Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Intrasystem connection – Bus access regulation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-08
2001-04-10
Ray, Gopal C. (Department: 2181)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Intrasystem connection
Bus access regulation
C710S072000, C710S120000, C710S108000, C713S300000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216185
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of personal computers. In particular, the invention relates to a personal computer comprising a computing module that attaches to a mating peripheral console.
2. Description of Related Art
Most computer systems are designed as standalone, self-contained units. A personal computer (PC) is constructed with a motherboard, enclosed within a case, acting as the central circuit board that connects all devices together including the central processing unit (CPU), system memory, graphics devices, audio devices, communications devices, a power supply, hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, add-on cards, and others. While some components may be exposed to the exterior of the case for easy substitution and replacement, such as removable diskette drives or PCMCIA cards for a notebook computer, the CPU is fixed within the case. A new generation of processor “modules,” such as Intel's Mobile CPU module, contain the CPU and certain support circuitry within a pluggable module, but the module is directly attached to the motherboard, enclosed within the computer case, and removed only for servicing. As such, the CPU, which is an expensive component of the computer, cannot be readily utilized apart from the system in which it is installed.
Improved modular designs for personal computer systems have been suggested in the past. U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,616 (Kikinis) shows a notebook computer comprised almost entirely of pluggable modules. This design wins the advantages most often associated with modularity, i.e., flexibility in configuration and ease of servicing. At this level of modularity, however, no single module is sufficient in itself to preserve the core computing capability and environment of the computer user.
Another approach to personal computer modularity suffers from the same shortcoming. The recently developed Device Bay standard defines a mechanism for easily adding and upgrading PC peripheral devices without opening the computer case. Device Bay supports a wide variety of storage devices. The Device Bay standard supports only peripheral devices, however, and not CPU or memory modules.
Notebook computers with docking stations represent a partitioning of PC components that permits the core computing capability and environment of the user to be isolated to a portable physical package, i.e., the notebook computer. The notebook is self-contained and fully able to operate apart from any docking station, having all core computing capability plus primary input and display devices integrated into a single package. The docking station is an optional accessory that may be used to hold secondary or bulky peripheral devices.
The portability of notebook computers is, however, constrained by several factors. As a fully functional computer system, a notebook computer requires a substantial power supply. Batteries and AC adapters are both heavy limiting the ability to produce a device that is lightweight. A notebook computer also supplies primary input and display devices for the user. Usable keyboards and readable display screens limit the ability to produce a device with small dimensions that can support the software applications most commonly used on personal computers.
The most significant partitioning of a desktop personal computer occurs in the IBM Aptiva S Series. The Aptiva S PC's incorporate a system tower with a physically separate media console connected by a bus cable. The media console contains frequently accessed peripherals, such as CD-ROM and diskette drives, and has a connection for the keyboard and mouse. This construction removes the bulky tower case from the desktop by locating a small set of low performance peripherals near the monitor, as much as six feet away from the tower. The major components of the system, including the CPU, memory, hard disk drive, add-on cards, power supply, etc., remain together in the tower case.
Consequently, there is a need in the art for a personal computer that allows the user to localize their core computing power and software environment in a small, lightweight, single, portable, physical package.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A personal computer system comprising two physically separate units and the interconnection between them is disclosed. The first unit, an attached computing module (ACM), contains the core computing power and environment for a computer user. The second unit, a peripheral console (PCON), contains the power supply and primary input and output devices for the computer system. An ACM and a PCON are coupled with one another to form a fully functional personal computer system.
The ACM is small in size so as to be easily transported between work locations or to a servicing facility. The ACM is of comparable size to that of a videocassette, and similarly has a hard shell to provide mechanical protection for its internal components. The core computing power in the ACM comprises the central processing unit (CPU), system memory, any auxiliary processors, and primary mass storage (e.g., a hard disk drive) which serves as the boot device for the computer system. The user's core environment contained in the ACM comprises the primary operating system software files, frequently used application software files, files containing the user's working data, and stored configuration data that controls various aspects of software operation customized to the user's characteristics or preferences. Notably absent from the ACM are any substantial power supply, and any substantial input/output device such as would normally be used by the computer operator to interact and exploit the range of functionality provided by the operating system and application software.
The PCON provides the remaining components of a personal computer system including substantial power supply and input/output devices. Different PCON designs provide different usage possibilities for the user's core computing power and environment. Example PCON's include desktop computer, notebook computer, notepad computer, and computer-based entertainment computer designs.
To form a fully operational computer system, an ACM is coupled with a PCON. The plug-in module design of the ACM, and the concentration of high-value components therein (both in terms of high-value hardware and high-value files), makes it easy for a user to transport the high-value core between multiple PCON's, each of which can enjoy a relatively low cost. The concentration of a user's core computing environment in a small, portable package also makes it possible for large organizations to perform moves, adds, and changes to personal computer systems with greater efficiency.
These and other purposes and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings.
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Acqis Technology, Inc.
Ray Gopal C.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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