Batch processing of interrupts

A processor having circuitry for handling pending interrupt vectors of a pending interrupt list, comprising:

• first logic circuitry for batch-reading said set of pending interrupt vectors into a working list of working list interrupt vectors;
• and
• an interrupt handling circuitry for performing interrupt handling of said working list interrupt vectors, said handling of said working list interrupt vectors is performed until said working list is empty before additional pending interrupt vectors from said pending interrupt list is read into said working list again, said performing interrupt handling permitting a first incoming interrupt vector that is received by said pending interrupt list after said batch reading to temporarily interrupt said performing interrupt handling of said working list interrupt vectors and to be handled on a priority basis by said interrupt handling circuitry if a priority level of said first incoming interrupt vector is higher than a priority level of a first working list interrupt vector being currently handled by said interrupt handling circuitry.

A processor configured to handle pending interrupt vectors of a pending interrupt list, comprising:

• first means for batch-reading said set of pending interrupt vectors into a working list of working list interrupt vectors;
• and
• second means for performing interrupt handling of said working list interrupt vectors, said handling of said working list interrupt vectors is performed until said working list is empty before incoming interrupt vectors received after said batch-reading in said pending interrupt list is handled, except that a first incoming interrupt vector that is received in said pending interrupt list after said batch reading is permitted to temporarily interrupt said performing interrupt handling of said working list interrupt vectors and to be handled on a priority basis by said second means if a priority level of said first incoming interrupt vector is higher than a priority level of a first working list interrupt vector being currently handled by said second means.