Patent ID: 6385704
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: G10L

Abstract:
A method of operating shared memory in a multiple processor system comprising the steps of:maintaining by default a token with a first processor by writing a token bit in a first register with a second processor, the token enabling access to shared memory; clearing a flag bit in a second register with the first processor to indicate that the first processor has completed access of the shared memory; determining that the second processor requires access to the shared memory; determining that the first processor has completed access of the shared memory by reading the cleared flag bit in the second register with the second processor; transferring the token to the second processor by rewriting the token bit in the first register with the second processor; accessing the shared memory with the second processor; and returning the token from the second processor to the first processor after said step of accessing the shared memory with the second processor by rewriting the token bit in the first register with the second processor.