EP0358304A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for configuration of computer system and circuit boards
Assignee: Compaq Computer Corp
•
Filing: 1989-06-16
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2009-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for determining and selecting configuration options and settings of circuit boards used in a computer system is disclosed. The options and settings are placed in a file according to a given format, at which time the system determines if non-conflicting use of the common system resources is possible. If so, these option and setting parameters are used to configure the circuit boards.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis R. Jones, Jr.
- 👤 Robert S. Gready
- 👤 Roberta A. Walton
- 👤 Scott C. Farrand
- 👤 Pamela H. Williams
- 👤 Montgomery C. Mcgraw
- 👤 Beatrice Dee Pipes
- 👤 Daryl D. George
- 👤 Michael R. Griffin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4411; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/177
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of configuring a computer system and circuit boards thereof, the computer system providing for circuit boards to be interchangeably inserted in a plurality of system slot locations, with the circuit boards having the capability to be configured to utilize one or more of various common computer system resources, the method comprising: determining the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by the circuit boards to be inserted into the computer system; resolving conflicts as to the common computer system resources to be utilized by the circuit boards to be installed in the computer system; assigning common computer system resources based on the resolution of conflicts to be utilized by the circuit boards to be installed in the computer system; and storing configuration information for each circuit board based on the assigned common computer system resources to be utilized.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of configuring a computer system and circuit boards thereof, the computer system providing for circuit boards to be interchangeably inserted in a plurality of system slot locations, with the circuit boards having the capability to be configured to utilize one or more of various common computer system resources, the method comprising: determining the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by the circuit boards to be inserted into the computer system; resolving conflicts as to the common computer system resources to be utilized by the circuit boards to be installed in the computer system; assigning common computer system resources based on the resolution of conflicts to be utilized by the circuit boards to be installed in the computer system; and storing configuration information for each circuit board based on the assigned common computer system resources to be utilized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of resolving conflicts includes selecting the common computer system resources to be utilized by each circuit board to enable the system to configure the maximum number of circuit boards to operate without conflicts of the common computer system resources.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising determining values for initializing selected board operational features and storing configuration information based on these initialization values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the slot location in which a circuit board is inserted and storing configuration information based on the slot location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said determining of the slot location includes addressing a specific address related to the slot location and utilizing the contents of that address in performing the determination.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said determining the various common computer system resources includes: identifying the circuit boards to be installed in the computer system; and obtaining information on the common computer system resources which can be used by the identified circuit boards from a circuit board configuration file.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said determining the various common computer system resources includes utilizing a circuit board configuration file having a defined configuration file format for indicating the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by a circuit board and for indicating the identification of the circuit board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said determining of various common computer system resources includes utilizing a circuit board configuration file having a defined configuration file format for indicating the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by a circuit board and for indicating the identification of the circuit board.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 that further comprises: displaying selected of the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by a circuit board.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
19 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 that further comprises: displaying selected stored configuration information.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
29 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein the storing of the configuration information includes storing the configuration information in a computer system non-volatile memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein storing the configuration information includes storing the configuration information as a file on a mass storage device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
31 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein the storing of the configuration information includes storing the configuration information as a file on a mass storage device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
40 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein the storing of the configuration information includes storing the configuration information in battery-powered CMOS random access memory in the computer system and in a mass storage device file.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 wherein determining the resources utilized by a circuit board includes reading a circuit board configuration file.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
30 words
The method of claims 7 or 8 wherein determining the resources utilized by a circuit board includes consulting a database of configuration information on a series of different circuit boards.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
28 words
The method of claims 7 or 8 wherein determining the resources utilized by a circuit board includes displaying selected of a list of available circuit board configuration files.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
47 words
The method of claims 7 or 8 further comprising: creating a circuit board configuration file including developing the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by a circuit board by selection by the user of various options for each resource presented by the computer system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the format of said configuration file provides for board identification information, initialization information and function information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the format of said configuration file includes a first portion for providing board identification information and second and third portions for providing initialization information and function information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said configuration file format further includes system board information.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said board identification information includes the manufacturer's identification, the board's name, and the circuit board's category.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said initialization information includes information on the input/output ports, switches and jumpers on the circuit board and on related programs used with the circuit board.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said function information includes information on the various functions available on the circuit board and the resources necessary for each function.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said resources information includes information on the direct memory access channel, interrupt line, input/output port address and memory address options available on the circuit board.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said resources information includes information on the initialization value options available on the circuit board for direct memory access channel, interrupt lines, input/output port addresses and memory addresses.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said resources information includes: information on direct memory access channel, interrupt line, input/output port address and memory address options available on the circuit board; information on the initialization value options available on the circuit board for direct memory access channels, interrupt lines, input/output port addresses and memory addresses; and relationship grouping information for said available options and said initialization value options.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for configuring a computer system that provides for circuit boards to be interchangeably inserted in a plurality of sytem slot locations, with the circuit boards having the capability to be configured to utilize one or more of various common computer system resources, comprising: means for determining the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by the circuit boards to be inserted into the computer system; means for resolving conflicts as to the common computer system resources to be utilized by the circuit boards to be installed in the computer system; means for assigning common computer system resources based on the resolution of conflicts to be installed in the computer systems; and means for storing configuration information for each circuit board based on the assigned common computer system resources to be utilized.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for configuring a computer system that provides for circuit boards to be interchangeably inserted in a plurality of sytem slot locations, with the circuit boards having the capability to be configured to utilize one or more of various common computer system resources, comprising: means for determining the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by the circuit boards to be inserted into the computer system; means for resolving conflicts as to the common computer system resources to be utilized by the circuit boards to be installed in the computer system; means for assigning common computer system resources based on the resolution of conflicts to be installed in the computer systems; and means for storing configuration information for each circuit board based on the assigned common computer system resources to be utilized.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said means for resolving conflicts includes means for selecting the common computer system resources to be utilized by each circuit board to enable the system to configure the maximum number of circuit boards to operate without conflicts of the common computer system resources.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising: means for determining values for initializing selected boards operational features and for storing configuration information based on these initialization values.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising: means for determining the slot location in which a circuit board is inserted and for storing configuration information based on the slot location.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said means for determining the slot location includes means for addressing a specific address related to the slot location and for utilizing the contents of that address in performing the determination.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said means for determining the various common computer system resources includes: means for identifying the circuit boards to be installed in the computer system; and means for obtaining information on the common computer system resources which can be used by the identified circuit boards from a circuit board configuration file.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said means for determining the various common computer system resources includes: means for utilizing a circuit board configuration file having a defined configuration file format for indicating the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by a circuit board and for indicating the identification of the circuit board.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said means for determining of various common computer system resources includes: means for utilizing a circuit board configuration file having a defined configuration file format for indicating the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by a circuit board and for indicating the identification of the circuit board.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising: means for displaying selected of the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by a circuit board.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claims 28 or 29 or 30 or 31, further comprising: means for displaying stored configuration information.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claims 28 or 29 or 30 or 31, wherein the means for storing the configuration information includes means for storing the configuration information in a computer system non-volatile memory.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the means for storing the configuration information includes means for storing the configuration information as a file on a mass storage device.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claims 28 or 29 or 30 or 31, wherein the means for storing of the configuration information includes means for storing the configuration information as a file on a mass storage device.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claims 28 or 29 or 30 or 31, wherein the means for storing the configuration information includes means for storing the configuration information in battery-powered CMOS random access memory in the computer system and in a mass storage device file.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the means for determining the resources utilized by a circuit board includes means for reading a circuit board configuration file.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claims 34 or 35, wherein the means for determining the resources utilized by a circuit board includes means for consulting a database of configuration information on a series of different circuit boards.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claims 34 or 35, wherein the means for determining the resources utilized by a circuit board includes means for displaying selected of a list of available circuit board configuration files.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claims 34 or 35, further comprising: means for creating a circuit board configuration file including means for developing the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by a circuit board by selection by the user of various options for each resource presented by the computer system.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the format of said configuration file provides for board identification information, initialization information and function information.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the format of said configuration file includes a first portion for providing board identification information and second and third portions for providing initialization information and function information.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said configuration file format further includes system board information.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said board identification information includes the manufacturer's identification, the board's name, and the circuit board's category.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said initialization information includes information on the input/output ports, switches and jumpers on the circuit board and on related programs used with the circuit board.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said function information includes information on the various functions available on the circuit board and the resources necessary for each function.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said resources information includes information on the direct memory access channel, interrupt line, input/output port address and memory address options available on the circuit board.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said resources information includes information on the initialization value options available on the circuit board for direct memory access channels, interrupt lines, input/output port addresses and memory addresses.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said resources information includes: information on direct memory access channel, interrupt line, input/output port address and memory address options available on the circuit board; information on the intialization value options available on the circuit board for direct memory access channels, interrupt lines, input/output port addresses and memory addresses; and relationship grouping information for said available options and said initialization value options.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for providing information indicative of the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by circuit boards installable in a computer system, comprising: establishing a configuration file to be accessed by the computer system; and providing information in said configuration file having a defined format and pertinent to board identification, initialization and function of the circuit board installable in the computer system.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for providing information indicative of the various common computer system resources which can be utilized by circuit boards installable in a computer system, comprising: establishing a configuration file to be accessed by the computer system; and providing information in said configuration file having a defined format and pertinent to board identification, initialization and function of the circuit board installable in the computer system.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 55, wherein the format of said configuration file includes a first portion for providing board identification information and second and third portions for providing initialization information and function information.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 55, wherein said configuration file includes information pertinent to system board identification.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 55, wherein said board identification information includes the manufacturer's identification, the board's name and the board's category.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 55, wherein said initialization information includes information on the input/output ports, switches and jumpers on the circuit board and on related programs used with the circuit board.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 55, wherein said function information includes information on the various functions available on the circuit board and the resources necessary for each function.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 60, wherein said resources information includes information on the direct memory access channel, interrupt line, input/output port address and memory address options available on the circuit board.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 60, wherein said resource information includes information on the initialization value options available on the circuit board for direct memory access channels, interrupt lines, input/output port addresses and memory addresses.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 60, wherein said resource information includes: information on the direct memory access channel, interrupt line, input/output port address and memory address options available on the circuit board; information on the initialization value options available on the circuit board for direct memory access channels, interrupt lines, input/output port addresses and memory addresses; and relationship grouping information for said available options and said initialization value options.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.