Patent ID: 8683127

Claim:
A cache management method using checkpoint tags, the method in checkpoint mode comprising steps of: in a cache mechanism comprising a data array storing data fetched from cache memory, a cache tag array identifying data stored in said data array, and a checkpoint tag array storing virtual addresses and data identification, using a cache controller to perform steps of: receiving a request to save data; fetching at least one cache block comprising the data from cache memory; writing the data from the at least one cache block into the data array; writing a physical address and metadata of the cache block into the cache tag array, said cache tag array referencing locations of data in the data array; and upon receipt of a restore request: fetching an identifier for the at least one cache block stored in at least one checkpoint tag array; reloading the cache memory with the at least one cache block referenced by its identifier in the at least one checkpoint tag array that is not already stored in the cache memory; and switching to a normal mode.