US5832294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple-microprocessor module
Assignee: KULICKE & SOFFA HOLDINGS LLC
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Filing: 1996-08-13
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Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2016-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A dual-microprocessor module includes two microprocessors each of a kind which has two selectable modes of operation, an independent mode in which it can operate independently and a cooperative mode in which it can cooperate with another microprocessor when interconnected in a predefined way with the other microprocessor. Conductors interconnect the microprocessors in the predefined way for operation in the cooperative mode. A housing supports the microprocessors and the conductors. An array of pins are used to mount the module in a socket on a circuit board and the pins are connected to the microprocessors. A socket/circuit board combination includes a socket having an array of holes for receiving pins of a microprocessor package. The holes are connected to runs on the circuit board, the array of holes and the runs being organized to accept either a package containing a single microprocessor or a package containing dual microprocessors interconnected to permit them to operate cooperatively, without requiring rewiring of the circuit board.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Reinschmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/4068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A dual-microprocessor module comprising two microprocessors each of a kind which has two selectable modes of operation, an independent mode in which it can operate independently and a cooperative mode in which it can cooperate with another microprocessor when interconnected in a predefined way with the other microprocessor, conductors interconnecting the microprocessors in the predefined way for operation in the cooperative mode, pins for mounting the dual-microprocessor module in a socket on a circuit board, the pins being electrically connected to the microprocessors in a manner such that, when the pins are inserted into holes in the socket, in which the holes connect to runs on the circuit board and the holes and the runs are organized to accent and enable operation of a single microprocessor package, the socket accepts and enables operation of the dual-microprocessor module, without requiring rewiring of the circuit board, and a housing for supporting the microprocessors and the conductors, the housing being configured to extend essentially no further in any direction parallel to the circuit board than does the socket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A dual-microprocessor module comprising two microprocessors each of a kind which has two selectable modes of operation, an independent mode in which it can operate independently and a cooperative mode in which it can cooperate with another microprocessor when interconnected in a predefined way with the other microprocessor, conductors interconnecting the microprocessors in the predefined way for operation in the cooperative mode, pins for mounting the dual-microprocessor module in a socket on a circuit board, the pins being electrically connected to the microprocessors in a manner such that, when the pins are inserted into holes in the socket, in which the holes connect to runs on the circuit board and the holes and the runs are organized to accent and enable operation of a single microprocessor package, the socket accepts and enables operation of the dual-microprocessor module, without requiring rewiring of the circuit board, and a housing for supporting the microprocessors and the conductors, the housing being configured to extend essentially no further in any direction parallel to the circuit board than does the socket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The module of claim 1 wherein the cooperative mode comprises dual processing with a shared bus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The module of claim 1 wherein the cooperative mode comprises functional redundancy checking.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The module of claim 1 wherein each of the microprocessors comprises an Intel Pentium microprocessor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The module of claim 1 wherein the conductors are part of a multilayer substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The module of claim 1 wherein the pins comprise 347 pins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The module of claim 1 wherein the pins are arranged within an area defined between the outer boundary of a smaller rectangle and the inner boundary of a larger rectangle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The module of claim 7 wherein the pins include a subset of pins that is identical in function, position, and spacing to the pins of a single Pentium microprocessor package.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The module of claim 1 wherein some of the pins of the module are connected only to one of the microprocessors and some other pins of the module are connected only to the other one of the microprocessors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The module of claim 1 wherein each of the conductors interconnecting the microprocessors is also connected to one of the pins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
165 words
A dual-microprocessor module comprising two Pentium microprocessors each having a cooperative mode in which it can cooperate with another Pentium microprocessor when interconnected in a predefined way with the other microprocessor, a multilayer substrate having conductors interconnecting the microprocessors in the predefined way for operation in the cooperative mode, pins for mounting the dual-microprocessor module in a socket on a circuit board, the pins being electrically connected to the microprocessors, the pins being arranged in a manner such that, when the sins are inserted into holes in the socket, in which the holes connect to runs on the circuit board the socket accepts and enables the operation of the dual-processor module or a single Pentium processor package without requiring rewiring of the connections made from the circuit board to the holes of the socket, and a housing for supporting the microprocessors and the substrate, the housing being configured to extend essentially no further in any direction parallel to the circuit board than does the socket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
165 words
A dual-microprocessor module comprising two Pentium microprocessors each having a cooperative mode in which it can cooperate with another Pentium microprocessor when interconnected in a predefined way with the other microprocessor, a multilayer substrate having conductors interconnecting the microprocessors in the predefined way for operation in the cooperative mode, pins for mounting the dual-microprocessor module in a socket on a circuit board, the pins being electrically connected to the microprocessors, the pins being arranged in a manner such that, when the sins are inserted into holes in the socket, in which the holes connect to runs on the circuit board the socket accepts and enables the operation of the dual-processor module or a single Pentium processor package without requiring rewiring of the connections made from the circuit board to the holes of the socket, and a housing for supporting the microprocessors and the substrate, the housing being configured to extend essentially no further in any direction parallel to the circuit board than does the socket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein the holes comprise 347 holes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein the holes are organized to accept either a single Pentium microprocessor package or a dual-Pentium microprocessor module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
181 words
A dual-microprocessor module comprising two microprocessors each of a kind which has two selectable modes of operation, an independent mode in which it can operate independently and a cooperative mode in which it can cooperate with another microprocessor when interconnected in a predefined way with the other microprocessor, the microprocessors being bare semiconductor dies, conductors interconnecting the microprocessors in the predefined way for operation in the cooperative mode, pins for mounting the dual-microprocessor module in a socket on a circuit board, the pins being electrically connected to the microprocessors in a manner such that, when the pins are inserted into holes in the socket, in which the holes connect to runs on the circuit board and the holes and the runs are organized to accept and enable operation of a single microprocessor package, the socket accepts and enables operation of the dual-microprocessor module, without requiring rewiring of the circuit board, and a housing for supporting the microprocessors and the conductors, the housing being configured to extend essentially no further in any direction parallel to the circuit board than does the socket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
181 words
A dual-microprocessor module comprising two microprocessors each of a kind which has two selectable modes of operation, an independent mode in which it can operate independently and a cooperative mode in which it can cooperate with another microprocessor when interconnected in a predefined way with the other microprocessor, the microprocessors being bare semiconductor dies, conductors interconnecting the microprocessors in the predefined way for operation in the cooperative mode, pins for mounting the dual-microprocessor module in a socket on a circuit board, the pins being electrically connected to the microprocessors in a manner such that, when the pins are inserted into holes in the socket, in which the holes connect to runs on the circuit board and the holes and the runs are organized to accept and enable operation of a single microprocessor package, the socket accepts and enables operation of the dual-microprocessor module, without requiring rewiring of the circuit board, and a housing for supporting the microprocessors and the conductors, the housing being configured to extend essentially no further in any direction parallel to the circuit board than does the socket.
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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) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |