Patent ID: 7080178
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for processing data, said apparatus comprising: processing logic operable to perform processing operations under control of program instructions and subject to interruption by a plurality of interrupt handling programs; and a nested interrupt controller operable to control execution of said plurality of interrupt handling programs in response to priority level values associated with respective ones of said plurality of interrupt handling programs, each priority level value being divided into a first portion and a second portion; wherein said nested interrupt controller is operative to compare a first portion of a priority level value associated with a pending interrupt handling program with a corresponding first portion of a priority level associated with an active interrupt handling program to determine whether said pending interrupt handling program should pre-empt said active interrupt handling program or wait to be activated; and said nested interrupt controller is operative to order for activation a plurality of pending interrupt handling programs based upon a comparison of respective first portions of priority level values associated with said plurality of pending interrupt handling programs and then for any pending interrupt handling programs having equal respective first portions upon a comparison of respective second portions of said priority level values.