COMPUTER SYSTEM WITH PERIPHERAL CONTROL FUNCTIONS INTEGRATED INTO HOST CPU

摘要

The computer system includes a bus (28), a CPU (21) coupled to the bus (28), and a memory (22) coupled to the bus (28). A peripheral device (25) is coupled to the bus (28) for performing a predefined peripheral operation. A logic (24) is coupled to the bus (28) and the peripheral device (25) for causing the CPU (21) to be interrupted to control the peripheral device (25) when the logic (24) receives a request for the peripheral (25) operation. The logic (24) does not control the peripheral (25) operation. The request may be generated by a software program running on the CPU (21) or by the peripheral device (25). Although the CPU (21) is controlling the peripheral operation, the existing peripheral controller-based application software can still be used. A method for controlling the peripheral device (25) for the peripheral operation is also described.