US5675794A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for configuring multiple agents in a computer system
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1996-03-20
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Granted: 1997-10-07
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Expires: 2016-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for configuring multiple agents in a computer system includes a first storage device for storing a set of configuration values and a second storage device for capturing the set of configuration values from the bus. These configuration values are driven onto the bus and retrieved from the bus by interface logic within the apparatus. The interface logic drives the configuration values onto the bus when a register within the apparatus is activated. At system power-on, the first storage device defaults to a first set of values. These values are then driven onto the bus and retrieved by each agent on the bus, including the apparatus of the present invention. This first set of values provides the system with the necessary parameters to access and execute certain initialization program(s). These initialization programs can modify the configuration values stored in the first storage device. After the initialization program(s) modify the first storage device, they activate a register within the apparatus of the present invention. This register causes interface logic to drive the values stored in the first storage device onto the system bus. Each agent on the bus, including the apparatus of the present invention, retrieves these values. The apparatus of the present invention stores these values in a second storage device and proceeds to operate according to the values in the second storage device.
Inventors
- 👤 Susan S. Meredith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/177
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for configuring a plurality of agents in a computer system with a plurality of configuration values, wherein the computer system includes a bus coupled to the plurality of agents, and wherein said apparatus comprises: a first storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values; interface logic for driving said plurality of configuration values from said first storage device onto said bus for retrieval and storage by each of the plurality of agents in order to configure a plurality of different operating parameters in each of said plurality of agents, and controlling the modification of said first storage device during operation of said apparatus; a second storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values, wherein the apparatus uses said plurality of configuration values stored in said second storage device to define a plurality of operating parameters for the apparatus; and a first register for determining when said interface logic drives said plurality of configuration values from said first storage device onto said bus, and determining when said second storage device stores said plurality of configuration values.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for configuring a plurality of agents in a computer system with a plurality of configuration values, wherein the computer system includes a bus coupled to the plurality of agents, and wherein said apparatus comprises: a first storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values; interface logic for driving said plurality of configuration values from said first storage device onto said bus for retrieval and storage by each of the plurality of agents in order to configure a plurality of different operating parameters in each of said plurality of agents, and controlling the modification of said first storage device during operation of said apparatus; a second storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values, wherein the apparatus uses said plurality of configuration values stored in said second storage device to define a plurality of operating parameters for the apparatus; and a first register for determining when said interface logic drives said plurality of configuration values from said first storage device onto said bus, and determining when said second storage device stores said plurality of configuration values.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said interface logic is also for storing said plurality of configuration values in said second storage device when driving said set of values onto said bus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first storage device and said second storage device comprise a second register and a third register, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said interface logic drives said plurality of configuration values onto said bus when said first register is written to.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each agent of said plurality of agents is a processor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said interface logic is also for asserting a reset signal to said plurality of agents, said reset signal indicating to each of said plurality of agents when to retrieve and store said plurality of configuration values.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for simultaneously configuring a plurality of agents in a computer system with a first plurality of configuration values, wherein the computer system includes a bus coupled to the plurality of agents, said method comprising the steps of: (a) driving a second plurality of configuration values onto said bus; (b) accessing, according to the second plurality of configuration values, a first storage device to determine said first plurality of configuration values, wherein said first plurality of configuration values are different than the second plurality of configuration values; (c) storing said first plurality of configuration values in a second storage device; (d) driving said first plurality of configuration values from the second storage device onto said bus; (e) retrieving, by each of said plurality of agents simultaneously, said first plurality of configuration values; and (f) storing, by each of said plurality of agents simultaneously, said first plurality of configuration values to simultaneously define a plurality of different operating parameters for each of said plurality of agents.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for simultaneously configuring a plurality of agents in a computer system with a first plurality of configuration values, wherein the computer system includes a bus coupled to the plurality of agents, said method comprising the steps of: (a) driving a second plurality of configuration values onto said bus; (b) accessing, according to the second plurality of configuration values, a first storage device to determine said first plurality of configuration values, wherein said first plurality of configuration values are different than the second plurality of configuration values; (c) storing said first plurality of configuration values in a second storage device; (d) driving said first plurality of configuration values from the second storage device onto said bus; (e) retrieving, by each of said plurality of agents simultaneously, said first plurality of configuration values; and (f) storing, by each of said plurality of agents simultaneously, said first plurality of configuration values to simultaneously define a plurality of different operating parameters for each of said plurality of agents.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein said accessing step (b) comprises the step of determining a method for accessing said first storage device based on said second plurality of configuration values.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein said driving step (d) comprises the step of activating a register causing said first plurality of configuration values to be driven onto said bus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 9 wherein said step of activating a register comprises the step of writing to said register.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein said retrieving step (e) comprises each of said plurality of agents retrieving said first plurality of configuration values in a same clock cycle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as defined in claim 7, further comprising the step of driving a reset signal onto said bus concurrently with said first plurality of configuration values, and wherein each of said plurality of agents retrieves and stores said first plurality of configuration values responsive to the reset signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
204 words
A computer system comprising: a first bus; a second bus; a first plurality of agents coupled to said first bus; a second plurality of agents coupled to said second bus; and a first agent being both one of said first plurality of agents and one of said second plurality of agents, wherein said first agent includes, a first storage device which stores a plurality of configuration values, interface logic for driving said plurality of configuration values from said first storage device onto said second bus for retrieval and storage by each of said second plurality of agents to configure a plurality of different operating parameters in each of said plurality of agents, and for controlling the modification of said first storage device during operation of said first agent, a second storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values, wherein said first agent uses said plurality of configuration values stored in said second storage device to define a plurality of operating parameters for said first agent, and a first register for determining when said interface logic drives said plurality of configuration values from said first storage device onto said second bus, and determining when said second storage device stores said plurality of configuration values.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
204 words
A computer system comprising: a first bus; a second bus; a first plurality of agents coupled to said first bus; a second plurality of agents coupled to said second bus; and a first agent being both one of said first plurality of agents and one of said second plurality of agents, wherein said first agent includes, a first storage device which stores a plurality of configuration values, interface logic for driving said plurality of configuration values from said first storage device onto said second bus for retrieval and storage by each of said second plurality of agents to configure a plurality of different operating parameters in each of said plurality of agents, and for controlling the modification of said first storage device during operation of said first agent, a second storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values, wherein said first agent uses said plurality of configuration values stored in said second storage device to define a plurality of operating parameters for said first agent, and a first register for determining when said interface logic drives said plurality of configuration values from said first storage device onto said second bus, and determining when said second storage device stores said plurality of configuration values.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer system as defined in claim 13, wherein a second agent of said second plurality of agents includes a third storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values from said bus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer system as defined in claim 13, wherein a second agent of said second plurality of agents includes logic for retrieving a second plurality of configuration values from a third agent of said first plurality of agents according to said first plurality of configuration value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as defined in claim 13, wherein said first agent is a bus bridge and wherein each of said second plurality of agents is a microprocessor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer system as defined in claim 13, wherein said interface logic is also for driving a reset signal on said second bus, said reset signal indicating to each of said second plurality of agents when to retrieve and store said plurality of configuration values.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for configuring a plurality of agents in a computer system with a plurality of configuration values, wherein the computer system includes a bus coupled to the plurality of agents, said apparatus comprising: a first storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values; a means for driving said plurality of configuration values from said first storage device onto said bus for retrieval and storage by each of the plurality of agents in order to configure a plurality of different operating parameters in each of said plurality of agents; a means for controlling the modifying of said first storage device during operation of said apparatus; a second storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values after said means for driving said plurality of configuration values onto said bus drives said plurality of configuration values onto said bus, wherein the apparatus uses said plurality of configuration values stored in said second storage device to define a plurality of operating parameters for the apparatus; and a means for determining when said means for driving drives said plurality of configuration values onto said bus and when said second storage device stores said plurality of configuration values.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for configuring a plurality of agents in a computer system with a plurality of configuration values, wherein the computer system includes a bus coupled to the plurality of agents, said apparatus comprising: a first storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values; a means for driving said plurality of configuration values from said first storage device onto said bus for retrieval and storage by each of the plurality of agents in order to configure a plurality of different operating parameters in each of said plurality of agents; a means for controlling the modifying of said first storage device during operation of said apparatus; a second storage device which stores said plurality of configuration values after said means for driving said plurality of configuration values onto said bus drives said plurality of configuration values onto said bus, wherein the apparatus uses said plurality of configuration values stored in said second storage device to define a plurality of operating parameters for the apparatus; and a means for determining when said means for driving drives said plurality of configuration values onto said bus and when said second storage device stores said plurality of configuration values.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said means for driving further comprises means for storing said plurality of configuration values in said second storage device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said means for driving drives said plurality of configuration values onto said bus when said means for determining is written to.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |