US 7930575

US Patent 7930575, titled "Microcontroller for controlling power shutdown process," was filed on September 10, 2007, and issued on April 19, 2011. The inventors are Yukari Suginaka, Toshifumi Hamaguchi, Yoshitaka Kitao, and Shinya Muramatsu. The current assignee is Collabo Innovations Inc.

Abstract:
The patent describes a microcontroller system designed for efficient power shutdown. It includes a CPU, a power supply device, a power supply unit between the CPU and the power supply device, a power supply control unit, and an information holding unit. When a power shutdown factor is generated, the power supply control unit signals the CPU. The CPU then activates a power shutdown microprogram, evacuates necessary program information to the information holding unit, and signals completion to the power supply control unit. The power supply control unit then commands the power supply unit to shut down power to the CPU.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent contains multiple independent claims, each outlining a distinct aspect of the invention.

• Claim 1: This claim describes a microcontroller that manages power shutdown by coordinating between a CPU, a power supply unit, a power supply control unit, and an information holding unit. When a power shutdown event occurs, the power supply control unit tells the CPU to run a special program (microprogram) to save essential program information to a dedicated storage unit. Once this information is saved, the power supply control unit instructs the power supply unit to cut power to the CPU.

• Claim 4: This claim is similar to Claim 1 but focuses on a scenario where a power supply restoration event occurs after the information has been evacuated but before the power to the CPU is fully shut down. In this case, the CPU activates a power supply restoration microprogram that does not restore the previously evacuated information, allowing the program execution to continue quickly.

• Claim 16: This claim defines a communication device incorporating the microcontroller described in the patent. The device includes an input unit and a signal transmitting unit. The power shutdown process is initiated if no input is detected for a certain period. When an input is subsequently made, a power supply restoration process is executed, returning the device to an operational state.

• Claim 17: This claim describes a recording device, such as a DVD recorder LSI, which includes the microcontroller, an image processing DSP, and a storage circuit, along with an optical disc controller LSI. In this device, a timer periodically generates an interrupt to the power supply control unit. The microcontroller compares the current time with a programmed recording time. If they match, a power supply restoration process is performed to prepare the microcontroller for recording.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 7930575 did not yield specific case filings directly mentioning this patent. General information regarding CAFC operations and other patent cases from 2026 were found, but none directly related to US7930575. However, it is noted that US7930575 has been involved in PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) cases, specifically IPR2019-01524 and IPR2019-01523, which were not instituted on the merits. There is also a PTAB case IPR2025-01015 filed, which was not instituted on procedural grounds. Additionally, the patent has been involved in US district court litigation in the Texas Western District Court, with cases filed in 2018 and 2024.