Appeal No. 1997-4051 Page 3
Application No. 08/479,245
BACKGROUND
The performance of a computer can be enhanced by
employing a cache memory, particularly by employing a write-
back cache memory. Data stored in the write-back cache may be
lost, however, if the cache fails. Such a failure can occur
in a portable computer when its battery runs low. The
invention at issue in this appeal reduces such data loss by
reconfiguring the cache as a write-through cache in response
to a low-battery condition.
Claim 1, which is representative for our purposes,
follows:
1. A computer system, including a central
processing unit and a main memory system, said
computer system comprising:
a battery for powering said computer system;
a battery monitoring circuit for measuring a
level of charge in said battery, said battery
monitoring circuit providing a first control signal
when said charge measured falls below a
predetermined level;
a logic circuit, coupled to receive said first
control signal, for providing a second control signal;
and
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