Quick start

• US 7,979,687 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2007
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Platforms, Ltd. (NEC Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation (NEC Corporation)
• Inventors: Miyajima, Takeo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): KINSEY, BRANDON MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/862,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20080086591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 713/1, 713/2, 713/300
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4403 Processor initialisation

Abstract

A quick start method for starting up a system easily and quickly is disclosed. A memory control unit reads the start-up data prestored in a storage unit, using auxiliary power supplied from an auxiliary power supply unit. Also, the memory control unit writes the read start-up data into RAM. As well, the memory control unit reads and outputs the start-up data written in RAM when the main power is turned on.

Claims

1. A storage device comprising:

a non-volatile storage unit for prestoring start-up data that is an operating system including a boot image and an application program running on it to start up a system;

an auxiliary power supply unit for supplying auxiliary power, which is different from a main power for use in starting up said system, to said storage device;

start-up RAM for storing said start-up data using said auxiliary power; and

a memory control unit for reading the start-up data prestored in said storage unit and writing it into said start-up RAM when the auxiliary power is supplied, using said auxiliary power, and reading the start-up data written in said start-up RAM and outputting it to said system when said main power is turned on.

2. The storage device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of said start-up RAMs, wherein said memory control unit writes the same start-up data in said plurality of start-up RAMs.

3. A method for starting a system using start-up data stored in a storage device having start-up RAM, comprising:

supplying auxiliary power, which is different from, main power for use in starting up said system, to said storage device;

reading said start-up data from a storage unit, prestoring said start-up data, using said auxiliary power;

writing said read start-up data into said start-up RAM, using said auxiliary power;

reading the start-up data written into said start-up RAM when said main power is turned on; and

outputting the start-up data read from said start-up RAM to said system.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising writing the start-up data read from said storage unit into each of a plurality of said start-up RAMs.