US 2007/0198720 A1 · Method and apparatus for a interfacing device drivers to a single multi-function adapter

Abstract

Systems which utilize a series of managers to handle resource management. Three types of managers are preferably used, with each manager being in one of two states, active or available. The types of managers are Global Interface Manager (GIM), Resource Manager (RM) and Access Manager (AM). Associated with each device driver for a given function is a GIM. The device driver may be associated with one or more RMs and/or AMs. Among managers of a given type, one is the active manager and all other managers of that specific type are available and work with the active manager to handle resource requests. As there can be RMs for different resources, the active manager concept is applied to the RMs associated with each resource. Mechanisms are present to allow the active manager and related information to be transferred to an available manager if necessary.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method for managing resources utilized by device drivers, the resources being in a multi-function device, the method comprising:

with each device driver, loading a first type manager, the first type manager controlling a lock function;
establishing the first loaded first type manager as active manager and any later loaded first type managers as available managers;
and
the available first type managers cooperating with the active first type manager to manage resources of the multi-function device.

1 more element

A computer readable medium or media having computer-executable instructions stored therein for performing the following method for managing resources utilized by device drivers, the resources being in a multi-function device, the method comprising:

with each device driver, loading a first type manager, the first type manager controlling a lock function;
establishing the first loaded first type manager as active manager and any later loaded first type managers as available managers;
and
the available first type managers cooperating with the active first type manager to manage resources of the multi-function device.

1 more element

A computer system comprising:

a central processing unit;
memory, operatively coupled to the central processing unit, said memory adapted to contain a plurality of device drivers;
a multi-function device containing shared resources and operatively coupled to the central processing unit and the memory;
and
device drivers causing the central processing unit to perform the following method, the method including:
with each device driver, loading a first type manager, the first type manager controlling a lock function;
establishing the first loaded first type manager as active manager and any later loaded first type managers as available managers;
and
the available first type managers cooperating with the active first type manager to manage resources of the multi-function device.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for a interfacing device drivers to a single multi-function adapter

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for a interfacing device drivers to a single multi-function adapter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24