System and method for programming a hardware device
US6295562A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F15/7867
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A programmable hardware device having a simplified command set is disclosed. The hardware device includes at least one function block circuit and control circuitry for controlling the operation thereof. Upon receiving a command for the function block circuit to perform a single operation, the control circuitry includes one or more state machines for generating a sequential series of sub-operational commands. The sub-operational commands are sequentially applied to the function block circuit to perform a series of sub-operational steps. The execution of the sub-operational steps results in the function block circuit performing the operation indicated by the received single command. Consequently, the application of a specific sequence of sub-operational commands to the hardware device in order to perform a single functional operation is avoided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.