METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOMENTARILY INTERRUPTING POWER TO A MICROPROCESSOR TO CLEAR A FAULT STATE

A method and apparatus for providing notice of impending initialization prior to initializing a microprocessor to enable the microprocessor to store operating data prior to initialization and to use the stored operating data after initialization. The apparatus includes a notice device for supplying a notice signal to warn the microprocessor of an impending initialization and an interrupt device for supplying an interrupt signal to cause a switching device to momentarily interrupt electrical power to the microprocessor. The cycling of microprocessor power resets microprocessor operations that are sensitive to a power interruption. Upon restoration of microprocessor power, a reset device outputs a processor reset signal that forces the microprocessor to reboot and execute an initialization program. The processor reset signal also synchronously resets the notice device and the interrupt device means to maintain the cycle of intentional initialization of the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to recognize that an initialization of the processor is scheduled to occur and therefore operates to complete current program tasks and initiates the storage of a selected set of operating data. The microprocessor stores the operating data within a memory storage device that remains powered during the interruption of power to the microprocessor. In response to the initialization program, the microprocessor operates to detect whether the initialization of the microprocessor corrupted any of the selected operating data stored within the memory storage device. If the microprocessor finds that the stored operating data is valid, the microprocessor begins operations using the stored operating data.