Importance

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Abstract

A utility with a windows interface with which a single original-equipment-manufacturer (OEM) programmer can generate firmware compatible with the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification. The firmware includes an ACPI name space, i.e., a hierarchical tree structure in operating system-controlled memory containing data objects, control method objects, and bus/device package objects. The hierarchical name space is constructed using a 'click and drag' methodology, and is represented in the windows interface as a iconographic tree structure. From the root of the tree structure are branches for general purpose events, processor power control, sleep states, the system bus, and temperature controls. The system bus has branches for devices located thereon, and the devices have branches for folders containing current resource settings, hardware identification, possible resource settings, and set resource settings information. The utility prompts the OEM programmer during the creation of the name space for information required to complete the specification of the details of the system. The utility provides a large number of default components, from the level of the entirety of the hierarchical tree structure to the level of the individual devices. Using a recursive process, the constructed hierarchical tree structure is mapped to ASL source code with a structure roughly mirroring that of the tree structure. In general, the recursive process creates a name statement, opening brace, body and closing brace for each item, and child items within the scope of a parent item fall within the body of the parent item. For some items (such as fields, methods, packages and resources) it is necessary to override the generation of braces and/or the body.

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First Claim