Embedding a real-time multi-tasking kernel in a non-real-time operating system

Patent 5721922 Issued on February 24, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 24, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventor

Dingwall, Thomas J.

Application

No. 323044 filed on 10/13/1994

US Classes:

718/103, Priority scheduling710/6, Operation scheduling710/20, Concurrent Input/Output processing and data transfer710/36, Input/Output access regulation710/48, Input/Output interrupting710/52, Input/Output data buffering715/500.1, Synchronization of diverse media718/107Multitasking, time sharing

Examiners

Primary: Toplu, Lucien U.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman

International Class

G06F 009/46

Abstract

The invention provides a method and apparatus for embedding a real-time multi-tasking kernel in a non-real-time operating system. Through encapsulating a real-time kernel into the interrupt handling environment of a non-real-time graphical user interface, such as Windows.RTM., the method of the present invention allows for an entire real-time environment to be supported within the graphical user interface. The scheduler of the real-time kernel supports multiple threads of execution all running at higher priority than the graphical user interface tasks. By using synchronization mechanisms of the graphical user interface, e.g. V×D events in enhanced mode Windows.RTM., the real-time tasks are able to make use of system services of the graphical user interface.