Patent ID: 7647455
Filing Date: 2010-01-12
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A product comprising at least one computer-readable medium that stores a program that when executed is operative in implementing a method allowing a computer to process an access request to access a recording medium from an application, the method comprising: setting a priority unique to the access request from the application or permission information indicating whether or not processing on the access request from the application is permitted, the priority and the permission information each being indicative of a preference for processing the access request over another access request to access the recording medium, wherein the setting of the priority or the permission information (i) is performed for each access request that is directed to the recording medium, (ii) is independent of a priority setting function that is applicable to the application accessing resources other than the recording medium, such that the setting of the priority or permission information does not influence priority setting for the use, associated with execution of the application, of resources other than the recording medium, the resources other than the recording medium including random access memory, and (iii) is capable of being performed for each of at least two access requests that are from respective applications and that request access to a common volume of the recording medium, and wherein the setting of the priority or the permission information includes storing data that corresponds to and is distinct from the access request and that represents the priority of the access request; storing the access request provided with the priority or the permission information in a queue; and processing the access request stored in the queue in an order relative to other access requests stored in the queue according to the priority or the permission information, such that the access request is processed to access the storage medium prior to another of the other access requests stored in the queue prior to the storing of the access request.