Method and arrangement for state memory management

Abstract: The present invention relates to management of a state memory in a communications unit. The state memory then stores states that are used in message-based communication with external units in a communications system. The data message communicated between the units are defined into multiple message classes. Furthermore the state memory is divided into multiple memory portions, where each such memory portion is assigned to store states associated with a specific message class. This will prevent overwriting important states with less useful states. (end of abstract)

Agent: Ericsson Inc. - Plano, TX, US
Inventors: Jan Christoffersson, Hans Hannu
USPTO Applicaton #: #20070174538 - Class: 711100000 (USPTO)
Related Patent Categories: Electrical Computers And Digital Processing Systems: Memory, Storage Accessing And Control

Method and arrangement for state memory management description/claims

The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070174538, Method and arrangement for state memory management.

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to memory management in communications systems, and in particular to management of state memories in such systems.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Today there is an increasing trend of data communication between communications units in different communications systems. Typical examples are communication between computers connected over a communications system such as Internet or a local area network and data communication between mobile user equipment and a communications server or node or another mobile user equipment over a radio communications system.

[0003] Many application protocols used in the data communication require that certain information and data is included in the messages transmitted over the communications system. This data could be required for enabling efficient session set-up, efficient delivery of the data messages throughout the system and/or could be used by the receiving communications unit for interpreting and processing the received messages. As a consequence many of the communicated data messages include fields that always comprise more or less the same data for a given pair or combination of communications units. This is generally no problem in communications systems with bandwidth rich communications links. However, in radio communications systems and other systems with typically a limited amount of available communications resources there is a general desire to reduce the amount of data that has to be transmitted between communications units.

[0004] As a consequence, a state-mediated data communication can be conducted. In such a case, the relevant states include information that may be used by the communications units in initiating the communications session and/or later on during the session. Thus, by employing states for the inter-unit communication several advantages can be obtained. Firstly, the duration of the very often time-critical communication session set-up can be reduced if the communications units already have access to states that include data required for such set-up procedures. In other words, this required set-up-related data does not have to be communicated between the units before or during the set-up, which results in reduced signaling and reduced set-up times. Furthermore, states can be used also during the subsequent signaling, for example by reducing the amount of data that has to be transmitted between the units and/or during compression and decompression procedures for further reducing the resulting size of the communicated (compressed) data messages.

[0005] The states are typically stored in a general-purpose memory or more often in a dedicated state memory in the communications unit. However, the size of the state memory or the state-associated storage portion of the general-purpose memory is often limited. The states in the memory are further often managed in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) basis. This means that when a new state is to be stored in the memory, it overwrites the oldest state found therein or the oldest state is shifted out of the memory, in cases where the memory is filled. This can, though, result in major problems for the inter-unit signaling if not the "right" states are found in the memory. For example, during a session set-up procedure the memory can be filled with presence update states, which will be useless for the session set-up. As a consequence, an inefficient and long set-up will occur, which will ruin the user-perceived interactivity.

SUMMARY

[0006] The present invention overcomes these and other drawbacks of the prior art arrangements.

[0007] It is a general object of the present invention to provide a management of a state memory storing states utilized in message-based communication.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a state memory management that organizes states into different memory compartments based on state priority information and/or message types.

[0009] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a state memory management that prevents replacing important states with less useful states.

[0010] These and other objects are met by the invention as defined by the accompanying patent claims.

[0011] Briefly, the present invention involves management of a state memory that is adapted for storing states employed in a message-based communication between communications units in a communications system. According to the invention, multiple message classes are defined of the messages communicated between the units. In addition, the state memory of a communications unit is divided into multiple memory portions. Each such memory portion is then assigned for storing only states associated with a given message class.

[0012] The classification of messages could result in two message classes, a first high priority class and a low priority class. Correspondingly, the memory can then be divided into two memory portions, where the first stores states generated based on messages of the high priority class and the second portion includes states generated based on low priority messages. Thus, those states that are very useful for the communications unit during e.g. session set-up, message processing and/or message transmission are separated from less useful states to prevent overwriting or replacing an important state with a less useful state in state memory limited situations. As a consequence, the probability that the communications unit will have access to a state that can be used for reducing the session set-up time and/or enhancing compression or message processing performance increases dramatically by introducing this state memory division and message classification.

[0013] The sizes of the different memory portions may be equal or different. The latter case may be advantageous if states associated with a given message class generally are larger than other states. In addition, it may be advantageous to provide a larger storage space for memory portion(s) storing important states than for other state memory portions.

[0014] Once the communications unit provides a data message, e.g. from an application in the unit or received from an external unit, it determines the message class of the message. This is preferably performed based on data found in the message itself, e.g. by parsing a line in the message and identifying the message name.

[0015] Thereafter it may be optionally determined whether a state should be generated based on the message and stored in the correct memory portion. This can be elucidated by retrieving storage priority information from a look-up list. Such look-up list can then state which states that should be stored and/or which states that should not be stored in the state memory.

[0016] Alternatively, an investigation of the states already stored in the memory portion can be performed to determine whether to store the new state. For example, if a similar state already is found in the memory portion it may be unnecessary to store the new state. In cases where the unit has access to a compressor and the states are used for enhancing the compression rate, a compression factor can be used a state storage distinguishing factor. Thus, if the message, based on which the new state is generated, can be compressed efficiently by the compressor, this implies that the memory portion includes a state that is very similar to the new state. If this is the case, then there is no need to store the new state generated based on the message.

[0017] Once it has been determined that the state should be stored, it is generated from the message. In a particular embodiment, the state includes the message or at least a portion thereof. The correct memory portion is then identified, preferably based on the message class of the message. The state is then stored therein.

[0018] The invention offers the following advantages: [0019] Provides an organization of states in a state memory that will prevent overwriting important states with less useful states; [0020] Enables a reduction in session set-up times by preventing replacing set-up associated states with other types of states; and [0021] Increases the compression performance in state memory limited situations.

[0022] Other advantages offered by the present invention will be appreciated upon reading of the below description of the embodiments of the invention.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by making reference to the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

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