US5862320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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SDRAM DIMM presence detect interface
Assignee: Nvidia Corp
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Filing: 1995-12-22
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Granted: 1999-01-19
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Expires: 2015-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard controller is used to drive the PDEN pins on DIMMs. A PC has a keyboard controller with a plurality of programmable input/output (I/O) pins. The state of the programmable I/O pins can be set by software. The pins are coupled to individual PDEN pins on the DIMMs. When the programmable I/O pins are activated, the PDEN pins are driven active and each DIMM outputs a signal indicating its characteristics. The signals are latched and stored for use by a memory controller.
Inventors
- 👤 Pete Edward Nelsen
- 👤 Douglas Michael Berk
- 👤 Kenneth Ma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/2015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of determining characteristics of a memory module in a computer system, comprising the steps of: sending a first signal directly from a programmable input/output pin to a presence detect enable input on a DIMM, wherein the first signal is sent by a keyboard controller; and receiving a second signal from the DIMM, wherein the second signal is generated by the DIMM in response to the first signal, and wherein the second signal is utilized in determining the characteristics of the DIMM.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of determining characteristics of a memory module in a computer system, comprising the steps of: sending a first signal directly from a programmable input/output pin to a presence detect enable input on a DIMM, wherein the first signal is sent by a keyboard controller; and receiving a second signal from the DIMM, wherein the second signal is generated by the DIMM in response to the first signal, and wherein the second signal is utilized in determining the characteristics of the DIMM.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the DIMM comprises SDRAM.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the sending step further comprises the step of: programming at least one programmable I/O pin on the keyboard controller to send the first signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step further comprises the step of: latching and storing the second signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the second signal indicates at least one characteristic of the DIMM.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the characteristic comprises memory speed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the characteristic comprises memory density.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the characteristic comprises memory configuration.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
83 words
A system for detecting the presence of a memory module in a computer system, comprising: first means for sending a first signal directly from a programmable input/output pin on a keyboard controller to a presence detect enable input on a DIMM, wherein means within the DIMM generates a second signal in response to the first signal; second means independent from the first means for receiving the second signal, wherein the detecting the presence of the DIMM is a function of said second signal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
83 words
A system for detecting the presence of a memory module in a computer system, comprising: first means for sending a first signal directly from a programmable input/output pin on a keyboard controller to a presence detect enable input on a DIMM, wherein means within the DIMM generates a second signal in response to the first signal; second means independent from the first means for receiving the second signal, wherein the detecting the presence of the DIMM is a function of said second signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 9, wherein the second means comprises a memory controller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 9, wherein the DIMM comprises a SDRAM.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 9, wherein the second signal indicates at least one characteristic of the DIMM.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 12, wherein the characteristic comprises memory speed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 12, wherein the characteristic comprises memory density.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 12, wherein the characteristic comprises memory configuration.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for detecting characteristics of a memory in a computer system, wherein the memory comprises at least one DIMM having a first input and a plurality of outputs and wherein the at least one DIMM generates an output signal on the plurality of outputs in response to an input signal on the first input, comprising: a keyboard controller having at least one programmable I/O pin, the at least one programmable I/O pin coupled directly to the first input, wherein said first input is a presence detect enable pin on a DIMM; and a memory controller having a plurality of second inputs coupled to the plurality of outputs.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for detecting characteristics of a memory in a computer system, wherein the memory comprises at least one DIMM having a first input and a plurality of outputs and wherein the at least one DIMM generates an output signal on the plurality of outputs in response to an input signal on the first input, comprising: a keyboard controller having at least one programmable I/O pin, the at least one programmable I/O pin coupled directly to the first input, wherein said first input is a presence detect enable pin on a DIMM; and a memory controller having a plurality of second inputs coupled to the plurality of outputs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 16, wherein the second controller comprises an integrated controller.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 16, wherein the memory comprises an SDRAM.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 16, wherein the output signal indicates at least one characteristic of the memory.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the characteristic comprises memory speed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the characteristic comprises memory density.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 19, wherein the characteristic comprises memory configuration.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the memory configuration is a number of SDRAM memory banks.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the memory configuration is parity support.
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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) | 2002-01-18 | 2002-07-20 | 2003-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-18 | 2006-07-20 | 2007-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-18 | 2010-07-20 | 2011-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |