Patent ID: 8205203

Claim:
A method for managing performance of tasks in threads associated with at least one processor, comprising the steps of: executing one or more units of a first task type, wherein the step of executing the one or more units of the first task type is performed by the processor within a first thread; maintaining a count of the one or more units of the first task type executed, the count representing one or more credits accumulated by the processor for executing the one or more units of a first task type; executing one or more units of a second task type, wherein the step of executing the one or more units of the second task type is performed by the processor within a second thread, wherein the first and second task types are different; during execution of the one or more units of a second task type, receiving a request to execute at least one further unit of the first task type; checking the amount of credits in the count; when it is determined that there is sufficient credit in the count, foregoing the request to execute the at least one further unit of the first task type and continuing to execute the one or more units of the second task type; and when it is determined that there is insufficient credit in the count, executing the at least one further unit of the first task type.