Method for meeting SMI duration limits by time slicing SMI handlers
US7698689B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/461
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method that allows the context of an SMI task to be saved between SMIs. Upon entering an SMI handler for a task that needs to be split up into shorter SMIs, a new task context stack is created in memory. From that point forward, the SMI handler uses the task context, leaving the original stack unchanged. When the time limit for a single SMI is about to be reached, the CPU is directed back to the original stack, and the task context stack persists in memory and retains the context of the task in hand. The soft SMI exits with a return code or other indication to signify that a new SMI should be invoked to continue processing. The driver or other software that caused the first soft SMI then invokes another, passing in a code or other indication to signify that this is a continuation of a previously started task. On entering the SMI handler for the second time, the handler notes the request for continuation, switches back to the saved task context stack and continues processing where it left off.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.