Method and apparatus facilitating use of a hard disk drive in a computer system having suspend/resume capability

Patent 5394527 Issued on February 28, 1995. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 26, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Portable computer enclosure
Patent #: 4294496
Issued on: 10/13/1981
Inventor: Murez

Clocked logic low power standby mode
Patent #: 4317180
Issued on: 02/23/1982
Inventor: Lies

Stanby mode controller utilizing microprocessor
Patent #: 4381552
Issued on: 04/26/1983
Inventor: Nocilini , et al.

Data processor system including data-save controller for protection against loss of volatile memory information during power failure
Patent #: 4458307
Issued on: 07/03/1984
Inventor: McAnlis , et al.

4461003

Cache/disk file status indicator with data protection feature
Patent #: 4506323
Issued on: 03/19/1985
Inventor: Pusic , et al.

Power loss compensation for programmable memory control system
Patent #: 4523295
Issued on: 06/11/1985
Inventor: Zato

Wrap-around auxiliary keyboard
Patent #: 4564751
Issued on: 01/14/1986
Inventor: Alley , et al.

Processor having plural initial loading programs for loading different operating systems
Patent #: 4626986
Issued on: 12/02/1986
Inventor: Mori

Memory contents confirmation
Patent #: 4646307
Issued on: 02/24/1987
Inventor: Nishimura

More ...

Inventors

Assignee

Zenith Data Systems Corporation

Application

No. 143457 filed on 10/26/1993

US Classes:

710/59Processing suspension

Examiners

Primary: Shaw, Gareth D.
Assistant: Chaki, Kakali

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Smith; T. Murray, MacKinnon; Charles W., Dunbar; Scott B.

Foreign Patent References

53-22345 JP. 03/12/1978

International Class

G06F 003/00

Abstract

A computer system has a processing unit with suspend/resume capability, a memory, and a hard disk drive. In response to a first command from the processor, the hard disk drive sends its status to the processor and the processor stores it in the memory. In response to a second command from the processor, the hard disk accepts from the processor the status retrieved by the processor from the memory, and restores itself to this status. In an alternative embodiment, the hard disk drive response to the first command by storing its status on its own hard disk, and responds to the second command by restoring this status from the hard disk. In each case, an output line from the hard disk used to control a light emitting diode is also selectively used to create an interrupt to the processor which facilitates the systems entry into the suspend mode.

Other References

Microsoft, MS-DOS, User's Guide, 1986, Title Pages and p. 245
IBM System/360 Principles of Operation, Eighth Edition (Sep., 1968) Title Pages and pp. 68-83
Clements, Alan; "Microprocessor Systems Design", 1987, Title pages and pp. 117, 246, 353, 354, PWS-Kent Publishing Company, Boston
Toshiba T1600 "User's Manual" 2d ed.; Title page, pp. 2-1 to 2-3, and pp. 2-8 to 2-11; 198