A buffer management structure for processing systems is described.

In a memory in a computer system, buffers are defined by a buffer management system.

An application communicates the desired number of buffers to the buffer management system (200), then allocates these buffers among the data-transfer paths used by the application.

A buffer management system (100) partitions a total memory space (200) into a programmable number of substantially uniform-size buffers (220-223).

The buffer management system is initialized to store, for each buffer zone, the buffer sizes and to cumulate and store the pool sizes.

To address a buffer, the buffer management system determines the address of the start of the buffer from the desired pool and buffer numbers, using the stored information.

In a memory in a computer system, a plurality of buffer zones are defines by a buffer management system.

A method and apparatus for combined transaction reordering and buffer management are disclosed.

An output-buffered packet switch with priority packet transmission and a flexible buffer management scheme is disclosed.

A buffer management system buffers data in the sequential buffer, conducting a data transfer process.

The invention provides a method for adding specific hardware on both receive and transmit sides that will hide to the software most of the effort related to buffer and pointers management.

An indication is introduced into the bifstreara as to whether a picture may be used for mter-layer prediction reference, as well as a decoded picture buffer management method which uses the indication.