Method for conserving memory storage using a pool of short term memory registers

A software product for controlling a processor having a plurality of general purpose memory registers during the execution of a program in which short term data having a short processing period and long term data having a long processing period are processed, the software product comprising:

• a computer readable storage media comprising:
• code that provides a program having a first address space for addressing short term data and a second address space for address long term data;
• code that directs said processor to define a first plurality of said general purpose registers as a set of pooled registers for storing said short term data;
• code that directs said processor to execute said program;
• code that directs said processor to allocate, responsive to a request from said program for a specified number of pooled registers, at least one of said pooled registers in the set to said first address space;
• code that directs said processor to control, via said program, said at least one allocated pool register for the duration of said short processing period;
• and
• code that directs said processor to terminate program control of said at least one allocated pool register upon the expiration of said short processing period to return said at least one allocated pool register to the set so that at said least one allocated pool register can be re-allocated subsequent to the expiration of said short processing period.

In an audio signal processor for processing audio information, the audio signal processor having general purpose memory registers for storing short term audio data having a short processing period and long term audio data having a long processing period, a method for conserving processor registers comprising the acts of:

• providing a program comprising a first address space for addressing said short term data and a second address space for addressing long term data;
• defining, within said processor, a first plurality of said general purpose registers as a set of pooled registers for storing said short term data;
• executing said program;
• allocating, responsive to a request from said program for a specified number of pooled registers, at least one of said pooled registers to said first address space;
• controlling, via said program, said at least one allocated pool register for the duration of said short processing period;
• terminating program control of said at least one allocated pool register upon the expiration of said short processing period;
• and
• re-pooling said allocated pool register with said pooled registers to return said at least one allocated pool register to the set so that at said least one allocated pool register can be re-allocated subsequent to the expiration of said short processing period.