Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus supports the sharing of a resource among computer applications. The computer system has a processor which adapted for executing a first application in a first mode of operation and a second application in a second mode of operation. The computer system also has a communication port adapted to receive the resource. The communication port is normally allocated to receive accesses from the second application. The computer system also has a virtual port for emulating the communication port. The virtual port diverts accesses from the first application directed at the communication port and buffers the accesses in the virtual port. An arbitrator is connected to the processor, the communication port, and the virtual port. The arbitrator claims the communication port from the second application and forwards accesses received by the virtual port to the communication port if the first application is accessing the resource and if the communication port is idle. Further, the arbitrator reallocates the communication port back to the second application upon the termination of accesses to the resource by the first application.

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First Claim