`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Intel Corporation v. ACQIS LLC
`Intel Corp.'s Exhibit 1013
`Ex. 1013, Page 1
`
`

`

`
`
`US 6,718,415 B1
`
`
`Page 2
`
`
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`.
`*
`
`
`
`
`
`.............. 708/100
`5,999,952 A * 12/1999 Jenkrns et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`~~ 73336122
`2:83:73: 2 * £888 JGenlkms 61‘ a1~
`
`/
`ac eta‘
`7
`/
`7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`........... 345/168
`6,069,615 A *
`5/2000 Abraham etal.
`
`
`
`
`
`6,088,224 A
`7/2000 Gallagher et al.
`
`
`
`
`.
`.
`6,163,464 A
`12/2000 lshlbashl et 211.
`
`
`
`
`.. 714/6
`6,202,169 B1 *
`3/2001 Razzaghe—Ashrafi et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.
`6,208,522 B1
`3/2001 Manweller et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`6,216,185 B1 *
`4/2001 Chu ........................... 710/301
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6,304,895 B1 * 10/2001 Schneider et al.
`.......... 709/203
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6,311,268 B1
`10/2001 Chu
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`11/2001 Chu et a1.
`6,314,522 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`11/2001 Dowdy etal.
`6,317,329 B1
`
`
`
`
`11/2001 Chu
`6,321,335 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.......... 711/153
`6,332,180 B1 * 12/2001 Kauffman et al.
`6,345,330 B2
`2/2002 Chu
`
`
`
`
`.
`6,366,951 B1 *
`4/2002 Schmldt
`..................... 709/208
`
`
`
`
`
`.
`6,378,009 B1 *
`4/2002 P1nkst0n,lletal.
`710/62
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6,401,124 B1 *
`6/2002 Yang et al.
`..........
`709/228
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6,453,344 B1 *
`9/2002 Ellsworth et al.
`709/220
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6549 966 B1 *
`4/2003 D' k
`t
`1
`710/300
`
`
`
`
`
`1° ens e a‘ “““““““
`7
`7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 2
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 2
`
`

`

`
`US. Patent
`
`
`
`Apr 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 0f 4
`
`
`
`US 6,718,415 B1
`
`m:
`
`////////I.mmm
`
`
` —20<.23.._.acow_wn_
`Er.fl32205a
`
`8?
`\\
`
`
`
`.u3I“:
`
`
`
`5?
`
`vflmam
`
`.8235.“
`
`23:00
`
`////////IIIHHIH\
`
`92259
`
`
`
`3:85..6320EnNow
`
`‘—
`
`
`
`
`£2
`Ll.
`
`m:
`
`3205:9896:En
`
`€839
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 3
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 3
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`
`US. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 2 0f4
`
`
`
`US 6,718,415 B1
`
`
`
`
`1“ ACM Subsystem (Primary)
`
`
`
`203
`
`
`
`
`
`Shared Peripheral System
`
`
`
`201
`
`
`
`
`
`AG?
`
`
`
`
`Bfldge
`
`
`
`
`Nam !Subswml
`
`
`
`
`
`
`arm
`
`
`
`VOComroIi
`
`
`
`I
`
`249
`
`
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 4
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 4
`
`

`

`
`US. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 3 0f4
`
`
`
`US 6,718,415 B1
`
`
`
`
`1 " ACM Subsystem (Primary)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Shared Peripheral System
`
`
`
`
`1/— 300
`
`
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 5
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 5
`
`

`

`
`US. Patent
`
`
`
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`
`
`
`Sheet 4 0f4
`
`
`
`US 6,718,415 B1
`
`401
`
`certain nff’rfiftim
`
`backup
`
`
`
`
`
`400
`
`
`
`
`/-
`
`NO
`
`
`
`429
`
`
`
`Alan user of
`
`
`
`missing computer
`module
`
`
`
`
`User tries later
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`403
`
`
`
`Other comp.
`Module
`
`available?
`
`
`
`
`
`-
`
`Yes
`
`
`
`405
`
`
`
`Ask other module to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`create backup file
`
`Tell user backup snags fu
`
`It
`
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`431 . 407
`
`ls storage
`avallable?
`
`
`
`
`
`433
`
`
`
`
`
`Y‘5
`
`
`
`Backup file and set
`
`
`
`409
`
`
`
`
`—”.
`
`
`
`425
`
`
`
`423
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`Check for
`
`modification to
`
`
`selected files
`
`
`
`
`
`Eb
`
`changed?
`
`
`
`‘
`
`’
`
`Yes
`
`
`
`
`
`Auto backup
`changed files
`
`‘
`
`417
`
`
`FIG. 4
`
`421
`
`
`
`419
`
`
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 6
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 6
`
`

`

`
`1
`COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`
`INCLUDING CONSOLE HOUSING
`
`
`
`MULTIPLE COMPUTER MODULES HAVING
`
`
`
`
`INDEPENDENT PROCESSING UNITS, MASS
`
`
`
`
`STORAGE DEVICES, AND GRAPHICS
`
`
`
`
`CONTROLLERS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`
`APPLICATIONS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The present application claims priority to US. Provisional
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Application No. 60/134,122 filed May 14, 1999, commonly
`
`
`
`
`
`assigned, and hereby incorporated by reference.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`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.
`25
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`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
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`lomega 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.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`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.
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US 6,718,415 B1
`
`
`2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`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.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`However, 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.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`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.
`
`
`
`
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`According to the present invention, a technique including
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a method and device for multi-module computing is pro-
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 7
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 7
`
`

`

`
`
`US 6,718,415 B1
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`60
`
`65
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`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
`15
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`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
`35
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`video switch circuit is coupled to each of the computer
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`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
`
`
`
`
`
`
`embodiment, the invention provides improved processing
`and maintenance 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 technolo-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`gies 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 these benefits can be available.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`These and other advantages or benefits are described
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`throughout the present specification and are described more
`
`
`particularly below.
`In still further embodiments, the present invention pro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vides methods of using multiple computer modules.
`These and other embodiments of the present invention, as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`well as its advantages and features, are described in more
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`detail in conjunction with the text below and attached FIGS.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a computer system
`
`
`
`
`
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`
`
`
`
`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 computer 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.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Asecond 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,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`workstations, 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 Ser. 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-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`contained computer, communicates with each other through
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a high-speed serial communication and share most periph-
`eral devices within the peripheral console. Each ACM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`controls its independent graphics subsystem and drives
`
`
`
`
`
`
`separate video output signals. Apractical implementation is
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a dual ACM system. In a dual ACM system, two monitors
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 8
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 8
`
`

`

`5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`can be used to display the two ACMs’ graphics outputs at the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`same time. For a single monitor, a RGB switch is used to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`switch between the video outputs of the two ACMs and can
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`be controlled by a command from the user. Similarly, input
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`devices (i.e. keyboard and mouse) are switched between the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`two computer systems with a command from the user.
`Command from the user can be in the form of either a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`dedicated key on the keyboard or a special icon on the screen
`that the mouse can click on.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In most embodiments, the ACM includes an enclosure
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`such as the one described with the following components,
`
`
`
`
`which should not be limiting:
`
`
`
`1) A CPU with cache memory;
`
`
`
`
`2) Core logic device or means;
`
`
`
`3) Main memory;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4) A single primary Hard Disk Drive (“HDD”) that has a
`
`
`security program;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5) Flash memory with system BIOS and programmable
`
`
`user password;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6) Operating System, application software, data files on
`
`
`primary HDD;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7) An interface device and connectors to peripheral con-
`sole;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`8) A software controllable mechanical lock, lock control
`means, and other accessories.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The ACM connects to a peripheral console with power
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`supply, a display device, an input device, and other elements.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Some details of these elements with the present system are
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`described in more detail below. In a dual ACM system, the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`primary ACM can connect directly to the peripheral board in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the peripheral console. The second ACM can connect either
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`directly or indirectly to the peripheral board. For indirect
`connection, a receptacle board is added to allow a cable
`
`
`
`
`
`
`connection to the peripheral board. This is to facilitate the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mechanical positioning of the second ACM inside the com-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`puter chassis. The receptacle board approach can even be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`used for the primary ACM if a high bandwidth peripheral
`bus, e.g. PCI Bus, is not connected from the primary ACM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`40
`
`
`
`
`to the peripheral board.
`The shared peripheral console has a chassis and a moth-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`erboard that connects the following devices:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1) Input means, e.g. keyboard and mouse,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2) Display means, e.g. RGB monitor,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3) Add-on means, e.g. PCI add-on slots,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4) Two Computer Module Bays (CMB) with connectors
`to two ACMs,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5) A serial communication Hub controller that interfaces
`to serial communication controller of both ACMs,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6) Shared storage subsystem, e.g. Floppy drive, CDROM
`drive, DVD drive, or 2nd Hard Drive,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7) Communication device, e.g. modem,
`
`
`
`
`
`8) Power supply, and others.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The computer bay is an opening in the peripheral console
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`that receives an ACM. CMB provides mechanical protection
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to ACM, mechanical alignment
`for connector mating,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mechanical locking system to prevent theft and accidental
`removal, and connectors at
`the end of the opening for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`connecting to ACM. The interface bus between ACM and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the peripheral console has a video bus, peripheral
`connections, serial communication connection, control sig-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nals and power connection. Video bus includes video output
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of graphics devices, i.e. analog RGB and control signals for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`monitor. Power connection supplies the power for ACM.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`An implementation of peripheral sharing is the use of
`Ethernet controllers to bridge the communication between
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`15
`
`20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`
`
`45
`
`
`
`
`50
`
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`
`
`US 6,718,415 B1
`
`
`6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the two ACMs. Some of the peripheral devices residing in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the peripheral console are shown in the simplified diagram
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of FIG. 2. As shown, the diagram is merely an illustration
`which should not limit the scope of the claims herein. One
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many other
`variations, alternatives, and modifications. As shown, a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`primary ACM 203 is connected to PCI peripheral devices in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the peripheral console through the PCI bus 225 that passes
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`through the connection between primary ACM 203 and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`peripheral console 201. As shown, ACM has a CPU module
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`207 coupled to the PCI bus through a North Bridge 211.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The CPU module can use a suitable microprocessing unit,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`microcontroller, digital signal processor, and the like. In a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`specific embodiment, the CPU module uses, for example, a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`400 MHZ Pentium II microprocessor module from Intel
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Corporation and like microprocessors from AMD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Corporation, Cyrix Corporation (now National Semiconduc-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tor Corporation), and others. In other aspects, the micropro-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cessor can be one such as the Compaq Computer Corpora-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion Alpha Chip, Apple Computer Corporation PowerPC G3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`processor, and the like. Further, higher speed processors are
`
`
`
`
`
`contemplated in other embodiments as technology increases
`in the future.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`In the CPU module, peripheral controller 213 is coupled
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to BIOS/flash memory 217. Additionally,
`the peripheral
`
`
`
`
`
`
`controller is coupled to a clock control logic, a configuration
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`signal, and a peripheral bus. The ACM has the hard drive
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`module 215. Among other elements,
`the ACM includes
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`north bridge 215, graphics subsystem 223 (e.g., graphics
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`accelerator, graphics memory), an IDE controller, and other
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`components. Adjacent to and in parallel alignment with the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`hard drive module 215 is the PCI bus.
`In a specific
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`embodiment, North Bridge unit 211 often couples to a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer memory 209, to the graphics subsystem, and to the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`peripheral controller via the PCI bus. Graphics subsystem
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`typically couples to a graphics memory, and other elements.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IDE controller generally supports and provides timing sig-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`nals necessary for the IDE bus. In the present embodiment,
`the IDE controller is embodied as part of a P114XE con-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`troller from Intel, for example. Other types of buses than
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IDE are contemplated, for example EIDE, SCSI, 1394, and
`the like in alternative embodiments of the present invention.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The hard drive module or mass storage unit 215 typically
`
`
`
`
`
`
`includes a computer operating system, application software
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`program files, data files, and the like.
`In a specific
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`embodiment,
`the computer operating system may be the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Windows98 operating system from Microsoft Corporation
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of Redmond Wash. Other operating systems, such as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Windows”, MacOSS, Unix, and the like are also contem-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`plated in alternative embodiments of the present invention.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Further, some typical application software programs can
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`include Office98 by Microsoft Corporation, Corel Perfect
`Suite by Corel, and others. Hard disk module 215 includes
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a hard disk drive. The hard disk drive, however, can also be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`replaced by removable hard disk drives, read/write CD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ROMs, flash memory, floppy disk drives, and the like. A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`form factor,
`for example 2.5",
`is currently
`small
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`contemplated, however, other form factors, such as PC card,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`and the like are also contemplated. Mass storage unit 240
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`may also support other interfaces than IDE. Among other
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`features, the computer system includes an ACM with secu-
`
`
`rity protection.
`The ACM also has a network controller, which can be an
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ethernet controller 219, which is coupled to the North
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Bridge through the PCI bus. The North Bridge is coupled to
`the CPU. The Ethernet controller can be a 10/100 Base, such
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`as Intel’s 82559 or the like. Other types of network connec-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 9
`
`Ex. 1013, Page 9
`
`

`

`
`
`US 6,718,415 B1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`
`7
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion devices can also be used. For example, the invention can
`use Gbit Ethernet 1394, and USB 2.0. The network control-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ler couples to a hub 233 in the console, which includes
`
`
`
`
`shared peripheral system 201.
`Also shown is the second ACM 205. The second ACM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`has the same or similar components as the first ACM. Here,
`like reference numerals have been used for easy cross-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`referencing, but is not intended to be limiting. In some
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`embodiments, the secondary ACM is not connected to the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PCI bus in the peripheral console directly. The secondary
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ACM 219 accesses peripheral devices controlled by the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`primary ACM through the Ethernet connection to the pri-
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mary ACM, e.g. CD-ROM, or PCI modem. The implemen-
`tation is not restricted to Ethernet serial communication and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`can use other high-speed serial communication such