Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2001-08-21
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2782)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral monitoring
C710S018000, C710S033000, C710S062000, C710S067000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279049
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus which controls a device bay coupled to a computer system, and more particularly to an apparatus controlling peripheral devices mounted in a device bay which is coupled to a computer system.
2. Related Art
Computer systems are information handling systems that are utilized by many individuals and businesses today. A computer system can be defined as a microcomputer that includes a central processing unit (CPU), a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory such as read only memory (ROM), a display monitor, a keyboard, a mouse or other input device such as a trackball, a floppy diskette drive, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) drive, a modem, a hard disk storage device, and a printer. A computer system's main board, which is a printed circuit board known as a motherboard, is used to electrically connect these components together. A computer system can be a desktop computer, a portable computer, or other type of computer.
The central processing unit is of ten described as a microprocessor. The microprocessor is an electronic component having internal logic circuitry handling most, if not all, the data processing in the computer system. The internal logic circuitry of microprocessors is typically divided into three functional parts known as the input/output (I/O) unit, the control unit, and the arithmetic-logic unit (ALU). These three functional parts interact together and determine the power and performance of the microprocessor. The combination of the control unit and the arithmetic-logic unit can be referred to as the central processing unit. Also, the combination of the input/output unit, the control unit, and the arithmetic-logic unit can be referred to as the central processing unit.
One example of non-volatile memory is read only memory (ROM). Information stored in non-volatile memory can remain unchanged even when there is a power failure. The information stored in non-volatile memory will stay there until it is changed. Read only memory is used to store important information such as instructions for the central processing unit. There are different types of read only memory including electrically-erasable-programmable-read-only-memory (EEPROM) chip and flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM). The flash-ROM can also be referred to as flash memory.
Computer systems include a basic input output system (BIOS) which is an especially important program stored in read only memory. The basic input output system tests a computer every time the computer is powered on. The basic input output system can allocate a computer system's resources automatically, making adjustments needed to accommodate new hardware. Also, the basic input output system governs how system board components interact.
When the computer system is powered on, the basic input output system immediately takes control of the computer system and its components. The first duty of the basic input output system is to perform a series of diagnostic routines called the power on self test (POST) routine, which ensures that every part of the computer system's hardware is functioning properly.
Consider a booting operation for a computer system using Microsof t Windows 95 as the operating system. First, a user starts the booting process by turning on a power switch to supply power to the computer system. Next, a basic input output system (BIOS) executes a power on self test (POST) to test and initialize the computer system's components. The basic input output system is software embedded on an integrated circuit located on the computer system's main board. The basic input output system also handles low-level input/output to various peripheral devices connected to the computer system. The power on selftest is the part of the basic input output system that takes control immediately after the computer is turned on. The power on self test initializes the computer hardware so that an operating system can be booted (loaded). When the power on selftest procedure is finished, a plug and play operation is executed if it is determined that all hardware is operating normally. A specification prepared by Microsoft and Intel that presents a mechanism to provide automatic configuration capability to Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) cards thus enabling full Plug and Play in the computer is dated May 5, 1994 and is entitled, “Plug and Play ISA Specification, Version 1.0a.” During the plug and play operation, the entire computer system is scanned for new hardware.
The plug and play operation is executed every time that the computer system is booted. Now the plug and play operation shall be described in detail. At first, a configuration manager, which manages the plug and play operation, checks to determine whether a bus is being used. That is, a bus enumerator, which is a special driver managing a bus, builds a database by gathering information on peripheral devices. Next, the configuration manager uses the database built by the bus enumerator to build a hardware tree structure and stores the hardware tree structure in a memory. The hardware tree structure indicates the composition of the hardware being used in the computer system.
Subsequently, the configuration manager operates drivers of each peripheral device indicated in the hardware tree structure. After the drivers of each peripheral device are operated, a resource arbitrator, which resolves conflicts among system resources, distributes system resources to each peripheral device. Here, system resources include interrupt request lines (IRQs), input/output port addresses, memory addresses, direct memory access (DMA) channels, and more.
Lastly, the configuration manager transmits information to the bus enumerator regarding details of the distribution of the system resources. The bus enumerator transmits information regarding allowed system resources to each peripheral device connected to the bus, thereby enabling the user to utilize the peripheral devices.
Next, when the execution of the plug and play operation is completed, system files used by the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system are executed to complete the booting process of the computer system. Then the booting process of the computer system is complete.
Unfortunately, the booting process can require a substantial amount of time, due in part to the time required for the basic input output system routine and the power on self test, in addition to the plug and play operation. In the above booting operation of the computer system, because the plug and play operation is performed every time the computer system is booted, regardless of whether any new hardware has been added to the computer system, the booting time can be lengthy.
A computer system has peripheral devices connected, such as a monitor and keyboard. A user might want to use additional peripheral devices, such as a mouse, modem, printer, and scanner. When a user tries to use multiple peripheral devices with a computer, it can be difficult to connect them since each peripheral typically has a unique type of connector. The user must carefully match the plug from each peripheral with a corresponding connector on the computer due to all the different connector types. Also, it can be difficult to configure the computer to communicate with all the peripheral devices due to the fact that some peripheral devices require unique types of hardware and software.
To solve the above described problems, a universal serial bus (USB) system has been developed. The universal serial bus is a basic system for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. Peripheral devices connected to a universal serial bus system are also referred to as universal serial bus peripheral devices. All USB devices are compatible with standard USB cables and standard USB connectors in order to simplify the process of connecting devices to a computer system.
A keyboard or monitor can be directly connected to a computer or a universal serial bus within the computer. Other peripheral devices can be ea
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Lee Thomas
Perveen Rehana
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
LandOfFree
Device bay system for controlling devices coupled to a computer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device bay system for controlling devices coupled to a computer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device bay system for controlling devices coupled to a computer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2548007