Tokens in token buckets maintained among primary and secondary storages
US7599287B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 11, 2005 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L47/215
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Token buckets are used in a computer or communications system for controlling rates at which corresponding items are processed. The number of tokens in a token bucket identifies the amount of processing that is available for the corresponding item. Instead of storing the value of a token bucket as a single value in a single memory location as traditionally done, the value of a token bucket is stored across multiple storage locations, such as in on-chip storage and in off-chip storage (e.g., in a memory device). An indication (e.g., one or more bits) can also be stored on chip to identify whether or not the off-chip stored value is zero and/or of at least of a certain magnitude such that it may be readily determined whether there are sufficient tokens to process an item without accessing the off-chip storage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.