Power failure memory support system
First Claim
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1. A data processing system comprising:
- (a) volatile memory for storing data, said volatile memory having a given time within which data therein must be refreshed;
(b) first power supply for maintaining said data in said volatile memory;
(c) power sensing means for detecting a power failure of said first power supply;
(d) a second power supply for independently supplying power when said power sensing means detects a power failure of said first power supply;
(e) timing means operatively connected to said power sensing means for detecting a lapse of time from said power failure; and
(f) delay ouput means coupled to said volatile memory and connected to be operated by said second power supply for transferring said data from said volatile memory to an external device when said timing means indicates that a predetermined time interval has elapsed, said predetermined time interval being substantially greater than said time within which data in said volatile memory must be refreshed.
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Abstract
Apparatus for retrieving data from a volatile memory in a data processing system in the event of a power supply failure. Means are provided for transferring the data to an external device. Power sensing means detects a power failure; an independent power supply is provided for maintaining the data in the memory when the power sensing means detects a power failure; timing means detects a lapse of time from the power failure; and output means transfers the data from the volatile memory to the external device when the timing means indicates that a predetermined time interval has lapsed.
75 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A data processing system comprising:
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(a) volatile memory for storing data, said volatile memory having a given time within which data therein must be refreshed; (b) first power supply for maintaining said data in said volatile memory; (c) power sensing means for detecting a power failure of said first power supply; (d) a second power supply for independently supplying power when said power sensing means detects a power failure of said first power supply; (e) timing means operatively connected to said power sensing means for detecting a lapse of time from said power failure; and (f) delay ouput means coupled to said volatile memory and connected to be operated by said second power supply for transferring said data from said volatile memory to an external device when said timing means indicates that a predetermined time interval has elapsed, said predetermined time interval being substantially greater than said time within which data in said volatile memory must be refreshed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16)
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12. In a postage meter accounting system for recording metered postage amounts chargeable to individual accounts, a system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of remote terminals, each terminal having at least one postage meter and postage encoding means operatively connected thereto; (b) a plurality of communications channels, each channel of said plurality of communications channels connected to one of said plurality of remote terminals; (c) a central processing unit coupled to said plurality of communications channels; (d) a volatile memory coupled to said central processing unit for storing data relating to metered postage amounts chargeable to individual accounts from said remote terminals over said plurality of communications channels; (e) a first power supply for maintaining said data in said volatile memory; (f) a power sensing means for detecting a power failure of said first power supply. (g) a second power supply for independently supplying power when said power sensing means detects a power failure of said first power supply; and (h) printing means coupled to said volatile memory and connected to be operated by said second power supply for printing said data from said volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 17)
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Specification