Patent
1997-03-17
1999-06-29
Heckler, Thomas M.
395500, G06F 944
Patent
active
059180480
ABSTRACT:
An improved method of providing an operating system for a computer by defining an interface between the operating system and the computer's firmware. An executable file (soft ROS) is placed in a boot image so as to run, before execution of the real operating system, in response to the firmware seeking the operating system. The soft ROS includes instructions to determine whether the firmware conforms to the standardized interface. If so, then no special action is taken and control is passed to the operating system, but if the firmware is non-conforming in any manner, the soft ROS executes a firmware emulation module which provides the interface with the operating system. The firmware emulation module can provide missing dependencies of the firmware to the operating system, fix a defect in the firmware, or translate functions of the firmware to the pre-defined interface. This method isolates the operating system from firmware dependencies, making the operating system more portable.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3955180 (1976-05-01), Hirtle
patent: 5386561 (1995-01-01), Huynh et al.
patent: 5394547 (1995-02-01), Correnti et al.
Mealey Bruce Gerard
Swanberg Randal Craig
Williams Michael Stephen
Dillon Andrew J.
Heckler Thomas M.
Henkler Richard A.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Musgrove Jack V.
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