Patent · US Active

Method for executing a 32-bit flat address program during a system management mode interrupt

US7930524B1 · kind B1 · utility

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1References
23Claims
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Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 7, 2008
Grant dateApr 19, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 23, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F9/45533
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for executing 32-bit flat address programs during a System Management Interrupt. The system provides a 16-bit SMI routine that is given control when an SMI occurs. That routine initially saves the state of the processor and then executes an instruction to switch to protected mode. When in protected mode, the routine transfers control to 32-bit code. The 32-bit code uses a global descriptor table that is different from that used by the interrupted operating system. When the 32-bit code completes, it restores the saved processor state and returns from the interrupt by executing an RSM instruction.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.