Processor and processing method for reusing arbitrary sections of program code
US7596681B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4486
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processor and processing method for reusing arbitrary sections of program code provides improved upgrade capability for systems with non-alterable read only memory (ROM) and a more flexible instruction set in general. A specific program instruction is provided in the processor instruction set for directing program execution to a particular start address, where the start address is specified in conjunction with the specific program instruction. An end address is also specified in conjunction with the specific program instruction and the processor re-directs control upon completion of code execution between the start and end address to either another specified address, or to a stored program counter value corresponding to the next instruction in sequence after the specific program instruction. A loop count may also be supplied for repeatedly executing the code between the start and end address until the count has expired.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.