公开(公告)号：US06178550B1

公开(公告)日：2001-01-23

申请号：US08380985

申请日：1995-01-31

申请人： John J. Pearce

发明人： John J. Pearce

IPC分类号： G06F945

CPC分类号： G06F9/4843

摘要： Method and apparatus for optimizing the location of machine-dependent code is disclosed. In a departure from the art, code for implementing an applications program interface (API) or other machine dependent program is divided into a system management mode (SMM) portion and a non-SMM portion, depending on whether the code needs to be implemented in a secure environment or not, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the non-SMM portion of the API maintains a BIOS jump table comprising an indexed array of function addresses, and the SMM portion of the API maintains a parallel, but nonidentical, SMM jump table. For each API function that is to be executed in SMM, that is, for each function that must be executed in a secure environment, the indexed BIOS jump table entry calls an SMM interface (SMI) function, which initiates SMM by generating a system management interrupt and accesses the parallel SMM jump table. The indexed SNM jump table entry is used to call the designated function, which is then executed in SMM.

摘要翻译： 公开了用于优化机器相关代码的位置的方法和装置。 根据本领域的不同，根据代码是否需要实现，代码用于实现应用程序接口（API）或其他机器相关程序被划分为系统管理模式（SMM）部分和非SMM部分 分别是一个安全的环境。 在优选实施例中，API的非SMM部分维护包括索引的功能地址阵列的BIOS跳转表，并且API的SMM部分维护一个并行但非相似的SMM跳转表。 对于要在SMM中执行的每个API函数，也就是说，对于必须在安全环境中执行的每个函数，索引的BIOS跳转表项调用SMM接口（SMI）函数，该函数通过生成系统管理来启动SMM 中断并访问并行SMM跳转表。 索引的SNM跳转表项用于调用指定的函数，然后在SMM中执行。

公开(公告)号：US5958054A

公开(公告)日：1999-09-28

申请号：US785517

申请日：1997-01-17

申请人： Clint H. O'Connor ,  John J. Pearce

发明人： Clint H. O'Connor ,  John J. Pearce

IPC分类号： G06F1/30 ,  H02J9/06 ,  G06F3/00 ,  H02J7/00

CPC分类号： G06F1/30 ,  H02J9/061 ,  Y10T307/615

摘要： A portable computer including a chargeable battery and an AC line adapter controls the battery and adapter to emulate a full UPS-class device. A controller of the portable computer with the chargeable battery and the AC line adapter emulates the conventional operation of an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and a serial cable connecting the UPS to the portable computer. The controller includes a software driver and Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) program code to emulate signals to and from the internal battery and the AC charger.

摘要翻译： 包括可充电电池和AC线适配器的便携式计算机控制电池和适配器来模拟完整的UPS级设备。 具有可充电电池和AC线适配器的便携式计算机的控制器模拟将不间断电源（UPS）和将UPS连接到便携式计算机的串行电缆的常规操作。 控制器包括一个软件驱动程序和基本输入/输出系统（BIOS）程序代码，用于模拟来自内部电池和AC充电器的信号。

公开(公告)号：US5944831A

公开(公告)日：1999-08-31

申请号：US874493

申请日：1997-06-13

申请人： John C. Pate ,  John J. Pearce

发明人： John C. Pate ,  John J. Pearce

IPC分类号： G06F1/32 ,  G06F1/00

CPC分类号： G06F1/3225 ,  G06F1/3281 ,  Y02B60/1264

摘要： Communication interface PCCards are commonly attached, both physically and electrically, to a notebook computer whether the communication interface PCCards are connected to a communication channel or disconnected from the communication channel. It has further been discovered that communication interface PCCards consume power when attached to the notebook computer and that power consumption is advantageously reduced and battery life extended by detecting when the communication channel is disconnected from the communication interface PCCard and terminating power supplied to the communication interface PCCard when the communication channel is disconnected. A power management method in a computer system having a PCCard connected to a communication channel includes detecting a disconnection of the communication channel from the PCCard and terminating power supplied to the PCCard in response to the detection of the disconnection of the communication channel.

摘要翻译： 通信接口PCCard通常是连接到笔记本电脑的物理和电气的，无论通信接口PCCard是否连接到通信信道或与通信信道断开连接。 进一步发现，通信接口PCCard在连接到笔记本计算机时消耗电力，并且通过检测通信信道何时与通信接口PCCard断开并终止提供给通信接口的电源PCCard，有利地减少了功率消耗并延长了电池寿命 当通信信道断开时。 具有连接到通信信道的PCCard的计算机系统中的电力管理方法包括响应于检测到通信信道的断开而检测通信信道与PCCard的断开并终止提供给PCCard的电力。

公开(公告)号：US5805880A

公开(公告)日：1998-09-08

申请号：US592501

申请日：1996-01-26

申请人： John J. Pearce ,  Craig S. Jones

发明人： John J. Pearce ,  Craig S. Jones

IPC分类号： G06F9/38 ,  G06F9/445 ,  G06F21/00 ,  G06F9/06

CPC分类号： G06F9/3877 ,  G06F21/80 ,  G06F9/4401 ,  G06F2211/1097

摘要： An essential utility routine accesses a protected computer system component by making a call to a coprocessor that performs a desired function to avoid security measures imposed by an operating system. Various suitable coprocessors include an additional coprocessor connected to a host processor running the operating system imposing the security measures such as a coprocessor on a add-in card to a computer system, a microcontroller, or a system management mode (SMM) program running on the host processor. The essential utility operates on a computer system having a processor operating under an operating system and a storage. The operating system includes software which limits access to the storage. The utility includes a coprocessor, a software interface and a utility routine. The coprocessor is connected to the storage and operative independent of the operating system for accessing the storage. The software interface is connected to the coprocessor and executes on the processor to control input and output operations on the processor. The utility routine executes on the processor and includes a program code operative via the software interface for activating the coprocessor to access the storage and receiving a response from the coprocessor.

摘要翻译： 基本实用程序例程通过调用执行所需功能的协处理器来访问受保护的计算机系统组件，以避免操作系统施加的安全措施。 各种合适的协处理器包括连接到主机处理器的附加协处理器，该主机处理器将运行操作系统的安全措施（例如，附加卡上的协处理器）运行到计算机系统，微控制器或在其上运行的系统管理模式（SMM） 主机处理器 基本实用程序在具有在操作系统和存储器下操作的处理器的计算机系统上运行。 操作系统包括限制对存储的访问的软件。 该实用程序包括协处理器，软件接口和实用程序。 协处理器连接到存储器并独立于操作系统操作以访问存储器。 软件接口连接到协处理器，并在处理器上执行以控制处理器上的输入和输出操作。 该实用程序程序在处理器上执行并且包括通过软件接口操作的程序代码，用于激活协处理器以访问存储器并从协处理器接收响应。

公开(公告)号：US5694582A

公开(公告)日：1997-12-02

申请号：US592503

申请日：1996-01-26

申请人： John J. Pearce

发明人： John J. Pearce

IPC分类号： G06F1/00 ,  G06F21/00 ,  G06F9/46

CPC分类号： G06F21/57

摘要： System management mode (SMM) is utilized, despite operating system security measures, by furnishing a polled interface for SMM. When an application program is to make an XBIOS call, the application program posts an XBIOS request in a storage. SMM is activated periodically by a timer and, during activation, checks the storage for XBIOS requests. When an XBIOS request is posted, SMM processes the request XBIOS command and leaves a response from the XBIOS call in the storage. The application program, which continually loops, monitors the storage and detects replacement of the XBIOS request by the XBIOS result to realize completion of an XBIOS call.

摘要翻译： 通过为SMM提供轮询接口，尽管采用了操作系统的安全措施，但仍采用系统管理模式（SMM）。 当应用程序进行XBIOS调用时，应用程序在存储器中发布XBIOS请求。 SMM由定时器周期性地激活，并且在激活期间检查XBIOS请求的存储。 当发布XBIOS请求时，SMM处理请求XBIOS命令，并在存储器中留下来自XBIOS调用的响应。 持续循环的应用程序监视存储并通过XBIOS结果检测XBIOS请求的替换，以实现XBIOS调用的完成。

公开(公告)号：US5691742A

公开(公告)日：1997-11-25

申请号：US449160

申请日：1995-05-24

申请人： Clint H. O'Connor ,  John J. Pearce

发明人： Clint H. O'Connor ,  John J. Pearce

IPC分类号： G01R31/36 ,  G06F1/28 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H02J7/04

CPC分类号： G06F1/28 ,  G01R31/3648 ,  G01R31/3682 ,  H02J7/0047 ,  Y10S320/21 ,  Y10S715/97

摘要： Method and apparatus for transparently executing in a graphical operating system environment a battery gauge utility that provides accurate battery status information adaptable to different users' needs. In a preferred embodiment, a software battery gauge of the present invention utilizes the primary display of a PC on which it is executing to present information on the exact current charge status of each of one or more batteries of the PC without relying on the presence of a Microsoft/Intel Advanced Power Management driver and compatible BIOS and without continually impinging on the APM or XBIOS interfaces to derive such status information. The battery gauge interfaces with a user through a user interface comprising an animated graphical status indicator and a textual status indicator, which display battery status information continuously such that changes therein can be immediately and conveniently perceived by a user. In addition, the battery gauge comprises a conventional windows system menu, which can be accessed by using the mouse or pointing device, for controlling the appearance of the user interface.

摘要翻译： 用于在图形操作系统环境中透明执行的电池测量仪器的方法和装置，其提供适合于不同用户需要的精确电池状态信息。 在优选实施例中，本发明的软件电池规格利用其正在执行的PC的主显示器来呈现关于PC的一个或多个电池中的每一个的精确当前充电状态的信息，而不依赖于 微软/英特尔高级电源管理驱动程序和兼容的BIOS，并且不会持续影响APM或XBIOS接口，从而获得这些状态信息。 电池计量器通过包括动画图形状态指示器和文本状态指示器的用户界面与用户接口，该显示状态指示器连续地显示电池状态信息，使得用户可以立即方便地察觉其中的变化。 此外，电池计包括常规的Windows系统菜单，其可以通过使用鼠标或指点设备来访问，用于控制用户界面的外观。

公开(公告)号：US5634132A

公开(公告)日：1997-05-27

申请号：US493889

申请日：1995-06-23

申请人： John J. Pearce ,  Leslie Thompson

发明人： John J. Pearce ,  Leslie Thompson

IPC分类号： G06F13/40 ,  G06F13/00

CPC分类号： G06F13/4081

摘要： Method and apparatus for providing operating system independent support for mixed voltage devices, particularly PC card controllers. In one aspect of the invention, a system management mode ("SMM") of the processor of a PC is used to detect the proper voltage of a PC card inserted in a PC card slot and then to set the voltage level of the PC card controller appropriately. In one embodiment, SMM is entered responsive to detection that the operating system is setting up the registers of the PC card controller by writes to a particular I/O address. In another embodiment, SMM is entered responsive to detection of insertion of a PC card into a PC card slot. In any event, because SMM is operating system independent, the mixed voltage capability of the PC card controller will be supported regardless of whether the operating system installed on the PC supports such functionality.

摘要翻译： 提供操作系统独立支持混合电压装置，特别是PC卡控制器的方法和装置。 在本发明的一个方面中，使用PC的处理器的系统管理模式（“SMM”）来检测插入PC卡插槽中的PC卡的适当电压，然后设置PC卡的电压电平 控制器适当。 在一个实施例中，响应于检测操作系统正在通过写入特定I / O地址来建立PC卡控制器的寄存器而输入SMM。 在另一个实施例中，响应于PC卡插入PC卡插槽的检测而进入SMM。 无论如何，由于SMM与操作系统无关，PC卡控制器的混合电压能力将受到支持，无论PC上安装的操作系统是否支持此功能。

公开(公告)号：US5819100A

公开(公告)日：1998-10-06

申请号：US753010

申请日：1996-11-19

申请人： John J. Pearce

发明人： John J. Pearce

IPC分类号： G06F3/06 ,  G06F11/00 ,  G06F11/34 ,  G11B19/04 ,  G11B19/06 ,  G11B19/28 ,  G11B21/02 ,  G06F1/32

CPC分类号： G06F3/0616 ,  G06F11/3409 ,  G06F3/0625 ,  G06F3/0634 ,  G06F3/0676 ,  G11B19/04 ,  G11B19/06 ,  G06F11/008 ,  G06F11/3485 ,  G06F2201/88 ,  Y02B60/1246

摘要： A method and system of operating a power-managed computer system monitors the life cycle of a hard disk drive attached to the computer system and extends the life span of the hard disk drive by reducing the rate at which hard disk drive spin-up cycles are initiated when the hard drive reaches a predetermined stage it life cycle. Software routines which activate or spin-up the hard drive are extended in capability to read the hard drive serial number and record the serial number in a non-volatile memory in conjunction with an incrementing counter. The incrementing counter counts the number of times the hard drive has been activated from the time of installation of the hard drive. The count of spin-up occurrences is indicative of the operating age of the disk drive. A plurality of age levels are defined, for example medium, old and ancient levels so that, when the hard drive spin-up count reaches one of the defined levels, the power management system changes the operation of the hard drive power management.

摘要翻译： 操作功率管理的计算机系统的方法和系统监视连接到计算机系统的硬盘驱动器的生命周期，并通过降低硬盘驱动器启动周期的速率来延长硬盘驱动器的使用寿命 当硬盘驱动器达到预定阶段时启动它的生命周期。 激活或启动硬盘驱动器的软件程序扩展了读取硬盘驱动器序列号的能力，并将序列号与增量计数器一起记录在非易失性存储器中。 增量计数器计算硬盘驱动器从安装硬盘驱动器开始的次数。 启动次数的计数表示磁盘驱动器的运行年龄。 定义了多个年龄级别，例如中等，古老和古老的水平，使得当硬盘驱动器启动计数达到所定义的级别之一时，电源管理系统改变硬盘驱动器电源管理的操作。

公开(公告)号：US5657445A

公开(公告)日：1997-08-12

申请号：US592044

申请日：1996-01-26

申请人： John J. Pearce

发明人： John J. Pearce

IPC分类号： G06F1/00 ,  G06F12/14 ,  G06F21/00

CPC分类号： G06F21/80 ,  G06F12/1491

摘要： A computer system is provided with the capability of protecting portions of the mass storage media therein from unauthorized access. The mechanism employed to protect portions of the mass storage media is advantageously operating system independent. Thus, the protection mechanism functions regardless of what operating system is installed or what particular application software is presently being executed. More particularly, the computer system includes a processor configured to execute code in an operational mode and in a system management mode. A mass storage device and a memory are coupled to the processor. At least one region of the mass storage device is designated as a protected region by the user or by the manufacturer. The computer system is configured to trap mass storage device I/O operations and, in response to a trapped mass storage device I/O operation, the processor enters a system management mode. The computer system is configured to prevent execution of the trapped mass storage device I/O operation if the trapped mass storage device I/O operation is directed to a protected region of the mass storage device. However, the computer executes the trapped mass storage device I/O operation if the trapped mass storage device I/O operation is not directed to a protected region of the mass storage device. In this manner, increased computer system security is provided to selected portions of the mass storage device without reliance on protective mechanisms within the operating system or within add-on application software.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种计算机系统，其能够保护其中的大量存储介质的部分未经授权的访问。 用于保护大容量存储介质的部分的机构有利地与系统无关地操作。 因此，无论安装什么操作系统或目前正在执行什么特定应用软件，保护机制都起作用。 更具体地，计算机系统包括被配置为以操作模式和系统管理模式执行代码的处理器。 大容量存储设备和存储器耦合到处理器。 大容量存储装置的至少一个区域由用户或制造商指定为保护区域。 计算机系统被配置为捕获大容量存储设备I / O操作，并且响应于被捕获的大容量存储设备I / O操作，处理器进入系统管理模式。 如果被捕获的大容量存储设备I / O操作被引导到大容量存储设备的保护区域，则计算机系统被配置为防止被捕获的大容量存储设备I / O操作的执行。 然而，如果被捕获的大容量存储设备I / O操作不指向大容量存储设备的保护区域，则计算机执行被捕获的大容量存储设备I / O操作。 以这种方式，将增加的计算机系统安全性提供给大容量存储设备的选定部分，而不依赖于操作系统内或附加应用软件中的保护机制。

公开(公告)号：US5636041A

公开(公告)日：1997-06-03

申请号：US449614

申请日：1995-05-24

申请人： John J. Pearce ,  Philip Chidester

发明人： John J. Pearce ,  Philip Chidester

IPC分类号： G09G3/36 ,  G02F1/1335 ,  G09G5/10

CPC分类号： G09G3/36 ,  G09G2320/0606 ,  G09G2320/0626

摘要： Method and apparatus for automatically increasing the visibility of an LCD during warm-up thereof is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention comprises brightness control circuitry electrically connected to an LCD panel of a portable personal computer (PC) or other battery operated electronic device for controlling the brightness level of the LCD. The brightness control circuitry is also electrically connected to receive a signal indicative of a brightness control level selected by a user using a user-settable control means, such as a brightness control knob located on the device. In operation, on power up of the LCD, the brightness control circuitry increases the LCD brightness to a maximum level, regardless of the brightness level selected by the user. Once the LCD has warmed up, the brightness control circuitry decreases the brightness level of the LCD to the level selected by the user. In one aspect of the invention, the brightness level is decreased incrementally such that its occurrence is virtually undetectable by the user.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于在预热期间自动提高LCD的可视性的方法和装置。 在优选实施例中，本发明的系统包括电连接到便携式个人计算机（PC）或其他电池操作的电子设备的LCD面板的亮度控制电路，用于控制LCD的亮度水平。 亮度控制电路还电连接以接收指示用户使用诸​​如位于设备上的亮度控制旋钮的用户可设置控制装置选择的亮度控制电平的信号。 在操作中，在LCD上电时，亮度控制电路将LCD亮度提高到最大水平，而与用户选择的亮度水平无关。 一旦LCD已经升温，亮度控制电路将LCD的亮度水平降低到用户选择的水平。 在本发明的一个方面，亮度级别逐渐减小，使得其发生几乎不被用户检测到。