Patent ID: 6996821
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for processing tasks in a data processing system including a microprocessor and an instruction cache wherein tasks of various types are defined in the system, each task type having code associated therewith, the tasks being processed by loading the associated code into the instruction cache for execution on the microprocessor, the method comprising: placing tasks of same task type into a batch such that the tasks in a batch are processed before processing a next ordered task; if the code associated with at least one type of task fits within the instruction cache, processing such a task by loading the associated code into the instruction cache and executing the code on the microprocessor, and, on a determination that there is a further task of like type in the batch, executing the loaded code to process the further task; if the code associated with at least one type of task is not capable of being loaded as a whole into the instruction cache, logically dividing the code at one or more break points into two or more portions, and wherein during processing of such a task, responding to a break point defined within a first portion of the code to schedule a further task for future execution of a second portion of the code; wherein the tasks of the same task type use same code in the instruction cache; and wherein the tasks are placed in the batch at the time the tasks are scheduled.