Hardware assisted memory backup system and method
US6336174B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 1, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/1441
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hardware assisted memory module (HAMM) is coupled to a conventional computer system. During normal operation of the computer system, the HAMM behaves like a conventional memory module. The HAMM, however, detects and responds to at least one of the following trigger events: 1) power failure, 2) operating system hang-up, or 3) unexpected system reset. Upon detection of a trigger event, the HAMM electronically isolates itself from the host computer system before copying digital information from volatile memory to nonvolatile memory. Once isolated, the HAMM takes its power from an auxiliary power supply. The HAMM can be configured to copy all or part of the digital information to nonvolatile memory. Upon either a request or at power-up, the HAMM copies the digital information from the nonvolatile memory into the volatile memory. If there is a normal computer shutdown, the operating system will first warn the HAMM before shutting down, thus precluding it from performing a backup operation. The operating system determines whether the last shutdown was unexpected by reading a register stored in a reserved area of memory. If the operating system wants the digital information restored, it…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.