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:
Feb. 18, 2013
Filed:
Jan. 20, 2010
David L. Spengler, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
David L. Spengler, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
Seagate Technology LLC, Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
Method and apparatus for assessing a time interval during which a refresh device can be maintained in a self-refresh mode by an associated energy source. The refresh device is initially operated in a self-refresh mode to maintain the device in a selected state. The time interval during which the refresh device can be subsequently maintained in the refresh mode is next determined in relation to an energy requirement value obtained during the self-refresh mode and an energy capacity value from the associated energy source. The energy capacity value is preferably obtained by fully discharging the associated energy source. Preferably, the refresh device is characterized as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and the associated energy source is characterized as a rechargeable backup battery. A selected test pattern is preferably written to the refresh device and maintained thereby during the self-refresh mode.