Method and system in a data processing system for the dedication of memory ...

(12) United States Patent

Yarborough

US006226725B1

(io) Patent No.: US 6,226,725 Bl (45) Date of Patent: May 1,2001

(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM IN A DATA
PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR THE
DEDICATION OF MEMORY STORAGE
LOCATIONS

(76) Inventor: Joel Mark Yarborough, 111 S.

Knightsbridge Rd., Cary, NC (US)
27513

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/063,913

(22) Filed: Apr. 21, 1998

(51) Int. C I. G06F 12/08

(52) U.S. CI 711/170; 711/202

(58) Field of Search 711/154, 202,

711/203, 170

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,159,678 10/1992 Wengelski et al 395/425

5,239,643 * 8/1993 Blount et al 707/102

5,375,084 12/1994 Begun et al 365/63

5,557,740 9/1996 Johnson et al 395/183.14

5,623,696 4/1997 Johnson et al 395/681

5,629,880 5/1997 Negishi 364/579

5,659,798 8/1997 Blumrich et al 395/846

5,675,790 10/1997 Walls 395/621

6,128,713 * 10/2000 Eisler et al 711/159

* cited by examiner

Primary Examiner—Kevin L. Ellis

(57) ABSTRACT

A method and system in a data processing system are disclosed for the dedication of memory storage locations. The data processing system includes a kernel space for executing software in kernel mode and a user space for executing software in user mode. An interface is established residing in the kernel space for interfacing between the kernel mode and the user mode. A determination is made that an application residing in user space is accessing the interface. In response to the application accessing the interface, a portion of main memory is dedicated for use by the application. The portion of main memory is used only by the application. In this manner, the application has dedicated the portion of main memory from user space.

14 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets