Method and apparatus for ensuring CPU halts during idle processing
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsJames C. Stanley, Dan H. Nowlin, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for managing idle processing in a computer system is described. An Idle Chain Manager virtual device driver (VxD) address is registered on an idle callback chain on the computer system. An Idle Chain Manager callback function corresponding with the Idle Chain Manager VxD address is hooked with a registration service on the computer system. This allows the Idle Chain Manager callback function to intercept a request from a VxD to register a VxD idle callback address onto the idle callback chain and registers the VxD idle callback address with the Idle Chain Manager callback function. The Idle Chain Manager VxD address is called when the idle processing is required.
Claims23
A method for managing idle processing in a computer system, comprising:
- registering an Idle Chain Manager virtual device driver (VxD) address on an idle callback chain in the computer system;
- hooking an Idle Chain Manager callback function corresponding to the Idle Chain Manager VxD address with an idle registration service on the computer system to allow the Idle Chain Manager callback function to intercept a request from a VxD to register a VxD idle callback address onto the idle callback chain and register the VxD idle callback address with the Idle Chain Manager callback function;
- and
- calling the Idle Chain Manager VxD address when the idle processing is required.
A method for managing an idle callback chain, comprising:
- registering a virtual device driver (VxD) idle callback address;
- receiving a signal indicating that idle processing is to be performed;
- executing a VxD callback function corresponding to the VxD idle callback address;
- and
- putting a CPU in a low-power state when the VxD callback function indicates that the idle processing should not continue.
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions, the sequences of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the steps of:
- registering an Idle Chain Manager virtual device driver (VxD) address on an idle callback chain on a computer system;
- hooking an Idle Chain Manager callback function corresponding to the Idle Chain Manager VxD address with a registration service on the computer system to allow the Idle Chain Manager callback function to intercept a request from a VxD to register a VxD idle callback address onto the idle callback chain and register the VxD idle callback address with the Idle Chain Manager callback function;
- and
- calling the Idle Chain Manager VxD address when idle processing is required.
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instructions, the sequences of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the steps of:
- registering a virtual device driver (VxD) idle callback address;
- receiving a signal indicating that idle processing is to be performed;
- executing a VxD callback function corresponding to the VxD idle callback address;
- and
- putting a CPU in a low-power state when the VxD callback function indicates that the idle processing should not continue.
A computer system, comprising:
- a bus;
- a memory, coupled to the bus;
- a processor, coupled to the bus;
- an Idle Chain Manager, inside the processor, that registers a virtual device driver (VxD) idle callback address on an idle callback chain that points to a VxD callback function that is executed by the processor when idle processing is to be performed, and puts the processor in a low-power state when the VxD callback function indicates that the idle processing should not continue.
An Idle Chain Manager, comprising:
- a registration unit that registers a virtual device driver (VxD) idle callback address that points to a VxD callback function that is executed by a processor when idle processing is performed;
- and
- a low-power state initiator unit that puts the processor in a low-power state when the VxD callback function indicates that the idle processing should not continue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.