`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Intel Corporation v. ACQIS LLC
`Intel Corp.'s Exhibit 1014
`Ex. 1014, Page 1
`
`

`

`
`
`
`US 7,099,981 B2
`
`
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`
`
`5,600,800 A
`
`
`5,603,044 A
`5,608,608 A
`
`5,640,302 A
`
`5,680,126 A
`
`5,745,733 A
`
`
`5,819,050 A
`5,948,047 A
`
`
`5,971,804 A
`5,991,163 A
`
`5,999,952 A
`
`
`6,016,252 A
`6,029,183 A
`
`
`
`6,088,224 A
`
`6,157,534 A
`6,163,464 A
`
`
`
`6,175,490 B1
`6,208,522 B1
`
`
`6,216,185 B1
`
`
`6,260,155 B1
`
`
`
`
`6,289,376 B1
`6,311,268 B1
`
`
`6,314,522 B1
`
`
`
`
`6,317,329 B1
`6,321,335 B1
`
`
`6,345,330 B1
`
`
`6,452,789 B1
`
`
`6,564,274 B1
`
`
`6,718,415 B1*
`
`
`6,725,317 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2/1997 Kikinis et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`2/ 1997 Annapareddy et al.
`3/1997 Flint et al.
`
`
`
`
`6/1997 Kikinis
`
`
`
`10/1997 Kikinis
`
`
`
`4/1998 Robinson
`
`
`
`
`
`10/1998 Boehling et al.
`9/1999 Jenkins et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10/1999 Gallagher et al.
`11/1999 Marconi et al.
`
`
`
`12/1999 Jenkins et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`1/2000 Pignolet et al.
`2/2000 Jenkins et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7/2000 Gallagher et al.
`
`
`12/2000 Gallagher et al.
`12/2000 Ishibashi et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1/2001 Papa et al.
`3/2001 Manweiler et al.
`
`
`
`4/2001 Chu
`
`
`7/2001 Dellacona
`
`
`
`
`9/2001 Taylor et al.
`10/2001 Chu
`
`
`11/2001 Chu et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`11/2001 Dowdy et al.
`11/2001 Chu
`
`
`2/2002 Chu
`
`
`
`9/2002 Pallotti et al.
`
`
`
`
`5/2003 Heath et al.
`
`
`
`
`4/2004 Chu ........................... 710/301
`
`
`
`4/2004 Bouchier et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`6-289953
`10/1994
`
`10/1992
`WO 92/18924
`
`
`W0 94/0097
`1/1994
`
`
`WO 95/13640
`5/1995
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`JP
`
`W0
`W0
`W0
`
`
`
`
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“SQL Server and NT Cluster Manager Availability Demo,”
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VIicrosoft Server Programmer Developers Conference, Nov. 1996,
`
`
`
`15 pages total.
`VIicrosoft Cluster Service Center, “MSCS Basics,” downloaded
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`from <<http://www.nwnetworks.com/mscsbasics.htm>>, Feb. 7,
`
`
`
`2005, 6 pages total.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Agerwala, T., Systems Journal “SP2 System Architecture” vol. 34,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`\I0. 2, 1995 Scalable Parallel Computing vol. 34, No. 2, 1995.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CETIA Brochure “CETIA Powerengine CVME 603e” pp. 1-6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`downloaded from the internet at. http://www.cetia.com/ProductAd-
`
`
`
`
`dOns/wp-47-01.pdf on Feb. 15, 2006.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VIPL Brochure “1st Rugged All
`in One Industrial 486FDX-l33
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VIHZ PC” pp. 1-2, downloaded from the internet at. http://www.
`
`
`
`
`mpl.ch/DOCs/ds48600.pdf on Feb. 15, 2006.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VIPL Brochure “IPM 486 Brochure/lPM5 User Manual” pp. 1-9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`downloaded from the
`internet
`at http://www.mpl.ch/DOCs/
`
`
`
`
`u48600Xd.pdf on Feb. 15, 2006.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Snyder, Joel “Better Management through consolidation” pp. 1-6
`
`
`
`
`
`downloaded from the internet at http://www.opusl.com/www.jms/
`nw-con-08 l 8rev.html.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Bernal, Carlos, product brochure entitled: “PowerSMP Series
`
`
`
`
`(Mar. 1998) <<http://www/winnetmag,com/Windows/Ar-
`4000”,
`ticle/ArticleID/3095//3095.htrnl, downloaded from web on Jun. 22,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2004, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cragle, Jonathan, “Density System 1100”, May 1999) <<http://
`
`www.winnetmag.com/Windows/Article/ArticleID/5199/5199.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`html>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 21, 2004, 4 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Feldman, Jonathan, “Rack Steady: The Four Rack-Mounted Servers
`
`
`
`
`
`That Rocked Our Network”, <<http://www.networkcomputing.
`
`
`com/shared/printArticle.jhtml?article:/910/910r3 side 1 .htm. ..
`>>Jun. 23, 2004, 3 pg.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fetters, Dave, “Cubix High-Density Server Leads the Way With
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Standout Management Software”, (Feb. 8, 1999) <<http://www.
`
`
`
`nwc.com/shared/printArticle.jhtml?article:/ 1003/ 1003r3full.html
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`&pub:nwc>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 5 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Gardner, Michael and Null, Christopher, “A Server Condominium”,
`
`
`<<http://www.lantimes.com/testing/98jun/806a042a.html>>,
`Jun.
`
`
`
`23, 2004, 3 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Harrison, Dave, “VME in the Military: The M1A2 Main Battle Tank
`
`
`
`
`
`Upgrade Relies on COTS VME” <<http://www.dy4.com>>, (Feb.
`
`
`
`
`9, 1998), pp. 1-34.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Williams, Dennis, “Consolidated Servers”, (Feb. 17, 1997) <<http://
`
`
`www.lantimes.com/testing/97compare/pcconsol.html>>
`down-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`loaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Williams, Dennis, “Executive Summary: Consolidate Now”, (Feb.
`
`
`
`1997)
`<<http://www.lantimes.com/testing/97feb/702b064a.
`17,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`html>> downloaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Williams, Dennis, “Top Scores for Useability and Openness”, (Feb.
`
`
`
`1997)
`<<http://www.lantimes.com/testing/97feb/702b064a.
`17,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`html>> downloaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Williams, Dennis, “ChatCom Inc. Chatterbox”, (Feb. 17, 1997)
`
`<<http://www.lantimes.com/testing/97feb/702b066a.html>> down-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`loaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 3 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Williams, Dennis, “EVERSYS Corp. System 8000”, (Feb. 17, 1997)
`
`<<http://www.lantimes.com/testing/97feb/702b070b.html>> down-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`loaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 4 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(Feb. 17, 1997)
`Williams, Dennis, “Cubix Corp. ERS/FT II”,
`
`<<http://www.lantimes.com/testing/97feb/702b068b.html>> down-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`loaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 4 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`Crystal Advertisement for “Rackmount Computers”, (© 2000-2004)
`
`<<http://www.crystalpc.com/products/roservers.asp>>,
`down-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`loaded from web on Jun. 17, 2004, 8 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`Crystal Advertisement for “QuickConnect® Cable Management”,
`
`
`(© 2000-2004) <<http://www.crystalpc.com/products/quickcon-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nect.asp>> downloaded from web on Jun. 17, 2004, 4 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix Product Brochure entitled, “Density System”,
`(© 2000)
`
`
`
`<<http://64. 173 .21 l .7/support/techinfo/system/density/densityl 0.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`htm>> downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 3 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix Product Brochure entitled, “Density System, Technical
`
`
`
`
`
`Specifications”, (© 2000) <<http://64.173.211.7/support/techinfo/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`system/density/info/spec.htm>> downloaded from web on Jun. 22,
`
`
`2004, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`entitled,
`“Density System”, Chater
`Cubix Product Manual
`
`
`
`
`lilntroduction, (© 2000) <<http://64.173.211.7/support/techinfo/
`
`
`
`
`
`manuals/density/Chap-l..htm>> downloaded from web on Jun. 22,
`
`
`2004, 5 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “Click on the front panel that matches your system”, (©
`
`
`
`2000) <<http://64.173.21l.7/support/techinfo/system/density/den-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sity.htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 1 pg.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix Product Manual
`entitled, “Density System”, Chapter
`
`
`
`
`2iInstallation, (© 2000) <<http://64.173.211.7/support/techinfo/
`
`
`
`
`
`manuals/density/Chap-2.htm>> downloaded from web on Jun. 22,
`
`
`2004, 9 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`entitled, “Density System”, Chapter
`Cubix Product Manual
`
`
`
`
`
`340peration,
`(© 2000) <<http://64.173.211.7/support/techinfo/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`manuals/density/Chap-3.htm>> downloaded from web on Jun. 22,
`
`
`2004, 4 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`entitled, “Density System”, Chapter
`Cubix Product Manual
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`47Maintenance and Repair, (© 2000) <<http://64.l73.2ll.7/sup-
`
`
`port/techinfo/manuals/density/Chap-4.htm>> downloaded
`from
`
`
`
`
`
`web on Jun. 22, 2004, 5 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “What are Groups?”, (© 2000) <<http://64.l73.2ll.7/sup-
`
`
`
`port/techinfo/system/density/info/groups.htm>>, downloaded from
`
`
`
`
`
`web on Jun. 22, 2004, 3 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “SP 5200XS Series Plug-in Computers”, (© 2000) <<http://
`
`
`64.173.21l.7/support/techinfo/bc/sp5200xs/intro.htm>>,
`down-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`loaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “SP 5200XS Series Technical Specifications”, (© 2000)
`
`
`<<http://64.173.21l.7/support/techinfo/bc/sp5200XS/spec.htm>>,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 2 pg.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(© 2000)
`Cubix, “SP 5200 Series” Chapter
`liIntroduction,
`
`
`<<http://64.173.21l.7/support/techinfo/manuals/sp5200/chap-l.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 3 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 2
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 2
`
`

`

`
`
`
`US 7,099,981 B2
`Page 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “SP 5200 Series” Chapter 27Switches & Jumpers, (© 2000)
`
`
`<<http://64. 173.211 .7/support/techinfo/manuals/sp5200/chap-2.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 3 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “SP 5200 Series” Chapter 3iInstallation,
`(© 2000)
`
`
`<<http://64. 173.211 .7/support/techinfo/manuals/sp5200/chap-3.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 4 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “SP 5200 Series” Chapter 47Technical Reference, (© 2000)
`
`
`<<http://64. 173.211 .7/support/techinfo/manuals/sp5200/chap-4.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 3 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “DP 6200 ‘D’ Series Plug-in Computers” <<http://64.173.
`
`
`
`
`2 1 1 .7/support/techinfo/bc/dp/6200d/intro .htm>>, downloaded from
`
`
`
`
`
`web on Jun. 22, 2004, 3 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “Installing DP or SP Series Boards” (© 2000) <<http://64.
`
`
`
`173.211 .7/support/techinfo/bc/dp/6200d/intro.htm>>, downloaded
`
`
`
`
`
`
`from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “Powering On/Off or Resetting Plug-in Computers in an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Density System”, (© 2000) <<http://64.173.211.7/support/techinfo/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`system/density/info/power.htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun.
`
`
`
`22, 2004, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cubix, “Multiplexing Video, Keyboard & Mouse with Multiple
`
`
`
`
`
`Systems”,
`Density
`(© 2000) <<http://64.173.211.7/support/
`
`
`
`techinfo/system/density/info/Vkm-mux.htm>>, downloaded from
`
`
`
`
`
`web on Jun. 22, 2004, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IT Group Network Engines”,
`eBay Advertisement
`for “Total
`
`<<http://cgi.ebay.com/we/eBayISAPl.dll?ViewItem
`&Item:5706388046
`
`
`
`&sspagename+STRK%3AMDBI%3AMEBI3AIT&rd:1>>, down-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`loaded from web on Jun. 25, 2004, 1 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`“Features Chart”, (Feb. 1, 1997) <<http://www.lantimes.com/test-
`
`
`
`
`
`ing/97feb/702b072a.html>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 23,
`
`
`2004, 3 pg.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Internet Telephone Roundup, “Industrial Computers”, <<http://
`
`www.tmcnet.com/artilces/itmag/0499/0499roundup.htm>>, down-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`loaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 5 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Press Release: Hiawatha, Iowa, (Mar. 1, 1997) entitled “Crystal
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Group Products Offer Industrial PCs with Built-in Flexibility”,
`
`<<http://www.crystalpc.com/news/pressreleases/prodpr.asp>>,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`downloaded from web on May 14, 2004, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Press Release: Kanata, Ontario, Canada,
`(Apr. 1998) entitled
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`“Enhanced COTS SBC from DY 4 Systems features 166MHz
`
`
`PentiumTM Processor” <<http://www.realtime-info.be/VPIUlayout/
`
`
`display/pr.asp?/pr.asp?PRID:363>>, 2 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`Product Brochure entitled “SVME/DM-192 Pentium® II Single
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Board Computer” (Jun. 1999) pp. 1-9.
`
`
`
`
`
`Product Brochure entitled “System 8000”, <<http://www.bomara.
`
`
`
`
`com/Eversys/briefDefault.htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun.
`
`
`
`22, 2004, 4 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Product Brochure entitled: “ERS/FT II System”, (© 2000) <<http://
`
`
`64.173.211.7/support/techinfo/system/ersft2/ersft2.htm>>,
`down-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`loaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 4 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Product Manual entitled: “ERS II and ERS/FT II”, Chap. 3, System
`
`
`Components, <<http://64.173.211.7/support/techinfo/manuals/ers2/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ers2-c3.htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 21 pgs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Product Manual entitled: “ERS II and ERS/FT II”, Chap. 6, Com-
`
`
`
`
`ponent Installation, <<http://64.173.211.7/support/techinfo/manu-
`als/ers2/ers2-c6.htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 18
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Pg5~
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Windows Magazine, “Cubix PowerSMP Series 4000”, Nov. 1997,
`
`
`<http://<www.techweb.com/winmag/library/l997/1101/ntent008.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`htm>> downloaded from the web on Jun. 22, 2004, p. NT07.
`
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 3
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 3
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`00,,
`
`9
`
`
`
`m
`
`
`
`03
`
`
`\\
`
`
`
`
`
`w_\.O_n—
`
`mEm”a1’We22
`mowI4I[\II/I,m%§.mmm5EWFNFI
`zwqmmm02025A“9EI:.9295".m%8.2m
`
`fileumoz
`
`22239
`
`
`
`6:522235newNew
`
`l/l/lllllllfllll|l\
`
`IHOJ/§§W
`
`7mS‘mN.E‘
`
`22259
`
`.20<
`
`288Now
`mmsogangox8N
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 4
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 4
`
`
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Aug. 29, 2006
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 2 0f4
`
`
`
`US 7,099,981 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.
`Peripheral
`
`Controller
`
`Ethernet Hub
`009W”
`
`2"“ Monitor
`
`(Optional)
`
`
`Controller
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 5
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 5
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`
`Aug. 29, 2006
`
`
`Sheet 3 0f4
`
`
`
`US 7,099,981 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1St ACM Subsystem (Primary)
`
`
`
`
`
`Shared Peripheral System
`
`
`
`///—300
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`North
`Bridge
`
`IIO Controller
`
`__!_-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1" Monilor
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Pefipw
`
`
`Controller
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`307 pm.
`board
`
`
`
`215
`
`
`
`309
`
`
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 6
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 6
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Aug. 29, 2006
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 4 0f4
`
`
`
`US 7,099,981 B2
`
`
`
`401
`
`
`
`User selects
`
`
`
`
`
`certain file for auto
`
`backup
`
`
`
`400
`
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`Alert user of
`
`missmg computer
`
`module
`
`
`
`429
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Tell user backup storage full
`
`
`
`431
`
`
`
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`433
`
`
`
`427
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Other comp.
`Module
`
`
`available?
`
`
`Yes
`
`
`Ask other module to
`
`
`
`
`
`create backup file
`
`
`ls storage
`available?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`
`
`Backup file and set
`
`
`backup timer
`
`403
`
`
`
`405
`
`
`
`407
`
`
`
`409
`
`
`
`
`
`5
`425
`423
`
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`Check for
`
`modification to
`
`selected files
`
`
`
`421
`
`
`
`
`
`File
`
`changed?
`
`
`
`
`
`Auto backup
`
`
`changed files
`
`
`FIG. 4
`
`
`
`41 3
`
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`‘
`
`41 9
`
`
`
`41 7
`
`
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 7
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 7
`
`

`

`
`
`US 7,099,981 B2
`
`
`1
`MULTIPLE MODULE COMPUTER SYSTEM
`
`
`
`
`AND METHOD
`
`
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`
`APPLICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The present application claims priority to US. Provisional
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Application No. 60/134,122 filed May 14, 1999, and also
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`claims priority as a continuation application from US.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 09/569,758, filed May
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`12, 2000, commonly assigned, and hereby incorporated by
`reference.
`
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The present invention relates to computing devices. More
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`particularly, the present invention provides a system includ-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ing a plurality of computer modules that can independently
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`operate to provide backup capability, dual processing, and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the like. Merely by way of example, the present invention is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`applied to a modular computing environment for desk top
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computers, but it will be recognized that the invention has a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`much wider range of applicability. It can be applied to a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`server as well as other portable or modular computing
`
`applications.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Many desktop or personal computers, which are com-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`monly termed PCs, have been around and used for over ten
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`years. The PCs often come with state-of-art microprocessors
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`such as the Intel PentiumTM microprocessor chips. They also
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`include a hard or fixed disk drive such as memory in the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`giga-bit range. Additionally, the PCs often include a random
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`access memory integrated circuit device such as a dynamic
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`random access memory device, which is commonly termed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DRAM. The DRAM devices now provide up to millions of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`memory cells (i.e., mega-bit) on a single slice of silicon. PCs
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`also include a high resolution display such as cathode ray
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tubes or CRTs. In most cases, the CRTs are at least 15 inches
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`or 17 inches or 20 inches in diameter. High resolution flat
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`panel displays are also used with PCs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Many external or peripheral devices can be used with the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PCs. Among others, these peripheral devices include mass
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`storage devices such as a ZipTM Drive product sold by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Iomega Corporation of Utah. Other storage devices include
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`external hard drives,
`tape drives, and others. Additional
`
`
`
`
`
`
`devices include communication devices such as a modem,
`which can be used to link the PC to a wide area network of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computers such as the Internet. Furthermore, the PC can
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`include output devices such as a printer and other output
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`means. Moreover, the PC can include special audio output
`
`
`
`
`
`devices such as speakers the like.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PCs also have easy to use keyboards, mouse input
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`devices, and the like. The keyboard is generally configured
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`similar to a typewriter format. The keyboard also has the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`length and width for easily inputting information by way of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`keys to the computer. The mouse also has a suflicient size
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and shape to easily move a curser on the display from one
`location to another location.
`
`
`
`60
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Other types of computing devices include portable com-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`puting devices such as “laptop” computers and the like.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Although somewhat successful,
`laptop computers have
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`many limitations. These computing devices have poor dis-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`play technology. In fact, these devices often have a smaller
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`flat panel display that has poor viewing characteristics.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Additionally, these devices also have poor input devices
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`such as smaller keyboards and the like. Furthermore, these
`
`65
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`devices have limited common platforms to transfer infor-
`mation to and from these devices and other devices such as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PCs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Up to now, there has been little common ground between
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`these platforms including the PCs and laptops in terms of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`upgrading, ease-of-use, cost, performance, and the like.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Many differences between these platforms, probably some-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`what intentional, has benefited computer manufacturers at
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the cost of consumers. A drawback to having two separate
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computers is that the user must often purchase both the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`desktop and laptop to have “total” computing power, where
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the desktop serves as a “regular” computer and the laptop
`
`
`
`
`
`
`serves as a “portable” computer. Purchasing both computers
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`is often costly and runs “thousands” of dollars. The user also
`
`
`
`
`
`
`wastes a significant amount of time transferring software
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and data between the two types of computers. For example,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the user must often couple the portable computer to a local
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`area network (i.e., LAN), to a serial port with a modem and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`then manually transfer over files and data between the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`desktop and the portable computer. Alternatively, the user
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`often must use floppy disks to “Zip” up files and programs
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that exceed the storage capacity of conventional floppy
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`disks, and transfer the floppy disk data manually.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Another drawback with the current model of separate
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`portable and desktop computer is that the user has to spend
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`money to buy components and peripherals the are duplicated
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in at least one of these computers. For example, both the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`desktop and portable computers typically include hard disk
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`drives, floppy drives, CD-ROMs, computer memory, host
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`processors, graphics accelerators, and the like. Because
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`program software and supporting programs generally must
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be installed upon both hard drives in order for the user to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`operate programs on the road and in the oflice, hard disk
`
`
`
`space is often wasted.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`One approach to reduce some of these drawbacks has
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`been the use of a docking station with a portable computer.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Here, the user has the portable computer for “on the road”
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`use and a docking station that houses the portable computer
`for oflice use.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Similar to separate desktop and portable computers, there
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`is no commonality between two desktop computers. To date,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`most personal computers are constructed with a single
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`motherboard that provides connection for CPU and other
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`components in the computer. Dual CPU systems have been
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`available through Intel’s slot 1 architecture. For example,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`two Pentium II cartridges can be plugged into two “slot 1”
`
`
`
`
`
`
`card slots on a motherboard to form a Dual-processor
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`system. The two CPU’s share a common host bus that
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`connects to the rest of the system, e.g. main memory, hard
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`disk drive, graphics subsystem, and others. Dual CPU sys-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tems have the advantage of increased CPU performance for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the whole system. Adding a CPU cartridge requires no
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`change in operating systems and application software. How-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ever, dual CPU systems may sulfer limited performance
`
`
`
`
`
`
`improvement if memory or disk drive bandwidth becomes
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the limiting factor. Also, dual CPU systems have to time-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`share the processing unit in running multiple applications.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CPU performance improvement efliciency also depends on
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`software coding structure. Dual CPU systems provide no
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`hardware redundancy to help fault tolerance. In running
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`multiple applications, memory and disk drive data through-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`put will become the limiting factor in improving perfor-
`
`
`
`
`mance with multi-processor systems.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Thus, what is needed are computer systems that can have
`
`
`
`
`
`
`multiple computer modules. Each computer module has
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`dedicated memory and disk drive, and can operate indepen-
`
`dently.
`
`
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 8
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 8
`
`

`

`
`3
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US 7,099,981 B2
`
`
`
`
`4
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a computer system
`
`
`
`
`
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a computer system
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`according to an alternative embodiment of the present
`
`invention;
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a compeer system
`
`
`
`
`according to a further alternative embodiment of the present
`
`
`invention; and
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 4 is a simplified flow diagram of a method according
`
`
`
`
`
`to an embodiment of the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`According to the present invention, a technique including
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a method and device for multi-module computing is pro-
`
`
`
`
`
`vided. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention
`
`
`
`
`
`provides a system including a plurality of computer modules
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that can independently operate to provide backup capability,
`
`
`
`
`
`dual processing, and the like.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a computer system 100
`
`
`
`
`
`
`according to an embodiment of the present invention. This
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`diagram is merely an illustration and should not limit the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`scope of the claims herein. One of ordinary skill in the art
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`would recognize other variations, modifications, and alter-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`natives. The computer system 100 includes an attached
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer module (i.e., ACM) 113, a desktop console 101,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`among other elements. The computer system also has
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`another ACM module 117. Each ACM module has a respec-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tive slot 121, 119, which mechanically houses and electri-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cally couples each ACM to the computer console. Also
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`shown is a display 111, which connects to the console.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Additionally, keyboard 109 and mouse 115 are also shown.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`A second display 102, keyboard 105, and mouse 107 can be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`coupled to the console in some optional embodiments to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`allow more than one user to operate the computer system.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The computer system is modular and has a variety of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`components that are removable. Some of these components
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(or modules) can be used in different computers, worksta-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tions, computerized television sets, and portable or laptop
`units.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In the present embodiment, each ACM 113 includes
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer components, as will be described below, including
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a central processing unit (“CPU”), IDE controller, hard disk
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`drive, computer memory, and the like. The computer module
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`bay (i.e., CMB) 121 is an opening or slot in the desktop
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`console. The CMB houses the ACM and provides commu-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nication to and from the ACM. The CMB also provides
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mechanical protection and support to the ACM. The CMB
`
`
`
`
`
`
`has a mechanical alignment mechanism for mating a portion
`of the ACM to the console. The CMB further has thermal
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`heat dissipation sinks, electrical connection mechanisms,
`and the like. Some details of the ACM can be found in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`co-pending Patent Application Nos. 09/ 149,882 and 09/ 149,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`548 filed Sep. 8, 1998, commonly assigned, and hereby
`
`
`
`
`
`incorporated by reference for all purposes.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In a specific embodiment, the present multiple computer
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`module system has a peripheral console that has two or more
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer bays that can receive a removable computer
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`module or ACM. Multiple computer module system can
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`function as a personal computer with only one ACM and the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`peripheral console. The second and additional ACM can be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`added later to increase overall system performance and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`reliability. The ACM operates independently as self-con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tained computer, communicates with each other through a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`high-speed serial communication and share most peripheral
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1014, Page 9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`According to the present invention, a technique including
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a method and device for multi-module computing is pro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vided. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention
`
`
`
`
`
`
`provides a system including a plurality of computer modules
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that can independently operate to provide backup capability,
`
`
`
`
`
`dual processing, and the like.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a computer system for multi-processing purposes. The com-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`puter system has a console comprising a first coupling site
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and a second coupling site, e. g., computer module bay. Each
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`coupling site comprises a connector. The console is an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`system also has a plurality of computer modules, where each
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of the computer modules is coupled to one of the connectors.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Each of the computer modules has a processing unit, a main
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device
`20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`coupled to the processing unit. Each of the computer mod-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide
`
`
`
`
`
`independent processing of each of the computer modules in
`
`
`
`the computer system.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In an alternative specific embodiment, the present inven-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion provides a multi-processing computer system. The
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`system has a console comprising a first coupling site and a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`second coupling site. Each coupling site comprises a con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nector. The console is an enclosure that is capable of housing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`each coupling site. The system also has a plurality of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer modules, where each of the computer modules is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`coupled to one of the connectors. Each of the computer
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`modules has a processing unit, a main memory coupled to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`processing unit, a mass storage device coupled to the pro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cessing unit, and a video output coupled to the processing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`unit. Each of the computer modules is substantially similar
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`in design to each other to provide independent processing of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`each of the computer modules in the computer system. A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`video switch circuit is coupled to each of the computer
`40
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`modules through the video output. The video switch is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`configured to switch a video signal from any one of the
`
`
`
`computer modules to a display.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Numerous benefits are achieved using the present inven-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion over previously existing techniques. In one embodi-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ment, the invention provides improved processing and main-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tenance features. The invention can also provide increased
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CPU performance for the whole system. The invention also
`
`
`
`
`
`
`can be implemented without changes in operating system
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and application software. The present
`invention is also
`
`
`
`
`
`
`implemented using conventional technologies that can be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`provided in the present computer system in an easy and
`efficient manner.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In another embodiment, the invention provides at least
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`two users to share the same modular desktop system. Each
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`user operates on a different computer module. The other
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`peripheral devices, i.e. CDROM, printer, DSL connection,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`etc. can be shared. This provides lower system cost, less
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`desktop space and more efficiency. Depending upon the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`embodiment, one or more of t