Management of polling loops in a data processing apparatus

• Main Authors: GRISENTHWAITE RICHARD R, KIMELMAN PAUL
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; ELECTRICITY; JAMMING OF COMMUNICATION; PHYSICS; SECRET COMMUNICATION

A data processing apparatus and method are provided for managing polling loops. The data processing apparatus comprises a main processing unit and a subsidiary processing unit operable to perform a task on behalf of the main processing unit. The subsidiary processing unit is operable to set a completion field when the task has been completed and the main processing unit is operable to poll the completion field in order to determine whether the task has been completed. If on polling the completion field a threshold number of times the main processing unit determines that the task has not been completed, the main processing unit is operable to enter a power saving mode. The subsidiary processing unit is operable, when the task has been completed, to cause a notification to be issued on a path interconnecting the main processing unit and the subsidiary processing unit. The main processing unit is arranged, upon receipt of the notification to exit the power saving mode. This provides a particularly efficient technique for managing a polling loop within the data processing apparatus.