Microprocessor supervision in a special purpose computer system
US7774648B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/1417
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Devices and methods for microprocessor supervision in a special purpose computer system are provided. One illustrative embodiment includes a first watchdog timer internal to the microprocessor and a second watchdog timer external to the microprocessor. In some cases, the internal watchdog timer may be initiated prior to or during the operating system startup and the external watchdog timer may be initiated after the operating system is up and running. The internal watchdog timer may have a relatively longer timer duration than the external watchdog timer, but is not required in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the internal watchdog timer may monitor the microprocessor's startup sequence and the internal watchdog timer and/or external watchdog timer may monitor the microprocessor when the operating system is up and running. If the microprocessor faults at any time during startup or while the operating system is up and running, the internal and/or external watchdog timer may trigger a microprocessor reset.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.