Computer executing multiple operating systems

• US 20050149933A1
• Filed: 01/03/2005
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hiroshi Ohno, Masahiko Saito, Tadashi Kamiwaki, Taro Inoue, Tomoaki Nakamura
• Original Assignee: Hiroshi Ohno, Masahiko Saito, Tadashi Kamiwaki, Taro Inoue, Tomoaki Nakamura
• Inventors: Kamiwaki, Tadashi, Ohno, Hiroshi, Nakamura, Tomoaki, Saito, Masahiko, Inoue, Taro
• Granted Patent: US 7,810,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/45533 Hypervisors; Virtual machine monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4843 by program, e.g. task dispatcher, supervisor, operating system

Abstract

A computer system having a plurality of operating systems and a module for switching the operating systems in view of priorities of tasks to be performed by each of the operating systems. Each of the operating systems performing a plurality of processes or threads in accordance with the priorities assigned to these processes or threads has a module for notifying the computer system of the priority of the currently executing process or thread. The computer system includes a module for translating the priorities sent from each operating system into priorities (normalized priorities) common-throughout the computer system, and a module for comparing the normalized priorities obtained by the priority translation module in order to select and execute preferentially the operating system having a common priority higher than that of any other operating system.

Claims

1. A computer comprising:

a memory for storing a plurality of operating systems and a plurality of processes or threads to be performed by each of said operating systems; and

a processor for executing said operating systems in accordance with task priorities assigned to said processes or threads;

wherein said processor retrieves the task priorities of processes or threads to be performed by any one of said operating systems, translates the retrieved task priorities into normalized operating system priorities in a range common to said plurality of operating systems, selects the operating system to be executed in accordance with the normalized operating system priorities resulting from the translation, and executes the selected operating system.

2. A computer according to claim 1, wherein said memory comprises a priority translation table in which to map into the normalized operating system priorities the task priorities of the processes or threads to be performed by said operating systems, and wherein said processor selects the operating system to be executed on the basis of said priority translation table.

3. A computer according to claim 1, wherein said processor determines task priorities specific to each of said plurality of operating systems on the basis of the normal operating system priorities, thereby changing the task priorities of said plurality of processes or threads to be performed by each of said operating systems.

4. A computer according to claim 3, wherein said memory comprises a priority reverse translation table in which to map normalized operating system priorities into the task priorities specific to each of said operating systems, and wherein said processor changes the task priorities of said plurality of processes or threads on the basis of said priority reverse translation table.

5. A computer according to claim 1, wherein, if a process or a thread is designated for execution, said processor elevates the operating system priority of the operating system in charge of carrying out the designated process or thread, the processor further lowering the operating system priority of the operating system in question when said designated process or thread is terminated in execution.

11. A computer according to claim 2, wherein said processor determines task priorities specific to each of said plurality of operating systems on the basis of the normalized operating system priorities common to said operating systems, thereby changing the task priorities of said plurality of processes or threads to be performed by each of said operating systems.

12. A computer according to claim 11, wherein said memory comprises a priority reverse translation table in which to map said normalized operating system priorities into the task priorities specific to each of said operating systems, and wherein said processor changes the task priorities of said plurality of processes or threads on the basis of said priority reverse translation table.

14. A computer according to claim 2, wherein if a process or a thread is designated for execution, said processor elevates the operating system priority of the operating system in charge of carrying out the designated process or thread, the processor further lowering the operating system priority of the operating system in question when said designated process or thread is terminated in execution.

15. A computer according to claim 3, wherein if a process or a thread is designated for execution, said processor elevates the operating system priority of the operating system in charge of carrying out the designated process or thread, the processor further lowering the operating system priority of the operating system in question when said designated process or thread is terminated in execution.

16. A computer according to claim 4, wherein if a processor a thread is designated for execution, said processor elevates the operating system priority of the operating system in charge of carrying out the designated process or thread, the processor further lowering the operating system priority of the operating system in question when said designated process or thread is terminated in execution.

6. A data storage medium accommodating:

a plurality of processes or threads;

a plurality of operating systems for performing said plurality of processes or threads and providing notification of a priority of a currently executing process or thread;

a priority translating step of translating task priorities sent from any one of said operating systems into normalized operating system priorities in a range common to said plurality of operating systems; and

a priority comparing step of comparing the normalized operating system priorities obtained by said priority translating step in order to select and execute preferentially the operating system having a normalized operating system priority higher than that of any other operating system.

7. An operating system execution method for selectively executing any one of a plurality of operating systems, said operating system execution method comprising the steps of:

translating priorities of processes or threads to be performed by each of said operating systems into normalized operating system priorities in a range common to said plurality of operating systems; and

comparing the normalized operating system priorities obtained by the priority translating step in order to select and execute preferentially the operating system having a normalized operating system priority higher than that of any other operating system.

8. An operating system execution method according to claim 7, wherein said priority translating step, in translating task priorities specific to each of said operating systems into normalized operating system priorities, translates the task priorities of different operating systems into normalized operating system priorities that differ between said different operating systems.

9. An operating system execution method according to claim 7, wherein said priority translating step, besides translating task priorities of processes or threads to be performed by each of said operating systems into the normalized operating system priorities, translates at least an interrupt handling state, a self-processing state of any operating system, and an idle state into common priorities.

13. An operating system execution method according to claim 8, wherein said priority translating step, besides translating task priorities of processes or threads to be performed by each of said operating systems into the normalized operating system priorities, translates at least an interrupt handling state, a self-processing state of any operating system, and an idle state into common priorities.

10. A computer system having a plurality of operating systems and switching means for switching said plurality of operating systems, each of said operating systems performing a plurality of processes or threads in accordance with task priorities assigned to said processes or threads:

wherein each of said plurality of operating systems further comprises priority translating means for translating the task priorities of said processes or threads performed by the respective operating systems into normalized operating system priorities that are in a range common throughout said computer system, and priority notifying means for notifying said switching means of the normalized operating system priorities obtained by said priority translating means; and

wherein said switching means further comprises priority comparing means for comparing the normalized operating system priorities sent from each of said operating systems in order to select and execute preferentially the operating system having a common priority higher than that of any other operating system.