Script instruction for jumping to a location, interpreting a predetermined number of instructions and then jumping back

Abstract

A 'call relative counted' script instruction is interpreted by a script interpreter of an eight-bit, register-based, virtual machine. In one embodiment, the script instruction has a first argument field and a second argument field. Interpreting the script instruction causes a jump to a location identified by a label in the first argument field. After a number of script instructions identified by the second argument have been interpreted, the interpreting of script instructions automatically returns to the next script instruction after the call relative counted script instruction. In one example, the first argument is a label, the label in turn identifying the location to jump to. In another example, the first argument directly indicates the location to jump to. The instruction is useful in allowing multiple higher-level scripts to reuse different parts of a common lower-level block of script. The common block performs a common function required by the higher-level scripts.