Patent ID: 7971005
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting contention in addressed memory updating in which a memory location having a specific location identifier can be updated substantially simultaneously from a plurality of sources, said method comprising the steps of: (i) utilizing an updating format for the signal or packet carrying out the updating, said format comprising the specific identifier of the memory location to be updated, the content with which said memory location is to be updated, and a resident updating count of the updating source, said count comprising a number indicative of the position of the updating message in the sequence of occasions on which the updating source has been updated inclusive of the current updating; (ii) storing for each receiving memory location the updating count of the previously received updating; (iii) comparing the updating count presently resident at the receiving memory location with the updating count of any currently received updating signal or packet; and (iv) indicating a contention situation if the compared updating counts are the same.