Abstract: A register control instruction is added in a stored program computer and uses the same OP code as used for an existing storage instruction. A non used bit state in the existing storage instruction identifies the instruction as a register control instruction rather than a storage instruction and causes logic to generate a control signal for inhibiting the storage operation whereby the storage address is used for addressing a register instead of storage and data is transferred to or from the addressed register as per other control information in the instruction. The bit state identifying the instruction as a register control instruction is converted to a used bit state of the storage instruction so as to invoke an address update operation normally invokable by the storage instruction to update the storage address used instead for register addressing.

Abstract: Storage protection is provided in a computer system having address translation by loading address translate registers with valid translated addresses and with special addresses. A circuit for generating a storage exception signal is connected to receive all addresses from the translate registers which are addressed by the main storage address and generates a storage exception signal in response to detecting a special address. The address translation mode is provided for both a main storage processor and a control processor with a separate address translate control register for each processor. Address translation is automatically selected based upon interrupt level. Address translation registers are also provided for I/O operations and are controlled independently from and can be in parallel with the task address translation registers.

Abstract: An asymmetrical multiprocessor system has a main storage or macroprocessor connected under control of a microprocessor for initiation and termination of operation of the macroprocessor. The macroprocessor after being started by the microprocessor runs until a check condition in the macroprocessor occurs, a non-executable operation code (OP code) in the macroprocessor is encountered, or the microprocessor wants control. When the macroprocessor stops the microprocessor is interrupted. The interrupt routine handles the condition causing the interrupt and restarts the macroprocessor. Non-executable OP codes include supervisor call and invalid OP codes. I/O operations are handled by the supervisor call instruction.

Abstract: Control circuitry in a computer system is responsive to an allow cycle steal signal from an I/O attachment operating in a burst or dedicated data transfer mode and generates control signals whereby the next data storage cycle is made available to an I/O device which is also capable of operating in a cycle steal mode. Upon completion of the next storage cycle, the operation reverts to burst mode and the I/O attachment operating in the burst mode is granted ensuing data storage cycles until it relinquishes a storage cycle to an I/O device capable of using and having a need for it.