i r APPL'+;-uM ! FILING DATE
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`---, ------
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`U.S. UTILITY Patent Application
`--------------------~,~
`CLASS SUBCLASS
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`AUG 1 7 2004
`
`EXAMINER
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`RESCIND D
`
`01-1009
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`....__ __ - - - · • · - · - - - - - - - · -
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`: U.S.DEPT. OF CCMM.i~T.& TM-PT0-436L(Rev. 12-94)
`
`~·.
`
`Amount Due
`
`~ ( l.J 30 ?;;~
`
`AMI Ex. 1015
`
`PREPARED FOR ISSUE
`WARNING: The information disclosed herein may be restricted.
`Unauthorized disclosure may be prohibited by the United States Code Title 35,
`Sections 122, 181 and 368, Possession outside the U.S. Patent & Trademark
`Office is restricted to authorized e
`lo ees and contractors onl .
`
`FILED WITH: D DISK (CRF)
`
`D CD-ROM
`
`(Attached In pocket on right inside flap)
`
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`
`..
`PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL NO . - - - - - - - -
`
`U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`FEE RECORD Sl-IEET
`
`(
`
`07/26/2002 BSAYASI1 00000012 161520
`01 FC:101
`740.00 CH
`
`10200907
`
`PT0-1556
`(5/87)
`
`·u.s. Government Printing Office: 2001- 481·697/59173
`
`5
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`

`
`l'->
`
`- - - l
`0
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`UTILITY•
`PATENT APPLICATION
`TRANSMITTAL_
`
`- - ' -1 n
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`CSl
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`w
`-..JI
`PTO/SB/05 (12197)
`--;:::;
`C:
`' -csa- Ul
`. Please type a plus sign (+) inside this box -+ f':i=1
`Approved for use through 09/30/00. OMB 0651-0032
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`j Total Pages 22
`
`Attorney docket No. 01-1009
`
`First Named Inventor or Application Identifier
`
`Curtis E. Stevens
`
`Express Mail Label No. I EL055408284US
`I
`
`---
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`ADDRESS TO: Box Patent Application
`Washington, DC 20231
`
`6. D Microfiche Compu_ter Program (Appendix)
`
`+
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`0
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`Po~ I-
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`.....
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`1-]
`
`(Only for new nonprovisional applicaffons under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`See MPEP chapter 600 concerning utility patent application contents.
`
`1. GJ Fee Transmittal Form
`2. GJ Specification
`
`(Submit an original, and a duplicate for fee processing)
`
`[Total Page-01
`(preferred arrangement set forth below)
`- Descriptive title of the Invention
`- Cross Reference to Related Applications
`- Statement Regarding Fed sponsored R & D
`- Reference t.o Microfiche Appendix
`- Background of the Invention
`- Brie~mmary of the Invention
`- Bri~ Description of the Drawings (if filed)
`"
`- Detailed Description
`- Claim(s)·
`
`- Abstract of the Disclosure
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`[Total SheetW 1
`
`7. Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission
`(if applicable, all necessary)
`
`-
`a D Computer Readable Copy
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`'
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`
`Assignment Papers (cover sheet & document(s))
`
`(when there is an assignee)
`English Translation Document (if applicable)
`
`10.
`
`0
`
`e.G]
`9.o 37 CFR 3.73(b) Statement D Power of Attorney
`Information Disclosure D Copies of IDS
`
`Citations
`
`12.
`
`0
`
`Preliminary Amendment
`
`13.GJ
`
`Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503)
`(Should be specifically itemized)
`
`14. D Small Entity D Statement filed in prior application,
`
`Status still proper and desired
`Statement(s)
`Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)
`(if foreign priority is claimed)
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`15.
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`0
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`16.0 Other: Certificate of Express Mailing
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`3. GJ Drawing(s) (35 USC 113)
`a GJ Newly executed (original copy)
`b. D Copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))
`i. D DELETIQt:::l QE INll!;t::,!TQB(S)
`5. D Incorporation By Reference (useable it Box 4b is checked)
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`4. Oath of Declaration
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`[Total Pages[U 1 11.0
`Statement (IDS)/PT0-1448
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`(for continuation/divisional with Box 17 completed)
`[Note Box 5 below)
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`Signed statement attached deleting
`inventor(s) named in the prior application,
`see 37 CFR 1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`
`The entire disclosure of the prior application, from which a
`copy of the oath of declaration is supplied under Box 4b,
`is considered as being part of the disclosure of the
`accompanying application and is hereby incorporated
`by reference therein.
`17. If a CONTINUING APPLICATION, check appropriate box and supply the requisite information:
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`0 Continuation 0 Reissue 0 Continuation-in-part (CIP)
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`18. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`. W Correspondence address below
`...............•..•.•......................
`. or
`.
`D Customer Number or Bar Code Label:
`: (Insert Customer No. or Attach bar code label here~
`..................•....•.•.....•...........
`
`NAME
`
`Claudia Cameron
`
`ADDRESS
`
`Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
`
`411 East Plumeria O[ive
`
`CITY
`
`San Jose
`
`COUNTRY
`
`+
`
`I STATE CA
`I TELEPHONE
`
`I ZIP CODE
`T FAX
`
`95134
`
`USA
`(408) 570-1038
`(408) 570-1044
`..
`Burden Hour Statement. Th1s_ form 1s estimate~ to take 0.2 hours to complete. T1me Will vary depending upon the needs of the indiVidual case. Any
`comm_ents on the amount of t1me you are requ1red to complete this form should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, Patent and Trademark Office,
`Washington, DC 20231. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`Box Patent Application, Washington, DC 20231.
`'
`
`6
`
`

`
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`FEE TRANSMITTAL LETTER
`
`PATENT
`01-1009
`
`July 23, 2002
`
`The Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`Sir:
`
`Transmitted herewith for filing is the patent application, including three (3) sheet(s) of drawing,
`-·
`of inventor(s): Curtis E. Stevens
`for: Systems, Software and M~thods for Allocating Additional Mass Storage Media Space
`
`Applicant is a small entity D ; large entity [!]
`The filing fee for this application is calculated below:
`
`I
`
`FOR:
`
`Basic Fee
`Total Claims
`Independent Claims
`Multiple Dependent Claims
`
`TOTAL FILING FEE
`
`CLAIMS AS FILED
`
`12 -20 = 0
`- 3 = 0
`3
`
`0
`
`times
`times
`
`times
`
`RATE
`$ 740.00
`$
`18.00
`$
`84.00
`$ 270.00
`
`Assignment Recording Fee
`
`1
`
`times
`
`$
`
`40.00
`
`TOTAL FEES
`
`=
`=
`=
`=
`
`=
`
`TOTAL
`
`$
`$
`$
`$
`$
`
`$
`
`$
`
`740.00
`0.00
`0.00
`0.00
`740.00
`
`40.00
`
`780.00
`
`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge indicated fees and credit any overpayments to:
`Deposit Account No. 161520
`Deposit Account Name: Phoenix Technologies, Ltd.
`This form is submitted in duplicate
`
`Respectfully submitted
`
`~&fit/'
`
`Kenneth W. Float
`Reg. No. 29,233
`
`The Law Offices of Kenneth W. Float
`Office address: 2 Shire, Coto de Caza, CA 92679
`Mailing address: P. 0. Box 80790, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
`Telephone: (949) 459-5519
`Facsimile: (949) 459-5520
`
`7
`
`

`
`PATENT
`01-1009
`
`..
`IN THK UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`In re Application of: Curtis E: Stevens
`Serial No.
`Filed:
`For: Systems, Software and Methods for Allocating
`Additional Mass Storage Media Space
`
`July 23, 2002
`Date:
`Group Art Unit:
`Examirier:
`Batch No.:
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
`UNDER 37 CFR 1.10
`
`-·
`
`The Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`
`Sir:
`
`(
`Identification of Transmitted Papers
`Utility Patent Application Transmittal form, patent application comprising ten (10) pages plus a
`cover page, three (3) sheets of drawing, Combined Declaration and Power of Attorney form;
`Assignment for recording, Assignment cover letter (form PT0-1595) Fee Transmittal Letter in
`duplicate including authorization to charge deposit account in the amount of $780.00, and
`return receipt postcard
`
`CERTIFICATION OF EXPRESS MAIL DEPOSIT
`
`"EXPRESS MAIL" MAILING LABEL NO. EL055408284US
`
`DATE OF DEPOSIT -July 23,2002
`
`I hereby certify that the above-identified correspondence is being deposited with the United States
`Postal Service "Express Mail Post Office to Addressee" service, under 37 CPR 1.10, on the date
`indicated above and addressed to the Assistant Commissioner for Patents, Washington, D.C. 20231.
`
`Kenneth W. Float
`Reg. No. 29,233
`
`The Law Offices of Kenneth W. Float
`Office Address: 2 Shire, Coto de Caza, CA 92679
`Mailing Address: PO Box 80790, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
`Telephone: (949) 459-5519
`Facsimile: (949) 459-5520
`
`8
`
`

`
`PATENT
`PD-01-1009
`
`/
`(
`
`SYSTEMS, SOFTWARE AND METHODS FOR ALLOCATING
`ADDITIONAL MASS STORAGE MEDIA SPACE
`
`Curtis E. Stevens
`
`.....__ ___________________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------
`
`9
`
`

`
`.....-----------~---~----
`
`-·
`
`(
`
`SYSTEMS, SOFTWARE AND METHODS FOR ALLOCATING
`ADDITIONAL MASS STORAGE MEDIA SPACE
`
`5
`
`BACKGROUND
`The present invention relates generally to computer systems, software and
`methods, and more particularly, to computer systems, software and methods that allow a
`computer system integrator to reserve a predetermined amount of space on a hard drive
`and then enable that space for use by an end user after the computer system is in the
`hands of the end user.
`~ ~ A9. \
`d disk drives have the ability to be resized by a
`Many currently-available
`G;stem integrator. Commands e provided for destroking drives. The PARTIES
`(Protected Area Run-Time In rface Extensions Services) specification, for example,
`provides methods for rese ng space on a hard drive, and emulating a floppy drive.
`10
`f/&f
`tn be an issue. Generally, disk
`Although a hard disk drive
`be made smaller, making the drive larger again
`'ve vendor and product specific tools must be used to
`s can be a problem since disk drive manufacturers do
`change the size of the drive.
`have access to their drive modification tools. Although
`not generally want end users
`there are now some generic ays to change the size of the drive, no infrastructure exists
`ade, particularly by an end user. In addition, the PARTIES
`to allow the changes to b
`specification does not p vide a method for reallocating space to the computer user.
`Most currently-available hard disk drives are manufactured with 20,40 or 60
`gigabytes of drive space (defined by one, two or three disk platters). Many times,
`because of cost considerations, a personal computer manufacturer will install 60
`
`15
`
`20
`
`10
`
`

`
`2
`
`gigabyte hard diak drives in all of the personal computer systems that they sell, even
`though some of the systems are configured to have 20 or 40 gigabyte hard disk drives.
`After delivery of the computer system to the end user, the number one technical
`support issue (for computers with Intel® microprocessors) relates to installation of a
`larger hard disk drive. It would be desirable to have the ability for an end user to enlarge
`the available hard disk drive space, if such space is available (i.e., a 60 gigabyte drive is
`installed but is configured to have only 20 or 40 gigabytes of space available to the user.
`-·
`It is an objective of the present invention to provide for computer systems,
`software and methods that allow a computer system integrator to reserve a
`predetermined amount of space on a hard disk drive and then enable the space for use an
`end user after the computer system is in the hands of the end user.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`(
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`To accomplish the above and other objectives, the present invention provides for
`computer systems, software and methods that allows a computer system integrator to
`reserve a predetermined amount of space on a hard disk drive and then enable that space
`for use by an end user after the system is in the hands of the end user. More
`specifically, the present method provides for computer systems, software and methods
`that permit changing the size of the user. area of a hard disk drive after a computer
`system is in the hands of a user.
`The computer software and methods are embodied in a computer system having
`an operating system and a hard disk drive. The hard disk drive is configured, in
`accordance with a PARTIES specification, for example, to have a boot engineering
`extension record (BEER) that comprises a BEER pointer that points to a SETMAX
`25 marker and an end of file system marker that together define a host protected area and
`indicate an end of a user-accessible area of the hard disk drive. The computer software
`and methods embodied in the computer system are operative to enlarge the user(cid:173)
`accessible area of the hard disk drive.
`An exemplary embodiment of a computer system in accordance with the present
`invention comprises an operating system and a hard disk drive that is configured (in
`accordance with a PARTIES specification, for example) to have a boot engineering
`extension record (BEER) that comprises a BEER pointer that points to a SETMAX
`marker that defines a host protected area and indicate an end of a user-accessible area of
`the hard disk drive. Software is provided that, once enabled (by the personal computer
`35 manufacturer, for example), and assuming that additional end user space is available on
`the hard disk drive, is operative to allow the end user to increase the usable area of the
`hard disk drive.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`11
`
`

`
`3
`
`An exeiiJI>lary embodiment that implements the present method comprises the
`following steps. It is determined if the boot engineering extension record is present on
`the hard disk drive. Jf the boot engineering extension record is present, it is determined
`if free media space is available on the hard disk drive. If free media space is available on
`the hard disk drive, the BEER pointer is changed to move the SETMAX marker and
`allocate additional media space on the hard disk drive for use as part of the user
`accessible area. The end of file system marker is moved to match the moved SETMAX
`marker to set the enlarged user-accessible area of the hard dis.K drive.
`An exemplary embodiment of computer software in accordance with the present
`invention comprises a code segment that determines if a boot engineering extension
`record is present on the hard disk drive. A code segment determines if free media space
`is available on the hard disk drive once it is determined that the boot engineering
`efension record is present. A code segment changes the BEER pointer if free media
`space is available to move the SETMAX marker to allocate additional media space from
`the host protected area on the hard disk drive for use as part of the user accessible area.
`A code segment moves the end of file system marker to match the moved SETMAX
`marker to set the enlarged user-accessible area of the hard disk drive.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more
`readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate
`like structur~l ~~and in which:
`Fiy1llustrates an exemplary computer system in accordance with the
`principles of the pres~nt-1nvention employing an exemplary hard disk drive that is
`ARTIES specification;
`formatted using t
`·sa flow d"
`am that illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method in
`Fig.
`rinciples of the present invention; and
`Figs. 3 - ~A-illustrate how the hard disk drive is reconfigured using the
`exemplary ethod illustrated in Fig. 2.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`Referring to thedrawing figures, Fig. 1 illustrates a typical hard disk drive 10 of
`a computer system 40 that is formatted using the PARTIES (Protected Area Run-Time
`Interface Extensions Services) specification, for example. Formatting the hard disk
`
`drive 10 using the PARTIES specification allows the system 40 to reserve space on the
`hard disk drive 10 for use by the system 40. This space is divided into service areas via
`
`5
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`a Boot Engineet'tng Extension Record (BEER) 11. The individual service areas may be
`used for data storage or booting a fail-safe operating system, for example.
`The hard disk'drive 10 is formatted such that there is a host protected area 12
`that is sepflfated from a user accessible area 14 using a SETMAX command. The
`SETMAX command typically generates a SETMAX marker 13 (fence) and end of file
`system marker 13a on the hard disk drive 10 beyond which the user cannot access.
`Thus, the end user only has access to hard disk drive space or_rriedia space below the
`SETMAX marker 13.
`More particularly, the boot engineering extension record (BEER) comprises a
`BEER pointer that points to the SETMAX.marker 13 that defines a boundary between
`the hosl protected area 12 and the user-accessible area 14 of the hard disk drive 10. The
`S7l'MAX marker 13 and the end of file system marker 13a together indicates an upper
`efid of the user-accessible area 14.
`The present invention enables a portion of the host protected area 12 to be
`released to the operating system that may be configured for use by the user. This is
`accomplished in the following manner, with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flow diagram
`that illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method 20 in accordance with the
`principles of the present invention.
`The exemplary method 20 comprises the following steps. The method 20 starts
`21 and a determination 22 is made if a boot engineering extension record (BEER) 11 is
`present on the hard disk drive 10. If the boot engineering extension record 11 is not
`present (NO), then expansion is not possible 23. If the boot engineering extension
`record 11 is present (YES) on the hard disk drive 10, then a determination 24 is made if
`free hard disk drive space is available. The free media space is a portion of the host
`protected area 12. If there is no available free hard disk drive space (NO), then
`expansion is not possible 25.
`If there is available free hard disk drive space (YES), then the BEER pointer is
`changed 26 to free up a desired amount of hard disk drive media space for use by the
`operating system. The BEER pointer is changed 26 to move the SETMAX marker 13 to
`allocate additional media space from the host protected area 12 on the hard disk drive 10
`for use as part of the user accessible area 14.
`Then the user file system of the operating system is updated 27 (i.e., the end of
`file system marker 13a is moved) so that the operating system has access to the newly
`allocated free space. In particular, the end of file system marker 13a is moved to match
`the moved SETMAX marker 13 to set the enlarged user-accessible area 14 of the hard
`disk drive 10.
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`The steps described with reference to Fig. 2 cause the sequence of events to
`happen that are :hown in Figs. 3a-3c. Figs. 3a-3b illustrate how the hard disk drive 10
`is reconfigured usi11g the exemplary method 20 illustrated in Fig. 2.
`As is shown -1ri Fig. 3a, the PARTIES configured hard disk drive 10 has the
`BEER sec.tor 11, the host protected area 12, and the user area14 separated from the host
`protected area 12 by the SETMAX marker 13. As is shown in Fig. 3b, when steps 21-
`26 shown in Fig. 2 are implemented, the SETMAX marker 13 is moved to enlarge the
`size ofthe user area 14. Then, and as is shown in Fig. 3c, wh~n- step 27 is implemented,
`the file system end marker 13a is set to match the new SETMAX marker 13 so that the
`operating system has access to the expanded user area 14.
`One advantage of the present invention over the prior art is that the present
`invention allows a user or owner of a computer system 40 to expand the useable hard
`disk drive space without removing the hard disk drive 10 from the computer system 40.
`l A. software tool implementing the method 20 described with reference to Fig. 2 can be
`used by a computer user to expand the file system to allocate the newly added hard disk
`drive space. Thus, the present invention allows the owner or user of the computer
`system 40 to enlarge the useable area of a hard disk drive 10 without removing the hard
`disk drive 10 from the computer system 40.
`The present invention also embodies computer software that implements the
`above-described method 20. The computer software comprises the following code
`segments. A code segment is provided that determines if a boot engineering extension
`record 11 is present on a hard disk drive 10. A code segment is provided that
`determines if free media space is available on the hard disk drive 10 (typically part of the
`host protected area) if the boot engineering extension record is present. A code segment
`is provided that changes the BEER pointer to move the SETMAX marker 13 to allocate
`additional media space from the host protected area on the hard disk drive 10 for use as
`part of the user accessible area if free media space is available. A code segment is
`provided that moves the end of file system marker 13a to match the moved SETMAX
`marker 13 to set the enlarged user-accessible area of the hard disk drive 10.
`Using the present invention, a personal computer manufacturer may employ 60
`gigabyte hard disk drives 10, for example, in all of the personal computers systems 40
`that are sold, and allow the end user to increase the size of the drive 10 after delivery.
`The present invention enables the end user to telephone or otherwise contact a technical
`support technician who can instruct and enable the user to enlarge, if possible, the user-
`accessible space of the hard disk drive 10 using the present invention.
`One mechanism to achieve this is to provide a utility on the personal computer
`system 40 that can enlarge the user-accessible space of the hard disk drive 10. If a
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`support technicictn is contacted regarding a larger hard disk drive or additional hard disk
`drive space, the end user is asked to run the utility. The utility displays a machine
`identification number (serial number of the computer system 40, for example). The
`support te~hnician uses the identification number to determine the size of the user-
`accessible space on the hard disk drive 10. If space is available, the support technician
`can sell the user additional user-accessible space.
`One way to do this is for the support technician to proyide the user with an
`unlock key for use with the utility that is dependent upon the configuration of the
`personal computer system 40 and includes the amount of additional user-acce~sible disk,
`drive space that is sold. The end user thenenters the unlock key into the utility. The
`utility then releases the requested additional user-accessible space on the hard disk drive
`10y the end user and expands the file system of the computer system 40 so that the
`eNlarged hard disk drive space is available. The utility includes software code that
`changes the BEER pointer to move the SETMAX marker 13 to allocate additional hard
`disk drive space from the host protected area on the hard disk drive 10 for use as user
`accessible area.
`Thus, computer systems, software and methods that allow reservation of a
`predetermined amount of space on a hard drive and enablement of that space for use an
`end user after the computer system is in the hands of the end user have been disclosed.
`It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of
`some of the many specific embodiments that represent applications of the principles of
`the present invention. Clearly, numerous and other arrangements can be readily devised
`by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
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`What is claimed is:
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`1. A method for use with a computer system having n operating system and a
`ave a boot engineering
`hard disk drive, wherein the hard disk drive is configured t
`extension record (BEER) that comprises a BEER pointer at points to a SETMAX
`marker that defines a host protected area and indicate a end of a user-accessible area of
`the hard disk drive, for enlarging the user-accessible
`a of the hard disk drive, the
`methoq comprising the steps of:
`determining if the boot engineering extensi
`
`record is present on the hard disk
`
`dtiv'e·
`'
`..
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`if the boot engineering extension record · present, determining if free media
`space is available on the hard disk drive;
`if free media space is available on the ard disk drive, changing the BEER
`pointer to move the SETMAX marker and a ocate additional media space on the hard
`disk drive for use as part of the user access· le area; and
`moving the end of file system m
`er to match the moved SETMAX marker to
`set the enlarged user-accessible area of e hard disk drive.
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`2. The method recited in Clai~herein the step of determining if free media
`omprises the step of determining if free media
`space is available on the hard disk dri
`space is available in the host protected ea of the hard disk drive.
`
`A~ 3. The method recited in Claim 1 wh ein the hard disk drive is configured in
`ff'1
`accordance with a PARTIES (Protected Ar a Run-Time Interface Extensions Services)
`specification.
`
`· m 1 further comprising the steps of unlocking the
`4. The method recited in C
`t of the SETMAX marker to allocate the additional
`hard disk drive to permit movem
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`5. Computer softw e for use with a computer system having an operating
`· e, wherein the hard disk drive is configured to have a boot
`system and a hard disk
`engineering extension r ord (BEER) that comprises a BEER pointer that points to a
`SETMAX marker tha defines a host protected area and indicate an end of a user-
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`accessible area ~f the hard disk drive, for enlarging the user-ace sible area of the hard
`disk drive, compri~ing:
`a code segment that determines if a boot engineering
`on the hard disk drive;
`a code segment that determines if free media spac is available on the hard disk
`drive once it is determined that the boot engineering ext nsion record is present;
`a code segment that changes the BEER pointe If free media space is available to
`move the SETMAX marker to allocate additional m
`ia space on the hard disk drive for
`use as part of the user accessible area; and
`a code segment that moves the end of file ystem marker to match the moved
`SETMAx marker to set the enlarged user-acces ible area of the hard disk drive.
`
`laim 5 wherein the code segment that
`6. The computer software recited in
`the hard disk drive determines if free
`determines if free media space is available
`media space is available in the host protec ed area of the hard disk drive.
`
`7. The computer software recit d in Claim 5 wherein the hard disk drive is
`configured in accordance with a PAR
`S (Protected Area Run-Time Interface
`Extensions Services) specification.
`
`8. The computer softwar recited in Claim 5 further comprising a code segment
`that unlocks the hard disk drive o permit movement of the SETMAX marker to allocate
`the additional media space on e hard disk drive.
`
`;
`an operating syste
`a hard disk drive at is configured in accordance with a PARTIES specification
`to have a boot enginee · g extension record (BEER) that comprises a BEER pointer that
`points to a SETMAX arker that defines a host protected area and indicate an end of a
`user-accessible area
`the hard disk drive; and
`software for nlarging the user-accessible area of the hard disk drive comprising:
`a code seg ent that determines if a boot engineering extension record is present
`on the hard disk
`a code se ment that determines if additional media space is available on the hard
`disk drive once· is determined that the boot engineering extension record is present;
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`a code segment that changes the BEER pointer i free media space is available to
`move the SETMAX-marker to allocate additional spac on the hard disk drive for use as
`
`part of the user accessible area; and
`a code segment that moves the end of file sy em marker to match the moved
`SETMAX marker to set the enlarged user-accessib area of the hard disk drive.
`
`10. The computer system recited in Cla· 9 wherein the code segment that
`determines if free media space is available on t e hard disk drive determines ifJree
`media space is available in the host protected ea of the hard disk drive.
`
`11. The computer system recited i Claim 9 wherein the hard disk drive is
`/
`c@nfi.gured in accordance with a PARTIE (Protected Area Run-Time Interface
`Extensions Services) specification.
`
`12. The computer system rec· ed in Claim 9 wherein the software further
`comprises a code segment that unlo s the hard disk drive to permit movement of the
`SETMAX marker to allocate the a oitional media space on the hard disk drive.
`
`~~~
`
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`SYSTEMS, SOFTWARE AND METHODS FOR ALLOCATING
`ADDITIONAL MASS STORAGE MEDIA SPACE
`
`ABSTRACT
`Computer systems, software and methods th permit reservation and allocation
`of additional space on a hard disk drive for use by n end user after a computer system
`is in the hands of the end user. The hard disk dri e is configured (such as by using the
`PARTIES specification) to have a boot enginee ng extension record (BEER) including
`a BEER pointer that points to a SETMAX m
`er that defines a host protected area and •
`indicat~s an end of a user-accessible area of e hard disk drive. The user-accessible
`area of the hard disk drive is enlarged by d ermining if the boot engineering extension
`r(1iord is present on the hard disk drive. I the boot engineering extension record is
`present, the amount of free media space vailable on the hard disk drive is determined.
`If media space is available, the BEER p, inter is chang