Processor system with interrupt discrimination
US5495616A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/24
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An interrupt-driven processor system comprising a processor connected via a plurality of processor input and output lines to a keypad or keyboard. Actuation of one of the keys of the keypad or keyboard generates an interrupt signal on one of the input lines which invokes an interrupt service routine in the processor. A secondary interrupt source can be attached via an interrupt line to each of the input lines with the interrupt service routine being designed to discriminate between an interrupt signal generated by actuation of a key and an interrupt signal generated by a secondary source. Using this technique, further interrupts can be added to an off-the-shelf processor including keypad interrupts without the need for additional interrupt controlling hardware. Furthermore, a custom-built microprocessor can be designed with fewer interrupt pins.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.