Modular ASL Component Event Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) source language (ASL) does not support modular concepts, making it difficult for BIOS programmers to integrate modules from different vendors and write code that interacts with various platform behaviors, as it lacks event broadcasting and indirect method invocation, leading to convoluted code and dependency on specific module names and parameters.

Innovation Solution

Introducing an event mechanism in the ASL, using globally unique identifiers (GUIDs) and a preprocessor utility to auto-generate and link new ASL methods for producer and consumer events, allowing modules to interact without direct references, and using special tags to broadcast and receive events, enabling modular development similar to UEFI.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional ASL language is used for ACPI components, then the language is simple and easy to understand, but it does not support modular concepts and requires direct references to other modules

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodular concept supportVSAvoidlanguage structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ACPI system into independent ASL modules that can be developed and maintained separately. Each module is identified by a unique GUID and can be compiled independently, allowing modular development while maintaining the simplicity of ASL syntax through the use of event mechanisms for inter-module communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an event mechanism as an intermediary between ASL modules. Instead of direct module references, modules communicate through named events that act as mediators, enabling loose coupling and modular development while keeping the language structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If direct module references are used in ASL code, then module interaction is straightforward, but integration of modules from different vendors becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule integration easeVSAvoidcode dependency complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal event mechanism that can be used across different ASL modules from various vendors. The event system provides a standardized interface for module interaction, allowing modules to be integrated without direct knowledge of other modules' internal structures or names.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By using named events as intermediaries, the patent eliminates direct dependencies between modules. Modules interact through the event mechanism rather than directly referencing each other, significantly easing integration of modules from different vendors while reducing code dependency complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If ASL code explicitly calls out each interested method for events, then the event handling is explicit and clear, but the code becomes convoluted and difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode maintainabilityVSAvoidcode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the event subscription logic from the main ASL code flow. Instead of explicitly calling out each method in the event handling code, the system automatically manages event subscriptions and method invocations, significantly simplifying code structure and improving maintainability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The event mechanism provides self-service functionality by automatically managing event broadcasting and method invocation. The system automatically connects event producers with consumer methods without requiring explicit code to enumerate all interested methods, reducing code complexity while maintaining operational clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If build time conditional statements are added to ASL code for platform interactions, then platform-specific behavior can be handled, but the code becomes more complex and harder to develop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform interaction capabilityVSAvoidcode development complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses build-time conditional compilation directives to pre-process ASL code based on target platform characteristics. This allows platform-specific behavior to be handled during the build process rather than requiring complex runtime conditionals in the code, reducing development complexity while maintaining adaptability to different platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9678722B2Modular ASL component

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A system for source language module interaction using an event mechanism includes one or more subsystems to detect a producer event, detect a consumer event, generate a new source language method for the producer event and a new source language method for the consumer event, and link the producer event and the consumer event using the new source language method. In an embodiment, the source language may be ASL.