PCT
`
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(51) International Patent Classification 6 z
`G06F 1/16
`
`(11) International Publication Number:
`,
`,
`.
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`W0 99/57626
`
`11 November 1999 (11.11.99)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US99/09369
`
`(81) Designated States: JP, European patent (AT, BE, CH. CY. DE,
`DK, ES, Fl, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE).
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`29 April 1999 (29.04.99)
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`60/083,886
`60/092,706
`09/149,548
`
`1 May 1998 (01.05.98)
`14 July 1998 (14.07.98)
`8 September 1998 (08.09.98)
`
`US
`US
`US
`
`Published
`
`~
`
`Without international search report and to be republished
`upon receipt of that report.
`
`[US/US]; 1621
`INC.
`(71) Applicant: ACQIS TECHNOLOGY,
`West El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040 (US).
`
`(72) Inventor: CHU, William, W., Y.; 1320 Miravalle Avenue, Los
`Altos, CA 94024 (US).
`
`(74) Agents: KAPOUYTIAN, Ararat et al.; Morrison & Foerster
`LLP, 425 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105—2482
`(US).
`
`
`
`(54) Title: PERSONAL COMPUTER PERIPHERAL CONSOLE WITH ATTACHED COMPUTER MODULE
`
`
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`An attached computer module (100) (ACM) that mates with a personal computer peripheral console (200) (PCON) to form a fully
`functional computer is disclosed. The ACM contains high—value components of the computer system in a compact, highly portable form.
`The PCON provides primary input (222, 224), output (210), and power capability. PCONs may take many forms allowing reuse of the
`high-value components of the computer system in different use configurations or in geographically disparate locations. The ACM and
`PCON may be interconnected using a cableufriendly interface with high reliability.
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`

`

` AL
`
`AM
`AT
`AU
`AZ
`BA
`BB
`BE
`BF
`BG
`BJ
`BR
`BY
`CA
`CF
`CG
`CH
`CI
`CM
`CN
`CU
`CZ
`DE
`DK
`EE
`
`Albania
`Armenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Azerbaijan
`Bosnia and Herzegovina
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`Cote d‘Ivoire
`Cameroon
`China
`Cuba
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT.
`SI
`Slovenia
`Lesotho
`Slovakia
`SK
`Lithuania
`SN
`Luxembourg
`Senegal
`SZ
`Swaziland
`Latvia
`TD
`Chad
`Monaco
`TG
`Togo
`Republic of Moldova
`TJ
`Tajikistan
`Madagascar
`TM
`Turkmenistan
`The former Yugoslav
`TR
`Turkey
`Republic of Macedonia
`TT
`Mali
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`UA
`Mongolia
`UG
`Mauritania
`Uganda
`US
`United States of America
`Malawi
`UZ
`Uzbekistan
`Mexico
`Viet Nam
`VN
`Niger
`YU
`Netherlands
`Yugoslavia
`ZW
`Zimbabwe
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`
`ES
`FI
`FR
`GA
`GB
`GE
`GH
`GN
`GR
`HU
`IE
`IL
`IS
`IT
`JP
`KE
`KG
`KP
`
`KR
`KZ
`LC
`LI
`LK
`LR
`
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Ghana
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Israel
`Iceland
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgyzstan
`Democratic People‘s
`Republic of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakstan
`Saint Lucia
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`
`LS
`LT
`LU
`LV
`MC
`MD
`MG
`MK
`
`ML
`MN
`MR
`MW
`MX
`NE
`NL
`NO
`NZ
`PL
`PT
`RO
`RU
`SD
`SE
`SG
`
`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`
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`WO 99/57626
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`PCT/US99/09369
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`5
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`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 July 14, 1998 and of US. Application No.
`
`09/149,548 filed September 8, 1998.
`
`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.
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`Improved modular designs for personal computer systems have been
`
`suggested in the past. U.S. Patent 5,539,616 (Kikinis) shows a notebook computer
`
`comprised almost entirely of pluggable modules. This design wins the advantages
`
`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 suffers from the same
`
`shortcoming. The recently developed Device Bay standard defines a mechanism
`
`10
`
`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
`
`modules.
`
`Notebook computers with docking stations represent a partitioning of PC
`
`15
`
`components that permits the core computing 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 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
`
`20
`
`may be used to hold secondary or bulky peripheral devices.
`
`The portability of notebook computers is, however, constrained 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 notebook computer also supplies
`
`25
`
`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
`
`30
`
`physically separate media console connected by a bus cable. The media console
`
`contains frequently accessed peripherals, such as CD-ROM and diskette drives, and
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`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 computing power and software environment in a
`
`small, lightweight, single, portable, physical package.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`15
`
`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 environment
`
`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 contained in the ACM comprises the primary
`
`operating system software files, frequently used application software files, files
`
`25
`
`containing the user’s working data, and stored configuration data that controls
`
`various aspects of software operation 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
`
`30
`
`operating system and application software.
`
`(A)
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`The PCON provides the remaining components of a personal computer
`
`system including substantial power supply and input/output devices. Different
`
`PCON designs provide different usage possibilities for the user’s core computing
`
`power and environment. Example PCON’s include 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
`
`10
`
`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
`
`15
`
`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
`
`Figure 1 depicts an exemplary desktop peripheral console and attached
`
`computing module.
`
`Figures 2a through 2d depict various peripheral console configurations.
`
`Figure 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system
`
`employing the present invention.
`
`Figure 4 is a block diagram of an attached computing module (ACM).
`
`Figure 5 illustrates an external view of one embodiment of an ACM.
`
`Figure 5b illustrates one possible embodiment of a computer bay.
`
`Figure 6 illustrates the internal component layout for one embodiment of an
`
`20
`
`25
`
`ACM.
`
`Figure 7 is a block diagram of a peripheral console (PCON).
`
`Figure 8 depicts internal major component placement for one tower desktop
`
`30
`
`peripheral console (PCON).
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`Figure 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
`
`Figure 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.
`
`The design of peripheral consoles (PCON’s) is in no way limited to the
`
`desktop unit as pictured in Figure 1. Figures 2a through 2d depict various
`
`peripheral console configurations. Figure 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 provides support for a keyboard and a mouse as the
`
`user’s primary input (text and pointing) devices.
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`Figure 2b depicts a notebook computer PCON configuration. 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.
`
`Figure 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”
`
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`
`buttons, on the touch sensitive screen. Software accessible mechanical switches
`
`serve as an alternative primary input mechanism.
`
`Figure 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
`
`15
`
`remote control keypad serves as the user’s primary input device.
`
`Figure 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 interconnection
`
`apparatus between them. The ACM includes the central processing unit (CPU)
`
`20
`
`110, system memory 120, high performance 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
`
`25
`
`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
`
`30
`
`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
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`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 apparatus 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.
`
`10
`
`This primary display 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.
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`15
`
`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 component
`
`20
`
`is the paramount vehicle by which programs executing 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 software. Secondary mass storage may have
`
`fixed or removable media and may include, for example, devices such as diskette
`
`25
`
`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 circuitry 240 primarily
`
`30
`
`includes interface chips, driver chips, and signal busses that interconnect the other
`
`components within the PCON. The interface and support circuitry also connects
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`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 operation. 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.
`
`Figure 4 is a block diagram of an attached computing module (ACM) 100.
`
`The physical ACM package 100 contains 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 101 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 ACM-to-PCON Interconnection 300 conveys certain signals in bit-
`
`serial format. The use of bit-serial format reduces the number of physical signal
`
`paths required to traverse the interconnection. Additionally, the ACM-to-PCON
`
`Interconnection 300 uses differential signaling to convey certain bit-serial data.
`
`Differential signaling, such as low voltage differential signaling (LVDS), can
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`provide very reliable, high—speed, and low-power transmission across cables -- and
`
`cables as a transmission media provide tremendous design flexibility. Accordingly,
`
`the use of bit-serial format for computer bus data and the use of differential
`
`signaling represent further advantages of the present invention.
`
`More specifically, in the presently described embodiment at least the
`
`peripheral bus 312 has a plurality of serial bit channels numbering fewer than the
`
`number of parallel bus lines in PCI bus 167 and operates at a clock speed higher
`
`than the clock speed at which any of the PCI bus lines operates. The peripheral bus
`
`312 includes two sets of unidirectional serial bit channels which transmit data in
`
`10
`
`opposite directions such that one set of bit channels conveys serial bits from the
`
`HIC while the other set conveys serial bits to the HIC. For each cycle of the PCI
`
`bus 167 clock, each bit channel of the peripheral bus 312 transmits a packet of
`
`multiple serial bits.
`
`HIC 320 includes a number of functional subsections that are not shown
`
`15
`
`individually in Figure 4. The HIC includes a bus controller to interface with PCI
`
`bus 167 and to manage transactions that occur therewith. The HIC also includes a
`
`translator coupled to the bus controller to (l) encode control signals from PCI bus
`
`167 into control bits and to decode control bits conveyed by peripheral bus 312 into
`
`generated control signals for PCI bus 167, and (2) to manage the movement of data
`
`20
`
`and address bit information to and from PCI bus 167. Additionally, HIC 320
`
`includes a transmitter and a receiver, each coupled to the translator. The transmitter
`
`converts parallel bits representing data, address, and control signals into serial bits
`
`and transmits the serial bits to the peripheral bus 312 using differential signaling.
`
`The receiver receives serial bits from a differential signal of peripheral bus 312, and
`
`25
`
`converts the serial bits representing data, address, and control signals into parallel
`
`bits.
`
`The CPU component 110 of the ACM functional circuitry 101 of the
`
`presently described embodiment comprises a microprocessor 112, which is the
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`chief component of the personal computer system, power supply connection point
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`113, and cache memory 114 tightly coupled to the microprocessor 112 by the CPU-
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`to-cache bus 174 comprising signal paths for address, data, and control information.
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`The microprocessor 112 of this embodiment is one of the models from the Pentium
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`11 family of processors from Intel Corporation. Microprocessor 112 receives
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`electrical power from power bus 168 via connection point 113. Microprocessor
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`112 couples to the Host Interface Controller (HIC) 320 via CPU-to-HIC bus 163
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`comprising signal paths to exchange control information such as an interrupt
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`request. Microprocessor 112 also couples to CPU Bridge 146 via CPU main bus
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`164 comprising signal paths for address, data, and control information.
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`The CPU Bridge component 146 of the interface and support circuitry 140
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`operates to couple the high speed CPU main bus 164 to specialty buses of varying
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`speeds and capability that connect other computer components. The CPU Bridge of
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`the presently described embodiment incorporates memory controller circuitry,
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`advanced graphics processor support circuitry, and a general, industry-standard PCI
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`bus controller in a single package. A CPU Bridge 146 such as the 82443LX
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`PCI/AGP Controller from Intel Corporation may be used.
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`The system memory component 120 of the ACM functional circuitry 101 in
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`the present embodiment comprises main system memory (RAM) 122, BIOS
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`memory 124, and flash memory 126. The system memory 120 is used to contain
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`data and instructions that are directly addressable by the CPU. The RAM 122
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`comprises volatile memory devices such as DRAM or SDRAM memory chips that
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`do not retain their stored contents when power is removed. This form of memory
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`represents the largest proportion of total system memory 120 capacity. The BIOS
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`memory 124 comprises non-volatile memory devices such as ROM or EPROM
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`memory chips that retain their stored contents regardless of the application of
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`power and are read-only memory under normal operating conditions. The BIOS
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`memory 124 stores, for example, start-up instructions for the microprocessor 112
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`and sets of instructions for rudimentary input/output tasks. The flash memory 126
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`comprises non-volatile memory devices that retain their stored contents regardless
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`of the application of power. Unlike the BIOS non-volatile memory, however, the
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`stored contents of the flash memory 126 are easily changed under normal operating
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`conditions. The flash memory 126 may be used to store status and configuration
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`data, such as security identifiers or ACM specifications like the speed of the
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`microprocessor 112. Some embodiments may combine the BIOS functions into the
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`flash memory device, thus permitting BIOS contents to be rewritten, improving
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`field upgradability.
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`The main system memory (RAM) 122 is coupled to memory controller
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`circuitry resident within the CPU Bridge 146 via direct memory bus 165. The
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`BIOS 124 and flash memory 126 are coupled to HIC 320 via switched memory bus
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`166. This permits the BIOS 124 and flash 126 memories to be accessed by
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`circuitry in the HIC 320 or other circuitry connected thereto. The direct memory
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`bus 165 and the switch memory bus 166 each comprises conductors to convey
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`signals for data, address, and control information.
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`The primary mass storage component 130 of the ACM functional circuitry
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`101 in the present embodiment comprises a compact hard disk drive with an
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`industry-standard, IDE interface. The hard disk drive (HDD) 132 has a formatted
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`storage capacity sufficient to contain an operating system for the computer,
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`application software desired by the user, and related user configuration and
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`operating parameter data. The HDD 132 in the present embodiment serves as the
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`“boot” device for the personal computer from which the operating system is loaded
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`into RAM 122 by the start—up program stored in the BIOS 124.
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`The present HDD 132 has a capacity of approximately 2,000 megabytes to
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`provide adequate storage for common software configurations and reasonable space
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`for user data. One example of a common software configuration includes the
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`Windows 95 operating system from Microsoft Corporation, a word processing
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`program, a spreadsheet program, a presentation graphics program, a database
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`program, an email program, and a web browser such as Navigator from Netscape
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`Corporation. The hard disk 132 stores program and data files for each software
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`component, including files distributed by the vendor as well as files created or
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`updated by operation of the software after it is installed. For example, a word
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`processor program may maintain information about a user’s identity and latest
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`preferences in an operating system registry file. Or, for example, the web browser
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`may maintain a file of the user’s favorite web sites or most recently viewed web
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`pages. An HDD with 2000 megabyte capacity is readily available in the small size
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`of hard disk (e.g., 2.5-inch or 3.5 -inch) to minimize the space required within the
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`ACM for the primary mass storage device 130.
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`The HDD 132 is coupled to IDE controller circuitry 148 via IDE bus 172.
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`The IDE controller circuitry 148 is coupled to the CPU Bridge 146 via the Host PCI
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`bus 167. IDE controllers and busses, and the PCI bus are well known and
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`understood in the industry. The above components operate together to couple the
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`hard disk drive 132 to the microprocessor 112.
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`The high performance devices component 150 of the ACM functional
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`circuitry 101 in the present embodiment comprises an Advanced Graphics
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`Processor (AGP) 152. The Model 740 Graphics Device from Intel Corporation
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`may be used in the present embodiment as the AGP.
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`Increases in computer screen size, graphics resolution, color depth, and
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`visual motion frame rates, used by operating system and application software alike,
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`have increased the computing power required to generate and maintain computer
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`screen displays. An AGP removes a substantial portion of the graphics computing .
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`burden from the CPU to the specialized high-performance processor, but a high
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`level of interaction between the CPU and the specialized processor is nonetheless
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`required. To maximize the effective contribution of having a specialized processor
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`in the presently described embodiment, the AGP 152 is located in the ACM 100,
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`2O
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`where it is in close proximity to the microprocessor 112. The AGP 152 is coupled
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`to the microprocessor 112 via the advanced graphics port bus 173 of the CPU
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`Bridge 146. The visual display signal generated by the AGP are conveyed toward
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`actual display devices at the peripheral console (PCON) via video signal bus 170.
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`Video information from a source external to the ACM and appearing as video port
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`signals 317 may be conveyed to the AGP 152 Via video port signal path 171.
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`Other types of high performance components may be included in different
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`ACM configurations. For example, an interface to an extremely high speed data
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`communication facility may be desirable in some future computer where CPU-to-
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`network interaction is of comparable intensity to today’s CPU-to-graphics
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`interaction. Because such high performance components tend to be high in cost,
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`their inclusion in the ACM is desirable. Inclusion of high cost, high performance
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`components in the ACM concentrates a user’s core computing power and
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`environment in a portable package. This represents a further advantage of the
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`invention.
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`The interface and support component 140 of the ACM functional circuitry
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`101 in the present embodiment comprises circuitry for power regulation 142,
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`clocking 144, CPU Bridge 146, IDE controller 148, and signal conveyance paths
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`161-174. The CPU Bridge 146 couples the CPU component 110 of the ACM 100
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`with the other components of the ACM 120-1 50 and the CPU-to-PCON
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`Interconnection 300. The CPU Bridge 146 and IDE controller 148 have already
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`10
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`been discussed. Power regulation circuitry 142 receives electrical power via the
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`electrical power conduction path 314 of the CPU-to-PCON Interconnection 300,
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`conditions and distributes it to the other circuitry in the ACM using power
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`distribution bus 168. Such regulation and distribution is well known and
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`understood in the art.
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`Clocking circuitry 144 generates clock signals for distribution to other
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`components within the ACM 100 that require a timing and synchronization clock
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`source. The CPU 110 is one such component. Often, the total power dissipated by
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`a CPU is directly proportional to the frequency of its main clock signal. The
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`pre