Management of Software Implemented Services in Processor-Based Devices

• US 20090013157A1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bluestreak Technology (Canada), Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Bluestreak Technology (Canada), Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Inventors: Beaule, Stephane
• Granted Patent: US 8,522,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 712/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5016 the resource being the memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5022 Mechanisms to release resources

Abstract

A service management system for devices with embedded processor systems manages use of memory by programs implementing the services by assigning services to classes and limiting the number of services per class that can be loaded into memory. Classes enable achieving predictable and stable system behavior, defining the services and service classes in a manifest that is downloaded to embedded devices operating on a network, such as a cable or satellite television network, telephone or computer network, and permit a system operator, administrator, or manager to manage the operation of the embedded devices while deploying new services implemented with applications downloaded from the network when the service is requested by a user.

Claims

1. A method managing memory usage by services on a device comprised of an embedded processor and a memory for storing program files and data to be executed and read by the processor, the method comprising:

storing in the memory a manifest specifying a plurality of services available to users of the device, the manifest identifying for each of the plurality of the services at least one application file for executing the service on the embedded processor;

the manifest further identifying for each of the plurality of service a class to which it is assigned and information for determining a maximum number of services for each class permitted to be loaded into the memory at a single time;

upon receiving a request to load a service on the embedded device, determining to which of the plurality of classes the requested service belongs and whether a maximum number of services for the class are loaded in the memory; and

prior to loading into memory the application for the requested service, unloading from the memory an application for a previously loaded service in the class to which the requested service belongs in response to determining that the maximum number of services for the class are loaded in the memory.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises downloading the manifest from a network to which the device is connected.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a master application loaded and executing in memory, and wherein each of the plurality of services is implemented as an applet making calls to the master application.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the manifest specifies an amount of the memory to be allocated for all services.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the manifest further comprises indications of prioritization of the services.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising unloading from the memory the application for the service not in use having the lowest priority when insufficient memory is available for allocation to services.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the manifest specifies an amount of the memory to be allocated for all services,

8. The method of claim 1, wherein application for the requested services is downloaded from a network to which the device is connected after the service is requested.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of services is implemented with an application comprised of a multimedia file, and wherein a multimedia player executing on the embedded device reads and plays the multimedia file.

10. An apparatus comprising,

an embedded processor;

a memory for storing program files and data to be executed and read by the processor;

a manifest stored in the memory including a manifest specifying a plurality of services available to users of the device, the manifest identifying for each of the plurality of the services at least one application file for executing the service on the embedded processor;

the manifest further identifying for each of the plurality of service a class to which it is assigned and information for determining a maximum number of services for each class permitted to be loaded into the memory at a single time; and

program instructions stored in memory for execution by the processor and adapted for responding to a request for a new service made to the apparatus, by

determining to which of the plurality of classes the requested service belongs;

determining whether a maximum number of services for the class of the requested service are loaded in the memory;

prior to loading into memory an application for the requested service, causing unloading from the memory an application for a previously loaded service in the class to which the requested service belongs in response to determining that the maximum number of services for the class are loaded in the memory; and

allocating space in memory for an application for the application for the requested service and causing loading of the application for the requested service.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is connected to a network and wherein the program instructions are adapted for causing downloading the manifest from the network.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the program instructions are comprised of a master application, and wherein the requested service is implemented as an applet making calls to the master application.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the manifest specifies an amount of the memory to be allocated for all services.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the manifest further comprises indications of prioritization of the services.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the program instructions are adapted for unloading from the memory the application for the service not in use having the lowest priority when insufficient memory is available for allocation to services.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the manifest specifies an amount of the memory to be allocated for all services,

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein program instructions are adapted for causing downloading of the application for the requested services from a network to which the apparatus is connected, after the service is requested.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of services is implemented with an application comprised of a multimedia file, and wherein a multimedia player executing on the embedded device reads and plays the multimedia file.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a cable television set top box, a satellite television set top box, and a wireless telephone.

20. A computer readable medium carrying computer instructions for execution by a processor embedded in a device, instructions for adapting the device to respond to a request for a new service made to the device, by

determining to which of a plurality of classes the requested service belongs, the class of the service being determined by reference to a manifest indicating the class to which the requested service belongs;

determining whether a maximum number of services for the class of the requested service are loaded in the memory;

prior to loading into memory an application for the requested service, causing unloading from the memory an application for a previously loaded service in the class to which the requested service belongs in response to determining that the maximum number of services for the class are loaded in the memory; and

causing loading of the application for the requested service.

21. The computer readable medium carrying computer instructions of claim 20, wherein the program instructions are adapted for causing downloading of the manifest from a network to which the device is connected.

22. The computer readable medium carrying computer instructions of claim 20, wherein the program instructions are comprised of a master application, and wherein the requested service is implemented as an applet for making calls to the master application.

23. The computer readable medium carrying computer instructions of claim 22, wherein the manifest specifies an amount of the memory to be allocated for all services.

24. The computer readable medium carrying computer instructions of claim 20, wherein the program instructions are adapted for unloading from the memory the application for the service not in use having the lowest priority when insufficient memory is available for allocation to services, the program instructions being adapted to obtain the prioritizing from the manifest, the manifesting indicating prioritization of the services.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the manifest specifies an amount of the memory to be allocated for all services,

26. The computer readable medium carrying computer instructions of claim 20, wherein program instructions are adapted for causing downloading of the application for the requested services from a network to which the apparatus is connected.

27. The computer readable medium carrying computer instructions of claim 20, wherein the program executions are adapted for assisting with playback of an application for a service implemented as a multimedia file.

28. Apparatus comprising

one or more servers for storing applications for implementing any one of a plurality of services on the at least one embedded device, the applications available for downloading to the at least one embedded device over the network;

at least one embedded device in communication with the server over a network;

the device comprising,

an embedded processor;

a memory for storing program files and data to be executed and read by the processor;

program instructions stored in memory for execution by the processor and adapted for responding to a request for a new service made to the apparatus, by

determining to which of the plurality of classes the requested service belongs using a manifest, the manifest specifying a plurality of services available to users of the device, the manifest identifying for each of the plurality of the services at least one application file for executing the service on the embedded device;

the manifest further identifying for each of the plurality of service a class to which it is assigned and information for determining a maximum number of services for each class permitted to be loaded into the memory at a single time;

determining whether a maximum number of services for the class of the requested service are loaded in the memory;

prior to loading into memory an application for the requested service, causing unloading from the memory an application for a previously loaded service in the class to which the requested service belongs in response to determining that the maximum number of services for the class are loaded in the memory; and

allocating space in memory for an application for the application for the requested service and causing loading of the application for the requested service.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the program instructions are adapted for causing downloading the manifest from the one or more servers.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the program instructions are comprised of a master application, and wherein the applications are comprised of applets making calls to the master application.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the manifest specifies an amount of the memory to be allocated for all services.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the manifest further comprises indications of prioritization of the services, and wherein the program instructions are adapted for unloading from the memory the application for the service not in use having the lowest priority when insufficient memory is available for allocation to services.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the manifest specifies an amount of the memory to be allocated for all services,

34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the program instructions are adapted for causing downloading of the application for the requested services from the at least one or more servers after the service is requested.

35. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein at least one of the plurality of services is implemented with an application comprised of a multimedia file, and wherein a multimedia player executing on the embedded device reads and plays the multimedia file.

36. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a cable television set top box, a satellite television set top box, and a wireless telephone.