	US 7,512,946 B2
	Scheduling method and system for controlling execution of processes
Scot MacLellan, Rome (Italy)
Assigned to International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y. (US)
Appl. No. 10/481,483 PCT Filed Mar. 21, 2002, PCT No. PCT/EP02/04290 § 371(c)(1), (2), (4) Date Mar. 02, 2005, PCT Pub. No. WO03/005136, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 16, 2003.
Claims priority of application No. 0115952.4 (GB), filed on Jun. 29, 2001.
Prior Publication US 2005/0192750 A1, Sep. 01, 2005
Int. Cl. G06F 9/46 (2006.01); G06F 7/38 (2006.01); G06F 7/26 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 718—101 [718/102; 708/490; 708/853]

6 Claims

1. A computer-implemented scheduling method for controlling execution of processes, said computer-implemented scheduling method comprising:

estimating an expected duration of execution of a process;

determining a multiplication factor for the process, wherein the determining comprises:

determining whether the multiplication factor is to be calculated as a linear function of the estimated expected duration or as a hyperbolic function of the estimated expected duration;

if the multiplication factor is to be calculated as a linear function:

setting a first level of the multiplication factor for short-duration processes;

setting a second level of the multiplication factor for long-duration processes, wherein the second level is lower than the first level;

setting a break limit for the multiplication factor defining a speed at which the multiplication factor swings between the first level and the second level; and

setting the multiplication factor based on a relationship between the estimated expected duration and the break limit;

if the multiplication factor is to be calculated as a hyperbolic function:

setting a scale coefficient;

providing a first parameter and a second parameter for use in determining the multiplication factor; and

setting the multiplication factor based on the scale coefficient, the first parameter, the second parameter and the estimated expected duration;

determining a threshold value for current duration of the process by applying the multiplication factor to the estimated expected duration;

running the process;

detecting an abnormal condition when an actual duration of the process exceeds the threshold value; and

performing an action, in response to detecting the abnormal condition.