Patent ID: 7503049
Filing Date: 2009-03-10
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An information processing apparatus that switches between a first operating system and a second operating system during operation, comprising: a storing unit including (i) a first area that stores therein data managed by the first operating system, (ii) a second area that stores therein a reset handler containing a return instruction for returning to the second operating system and a branch instruction for branching to the second operating system, and (iii) an access switching unit operable to switch between connection and disconnection to the first area from outside the storing unit; an exception table storing unit that stores therein a piece of positional information that shows a position at which the reset handler is located; a CPU that includes a program counter and is operable to execute an instruction located at a position indicated by positional information being set in the program counter; and a switch management unit operable to, when having received a switch instruction for switching from the first operating system to the second operating system while the information processing apparatus is operating with the first operating system in operation, instruct the access switching unit to make the first area disconnected and issue a reset instruction to the CPU to be reset, wherein when having received the reset instruction, the CPU initializes a state of the CPU and sets the piece of positional information of the reset handler into the program counter.