Robert M Willett

US Patent:

46351876, Jan 6, 1987

Filed:

Dec 19, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/563255

Inventors:

Donna M. Baron - Joliet IL
David E. Espenlaub - Carol Stream IL
Vicki A. Haines - Wheaton IL
Gerald A. Inberg - Naperville IL
Steve A. Shilling - Wheaton IL
James B. Truesdale - Wheaton IL
Robert J. Willett - Winfield IL

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G06F 900

US Classification:

364200

Abstract:

In a multiprocessing system, a method of efficiently maintaining a program process active while also ensuring that the process is deactivated when no longer needed. One or more subordinate processes are linked to a controlling process. Each subordinate process has an associated overall timer. As long as the controlling process keeps sending periodic keep-alive messages to a subordinate process, the associated overall timer is prevented from timing out. When the controlling process stops sending keep-alive messages, the associated overall timer times out and the subordinate process is deactivated.