Methods and arrangements for capturing runtime information
US7177782B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/2015
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and arrangements for capturing information related to operational conditions are disclosed. Embodiments include volatile memory to quickly record operational parameters via, e.g., basic input output system (BIOS) code, system management interrupt (SMI) code and/or executing applications. Many embodiments provide an alternative power source and a voltage switch to protect against loss of the information between storage in the volatile memory and storage in the non-volatile memory. Some embodiments include a read controller that provides access to the volatile memory when primary power is available. The read controller may also offer direct access to the non-volatile memory in case of a catastrophic failure that renders the processing device substantially non-functional. Further embodiments include a second processing device to generate a usage model and/or to perform diagnostics with the operational parameters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.