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.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A method of managing a state memory adapted for storing state information applicable in a message communication between communications units in a communications system, characterized by: 
 defining at least two message classes of the messages communicated between said communications units; and    dividing said state memory into at least two memory portions, each memory portion being assigned for storing state information associated with a specific message class.    and in that said state memory is arranged in a first communication unit and is allocated for storing state information used in message communication with a second communications unit.    and in that said second communications unit requesting said first communications unit to allocate state memory space utilized for storing said state information used in said message communication with said second communications unit.    
   
   
       28 . The method according to the claims  27 , characterized in that said defining step comprises defining said at least two message classes based on at least one of: 
 a priority type of said communications messages;    an application protocol used when generating said communications messages; and    a session type associated with communications messages.    
   
   
       29 . The method according to any of the claims  27 , characterized in that said dividing step comprises allocating an equal memory size to said at least two memory portions.  
   
   
       30 . The method according to any of the claims  27 , characterized in that said dividing step comprises allocating a first memory size to a first memory portion and a second different memory size to a second memory portion based on a first message class associated with said first memory portion and a second message class associated with said second memory portion.  
   
   
       31 . The method according to any of the claims  27 , characterized by: 
 determining a message class of a communications message; and    storing state information generated based on said communications message in a memory portion associated with said determined message class.    
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 31 , characterized in that said message class determining step comprises determining said message class based on data found in said communications message.  
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 32 , characterized by determining whether said state information is to be stored in said memory portion.  
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 33 , characterized in that said step of determining whether said state information is to be stored comprises retrieving storage priority information from a look-up list comprising storage command information for said message classes.  
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 34 , characterized in that said step of determining whether said state information is to be stored comprises: 
 investigating whether similar state information is already stored in said memory portion; and    storing said state information if no similar state information is already stored in said memory portion.    
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 35 , characterized in that said step of determining whether said state information is to be stored comprises: 
 compressing said communications message;    calculating a compression factor for said communications message; and    determining whether said state information is to be stored in said memory portion based on said compression factor.    
   
   
       37 . A unit for managing a state memory adapted for storing state information applicable in a message communication between communications units in a communications system, characterized by: 
 means for defining at least two message classes of the messages communicated between said communications units; and    means for dividing said state memory into at least two memory portions, each memory portion being assigned for storing state information associated with a specific message class; and    in that said defining means is configured for defining said at least two message classes based on at least one of:    a priority type of said communications messages;    an application protocol used when generating said communications messages; and    a session type associated with communications messages.    
   
   
       38 . A communications unit adapted for message communication with at least one external communications unit in a communications system, said communications unit comprising: 
 a state memory adapted for storing state information applicable in said message communication; and    a state memory managing unit, characterized in that said state memory managing unit comprises:    means for defining at least two message classes of the messages communicated between said communications unit and said at least one external communications unit; and    means for dividing said state memory into at least two memory portions, each memory portion) being assigned for storing state information associated with a specific message class; and    in that said defining means is configured for defining said at least two message classes based on at least one of:    a priority type of said communications messages;    an application protocol used when generating said communications messages; and    a session type associated with communications messages.    
   
   
       39 . The unit according to  claim 37 , characterized in that said dividing means is configured for dividing said state memory into at least two memory portions based on said message class definition from said defining means.  
   
   
       40 . The unit according to  claim 37 , characterized in that said managing unit and said state memory are arranged in a first communication unit and said state memory is allocated for storing state information used in message communication with a second communications unit.  
   
   
       41 . The unit according to  claim 38 , characterized in that said state memory is allocated for storing state information used in message communication with a specific external communications unit.  
   
   
       42 . The unit according to any of the claims  37 , characterized in that said state information is used during compression and/or decompression of said communications messages.  
   
   
       43 . The unit according to any of the claims  37 , characterized by: 
 a compressor; and    a decompressor, wherein said state information is used by at least one of said compressor and said decompressor.    
   
   
       44 . The unit according to any of the claims  37 , characterized in that said defining means is configured for defining said at least two message classes based on at least one of: 
 a priority type of said communications messages;    an application protocol used when generating said communications messages; and    a session type associated with communications messages.    
   
   
       45 . The unit according to any of the claims  37 , characterized in that said dividing means is configured for allocating an equal memory size to said at least two memory portions.  
   
   
       46 . The unit according to any of the claims  37 , characterized in that said dividing means is configured for allocating a first memory size to a first memory portion and a second different memory size to a second memory portion.  
   
   
       47 . The unit according to any of the claims  37 , characterized by: 
 means for determining a message class of a communications message: and    means for storing state information generated based on said communications message in a memory portion associated with said determined message class.    
   
   
       48 . The unit according to  claim 47 , characterized in that said determining means is configured for determining said message class based on data found in said communications message.  
   
   
       49 . The unit according to  claim 47 , characterized by means for determining whether said state information is to be stored in said memory portion.  
   
   
       50 . The unit according to  claim 49 , characterized in that said determining means is configured for retrieving storage priority information from an associated look-up list comprising storage command information for said message classes and for generating a storing command based on said storage priority information, said storing means being responsive to said storing command.  
   
   
       51 . The unit according to  claim 49 , characterized in that said determining means is configured for investigating whether similar state information is already stored in said memory portion and for generating a storing command if no similar state information is already stored in said memory portion, said storing means being responsive to said storing command.  
   
   
       52 . The unit according to  claim 49 , characterized in that said determining means is configured for receiving a compression factor obtained during compressing said communications message and for generating a storing command based on said compression factor, said storing means being responsive to said storing command.