Computer system having a host CPU and a logic for integrating peripheral control functions into the host CPU
US5713041A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/24
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer system is described. The computer system includes a bus, a CPU coupled to the bus, and a memory coupled to the bus. A peripheral device is coupled to the bus for performing a predefined peripheral operation. A logic is coupled to the bus and the peripheral device for causing the CPU to be interrupted to control the peripheral device for the peripheral operation when the logic receives a request for the peripheral operation. The logic does not control the peripheral device to perform the peripheral operation. The peripheral operation of the peripheral device is only controlled by the CPU. The request may be generated by a software program running on the CPU. The request may also be generated by the peripheral device. Although the CPU is controlling the peripheral operation, the existing peripheral controller-based application software can still be used. A method for controlling the peripheral device for the peripheral operation is also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.