Apparatus and method for identifying the features and the origin of a computer microprocessor
First Claim
1. A method for determining microprocessor attributes in response to an ID instruction, wherein the microprocessor performs the steps comprising:
- a) reading a first type of information from a processor memory element in the microprocessor in response to the ID instruction, wherein the first type of information specifies an available number of levels of identification information;
b) storing at least a portion of the first type of information in at least one register in the microprocessor;
c) retrieving additional information from the processor memory element, if the first type of information indicates that more than one level of information is available.
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Abstract
A multi-level identification apparatus and method for providing at least two types of identification information, including a first type for identifying the origin of a microprocessor and the number of levels of identification information available, and a second type for identifying a family, a model, a stepping ID, and features of a microprocessor. The apparatus includes a first memory element for storing an indicia string that identifies the origin of the microprocessor. The apparatus also includes a second memory element for storing other microprocessor ID data including data fields for specifically identifying the microprocessor. The apparatus includes control logic for executing an ID instruction that reads the indicia string or the microprocessor ID data, dependent upon a preselected type. Whichever identification information is read, it is stored in one or more general purpose registers for selective reading by a programmer. The method is available at any time while the microprocessor is operating.
37 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for determining microprocessor attributes in response to an ID instruction, wherein the microprocessor performs the steps comprising:
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a) reading a first type of information from a processor memory element in the microprocessor in response to the ID instruction, wherein the first type of information specifies an available number of levels of identification information; b) storing at least a portion of the first type of information in at least one register in the microprocessor; c) retrieving additional information from the processor memory element, if the first type of information indicates that more than one level of information is available. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of identifying a microprocessor in response to an ID instruction from a program executing on the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor performs the steps comprising:
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a) receiving the ID instruction; b) receiving a level indicator identifying a level of microprocessor identification information from a plurality of levels of microprocessor identification information stored in a memory in the microprocessor; c) reading a selected microprocessor identification information from the memory in accordance with the level indicator; and d) storing at least a portion of the selected microprocessor identification information in a microprocessor memory register for access by the program. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A method for determining microprocessor attributes in response to an ID instruction, wherein the microprocessor performs the steps comprising:
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a) reading a first type of microprocessor identification information from a processor memory element in the microprocessor in response to the ID instruction, the processor memory element storing levels of microprocessor identification information; b) storing at least a portion of the first type of information in at least one register in the microprocessor; c) comparing the first type of information with a predetermined string; d) retrieving additional microprocessor identification information from the processor memory element, if the first type of information matches the predetermined string. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. The method of 7 wherein the indicia of origin includes a string of consecutive characters, the consecutive characters comprising "INTEL".
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9. The method of 8 wherein the consecutive characters are stored in a reverse order as "LETNI".
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10. In a microprocessor, an identification apparatus for identifying the microprocessor in response to an ID instruction, the apparatus comprising:
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a register; a processor memory element storing multiple levels of microprocessor identification information; a decoder for decoding program instructions including an ID instruction associated with a level indicator operand; and control circuitry coupled to the decoder, said control circuitry reading at least one level of microprocessor identification information from the processor memory element in accordance with the level indicator operand and storing at least a portion of the one level of microprocessor identification information in the register in response to the ID instruction received by the decoder. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification