Controller Process Resumption via State Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information processing apparatuses, when a faster second controller interrupts a first process to perform a higher-priority task before completing the first process, there is an unavoidable waiting time until the first process is restarted, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The second controller determines whether to restart the first process based on conditions related to the data being processed, specifically considering priority and time limitations, allowing for efficient handover and resumption of the first process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the second controller performs a second process with greater priority than a first process after starting the first process and before completing the first process, then the data processing speed is improved, but a waiting time occurs from the suspension of the first process till the restart of the first process
Solution Approach 1:
The first controller performs preliminary actions by saving process information (register values, memory addresses, condition flags) to a storage device before suspending the first process. This preliminary saving of state information enables the process to be resumed quickly without full reinitialization, reducing the waiting time when the process is restarted after the second controller completes the higher-priority second process.
Solution Approach 2:
A storage device acts as an intermediary between the first controller and the process state information. The storage device stores the saved process information when the first controller suspends the first process and provides this information back when the first controller restarts the first process. This intermediary storage mechanism enables efficient context switching and resumption, reducing the overall waiting time while allowing the second controller to execute higher-priority processes.
2Ease of operation
If the first controller suspends the first process to allow the second controller to perform the second process with greater priority, then the responsiveness to high-priority tasks is improved, but the first process experiences delays
Solution Approach 1:
The first controller performs preliminary actions by systematically saving all necessary process state information (register values, memory addresses, condition flags) to the storage device before suspending the first process. This preliminary saving ensures that when the second controller completes the high-priority second process, the first controller can quickly restore the process state and resume execution without significant delays, thus reducing the overall duration impact on the first process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the first controller monitors the completion status of the second process and automatically triggers the resumption of the first process based on predetermined conditions. This feedback-driven approach ensures that the first process is restarted at the optimal moment, balancing the responsiveness to high-priority tasks with minimal disruption to the first process duration.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes three integrated circuits. One of the integrated circuits includes: a first connector configured to connect to a device; and a transmitter. The transmitter is configured to transmit to another integrated circuit, first data on each of a plurality of pieces of packet data. The transmitter is also configured to, when the first connector is connected to the device, while a second controller is performing a second process, transmit, to a first controller, a request to process data transmitted from the device.