US 6,148,322 AGranted

Processing unit with an improved ability to coordinate the execution of multiple tasks with varying priorities

AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft

InventorsManfred Sand, Georg Trummer

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Abstract

The present invention provides a processing unit with an improved ability to coordinate the execution of multiple tasks with varying priorities. Tasks to be executed are assigned both a request condition and a terminating condition, with the processing unit initiating execution of the task with the highest priority whose request condition is satisfied. In general, the processing unit terminates an executing task once the terminating condition of that task is satisfied, and then initiates execution of the next highest-priority task with a satisfied request condition. However, the processing unit may abort execution of a task (other than the highest-priority task) if the request condition of a higher-priority task becomes satisfied. Moreover, the processing unit ensures the highest-priority task does not monopolize system resources by tracking the elapsed execution time and terminating the highest-priority task if this elapsed time exceeds a predetermined maximum, in which case the processing unit initiates execution of the next highest priority task with a satisfied request condition.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A processing unit for controlling the serial execution of a plurality of tasks, each of which is associated with an execution priority such that said plurality of tasks comprises a high-priority task, a low priority task, and one or more additional tasks with respective priorities between said high-priority task and said low-priority task, said high-priority task and said one or more additional tasks each having associated therewith a respective request condition and termination condition, and said low-priority task being always executable, wherein said processing unit controls the execution of said plurality of tasks by:

terminating a currently-executing task upon a satisfaction of the terminating condition associated with said currently-executing task, and initiating a task having a next highest priority, a satisfied request condition, and an unsatisfied terminating condition;
aborting a currently-executing task, other than said high-priority task, upon detection of a satisfied request condition for a task having a higher priority than said currently-executing task, and initiating said higher priority task;
after said high-priority task fails to release said processing unit and without an external manual intervention, automatically aborting said high-priority task if an elapsed execution time for said high-priority task exceeds a predetermined maximum processing time, regardless of whether the terminating condition for said high-priority task has been satisfied, and initiating a task having a next highest priority, a satisfied request condition, and an unsatisfied terminating condition;
and
resuming execution of the aborted high-priority task after a deactivation time has elapsed.

2 more elements

An automation system for a technical process, said automation system comprising a processing unit for controlling execution of a plurality of tasks with varying priorities, said plurality of tasks including a high-priority task, a low-priority task that is always executable, and one or more additional tasks having respective priorities between said high-priority task and said low-priority task, said high-priority task and said one or more additional tasks also having a respective request condition and terminating condition, said processing unit comprising:

means for terminating a currently-executing task upon satisfaction of the terminating condition for said currently-executing task, and initiating a task having a next highest priority, a satisfied request condition, and an unsatisfied terminating condition;
means for aborting a currently-executing task, other than said high-priority task, in favor of a task having a higher priority than said currently-executing task and a satisfied request condition;
means for aborting said high-priority task if an elapsed execution time for said high-priority task exceeds a maximum processing time, regardless of whether the terminating condition for said high-priority task has been satisfied, in favor of a task having a next highest priority, a satisfied request condition, and an unsatisfied terminating condition, said high-priority task being automatically aborted after said high-priority task fails to release said processing unit and without an external manual intervention;
and
means for resuming execution of the aborted high-priority task after a deactivation time has elapsed.

2 more elements

A method for controlling the serial execution of a plurality of tasks in a processing unit, said method comprising:

assigning an execution priority to each of said plurality of tasks, such that said plurality of tasks comprises a high-priority task, a low-priority task, and one or more additional tasks with respective priorities between said high-priority task and said low-priority task;
assigning a respective request condition and terminating condition to said high-priority task and said one or more additional tasks;
identifying a set of said plurality of tasks having a satisfied request condition and an unsatisfied terminating condition, and initiating a member of said set of tasks having a highest priority;
terminating a currently-executing task upon satisfaction of its terminating condition, and initiating a task having a next highest priority, a satisfied request condition, and an unsatisfied terminating condition;
after said high-priority task fails to release said processing unit and without an external manual intervention, automatically aborting a currently-executing task, other than said high-priority task, upon identification of a task having a higher priority than said currently-executing task and a satisfied request condition, and initiating said higher priority task;
aborting said high-priority task if an elapsed execution time for said high-priority task exceeds a predetermined maximum processing time, regardless of whether the terminating condition for said high-priority task has been satisfied, and initiating a task having a next highest priority, a satisfied request condition, and an unsatisfied terminating condition;
and
resuming execution of the aborted high-priority task after a deactivation time has elapsed.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.