Abstract Disclosed is apparatus in a computer for selecting the usage of functionally severable parts of the computer, for example, the amount of memory used by a computer having a plurality of memory partitions and an operating program such as the IBM OS/360 supervisor program for determining the allocation and activation of memory space. In the example given the apparatus includes an added register having a plurality of latches linking the ALU output bus to control by enabling or disabling selectively one or more memory partitions in accordance with usage dictated by the operating system program since the register contents are changeable only when the system is in the supervisor state. A meter is coupled to the memories to indicate elapsed time of use of the memory partitions so as to permit charging of a customer based upon usage. The purpose of this abstract is to enable the public and the Patent Office to determine rapidly the subject matter of the technical disclosure of the application. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope thereof.
In a computer system, including an arithmetic logic unit and having a partitioned memory, and further including a supervisor program for determining the number of memory partitions to be used for a given task, apparatus for activating selected memory partitions of said system, said apparatus operable during the supervisor state of said system, said apparatus comprising a control register for activating at least one of said memory partitions said control register being responsive to a signal from the ALU representing a determination by said supervisor program of said number of memory partitions to be used to accomplish said task to change the contents of said register and thereby activate said at least one memory partition, and means for measuring the total time memory partition is used to accomplish said task.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a computer system, including an arithmetic logic unit and having a partitioned memory, and further including a supervisor program for determining the number of memory partitions to be used for a given task, apparatus for activating selected memory partitions of said system, said apparatus operable during the supervisor state of said system, said apparatus comprising a control register for activating at least one of said memory partitions said control register being responsive to a signal from the ALU representing a determination by said supervisor program of said number of memory partitions to be used to accomplish said task to change the contents of said register and thereby activate said at least one memory partition, and means for measuring the total time memory partition is used to accomplish said task.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said memory partitions comprise sequential memories.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sequential memories comprise disc files.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sequential memories comprise magnetic tape units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said memory partitions comprise a plurality of monolithic memories.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said memory partitions comprise a plurality of core memories.