Patent ID: 6148309
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
In a computer application having a counter for setting first and second counter values in respect of first and second objects respectively, said counter having a range of n possible values and being incremented or decremented in accordance with update criterion,said application taking an action according to a decision criterion that includes the stipulation that the first counter value is larger or equal to the second counter value;a method for handling a counter overflow event whereby the counter is incremented beyond said range, the method comprising the steps of:(i) compacting the first and second counter values to m values (m<n) so as to constitute first and second compacted counter values respectively; such that if the first counter value is larger than or equal to the second counter value then the compacted first value is not smaller than the compacted second value; and(ii) setting the counter to a value from among n-m values within said range, whereby substantially n-m counter values are released.