Patent attributes
Embodiments of a system (such as a computer system), a circuit, a method and a computer-program product (e.g., software) for use with the computer system are described. In these embodiments, one or more physical characteristics of a device may be monitored, and the measured values may be used to assess the reliability of a device. In particular, using hardware and/or software, the probability that the device will be unable to restart if the device is switched to a powered-on operating mode may be determined based at least in part on the one or more measured values and predetermined probabilities of occurrence of one or more failure mechanisms in the device. If the probability is less than a threshold value, the device may be safely transitioned to a powered-on operating mode. However, if the probability exceeds the threshold value, the device may be kept in a power-saving mode until remedial action is taken.
