Patent ID: 6122713
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for controlling access to a shared memory in a system, the system comprising a host computer system and a communication device comprised in or coupled to the host computer system, wherein the communication device includes the shared memory and wherein the communication device interfaces to an external system, wherein the communication device includes a local processor which executes a communication application, the method comprising:the host computer system examining a semaphore to determine if the shared memory is available, wherein said examining the semaphore is performed to initiate a read of the shared memory;wherein, if the shared memory is determined to be available, the method further comprises:the host computer system reading the shared memory;the host computer system determining if the local processor has written the shared memory during the host reading operation;the host computer system releasing the semaphore indicating completion of the read if the local processor has not written the shared memory during the host reading operation; andthe host reading operation failing in response to determining that the local processor has written the shared memory during the host reading operation.