Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
In a data processing system having system control means for executing forced instructions in response to the presence of a particular condition requiring such execution, said system control means including means for generating inhibit signals indicative of the need to execute a forced instruction, apparatus for optimizing execution of forced conditions, said apparatus comprising: (a) an instruction register for holding the bits, including the operation code, of the current instruction; (b) an operation decoder for generating control signals in response to the receipt of signals defining a desired control action; (c) first circuit means, operatively coupled between the operation code portion of said instruction register and said operation decoder, for converting the operation code bits of the current instruction to a predetermined code combination, in response to receipt of a code conversion initiating signal, which code combination triggers a NOP control signal reaction by said operation decoder; and (d) second circuit means, operatively coupled to receive said inhibit signals from said system control means and to an input of said first circuit means, for generating a code conversion initiating signal to apply to said first circuit means in response to said receipt of inhibit signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a data processing system having system control means for executing forced instructions in response to the presence of a particular condition requiring such execution, said system control means including means for generating inhibit signals indicative of the need to execute a forced instruction, apparatus for optimizing execution of forced conditions, said apparatus comprising: (a) an instruction register for holding the bits, including the operation code, of the current instruction; (b) an operation decoder for generating control signals in response to the receipt of signals defining a desired control action; (c) first circuit means, operatively coupled between the operation code portion of said instruction register and said operation decoder, for converting the operation code bits of the current instruction to a predetermined code combination, in response to receipt of a code conversion initiating signal, which code combination triggers a NOP control signal reaction by said operation decoder; and (d) second circuit means, operatively coupled to receive said inhibit signals from said system control means and to an input of said first circuit means, for generating a code conversion initiating signal to apply to said first circuit means in response to said receipt of inhibit signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and second circuit means respectively include: (a) logic circuit means, coupled to receive and responsive to any of said inhibit signals generated by said system control means in response to a need to execute a forced operation, for generating a code conversion initiating signal whenever a forced operation is required; and (b) a plurality of AND gates, each one of which is connected between said instruction register and said operation decoder to receive respectively at an input thereof the output bits defining the operation code of the current instruction from said instruction register, the other input of each of said AND gates being coupled to receive said code conversion initiating signal from said logic circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said logic circuit means includes: (a) an OR gate, the inputs of which are coupled to receive said inhibit signals indicating the need for a forced operation from said system control means; and (b) an inverter, coupled between the output of said OR gate and an input of each of said plurality of AND gates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said instruction register includes a reset input which, when toggled by an appropriate signal, will set the operation code portion thereof to the code combination of only zeros of the NOP instruction and which further includes a signal line connected between the output of said second circuit means and said reset input of said instruction register to thereby implement a reset of the operation code portion of said instruction register in response to a requirement for executing forced operations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first and second circuit means respectively includes: (a) logic circuit means, coupled to receive and responsive to any of said inhibit signals generated by said system control means in response to a need to execute a forced operation, for generating a code conversion initiating signal whenever a forced operation is required; and (b) a plurality of AND gates, each one of which is connected between said instruction register and said operation decoder to receive respectively at an input thereof the output bits defining the operation code of the current instruction from said instruction register, the other input of each of said AND gates being coupled to receive said code conversion initiating signal from said logic circuit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said logic circuit means includes: (a) an OR gate, the inputs of which are coupled to receive said inhibit signals indicating the need for a forced operation from said system control means; and (b) an inverter, coupled between the output of said OR gate and an input of each of said plurality of AND gates.