Method and apparatus for synchronizing an imprecise time clock maintained by a computer system
US6023769A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/14
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for performing need based synchronization of a time clock maintained by a computer system. A number of computer systems are connected to a network, such as the Internet. Each computer system synchronizes its time clock by accessing a time server via the network. The time server may service a large number of client computer systems for purposes of providing accurate time of day readings and may therefore be subject to substantial loading. Accordingly, in each client system, the time clock is synchronized at least twice, and an amount of drift in the time clock is determined based on the two or more synchronizations. The synchronization interval for future synchronizations of the clock or the specific time of the next synchronization is then determined based upon the amount of drift, such that the time clock of each client computer system is synchronized only when necessary, and such that the loading on the time server is reduced. When the time clock is imprecise relative to that of the time server, the clock may be synchronized by obtaining time readings from a local precision timing routine to quantify network delays associated with accessing the…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.