Computer system memory management
US8140597B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/0253
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The number of CPU cycles required to reclaim object memory space in a memory management process is reduced by using a two phase approach. A data structure exists for each object that is to be loaded into object memory space. One part of the data structure is the object definition. The other part is a MM (Memory Management) immunity annotation or value that controls the frequency with which the object must actually be examined to determine if it is suitable for reclamation. On each iteration of the memory management process, the object's MM immunity value is tested to determine whether it is greater than a predetermined threshold. If greater than the threshold, the value is decremented, but the object is not actually examined for its suitability for removal. If the value equals the threshold, the object itself is examined. If it is found to be suitable, it is removed to reclaim the object memory space it previously occupied, If it is actually examined but is found not to be suitable for removal, the MM immunity value is reset to its original value or is otherwise adjusted to prevent examination of the object for a certain number of future iterations of the memory management process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.