Field of Classification Search ... ... ... ... .. ... . 714/46,
`714/15; 707/202, 204
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,748,880 A *
`6,567,937 B1 *
`6,611,850 B1 *
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Dieu-Minh Le
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hogan & Hartson LLP
`
`5/1998 Ito eta!. ....................... 714/46
`5/2003 Flores eta!. .................. 714/46
`8/2003 Shen .......................... 707/204
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Computer equipment having a prompt access function that
`can be operated prior to booting an operating system. The
`computer equipment comprises a processing system and a
`displaying system. The processing system has hardware
`resources with a backup/recovery module. The backup/
`recovery module establishes at least one recovery unit to
`hold backup data. The displaying system is used for dis(cid:173)
`playing data contained in the processing system, corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the recovery unit. The displaying system has a
`selecting means for selecting a status corresponding to the
`processing system. Thereafter, the displaying system dis(cid:173)
`plays the selected status. In the computer equipment of the
`invention, there is no limit on the amount of the recovery
`units which can be accessed simultaneously. The recovery
`unit is only loaded when it is required. Consequently, system
`resources can be saved, and mis-operation can be prevented.
`
`20 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`/-~-
`20 ·
`Displaying System
`
`--+--~----
`
`10
`
`1
`
`I
`
`12
`
`Processing Unit
`
`18
`
`Hard D1sk Drive
`
`____ j
`
`Apple Inc. Exhibit 1001 Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 7,120,835 B2
`
`20
`
`isplaying System
`
`----~~-- ------ ~-- -- ---- --- -------~~---~~ ~-- --~ - - - - - - - --~-- ---- --~
`
`~10
`
`12
`
`16
`
`Processing Unit
`
`I/0 Device
`
`Storage Device
`
`18
`
`Hard D1sk Drive
`
`I
`:.___~-~ ------------~-----------------
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Apple Inc. Exhibit 1001 Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 10, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 7,120,835 B2
`
`-~------~30
`
`32
`
`34
`~
`
`Backup Module
`
`Processmg Module
`
`' ~--------------------
`
`Operating System
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Apple Inc. Exhibit 1001 Page 3
`
`

`
`US 7,120,835 B2
`
`1
`COMPUTER EQUIPMENT HAVING A
`PROMPT ACCESS FUNCTION AND
`RELATED METHOD
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`backup/recovery software. The present invention has the
`advantage of using the resources of the computer system in
`a more effective way so as to economize on system resources
`occupied by the conventional backup/recovery software.
`An object of the present invention is to provide a com(cid:173)
`puter equipment having a prompt access function and related
`method, wherein no recovery point should be mounted. Only
`when users are going to check recovery point, such recovery
`point is mounted into the computer system for the sake of
`10 providing a user with an outcome of recovery operation
`beforehand. Users also can retrieve previous data including
`a boot procedure of the computer system without any
`recovery operation is actually implemented.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`15 computer equipment having a prompt access function and
`related method, which can provide a user with unlimited
`recovery points for prompt checking. While the user con(cid:173)
`firms a certain recovery point is one to be selected to restore
`the computer system to a previous corresponding state, the
`20 user can directly restore such computer system to such
`previous state, in accordance with such recovery point.
`Further object of the present invention is to provide a
`computer equipment having a prompt access function and
`related method, which can be operated prior to booting the
`25 operating system (OS). Moreover, according to the present
`invention, even if Windows operating system (OS) is
`destroyed thoroughly, the user still can view recovery points
`and the outcome thereof. Recovery points are directly vis-
`ible and clear to the users so mis-operation can be prevented.
`In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
`computer equipment having a prompt access function is
`provided, which comprises a processing system and a dis(cid:173)
`playing system. The processing system has hardware
`resources with a backup/recovery module. The backup/
`35 recovery module creates at least one recovery unit for
`holding backup data. The displaying system is used for
`displaying data contained in the processing system, corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the recovery unit. The displaying system has a
`selecting means for selecting a status corresponding to the
`40 processing system. Thereafter, the displaying system dis(cid:173)
`plays the selected status.
`In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the status
`corresponding to said processing system is a status of said
`computer equipment at the time creating said corresponded
`45 recovery unit. The data contained in the processing system
`corresponding to the recovery unit includes configuration
`corresponding to the hardware resource and the backup data
`held in the recovery unit respectively. The displaying system
`has a user-operating interface. The hardware resource
`50 includes a storage apparatus, such as a hard disk. The hard
`disk may include an operating system (OS), the operating
`system (OS) can be Disk Operating System (DOS), Win(cid:173)
`dows 9x (Window 95, Window 98, Window Millennium,
`etc.), Linux, Windows NT, Window 2000, Window XP, Mac
`55 OS, or the like. The information for recovering previous
`status is provided on an interface for Disk Operating System
`(DOS).
`In accordance with another aspect of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, a recovery method for providing a user with an
`60 outcome of recovery operation beforehand is suitable for a
`computer system. The computer system includes a process(cid:173)
`ing system and a displaying system. The processing system
`creates at least one recovery unit, and the displaying system
`displays data contained in the processing system corre-
`65 sponding to the recovery unit. The recovery method com(cid:173)
`prising the steps of: selecting one of the at least one recovery
`unit; mounting the selected recovery unit into the processing
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates generally to computer
`equipment having a prompt access function, and more
`particularly to a computer equipment and method that does
`not need to mount restore points in advance, while unlimited
`restore points can simultaneously be accessed at once.
`2. Description of Prior Art
`Conventional backup/recovery softwares often create
`recovery points to backup data in a computer system for
`restoring the computer system to a state of creating the
`recovery points. For example, the conventional backup/
`recovery software, such as the Goback software developed
`by Adaptec Corporation, adopt a dynamic backup technique
`in creating recovery points. The valid data is backed up prior
`to making changes to the data. Such Goback software
`developed by Adaptec Corporation can restore the computer
`system to a previous state, in accordance with the backed up
`data, from a current state.
`The conventional backup/recovery software must mount
`every recovery points before such recovery points can be
`accessed. Each recovery point is mounted as a logical drive
`respectively, and attach to the computer system, so as to
`make available for access. Users can access every logical
`drive in order to access every file contained in the corre- 30
`sponding recovery point. These recovery points can make
`users to preview the contents of the recovery point prior to
`restoring the computer system.
`Prior to viewing the previous created recovery points,
`these recovery points have to be mounted as logical drives.
`Meanwhile, these recovery points should be loaded into a
`main memory.
`However, these recovery points can't be viewed simulta(cid:173)
`neously. The reason is that the operating system (OS) can
`only support twenty-six drives at most, that is, from A to Z,
`Accordingly, the conventional backup/recovery software
`only allow users to view twenty-three recovery points at one
`time for drives A, B and C means A disk, B disk and C disk,
`located in the computer system. Moreover, these limited
`recovery points are indirect in checking to make users
`mis-operated.
`In other words, every recovery point created by the
`conventional backup/recovery software has to be loaded into
`a main memory while the recovery points are mounted as the
`logical drives. The recovery points are loaded and executed
`with operating system (OS) intervention. This is done before
`the recovery points are previewed, and system resources are
`wasted consequently.
`In addition, the users can even though preview the con(cid:173)
`tents of the recovery point, however, users cannot realize
`whether the computer system can be booted or not if the
`computer system is restored to a certain state of creating the
`recovery points. Furthermore, this operation can only be
`implemented in the Windows operating system. Providing
`that the Windows operating system cannot be booted, the
`preview operation cannot be implemented.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a computer equipment
`having a prompt access function and related method to
`resolve the foregoing problems faced by the conventional
`
`Apple Inc. Exhibit 1001 Page 4
`
`

`
`US 7,120,835 B2
`
`3
`system; and displaying a status corresponding to the pro(cid:173)
`cessing system which corresponds to the selected recovery
`unit.
`In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the status
`corresponding to the processing system is a status of the
`computer equipment at the time creating the corresponded
`recovery unit. The data contained in the processing system
`corresponding to the at least one recovery unit includes
`configuration corresponding to the at least one hardware
`resource and the backup data held in the at least one 10
`recovery unit respectively. The displaying system has a
`user-operating interface. The computer system includes an
`operating system (OS), the operating system (OS) can be
`Disk Operating System (DOS), Windows 9x (Window 95,
`Window 98, Window Millennium, etc.), Linux, Windows 15
`NT, Window 2000, Window XP, Mac OS, or the like. The
`information for recovering previous status is provided on an
`interface for Disk Operating System (DOS).
`In accordance with further aspect of the present invention,
`a backup system is suitable for a computer system. The 20
`computer system has a storage device and a displaying
`system. The storage device holds data, and the displaying
`system displays the data held in the storage device. The
`displaying system has a selecting means. The backup system
`comprises a backup module and a processing module. The 25
`backup module creates at least one recovery unit to backup
`data held in the storage device. The processing module
`processes data and creates at least one simulating unit. The
`simulating unit corresponds to the recovery unit. The simu(cid:173)
`lating unit loads an operating system (OS) corresponding to 30
`the recovery unit. The displaying system displays data
`corresponding to the simulating unit. The selecting means
`selects one of the at least one recovery unit, and the
`displaying system displays the processed data.
`In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the simu- 35
`lating unit may be created prior to loading the operating
`system (OS). The operating system (OS) can be Disk
`Operating System (DOS), Windows 9x (Window 95, Win(cid:173)
`dow 98, Window Millennium, etc.), Linux, Windows NT,
`Window 2000, Window XP, Mac OS, or the like. The 40
`information for recovering previous status is provided on an
`interface for Disk Operating System (DOS). The simulating
`unit may be created after the operating system (OS) is
`loaded. The processing module has a data computing unit for
`computing data held in the storage device and data stored in 45
`the at least one recovery unit. The simulating unit has entire
`data held in the storage device corresponding to the at least
`one recovery unit.
`The present invention may best be understood through the
`following description with reference to the accompanying
`drawings, in which:
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`4
`to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred
`embodiments of this invention are presented herein for the
`purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended
`to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form
`disclosed.
`The present invention describes a new computer equip(cid:173)
`ment with a virtually recovery utility, which can accomplish
`file access to the contents of the recovery point to make sure
`of the previous status to be restored after rebooting the
`computer system. No risk resulted from actual recovery
`operation is remained. Users can be well aware of an
`outcome of a certain recovery point beforehand.
`With the computer equipment having a prompt access
`function and related method of the present invention, the
`users can operate under the DOS interface to check the
`contents of the recovery point. No recovery operation is
`implemented to retrieve previous data for the user can
`anticipate whether the computer system can be normally
`booted after the computer system is actually restored in
`accordance with such recovery point.
`The users can also directly access unlimited recovery
`points promptly and simultaneously without such recovery
`points to be mounted in advance. Such recovery points can
`be mounted when it is required for checking in order to
`economize on system resources. Furthermore, files con(cid:173)
`tained in the recovery points can be easily opened, viewed,
`copied, or the like. Therefore, the drawbacks faced by the
`prior arts can be solved completely.
`According to the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, a computer equipment having a prompt access
`function that can be operated prior to booting an operating
`system. The computer equipment comprises a processing
`system and a displaying system. A processing system has at
`least one hardware resource with a backup/recovery module.
`The backup/recovery module creates at least one recovery
`unit to hold backup data. A displaying system can display
`data contained in the processing system. The data contained
`in the processing system corresponds to the recovery unit.
`The displaying system has a selecting means. The selecting
`means selects a status corresponding to the processing
`system. The displaying system displays the selected status.
`The status corresponding to the processing system is a
`status of said computer equipment at the time creating said
`corresponded recovery unit. The data contained in the pro(cid:173)
`cessing system corresponding to the recovery unit includes
`configuration corresponding to the hardware resource and
`the backup data held in the recovery unit respectively. The
`50 displaying system has a user-operating interface. The hard(cid:173)
`ware resource includes a storage apparatus, such as a hard
`disk. The hard disk may include an operating system (OS),
`the operating system (OS) can be Disk Operating System
`(DOS), Windows 9x (Window 95, Window 98, Window
`Millennium, etc.), Linux, Windows NT, Window 2000,
`Window XP, Mac OS, or the like. The information for
`recovering previous status is provided on an interface for
`Disk Operating System (DOS).
`Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic block diagram of a
`computer equipment of a preferred embodiment according
`to the present invention is shown. The computer equipment
`of the present invention can access data in the computer
`system promptly. The computer equipment having a prompt
`access function includes a processing system 10 and a
`65 displaying system 20. The processing system 10 has at least
`one hardware resource for processing or operating, such as
`a computer system, wherein a processing unit 12, a storage
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a computer 55
`equipment of a preferred embodiment according to the
`present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the com(cid:173)
`ponents of a backup/recovery system of a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment and an operating system relevant to loading operation 60
`according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`The present invention will now be described more spe(cid:173)
`cifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is
`
`Apple Inc. Exhibit 1001 Page 5
`
`

`
`US 7,120,835 B2
`
`5
`device 14, and an I/0 device 16 are included therein. The
`processing system 10 may also include a CD-ROM drive, a
`printer or a soft disk drive.
`The I/0 device 16 is coupled between the processing unit
`12 and the storage device 14. The I/0 device 16 is coupled
`to the hard disk 18 for storing data contained in the computer
`system. The storage device 14 may have a hard disk drive
`18. Optionally, the storage device 14 may include a system
`memory for storing data. The I/0 device 16 can be a system
`bus.
`The processing system 10 has a backup/recovery module.
`The backup/recovery module can be a backup/recovery
`program. The backup/recovery program can be compressed
`in order to economize on storage space occupied by such
`program. The backup/recovery program can create at least
`one recovery point to hold backup data. The backup/recov(cid:173)
`ery module can be installed in the storage device 14 or in the
`hard disk 18.
`The hard disk 18 may include an operating system (OS),
`the operating system (OS) is selected from the group con(cid:173)
`sisting of Disk Operating System (DOS), Windows, Linux,
`Windows NT, and Mac. Disk Operating System (DOS) can
`be operated prior to booting an operating system. Informa(cid:173)
`tion for recovering previous status is provided on an inter(cid:173)
`face for Disk Operating System (DOS).
`The displaying system 20 coupled to the I/0 device 16 can
`be used for displaying data contained in the processing
`system 10. The data contained in the processing system 10
`corresponds to each recovery point. Each recovery point is
`demonstrated in a form of file folder to the users to facilitate 30
`operations for the users.
`The displaying system 20 can display data stored in the
`storage device 14. The displaying system 20 may include a
`user-operating interface. The user-operating interface can be
`a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, to provide the user with
`inputting command and information.
`The displaying system 20 may have a selecting means.
`The selecting means selects a status corresponding to the
`processing system 10. The displaying system 20 displays the
`selected status.
`The status corresponding to the processing system 10 is a
`status of the computer equipment at the time creating the
`corresponded recovery point. The data contained in the
`processing system 10 corresponding to the recovery point
`includes configuration corresponding
`to
`the hardware 45
`resources at that time and the backup data held in the
`corresponded recovery point respectively.
`While the user selects a recovery point with the selecting
`means and thereby selects the status corresponding to the
`processing system 10, the backup/recovery module thereaf- 50
`ter loads drivers and operating interfaces. Each driver maps
`the access to configuration of the computer equipment into
`the access to the data in the corresponded recovery point.
`Each recovery point is demonstrated in a form of file
`folder to the users to facilitate operations for the users. The 55
`users can conveniently extract directory or files inside the
`recovery points. The users can rename or remove any of
`them, view contents thereof, or perform recovery operation,
`simultaneously and immediately. After one recovery point is
`selected, the selected recovery point is opened to the user. 60
`The user can open executable files, pictures or documents
`without restoring the computer equipment to such status.
`According to the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, a recovery method for providing a user with an
`outcome of recovery operation beforehand is suitable for a 65
`computer system. The computer system includes a process(cid:173)
`ing system and a displaying system. The processing system
`
`6
`creates at least one recovery unit, and the displaying system
`displays data contained in the processing system corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the recovery unit. The recovery method com(cid:173)
`prising the steps of: selecting one of the at least one recovery
`unit; mounting the selected recovery unit into the processing
`system; and displaying a status corresponding to the pro(cid:173)
`cessing system which corresponds to the selected recovery
`unit.
`The status corresponding to the processing system is a
`10 status of the computer equipment at the time creating the
`corresponded recovery unit. The data contained in the pro(cid:173)
`cessing system corresponding to the at least one recovery
`unit includes configuration corresponding to the at least one
`hardware resource and the backup data held in the at least
`15 one recovery unit respectively. The displaying system has a
`user-operating interface. The computer system includes an
`operating system (OS), the operating system (OS) can be
`Disk Operating System (DOS), Windows 9x (Window 95,
`Window 98, Window Millennium, etc.), Linux, Windows
`20 NT, Window 2000, Window XP, Mac OS, or the like. The
`information for recovering previous status is provided on an
`interface for Disk Operating System (DOS).
`After the user selects a recovery point, the selected
`recovery point is mounted into the processing system. A
`25 status corresponding to the processing system is displayed.
`The status corresponding to the processing system is a status
`of the computer equipment at the time creating the corre(cid:173)
`sponded recovery unit, which corresponds to the selected
`recovery point. The user can open every recovery unit
`respectively in a manner of opening a file folder. The
`contents therein includes configuration corresponding to the
`computer equipment at the time creating the corresponded
`recovery point. The computer equipment may comprises a
`hard disk drive C, a CD-ROM drive D, or a printer. The
`35 configuration corresponding to the computer equipment is
`the configuration of the computer equipment at the time
`creating the corresponded recovery point.
`By opening the selected recovery point, the user can view
`the contents thereof directly. For example, the user adds a
`40 printer on February 27, then, the configuration of the com(cid:173)
`puter equipment for February 26 contains no such printer,
`while the configuration of February 28 contains.
`The present invention can access unlimited recovery
`points simultaneously. Furthermore, the present invention
`does not need to mount restore points in advance. Accord(cid:173)
`ingly, system resources can be saved, and mis-operation can
`be prevented owing to viewing such recovery points directly.
`The present invention can be operated prior to booting an
`operating system. Even if the computer system cannot be
`booted due to the Windows operating system is destroyed
`thoroughly, the user still can check outcome of recovery
`operation.
`The displaying system 20 displays the entire outcome of
`recovery operation, including a boot procedure of the com(cid:173)
`puter system. Consequently, the user can directly and easily
`access unlimited restore points simultaneously and imme(cid:173)
`diately. While restore point is checked, data stored therein
`can be opened, copied, in order to eliminate the risk resulted
`from actual recovery operation.
`Upon the user selects a restore point under the DOS
`interface, the displaying system 20 displays an option for the
`user to obtain outcome of recovery operation corresponding
`to such restore point. If such restore point is selected, the
`operating system is loaded. After the user confirms that the
`restore point is the required restore point, the status corre-
`sponding to such restore point can be set as a current status.
`
`Apple Inc. Exhibit 1001 Page 6
`
`

`
`US 7,120,835 B2
`
`8
`system (OS) 36 corresponding to the recovery point. One
`simulating unit may be taken over by another anytime.
`The operating system (OS) 36 is selected from the group
`consisting of Disk Operating System (DOS), Windows,
`Linux, Windows NT, and Mac. Disk Operating System
`(DOS) can be operated prior to booting an operating system.
`Information for recovering previous status is provided on an
`interface for Disk Operating System (DOS).
`The displaying system 20 displays the simulating unit,
`10 then one of the recovery points is selected through the
`selecting means, and the displaying system 20 displays the
`computed data.
`The computing unit computes data in the current com(cid:173)
`puter equipment and backup data held in the recovery point.
`15 Afterward the simulating unit corresponding to the recovery
`point is created.
`The simulating units can be created before or after loading
`the operating system (OS) 36. In the event of creating the
`simulating unit prior to loading the operating system (OS)
`20 36, the simulating unit can load any operating system (OS)
`36 corresponding to any recovery point.
`While the simulating units is created after the operating
`system (OS) 36 is loaded, in that case, the status of the
`computer equipment at the time every certain recovery point
`25 is created can be viewed under the operating system (OS)
`36.
`The backup/recovery system of the present invention can
`emulate the computer equipment. Data therein at the time
`creating the recovery point can be viewed, added or
`30 removed. Moreover, the simulating unit can load the oper(cid:173)
`ating system prior to booting the operating system (OS),
`which is distinguishing from the conventional technique.
`Hence, the shortcoming that the data have to actually restore
`the computer system to a previous state can be entirely
`35 avoided.
`The computer equipment having a prompt access function
`and related method according to the present invention can
`mount recovery point only when it is required. Furthermore,
`there is no limit on the amount of the recovery points which
`40 can be accessed simultaneously. The present invention also
`provides a user with an outcome of recovery operation
`beforehand so that the questionable problem of the system
`booting normally faced by the conventional backup/recov-
`ery software can be fully solved.
`According to the above description, it is evident that
`unlimited restore points can simultaneously be viewed and
`accessed at once. It is unnecessary to occupy the system
`resources in advance. In addition, the present invention
`provides the user with a preview of restore points even
`though the computer system cannot be booted already.
`While the invention has been described by way of
`example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to
`be understood that the invention is not limited to the
`disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to
`cover various modifications and similar arrangements as
`would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the
`scope of the appended claims should be accorded the
`broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifi-
`cations and similar arrangements.
`
`7
`According to the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, a backup system is suitable for a computer
`system. The computer system has a storage device and a
`displaying system. The storage device holds data, and the
`displaying system displays the data held in the storage
`device. The displaying system has a selecting means. The
`backup system comprises a backup module and a processing
`module. The backup module creates at least one recovery
`unit to store data held in the storage device. The processing
`module processes data and creates at least one simulating
`unit. The simulating unit corresponds to the recovery unit.
`The simulating unit loads an operating system (OS) corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the recovery unit. The displaying system dis(cid:173)
`plays the simulating unit. The selecting means selects one of
`the at least one recovery unit, and the displaying system
`displays the processed data.
`The simulating unit may be created prior to loading the
`operating system (OS). The operating system (OS) can be
`Disk Operating System (DOS), Windows 9x (Window 95,
`Window 98, Window Millennium, etc.), Linux, Windows
`NT, Window 2000, Window XP, Mac OS, or the like. The
`information for recovering previous status is provided on an
`interface for Disk Operating System (DOS). The simulating
`unit may be created after the operating system (OS) is
`loaded. The processing module has a data computing unit for
`computing data held in the storage device and data stored in
`the at least one recovery unit. The simulating unit has entire
`data held in the storage device corresponding to the at least
`one recovery unit.
`Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic block diagram of a
`backup/recovery system of a preferred embodiment accord(cid:173)
`ing to the present invention is shown. According to the
`present invention, the backup/recovery system 30 of the
`present invention is suitable for a computer equipment,
`which includes a storage device 14 and a displaying system
`20. FIG. 2 shows only the components of the backup/
`recovery system 30 that are required to provide the computer
`equipment with prompt access function. As shown in FIG. 2,
`the backup/recovery system 30 comprises a backup module
`32 and a processing module 34.
`The backup module 32 can create at least one recovery
`point to hold data stored in the storage device 14. The
`recovery points may be stored in a hard disk drive 18 of the
`computer equipment, a network communicated with the
`computer equipment, or a storage media, such as a CD-RW, 45
`a tape, or the like.
`The backup module 32 can be a static backup/recovery
`module, a dynamic backup/recovery module, an integrated
`backup/recovery module, or the like, can all be adopted in
`the backup/recovery system 30. The backup module 32 is 50
`used for backing up data stored in the storage device 14 of
`the computer equipment, particularly stored in the hard disk
`drive 18.
`The processing module 34 includes a computing unit and
`at least one simulating unit. The computing unit is used for 55
`computing data stored in the storage device 14 and data in
`the recovery points. After data computing, the simulating
`units corresponding to the recovery points are created. The
`simulating unit emulates the computer equipment.
`The processing module 34 computes data in the current 60
`computer equipment and data backed up in the backup
`module 32, and creates the simulating unit having entire data
`in the storage device 14 thereafter. The entire data in the
`storage device 14 is the actual data at the time the recovery
`point is created.
`In FIG. 2, an operating system (OS) 36 relevant to loading
`operation is shown. The simulating unit loads the operating
`
`65
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A computer equipment having a prompt access func(cid:173)
`tion, said computer equipment comprising:
`a processing system having at least one hardware resource
`with a backup/recovery module, said backup/recovery
`module creating at least one recovery unit to hold
`backup data; and
`
`Apple Inc. Exhibit 1001 Page 7
`
`

`
`US 7,120,835 B2
`
`9
`a displaying system for displaying backed up data of said
`processing system, said backed up data of said pro(cid:173)
`cessing system corresponding to each of said at least
`one recovery unit, said displaying system having a
`selecting means, said selecting means selecting a status
`corr