US6526375B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-configuring store-and-forward computer network
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1999-04-23
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Granted: 2003-02-25
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Expires: 2019-04-23
Abstract
Abstract In a self-configuring store-and-forward computer network, a plurality of processors are each housed in an enclosure having a top surface and a bottom surface. Each processor has an associated block identification number. An array of m by n radially symmetric connectors are arranged on the top surface and on the bottom surface of each enclosure. Each connector has an associated connector identification number. The connectors physically and electronically couple the plurality of processors as a three-dimensional structure. Communications controller in each of the processors exchange the block and connector identification numbers between the processors and a host computer to determine an ordered list of connector numbers that is used to route messages between any of the processors and the host computer.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Frankel
- 👤 David B. Anderson
- 👤 Joseph W. Marks
- 👤 Edmund M. Sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:15
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1438; H05K7/1459; B; B33; B33Y; B33Y50/00; G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/76; G06F15/80; G06F15/8007; G06F15/803; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/514
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A self-configuring store-and-forward computer network, comprising: a plurality of processors each housed in an enclosure having a top surface and a bottom surface, each processor having an associated block identification number; an array of m by n radially symmetric connectors arranged on the top surface and on the bottom surface of each enclosure, each connector having an associated connector identification number, the connectors physically and electronically coupling the plurality of processors as a three-dimensional structure; and a communications controller in each of the processors for exchanging the block and connector identification numbers between the processors and a host computer to determine an ordered list of connector numbers that is used to route messages between any of the processors and the host computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A self-configuring store-and-forward computer network, comprising: a plurality of processors each housed in an enclosure having a top surface and a bottom surface, each processor having an associated block identification number; an array of m by n radially symmetric connectors arranged on the top surface and on the bottom surface of each enclosure, each connector having an associated connector identification number, the connectors physically and electronically coupling the plurality of processors as a three-dimensional structure; and a communications controller in each of the processors for exchanging the block and connector identification numbers between the processors and a host computer to determine an ordered list of connector numbers that is used to route messages between any of the processors and the host computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer network according to claim 1 wherein the array includes two by four connectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer network of claim 1 wherein each connector carries a power signal and a data signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer network of claim 1 including, for each processor, a light emitting diode to provide a visual indication of an operation of the processor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The computer network of claim 1 wherein the plurality of the processors are arranged in the three-dimensional structure, and further comprising: means for determining a local connectivity information of each connectors of each enclosure in the three-dimensional structure in parallel; means for determining adjacent connectivity information between adjacent processors in the three-dimensional structure in parallel; and communicating the local and adjacent connectivity information to a host computer coupled to one of the connectors of the enclosure of the three-dimensional structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer network of claim 5 wherein the three-dimensional structure is rendered by the host computer on an output device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer network of claim 6 wherein the output device is a display terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer network of claim 6 wherein the output device is a 3D stereo-lithographic printer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer network of claim 5 wherein the connectivity information is incorporated into a virtual-reality environment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer network of claim 5 wherein the connectivity information is expressed as logic axioms in a database.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer network of claim 1 wherein both m and n are greater than one to form a rigid structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-24 | 2006-08-26 | 2007-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | 2011-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-24 | 2014-08-26 | 2015-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |