IP Library Granted Patent US 7,552,434
Granted Patent B2
US 7,552,434 · App. 10/837,420 · Granted Jun 23, 2009

Method of performing kernel task upon initial execution of process at user level

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,552,434
App. No.
10/837,420
Granted
Jun 23, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

An embodiment of a method of performing a kernel level task upon initial execution of a child process at a user level begins with setting an instruction pointer for an initial child process instruction to an instruction to enter a kernel level. The method continues with beginning the child process which places a return value in a register for the child process and which causes the child process to enter the kernel level. The method concludes with executing a system call having a system call number of the return value. The system call comprises the kernel level task.

Claims (56)

1. A method of performing a kernel level task upon initial execution of a child process at a user level comprising the steps of:

initiating a process creation system call by a parent process which creates a child process;

placing the process creation system call within a wrapper function;

executing the wrapper function which causes a value in a stack to be saved;

setting an instruction pointer for an initial child process instruction to an instruction to enter a kernel level;

beginning the child process which places a return value in a register for the child process and which causes the child process to enter the kernel level;

executing, by the child process at the kernel level, the kernel level task;

restoring, by the child process, the saved value to the stack; and

the child process returning from the kernel level to the user level.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the parent process performs the step of setting the instruction pointer to the instruction to enter the kernel level.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said setting the instruction pointer to enter the kernel level comprises decrementing the instruction pointer.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising saving the instruction pointer.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the parent process returning to the user level.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the parent process uses the saved instruction pointer for returning to the user level.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the parent process restoring the saved value to the stack.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the child process restoring the saved value to a child stack.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising executing one or more additional kernel level tasks.

10. A method of performing a kernel level task upon initial execution of a child process at a user level comprising the steps of:

defining a system call comprising a system call number and the kernel level task, the system call number comprising a return value for a process creation system call;

initiating the process creation system call by a parent process which creates a child process;

placing the process creation system call within a wrapper function;

executing the wrapper function which causes a value in a stack to be saved;

setting an instruction pointer for an initial child process instruction to an instruction to enter a kernel level;

beginning the child process which places the return value in a register for the child process and which causes the child process to enter the kernel level;

executing, by the child process at the kernel level, the kernel level task;

restoring, by the child process, the saved value to the stack; and

the child process returning from the kernel level to the user level.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising executing one or more additional kernel level tasks.

12. A computer readable media comprising computer code for implementing a method of performing a kernel level task upon initial execution of a child process at a user level, the method of performing the kernel level task comprising the steps of:

initiating a process creation system call by a parent process which creates a child process;

placing the process creation system call within a wrapper function;

executing the wrapper function which causes a value in a stack to be saved;

setting an instruction pointer for an initial child process instruction to an instruction to enter a kernel level;

beginning the child process which places a return value in a register for the child process and which causes the child process to enter the kernel level;

executing, by the child process at the kernel level, the kernel level task;

restoring, by the child process, the saved value to the stack; and

the child process returning from the kernel level to the user level.

13. The computer readable media of claim 12 wherein the parent process performs the step of setting the instruction pointer to an instruction to enter the kernel level.

14. The computer readable media of claim 12 wherein said setting the instruction pointer to the instruction to enter the kernel level comprises decrementing the instruction pointer.

15. The computer readable media of claim 12 further comprising saving the instruction pointer.

16. The computer readable media of claim 15 further comprising the parent process returning to the user level.

17. The computer readable media of claim 16 wherein the parent process uses the saved instruction pointer for returning to the user level.

18. The computer readable media of claim 17 further comprising the parent process restoring the saved value to the stack.

19. The computer readable media of claim 12 further comprising the child process restoring the saved value to a child stack.

20. The computer readable media of claim 12 further comprising executing one or more additional kernel level tasks.

21. A computer readable media comprising computer code for implementing a method of performing a kernel level task upon initial execution of a child process at a user level, the method of performing the kernel level task comprising the steps of:

defining a system call comprising a system call number and the kernel level task, the system call number comprising a return value for a process creation system call;

initiating the process creation system call by a parent process which creates a child process;

placing the process creation system call within a wrapper function;

executing the wrapper function which causes a value in a stack to be saved;

setting an instruction pointer for an initial child process instruction to an instruction to enter a kernel level;

beginning the child process which places the return value in a register for the child process and which causes the child process to enter the kernel level;

executing, by the child process at the kernel level, the kernel level task;

restoring, by the child process, the saved value to the stack; and

the child process returning from the kernel level to the user level.

22. The computer readable media of claim 21 further comprising executing one or more additional kernel level tasks.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2022
From: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
To: VALTRUS INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 061244/0298 →
PATENT ASSIGNMENT, SECURITY INTEREST, AND LIEN AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 26, 2021
From: HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LP; HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE COMPANY
To: OT PATENT ESCROW, LLC
Reel/Frame 055269/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2015
From: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
To: HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LP
Reel/Frame 037079/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2004
From: TURNER, YOSHIO FRANK; SUBHRAVETI, DINESH KUMAR; JANAKIRAMAN, GOPALAKRISHNAN; SANTOS, JOSE RENATO
To: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
Reel/Frame 015297/0778 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2004
From: TURNER, YOSHIO FRANK; SUBHRAVETI, DINESH KUMAR; JANAKIRAMAN, GOPALAKRISHNAN; SANTOS, JOSE RENATO
To: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
Reel/Frame 015398/0382 →