Patent ID: 6351824
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for controlling the operation of a digital processing system which is coupled to a control device which supplies power to said digital processing system, said method comprising:receiving at said control device a first status indicator from a first software program which is executing on said digital processing system; resetting a first counter coupled to said control device in response to receiving said first status indicator; performing a first predetermined function in response to said first counter reaching a first predetermined value, wherein said first predetermined function comprises at least one of restarting said first software program or restarting said digital processing system, and wherein said control device restarts said digital processing system by providing a signal to said digital processing system; receiving a second status indicator from a second software program which is executing on said digital processing system, said second status indicator being received by said first software program; resetting a second counter maintained by said first software program in response to receiving said second status indicator; performing a second predetermined function in response to said second counter reaching a second predetermined value.