David J Stringfellow

US Patent:

56641672, Sep 2, 1997

Filed:

Mar 27, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/411370

Inventors:

James Kyle Pickett - Austin TX
David Wayne Stringfellow - Kokomo IN

Assignee:

Delco Electronics Corporation - Kokomo IN

International Classification:

G06F 114
G06F 944

US Classification:

395557

Abstract:

A programmable apparatus and method are provided for processing multiple routines so as to realize different timing resolutions. The apparatus includes a programmable timer device equipped with instruction memory for storing programmed instructions and programmable memory for storing a plurality of program counter entries, each dedicated to a corresponding routine. A plurality of program loops are provided, each of which includes a selected number of program counter entries. One entry from each of the program loops is sequentially selected and a corresponding instruction is executed. The number of entries dedicated to each program loop, or subloop, is selected so that different routines may realize different timing resolutions. Furthermore, program subloop entries could be repeated one or more times within a given loop to further improve (make finer) the timing resolution.