Power-fail return loop
US5634000A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 27, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/1441
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computerized system is of the type that responds to imminent loss of power by storing crucial data to a safe storage area. In the system, lockup caused by the system entering a tight loop awaiting power loss, is avoided by a combination of stored program and hardware. A test performed in the tight loop checks repeatedly to see whether the power-failure signal comes no longer to be present, and if that condition occurs the stored program causes the meter to return to normal function. As a consequence momentary power losses and other brief interruptions, whether due to user manipulation of the power switch or otherwise, are much less likely to result in undesired lockup of the system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.