Suspend/resume capability for a protected mode microprocessor
US5903766A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 11, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2017 |
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.