Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery – Data processing system error or fault handling – Reliability and availability
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-24
2001-11-06
Beausoleil, Robert (Department: 2184)
Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery
Data processing system error or fault handling
Reliability and availability
C713S330000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314528
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a computer and a method for terminating power and more particularly to a computer and method for terminating power without the loss of data.
2. Related Art
Computer systems are information handling systems that are utilized by many individuals and businesses today. A computer system can be defined as a microcomputer that includes a central processing unit (CPU), a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory such as read only memory (ROM), a display monitor, a keyboard, a mouse or other input device such as a trackball, a floppy diskette drive, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) drive, a modem, a hard disk storage device, and a printer. A computer system's main board, which is a printed circuit board known as a motherboard, is used to electrically connect these components together.
The central processing unit is often described as a microprocessor. The microprocessor is an electronic component having internal logic circuitry handling most, if not all, the data processing in the computer system. The internal logic circuitry of microprocessors is typically divided into three functional parts known as the input/output (I/O) unit, the control unit, and the arithmetic-logic unit (ALU). The se three functional parts interact together and determine the power and performance of the microprocessor. The combination of the control unit and the arithmetic-logic unit can be referred to as the central processing unit. Also, the combination of the input/output unit, the control unit, and the arithmetic-logic unit can be referred to as the central processing unit.
One example of non-volatile memory is read only memory (ROM). Information stored in non-volatile memory can remain unchanged even when there is a power failure. The information stored in non-volatile memory will stay there until it is changed. Read only memory (ROM) is used to store important information such as instructions for the central processing unit (CPU). There are different types of read only memory (ROM) including electrically-erasable-programmable-read-only-memory (EEPROM) chip and flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM). The flash-ROM can also be referred to as flash memory. There are differences between an EEPROM chip and flash-ROM, as shown below.
Computer systems include a basic input output system (BIOS) which is an especially important program stored in read only memory (ROM). The basic input output system (BIOS) tests a computer every time the computer is powered on. The basic input output system (BIOS) can allocate a computer system's resources automatically, making adjustments needed to accommodate new hardware. Also, the basic input output system (BIOS) governs how system board components interact.
When the computer system is powered on, the basic input output system (BIOS) immediately takes control of the computer system and its components. The first duty of the basic input output system (BIOS) is to perform a series of diagnostic routines called the power on self test (POST) routine, which ensures that every part of the computer system's hardware is functioning properly.
It is possible for a computer system to be turned off accidentally during data processing. When this occurs, there can be a loss of data.
I have found that when a computer is turned off accidentally during data processing, data can be lost and this can be extremely inconvenient. Efforts have been made in processes pertaining to shutting off power in a computer system.
Exemplars of recent efforts in the art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,283 for METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING UNATTENDED ON-DEMAND AVAILABILITY OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM issued to Chou et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,877 for APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CONTINUITY OF OPERATION IN A COMPUTER issued to Hanaoka, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,391 for APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF TURNING ON AND SHUTTING OFF A COMPUTING DEVICE issued to Topor.
While these recent efforts provide advantages, I note that they fail to adequately provide an apparatus and method for efficiently and conveniently preventing a loss of data during a shut down of a computer system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a computer for terminating power without the loss of data. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method thereof which terminates power after closing all active programs when the computer power is off.
To achieve the above-identified objects and others, the present invention comprises a power switch, a central processing unit, a ROM, a memory, a control part and a power supply part. The control part determines whether a booting is successfully performed, when a power switch is turned to the off position, and then, if a booting is successfully preformed, outputs a control signal for saving and closing all active programs and then turning off power. If not, the control part outputs a control signal for instantly turning off power. The power supply part turns on or off power according to a control signal from the control part.
To further achieve the above-identified objects and others, the present invention comprises the steps of determining whether a booting is successfully performed when a power switch is turned to the off position; outputs a control signal for saving and closing all active programs and then turning off power, if a booting is successfully preformed, and also, if not, outputting a control signal for instantly turning off power.
To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising: a switch switching said apparatus between a power-on state and a power-off state; a memory storing first data and second data, said first data corresponding to a current state of an initialization process of said apparatus, said second data corresponding to current processes of said apparatus, said current state of said initialization process being selected from among a first state and a second state; a power supply unit selectively supplying power to said apparatus; a central processing unit receiving a first control signal causing said central processing unit to save said second data to said memory; and a control unit determining said current state of said initialization process in response to said switch switching said apparatus to said power-off state, said control unit outputting said first control signal to said central processing unit and then outputting a second control signal to said power supply unit when said current state corresponds to said first state, said control unit not outputting said first control signal to said central processing unit and instead outputting said second control signal to said power supply unit when said current state corresponds to said second state, wherein said second control signal causes said power supply unit to stop supplying power to said apparatus.
To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a method, comprising: when a switch is switched to a power-off state, determining whether an initialization process of an apparatus has been successfully performed; when said initialization process is determined to have been successfully performed, outputting a first control signal to save data and to end processing of routines, and then outputting a second control signal to stop a power supply unit from supplying power to said apparatus; and when said initialization process is determined to have not been successfully performed, outputting said second control signal to stop said power supply unit from supplying the power, and not outputting said first control signal.
To achieve these and other objects in accordance with the principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a method, comprising: when a switch is switched to a power-off state, determinin
Beausoleil Robert
Bonzo Bryce P.
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
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