Interprocess communication using a single semaphore
US8429144B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 2010 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/52
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method to enable communication between software processes includes initiating a plurality of processes, the processes including both attachment processes and target processes. A single semaphore is created and initialized for use by the plurality of processes such that each of the target processes wait on the semaphore. An attachment process writes a message file, identifying a specific target process, to a location accessible by the target processes. The attachment process then increments the semaphore by the number of target processes, thereby unblocking the target processes and allowing them to check the message file. When the specific target process determines that the message file is intended for that target, a connection is established between the attachment process and the specific target process. The attachment process then decrements the semaphore to zero to block the target processes. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also disclosed herein.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.