Other

Intel Corporation

Thomas E Merrow

Donald F Cameron

Paul R Pierce

Mark J Abel

Steven R Harrison

Robert A Stults

Jane J Laursen

George O Goodman

Jay Trow

An improved method of executing a plurality of computer application programs on a multicomputer is disclosed. The present invention pertains to a task scheduling system in a multicomputer having nodes arranged in a network. The present invention comprises an allocator and scheduler component, which comprises processing logic and data for implementing the task scheduler of the present invention. The allocator and scheduler operates in conjunction with a partition to assign tasks to a plurality of nodes. A partition is an object comprising a plurality of items of information and optionally related processing functions for maintaining a logical environment for the execution of tasks of one or more application programs. Application programs are allowed to execute on one or more nodes of a partition. Moreover, a node may be assigned to more than one partition and more than one application program may be loaded on a single node. The allocator and scheduler provides allocator procedures used by application programs for identifying a node or group of nodes for inclusion in a partition. The allocator and scheduler also provides several data areas for the storage of information relevant to the allocation and scheduling of tasks. These data areas of the allocator and scheduler include a partition data area, an application data area, and a layer data area. The present invention provides a means and method for hierarchically linking application programs, layers, and partitions together to provide an optimal execution environment for the execution of a plurality of tasks in a multicomputer.

Task scheduling in a multicomputer system

Switch connections in a communication network are represented and displayed to a user, enabling the user to provide switch request signals based on the state of the connections. The representation is presented on the display of a workstation, and the user provides a sequence of switch request signals with the workstation's keyboard and mouse. A control procedure executed by the workstation generates a sequence of switch control signals based on the switch request signals. The switch control signals are provided to a switching server that converts them into commands to a switch that, in turn, switches connections between communication devices, such as cameras, monitors and microphones. These devices are positioned in groups, each group with one of the workstations. The representation may include a separate display feature representing each group, each group's display feature being at a separate location. Connections may be represented by lines between the groups that are connected. The control procedure also provides data so that the representation shows the current connections, including update data when connections are switched. This update data is based on a connection data structure in a shared file accessible by all the workstations on a network. A locking file in the same shared file system prevents interference between switch request signals from different users. A user can modify the switch control signal sequence based on a switch request signal sequence by accessing a signal data structure used by the control procedure to generate the switch control signals.

User interface control for communication system

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

Thomas E Merrow