Electronic device and method for performing multiple processes with the electronic device

• US 8,938,741 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2005
• Issued: 01/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Original Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Company KG (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Spanke, Dietmar, Maier, Stefan, Link, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): KASENGE, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US11/632,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20080141269A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,486 Days
• Field of Search: 718/100, 718/107, 700/281
• US Class Current: 718/107
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/284 Electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/802 Particular electronic circuits for digital processing equipment

Abstract

An electronic device, and a method for executing a plurality of processes with the electronic device, wherein, in a resource-conserving manner, rapid response times are achievable, in that the electronic device, during operation, executes first and second processes (P1, P2), of which the first processes (P1) are executable as approximate solutions (P1-A) and as detailed calculations (P1-C). The electronic device includes a processor for executing processes (P1, P2) and an electronic unit or a multitasking-capable operating system. The electronic unit includes a component, which recognizes whether the processor is active, and serves, while the processor is active and a simultaneous execution of at least two processes is required, for executing the first processes (P1), in that it, itself, determines the approximate solution (P1-A) and sets such in the place of a detailed calculation (P1-C) determined with the processor.

Claims

1. An electronic device, which, during operation, executes first and second processes (P1, P2), of which first processes (P1) are executable in two forms, approximate-solution (P1-A) and detailed calculation (P1-C), comprising:

a processor for executing processes (P1, P2); and

an electronic unit, which includes a component, via which the electronic unit can direct a corresponding query to the processor and receive a report from the processor back, to recognize whether said processor is active, and which serves for executing first processes (P1) when said processor is active, in which case said electronic unit determines for a first process awaiting execution a relevant approximate solution (P1-A) and sets such in place of a detailed calculation (P1-C) determined with said processor.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said processor is a digital signal processor.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said electronic unit is a microcontroller.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said component includes a communications line, via which said processor is connected with said electronic unit.

5. A method for performing first processes (P1), each executable in two forms, an approximate solution (P1-A) and a detailed calculation (P1-C), and second processes (P2), each executable only in one form, a detailed calculation, in an electronic device comprising:

a processor for executing processes (P1, P2); and

an electronic unit, which includes a component, via which the electronic unit can direct a corresponding query to the processor and receives a report from the processor back to recognizes whether the processor is active;

the method comprising the steps of;

executing sequentially processes to be executed when the processor is free; and

executing first process (P1) in parallel by the electronic unit, in that the electronic unit, in such case, determines for a first process awaiting execution a relevant approximate solution (P1-A) and sets such in place of a detailed calculation (P1-C) determined with the processor.

6. The method for performing first and second processes (P1, P2), as claimed in claim 5, wherein, for processes (P1) executed by way of an approximate solution (P1-A), an estimate of an accuracy of the approximate solution (P1-A) is performed.

7. An electronic device, which, during operation, executes first and second processes (P1, P2), of which first processes (P1) are executable in two forms, an approximate solution (P1-A) and a detailed calculation (P1-C), comprising:

a processor for executing processes (P1, P2);

an electronic unit, which includes a component, via which the electronic unit can direct a corresponding query to the processor and receive a report from the processor back, to recognize whether said processor is active;

a multitasking-capable operating system for executing the processes (P1, P2),

which serves for executing first processes during simultaneous execution of at least two processes, in that, in such case, for a first process, a relevant approximate solution (P1-A) is determined and set in place of a detailed calculation (P1-C).

8. A method for performing first processes (P1), executable in two forms, an approximate solution (P1-A) and a detailed calculation (P1-C), and second processes (P2) executable in only one form, a detailed calculation, in an electronic device comprising:

a processor for executing processes (P1,P2) ; and

an electronic unit, which includes a component, via which the electronic unit can direct a corresponding query to the processor and receive a report from the processor back, to recognize whether said processor is active, the method comprising the steps of;

providing a multitasking-capable operating system for executing the processes (P1, P2), which, to the extent that only one process of any type is queued for execution, executes its detailed calculation; and

to the extent that at least two processes are queued for execution; and

executing first processes (P1), in that it determines for a first process awaiting execution a relevant approximate solution (P1-A) and sets such in the place of a detailed calculation (P1-C).

9. The method for performing first and second processes (P1, P2), as claimed in claim 8, wherein, for processes (P1) executed by way of an approximate solution (P1-A), an estimate of an accuracy of the approximate solution (P1-A) is performed.