Power Efficient Callback Patterns

• US 20130067489A1
• Filed: 09/09/2011
• Published: 03/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Fields, M. David Jr., Ergan, Cenk, Chen, Qiang, Decker, Michael D., Hirve, Kedar Sanjeev, von Koch, Walter V., Weber, Jason J., Sedova, Katerina V., Anderson, Karen Elizabeth Parker
• Granted Patent: US 9,507,650 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 719/314
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/543 Local
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/548 Queue
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications

Abstract

In one or more embodiments, an application program interface (API) is provided and enables an entity, such as an application, script, or other computing object to register to receive callbacks immediately and, without specifying a time constraint. In this approach, the API does not rely on a timer, such as a system timer. Rather, a non-timer based queue, such as a message queue-type approach is utilized. Specifically, callbacks that are registered through this API can be placed on the message queue and work associated with the registered callback can be performed through the normal course of processing messages and events in the message queue. Over time, such results in a callback pattern that allows an associated web browser and applications such as web applications to remain responsive, while increasing performance and power efficiencies.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising;

exposing an interface to enable immediate callbacks;

receiving, using the interface, a call that specifies that immediate callback is desired; and

utilizing a non-timer-based queue to provide an associated immediate callback.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-timer-based queue comprises a message queue.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving comprises receiving a call that does not specify a numerical time value at which the callback is desired.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said utilizing comprises processing one or more events or a display refresh before providing the associated immediate callback.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said immediate callback comprises a JavaScript callback.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said immediate callback comprises a callback associated with browser execution.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said immediate callback comprises a callback that is not associated with browser execution.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising interleaving the set immediate callback with at least one other timer-based callback.

9. One or more computer readable storage media embodying computer readable instructions which, when executed, implement a method comprising:

exposing an interface to enable immediate callbacks;

receiving, using the interface, a call that specifies that immediate callback is desired; and

utilizing a non-timer-based queue to provide an associated immediate callback.

10. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9, wherein the non-timer-based queue comprises a message queue.

11. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9, wherein said receiving comprises receiving a call that does not specify a numerical time value at which the callback is desired.

12. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9, wherein said utilizing comprises processing one or more events or a display refresh before providing the associated immediate callback.

13. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9, wherein said immediate callback comprises a JavaScript callback.

14. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9, wherein said immediate callback comprises a callback associated with browser execution.

15. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9, wherein said immediate callback comprises a callback that is not associated with browser execution.

16. The one or more computer readable storage media of claim 9 further comprising interleaving said set immediate callback with at least one other timer-based callback.

17. One or more computer-readable storage media embodying computer readable instructions embodying:

an application program interface configured to enable a callback to be specified for immediate execution without specifying a numerical value.

18. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 17, wherein the application program interface is configured to enable the callback to be performed without the callback using a timer queue.

19. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 17, wherein the application program interface is configured to enable the callback to be performed utilizing a message queue.

20. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 17, wherein the application program interface is configured to be used in association with browser execution.