Storage arrangement having a device to determine free storage locations
First Claim
1. A storage arrangement for use as an associative memory, comprising:
- a main memory for storing data composed of an associative component and a non-associative component;
a comparator device connected to said main memory to compare the associative part of data therefrom with a search word;
said main memory comprising a linearly addressed storage bank divided into a pages each including b rows, each of said rows including a storage position for the data and a portion for storing reference characteristics;
page and row address converters for providing page and row addresses in response to receipt of a prefix;
an extension counter connected to said page address converter to co-determine page address in accordance with its relavant count and whose count is increased by one when an initially addressed storage position is engaged;
a book-keeping memory connected to said page address converters and operated to be read row-by-row, said book-keeping memory comprising a rows each including b bit positions, where each row corresponds to a page and each bit position corresponds to a row of said main memory, each bit position storing a mark indicating seizure of the corresponding row of said main memory; and
a book-keeping control unit connected to said counter, to said row address converters, to said book-keeping memory and to said main memory, and operable to control the setting and interrogation of the seizure marks and the selection of equivalent storage positions in said main memory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A storage arrangement is used as an associative memory having a main memory serving to accommodate the data composed of an associative component (association word) and a non-associative component. A comparator device serves to compare the associative part of the read-out data with a search word and address converters serve to derive storage addresses from the association word or the search word or from parts of such words (prefix). An extension counter is provided whose count influences the address derivation and is increased by one whenever an initially addressed storage position proves otherwise engaged. The main memory comprises a linearly addressed storage bank which is divided into a plurality of pages each comprising a plurality of rows. Each row contains one storage position for accommodating the data, and the sections for accommodating reference characteristics. Separate address covers are provided for the formation of the page and row addresses and the extension counter co-determines the derivation of the page address in accordance with its relevant count. A book-keeping memory, which is read out row-by-row comprises a plurality of rows each having a plurality of bit positions. Each row of the book-keeping memory is assigned to a page and each bit position is assigned to a row of the main memory. Seizure of the bit positions of the book-keeping memory provides information on seizure of the main memory and the book-keeping memory is assigned a book-keeping control unit which controls the setting and the interrogation of markings in the book-keeping memory for seized storage positions in the main memory and the selection of equivalent storage positions.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A storage arrangement for use as an associative memory, comprising:
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a main memory for storing data composed of an associative component and a non-associative component; a comparator device connected to said main memory to compare the associative part of data therefrom with a search word; said main memory comprising a linearly addressed storage bank divided into a pages each including b rows, each of said rows including a storage position for the data and a portion for storing reference characteristics; page and row address converters for providing page and row addresses in response to receipt of a prefix; an extension counter connected to said page address converter to co-determine page address in accordance with its relavant count and whose count is increased by one when an initially addressed storage position is engaged; a book-keeping memory connected to said page address converters and operated to be read row-by-row, said book-keeping memory comprising a rows each including b bit positions, where each row corresponds to a page and each bit position corresponds to a row of said main memory, each bit position storing a mark indicating seizure of the corresponding row of said main memory; and a book-keeping control unit connected to said counter, to said row address converters, to said book-keeping memory and to said main memory, and operable to control the setting and interrogation of the seizure marks and the selection of equivalent storage positions in said main memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification