Method and circuitry for selecting a free interrupt request level from a multiplicity of interrupt request levels in a personal computer system
US5369769A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/24
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of selecting a free interrupt request level (IRQ) from a multiplicity of IRQs for assignment to a device being added to a computer system. Selection begins by identifying a first set of probably free IRQs from the multiplicity of IRQs. Afterward, actually free IRQs are identified from the first set of probably free IRQs. Finally, an IRQ that is least likely to be requested is selected from among the actually free IRQs circuitry for selecting a free IRQ is also described. Circuitry for selecting a free IRQ within a computer system having a multiplicity of IRQs is also described. The circuitry includes circuitry for identifying a first set of probably free IRQs from the multiplicity of IRQs, circuitry for identifying a second set of actually free IRQs from the first set of probably free IRQs, and circuitry for selecting as the free IRQ a first IRQ a one of the actually free IRQs that is least likely to be requested.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.