Patent ID: 7461283
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of maintaining accuracy in a system of dynamic timers within an electronic operating system utilizing a skip counter timing device operatively integrated into said operating system which, among other things, provides a skip time set value and receives a conditional timer interrupt signal, wherein: said timing device comprises the primary components of: a hardware system timer, configured to receive a reference clock signal and to generate a periodic timer interrupt signal as an output; a skip counter, including a countdown register, configured to receive said periodic timer interrupt signal and said skip time set value, which, upon receipt, is stored in said countdown register as a countdown value, which is decremented by one upon receipt by said skip counter of each subsequent said periodic timer interrupt signal; and further configured to generate, as an output, a conditional enabling signal upon the reduction of said countdown value to zero (0); and a signal gate configured to also receive said periodic timer interrupt and said conditional enabling signal and, upon receipt of said enabling signal, to pass said periodic timer interrupt signal through said signal gate, to emerge, as an output of said gate, as said conditional timer interrupt signal; said method comprising the steps of: generating said system of dynamic timers, comprising: a first expiring dynamic timer; and remaining dynamic timers; calculating a first skip time set value associated with said first expiring dynamic timer; sending said first skip time set value to said timing device as a first countdown value; receiving from said timing device a first conditional timer interrupt signal associated with said first countdown value; associating said first conditional timer interrupt signal with said first expiring dynamic timer for use by said operating system; adjusting remaining times of said remaining dynamic timers based on said first skip time set value; determining a next expiring dynamic timer within said system of dynamic timers; and repeating said method beginning with the second step above for said next expiring dynamic timer.