Abstract: A computer system in which interrupt signals are serially transmitted from an input/output (I/O) controller is disclosed. The I/O controller initially receives the interrupt signals and then serially transmits them to an interrupt controller where the received interrupt signals are managed. According to the invention, the sequencing by which the interrupt signals are serially transmitted is controlled such that it largely conforms to the sequencing by which the received interrupt signals are processed at the interrupt controller, thereby controlling and reducing latency. The interrupt controller can be a separate integrated circuit chip or integral to another integrated circuit chip of the computer system.

Abstract: An input/output interface apparatus that allows a computer system to have less ports and greater safety with the connection of peripheral devices to the ports is disclosed. The input/output interface apparatus enables the computer system to supply multiple bus standards to a single flexible port of the computer system. The input/output interface apparatus permits safe connection of a peripheral device to a port of the computer system when the computer system is powered-on (so called hot-plugging or hot-docking).