Embedding a real-time multi-tasking kernel in a non-real-time operating system

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: creating real-time tasks to handle communication or natural data types captured or processed for a playback; and scheduling said real-time tasks, said scheduling performed by said real-time scheduler in said V×D environment.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of causing a processor to switch from executing in a virtual machine to a V×D interrupt mode, said step performed by a virtual machine manager.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 wherein said signal comprises a hardware interrupt indicating an audio/video capture.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 wherein said signal comprises a graphic user interface application call to indicate an audio/video playback.

Claim 7

The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of: entering said V×D environment; executing a real-time interrupt handler in said V×D environment in a V×D interrupt mode; entering V×D event mode and executing said real-time event; and returning to said virtual machine manager and resuming normal operation in said virtual machine.

Claim 8

The method of claim 6 wherein said step of executing said real-time interrupt handler further comprises the steps of: calling said real-time interrupt handler; enabling a scheduling lock to prevent said real-time scheduler from switching tasks; scheduling said real-time event with said virtual machine manager to process said real-time tasks in said V×D event mode; and processing rescheduling to cause all ready real-time tasks to be executed over lower priority idle task.

Claim 9

The method of claim 6 wherein said step of entering V×D event mode further comprises the steps of: unlocking said scheduling lock; preempting said idle task; and executing said real-time tasks made ready by said V×D interrupt handler.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a virtual machine manager for causing a processor to switch from executing in a virtual machine to a V×D interrupt mode.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a hardware interrupt for indicating an audio/video capture, signaling said virtual machine manager to cause said processor to switch from executing in said virtual machine mode to said V×D interrupt mode.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a graphic user interface application call for indicating an audio/video playback, signaling said virtual machine manager to cause said processor to switch from executing in said virtual machine mode to said V×D interrupt mode.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a real-time interrupt handler for calling said real-time task, enabling a scheduling lock to prevent said real-time scheduler from switching tasks, scheduling said real-time event with said virtual machine manager to process said real-time tasks in said V×D event mode, making said real-time tasks ready for execution, and processing rescheduling to cause all ready real-time tasks to be executed over lower priority idle task.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said virtual machine manager invokes V×D event mode for unlocking said scheduling lock, preempting said idle task, and executing said real-time tasks called by said real-time interrupt handler.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: means for creating real-time tasks to handle communication or natural data types captured or processed for a playback; and means for scheduling said real-time tasks, said scheduling performed by said real-time scheduler in said V×D environment.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means for causing a processor to switch from executing in a virtual machine to a V×D interrupt mode, said means performed by a virtual machine manager.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said signal comprises a hardware interrupt to indicate an audio/video capture.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said signal comprises a graphic user interface application call to indicate an audio/video playback.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising: means for entering said V×D environment; means for executing a real-time interrupt handler in said V×D environment in a V×D interrupt mode; means for entering V×D event mode and executing said real-time event; and means for returning to virtual machine manager and resuming normal operation in said virtual machine.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein means for executing a real-time interrupt handler further comprises: means for calling said real-time interrupt handler; means for enabling a scheduling lock to prevent said real-time scheduler from switching tasks; means for scheduling said real-time event with a virtual machine manager to process said real-time tasks in said V×D event mode; and means for processing rescheduling to cause all ready real-time tasks to be executed over currently executing idle task.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein means for entering V×D event mode further comprises: means for unlocking said scheduling lock, preempting said idle task; and means for executing said real-time tasks made ready by said real-time interrupt handler.

Claim 26

A computer system for processing natural data type information, including audio and video data, without allowing other operations from preempting said processing until said processing is completed, said system comprising: a storage element including, a real-time interrupt handler for disabling a real-time scheduler from executing a plurality of real-time tasks in a V×D interrupt mode of a V×D environment while said real-time interrupt handler invokes said plurality of real-time tasks, said plurality of real-time tasks being invoked for execution in a V×D event mode of said V×D environment, said real-time interrupt handler invoked in response to a signal received indicating that natural data type information are to be processed, said signal interrupting normal processing in a virtual machine mode and switching to processing in said V×D interrupt mode, said plurality of real-time tasks for processing said natural data type information, said plurality of real-time tasks being invoked in said V×D interrupt mode by said real-time interrupt handler and coupled to said real-time interrupt handler, a real-time event for enabling said disabled real-time scheduler for executing said plurality of real-time tasks in a V×D event mode of said V×D environment, said real-time event coupled to said plurality of real-time tasks, and said real-time scheduler for executing said plurality of real-time tasks in said V×D event mode when enabled, said real-time scheduler coupled to said real-time event; and a processor for driving said real-time interrupt handler and said real-time scheduler.

Claim 27

A computer system for processing natural data type information, including audio and video data, without allowing other operations from preempting said processing until said processing is completed, said system comprising: a storage element including, a real-time interrupt handler for disabling a real-time scheduler from executing a plurality of real-time tasks in a V×D interrupt mode of a V×D environment while said real-time interrupt handler invokes said plurality of real-time tasks, said plurality of real-time tasks being invoked for execution in a V×D event mode of said V×D environment, said real-time interrupt handler invoked in response to a signal received indicating that natural data type information are to be processed, said signal interrupting normal processing in a virtual machine mode and switching to processing in said V×D interrupt mode, said plurality of real-time tasks for processing said natural data type information, said plurality of real-time tasks being invoked in said V×D interrupt mode by said real-time interrupt handler and coupled to said real-time interrupt handler, a real-time event for enabling said disabled real-time scheduler for executing said plurality of real-time tasks in a V×D event mode of said V×D environment, said real-time event coupled to said plurality of real-time tasks, and said real-time scheduler for executing said plurality of real-time tasks in said V×D event mode when enabled, said real-time scheduler coupled to said real-time event; and a processor for driving said real-time interrupt handler and said real-time scheduler.

Claim 28

The system of claim 23 further comprising a virtual machine manager for causing a processor to switch from executing in a virtual machine to a V×D interrupt mode.

Claim 29

The system of claim 24 further comprising a hardware interrupt for indicating an audio/video capture, signaling said virtual machine manager to cause said processor to switch from executing in said virtual machine mode to said V×D interrupt mode.

Claim 30

The system of claim 24 further comprising a graphic user interface application call for indicating an audio/video playback, signaling said virtual machine manager to cause said processor to switch from executing in said virtual machine mode to said V×D interrupt mode.

Claim 31

The system of claim 24 further comprising a real-time interrupt handler for calling said real-time task, enabling a scheduling lock to prevent said real-time scheduler from switching tasks, scheduling said real-time event with a virtual machine manager to process said real-time tasks in said V×D event mode, making said real-time tasks ready for execution, and processing rescheduling to cause all ready real-time tasks to be executed over lower priority idle task.

Claim 32

The system of claim 24 wherein said virtual machine manager invokes V×D event mode for unlocking said scheduling lock, preempting said idle task, and executing said real-time tasks called by said V×D interrupt handler.

Claim 35

The system of claim 29 further comprising: means for creating real-time tasks to handle communication or natural data types captured or processed for a playback; and means for scheduling said real-time tasks, said scheduling performed by said real-time scheduler in said V×D environment.

Claim 36

The system of claim 29 further comprising means for causing a processor to switch from executing in a virtual machine to a V×D interrupt mode, said means performed by a virtual machine manager.

Claim 37

The system of claim 31 further comprising means for performing a hardware interrupt to indicate an audio/video capture.

Claim 38

The system of claim 31 further comprising means for performing a graphic user interface application call to indicate an audio/video playback.

Claim 39

The system of claim 31 further comprising: means for entering said V×D environment; means for executing a real-time interrupt handler in said V×D environment in a V×D interrupt mode; means for entering V×D event mode and executing said real-time event; and means for returning to said virtual machine manager and resuming normal operation in said virtual machine.

Claim 40

The system of claim 34 wherein said means for executing a real-time interrupt handler further comprises: means for calling said real-time interrupt handler; means for enabling a scheduling lock to prevent said real-time scheduler from switching tasks; means for scheduling said real-time event with a virtual machine manager to process said real-time tasks in said V×D event mode; and means for processing rescheduling to cause all ready real-time tasks to be executed over lower priority idle task.

Claim 41

The system of claim 34 wherein said means for entering V×D event mode further comprises: means for unlocking said scheduling lock, preempting said idle task; and means for executing said real-time tasks made ready by said V×D interrupt handler.