US 5,446,904 A · Suspend/resume capability for a protected mode microprocessor

Abstract

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.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a processor having a modem power control output and a modem configuration output, and a modem operable in normal and reduced power modes when said modem power control output is respectively actuated and deactuated, said modem having memory means for storing first and second sets of configuration information simultaneously, and said modem having means responsive to actuation of said modem power control output for configuring said modem using respectively said first set of configuration information and said second set of configuration information when said configuration output is respectively actuated and deactuated.

An apparatus comprising:

a processor circuit having means for outputting a modem control signal;
and a modem operationally coupled to said processor circuit and having means for coupling said modem to a telephone line, said modem having a normal operational mode, a first reduced power mode in which said modem consumes less power than in said normal operational mode, and a second reduced power mode in which said modem consumes less power than in said first reduced power mode, said modem including control means for causing said modem to operate in said normal operational mode when said modem control signal is actuated and said modem is on line with a telephone call, for causing said modem to operate in said first reduced power mode when said modem control signal is actuated and said modem is off line, and for causing said modem to operate in said second reduced power mode when said modem control signal is deactuated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Suspend/resume capability for a protected mode microprocessor

Life of this patent

Suspend/resume capability for a protected mode microprocessor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9