Generation of firmware code using a graphic representation
US5999730A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4411
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A utility with a windows interface with which a single original-equipment-manufacturer (OEM) programmer can generate firmware compatible with the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification. The firmware includes an ACPI name space, i.e., a hierarchical tree structure in operating system-controlled memory containing data objects, control method objects, and bus/device package objects. The hierarchical name space is constructed using a "click and drag" methodology, and is represented in the windows interface as a iconographic tree structure. From the root of the tree structure are branches for general purpose events, processor power control, sleep states, the system bus, and temperature controls. The system bus has branches for devices located thereon, and the devices have branches for folders containing current resource settings, hardware identification, possible resource settings, and set resource settings information. The utility prompts the OEM programmer during the creation of the name space for information required to complete the specification of the details of the system. The utility provides a large number of default components, from the level of the ent…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.