(12) United States Patent
`US 7,028,220 B2
`(10) Patent N0.:
`
`Park
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 11, 2006
`
`USOO7028220B2
`
`(54) METHODS FOR SAVING DATA ON THE
`BASIS OF THE REMAINING CAPACITY OF
`A BATTERY IN A SUSPEND MODE AND
`RESUMING OPERATIONS USING THE
`
`SAVED DATA
`
`(75)
`
`_
`Jeong M1“ Park, 330111 (KR)
`InVemor3
`_
`.
`(73) ASSlgneei LG Electronlcs Inc., Seoul (KR)
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`( * ) Not1ce:
`Subject to any d1sc1a1mer, the term of th15
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 191 days.
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 10/233,406
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 4 2002
`3
`.
`.
`.
`Pmr Pubhcatlon Data
`US 2003/0046503 A1
`Mar. 6, 2003
`
`.................. 713/323
`1/1998 Park et al.
`5,708,820 A *
`1/1998 Nakamura et al.
`.
`713/323
`5,710,931 A *
`
`2/1998 Dunstan ...........
`713/321
`5,714,870 A *
`9/1998 Leeson et a1.
`.............. 307/130
`5,804,894 A *
`5,818,200 A * 10/1998 Cummings et al.
`......... 320/116
`5,845,134 A * 12/1998 Arai
`........................... 713/322
`5,920,728 A *
`7/1999 Hallowell et al.
`.
`713/340
`5,990,664 A *
`11/1999 Rahman ...........
`320/136
`6,006,351 A * 12/1999 Peretz et al.
`714/751
`6,049,193 A *
`4/2000 Chien ...............
`320/132
`6,101,601 A *
`8/2000 Matthews et al.
`...... 713/2
`6,114,836 A *
`9/2000 Hagiwara et 31,
`320/132
`6,243,831 B1*
`6/2001 Mustafa et a1.
`............... 714/24
`6,266,786 B1*
`7/2001 Chang ......................... 714/22
`6,408,196 B1*
`6/2002 Sheynblat et al.
`.
`455/574
`
`........ 307/66
`6,445,088 B1*
`9/2002 Spitaels etal.
`6,445,932 B1*
`9/2002 Soini et al.
`455/556.1
`6,483,274 B1* 11/2002 Lee ............................ 320/132
`6,643,786 B1* 11/2003 Kawakami
`.................. 713/340
`2002/0138772 A1*
`9/2002 Crawford et al.
`..
`713/300
`2003/0033549 A1 *
`2/2003 Liu ..................
`713/300
`2003/0041125 A1*
`2/2003 Salomon ...........
`709/220
`2003/0149866 A1*
`8/2003 Neuman et al.
`...... 713/1
`
`
`
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary ExamineriHong Kim
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiBirch, Stewart, Kolasch &
`Blrchs LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention discloses a method for saving data
`including system status data stored in a memory to a backup
`server via a data communication network if the remaining
`capacity of the battery is not sufficient, by confirming
`continuously the remaining capacity of the battery,
`in a
`suspend mode in a computer system. Accordingly,
`the
`present invention previously prevents important data from
`losing although the system_down is occurred abruptly by the
`perfect discharge of the battery.
`
`16 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`KR
`............................... 2001-54170
`(
`)
`
`(30)
`S
`ep
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`. 4 2001
`3
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 11/00
`(52) US. Cl.
`............................ 714/22; 714/6; 713/300;
`320/127; 711/162; 365/226
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 714/22,
`714/24, 14, 6, 21; 713/300, 320, 330: 340:
`713/323g 711/162; 365/227: 228, 229} 320/127
`See app11cat10n file for complete search 11151017
`_
`References Clted
`US PATENT DOCUMENTS
`i
`i
`_
`5,341,503 A *
`8/1994 Gladstein et al.
`........... 713/340
`
`5,345,392 A *
`9/1994 M110 et al. ............ 713/300
`
`5,459,671 A * 10/1995 Duley ................
`702/63
`..
`5,485,623 A *
`1/1996 Kurokawa et al.
`714/22
`
`........... 713/323
`5,666,540 A *
`9/1997 Hagiwara et al.
`
`Communlcallon
`unit
`
`
`
`power
`
`
`Suspend
`
`power
`
`
`
`
`Data
`
`communlcauon
`network
`
`
`
`Page 1 of 8
`
`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1014
`
`
`
`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1014
`
`Page 1 of 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 11,2006
`
`Sheet 1 013
`
`US 7,028,220 B2
`
`Fig. 1
`
`10
`
`20
`
`21
`
`30
`
`100
`
`
`
`50 -
`unit
`
`Battery
`
`
`
`
`Power
`controller
`
`70
`
`
`
`System
`power
`
`Suspend
`power
`
`Communication
`
`200
`
`3°°
`
`
`
`
`
`Data
`communication
`network
`
`40
`
`Display
`unit
`
`__
`
`Page 2 of 8
`
`Page 2 of 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 11, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 0f 3
`
`US 7,028,220 B2
`
`Fig . 2A
`
`—1
`
`
`
`YES
`
`Convert into the suspend mode and confirm
`continuously the remaining capacity of
`a battery
`
`
`
`
`818 NO
`
`YES
`
`Store status data of network resources to a
`RAM and connnect to a backup sewer
`
`via a data communication network
`
`520
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Transmit data including system status data
`just before the suspend mode stored in the
`RAM to the backup sewer via the data
`communication network
`
`
`
`YES
`
`Set a backup information as an enable state
`
`526
`
`Maintain an operation pause status according
`
`to the suspend mode
`
`Page 3 of 8
`
`Page 3 of 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 11,2006
`
`Sheet 3 0f 3
`
`US 7,028,220 B2
`
`Fig. 2B
`
`Resume.w“
`
`YES
`
`YES
`m
`
`t
`
`tat d.
`
`S32
`
`“°
`
`
`
`
`S 34
`
`YES
`
`
`
`
`Activate network resources and connect to the
`backup server via the data communication
`network
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`.
`
`
`
`Store data recieved from the backup server
`to the RAM
`W
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`
`
`Set the server backup information
`as a disable state
`W
`
`Resume on the basis of the system status data
`stored in the RAM
`
`
`
`a
`
`Page 4 of 8
`
`Page 4 of 8
`
`

`

`US 7,028,220 B2
`
`1
`METHODS FOR SAVING DATA ON THE
`BASIS OF THE REMAINING CAPACITY OF
`A BATTERY IN A SUSPEND MODE AND
`RESUMING OPERATIONS USING THE
`SAVED DATA
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to methods for saving data
`including system status data stored in a memory to a backup
`server via a data communication network on the basis of the
`
`remaining capacity of a battery in a suspend mode, and
`resuming operations using the saved data when a resume
`mode, a wake-up mode or a power-on mode is occurred in
`a computer system.
`2. Description of the Background Art
`In a portable computer system such as a notebook com-
`puter, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) and a Web PAD
`etc., which uses mainly battery charge power rather than
`firm power, power management functions are prepared for
`extending the battery driving time (that is, for saving the
`battery power). There is a suspend mode as an example of
`the power management functions.
`In the suspend mode, it is stopped to supply power to the
`rest of the devices, except for the some devices including a
`memory in which the data necessary for returning to the
`present status of the system is stored. That
`is, when a
`suspend mode signal is occurred, the system is controlled so
`that the status of the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the
`status of various peripheral devices just before the suspend
`mode is saved to the memory and the power is provided to
`only some devices such as the memory etc. At this state, an
`operation pause status according to the suspend mode is
`maintained until a resume mode or a wake-up mode is
`requested.
`However, in the data saving method of the conventional
`portable system as described above, there is a disadvantage
`that since the battery power is continuously supplied to some
`devices such as the memory etc. even in the suspend mode,
`if the suspend mode is lasted for a long time, the system-
`down may be occurred by the perfect discharge of the
`battery and thereby all the data stored in the memory may be
`lost.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Therefore, the present invention has been made in order
`to solve the above problem, an object of the invention is to
`provide a method for saving data on the basis of the
`remaining capacity of a battery, in which data including the
`system status data stored in a memory is saved to the
`predetermined backup server via a data communication
`network if the remaining capacity of the battery is not
`sufficient in a suspend mode, thereby previously preventing
`the data from losing caused by the perfect discharge of the
`battery.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a method for
`resuming operations using the data saved in the server by the
`data saving method when a resume mode, a wake-up mode
`or a power-on mode is occurred.
`invention
`the present
`In accordance with one aspect,
`provides a method for saving data on the basis of the
`remaining capacity of a battery including: a first step for
`storing the present system status data into a memory in a
`suspend mode conversion and confirming continuously the
`remaining capacity of the battery; a second step for trans-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`
`mitting and storing the data stored in the memory to a
`backup server via a data communication network when the
`confirmed the remaining capacity of the battery is below a
`reference value; and a third step for returning to the suspend
`mode after the data is saved to the server.
`
`In accordance with other aspect, the present invention
`provides a method for resuming operations in a portable
`computer system which resume the operations from a sus-
`pend mode comprising: a first step for checking whether
`system status data just before the suspend mode is saved in
`a backup server; a second step for connecting to the backup
`server via a data communication network and receiving the
`system status data saved in the backup server according to
`the checking result; and a third step for returning to the state
`prior to the suspend mode using the received system status
`data.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention will become better understood with
`reference to the accompanying drawings that are given only
`by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the
`present invention, wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a construction of a portable
`system and a network to which a data saving method on the
`basis of the remaining capacity of a battery in accordance
`with the present invention is applied;
`FIG. 2A is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment
`of the data saving method on the basis of remaining capacity
`of a battery in accordance with the present invention; and
`FIG. 2B is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment
`of an operation resuming method in a system to which the
`data saving method in accordance with the present invention
`is applied.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`A method for saving data on the basis of the remaining
`capacity of a battery in a suspend mode and a method for
`resuming operations using the saved data in accordance with
`preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
`described in detail with reference to the accompanying
`drawings.
`FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a construction of a portable
`system and a network to which a data saving method on the
`basis of the remaining capacity of a battery in accordance
`with the present invention is applied.
`As shown in FIG. 1, a portable system 100, to which the
`method of the present invention is applied, comprises a CPU
`(Central Processing Unit) 10, memories 20 and 21, a keypad
`30, a display unit 40, a communication unit 50, a battery 60,
`a power controller 70 and a power supply unit 80.
`The memories comprise a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21
`in which BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) routines of
`the system and a routine for communicating with the address
`of a data communication network 200 about a backup server
`300 are stored, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20 in
`which various programs and data for operating the system
`are stored.
`
`The keypad 30 is a device for inputting various com-
`mands or data by a user and the display unit 40 displays
`frames of image being implemented by the commands and
`data input through input devices such as the keypad 30.
`The communication unit 50 is a device for performing a
`data communication by a connection with the data commu-
`nication network 200. Here,
`if the data communication
`
`Page 5 of 8
`
`Page 5 of 8
`
`

`

`US 7,028,220 B2
`
`3
`network 200 is a wired communication network like the
`
`internet, the communication unit 50 may be a LAN (Local
`Area Network) card or a modem. Also, if the data commu-
`nication network 200 is a wireless data communication
`network like a wireless intemet, the communication network
`50 may be a wireless modem or a wireless LAN card.
`The battery 60 is a device for providing power to each
`device of the system. Generally, the battery 60 supplies its
`remaining capacity to the system and the remaining capacity
`is read out periodically by the power controller 70 that will
`be described hereinafter. The system can always sense the
`present remaining capacity, charge current and voltage, and
`discharge current and voltage etc. of the battery by, for
`example, SMbus (System Management bus) communica-
`tions. The battery 60 may represent the remaining capacity
`by 4 bits, for example, the maximum capacity as “1111”, the
`minimum capacity as “0000” (here, the remaining capacity
`may be represented by 16 bits). Here, if the battery 60 does
`not provide its own remaining capacity to the system, it is
`possible to provide a unit for detecting battery status to the
`system and calculate the remaining capacity of the battery
`by using the signal detected from the detecting unit.
`The power controller 70 reads out the remaining capacity
`of the battery 60 when there is a request of the charge status
`data of the battery 60 from the CPU 10, and then transmits
`the read data to the CPU 10. Also, the power controller 70
`controls the power supply unit 80 according to power
`control modes of the CPU 10 so that the battery power is
`supplied to the whole system in a power-on mode or the
`battery power is supplied to only some devices in a suspend
`mode.
`
`Here, the power controller 70 may be incorporated in the
`CPU 10 so that the CPU 10 and the controller 70 are formed
`
`into one-chip device.
`The CPU 10 controls various devices according to the
`commands or data inputted through the keypad 30 to process
`the inputted commands and data. When a process command
`does not inputted through input devices such as the keypad
`30 etc. for a predetermined time or the remaining capacity
`of the battery 60 is below a predetermined value, the CPU
`10 controls the power supply unit 80 through the power
`controller 70 in order to convert to the suspend mode that
`only the suspend power is supplied to the system, thereby
`the power consumption can be saved.
`The CPU 10 includes logic units for detecting operation
`modes of the whole system and logic units for processing
`routines corresponding to commands or data input from the
`keypad 30 or other input devices omitted in the FIG. 1.
`Next, a preferred embodiment of a data saving method on
`the basis of the remaining capacity of a battery in accordance
`with the present invention will be described in detail with
`reference to FIG. 2A.
`
`First, when a power supply request is occurred by an
`manipulation of a power-on key (step 810), the CPU 10
`controls the power controller 70 so that the system power
`and the suspend power can be supplied to the system from
`the power supply unit 80. Accordingly, the charge power of
`the battery is supplied to each device and so the system is
`operated normally.
`At this time, the CPU 10 performs operations such as the
`execution of application programs requested by the keypad
`30 etc. (step 812).
`In the state as described above, when commands or data
`from peripheral devices (for example, input devices such as
`the keypad 30, or the communication unit 50 etc.) do not
`inputted during a predetermined time or the remaining
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`capacity of the battery 60 is below a predetermined value,
`the CPU 10 generates a suspend mode conversion interrupt
`signal (step 814).
`When the suspend mode conversion interrupt signal is
`generated, the CPU 10 controls the power supply unit 80
`through the power controller 70 so that the system power is
`stopped from being supplied to each devices and the suspend
`power is supplied only to the RAM 20 and the some logic
`units of the CPU 10. The some logic units include logic units
`related to operation resumption and a logic unit for checking
`the remaining capacity of the battery 60. At this time, the
`CPU 10 stores the status data of the system and the network
`resources to the RAM 20 and then converts the system into
`the suspend mode.
`Also,
`the CPU 10 confirms continuously the present
`remaining capacity of the battery 60 from the digital data
`about
`the battery remaining capacity inputted from the
`power controller 70 and calculates a percentage of the
`remaining battery capacity (step 816).
`Here, the CPU 10 may calculate the remaining battery
`capacity percentage from the battery remaining capacity by
`the following formula:
`Remaining battery percentage (%):(Battery remain-
`ing capacity (mAh)x100)/Full charged capacity
`(mAh).
`
`For example, when the present battery remaining capacity
`is “1000(8)”, the remaining battery capacity percentage is
`calculated by 50% since the maximum battery capacity is
`“1111(16)”. Also, when the present read battery remaining
`capacity is “0010(2)”, the remaining battery capacity per-
`centage is calculated by 12.5%, and when the present read
`battery remaining capacity is “0001(1)”, the remaining bat-
`tery capacity percentage is calculated by 6.25%.
`As above, as a result of confirmation of the remaining
`battery capacity percentage of the battery 60, when it is
`discriminated that the remaining capacity of the battery 60
`is below the reference value, for example, 10% of the entire
`chargeable capacity (step S18),
`the CPU 10 stores the
`present status data of the network resources to the RAM 20
`and thereafter makes the network resources revived on the
`basis of the status data about the network resources stored in
`the RAM 20. Then, the CPU 10 controls the communication
`unit 50 according to a routine for communicating it with the
`address of the data communication network about
`the
`
`backup server 300 stored in the ROM 21, thereby being
`connected it to the backup server 300 having the above
`address via the communication network 200 (step 820).
`As described above, when the communication unit 50 is
`connected to the backup server 300, the data including the
`system status data stored to the RAM 20 just before the
`suspend mode is transmitted to the communication unit 50
`under control of the CPU 10. The communication unit 50
`
`transmits the received data including the system status data
`to the backup server 300 via the data communication net-
`work 200. Here, when the data is transmitted to the backup
`server 300,
`the portable system 100 transmits its own
`inherent identification code together with the data to the
`backup server 300. Accordingly,
`the backup server 300
`stores the received data including the system status data into
`an independent storage region corresponding to the identi-
`fication code.
`
`When the transmission of the data including the system
`status data is completed (step 824), the CPU 10 sets the
`backup information, indicating that a backup copy of the
`data including the system status data is stored in the backup
`server, to its own specific BIOS register as an enable state
`
`Page 6 of 8
`
`Page 6 of 8
`
`

`

`US 7,028,220 B2
`
`5
`(step 826). For example, the backup information may be set
`by allocating 1 bit to the BIOS register. The register bit is set
`as “1” when the backup copy of the data is made, while the
`register bit is set as “0” when the backup copy of the data is
`not made. Here, the backup information is set by “1”.
`Thereafter,
`the CPU 10 stops again the power from
`supplying to the network resources and makes the network
`resources non-activated according to the suspend mode.
`Therefore, the operation pause mode is maintained (step
`828).
`Here, the data including the system status data may be
`transmitted to the backup server 300, after the system status
`data is stored into a memory devices such as a compact flash
`card omitted in FIG. 1 instead of the RAM 20 just before the
`conversion of the suspend mode.
`Next, a preferred embodiment of a method for resuming
`operations using the saved data in a system to which the
`above data saving method is applied in accordance with the
`present invention will be described in detail with reference
`to FIG. 2B.
`
`When a resume mode or a wake-up mode is requested
`through input devices such as the keypad 30 etc. or the
`communication unit 50 (step S30), the CPU 10 discriminates
`whether the backup information is set as an enable state (that
`is, whether the specific BIOS register is set by “1”) by
`searching its own specific BIOS register (step S32).
`At the step S32, if the backup information is set as an
`enable state, the CPU 10 confirms whether the system status
`data exists in the RAM 20 (step S34).
`At the step S34, if the system status data exists in the
`RAM 20, there is a case that although the data stored in the
`RAM 20 is saved to the backup server 300 in the suspend
`mode, the battery 60 does not discharge completely and so
`the data stored in the RAM is alive. Accordingly, the CPU
`10 performs the requested resume mode or wake-up mode
`by using the data including system status data stored in the
`RAM 20. That is, the system status is returned to the status
`prior to the suspend mode on the basis of the stored system
`status data and then the corresponding application programs
`are restarted (step S44).
`On the other hand, when the battery 60 is discharged
`completely in the suspend mode, although the resume mode
`or wake-up mode is requested, the requested mode cannot be
`performed. In this case, the portable system 100 can be
`operated after the user charges the battery 60.
`In the case that the battery 60 is charged by the user after
`the battery 60 is completely discharged, at the step S30,
`when the request of a power-on mode [a mode that the power
`is supplied to the system by manipulation of the power-on
`key] of the portable system 100 instead of the resume mode
`is occurred, the CPU 10 controls the power controller 70 so
`that
`the system power and the suspend power can be
`supplied to the system. Accordingly, the power of the battery
`60 is supplied to each device and then the system is operated
`normally. At this time, the CPU 10 discriminates whether the
`backup information is set as an enable state (that is, the
`specific BIOS register is set by “1”) by searching its own
`specific BIOS register (step S32).
`At the step S32, if the backup information is set as an
`enable state, the CPU 10 confirms whether the system status
`data exists in the RAM 20(step S34). However, since the
`system status data does not exist in the RAM 20, the CPU
`10 discriminates that the data stored in the RAM 20 is saved
`
`to the backup server 300 in the suspend mode and thereafter
`the battery 60 is discharged completely.
`Thereafter, the CPU 10 makes the communication unit 50
`activated according to the routine stored in the ROM 21 for
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`communicating with the address of the data communication
`network about the backup server 300 and then controls the
`communication unit 50 so that it can be connected to the
`
`backup server 300 having the above address via the data
`communication network 200 (step S36).
`When the communication unit 50 is connected to the
`
`backup server 300, the CPU 10 transmits an identification
`code of the portable system 100 to the communication unit
`50 and then requests the transmission of the data including
`system status data stored previously in the backup server
`300 corresponding to the identification code.
`The CPU 10 receives the data including the system status
`data transmitted from the backup server 300 according to the
`transmission request and then stores the data again to the
`RAM 20 (step S38).
`Thereafter, when the reception and storage of the data are
`completed (S40), the CPU 10 sets the backup information as
`a disable state by searching its own specific BIOS register
`(that is, the specific BIOS register is set by “0”) (step S42).
`Then, the CPU 10 makes the system status returned as the
`status prior to the suspend mode by using the data including
`the system status data stored in the RAM 20 and then restarts
`the corresponding application programs (step S44).
`On the other hand, at the step S32, if the backup infor-
`mation does not exit, there is a case that a power-on mode
`is requested to the system, after a power-off of the system
`made in the state that the data is not saved to the backup
`server 300 as described with reference to the flow of FIG.
`
`in this case, the CPU 10 performs the
`2A. Accordingly,
`system booting according to a general power-on mode (step
`850).
`is discriminated that the confirmed battery
`Here, if it
`remaining capacity is below 10% of the entire chargeable
`capacity,
`the CPU 10 may not perform immediately the
`connection to the backup server 300 and display the con-
`firmed battery remaining capacity through the display unit
`50 as a message type so that the user can perform a proper
`operation [that is, an operation that it makes the system
`power-off or the battery 60 charged]. Thereafter, when the
`user does not perform the above operation within the pre-
`determined time after displaying the message output, the
`CPU 10 may perform the connection to the backup server
`300 and the data transmission operation.
`While the invention has been shown and described with
`
`reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be
`understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
`form,
`improvements, and details may be made therein
`without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
`as defined by the appended claims.
`As described in the preferred embodiments, if the remain-
`ing capacity of the battery is not sufficient in the suspend
`mode, the data including the system status data stored in the
`memory is saved to the predetermined backup server via the
`data communication network, thereby previously preventing
`important data from losing although the system-down is
`abruptly occurred by the perfect discharge of the battery. The
`present invention can be applied to the notebook computer,
`the PDA or the Web PAD etc. with utility.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A method for saving data on the basis of the remaining
`capacity of a battery comprising:
`a first step for storing the present system status data into
`a memory in a suspend mode conversion and confirm-
`ing continuously the remaining capacity of the battery;
`a second step for transmitting and storing the data stored
`in the memory to a backup server via a data commu-
`
`Page 7 of 8
`
`Page 7 of 8
`
`

`

`US 7,028,220 B2
`
`7
`nication network when the confirmed remaining capac-
`ity of the battery is below a reference value; and
`a third step for returning to the suspend mode after the
`data is saved to the server.
`
`2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the second
`step, after network resources for communicating with the
`server via the network is activated and the data stored in the
`
`memory is transmitted to the server via the network, the
`network resources is again non-activated according to the
`suspend mode.
`3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the connec-
`tion to the server in the second step is preformed on the basis
`of an address of the backup server defined uniquely in the
`data communication network and stored previously in a
`predetermined non-volatile region.
`4. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the third
`step, a backup information indicating that a backup copy of
`the data is saved in the server is stored to a predetermined
`non-volatile region and then the suspend mode is performed
`again.
`5. In a system which the data is saved to the server
`through a backup process of the method defined in the claim
`4, a method for resuming operations comprising:
`a fourth step for confirming whether the backup informa-
`tion exists in the predetermined non-volatile region
`when the operation restart is requested;
`a fifth step for confirming whether the system status data
`is stored in the memory when the backup information
`exists;
`a sixth step for making the network resources activated
`when the system status data is not stored in the
`memory;
`a seventh step for requesting the transmission of the saved
`data to the server by connecting to the server with the
`activated network resources;
`an eighth step for storing the data received from the server
`according to the transmission request to the memory;
`and
`
`a ninth step for returning to the state prior to the suspend
`mode by using the data stored in the memory when the
`data storage is completed.
`6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the operation
`restart request is a resume mode request, a wake-up mode
`request or a system power-on request.
`7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the connec-
`tion to the server in the seventh step is preformed on the
`basis of the address of the backup server defined uniquely in
`the data communication network and stored previously in
`the predetermined non-volatile region.
`8. The method according to claim 5, wherein in the fourth
`step, when the backup information does not exist, the step is
`progressed to a system booting step.
`9. The method according to claim 5, wherein in the fifth
`step, when it is confirmed that the system status data is
`stored in the memory, the fifth step is proceed to a step for
`returning to the state prior to the suspend mode on the basis
`of the data stored in the memory.
`10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method
`further comprises a step for removing the backup informa-
`tion after the data received from the server is stored to the
`
`memory in the eighth step.
`11. In a portable computer system which resume opera-
`tions from a suspend mode, a method for resuming the
`operations comprising:
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`8
`a first step for checking whether system status data just
`before the suspend mode is saved in a backup server;
`a second step for connecting to the backup server via a
`data communication network and receiving the system
`status data saved in the backup server according to the
`checking result; and
`a third step for returning to the state prior to the suspend
`mode using the received system status data.
`12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the
`checking of the first step is performed by confirming
`whether a backup information, indicating that a backup copy
`of the system status data is saved in the backup server, is
`stored in a predetermined non-volatile region of the system.
`13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the
`connection to the server in the second step is performed, on
`the basis of an address of the backup server defined uniquely
`in the data communication network and stored previously in
`a predetermined non-volatile region of the system.
`14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the
`method further comprises a step for removing the backup
`information after receiving the system status data from the
`server in the second step.
`15. A method for resuming operations for a portable
`computer system having a CPU, comprising:
`completely discharging the battery;
`charging the completely discharged battery by a user via
`a power-on mode of the portable computer system to
`control a power controller of the portable computer
`system to supply system power and suspend power to
`the portable computer system;
`discriminating whether backup-information is set as an
`enable state by searching a specific BIOS register of the
`CPU; and
`confirming if portable computer system status data exists
`in a computer random access memory if the backup
`information is set as an enable state.
`
`16. A method of saving data on the basis of the remaining
`capacity of a battery and for resuming operation for a
`portable computer system having a CPU, comprising
`storing the present system status data into a memory in a
`suspend mode conversion and confirming continuously
`the remaining capacity of the battery;
`transmitting and storing the data stored in the memory to
`a backup server via a data communication network
`when the confirmed remaining capacity of the battery is
`below a reference value; and
`returning to the suspend mode after the data is saved to the
`server;
`
`completely discharging the battery;
`charging the completely discharged battery by a user via
`a power-on mode of the portable computer system to
`control a power controller of the portable computer
`system to supply system power and suspend power to
`the portable computer system;
`discriminating whether backup-information is set as an
`enable state by searching a specific BIOS register of the
`CPU; and
`confirming if portable computer system status data exists
`in a computer random access memory if the backup
`information is set as an enable state.
`
`Page 8 of 8
`
`Page 8 of 8
`
`