Abstract 1,063,141. Digital electric computers. BURROUGHS CORPORATION. Nov. 1, 1963 [Nov. 30, 1962], No. 43258/63. Headings G4A. The execution by a computer of its normal programme is interrupted (after completion of the current programme step) by a signal on any one of a number of interrupt lines, on which the computer starts to operate in a " control mode " appropriate to the nature of the interruption. A priority order is assigned to the possible interrupting signals so that interruptions requiring rapid action (e.g. main power failure, or certain real-time calculation signals) may be acted upon first. A masking number may be written by programme into a register where it controls which of the theoretically possible interruptions are authorized. Block diagrams (not shown) illustrate the circuitry required, and the steps called for by the control mode circuitry in the various types of interruption (e.g. data transfer to peripheral units) are illustrated by flow sheets.
IN A DATA PROCESSOR HAVING A MEMORY MEANS AND A PROCESSING MEANS, SAID MEMORY MEANS CONTAINING A PLURALITY OF PROGRAMS FOR EXECUTION BY SAID PROCESSING MEANS, THE COMBINATION, COMPRISING: AN INTERRUPT MEANS COUPLED TO AND ACTIVE UPON SAID PROCESSING MEANS, SAID INTERRUPT MEANS ACTIVATED BY A SIGNAL OCCURING UPON THE FAILURE OR MOMENTARY LOSS OF PRIMARY POWER TO SAID DATA PROCESSOR, A STORAGE MEANS COUPLED TO AND ACTIVATED BY SAID INTERRUPT MEANS, SAID STORAGE MEANS FURTHER COUPLED TO RECEIVE FROM SAID PROCESSING MEANS, UPON ACTIVATION BY SAID INTERRUPT MEANS, A SUFFICIENT PORTION OF THE PROGRAM INFORMATION PRESENTLY BEING EXECUTED BY SAID PROCESSING MEANS TO ENABLE AUTOMATIC PROGRAM RESUMPTION POWER TO SAID DATA PROCESSOR.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
IN A DATA PROCESSOR HAVING A MEMORY MEANS AND A PROCESSING MEANS, SAID MEMORY MEANS CONTAINING A PLURALITY OF PROGRAMS FOR EXECUTION BY SAID PROCESSING MEANS, THE COMBINATION, COMPRISING: AN INTERRUPT MEANS COUPLED TO AND ACTIVE UPON SAID PROCESSING MEANS, SAID INTERRUPT MEANS ACTIVATED BY A SIGNAL OCCURING UPON THE FAILURE OR MOMENTARY LOSS OF PRIMARY POWER TO SAID DATA PROCESSOR, A STORAGE MEANS COUPLED TO AND ACTIVATED BY SAID INTERRUPT MEANS, SAID STORAGE MEANS FURTHER COUPLED TO RECEIVE FROM SAID PROCESSING MEANS, UPON ACTIVATION BY SAID INTERRUPT MEANS, A SUFFICIENT PORTION OF THE PROGRAM INFORMATION PRESENTLY BEING EXECUTED BY SAID PROCESSING MEANS TO ENABLE AUTOMATIC PROGRAM RESUMPTION POWER TO SAID DATA PROCESSOR.