Programmable cycle state machine interface

Abstract

A programmable cycle state machine interface to a microcontroller comprising a programmable cycle state machine, a first and second data bus, a first and second control output, and a control input for programming the cycle of the state machine. The programmable nature of the state machine allows for design and implementation changes without the need to redesign customized state machine logic on the microcontroller.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A method for providing digital graphics data and control signals to a graphics display using a programmable cycle state machine on an integrated circuit comprising steps for:
 accepting instructions on a first control input describing the input timing requirements of a graphics display, the geometric specifications of the graphics display, and the color depth information of the graphics display;   providing a signal on a first control output capable of controlling the graphics display;   providing a signal on a second control output capable of requesting a next unit of digital graphics data from a memory or CPU; and   transmitting digital graphics data from a data input connected to the memory or CPU to a data_output in compliance with the input timing requirements of the graphics display connected to the data_output.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the instructions indicate a display between 64 by 64 pixels and 852 by 480 pixels; and   wherein the instructions indicate a color depth between 1-bit monochrome and 16-bit color.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the range of acceptable instructions includes support for at least two different display technologies from a set consisting of:
 monochrome liquid crystal display (LCD),   color super twisted nematic (STN) liquid crystal display,   double-layer super twisted nematic liquid crystal display,   color thin-film transistor (TFN) liquid crystal display,   zero-power bistable display,   plasma display,   liquid crystal on silicon device,   digital micromirror device,   light-emitting diode (LED) panel,   organic light-emitting diode display (OLED).   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the steps are performed a chip that also includes a microcontroller.