Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method for allowing execution of a system management mode (SMM) code during secure operations in a microprocessor system. SOLUTION: In one embodiment, a system management interruption (SMI) may be first directed to a handler in a secured virtual machine monitor (SVMM). The SMI may then be re-directed to an SMM code located in a virtual machine (VM) that is under the security control of the SVMM. This redirection can be accomplished by allowing reading from and writing to the system management (SM) base register in the processor. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
An apparatus for sharing an interrupt between a controller for a parallel storage device interface and a controller for a serial storage device interface includes interrupt conditioning circuitry that masks an interrupt signal coming from the parallel storage device interface if no storage device is coupled to the parallel storage device interface. The masking of the parallel storage device interface interrupt of no storage device is coupled to the parallel storage device interface allows the controller for the serial storage device interface to share the interrupt traditionally assigned to the parallel storage device interface.
Abstract:
In one embodiment of the invention, an integrated device is described that employs a mechanism to control power consumption of a graphics memory controller hub (GMCH) through both voltage and frequency adjustment of clock signal received from a clock generator. The GMCH comprises a graphics core and a circuit to alter operational behavior, such as the frequency of a render clock signal supplied to the graphics core. The circuit is adapted to monitor idleness of the graphics core and reduce a frequency level of the render clock signal if the idleness exceeds a determined percentage of time.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for providing a multiplexed bus supporting the coupling of either one of a device having a first bus type interface and a device having a second bus type interface where the multiplexed bus is made up, at least in part, of a plurality of common signal lines that may be coupled to either type of device, and that may be used to carry out transfers with protocols and timings for either bus.
Abstract:
In some embodiment, an arrangement is provided to prevent a loss of data in a memory due to a power failure for a computing system. When the power failure occurs, any pending memory write operations may be completed and dirty cache lines may be flushed back to the memory. Subsequently, the computing system may be put into a loss-prevention state, under which power may be turned off for all components in the computing system except the memory. The memory is powered by a battery pack which includes batteries and is in a self refresh state. When the power returns, applications and operating systems running in the computing system may resume what is left out when the power supply failure occurs, based at least in part on data retained in the memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
Abstract:
Machine-readable media, methods, and apparatus are described for event deliver. In some embodiments, a virtual wire message is generated in response to an event. The virtual wire message may comprise a header providing destination and message type information. The virtual wire message may further comprise a payload providing status information for one or more events.
Abstract:
The embodiments of the invention relate to a novel apparatus and method for a battery charging system in a shared environment, as well as for monitoring battery usage and tracking battery location. In one embodiment, the battery charging chute comprises a housing configured to receive a battery via an insertion slot and configured to dispense a battery through a dispensing slot. Within the housing, charging terminals are disposed is a spaced or continuous manner, to come in contact with the charging terminals on batteries inserted into the housing. Optionally, solenoid-controlled gates may be employed at the insertion slot and dispensing slot, to inhibit the removal or insertion of batteries from the incorrect location, to ensure that the battery with the longest residence time in the chute is dispensed to a user. The housing may also include a radio-frequency identification tag reader to permit inventorying and tracking of batteries inserted into the housing.
Abstract:
Methods, apparatus and machine-readable medium are described that attempt to protect secrets from sleep attacks. In some embodiments, the secrets are encrypted and a security enhanced environment dismantled prior to entering a sleep state. Some embodiments further re-establish a security enhanced environment and decrypt the secrets in response to a wake event.
Abstract:
Methods, apparatus and computer readable medium are described that attempt increase trust in a system time provided by a system clock. In some embodiments, a detector detects activities that may be associated with attacks against the system clock. Based upon whether the detector detects a possible attack against the system clock, the computing device may determine whether or not to trust the system time provided by the system clock.