BIOS call technique for operating system device driver
OwnerMichael R. Garrett, John S. Lacombeinventors
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Abstract
The specification discloses a system and related method for accessing Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) routines in a computer system having a single microprocessor and multiple software streams, or a multiple microprocessor system. In particular, BIOS routines that modify shared variables, or groups of BIOS routines, are opened for use by a calling software stream to the exclusion of other software streams. After performing desired tasks, the calling software stream closes the BIOS routine or groups of routines, thus making them available to other software streams. In this way, access to shared variables using the BIOS routines is synchronized ensuring that overlapping access, and the corresponding potential for errors, is eliminated.
Claims21
A method accessing a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) routine comprising:
- requesting exclusive ownership of the BIOS routine by a software stream;
- receiving an indication by the software stream of the results of the requesting step;
- and if the requesting exclusive ownership step is successful
- using the BIOS routine by the software stream;
- and
- returning the BIOS routine by the software stream for use by other software streams.
A computer system comprising:
- a microprocessor;
- a main memory array;
- a first bridge logic device coupling the microprocessor and main memory array;
- a graphics controller coupled to the first bridge logic device;
- a video display coupled to the graphics controller;
- a second bridge logic device coupled to the first bridge logic device by way of a primary expansion bus;
- a Read Only Memory (ROM) coupled to the second bridge logic device by way of a secondary expansion bus, the ROM storing Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) routines;
- a software stream executed by the microprocessor, the software stream calls BIOS routines;
- and
- wherein the software stream requests exclusive ownership of a BIOS routine prior to its use, and if the software stream is granted exclusive ownership, the software stream uses the BIOS routine and then returns the exclusive ownership.
In a computer system having a microprocessor executing a software thread, the software thread adapted to call Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) routines, a method of calling BIOS routines comprising:
- opening the BIOS routines by the software thread to the exclusion of other software threads;
- using the BIOS routines by the software thread;
- and
- closing the BIOS routines by the software thread when the utilizing step is complete.
In a computer system with a microprocessor, main memory and a read only memory storing Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) routines, a method of operating the BIOS routines comprising:
- receiving a request for permission to use the BIOS routines;
- checking whether permission has been previously granted;
- and
- granting permission to use the BIOS routines if permission has not been previously granted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.