The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 05, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 04, 2000
Patrick E. Maupin, Austin, TX (US);
David F. Tobias, Pflugerville, TX (US);
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
A system adds functionality to a power button where use of the power button controls the entry and exit from a diagnostic mode. The system includes an information appliance connected to a diagnostic appliance. Once an information appliance is powered up, the information appliance monitors its power button for a press which indicates a request to enter a diagnostic mode. Absent a press of the power button, the system continues to be under control of the information appliance and never enters a diagnostic mode. However, if a press of the power button is detected, the system enters a diagnostic mode. Once in a diagnostic mode the system provides an exit therefrom by interpreting a power button press as a request to exit. The window of time to make such an exit closes once the diagnostic appliance achieves communication with the information appliance. If the power button is pressed during this window of time, then the system ends its diagnostic mode and control of the system returns to the information appliance. If the power button is pressed after the window of time has closed, then the diagnostic appliance retains control of the information appliance and maintains its ability to execute diagnostic type commands thereon. The illustrative system is particularly useful when incorporated into devices with limited interface connections such as legacy-free information appliances. The system allows for a standard existing button on the information appliance to serve diagnostic purposes, avoiding the need for initializing peripherals requiring substantial execution space.