Abstract: A processor is disclosed for use in a computer system for comparing a number of bytes simultaneously in order to locate a control character in a string of data. The processor includes a register for holding the data bytes, a register for storing the control characters, a comparison circuit for simultaneously comparing the bytes of the first register with the bytes of the second register, and a circuit for generating indicator bits when a match has been found between the two registers. Microcode instructions cause the system to branch to a predetermined memory location when the control character has been located and to branch to a second predetermined memory location when no control character is found in the data string. The parallel string processor includes a circuit which finds the indicator bits generated from the circuit which have a predetermined characteristic and thus identifies the position of a particular byte (e.g.

Abstract: A register architecture for a computer in which a plurality of banks of general purpose registers are used in the register files. Each of the multiple register banks is dedicated to a different user, with one of the register banks being dedicated to servicing interrupts and another of the register banks being dedicated to the operating system of the computer in which the register architecture is incorporated. Associated with each of the register banks is a smaller register bank of status registers in which information concerning the status of the computer is stored.

Abstract: A data communications system for a computer for transferring data between the memory of the computer and one or more peripheral devices without requiring an interrupt context switch. The data communications system includes a number of specialized registers in the central processing unit of a computer, a computer memory, a data storage location associated with one or more peripheral devices, and a bus connecting the data storage location to the memory. The specialized registers in the central processing unit are dedicated exclusively to processing data transfers between the memory and the data storage location associated with the peripheral devices. Data transfers between the computer memory and the data storage location associated with the peripheral devices are made under the control of the central processing unit with the use of the special registers without the execution of an interrupt context switch.

Abstract: A processor is disclosed for use in a computer system for comparing a number of bytes simultaneously in order to locate a control character in a string of data. The processor includes a register for holding the data bytes, a register for storing the control characters, a comparison circuit for simultaneously comparing the bytes of the first register with the bytes of the second register, and a circuit for generating indicator bits when a match has been found between the two registers. Microcode instructions cause the system to branch to a predetermined memory location when the control character has been located and to branch to a second predetermined memory location when no control character is found in the data string.In another aspect, a parallel string processor for a minicomputer for searching portions of text or binary bit strings for the presence of desired words or bit strings.