The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 08, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 21, 1999
James T. Battle, San Jose, CA (US);
ATI International Srl, , BB;
Abstract
A novel pipeline processing system includes a parameter bus and a command processor. The command processor receives a command, generates a word in response to the command, and transmits the word on the parameter bus. The word includes information identifying whether the word includes state parameter data and information identifying whether the word includes immediate mode parameter data. A plurality of pipeline stages are positioned along the parameter bus. Each pipeline stage has a state register and a logic block both connected to the parameter bus. The state register receives the word and stores the state parameter data included in the word in response to the information identifying whether the word includes state parameter data. The logic block receives the word and performs a logic operation using state parameter data stored in the state register and the immediate mode parameter data included in the word in response to the information identifying whether the word includes immediate mode parameter data. This pipeline processing system allows state parameter changes to be effected in the pipeline without first draining the pipeline of existing data.