Patent ID: 8683074

Claim:
A method implemented at least in part by a computer, the method comprising: receiving a streaming event; if the streaming event is a time only event, then performing a first set of actions, comprising: determining a first set of stream operators that have indicated interest in receiving the time only event, and sending an indication of the time only event to each of the stream operators of the first set when the first set includes at least one stream operator; if the streaming event is not a time only event, then performing a second set of actions, comprising: determining a second set of stream operators that are to receive stream data corresponding to the streaming event, and sending the stream data to each of the stream operators of the second set when the second set includes at least one stream operator; and if the streaming event is or is not a time only event, performing additional actions, comprising: receiving output data from at least one of the stream operators to which the indication of the time only event or the stream data was sent, the at least one of the stream operators being configured to operate on the indication of the time only event or the stream data to generate the output data, and obtaining an indication from each stream operator to which the indication of the time only event or the stream data was sent whether the stream operator is now disposable.