Method and apparatus for error tracking in a multitasking environment

• US 5,181,204 A
• Filed: 06/27/1990
• Issued: 01/19/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktienbolaget L M Ericsson
• Inventors: Kasman, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): ATKINSON, CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US07/544,413
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 371/16.1, 371/29.1, 371/16.5, 395/575
• US Class Current: 714/45
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0715 in a system implementing multitasking multitasking per se G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0757 by exceeding a time limit, i.e. time-out, e.g. watchdogs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0772 Means for error signaling, e.g. using interrupts, exception flags, dedicated error registers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/326 for error or online/offline status
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/88 Monitoring involving counting

Abstract

An error flag setting arrangement for a multitasking environment requires all of a multiplicity of processes to use the same funtion to set an error flag indicator. Inside of this function, the flag indication is tested prior to setting to a new value. If the flag indication is already set, the function waits a predetermined period of time. In the event that the error indication is not reset within the predetermined period a message describing the current value of error indication is displayed on the screen and the error indication is set to the new value.

Claims

1. A method for setting an error flag comprising the steps of:

setting a timer;

determining whether or not said error flag is presently set;

setting said error flag to a new value if said error flag is not presently set;

determining whether or not said timer is expired if said error flag is not presently set;

displaying the held value of said presently set error flag and resetting the error flag if said timer is expired; and

redetermining whether said error flag remains set if said timer is not expired.

3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein all of said means are included within a personal computer.

4. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein said personal computer is connected to an exchange.

5. The arrangement of claim 4, wherein said computer operates in a system to record and present data regarding traffic within said exchange.

2. An error flag setting arrangement comprising:

means for setting a timer;

means for determining whether or not said error flag is presently set;

means for setting said error flag if said error flag is not presently set;

means for determining whether or not said timer is expired if said error flag is not presently set;

means for displaying the held value of said presently set error flag and resetting the error flag if said timer is expired; and

means for redetermining whether said error flag remains set if said timer is not expired.

6. In a multitasking environment, a system for tracking and monitoring errors comprising:

means for setting a timer;

means for determining whether or not said error flag is presently set;

means for setting said error flag to a new value if said error flag is not presently set;

means for determining whether or not said timer is expired if said error flag is not presently set;

means for displaying the held value of said presently set error flag and resetting said error flag if said timer is expired; and

means for redetermining whether said error flag remains set if said timer is not expired.

7. A system as recited in claim 6, wherein all of said means comprise a computer program within a personal computer.

8. A system as recited in claim 6, wherein said multitasking environment comprises a traffic recording presentation environment.

9. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein said traffic comprises traffic in an exchange.

10. A system as recited in claim 9, wherein said exchange handles digital traffic.

11. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein said exchange also handles analog traffic.