(12) United States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`Chu
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`USOO6216185B1
`
`(54) PERSONAL COMPUTER PERIPHERAL
`CONSOLE WITH ATTACHED COMPUTER
`
`94 00970
`95 13640
`
`1/1994 (W0).
`5/1995 (WO)~
`
`MODULE
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: William W“ Y“ Chu, L05 A1t05> CA
`(Us)
`
`(73) Assignee: Acqis Technology, Inc., Mountain
`View, CA (US)
`
`( 4 ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/149,548
`.
`Flled:
`
`(22)
`
`Sep. 8’ 1998
`Related US. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 60/083,886, filed on May 1,
`1998, and provisional application No. 60/092,706, filed on
`Jul. 14, 1998.
`
`(60)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... G06F 13/00
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`............................ 710/101; 710/72; 710/129;
`710/102; 713/300
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 710/101, 72, 129,
`710/62, 71, 106, 100, 102, 200, 103, 439/928.1,
`375/219, 361/679—687, 724—727, 752, 753,
`796; 345/169; 379/9301, 713/300, 307/66
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,769,764 *
`52789509
`572787730
`5,293,487
`5,319,771 *
`
`9/1988 Levanon.
`1/1994 Haynes et a1--
`“1994 Kjkinis -
`3/1994 Free .
`6/1994 Takeda.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0 722 138
`7/1996 (EP) .
`6—289953
`10/1994 (JP) .
`92 18924
`10/1992 (W0) .
`
`Digital Semiconductor, 21152 PCI—to—PCI Bridge Product
`Brief (02/96).
`Intel Corporation, Intel 430TX PCISET: 82439TX System
`Controller (MTXC) Architectural Overview (02/97).
`Intel Corporation, Intel 82371AB PCI—to—ISA/IDE Xcel-
`erator (PIIX4) Architectural Overview (04/97).
`Intel Corporation, Intel 440LX AGPSET: 82443LX PCI
`A.G.P. Controller (PAC) Advance Information (08/97).
`National Semiconductor, DA90CR215/DS90CR216 Gen-
`eral Description (07/97).
`National Semiconductor, DS90CR215 Product Folder.
`Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), Plug and
`Display (P&D) Standard, P&D and Digital Transition Mini-
`mized Differential Signaling (TMDS) Video Transmission
`Overview, Version 1, Revision 0, pp. 1 & 31—34 (1997).
`
`Primary Examiner—Gopal C. Ray
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Townsend and Townsend
`and Crew LLp
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A personal computer system comprises physically separate
`units and an interconnection between the units. An attached
`
`computing module (ACM) contains the core computing
`power and environment for a computer user. A peripheral
`console (PCON), contains the power supply and primary
`input and. output devices for the computer‘system. To form
`an operational computer system, an ACM is coupled With a
`PCON. The plug-in module design of the ACM, and the
`concentration of high-value components therein (both in
`terms of high-value hardware and high-value files), makes it
`easy for a user to transport the high-value core between
`multiple PCON’s, each of which can enjoy a relatively low
`cost. The concentration of a user’s core computing environ-
`ment in a small, portable package also makes it possible for
`large organizations to perform moves, adds, and changes to
`personal computer systems With greater effic1ency.
`
`42 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`Peripheral Console
`
`Primary
`— Display
`Device
`
`Primary
`— Input
`Device
`
`Primary Power Supply
`
`220
`
`250
`
`260
`
`270
`
`230
`
`Samsung
`
`Ex.1010- Page 1
`
`150
`‘
`High
`
`P rt
`6:033:33?
`130
`
`9 —
`
`Interface
`and
`Support
`
`.
`— Interconnection —
`
`Secondary
`Interface
`and — ass
`Support
`Storage
`
`Devices
`Other
`
`Expansion
`Slots
`
`I
`Secondary Power Supply
`
`.I
`
`Samsung
`Ex. 1010 - Page 1
`
`

`

`US 6,216,185 B1
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,331,509
`5,355,391
`5,463,742
`5,539,616
`5,550,710
`5,550,861
`5,578,940
`5,600,800
`5,606,717
`
`7/1994
`10/1994
`10/1995
`7/1996
`8/1996
`8/1996
`11/1996
`2/1997
`2/1997
`
`*
`
`Kikinis .
`Horowitz et al.
`Kobayashi .
`Kikinis .
`Rahamim et al.
`Chan et al.
`.
`Dillon et al.
`.
`Kikinis et al.
`Farmwald et al.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`5,640,302
`5,659,773
`5,663,661
`5,680,126
`5,774,704 *
`5,941,965 *
`5,948,047
`5,999,952
`6,029,183
`
`6/1997
`8/1997
`9/1997
`10/1997
`6/1998
`8/1999
`9/1999
`12/1999
`2/2000
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Kikinis .
`Huynh et al.
`Dillon et al.
`Kikinis .
`Williams .
`Moroz et al.
`Jenkins et al.
`Jenkins et al.
`Jenkins et al.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`....................... 708/141
`....................... 708/100
`....................... 708/100
`
`Samsung
`
`Ex. 1010 - Page 2
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`Samsung
`Ex. 1010 - Page 2
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 0f 10
`
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`
`
`Samsung
`
`Ex. 1010 - Page 3
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`Samsung
`Ex. 1010 - Page 3
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 0f 10
`
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`‘ \
`
`‘1‘1‘
`
`
`
`
`FIG._2A
`
`210
`
`Samsung
`
`Ex. 1010 - Page 4
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`Samsung
`Ex. 1010 - Page 4
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 0f 10
`
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`FIG._ZC
`
`226
`FIG._ZD
`
`210
`
`Samsung
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`Ex. 1010 - Page 5
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 0f 10
`
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`Peripheral Console
`
`
`
`220
`
`250
`
`260
`
`270
`
`230
`
`Expansion
`
`—
`
`|—-I
`
`Interface
`and
`Support
`
`Interface
`and
`Support
`
`Secondary
`Mass
`Storage
`
`Primary
`Mass —
`
`Storage
`
`Secondary Power Supply
`
`.
`Primary Power Supply
`
`FIG._3
`
`Samsung
`
`Ex. 1010 - Page 6
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`Ex. 1010 - Page 6
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 0f 10
`
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`
`
`33.28:00
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`
`83891
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`Samsung
`
`Ex. 1010 - Page 7
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`Ex. 1010 - Page 7
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 0f 10
`
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`
`
`FIG._5B
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 0f 10
`
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
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`
`Ex. 1010 - Page 9
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`Samsung
`Ex. 1010 - Page 9
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 0f 10
`
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
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`
`Ex.1010- Page 10
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`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 0f 10
`
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`Computer Bay
`290
`
`Power Supply
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PCI Add-on Card
`260
`
`Motherboard
`810
`
`Samsung
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 10, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 0f 10
`
`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`202
`
`Samsung
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`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`1
`PERSONAL COMPUTER PERIPHERAL
`CONSOLE WITH ATTACHED COMPUTER
`MODULE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims any and all benefits as provided
`by law of US. Provisional Application No. 60/083,886 filed
`May 1, 1998 and of US. Provisional Application No.
`60/092,706 filed Jul. 14, 1998.
`This application is being filed concurrently with the
`application of William W. Y. Chu for “A Communication
`Channel and Interface Devices For Bridging Computer
`Interface Buses”, US. application No. 09/149,882 filed on
`Sept. 8, 1998 and incorporates the material
`therein by
`reference
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The invention relates to the field of personal computers.
`In particular, the invention relates to a personal computer
`comprising a computing module that attaches to a mating
`peripheral console.
`2. Description of Related Art
`Most computer systems are designed as standalone, self-
`contained units. A personal computer (PC) is constructed
`with a motherboard, enclosed within a case, acting as the
`central circuit board that connects all devices together
`including the central processing unit
`(CPU), system
`memory, graphics devices, audio devices, communications
`devices, a power supply, hard disk drive, floppy disk drive,
`add-on cards, and others. While some components may be
`exposed to the exterior of the case for easy substitution and
`replacement, such as removable diskette drives or PCMCIA
`cards for a notebook computer, the CPU is fixed within the
`case. A new generation of processor “modules,” such as
`Intel’s Mobile CPU module, contain the CPU and certain
`support circuitry within a pluggable module, but the module
`is directly attached to the motherboard, enclosed within the
`computer case, and removed only for servicing. As such, the
`CPU, which is an expensive component of the computer,
`cannot be readily utilized apart from the system in which it
`is installed.
`
`Improved modular designs for personal computer systems
`have been suggested in the past. US. Pat. No. 5,539,616
`(Kikinis) shows a notebook computer comprised almost
`entirely of pluggable modules. This design wins the advan-
`tages most often associated with modularity, i.e., flexibility
`in configuration and ease of servicing. At
`this level of
`modularity, however, no single module is sufficient in itself
`to preserve the core computing capability and environment
`of the computer user.
`Another approach to personal computer modularity suf-
`fers from the same shortcoming. The recently developed
`Device Bay standard defines a mechanism for easily adding
`and upgrading PC peripheral devices without opening the
`computer case. Device Bay supports a wide variety of
`storage devices. The Device Bay standard supports only
`peripheral devices, however, and not CPU or memory mod-
`ules.
`
`Notebook computers with docking stations represent a
`partitioning of PC components that permits the core com-
`puting capability and environment of the user to be isolated
`to a portable physical package, i.e., the notebook computer.
`The notebook is self-contained and fully able to operate
`
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`2
`apart from any docking station, having all core computing
`capability plus primary input and display devices integrated
`into a single package. The docking station is an optional
`accessory that may be used to hold secondary or bulky
`peripheral devices.
`The portability of notebook computers is, however, con-
`strained by several factors. As a fully functional computer
`system, a notebook computer requires a substantial power
`supply. Batteries and AC adapters are both heavy limiting
`the ability to produce a device that is lightweight. A note-
`book computer also supplies primary input and display
`devices for the user. Usable keyboards and readable display
`screens limit the ability to produce a device with small
`dimensions that can support the software applications most
`commonly used on personal computers.
`The most significant partitioning of a desktop personal
`computer occurs in the IBM Aptiva S Series. The Aptiva S
`PC’s incorporate a system tower with a physically separate
`media console connected by a bus cable. The media console
`contains frequently accessed peripherals, such as CD-ROM
`and diskette drives, and has a connection for the keyboard
`and mouse. This construction removes the bulky tower case
`from the desktop by locating a small set of low performance
`peripherals near the monitor, as much as six feet away from
`the tower. The major components of the system, including
`the CPU, memory, hard disk drive, add-on cards, power
`supply, etc., remain together in the tower case.
`Consequently, there is a need in the art for a personal
`computer that allows the user to localize their core comput-
`ing power and software environment in a small, lightweight,
`single, portable, physical package.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A personal computer system comprising two physically
`separate units and the interconnection between them is
`disclosed. The first unit, an attached computing module
`(ACM), contains the core computing power and environ-
`ment for a computer user. The second unit, a peripheral
`console (PCON), contains the power supply and primary
`input and output devices for the computer system. An ACM
`and a PCON are coupled with one another to form a fully
`functional personal computer system.
`The ACM is small in size so as to be easily transported
`between work locations or to a servicing facility. The ACM
`is of comparable size to that of a videocassette, and similarly
`has a hard shell to provide mechanical protection for its
`internal components. The core computing power in the ACM
`comprises the central processing unit (CPU), system
`memory, any auxiliary processors, and primary mass storage
`(e.g., a hard disk drive) which serves as the boot device for
`the computer system. The user’s core environment con-
`tained in the ACM comprises the primary operating system
`software files, frequently used application software files,
`files containing the user’s working data, and stored configu-
`ration data that controls various aspects of software opera-
`tion customized to the user’s characteristics or preferences.
`Notably absent from the ACM are any substantial power
`supply, and any substantial
`input/output device such as
`would normally be used by the computer operator to interact
`and exploit
`the range of functionality provided by the
`operating system and application software.
`The PCON provides the remaining components of a
`personal computer system including substantial power sup-
`ply and input/output devices. Different PCON designs pro-
`vide different usage possibilities for the user’s core com-
`puting power and environment. Example PCON’s include
`
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`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`3
`desktop computer, notebook computer, notepad computer,
`and computer-based entertainment computer designs.
`To form a fully operational computer system, an ACM is
`coupled with a PCON. The plug-in module design of the
`ACM, and the concentration of high-value components
`therein (both in terms of high-value hardware and high-
`value files), makes it easy for a user to transport
`the
`high-value core between multiple PCON’s, each of which
`can enjoy a relatively low cost. The concentration of a user’s
`core computing environment in a small, portable package
`also makes it possible for large organizations to perform
`moves, adds, and changes to personal computer systems
`with greater efficiency.
`These and other purposes and advantages of the present
`invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the
`art from the following detailed description in conjunction
`with the appended drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary desktop peripheral console
`and attached computing module.
`FIGS. 2a through 2d depict various peripheral console
`configurations.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a
`computer system employing the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an attached computing
`module (ACM).
`FIG. 5 illustrates an external view of one embodiment of
`an ACM.
`
`FIG. 5b illustrates one possible embodiment of a com-
`puter bay.
`FIG. 6 illustrates the internal component layout for one
`embodiment of an ACM.
`
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a peripheral console (PCON).
`FIG. 8 depicts internal major component placement for
`one tower desktop peripheral console (PCON).
`FIG. 9 depicts internal component placement for one
`notebook peripheral console (PCON).
`In the figures just described,
`like parts appearing in
`multiple figures are numbered the same in each figure.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary desktop peripheral console
`and attached computing module. The desktop peripheral
`console (PCON) looks similar to a desktop PC system unit
`of conventional design. Front covers for device bays and a
`diskette drive are visible on the front panel of the PCON.
`The PCON also provides connections for a display monitor,
`a keyboard, and a mouse.
`The front panel of the PCON also displays an opening to
`a computer bay 292. The computer bay acts as the receptacle
`for the attached computer module (ACM). The ACM houses
`the core computing power and environment for a particular
`user and is inserted into the opening of the computer bay to
`receive power and to interact with the peripheral devices
`housed in the PCON. The ACM achieves normal operational
`capability when mated with a PCON. Because the ACM
`does not contain a primary power supply or primary input or
`output devices,
`it can be small and lightweight. These
`characteristics make the ACM greatly portable. It can be
`easily carried in a briefcase with other matter and is thus
`ideal for transport between home and office, or multiple
`office locations, each equipped with a desktop PCON. This
`represents one advantage of the present invention.
`
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`
`The design of peripheral consoles (PCON’s) is in no way
`limited to the desktop unit as pictured in FIG. 1. FIGS. 2a
`through 2d depict various peripheral console configurations.
`FIG. 2a depicts a tower desktop PCON configuration. The
`opening of the computer bay 292 is visible at the front of the
`PCON unit. The PCON provides support for a video monitor
`as the user’s primary display device. The PCON also pro-
`vides support for a keyboard and a mouse as the user’s
`primary input (text and pointing) devices.
`FIG. 2b depicts a notebook computer PCON configura-
`tion. The opening of the computer bay 292 is visible at the
`side of the PCON unit. The PCON provides an integrated
`LCD display panel as the user’s primary display device. The
`PCON provides an integrated keyboard as the user’s primary
`input device.
`FIG. 2C depicts a notepad computer PCON configuration.
`The opening of the computer bay 292 is visible along the
`back side of the PCON unit. The PCON provides an
`integrated LCD display panel as the user’s primary display
`device. The display panel may be equipped with touch
`sensitivity to serve as the user’s primary input device. The
`stylus may be used to enter text or graphics, or to select
`“soft” buttons, on the touch sensitive screen. Software
`accessible mechanical switches serve as an alternative pri-
`mary input mechanism.
`FIG. 2d depicts an entertainment PCON configuration.
`The opening of the computer bay 292 is visible at the front
`side of the PCON unit. The PCON provides an integrated
`television screen as the user’s primary display device. A
`remote control keypad serves as the user’s primary input
`device.
`
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the components in one
`computer system employing the present
`invention. The
`computer system comprises an attached computer module
`(ACM), a peripheral console (PCON), and the interconnec-
`tion apparatus between them. The ACM includes the central
`processing unit (CPU) 110, system memory 120, high per-
`formance devices 150, primary mass storage 130, and
`related interface and support circuitry 140. The PCON
`includes primary display 210, primary input 220, secondary
`mass storage 250, other devices 260, expansion slots 270,
`the primary power supply 230, and related interface and
`support circuitry 240. The interconnection apparatus 300
`includes circuitry to convey power and operational signals
`between the ACM and PCON.
`
`Within the ACM 100, the CPU 110 executes instructions
`and manipulates data stored in the system memory. The CPU
`110 and system memory 120 represent
`the user’s core
`computing power. The core computing power may also
`include high performance devices 150 such as advanced
`graphics processor chips that greatly increase overall system
`performance and which, because of their speed, need to be
`located close to the CPU. The primary mass storage 130
`contains persistent copies of the operating system software,
`application software, configuration data, and user data. The
`software and data stored in the primary mass storage device
`represent the user’s computing environment. Interface and
`support circuitry 140 primarily includes interface chips and
`signal busses that interconnect the CPU, system memory,
`high performance devices, and primary mass storage. The
`interface and support circuitry also connects ACM-resident
`components with the ACM-to-PCON interconnection appa-
`ratus as needed.
`
`Within the PCON 200, the primary display component
`210 may include an integrated display device or connection
`circuitry for an external display device. This primary display
`
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`US 6,216,185 B1
`
`5
`device may be, for example, an LCD, plasma, or CRT
`display screen used to display text and graphics to the user
`for interaction with the operating system and application
`software. The primary display component is the primary
`output of the computer system, i.e., the paramount vehicle
`by which programs executing on the CPU can communicate
`toward the user.
`
`The primary input component 220 of the PCON may
`include an integrated input device or connection circuitry for
`attachment to an external input device. The primary input
`may be, for example, a keyboard, touch screen, keypad,
`mouse,
`trackball, digitizing pad, or some combination
`thereof to enable the user to interact with the operating
`system and application software. The primary input com-
`ponent is the paramount vehicle by which programs execut-
`ing on the CPU receive signals from the user.
`The PCON may contain secondary mass storage 250 to
`provide additional high capacity storage for data and soft-
`ware. Secondary mass storage may have fixed or removable
`media and may include,
`for example, devices such as
`diskette drives, hard disks, CD-ROM drives, DVD drives,
`and tape drives.
`The PCON may be enhanced with additional capability
`through the use of integrated “Other Devices” 260 or add-on
`cards inserted into the PCON’s expansion slots 270.
`Examples of additional capability include sound generators,
`LAN connections, and modems. Interface and support cir-
`cuitry 240 primarily includes interface chips, driver chips,
`and signal busses that interconnect the other components
`within the PCON. The interface and support circuitry also
`connects PCON-resident components with the ACM-to-
`PCON interconnection apparatus as needed.
`Importantly, the PCON houses the primary power supply
`230. The primary power supply has sufficient capacity to
`power both the PCON and the ACM 100 for normal opera-
`tion. Note that the ACM may include a secondary “power
`supply” in the form, for example, of a small battery. Such a
`power supply would be included in the ACM to maintain, for
`example, a time-of-day clock, configuration settings when
`the ACM is not attached to a PCON, or machine state when
`moving an active ACM immediately from one PCON to
`another. The total energy stored in such a battery would,
`however, be insufficient to sustain operation of the CPU at
`its rated speed, along with the memory and primary mass
`storage, for more than a fraction of an hour, if the battery
`were able to deliver the required level of electrical current at
`all.
`
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an attached computing
`module (ACM) 100. The physical ACM package 100 con-
`tains the ACM functional components 101 and the ACM
`side of the ACM-to-PCON Interconnection 300. The ACM
`
`101 comprises a CPU component 110, a system memory
`component 120, a primary mass storage component 130, a
`high performance devices components 150, and an interface
`and support component 140.
`The ACM side of the ACM-to-PCON Interconnection 300
`
`comprises a Host Interface Controller (HIC) component 320
`and an ACM connector component 330. The HIC 320 and
`connector 330 components couple the ACM functional
`components 100 with the signals of an ACM-to-PCON
`interface bus 310 used to operatively connect an ACM with
`a PCON. The ACM-to-PCON interface bus 310 comprises
`conveyance for electrical power 314 and signals for a
`peripheral bus 312, video 316, video port 317, and console
`type 318. The preferred ACM-to-PCON Interconnection 300
`is described in detail in a companion US. patent application,
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`6
`Ser. No. 09/149,882, entitled “A Communication Channel
`and Interface Devices for Bridging Computer Interface
`Buses,” by the same inventor,
`filed on the same day
`herewith, and hereby incorporated by reference. The pre-
`ferred ACM-to-PCON interconnection 300 includes cir-
`cuitry to transmit and receive parallel bus information from
`multiple signal paths as a serial bit stream on a single signal
`path. This reduces the number of physical signal paths
`required to traverse the interconnection 300. Further,
`employing low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) on the
`bit stream data paths provides very reliable, high-speed
`transmission across cables. This represents a further advan-
`tage of the present invention.
`The CPU component 110 of the ACM functional circuitry
`101 of the presently described embodiment comprises a
`microprocessor 112, which is the chief component of the
`personal computer system, power supply connection point
`113, and cache memory 114 tightly coupled to the micro-
`processor 112 by the CPU-to-cache bus 174 comprising
`signal paths for address, data, and control information. The
`microprocessor 112 of this embodiment is one of the models
`from the Pentium II family of processors from Intel Corpo-
`ration. Microprocessor 112 receives electrical power from
`power bus 168 via connection point 113. Microprocessor
`112 couples to the Host Interface Controller (HIC) 320 via
`CPU-to-HIC bus 163 comprising signal paths to exchange
`control information such as an interrupt request. Micropro-
`cessor 112 also couples to CPU Bridge 146 via CPU main
`bus 164 comprising signal paths for address, data, and
`control information.
`
`The CPU Bridge component 146 of the interface and
`support circuitry 140 operates to couple the high speed CPU
`main bus 164 to specialty buses of varying speeds and
`capability that connect other computer components. The
`CPU Bridge of the presently described embodiment incor-
`porates memory controller circuitry, advanced graphics pro-
`cessor support circuitry, and a general, industry-standard
`PCI bus controller in a single package. A CPU Bridge 146
`such as the 82443LX PCI/AGP Controller from Intel Cor-
`poration may be used.
`The system memory component 120 of the ACM func-
`tional circuitry 101 in the present embodiment comprises
`main system memory (RAM) 122, BIOS memory 124, and
`flash memory 126. The system memory 120 is used to
`contain data and instructions that are directly addressable by
`the CPU. The RAM 122 comprises volatile memory devices
`such as DRAM or SDRAM memory chips that do not retain
`their stored contents when power is removed. This form of
`memory represents the largest proportion of total system
`memory 120 capacity. The BIOS memory 124 comprises
`non-volatile memory devices such as ROM or EPROM
`memory chips that retain their stored contents regardless of
`the application of power and are read-only memory under
`normal operating conditions. The BIOS memory 124 stores,
`for example, start-up instructions for the microprocessor 112
`and sets of instructions for rudimentary input/output tasks.
`The flash memory 126 comprises non-volatile memory
`devices that retain their stored contents regardless of the
`application of power. Unlike the BIOS non-volatile memory,
`however, the stored contents of the flash memory 126 are
`easily changed under normal operating conditions. The flash
`memory 126 may be used to store status and configuration
`data, such as security identifiers or ACM specifications like
`the speed of the microprocessor 112. Some embodiments
`may combine the BIOS functions into the flash memory
`device,
`thus permitting BIOS contents to be rewritten,
`improving field upgradability.
`
`Samsung
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`Ex.1010- Page 15
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`Samsung
`Ex. 1010 - Page 15
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`US 6,216,185 B1
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`7
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`The main system memory (RAM) 122 is coupled to
`memory controller circuitry resident within the CPU Bridge
`146 via direct memory bus 165. The BIOS 124 and flash
`memory 126 are coupled to HIC 320 via switched memory
`bus 166. This permits the BIOS 124 and flash 126 memories
`to be accessed by circuitry in the HIC 320 or other circuitry
`connected thereto. The direct memory bus 165 and the
`switch memory bus 166 each comprises conductors to
`convey signals for data, address, and control information.
`The primary mass storage component 130 of the ACM
`functional circuitry 101 in the present embodiment com-
`prises a compact hard disk drive with an industry-standard,
`IDE interface. The hard disk drive (HDD) 132 has a for-
`matted storage capacity sufficient to contain an operating
`system for the computer, application software desired by the
`user, and related user configuration and operating parameter
`data. The HDD 132 in the present embodiment serves as the
`“boot” device for the personal computer from which the
`operating system is loaded into RAM 122 by the start-up
`program stored in the BIOS 124.
`The present HDD 132 has a capacity of approximately
`2,000 megabytes to provide adequate storage for common
`software configurations and reasonable space for user data.
`One example of a common software configuration includes
`the Windows 95 operating system from Microsoft
`Corporation, a word processing program, a spreadsheet
`program, a presentation graphics program, a database
`program, an email program, and a web browser such as
`Navigator from Netscape Corporation. The hard disk 132
`stores program and data files for each software component,
`including files distributed by the vendor as well as files
`created or updated by operation of the software after it is
`installed. For example, a word processor program may
`maintain information about a user’s identity and latest
`preferences in an operating system registry file. Or, for
`example, the web browser may maintain a file of the user’s
`favorite web sites or most recently viewed web pages. An
`HDD with 2000 megabyte capacity is readily available in
`the small size of hard disk (e.g., 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch) to
`minimize the space required within the ACM for the primary
`mass storage device 130.
`The HDD 132 is coupled to IDE controller circuitry 148
`via IDE bus 172. The IDE controller circuitry 148 is coupled
`to the CPU Bridge 146 via the Host PCI bus 167. IDE
`controllers and busses, and the PCI bus are well known and
`understood in the industry. The above components operate
`together to couple the hard disk drive 132 to the micropro-
`cessor 112.
`
`The high performance devices component 150 of the
`ACM functional circuitry 101 in the present embodiment
`comprises an Advanced Graphics Processor (AGP) 152. The
`Model 740 Graphics Device from Intel Corporation may be
`used in the present embodiment as the AGP.
`Increases in computer screen size, graphics resolution,
`color depth, and visual motion frame rates, used by operat-
`ing system and application software alike, have increased
`the computing power required to generate and maintain
`computer screen displays. An AGP removes a substantial
`portion of the graphics computing burden from the CPU to
`the specialized high-performance processor, but a high level
`of interaction between the CPU and the specialized proces-
`sor is nonetheless required. To maximize the effective con-
`tribution of having a specialized processor in the presently
`described embodiment, the AGP 152 is located in the ACM
`100, where it is in close proximity to the microprocessor
`112. The AGP 152 is coupled to the microprocessor 112 via
`
`8
`the advanced graphics port bus 173 of the CPU Bridge 146.
`The visual display signal generated by the AGP are con-
`veyed toward actual display devices at the peripheral con-
`sole (PCON) via video signal bus 170. Video information
`from a source external to the ACM and appearing as video
`port signals 317 may be conveyed to the AGP 152 via video
`port signal path 171.
`Other types of high performance components may be
`included in different ACM configurations. For example, an
`interface to an extremely high speed data communication
`facility may be desirable in some future computer where
`CPU-to-network interaction is of comparable intensity to
`today’s CPU-to-graphics interaction. Because such high
`performance components tend to be high in cost,
`their
`inclusion in the ACM is desirable. Inclusion of high cost,
`high performance components in the ACM concentrates a
`user’s core computing power and environment in a portable
`package. This represents a further advantage of the inven-
`tion.
`
`The interface and support component 140 of the ACM
`functional circuitry 101 in the present embodiment com-
`prises circuitry for power regulation 142, clocking 144, CPU
`Bridge 146, IDE controller 148, and signal conveyance
`paths 161—174. The CPU Bridge 146 couples the CPU
`component 110 of the ACM 100 with the other components
`of the ACM 120—150 and the CPU-to-PCON Interconnec-
`
`tion 300. The CPU Bridge 146 and IDE controller 148 have
`already been discussed. Power regulation circuitry 142
`receives electrical power via the electrical power conduction
`path 314 of the CPU-to-PCON Interconnection 300, condi-
`tions and distributes it to the other circuitry in the ACM
`using power distribution bus 168. Such regulation and
`distribution is well known and understood in the art.
`
`Clocking circuitry 144 generates clock signals for distri-
`bution to other components within the ACM 100 that require
`a timing and synchronization clock source. The CPU 110 is
`one such component. Often, the total power dissipated