Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An interrupt system for interrupting at least one digital apparatus, comprising: (a) a plurality of interrupting devices, each device adapted to selectively interrupt the digital apparatus by generating an interrupt signal; (b) interrupt memory means, electrically connected to the digital apparatus, for receiving and storing interrupt signals at discrete addresses, each address being assigned to one of the plurality of interrupting devices; (c) addressing means connected to the plurality of interrupting devices to receive any one of the plurality of interrupt signals, and also connected to the interrupt memory means, to permit writing of an interrupt signal into the interrupt memory means at the address assigned to the respective one of the plurality of interrupting devices, the addressing means further including scanning means for scanning the interrupt memory means to read the contents at each address; and (d) control means connected to the interrupt memory means and to the plurality of interrupting devices for directing the interrupt signal to be written into the interrupt memory means at the address assigned to the interrupting device, and further for detecting an interrupt condition by comparing the contents read out of the interrupt memory means with a predetermined threshold value and for providing the address, if the contents are greater than the predetermined threshold value, to the digital apparatus for servicing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An interrupt system for interrupting at least one digital apparatus, comprising: (a) a plurality of interrupting devices, each device adapted to selectively interrupt the digital apparatus by generating an interrupt signal; (b) interrupt memory means, electrically connected to the digital apparatus, for receiving and storing interrupt signals at discrete addresses, each address being assigned to one of the plurality of interrupting devices; (c) addressing means connected to the plurality of interrupting devices to receive any one of the plurality of interrupt signals, and also connected to the interrupt memory means, to permit writing of an interrupt signal into the interrupt memory means at the address assigned to the respective one of the plurality of interrupting devices, the addressing means further including scanning means for scanning the interrupt memory means to read the contents at each address; and (d) control means connected to the interrupt memory means and to the plurality of interrupting devices for directing the interrupt signal to be written into the interrupt memory means at the address assigned to the interrupting device, and further for detecting an interrupt condition by comparing the contents read out of the interrupt memory means with a predetermined threshold value and for providing the address, if the contents are greater than the predetermined threshold value, to the digital apparatus for servicing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the digital apparatus comprises a central processing unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the interrupt memory means comprises a random access memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the addressing means comprises counting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the control means comprises disabling means for disabling the counting means when the control means writes into an address of the interrupt memory means, and when the contents read out are provided to the digital apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 5 further comprising: (e) means for storing the address of the last scanned position of the memory means; and (f) first comparison means for comparing the contents of the storing means with the current address assigned to the interrupting device, if present, or with the address associated with an interrupt condition, if present.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the control means further comprises means connected to receive the output of the first comparison means and to reload the address of the last scanned position if of higher priority than the current address.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 7 further comprising second comparison means for comparing the last address with the address provided to the digital apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the control means further comprises means connected to receive the output of the second comparison means and to cause the addressing means to begin scanning at a predetermined address if of unequal priority with respect to the address of the last scanned position.