System and method for real-time control of hardware in a multiprocessing environment
First Claim
1. A hardware resource manager for providing real-time control over a limited hardware resource in a computer system capable of running asynchronous application programs, comprising:
- a shared memory buffer residing within said computer system for storing command and data information from one of said application programs, and a semaphore mechanism for restricting access to said shared memory buffer to one said application program at a time, said application program residing within said computer system; and
a resource daemon residing within said computer system for receiving command and data information from said shared memory buffer, and for interpreting and processing said command and data information to control operation of said limited hardware resource within said computer system.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hardware resource manager for real-time control of a hardware resource in a multiprocessing environment is disclosed. The hardware resource manager performs control and management functions for a limited hardware resource that can be accessed by multiple asynchronous application programs in order to achieve real-time response by the limited hardware resource. The hardware resource manager of the present invention comprises a shared memory buffer and a resource daemon. The shared memory buffer provides for semaphore locking capability so that only one application program may control the hardware resource manager at a time, and virtual memory capability for storing data and command information from the application programs. The resource daemon provides interpretation and processing capability for controlling the limited hardware resource via the data and command information received from the shared memory buffer. In addition, the daemon provides operational functionality that is matched to the type of limited hardware resource with which the hardware resource manager is associated, such as audio hardware or texture mapping hardware.
68 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A hardware resource manager for providing real-time control over a limited hardware resource in a computer system capable of running asynchronous application programs, comprising:
-
a shared memory buffer residing within said computer system for storing command and data information from one of said application programs, and a semaphore mechanism for restricting access to said shared memory buffer to one said application program at a time, said application program residing within said computer system; and a resource daemon residing within said computer system for receiving command and data information from said shared memory buffer, and for interpreting and processing said command and data information to control operation of said limited hardware resource within said computer system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for providing real-time control over a limited hardware resource in a computer system capable of running multiple, asynchronous application programs, said method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving command and data information from said application program residing within said computer system; storing said command and data information in a shared memory buffer residing within said computer system; transferring said command and data information from said shared memory buffer to a resource daemon residing within said computer system; interpreting said command information into executable instructions by said resource daemon for enabling real-time control of said limited hardware resource within said computer system; and processing said instructions by said resource daemon, including providing said limited hardware resource with said data information as needed for operation of said limited hardware resource; whereby each of said application programs is able to control operation of said limited hardware resource within said computer system in substantially real-time fashion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A computer program for providing real-time control over a limited hardware resource in a computer system capable of running asynchronous application programs, said computer program comprising:
-
shared memory buffer means residing within said computer system for storing command and data information from one of said application programs, and a semaphore mechanism for restricting access to said shared memory buffer to one of said application programs at a time, said application program located within said computer system; and resource deamon means located within said computer system for receiving command and data information from said shared memory buffer means, and for interpreting and processing said command and data information to control operation of said limited hardware resource within said computer system.
-
Specification