Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery – Data processing system error or fault handling – Reliability and availability
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-30
2001-11-20
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2183)
Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery
Data processing system error or fault handling
Reliability and availability
C714S030000, C370S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321349
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for developing and debugging portable computers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As microprocessors have become more complex, they are now often equipped with a debug port. This port is typically an electrical interface that provides access to various parts of the processor circuit. Development engineers can use this port to examine low-level behavior of the processor during run time such as by setting break points, single stepping, and reading debug registers.
The debug port of the processor is often connected to a separate connector provided on the motherboard of a computer, at least during development. This connector allows developers to interface a debug processor or test system to the connector and thereby debug software errors and detect hardware problems as they test initial system software versions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one general aspect, the invention features a portable computer that includes a housing having an outside surface. A processor is contained within the housing and has a bus port and a debug port. A debug connector is mounted at the outside surface of the computer housing and is operatively connected to the debug port.
The computer housing can include at least one peripheral interface slot defined by a portion of the outside surface of the computer, and the debug connector can be located in the peripheral interface slot. The interface slot can be a generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped opening in the housing being defined by a opening in the housing at a first end and having a surface opposite the opening, the debug connector being located on the opposite surface within the interface slot. The debug connector can be directly electrically connected to the debug port. The computer can include a debug adapter that includes an input connector for connection to the debug connector, a series of buffers having inputs responsive to the input connector and an output connector responsive to outputs of the buffers. The computer can include a debug adapter including an input connector for connection to the debug connector and an output connector for connection to a debug or test system. The computer can further include a peripheral interface connector operatively connected to the bus port, and the debug adapter can further include a peripheral input connector for connection to the peripheral interface connector operatively connected to a peripheral output connector. The debug connector and the peripheral interface connector can form part of a ganged connector. The computer housing can be a clam-shell case. The processor can include data registers and with the debug port allowing access to the registers via a boundary scan connection. The computer can include a ganged connector that includes the debug connector and a peripheral interface connector.
In another general aspect, the invention features a portable computer that includes means for enclosing a computer, processing means enclosed by the means for enclosing and including means for communicating debug information, and means for conveying the debug information to a connection to an external interface without disassembling the means for enclosing.
The computer can include means responsive to the means for conveying for buffering the debug information. The computer can include means for conveying the debug information from the connection to the external interface and for conveying peripheral interface signals to a peripheral interface device.
In a further general aspect, the invention features a method of operating a portable computer that includes connecting a debug adapter to a debug connector at an outside surface of a computer, running a program on the computer, and obtaining debug information from the debug adapter.
The method can include buffering the debug information by the debug adapter. The method can include providing peripheral interface signals to a peripheral interface device through the debug adapter. The steps of connecting and obtaining can take place through a slot in the housing of the computer. The step of running the program can include viewing results of the program on a screen of the computer and interacting with the program via its keyboard. The method can include modifying and re-running the program on the computer. The step of obtaining debug information can obtain data debug register contents from a processor within the computer. The method can include transporting the computer from one building to another with the debug adapter connected and repeating the steps of running and obtaining for the same program.
Systems according to the invention may be advantageous in that they permit software developers to diagnose software errors during development of a portable computer without disassembling the computer. This can save engineering time, lower the chance of damage, and allow the engineer to focus on the software errors, rather than on assembly and disassembly of the machine. Systems according to the invention may also permit development to take place while the various parts of the portable computer, such as the screen and keyboard, are in place, instead of in an unstable disassembled configuration. And even drives that use the same peripheral slot as the debug adapter can be accessed during debugging.
Systems according to the invention may also permit software engineers to use their personal portable computers as development systems to develop and debug software for other machines. This may allow development to take place in different locations, thereby making the development process more flexible and efficient. Furthermore, providing for a buffering of the processor debug port off of the processor board allows that board to be more compact and less expensive. Features of the invention can be particularly advantageous for highly miniaturized portable computers, which are often difficult to disassemble.
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patent: 5828546 (1998-10-01), Tirrell et al.
patent: 5937154 (1999-08-01), Tegethof
patent: 6075773 (2000-06-01), Clark et al.
Compaq Computer Corporation
Conley & Rose & Tayon P.C.
Lee Thomas
Patel Gautam R.
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