US6144965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Performing memory management in an object-oriented programming environment
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1997-09-24
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Granted: 2000-11-07
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Expires: 2017-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus to perform memory management in an object oriented programming environment. Specifically, a first object, an associated count object and a first reference pointer to the first object are created. The count object includes a reference counter that is incremented when the first reference pointer to the first object is copied. Alternatively, a first object and an associated pointer list are created. Each entry in the pointer list includes a pointer to a previous pointer list entry and a pointer to a next pointer list entry.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Oliver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F12/00; G06F12/02; G06F12/0223; G06F12/023; G06F12/0253; G06F12/0261; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99942; Y10S707/99943; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A computer-implemented method for performing memory management in an object-oriented programming environment, the computer-implemented method comprising: creating a first object; creating a count object associated with the first object, the count object including a reference counter and the count object being distinct from the first object; creating a first reference pointer that points to the first object and to the associated count object; and incrementing the reference counter in the count object if the first reference pointer is copied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A computer-implemented method for performing memory management in an object-oriented programming environment, the computer-implemented method comprising: creating a first object; creating a count object associated with the first object, the count object including a reference counter and the count object being distinct from the first object; creating a first reference pointer that points to the first object and to the associated count object; and incrementing the reference counter in the count object if the first reference pointer is copied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 further including: decrementing the reference counter in the count object if the copy of the first reference pointer to the first object is deleted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer-implemented method according to claim 2 further including: deleting the first object if the reference counter in the count object is set to zero.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for performing memory management in an object-oriented programming environment, the apparatus comprising: means for creating a first object; means for creating a count object associated with the first object, the count object including a reference counter and the count object being distinct from the first object; means for creating a first reference pointer that points to the first object and to the associated count object; and means for incrementing the reference counter in the count object if the first reference pointer is copied.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
85 words
An apparatus for performing memory management in an object-oriented programming environment, the apparatus comprising: means for creating a first object; means for creating a count object associated with the first object, the count object including a reference counter and the count object being distinct from the first object; means for creating a first reference pointer that points to the first object and to the associated count object; and means for incrementing the reference counter in the count object if the first reference pointer is copied.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising: means for decrementing the reference counter in the count object if the copy of the first reference pointer to the first object is deleted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising: means for deleting the first object if the reference counter in the count object is set to zero.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
A machine readable medium having stored thereon data representing sequences of instructions, which when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform an operation of: creating a first object; creating a count object associated with the first object, the count object including a reference counter and the count object being distinct from the first object; creating a first reference pointer that points to the first object and to the associated count object; and incrementing the reference counter in the count object if the first reference pointer is copied.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
A machine readable medium having stored thereon data representing sequences of instructions, which when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform an operation of: creating a first object; creating a count object associated with the first object, the count object including a reference counter and the count object being distinct from the first object; creating a first reference pointer that points to the first object and to the associated count object; and incrementing the reference counter in the count object if the first reference pointer is copied.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The machine readable medium according to claim 1 wherein the computer system further performs the operation of: decrementing the reference counter in the count object if the copy of the first reference pointer to the first object is deleted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The machine readable medium according to claim 8 wherein the computer system further performs the operation of: deleting the first object if the reference counter in the count object is set to zero.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-07 | 2004-05-08 | 2004-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-07 | 2008-05-08 | 2008-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-07 | 2012-05-08 | 2012-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |