US 6,295,534 B1 · Apparatus for maintaining an ordered list

Abstract

An apparatus for maintaining an ordered list which can store any type and number of data items. The ordered list can be implemented in hardware so as to enable fast, efficient maintenance of an ordered list of data. The data to be stored in the list is stored as a plurality of data cells each comprising any number of bits. The ordered list permits data to be read from, written to and deleted from the list. Data is written to the list using a push operation and data is deleted from the listing using a pop operation. A controller, processor or other source, provides the cell address information for each read, push and pop operation. The ordered list comprises a plurality of index units with each index unit comprising a 3 to 1 multiplexor whose output is connected to a data cell comprising a register or suitable data storage device. The mux selects data to its output from either (1) input cell data (2) the data cell in the previous index unit or (3) the data cell in the next index unit. Individual operations of pushing, popping and reading are defined. In addition, a push operation and a pop operation can be performed simultaneously regardless of whether the push address is greater than, smaller than or equal to the pop address.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for storing a plurality of data items as an ordered list, comprising:

a plurality of index units, each index unit storing a single data item, said plurality of index units connected in linear fashion to form a sequential list of data items, each index unit, except for the first and last, coupled to a previous index unit and a next index unit in said list, each index unit having an output and adapted to receive input data from either an input data source, a previous index unit or a next index unit in accordance with a select signal;
a controller adapted to receive a push command or a pop command and a corresponding index address and, in response thereto, to generate independent select signals for each index unit in said list;
wherein in response to said push command, said controller is adapted to generate a first plurality of select signals operative to insert a data item in said list at a location corresponding to said index address;
and
wherein in response to said pop command, said controller is adapted to generate a second plurality of select signals operative to remove a data item in said list at a location corresponding to said index address.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for maintaining an ordered list

Life of this patent

Apparatus for maintaining an ordered list

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17