Apparatus and method for controlling the time assignment of the processing power of a data processing system

An optimum utilization of the processing power of a data processing system is made possible by information marking a special processing state assigned to those jobs that can be arbitrarily shifted in the time axis. These jobs are performed by the system after activation by a user's input and until such time as a new user's input is carried out.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the 
time assignment of the processing power of a data processing system for 
optimum utilization of the system, and more particularly to a data 
processing sytem incorporating such an apparatus. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Data processing systems using several microprocessors are already known. In 
such systems, each microprocessor processes a job or a part of the jobs to 
be processed. The distribution of the jobs to the processors is controlled 
by operating programs of the data processing systems in accordance with 
presettable priorities ("Design and Realization of the Rapid, Flexible and 
Error-Tolerant Heidelberger POLYP Polyprocessor" by R. Manner, W. Saaler, 
T. Sauer and P. von Walter, Elektronische Rechenanlagen, Vol. 24, No. 4 
[1982]). 
It is also known to use expensive high-speed components in order to achieve 
the highest possible processing power ("The Cray 1 Computer System", R. M. 
Russel, CACM, Vol. 21, pp. 63-70, [January 1987]). 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An objective of the invention is to provide a process for controlling of 
the time assignment of the processing power of a data processing system 
for the optimum distribution of jobs to the system. 
A further objective is to provide a data processing system suitable for 
carrying out this process. 
The present invention contemplates a method wherein a specific processing 
state is assigned to those jobs which can be arbitrarily shifted in time 
and wherein to handle such jobs, the data processing system can be 
activated by a user input to perform jobs having the specific processing 
state until a new user input occurs. 
A data processing system for carrying out the method includes a program 
memory and a computer unit which are interconnected by a system bus, and a 
status register connected to an input unit and to the system bus and 
serving to activate or deactivate the computer unit for executing 
specifically marked jobs. 
The advantages achievable by means of the invention consist particularly in 
that it is possible to be able to decide between jobs whose execution is 
absolutely necessary immediately, or whose processing can be carried out 
at an arbitrary later time, when the data processing system is not in 
great demand. For this, in a special processing state of the data 
processing system, which can be activated, for example, by an operator by 
the input of an instruction or by starting an algorithm evaluating the 
workload of the data processing system or by the activation of the main 
switch of the power supply, such time-shiftable jobs are processed until a 
new input takes place. 
Thus, the data processing system has a greater processing power available 
for the processing of urgent jobs, since less urgent jobs are deferred to 
quiet periods. An exemplifying embodiment will be explained below with 
reference to the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
A data processing system, as shown in the figure, contains a program memory 
21, a computer unit, consisting of a microprocessor 22, disk storage 23, 
diskette storage 24, and a system bus 29 connecting the above-mentioned 
parts. A terminal 25 including a conventional keyboard and video display 
unit and a printer 26 are also connected with the system bus 29. 
According to the invention, an input unit 28, in this case a main switch 28 
for the power supply of the data processing system, is connected with a 
status register 1, in this case a D flip-flop. The status register 1 is 
connected via a control line 2 with the system bus 29 and with power 
supply units for the program memory 21, the processor 22, disk storage 23 
and diskette storage 24, the terminal 25 and the printer 26. A power 
supply unit includes a control path, i.e., a D flip-flop 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 
8, whose set input S is connected with the control line 2 and whose data 
input D is connected with the system bus 29. The outputs of the D 
flip-flops 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are connected via power amplifier stages 9, 
10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, respectively, with switching units 15, 16, 17, 18, 
19 and 20 of the power supply unit. The switching units connect or 
disconnect a power source 27 from the program memory 21, the 
microprocessor 22, the disk storage 23, the diskette storage 24, the 
terminal 25 and the printer 26. In this process, it is possible to connect 
or disconnect each previously-mentioned part of the data processing system 
in itself from the power source. The switching units 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 
20 are made up of relays. 
In the operating program, the programs to be processed, and parts of the 
process data are stored in the program memory 21 of the data processing 
system. The microprocessor 22 carries out the programs stored in the 
program memory 21. The disk storage 23 and the diskette storage 24 serve 
as external bulk storage units for additional programs and data. 
To explain the process according to the invention, it is assumed that the 
status register 1 is always supplied with power. 
To control the time assignment of processing power of the data processing 
system for the optimal distribution of jobs in the time axis, all those 
jobs which can be arbitrarily shifted in time are assigned and marked with 
a specific processing state. Such jobs are, for example, the updating or 
optimization of the management of data bases. It also includes the 
processing of extremely time-consuming jobs, which are separated out of 
the direct program flow in which the computer results are produced, and 
which are managed as independent jobs in the data processing system. 
In normal operation, the power supply of the data processing system is 
first switched on by the activation of the main switch 28 by a user. The 
input "activation of the main switch" results in the status register 1 
taking on the status "FALSE", as a result of which, controlled by the 
control line 2, the power supply unit 27 supplies all parts of the data 
processing system with power for normal operation. In normal operation, 
all jobs that are not specially marked and absolutely necessary computer 
operations are processed. 
When the user has had his urgent jobs processed, it is signalled by 
activation of the main switch 28 of the data processing system that its 
processing power is no longer needed for the moment. 
With the activation of the main switch 28, the status register 1 changes 
over to the "TRUE" status. This results in an interrupt request to the 
microprocessor 22. The latter checks the status of the status register 1 
and, on the basis of the existing status "TRUE", only those jobs showing a 
special marking are now processed under the control of the operating 
program. This processing can thus be carried out preferably during such 
periods when the user is not present for extended periods, such as, for 
example, at night, on holidays and Sundays. 
During the processing of these jobs, under the control of the 
microprocessor 22, all parts of the data processing system that are not 
required, such as the terminal 25 and printer 26, can be separated via the 
power supply units. 
If a new input is carried out by the user, i.e., an activation of the main 
switch 28, then the status register 1 again takes on the status "FALSE", 
as a result of which there is again a switchover to normal operation via 
an interrupt request to the processor. At the same time, all parts of the 
data processing system are switched on via the power supply units. 
In this way, jobs adjusted to the individual requirements of a user can be 
arbitrarily shifted in time in order to achieve the optimum possible 
utilization of the data processing system. 
Instead of the activation of the main switch by the user, it is, of course, 
also possible to carry out any arbitrarily presettable input via the 
terminal.