Patent ID: 7490223

Claim:
A method for resource management in a coprocessor, comprising: allocating a first allocation of coprocessor resources to a first master processor; assigning to the first master processor a first count value representing the first allocation of coprocessor resources; adjusting the first count value according to resource requirements of pending operations already sent from the first master processor to the coprocessor, and information provided by the coprocessor regarding coprocessor resources released; sending operations from the first master processor to the coprocessor based on a comparison of the first count value with a first predetermined value, wherein the first count value is adjusted by the resource requirements of operations to be sent from the first master processor to the coprocessor before the comparison is made; wherein the comparison ensures that the first count value is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value; allocating a second allocation of copressor resources to a second master processor; assigning to the second master processor a second count value representing the second allocation to copressor resources; and reassigning resources allocated to the first master processor to the second master processor by decreasing the first count value and increasing the second count value.