Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Input/output data buffering
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-18
2001-02-13
Lee, Thomas C. (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Input/output data buffering
C711S110000, C365S189050
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189054
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for operating a circulating memory that can be addressed via a write pointer and/or a read pointer.
Circulating memories that can be addressed via write and/or read pointers and are also referred to as circular buffers or memories are based on “normal” storage devices or memory areas configured for data storage. However, unlike normal memories, the write and/or read pointers are managed in such a way that they are automatically set to the beginning of the memory area when the end of the memory area is overshot, and are automatically set to the end of the memory area when the beginning of the memory area is overshot and, consequently, can never leave the memory area forming the circulating memory.
Such circulating memories have been known for a long time and need no further explanation.
The use of circulating memories proves to be advantageous particularly in the case of regularly recurring or repeated write and/or read operations, because the available memory can be utilized particularly efficiently and the writing in and reading out of data can be effected in a particularly fast and uncomplicated manner for lack of complicated write and read address management.
Regularly recurring or repeated write and read operations occur inter alia but, of course, nowhere near exclusively in digital signal processing, since a relatively large number of program loops have to be cycled through in digital signal processing owing to the regular structure of the algorithms used.
The program loops must be cycled through rapidly and in particular when the input data or signals are intended to be processed in real time. Experience shows that this is not easily possible even when circulating memories are used as storage devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for operating a circulating memory which can be addressed via a write pointer and/or a read pointer which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art methods and devices of this general type, in which faster and simpler data or signal processing occurs.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for operating a circulating memory, which includes: addressing a memory having a beginning and an end, with at least one of a write pointer and a read pointer; and outputting a jump signal upon an occurrence of a jump by at least one of the write pointer and the read pointer from the end of the memory to the beginning of the memory.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, there is the step of outputting a further jump signal upon an occurrence of a jump by at least one of the write pointer and the read pointer from the beginning of the memory to the end of the memory.
Accordingly, it is provided that the jump of the write pointer and/or of the read pointer from the end of the memory to the beginning of the memory and/or vice versa is signaled, and that a signaling device is provided which is configured to signal the jump of the write pointer and/or of the read pointer from the end of the memory to the beginning of the memory and/or vice versa.
The signaling of jumps of the write pointer and/or of the read pointer can be utilized for many different purposes.
Among other things, the sequence of a program to be executed can consequently be made dependent on the memory address of the data that are to be processed by the program to be executed.
Specifically, if the circulating memory is defined or used, for example, such that the jump of the write pointer and/or of the read pointer from the end of the memory to the beginning of the memory and/or vice versa coincides with the intended end of program loops to be executed, then the signaling of the write and/or read pointer jump can be used as a termination condition for a program loop. The control and evaluation of a loop counter (realized by hardware and/or software) which counts the program loop cycles and which has been used to date to identify the end of a program loop can consequently be dispensed with.
The program run and also the data or signal processing which is effected as a result are considerably faster and/or more simple than has been the case to date.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, there is the step of configuring the jump signal so that it is recognized by a program using the memory.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, there is the step of using the jump signal as a condition for a conditional jump instruction.
In accordance with a further added feature of the invention, there is the step of defining and using the memory so that the jump of at least one of the write pointer and the read pointer coincides with an intended end of a program loop.
In accordance with a further additional feature of the invention, there is the step of performing the outputting step by one of setting, resetting and changing over an identifier.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, there is the step of putting the identifier into a state signaling the occurrence of no jump of the write pointer and the read pointer in response to an external instigation.
In accordance with yet another added feature of the invention, there is the step of outputting different jump signals to differentiate the occurrence of the jump of: the write pointer from the end of the memory to the beginning of the memory; the jump of the write pointer from the beginning of the memory to the end of the memory; the jump of the read pointer from the end of the memory to the beginning of the memory; and the jump of the read pointer from the beginning of the memory to the end of the memory.
In accordance with yet another additional feature of the invention, there is the step of instigating the jump signal with an address generation unit generating or managing at least one of the write pointer and the read pointer. With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, in a circulating memory addressed by at least one of a write pointer and a read pointer and having a beginning and an end, an apparatus for operating the circulating memory, including: a signaling device for generating a jump signal signaling the occurrence of a jump by at least one of the write pointer and of the read pointer from the end of the circulating memory to the beginning of the circulating memory; and the signaling device generates a further jump signal upon an occurrence of a jump by at least one of the write pointer and of the read pointer from the beginning of the circulating memory to the end of the circulating memory.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a method and apparatus for operating a circulating memory which can be addressed via a write pointer and/or a read pointer, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Du Thuan
Greenberg Laurence A.
Infineon - Technologies AG
Lee Thomas C.
Lerner Herbert L.
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