Nec Corporation

Zenith Data Systems Corporation

Vantus Technologies, Inc.

Packard Bell Nec

Vantus Technology

Jiming Sun

Steven L Belt

Saifuddin T Fakhruddin

Mark J Foster

James L Walker

Scott A Hovey

Mark A Ruthenbeck

Brian D Willoughby

Michael D Maddix

Rodman S Brahman

Michael P Krau

Matthew B Mendelow

Robert J Grabon

Chandrakant H Pandya

Neysa K Terry-Gray

Randy J VanderHeyden

Norman M Hack

Gregory Allen Mart

Min Eig Lee

Min E Lee

A laptop computer system includes a protected mode microprocessor capable of operating in restricted and unrestricted modes, and an arrangement which in response to a predetermined condition saves information from the processor and then forcibly switches the processor to its unrestricted mode of operation. When running a multi-tasking operating system where an application program is being executed in a restricted mode, a suspend/resume operation can be carried out in which the system is substantially powered down and then powered back up, and will resume the interrupted application with the restricted mode back in effect. Further, set-up changes such as adjustment of the processor speed can be made without exiting the application program running in the restricted mode.

Suspend/resume capability for a protected mode microprocesser

Suspend/resume capability for a protected mode microprocessor

A laptop computer system includes a protected mode microprocessor capable of operating in restricted and unrestricted modes, and an arrangement which in response to a predetermined condition saves information from the processor and then forcibly switches the processor to its unrestricted mode of operation. When running a multi-tasking operating system where an application program is being executed in a restricted mode, a suspend/resume operation can be carried out in which the system is substantially powered down and then powered back up, and will resume the interrupted application with the restricted mode back in effect. Further, setup changes such as adjustment of the processor speed can be made without exiting the application program running in the restricted mode.

A portable computer system includes an input device such as a keyboard, a display, and a processor which is operable in a normal operational mode and in a reduced power mode, the processor carrying out program execution in each of the normal operational mode and reduced power mode. A timing arrangement switches the processor from its normal operational mode to its reduced power mode in response to the absence of any of a plurality of predetermined events during a predetermined time interval, the predetermined events including actuation of keys on the keyboard and transmission of information to the video display.

Implementation of idle mode in a suspend/resume microprocessor system

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.

Method and apparatus facilitating use of a hard disk drive in a computer

A memory system includes a flash ROM for storing the instructions for the BIOS, as well as a flash recovery ROM and a utility for programming both flash ROMs. The memory system also provides for flash disaster recovery in order to enable reprogramming of the BIOS ROM during a condition when the data in the BIOS ROM is found to be corrupt. In particular, the flash recovery ROM is provided with a hardware protected block. Sufficient BIOS instructions (e.g., initialization functions) are provided in the protected area of the flash recovery ROM in order to enable the BIOS ROM to be reprogrammed by way of a flash recovery utility when the BIOS ROM becomes corrupt.

Flash disaster recovery ROM and utility to reprogram multiple ROMS

Interrupt for a protected mode microprocessor which facilitates

A laptop computer system includes a protected mode microprocessor capable of operating in restricted and unrestricted modes, and an arrangement which in response to a predetermined condition saves information from the processor and then forcibly switches the processor to its unrestricted mode of operation. The system includes a first interrupt mask register having a bit for indicating whether an interrupt is to be recognized by the processor, a second interrupt mask register having a bit for indicating whether the interrupt is to be recognized by a further circuit, and an arrangement responsive to a load of the first mask register for conforming the bit of the second mask register to the bit of the first mask register in a manner invisible to an application program being executed by the processor.

Apparatus for maintaining one interrupt mask register in conformity with

A portable computer system includes a housing, a lid supported on the housing for movement between open and closed positions, a keyboard supported on the housing below the lid, and a display provided on the lid. When the lid is opened, the keyboard is accessible and the display is visible, whereas when the lid is closed the keyboard and display are hidden and protected. The computer system includes a processor disposed within the housing and having a first operational mode in which it executes instructions and a second operational mode in which it is in a reduced power suspend state from which it can automatically exit in response to a predetermined condition. The system includes an arrangement responsive to closing of the lid when the processor is in its first operational state for switching the processor to its second operational state.

System suspend on lid close and system resume on lid open

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St. Joseph, MI, United States of America

Jiming Sun