Circular Counter Queue Layout for Ordered Low-Power SoC Timing

The patent segments the counter management into a circular buffer structure with sequential read and write pointers. Instead of managing all counters simultaneously through heap queue techniques, the system processes counters in a segmented, sequential manner through the circular buffer, reducing the active state space and thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining the ability to handle large quantities of counters.

The patent implements periodic action through the circular buffer mechanism where read and write pointers cycle through the buffer in a periodic manner. This periodic processing allows the system to manage counters in batches rather than continuously, reducing the cumulative power consumption associated with maintaining heap queue structures while still processing all counters in order.

The patent segments counter processing into sequential segments through the circular buffer structure. Each segment corresponds to a position in the circular buffer, and the sequential access pattern through the buffer ensures that counters are processed in the order they were added, maintaining temporal ordering while still supporting large quantities of counters through the cyclic segmentation mechanism.

The patent ensures continuity of useful action through the circular buffer's sequential processing mechanism. The read and write pointers continuously cycle through the buffer in a deterministic manner, maintaining continuous progress through the counter list while preserving processing order. This continuous sequential action eliminates the unordered processing inherent in heap queue approaches.

The patent applies dynamics by making the counter processing state changeable and adaptive. The circular buffer mechanism allows the system to dynamically transition between different processing states (reading, writing, cycling through buffer positions) rather than maintaining a static active state for all counters. This dynamic state management enables parallel processing capability while significantly reducing power consumption by activating only the necessary processing logic at each moment.

The patent uses periodic action to process counters in cyclic batches through the circular buffer. Instead of all counters being simultaneously active, the system periodically cycles through the buffer positions, activating processing logic only for the current buffer position being read or written. This periodic activation maintains productivity through continuous cycling while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to simultaneous processing of all counters.