Dynamic Flow Capture Service Card Timeout Management

The patent extracts the timer management functionality from the operating system kernel and relocates it to user space. A timeout array data structure is implemented in the application layer, allowing the program to independently manage timeouts without repeatedly invoking operating system timer functions. This extraction eliminates the overhead of kernel-space timer operations while maintaining reliable timeout functionality.

The program implements its own timeout management mechanism using a timeout array that it maintains and updates independently. Instead of relying on the operating system's timer services, the application self-manages timeout tracking by storing timeout values directly in the timeout array and periodically checking for expired timeouts, thereby serving its own timing needs without external intervention.

The patent merges multiple timer management functions into a single timeout array data structure. Instead of creating individual timer objects for each network flow, the system uses a unified array where each element represents a timeout slot. This consolidation reduces system complexity by eliminating the need to manage numerous separate timer entities while maintaining the capability to monitor high-volume network flows.

The timeout array serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores timeout values for numerous network flows, tracks expiration times, and provides a mechanism for periodic timeout checking. This multi-functional data structure eliminates the need for separate timer infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while supporting high-capacity flow monitoring.