Microsoft patents using power pulses to wake up stuck devices
Microsoft describes a method where a device detects a specific pattern of power pulses sent through its power line. This pattern acts as a signal to start a recovery process, moving the device from a non-operational state back to a working state.
In the filing’s own words
Techniques are described herein that are capable of initiating recovery of an electronic device using a power reset pattern. In a first example implementation, a determination is made that an electronic device is in a non-operational state. A power supply control signal is generated. The electronic device is caused to initiate a recovery process using a power reset pattern by providing the power supply control signal to the power supply via a power line. The recovery process changes the electronic device from the non-operational state to an operational state. In a second example implementation, a power reset pattern is received via a power line from a power supply. A determination is made that the power reset pattern is an instruction to initiate a recovery process. An electronic device is changed from a non-operational state to an operational state by initiating the recovery process.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An electronic device comprising: a processor system; and a memory that stores computer-executable instructions that are executable by the processor system to at least: receive a power reset pattern via a power line from a power supply associated with the electronic device, the power reset pattern defined by a plurality of power pulses having a plurality of respective durations; determine that the power reset pattern is an instruction to initiate a recovery process, wherein the recovery process is configured to change the electronic device from a non-operational state to an operational state; and in response to a determination that the power reset pattern is the instruction to initiate the recovery process, change the electronic device from the non-operational state to the operational state by initiating the recovery process.
Facts
- Company
- Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
- Official title
- Initiating recovery of an electronic device using a power reset pattern
- Patent number
- US12737019B2
- Application number
- 18961359
- Filed
- Nov 26, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 1/24 Physics & computingG06F 1/28 Physics & computingMore from Microsoft in Chips & hardware
- Microsoft patents chips with liquid cooling built inside Oct 1, 2026
- Microsoft patents chip design that guesses code steps ahead Sep 8, 2026
- Microsoft patents 3D glass storage using laser light patterns Sep 8, 2026
- Microsoft patents hand-held radar reflectors for tracking movement Sep 8, 2026
- Microsoft patents video boost that reuses old frames to save power Sep 15, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.