Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Intrasystem connection – Bus expansion or extension
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-30
2004-09-14
Thai, Xuan M. (Department: 2181)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Intrasystem connection
Bus expansion or extension
C710S300000, C710S306000, C710S315000, C710S316000, C710S071000, C710S051000, C370S535000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06792494
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The present invention is directed to PCI hot plug signals. More particularly, the present invention is directed to multiplexing parallel mode PCI hot plug signals and serial mode PCI hot plug signals.
BACKGROUND
As a particular computer's usage and applications expand, it may be desirable to expand the input/output (I/O) capabilities of that computer. A computer system typically includes a memory controller and an I/O controller. The memory controller may interface a fixed amount of memory to the host bus, and the I/O controller may interface a fixed number of I/O buses to the host bus. For example, a PCI-to-host bridge may interface a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus to the host bus. A PdI bus is a high performance, high bandwidth bus configured in accordance with protocols established by the PCI Special Interest Group. The PCI-to-host bridge is provided, in part, to facilitate conversion of data from the PCI format to a format employed by the host bus.
Many existing computer systems include I/O devices such as PCI compatible devices or PCI expansion cards that can be connected to one of several PCI expansion slots. In computer systems utilizing a PCI bus, PCI expansion cards can be unplugged from and plugged into PCI expansion slots while the computer system is powered and running. This is called hot plugging. The ability to hot plug PCI cards and adapters is desirable because PCI expansion cards can be replaced without having to power down the computer system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3885167 (1975-05-01), Berglund
patent: 4023144 (1977-05-01), Koenig
patent: 4124889 (1978-11-01), Kaufman et al.
patent: 4371932 (1983-02-01), Dinwiddie et al.
patent: 4680759 (1987-07-01), Miller et al.
patent: 4728930 (1988-03-01), Grote et al.
patent: 4885583 (1989-12-01), McCambridge
patent: 5055842 (1991-10-01), Mueller
patent: 5134702 (1992-07-01), Charych et al.
patent: 5421006 (1995-05-01), Jablon et al.
patent: 5854840 (1998-12-01), Cannella, Jr.
patent: 5862367 (1999-01-01), Chiao-Yen
patent: 5978870 (1999-11-01), Warren
patent: 5991841 (1999-11-01), Gafken et al.
patent: 6047343 (2000-04-01), Olarig
patent: 6070207 (2000-05-01), Bell
patent: 6073196 (2000-06-01), Goodrum et al.
patent: 6085278 (2000-07-01), Gates et al.
patent: 6098132 (2000-08-01), Olarig et al.
patent: 6119189 (2000-09-01), Gafken et al.
patent: 6128681 (2000-10-01), Shephard
patent: 6131127 (2000-10-01), Gafken et al.
patent: 6131134 (2000-10-01), Huang et al.
patent: 6218969 (2001-04-01), Watson et al.
patent: 6256687 (2001-07-01), Ellis et al.
patent: 6445313 (2002-09-01), Ahn
patent: 6499070 (2002-12-01), Whetsel
patent: 6617879 (2003-09-01), Chung
Bennett Joseph A.
Sastry David
Intel Corporation
King Justin
Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth P.A.
Thai Xuan M.
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for parallel and serial PCI hot plug... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for parallel and serial PCI hot plug..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for parallel and serial PCI hot plug... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3239516