Patent US6314522B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6314522B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-voltage level CPU module
Assignee: ACQIS LLC
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Filing: 1999-01-13
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Granted: 2001-11-06
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Expires: 2019-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A computer module includes a central processing unit capable of operating at a first performance level and capable of operating at a second performance level in response to configuration signals, and a control logic coupled to the central processing unit for receiving configuration signals and for generating the performance configuration signals, the performance configuration signals comprising a bus clock, a speed multiplier, and an operating voltage, the control logic having a clocked control for receiving the performance configuration signals and in response specifying the speed multiplier, clock configuration signals, and voltage configuration signals, a clock driver coupled to the clocked control logic for receiving the clock configuration signals and in response for outputting the bus clock, and a voltage converter coupled to the clocked control logic for receiving the voltage configuration signals and in response outputting the operating voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Y. Chu
- 👤 David H. C. Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1632; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1656; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; G06F1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for configuring performance of a computer module removable from a peripheral console, the method comprising: attaching the computer module to the peripheral console; supplying power from the peripheral console to the computer module, such that the computer module receives power only when attached to the peripheral console; supplying configuration data from the peripheral console to the computer module; determining performance configuration signals in the computer module in response to the configuration data; and applying the performance configuration signals to control a performance level of a central processing unit of the computer module.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for configuring performance of a computer module removable from a peripheral console, the method comprising: attaching the computer module to the peripheral console; supplying power from the peripheral console to the computer module, such that the computer module receives power only when attached to the peripheral console; supplying configuration data from the peripheral console to the computer module; determining performance configuration signals in the computer module in response to the configuration data; and applying the performance configuration signals to control a performance level of a central processing unit of the computer module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining performance configuring signals comprises determining speed multiplier signals of the central processing unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining performance configuring signals comprises determining a bus clock signal for the central processing unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining performance configuration signals comprises determining an operating voltage for the central processing unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein determining performance configuring signals comprises determining a host bus speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein determining performance configuring signals comprises determining a voltage identification code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
A modular computer system comprising: a peripheral console including, a power supply, and a first controller configured to emit configuration data; and a computer module receiving power only when attached to the peripheral console, the computer module including, a configuration control logic configured to receive the configuration data and in response transmit a performance configuration signal, and a central processing unit configured to receive power only from the power supply and to operate at one of a first performance level and a second performance level in response to the performance configuration signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
A modular computer system comprising: a peripheral console including, a power supply, and a first controller configured to emit configuration data; and a computer module receiving power only when attached to the peripheral console, the computer module including, a configuration control logic configured to receive the configuration data and in response transmit a performance configuration signal, and a central processing unit configured to receive power only from the power supply and to operate at one of a first performance level and a second performance level in response to the performance configuration signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A modular computer system according to claim 7 wherein the computer module further comprises a clock driver in communication with the central processing unit, the performance configuration signal comprising a clock signal controlling a speed of operation of the central processing unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A modular computer system according to claim 8 wherein the computer module further comprises a BIOS, the BIOS configured to receive the configuration data from the peripheral console and to generate additional console configuration data to the configuration control logic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A modular computer system according to claim 7 wherein the computer module further comprises a voltage converter in communication with the power bus and with the central processing unit, the performance configuration signal comprising a voltage identification signal controlling a voltage of operation of the central processing unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A modular computer system according to claim 7 wherein the computer module further comprises a data bus in communication with the peripheral console and a bus controller in communication with the data bus, the performance configuration signal comprising a bus multiplier signal controlling a speed of operation of the data bus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A modular computer system according to claim 7 wherein the peripheral console further comprises a video bus and the computer module further comprises a graphics controller, the performance configuration signal controlling a format of video output from the graphics controller to the peripheral console across the video bus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A modular computer system according to claim 12 wherein the graphics controller is configured to output a video output signal having one of an analog television signal format, an analog RGB signal format, and a digital video signal format.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
A modular computer system comprising: a peripheral console including, a power supply, a peripheral interface controller configured to emit configuration data indicative of a type of the peripheral console, and a display device; and a computer module removable from the peripheral console wherein the computer module receives power only when attached to the peripheral console, the computer module including, a central processing unit configured to operate at one of a first performance level and a second performance level in response to the performance configuration signal, and a graphics controller configured to drive only the display device in response to the configuration data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
102 words
A modular computer system comprising: a peripheral console including, a power supply, a peripheral interface controller configured to emit configuration data indicative of a type of the peripheral console, and a display device; and a computer module removable from the peripheral console wherein the computer module receives power only when attached to the peripheral console, the computer module including, a central processing unit configured to operate at one of a first performance level and a second performance level in response to the performance configuration signal, and a graphics controller configured to drive only the display device in response to the configuration data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The modular computer system of claim 14 further comprising a bus configured to carry video signals transmitted from the graphics controller to the display device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The modular computer system of claim 15 wherein: the video signals comprise analog RGB signals, vertical synchronization signals, and horizontal synchronization signals; and the display device comprises a color monitor displaying an image only when the computer module is attached to the peripheral console.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The modular computer system of claim 15 wherein: the video signals comprise digital RGB signals, vertical synchronization signals, and horizontal synchronization signals; and the display device comprises a color flat panel display displaying an image only when the computer module is attached to the peripheral console.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
The modular computer system of claim 14 wherein: the computer module further comprises a variable clock frequency driver coupled to the central processing unit, the variable clock frequency driver configured to operate the central processing unit at one of a first clock speed and a second clock speed in response to the configuration signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
The modular computer system of claim 14 wherein: the computer module further comprises a variable DC to DC voltage converter coupled to the central processing unit, the variable voltage converter configured to operate the central processing unit at one of a first operating voltage and a second operating voltage in response to the configuration signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
106 words
A modular computer system comprising: a peripheral console including, a power supply, a peripheral interface controller configured to emit configuration data indicative of a type of the peripheral console, a user input device; and a computer module removable from the peripheral console wherein the computer module receives power only when attached to the peripheral console, the computer module including, a central processing unit configured to operate at one of a first performance level and a second performance level in response to the performance configuration signal, and an input device controller configured to receive input signals from the user input device in response to the configuration data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
106 words
A modular computer system comprising: a peripheral console including, a power supply, a peripheral interface controller configured to emit configuration data indicative of a type of the peripheral console, a user input device; and a computer module removable from the peripheral console wherein the computer module receives power only when attached to the peripheral console, the computer module including, a central processing unit configured to operate at one of a first performance level and a second performance level in response to the performance configuration signal, and an input device controller configured to receive input signals from the user input device in response to the configuration data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
The modular computer system of claim 20 wherein: the computer module further comprises a variable clock frequency driver coupled to the central processing unit, the variable clock frequency driver configured to operate the central processing unit at one of a first clock speed and a second clock speed in response to the configuration signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
The modular computer system of claim 20 wherein: the computer module further comprises a variable DC to DC voltage converter coupled to the central processing unit, the variable voltage converter configured to operate the central processing unit at one of a first operating voltage and a second operating voltage in response to the configuration signal.
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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) | 2004-11-05 | 2005-05-07 | 2005-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-05 | 2009-05-07 | 2009-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-05 | 2013-05-07 | 2013-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |