Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

DOS Protected Mode Interface
     
        (DPMI) The method which {Microsoft} prescribes for a {DOS}
        program to access {extended memory} under a {multitasking}
        environment, e.g. {Microsoft Windows}.  This service is
        provided by the HIMEM.SYS driver on {IBM PC}s.
     
        The DPMI specification was finalized in 1990.  The
        specification itself is available from {Intel Literature
        Sales}.
     
        VCPI (Virtual Control Program Interface), which was an
        alternative, and incompatible method for doing the same thing.
     
        ["Windows 3.1 Secrets", Brian Livingston, 1992, ISBN
        1-878058-43-6, pages 280-281 and 302].
     
        (1995-01-12)