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Responding to service requests using minimal system-side context in a multiprocessor environment

  • US 5,390,329 A
  • Filed: 07/20/1994
  • Issued: 02/14/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a data processing and handling system having one or more processing units coupled to a multiplicity of sharable components, all operable in conjunction with both a system-side context and a user-side context, for performing data processing and handling tasks in response to service-requesting events which have priority level information associated therewith, and wherein the system has a temporary data storing means including a plurality of separately addressable data storage areas, a method for responding to occurrences of service-requesting events comprising the steps of:

  • designating one of the data storage areas as a zero level storage area having a higher priority level than all remaining data storage areas;

    responding to an occurrence of a service-requesting event by moving service-handling program code having minimal system-side context to said zero level storage area, said minimal system-side context containing information identifying a task associated with said service-requesting event, as well as an assigned priority associated with said service-requesting event;

    suspending a first process in a receiving processing unit whenever said zero level storage area is loaded;

    preserving a minimal system-side context of said first suspended process which is less than an entire context of said suspended first process into said sharable system components in order that said receiving processing unit is ready to handle said minimum system-side context of said service-handling program code;

    determining whether said priority level assigned to said service-requesting event is higher than a priority level assigned to said first suspended process;

    saving said entire context of said first suspended process in order to commence processing of tasks of said service-requesting event in response to a result of said determining step indicating that said priority level assigned to said suspended processing is not higher than said priority level assigned to said service-requesting event; and

    placing a service request indicator in a storage area different from said zero level storage area in response to a result of said determining step indicating that said priority level assigned to said first suspended process is higher than said priority level assigned to said service-requesting event.

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