Method and apparatus for using a memory region to pass parameters between a run time environment and SMM handler
First Claim
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1. A computer system comprising:
- a memory coupled to a bus, the memory mapped according to a predetermined specification;
a device controller coupled to the bus; and
a basic input-output system (BIOS) coupled to the bus, the BIOS having a device support component to provide support for a device using a portion of a defined region of the memory to maintain and pass parameters when a SMM handler is invoked from an ACPI ASL code.
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Abstract
An ACPI (Non-Volatile Sleeping) NVS memory region is allocated and defined so that a system BIOS can allocate a placeholder for the different parameters that are passed from the ACPI ASL code to the system management mode (SMM) handler for execution of real mode calls. The different parameters will be updated by runtime ACPI ASL code depending on what needs to be passed to the SMM handler. The SMM handler invokes appropriate calls based on retrieving of different parameters in the ACPI NVS memory region that have been passed from the ACPI ASL code.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer system comprising:
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a memory coupled to a bus, the memory mapped according to a predetermined specification; a device controller coupled to the bus; and a basic input-output system (BIOS) coupled to the bus, the BIOS having a device support component to provide support for a device using a portion of a defined region of the memory to maintain and pass parameters when a SMM handler is invoked from an ACPI ASL code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system comprising:
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a memory coupled to a bus; a device controller coupled to the bus; a basic input-output system (BIOS) coupled to the bus, the BIOS having instructions which when executed cause the processor to perform operations including; mapping the memory pursuant to a predetermined specification to include a defined region of the memory; allocating a portion of the defined region of the memory to be used to maintain and pass parameters when a SMM handler is invoked from an ACPI ASL code. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for using an ACPI NVS memory region to pass parameters between a runtime environment and SMM handler, comprising:
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configuring the ACPI NVS memory region to include a parameter region to maintain and pass parameters when a SMM handler is invoked from an ACPI ASL control mode; updating parameters in the ACPI NVS memory region; invoking a SMM handler mode; performing real-mode calls while operating in the SMM handler mode; and returning control to the ACPI ASL control mode after the real mode calls are performed. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A machine readable storage medium having stored therein a plurality of machine readable instructions executable by a processor to use an ACPI NVS memory region to pass parameters between a runtime environment and SMM handler, comprising:
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instructions to configure the ACPI NVS memory region to include a parameter region to maintain and pass parameters when a SMM handler is invoked from an ACPI ASL control mode; instructions to update parameters in the ACPI NVS memory region; instructions to invoke a SMM handler mode; instructions to perform real-mode calls while operating in the SMM handler mode; and instructions to return control to the ACPI ASL control mode after the real mode calls are performed. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification