Abstract: A transfer-target unit outputs commands for data reading and data writing. An address generator generates control signals in accordance with the commands, and outputs the number of bytes of data first transferred by read access. A command generator generates control commands in accordance with the control signals to control an SDRAM. At this time the command generator judges the number of transferred bytes to control so that the SDRAM executes instructions in order from an instruction which is the most efficient in data transfer. That is, in the case where data is read across a bank boundary, the command generator judges which is to be executed first between read processing in a bank 0 and active processing in a bank1, to control the SDRAM. A data processor mediates data transfer between the transfer-target unit and the SDRAM in accordance with the control commands.

Abstract: A media processing apparatus is made up of an I/O processing unit for performing input/output processing which asynchronously occurs due to an external factor and a decode processing unit for performing decode processing mainly for decoding of data streams stored in a memory in parallel with the input/output processing. The input/output processing includes receiving the data streams which are asynchronously inputted, storing the inputted data streams in the memory, and supplying the data streams from the memory to the decode processing unit. The decode processing unit is made up of a sequential processing unit mainly performing condition judgements on the data streams and a routine processing unit performing decode processing on compressed video data aside from header analysis of the compressed video data in parallel with the sequential processing.

Abstract: Bitstream analyzing unit 111 fetches a coded block pattern and a coded quantized DCT coefficient from each block in a bitstream. Entropy decoding unit 112 decodes the coded block pattern into a block pattern and decodes the coded quantized DCT coefficient into pairs of a run length and an effectiveness factor. Dequantization unit 115 generates orthogonal transformation coefficients from the pairs of a run length and an effectiveness factor. Inverse Discrete Cosine Transform (IDCT) unit 110 generates a difference image from the orthogonal transformation coefficients. Decode controlling unit 110 instructs first selecting unit 118 to select constants “0”output from first constant generating unit 117 when the image is a “skipped” block. Image storage unit 120 stores a plurality of reference frame pictures having been decoded.

Abstract: A multithreaded processor for executing multiple instruction streams is provided. This multithreaded processor includes: a plurality of functional units for executing instructions; a plurality of instruction decode units, corresponding to the multiple instruction streams on a one-to-one basis, for respectively decoding an instruction, and producing an instruction issue request for designating to which functional unit the decoded instruction should be issued and requesting for the issuance of the decoded instruction to the designated functional unit; a holding unit for holding the priority level of each instruction stream; and a control unit for deciding which decoded instruction should be issued to a functional unit designated by two or more instruction issue requests at the same time, in accordance with the priority levels held by the holding unit.

Abstract: An image memory stores a one-screen image by dividing the one-screen image into a plurality of image blocks which are each m pixels wide by n pixels high. The image memory has an array-like storage region storing s*t first chrominance components that compose one image block and s*t second chrominance components that compose the same image block in serial areas between a start area specified by a row address and a first column address and an end area specified by the same row address and a second column address (see FIG. 10). The storage region also stores m*n luminance components that compose the same image block in serial areas between a different start area specified by a different row address and a third column address and an end area are specified by the different row address and a fourth column address.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multistream instruction processor issuing instructions from N instruction streams in parallel, and processing instruction streams interchangeably when the number of the instruction streams is N or larger than N.

Abstract: A cache controller for a multithreading multiprocessor system which starts an execution of another thread by suspending an ongoing execution of a thread when a cache miss happens.

Abstract: In cases where a remarked unit of tag addresses set in effective or access state is not registered in a tag section when a reading request is input, an external access is performed, and the remarked unit of tag addresses and other units of tag addresses respectively set in the access state are prepared in a tag entry preparing unit. In cases where a writing request is input to write a piece of updated word data in a remarked unit of data addresses corresponding to the remarked unit of tag addresses before the external access is finished, the state of the remarked tag entry prepared is changed to the effective state, and the updated word data is written in the remarked unit of data addresses of a data storing unit. Because the remarked unit of tag addresses is set in the effective state, the updated word data written in the remarked unit of data addresses is not replaced with a piece of external word data obtained according to the external access when the external access is finished.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a speculative execution processor including a plurality of executing units for processing in parallel a plurality of instructions in an instruction sequence stored in its memory.

Abstract: A control device includes a memory storing a plurality of micro instructions. A modifying information generator generates modifying information. A modifying unit receives one of the micro instructions and the modifying information from the memory and the modifying information generator respectively. The modifying unit modifies at least part of the one of the micro instructions with the modifying information.

Abstract: A storage holds instructions including a branch instruction and a corresponding branch destination instruction. The instructions are sequentially fetched from the storage to a decoder. The decoder sequentially decodes the fetched instructions and derives commands from the respective instructions. The commands are sequentially transferred from the decoder to an execution unit. The execution unit sequentially executes the transferred commands. The decoder serves to detect the branch instruction. When the branch instruction is detected, a normal instruction fetching process is interrupted and the branch destination instruction is promptly fetched to the decoder. The decoder prevents a command of the branch instruction from being transferred to the execution unit.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an electronic instrument includes within itself a microprocessor and a watchdog circuit each provided with its own oscillator which generates a clock pulse and operating on the basis of this clock pulse. The watchdog circuit transmits a periodic interrupt pulse to the microprocessor which transmits a response pulse to the watchdog circuit in return. The watchdog circuit monitors the operation of the microprocessor by measuring the phase difference between the interrupt and response pulses and the microprocessor monitors the operation of the watchdog circuit by measuring the period of the interrupt pulse.

Abstract: The failure alarm device for an appliance of the present invention include a first alarm for indicating an abnormality if an abnormality should occur in the appliance main body, and a second alarm for indicating an abnormality if an abnormality should occur in the appliance main body and when the first alarm fails to function.

Abstract: A printer head is mounted on a carriage which is driven to travel in the row direction at a predetermined constant speed. A pulse generation device is provided for developing a pulse signal in response to the travel of the carriage in order to determine print width. A detection device develops a detection signal when the carriage reaches the first print position to initiate printing of the first character. The detection signal is applied to a counter which counts a time interval from a time at which the last pulse is developed from the pulse generation device to a time at which the detection signal is developed. The following character printing is effected each time the pulse generation device develops a predetermined number of pulses indicative of one character width or print pitch and the time interval determined by the counter has passed from the time at which the last pulse of the predetermined number is developed.