Method for circuit recovery from overstress conditions

• US 6,819,539 B1
• Filed: 08/20/2001
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pearl IP Licensing LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Inventors: Wright, David G., Williams, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US09/933,254
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 361/86, 361/87, 361/90, 361/91.1, 361/93.1, 361/93.9
• US Class Current: 361/90
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/30 Means for acting in the event of power-supply failure or interruption, e.g. power-supply fluctuations for resetting only G06F1/24

Abstract

A method for circuit recovery from overstress conditions, comprising the steps of (A) detecting an event and (B) resetting a device when the event is a first predetermined type and providing recovery when the event is a second predetermined type.

Claims

1. A method for circuit recovery from overstress conditions, comprising the steps of:

(A) detecting an event;

(B) storing said event;

(C) comparing said stored event to a plurality of event types stored in a table to determine if said event is a first predetermined type or a second predetermined type; and

(D) resetting a device when said event is a said first predetermined type and providing recovery when said event is a said second predetermined type.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (D) further comprises:

determined an appropriate recovery, wherein said recovery is selected from the group consisting of (i) self checking, (ii) issuing warnings, (iii) performing back-up operations, and (iv) shutting-down.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said recovery further comprises resetting.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (D) further comprises:

performing recovery steps before or in place of a full reset.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (D) further comprises:

determined if resetting or providing recovery is necessary.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein steps (A) and (D) are performed by processor.

7. An apparatus comprising:

moans for detecting an event;

means for storing said event;

means for comparing said event to a plurality of event types stored in a table to determine if said event is a first predetermined type or a second predetermined type; and

means for (i) resetting a device when said event is a said first predetermined type and (ii) providing recovery when said event is a said second predetermined type.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a detection circuit configured to generate a signal having on event condition; and

a storage circuit configured to store said event;

a table configured to store a plurality of event types; and

a circuit configured to (i) reset when said event condition is a first predetermined type and (ii) implement recover action when said event condition is a second predetermined type, wherein said first and second predetermined types are determined in response to a comparison of said event to said plurality of event types stored in said table.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said circuit is further configured to determine an appropriate recovery action.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said circuit comprises a microprocessor.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said detection circuit comprises an over/under-voltage detection circuit.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said detection circuit comprises a high current detection circuit.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said detection circuit comprises a noise coupling detection circuit.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said detection circuit comprises:

an over-under-voltage detection circuit;

a high current detection circuit; and

a noise coupling detection circuit.