Multi-tasking software architecture

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer program product comprising semaphore means for stalling a first task until one of a predetermined set of events occurs. The computer program product comprises specific message files associated with said first task for receiving data to be processed by the first task. The occurrence of one of said set of predetermined events causes a piece of data to be written in one of the associated messages files. The computer program in accordance with the invention can be implemented by using any operating system having basic synchronization tools. Such synchronization tools include semaphore means for causing a task to be waiting for a unique event such as the release of the semaphore by another task. They also include blocking mechanisms for temporarily blocking “interruptions” coming from interruption handlers during data writing (message reception) in the message files associated with the first task. The invention, in effect, provides an equivalent to the “select mechanism” but uses only very basic synchronization tools so as to be suitable for embedded systems.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.