Patent ID: 9213660
Filing Date: 2015-12-15
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for processing data, said apparatus comprising: a master device configured to initiate messages; a slave device configured to respond to messages received from said master device; and communication circuitry configured to provide communication of messages between said master device and said slave device; wherein said slave device is associated with a predetermined number permission tokens, said predetermined number of permission tokens being equal to a maximum number of concurrently pending messages that can be accepted for processing from said communication circuitry by said slave device under control of said permission tokens; said slave device is configured to transmit said permission tokens to said master device via said communication circuitry; said master device is configured to take exclusive temporary possession of a permission token received via said communication circuitry such that said permission token is no longer available for possession by any other master device; said master device is configured to initiate a message to said slave device only when said master device has said exclusive temporary possession of said permission token; and said master device is configured to relinquish said exclusive temporary possession of said permission token after said message has been completed.