초록

An apparatus and method for prefetching cache data in response to data requests. The prefetching uses the memory addresses of requested data to search for other data, from a related address, in a cache. This, or other data, may then be prefetched based on the result of the search.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus and method for prefetching cache data in response to data requests. The prefetching uses the memory addresses of requested data to search for other data, from a related address, in a cache. This, or other data, may then be prefetched based on the result of the search. mprising: initiali

An apparatus and method for prefetching cache data in response to data requests. The prefetching uses the memory addresses of requested data to search for other data, from a related address, in a cache. This, or other data, may then be prefetched based on the result of the search. mprising: initializing 1284 host communications between said converter and said host device. 8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the step of initializing 1284 host communications comprises: determining whether or not said 1394 compliant device is a printer that has been configured, and if not, inputting said received data from said host device and attempt to configure said at least one 1394 compliant device as a supported printer. 9. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the step of initializing 1284 host communications further comprises: once a supported printer has been configured that is in communication with said 1394 bus, waiting for said host device to ask said converter for said supported printer's configuration data, then transmitting that configuration data to said host device. 10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said host device is the communications master, and said converter is the communications slave. 11. A method for controlling a peer-to-peer 1394-to-1284 converter, said method comprising: providing a Link layer that communicates with a 1284 port, a Physical layer that communicates with a 1394 bus, a peripheral device that is in communication with said 1284 port, and at least one 1394 compliant device that is in communication with said 1394 bus; controlling said Link layer by asserting a select signal to said peripheral device by way of said 1284 port, then receiving a response signal from said peripheral device; and controlling said Physical layer by examining said at least one 1394 compliant device, receiving data by way of said 1394 bus and determining an active protocol of the received data, determining whether or not said received data comprises a predetermined type of data, and if so, converting and transmitting said predetermined type of data using said active protocol to said peripheral device by way of said 1284 port. 12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising: determining whether or not said peripheral device comprises a supported printer. 13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein said step of determining whether or not said peripheral device comprises a supported printer comprises: reading an identification code received from said peripheral device. 14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising: if said identification code is appropriate, arming said printer for alerts; reading other messages received from said printer and, where appropriate, sending said other messages to said 1394 compliant device by way of said 1394 bus. 15. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising: determining whether or not said converter is to become the 1394 bus manager. 16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein if said converter is the 1394 bus manager, further comprising: determining during said examining procedure whether or not said at least one 1394 compliant device requires power to be sourced from said converter, and if not, transmitting over said 1394 bus a link-on message to enable said at least one 1394 compliant device. 17. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein said predetermined type of data comprises print data. 18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said converter is the communications master, and said peripheral device is the communications slave. 19. A converter apparatus, comprising: a 1294 interface circuit; a controller circuit; a Physical layer that acts as a 1394 interface circuit; and a Link layer that is in communication with said 1284 interface circuit and which is in communication with said Physical layer; wherein: (a) said controller circuit and Link layer are contained within a unitary electronic structure; (b) a host device is in communication with said 1284 interface circuit; (c) an external peripheral device is in communication with said Physical layer; and (d) said controller circuit is configured: (i) to determine by use of said 1284 interface circuit, whether or not data is being received