Method and apparatus for controlling and normalizing the desired rate of a visual process across different computing platforms and environments

• US 6,766,463 B1
• Filed: 08/16/2000
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hadley, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): YANCHUS III, PAUL B
• Application Number:
  US09/639,534
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 713/500, 713/502, 713/503, 345/1.1, 345/130, 345/418
• US Class Current: 713/503
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/323 Visualisation of programs or trace data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3419 by assessing time

Abstract

A method and system for controlling and normalizing a rate of a process is described. A hidden process is executed a predetermined number of times as a loop value, and a visual process is executed to complete a cycle. The time to complete a cycle is measured, and an updated loop value is calculated. In a subsequent cycle, the hidden process is executed a number of times equal to the updated loop value so that the visual process is executed at a desired rate normalized across all computing platforms, configuration, and performance environments. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other researcher to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

executing, during a cycle, a hidden process a number of times equal to an initial loop value, the hidden process gathering and processing data;

executing a visual process at an end of the cycle, the visual process displaying results of the hidden process;

measuring the cycle time;

calculating an updated loop value; and

executing a subsequent cycle wherein the hidden process is executed a number of times equal to the updated loop value so that the visual process is executed at a desired visual process rate, the method being capable of adapting to different platforms and/or hardware configurations so as to be executed at an optimal, controlled, and normalized rate.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the updated loop value is calculated by dividing the initial loop value by the product of the cycle time and the desired visual process rate.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a predetermined initial loop value.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a predetermined initial visual process rate.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of continually executing said calculating step for each cycle.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of using in a subsequent cycle an updated loop value as calculated by said calculating step from a previous cycle.

19. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the update loop value is capable of fluctuating with each cycle to maintain an optimum value as events cause the speed of a computer system to vary from cycle to cycle.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the updated loop value converges on a value that causes the visual process rate to converge to a desired value.

7. A set of instructions impressible upon a medium capable of being read by a machine, the set of instructions for causing a machine to implement steps for normalizing a process rate according to the set of instructions, the steps comprising:

executing, during a cycle, a hidden process a number of times equal to an initial loop value, the hidden process gathering and processing data;

executing a visual process at an end of the cycle, the visual process displaying results of the hidden process;

measuring the cycle time;

calculating an updated loop value; and

executing a subsequent cycle wherein the hidden process is executed a number of times equal to the updated loop value so that the visual process is executed at a desired visual process rate, the method being capable of adapting to different platforms and/or hardware configurations so as to be executed at an optimal, controlled, and normalized rate.

8. A set of instructions as claimed in claim 7, wherein the updated loop value is calculated by dividing the initial loop value by the product of the cycle time and the desired visual process rate.

9. A set of instructions as claimed in claim 7, the steps further comprising the step of selecting a predetermined initial loop value.

10. A set of instructions as claimed in claim 7, the steps further comprising the step of selecting a predetermined initial visual process rate.

11. A set of instructions as claimed in claim 7, the steps further comprising the step of continually executing said calculating step for each cycle.

12. A set of instructions as claimed in claim 7, the steps further comprising the step of using in a subsequent cycle an updated loop value as calculated by said calculating step from a previous cycle.

21. A set of instructions as claimed in claim 7, wherein the update loop value is capable of fluctuating with each cycle to maintain an optimum value as events cause the speed of a computer system to vary from cycle to cycle.

22. A set of instructions as claimed in claim 21, wherein the updated loop value converges on a value that causes the visual process rate to converge to a desired value.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

means for executing, during a cycle, a hidden process a number of times equal to an initial loop value, the hidden process gathering and processing data;

means for executing a visual process at an end of the cycle, the visual process displaying results of the hidden process;

means for measuring the cycle time;

means for calculating an updated loop value; and

means for executing a subsequent cycle wherein the hidden process is executed a number of times equal to the updated loop value so that the visual process is executed at a desired visual process rate, the method being capable of adapting to different platforms and/or hardware configurations so as to be executed at an optimal, controlled, and normalized rate.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said calculating means calculates the updated loop value by dividing the initial loop value by the product of the cycle time as measured by said measuring means and the desired visual process rate.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising means for selecting a predetermined initial loop value.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising means for selecting a predetermined initial visual process rate.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, said calculating means continually calculating an updated loop value for each cycle.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein an the updated loop value is used in a subsequent cycle as calculated by said calculating means in a previous cycle.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the update loop value is capable of fluctuating with each cycle to maintain an optimum value as events cause the speed of a computer system to vary from cycle to cycle.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the updated loop value converges on a value that causes the visual process rate to converge to a desired value.