Method and apparatus for processing interrupts in a data processing system
US6003109A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/24
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for processing interrupts for a plurality of components connected to and sharing an interrupt line in a data processing system in which interrupts are level sensitive interrupts. The components are connected to the interrupt line by interrupt connections, such as a pin. An interrupt is detected when the interrupt line is in a first state, while an interrupt is absent when the interrupt line is in a second state. Other interrupts cannot be processed while the interrupt line is in a first state. In response to detecting one or more interrupts, the connection associated with the component, for which one or more interrupts are generated, is disabled until all of the interrupts are processed. Disabling the interrupt connection allows the interrupt line to return to the first state and for additional interrupts for other components connected to the interrupt line to be detected and processed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.