Suspend/resume capability for a protected mode microprocessor
US5446904A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1992 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A laptop computer system includes a protected mode microprocessor capable of operating in restricted and unrestricted modes, and an arrangement which in response to a predetermined condition saves information from the processor and then forcibly switches the processor to its unrestricted mode of operation. When running a multi-tasking operating system where an application program is being executed in a restricted mode, a suspend/resume operation can be carried out in which the system is substantially powered down and then powered back up, and will resume the interrupted application with the restricted mode back-in effect. Further, set-up changes such as adjustment of the processor speed can be made without exiting the application program running in the restricted mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.