Abstract:
A data-processing system having at least one operating memory holding operating data is provided with a protection unit having an execution environment protected from unauthorized access. At least one monitoring logic in the execution environment is connected to the operating memory for monitoring unauthorized modifications, access, or similar protection violations of the operating data stored in the operating memory and for generating an output on detection of such a protection violation. A protection logic in the execution environment holds replacement data capable of replacing the operating data and is connected to the monitoring logic for, on generation of the output, providing to the operating memory the replacement data for the operation or for a substitute operation of the data-processing system.
Abstract:
An embroidering machine includes RAM which stores temporally the embroidering data read out from a memory card; a device which detects attaching or detaching of the memory card; a buffer circuit which makes and breaks a power source and buses for the memory card; an indicator or warning device which indicates the circuit making and breaking; a device for double checking the data sent from the memory card to RAM; and a device which indicates to the operator the presence of a required card. In the detector of the memory card, determined detecting edge terminals of the memory card are made shorter, and when the card is detached the circuits of the detecting terminals are disconnected earlier than the remaining circuits. When the circuit of the detecting terminal is disconnected, the port of the circuit is rendered to be high impedance by the buffer circuit and the power source to the memory card is disconnected before the terminal of the power source and the bus of the memory card are disconnected, so that if the memory card is slipped out from the embroidering machine while processing "ACCESS" of the memory card, the memory IC is not destroyed.
Abstract:
A reference check bit pattern is stored in a nonvolatile storage medium of a vehicle-mounted microcomputer. A portion of a volatile storage medium is allocated for the purpose of storing the reference check bits. The microcomputer is programmed to compare the check bits stored in both the volatile and nonvolatile storage mediums. In response to a command signal, a mismatch is detected between the reference check bits of the volatile and nonvolatile mediums to indicate that data stored in the volatile memory have failed due to a power outage. The failed check data of the volatile memory is rewritten with the reference check data in the nonvolatile memory for later comparison. At the same time all data stored in the remaining portion of the volatile memory is erased so the remaining portion can accept a set of fresh input data. When a match occurs the computer proceeds with the normal computing functions.
Abstract:
A data-processing system having at least one operating memory holding operating data is provided with a protection unit having an execution environment protected from unauthorized access. At least one monitoring logic in the execution environment is connected to the operating memory for monitoring unauthorized modifications, access, or similar protection violations of the operating data stored in the operating memory and for generating an output on detection of such a protection violation. A protection logic in the execution environment holds replacement data capable of replacing the operating data and is connected to the monitoring logic for, on generation of the output, providing to the operating memory the replacement data for the operation or for a substitute operation of the data-processing system.
Abstract:
A data protection and recovery system for an energy controller for a water heater is disclosed. The energy controller is a microprocessor based system which includes a central processing unit, volatile and non-volatile memories, and a clock. It functions to energize the water heater only during a certain period of the day. During normal operation of the system, the system uses the volatile memory as a workspace, and normally copies data in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory. The system senses electrical disturbances, such as power surges, and prevents the writing of any data to the non-volatile memory components during the electrical disturbance. After the electrical disturbance subsides, the system checks the integrity of the data written to the volatile memory, and if it was not corrupted by the electrical disturbance, the data is then written to the non-volatile memory. If the data in the volatile memory was corrupted by the electrical disturbance, the system copies the data from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory, and the system is restarted.
Abstract:
An engine control system has a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read-only memory) and a RAM (random-access memory) backed up by a power supply. Only in the case where the difference between the data in the RAM and that in the ROM is within a predetermined range will the engine control inputs be regulated by use of the data in the RAM.
Abstract:
To prevent change of data in a non-volatile programmable, ready-only memory (25) forming, together with a microprocessor (23) a control unit, for example for an automotive vehicle, while permitting programming of the memory from an external programming unit (P, 1), an interface (3, 11, 12) is provided through which a release-enable bus (13) also passes, data being transmitted in accordance with a predetermined characteristic--even or odd parity--, the parity correctness being checked. If the parity is correct, an "enter" signal is provided on the release-enable bus for storing the data; if not, retransmission is attempted for a predetermined number of time, and if it cannot be correctly effected, a malfunction indication output signal is generated.
Abstract:
A control unit for a machine includes a processor and a memory for program instructions and parameter values. A first portion of the program instructions defines a first process which accesses the parameter values in order to ascertain control information and to transmit same to the machine, and a second portion defines a second process which evaluates the quality of the application data, and either permits or prevents the execution of the first process based on the evaluation results. The second process checks whether the value of at least one first physical parameter specified by the application data is valid and does not permit execution of the first process using these application data unless the value of the parameter has been determined to be valid.
Abstract:
A method of storing a correction value of a control variable in an engine control device includes the steps of transferring a correction value stored in a RAM to an E.sup.2 PROM by serial communication immediately after a power supply switch is turned off. The correction value stored in the E.sup.2 PROM is then transferred back to the RAM immediately after the power supply circuit is turned on. In this way, when the engine control device is not in operation, the correction value is retained in the E.sup.2 PROM.
Abstract:
A single chip, semiconductor microcontroller device is adapted to control an aspect of the operation of an external system. The device includes a CPU, program memory for storing instructions to be selectively executed by the CPU to perform the control functions, and peripheral EEPROM data memory adapted to be written to for storing selected data in selected ones of a multiplicity of addresses of the data memory and for selective retrieval of the stored dam by the CPU within its control function. Internal logic in the device is implemented to abort a write operation in progress on the EEPROM data memory upon occurrence of an asynchronous reset of the device. An error flag is set by the logic to indicate that the write operation is being aborted, and the data that was partially written to the EEPROM memory at the time the write operation was aborted is held intact.