Patent ID: 6173348
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method for communicating between a first device and a second device in a computer system coupled by a bus, the bus including at least one data line and an associated control signal, the method comprising:transferring a plurality of data bytes over the bus from the first device to the second device as part of a data transfer with the control signal deasserted;interrupting the data transfer and transferring control information in a bus message from the first device to the second device over the at least one data line following the interrupting, the control signal being asserted during the bus message to indicate that the bus message is on the bus; andafter transferring the bus message, resuming the data transfer at the point where the data transfer was interrupted, the control signal being deasserted on resuming to indicate that the bus message is no longer being transferred on the bus.