The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 05, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 25, 1997
David W. Aucsmith, Portland, OR (US);
Robert C. Knauerhase, Hillsboro, OR (US);
James C. Stanley, Portland, OR (US);
Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for arbitrating access to a shared memory is disclosed. A memory marking unit in the shared memory is read to determine whether the shared memory is currently being accessed by another processor. If the shared memory is not being accessed by another processor, a processor seeking access is granted access. The processor changes the contents of the memory marking unit to lock out other processors from the shared memory. The last task performed on the shared memory space is identified and used to determine whether a task with high priority exists. If a task with high priority exists, the task is performed. If a task with high priority does not exist, the processor having access to the shared memory space accesses the shared memory space for its intended purpose. After the processor is finished accessing the shared memory space, it records the identity of the task performed and unlocks the shared memory space.