Method and apparatus for enabling control of task execution
US5542088A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4881
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system is disclosed which enables a user of a computer system to have direct control over the priorities assigned to the execution of tasks requested by the user. The user establishes a user tolerance level indicative of the delay the user is willing to tolerate before a task is assigned to background manager. Then whenever a task is requested by the user, a calculation is made to determine whether the task will require more or less time than the user tolerance. If the task requires more time, it is assigned to the control of a background manager, while if it requires less time, it is executed to completion immediately without further instruction from the user. The background manager handles the execution of all background tasks, maintaining the proper order for data consistency, yet allowing the user to rearrange execution priorities when necessary.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.