Mixed-endian computer system that provides cross-endian data sharing
US6341345B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/4013
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A conventional bi-endian computer system is enhanced to include mixed-endian mechanisms that allows the computer system to dynamically change its endian mode. The mixed-endian computer system can change endian mode on a task by task basis if necessary. The mixed-endian mechanisms automatically format the data in the form expected by the running task, regardless of whether the task expects the data to be in big endian format or in little endian format. The mixed-endian mechanisms also format big and little endian instructions such that they can execute on the same computer system. The mixed-endian mechanisms also include two memory management mechanisms, a single aliased memory management mechanism and a double aliased memory management mechanism. Each memory management mechanism provides cross-endian data sharing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.