Patent ID: 8091096
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for minimizing repeat instantiation of plug-in DLLs (Dynamically Linked Libraries) during the course of a single user-initiated operation, the method comprising: initiating, by a user, an operation which requires a base driver process; instantiating said base driver process in response to said user-initiated operation; creating a global object responsible for tracking active COM (Component Object Model) objects; loading, by any of said base driver and said global object, a plug-in DLL into memory; in response said plug-in DLL constructing a first COM object, said global object creating a manager thread responsible for said plug-in DLL and providing said manager thread with a pointer to said global object, said pointer enabling said global object to interact with said manager thread about active COM objects being tracked by said global object; tracking, by said global object, COM objects constructed by said plug-in DLL; and freeing said plug-in DLL in response to no COM objects being found active after a predetermined amount of time.