(12) United States Patent
`Chu
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`*May 20, 2008
`
`USOO7376779B2
`
`MULTIPLE MODULE COMPUTER SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`
`(Continued)
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`
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`
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`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner Raymond N Phan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Townsend and Townsend
`and Crew LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A computer system for multi-processing purposes. The
`computer system has a console comprising a first coupling
`site and a second coupling site. 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 a connector. 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 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.
`
`94 Claims, 22 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`(73)
`
`Inventor: William W. Y. Chu, Los Altos, CA
`(US)
`Assignee: ACQIS Technology, Inc., Mountain
`View, CA (US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 409 days.
`
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Appl. No.: 11/166,656
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 24, 2005
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2005/O246469 A1
`Nov. 3, 2005
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 11/097.694, filed on
`Mar. 31, 2005, which is a continuation of application
`No. 10/772,214, filed on Feb. 3, 2004, now Pat. No.
`7,099.981, which is a continuation of application No.
`09/569,758, filed on May 12, 2000, now Pat. No.
`6,718,415.
`Provisional application No. 60/134,122, filed on May
`14, 1999.
`
`Int. C.
`G06F 3/20
`
`(2006.01)
`
`U.S. Cl. ...................... 710/313; 7.10/301; 710/315;
`709/227
`Field of Classification Search ........ 710/300–317,
`710/62–66, 72–73; 709/214. 219, 226 227
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`Notebeak
`
`Intel Corporation v. ACQIS LLC
`Intel Corp.'s Exhibit 1016
`Ex. 1016, Page 1
`
`

`

`US 7,376,779 B2
`Page 2
`
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`2005/0182882 A1* 8/2005 Chu ........................... 710,301
`
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`
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`WO
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`
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`WO92, 18924
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`
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`Bernal, Carlos, product brochure entitled: “PowerSMP Series
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`www.winnetmag.com/Windows/Article/ArticleID/5199/5199.
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`>>
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`Standout Management Software”. (Feb. 8, 1999) <<http://www.
`nwc.com/shared printArticle.jhtml?article=/1003/1003r3 full.html
`&pub=nwcas, downloaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 5 pg.S.
`Gardner, Michael and Null, Christopher, “A Server Condominium”.
`<<http://www.lantimes.com/testing/98 un/806a042a.html>>, Jun.
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`Upgrade Relies on COTS VME” <<http://www.dy4.com>>, (Feb.
`9, 1998), pp. 1-34.
`Williams, Dennis, “Consolidated Servers”. (Feb. 17, 1997) <<http://
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`down
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`Williams, Dennis, “Executive Summary: Consolidate Now”. (Feb.
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`html>> downloaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 2 pgs.
`Williams, Dennis, “Top Scores for Useability and Openness”. (Feb.
`17, 1997) <<http://www.lantimes.com/testing/97 feb/702b064a.
`html>> downloaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 2 pgs.
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 2
`
`

`

`US 7,376,779 B2
`Page 3
`
`Williams, Dennis, “ChatCom Inc. Chatterbox”. (Feb. 17, 1997)
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`loaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 3 pgs.
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`Williams, Dennis, “Cubix Corp. ERS/FT II”, (Feb. 17, 1997)
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`loaded from web on Jun. 23, 2004, 4pgs.
`Crystal Advertisement for “Rackmount Computers', (C) 2000-2004)
`<<http://www.crystalpc.com/products.ro servers.asp->.
`down
`loaded from web on Jun. 17, 2004, 8 pgs.
`Crystal Advertisement for "QuickConnect(R) Cable Management”.
`(C) 2000-2004) <<http://www.crystalpc.com/products/quickcon
`nect.asps downloaded from web on Jun. 17, 2004, 4pgs.
`Cubix Product Brochure entitled, “Density System”, (C) 2000)
`<<http://64. 173.211.7/support/techinfo/system? density/density10.
`htm>> downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 3 pgs.
`Cubix Product Brochure entitled, "Density System. Technical
`Specifications', (C) 2000) <<http://64. 173.211.7/support/techinfo/
`system? density/info/spec.htm>> downloaded from web on Jun. 22.
`2004, 2 pgs.
`Cubix Product Manual entitled, “Density System”. Chapter 1-In
`troduction, (C) 2000) <<http://64. 173.211.7/support/techinfo/manu
`als/density/Chap-1.htm>> downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004,
`5 pgs.
`Cubix, "Click on the front panel that matches your system', (C)
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`sity.htm>> downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004. 1 pg.
`Cubix Product Manual entitled, “Density System”. Chapter 2-In
`stallation, (C) 2000) <<http://64. 173.211.7/support/techinfo/manu
`als/density/Chap-2.htm>> downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004,
`9 pgs.
`Cubix Product Manual entitled, “Density System”, Chapter 3-Op
`eration, (C) 2000) <<http://64. 173.211.7/support/techinfo/manuals/
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`Cubix Product Manual entitled, "Density System”. Chapter 4-Main
`tenance and Repair, (C) 2000) <<http://64. 173.211.7/support?
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`Jun. 22, 2004, 5 pgs.
`Cubix, “What are Group?”, (C) 2000) <<http://64. 173.211.7/sup
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`Cubix, "SP 5200XS Series Plug-in Computers”, (C) 2000) <<http://
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`down
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`<<http://64. 173.211.7/support/techinfo/bc/sp5200xs/spec.htm>>.
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`64. 173.211.7/support/techinfo/manuals/sp5200/chap.-1.htm>>.
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`htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 22, 2004, 3 pgs.
`Cubix, “SP5200 Series' Chapter 3-Installation, (C) 2000) <<http://
`64. 173.211.7/support/techinfo/manuals/sp5200/chap-3.htm>>.
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`211.7/support/techinfo/bc/dp/6200d intro.htm>>, downloaded from
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`
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`Density System'. (C) 2000) <<http://64. 173.211.7/support/techinfo/
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`22, 2004, 2 pgs.
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`Density Systems”, (C) 2000) <<http://64. 173.211.7/support/
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`&item=5706388046
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`loaded from web on Jun. 25, 2004. 1 pg.
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`ing/97feb/702b072a.html>>, downloaded from web on Jun. 23.
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`www.tmcnet.com/articles/itmag/0499/0499roundup.htm>>, down
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`Group Products Offer Industrial PCs with Built-in Flexibility”.
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`downloaded from web on May 14, 2004, 2 pgs.
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`“Enhanced COTS SBC from DY 4 Systems features 166MHz
`PentiumTM Processor” <<http://www.realtime-info..be/VPR/layout/
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`com/Eversys?briefdefault.htm>>, downloaded from web on Jun.
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`nw-con-0818rev.html, unknown date.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`20“,2VV
`
`22f01mhS
`
`2B977.,67397SU
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`o9.
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`\
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`“M4.204
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`1/1/1111:qu Hill
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`m:3.5.
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`.v32220<._m:o528:00v“$26.63
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`.22.“.mcoflmn..
`.352mafimfiEN
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`Now
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`@2039
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`t...m:
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`nor
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`03023.30?!3“
`
`€839
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 4
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 4
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 22
`Sheet 2 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`US 7,376,779 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 5
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`
`1 ACM Subsystem (Primary)
`
`
`
`Shared Peripheral System
`
`/1 3OO
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`
`401
`
`User Selects
`certain file for auto
`backup
`
`400
`
`403
`
`405
`
`407
`
`Other comp.
`Module
`available?
`
`Yes
`
`Ask other module to
`create backup file
`
`is storage
`available?
`
`Yes
`
`409
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`Alert user of
`missing computer
`module
`
`429
`
`431
`
`NO
`
`43 3
`
`427
`
`5
`42
`
`3
`42
`
`421
`
`backup timer
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`->
`
`Check for
`modification to
`selected files
`
`Fie
`changed?
`
`Auto
`
`changed files
`
`"
`
`417
`
`FG. 4
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet S of 22
`Sheet 5 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`US 7,376,779 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 8
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 6 of 22
`Sheet 6 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`US 7,376,779 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 9
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 7 of 22
`Sheet 7 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`US 7,376,779 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`‘..,.5953wuzanfinu
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 10
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 10
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 8 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`
`Computing System
`
`
`
`Integrated
`Host
`interface
`
`s
`
`Subsystem
`
`North Bridge
`
`805
`
`integrated
`Peripheral
`interface
`
`810
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 9 of 22
`Sheet 9 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`US 7,376,779 B2
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`
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`
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 12
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`Ex. 1016, Page 12
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 10 of 22
`Sheet 10 of 22
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`US 7,376,779 B2
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`Ex. 1016, Page 13
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 11 of 22
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`US 7,376,779 B2
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 12 of 22
`Sheet 12 of 22
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`US 7,376,779 B2
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`Ex. 1016, Page 15
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`Ex. 1016, Page 15
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
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`Sheet 13 of 22
`Sheet 13 of 22
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`US 7,376,779 B2
`US 7,376,779 B2
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`Ex. 1016, Page 16
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 14 of 22
`Sheet 14 of 22
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`US 7,376,779 B2
`US 7,376,779 B2
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`Ex. 1016, Page 17
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 17
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 15 of 22
`Sheet 15 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`US 7,376,779 B2
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`Ex. 1016, Page 18
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 18
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 16 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`
`Name
`AD31:0)
`CfBE3:04
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`FRAME
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`ROYi
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`ROY
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`PAR
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`put
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`Type Pins. Description
`32 Multiplexed AddressOata. AO is driver to a vastate wheta GNT is asserted
`TS
`Multiplexed Command/Byte Enables. for a two-address transaction. 1st
`S
`&
`address phase camies the comrand, and the 2nd address phase carries the
`transaction type. CB is driven to a valid state when GN's asserted.
`indicates beginning and duration of a PC transaction. When he bus skie,
`FRAMEF is driven to high for 1 cycle. A put-up resistor sustains STS signal.
`initiator Ready. Ero?i is driven High for 1 cyde if bus is ide, and the state is
`Sustated by a full-up resis.
`farget Ready. When bus is idle, TRDYi is driver High for 1 tycle if bus is idle.
`An external pull-up resistor sustains STS signal.
`Device Select. DEVSELA is asserted by target to indicate it is ready to accept
`the transactor. IC decodas address of a transaction to decide the need to
`assett DEVSEL. As an initiator, C was for 5 cycles to detect assertion of
`DVSEL by the target; otherwise HKCterminates with a master abort.
`DeVSElia is driven High for 1 cycle when bus is kille, and the state is sustained
`by a purup resisto.
`afget request to stop transaction. There are 3 cases:
`STOP, TROYif SWSElf asserted:gscorrect with data easifer
`Only STOP & OEWSEliasserted: request initiator to retry later
`Only STOP asserted: larget abort
`STOPi is driven High for 1 cycle when bus is ide, and the state is sustained by
`a pulp resistor.
`Even parity for 36 bits of AD & CBE. PARs sent one cycle after adegress of
`data is valid, in write transaction, initiator Serds Aftong cycle after write data
`is valid, in read transaction, target sers PAR one cycle after read data is valid,
`traiator ?equest kock on target downstream. LOCKA is asserted clock cycle
`after address phase by an initiatof warting to performan atomic operation that
`take tore thanosa transaction to complets, tic passes the LOCK telest to
`the secondary PC bus, HC does not drive LOCK of peopagate LOCK
`upstrea.
`Chip Select for type 0 configuration access. During a type 0 configuration
`tafsaction, the initiator asserts SSL during the address phase to select tc.
`(HIC responds by asserting GSVSEL,
`Osta Party Error on a transactions except Special Cycle. PERR is driven one
`clock cycle after PAR. PERR is asseted by targe during write transactions,
`afdby initiator during read runsactions,
`System Error HC asserts SERR under the following conditions:
`Address party error. Secondary tus. SERRA asse?sed
`Poted west tripescio; dist p?ity drof on tigabis, Postok write transaction cascadod.
`Master bott, Target abort
`Oelayed red of varietansactionciscarded, and
`eyed insactor faster thereot.
`Request for bus. if a target retry or disconnect is received tn response to
`trating a transaction, C ceasserts REO of at east 2 cycles before
`asserting it again.
`Bus is granted to HIC. HiC can initiate transaction if GNT is asserted aid the
`tus is ide. When HC is not requesting busard G.Nffs asserted, HCrust
`drive A, C8E. and PAR ovatic logic levels.
`tript becateg clock status, C cast fecklast the Central dock resource to start
`speed up or maintain the PC clock. There are 3 clocking states:
`Clock running. Clock about to supilskow down, asid Clock stopped slowed
`PC Clock. All inputs are sampled on the fishing edge of PCICK Frequency
`FG 16
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`Ex. 1016, Page 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
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`Ex. 1016, Page 20
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`Ex. 1016, Page 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 18 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
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`Ex. 1016, Page 21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 19 of 22
`Sheet 19 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`US 7,376,779 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 22
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 22
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 20 of 22
`Sheet 20 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
`US 7,376,779 B2
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`
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`Ex. 1016, Page 23
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`Ex. 1016, Page 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 21 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
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`Ex. 1016, Page 24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 20, 2008
`
`Sheet 22 of 22
`
`US 7,376,779 B2
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`Ex. 1016, Page 25
`
`

`

`US 7,376,779 B2
`
`1.
`MULTIPLE MODULE COMPUTER SYSTEM
`AND METHOD
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application claims priority as a continuation
`of U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/097,
`694, filed Mar. 31, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S.
`nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 10/772,214, filed
`Feb. 3, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,099,981 which is a
`continuation of U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser.
`No. 09/569,758, filed May 12, 2000 (Now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,718,415), which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional
`Application No. 60/134,122 filed May 14, 1999, commonly
`assigned, and hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`Additionally, these devices also have poor input devices
`such as smaller keyboards and the like. Furthermore, these
`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 office, 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 office 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 suffer 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 efficiency 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.
`The present invention generally relates to computer inter
`faces. More specifically, the present invention relates to an
`
`25
`
`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 desktop
`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
`30
`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 Sufficient size
`and shape to easily move a curser on the display from one
`location to another location.
`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.
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Ex. 1016, Page 26
`
`

`

`3
`interface channel that interfaces two computer interface
`buses that operate under protocols that are different from that
`used by the interface channel.
`Interfaces coupling two independent computer buses are
`well known in the art. A block diagram of a computer system
`utilizing such a prior art interface is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG.
`5, a primary peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus
`505 of a notebook PC 500 is coupled to a secondary PCI bus
`555 in a docking system 550 (also referred to as docking
`station 550) through high pin count connectors 501 and 502,
`which are normally mating connectors. The high pin count
`connectors 501 and 502 contain a sufficiently large number
`of pins so as to carry PCI bus signals between the two PCI
`buses without any translation. The main purpose for inter
`facing the two independent PCI buses is to allow transac
`tions to occur between a master on one PCI bus and a target
`on the other PCI bus. The interface between these two
`independent PCI buses additionally includes an optional PCI
`to PCI bridge 560, located in the docking station 550, to
`expand the add on capability in docking station 550. The
`bridge 560 creates a new bus number for devices behind the
`bridge 560 so that they are not on the same bus number as
`other devices in the system thus increasing the add on
`capability in the docking station 550.
`An interface such as that shown in FIG. 5 provides an
`adequate interface between the primary and secondary PCI
`buses. However, the interface is limited in a number of ways.
`The interface transfers signals between the primary and
`secondary PCI buses using the protocols of a PCI bus.
`Consequently, the interface is subject to the limitations