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:
Jan. 13, 2004
Filed:
May. 02, 2000
Andrew Cofler, Voreppe, FR;
Stéphane Bouvier, Saint Ismier, FR;
Laurent Wojcieszak, Meylan, FR;
STMicroelectronics S.A., Gentilly, FR;
Abstract
A decode unit ( ) decodes instructions in a processor. These, instructions include instructions of a first length in a first instruction mode and instructions of a second, shorter length in a second instruction mode. The decode unit has decoding circuitry ( ) which decode the instructions. A register holds the instruction mode and generates an instruction mode signal. Switching circuitry (MUX ,MUX ) is responsive to the instruction mode signal to output decoded instructions from the decode unit depending on the instruction mode. A detector ( ) is provided for detecting a length change instruction of the second, shorter length while in the second instruction mode which indicates that the subsequent instruction is of the first length. The detector also temporarily alters the state of the instruction mode signal to allow the first length instructions to be decoded without changing the instruction mode held in the register.