WO1997023818A2 - Modular digital computer installations - Google Patents
Modular digital computer installations Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997023818A2 WO1997023818A2 PCT/GB1996/003110 GB9603110W WO9723818A2 WO 1997023818 A2 WO1997023818 A2 WO 1997023818A2 GB 9603110 W GB9603110 W GB 9603110W WO 9723818 A2 WO9723818 A2 WO 9723818A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- modules
- bus
- device modules
- sub
- module
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/18—Packaging or power distribution
- G06F1/183—Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means
- G06F1/184—Mounting of motherboards
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/18—Packaging or power distribution
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/18—Packaging or power distribution
- G06F1/183—Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means
- G06F1/187—Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
Definitions
- This invention relates to modular digital computer installations.
- PC Personal computers
- computers commonly comprise a processing unit, a monitor and a keyboard, as well as one or more peripheral devices, such as a printer, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive and a CD ROM drive.
- peripheral devices such as a printer, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive and a CD ROM drive.
- computers are difficult to install and upgrade, rapidly become obsolete, are expensive to maintain and are difficult or
- MDA modular digital architecture
- the installation is designed to comprise three main components
- UBM universal base module
- modules FUM
- modules a modular upgrade bus (MUB) for interconnecting the modules
- the UBM may be a common digital module based on MDA for supplying any information appliance based on MDA, such as a PC, a home audio system, an
- PC network computer
- the UBM will typically inco ⁇ orate a power supply, a graphics interface (with TV and SVGA
- the UBM may also include any of a low-cost processor, a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, a modem and a network
- the MUB provides the backbone of the MDA and may carry
- MUB is preferably designed in
- the MUB may provide inter ⁇
- IIC, EVC, USB, AGP and 1394 with spare capacity to add any new industry standard bus in the future, in order to ensure that the MDA is adaptable to future technologies.
- the FUM are capable of providing a multiplicity of added features when
- the modules may provide any combination of a processor (possibly of higher performance than a processor provided within the UBM), a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, a CD ROM drive, a modem, a TV/FM tuner, a graphics interface, an audio system, a digital video system, a digital satellite
- PBX office phone system
- network interface etc.
- Such a system enables a computer installation to be assembled or upgraded directly by the user in a particularly straightforward manner without requiring the
- FIGS 1 to 4 are explanatory diagrams showing an installation of the invention
- FIGS 5 and 6 diagrammatically show the UBM of the installation
- FIGS 7 to 10 diagrammatically show the MUB of the installation
- FIG. 11 diagrammatically shows the FUM of the installation
- FIGS 12, 13 and 14 show possible combinations of modules in such an installation
- Figure 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the layout of the software
- Figures 16 to 19 show typical pin layouts in a detailed implementation in
- Figure 20 is a block diagram of a computer installation in accordance with
- drawings may serve a number of functions, including the function of a so-called
- home/office bus system for linking together a number of appliances in a home/office
- a hi-fi system a video recorder, a personal computer, a telephone, a heating control,
- Such appliances would not normally be able to communicate with one another or
- each communication device has its own
- a home/office bus system may be provided to connect together a plurality of device modules performing these functions and a common control and/or a power supply module, all of which are individually cased and are
- control and/or power supply module if required, without any need for specialist technical knowledge.
- the modules may be connectable together in the manner of a hi-
- fi stack by means of the bus system so as to be powered by a single power supply unit and controlled by a single control unit which may for example be a computer keyboard and/or a remote control unit.
- FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the interconnection of a universal base module (UBM) 1 and a plurality of functional upgrade modules (FUM) 3 by means of a modular upgrade bus (MUB) 2 inco ⁇ orating six sub-buses which together transmit
- UBM universal base module
- FUM functional upgrade modules
- MUB modular upgrade bus
- a first sub-bus transmits power signals from the UBM 1 to each of the FUM 3.
- buses are provided for standard ISA communication and fast PCI communication, and a fourth sub-bus is provided for enhanced IDE data communication between the
- a fifth sub-bus serves for bidirectional transfer of control signals between the modules utilising IIC protocol.
- a sixth sub-bus serves to transmit audio signals between the modules where required. Additional sub-buses may be provided where required to control secondary functions, for example for transfer of radio
- the universal base module (UBM) 1 preferably constitutes the bottom module of the stack to which any combination of functional upgrade modules (FUM) 3 may be added one on top of the
- the modular upgrade bus (MUB) 2 comprises a series of bus links 10, each bus link 10 constituting a respective part of
- one of the modules 1, 3 and the bus links 10 being connectable together in series when
- one or more functional upgrade modules (FUM) 3, as shown in Figure 4, are stacked on top of the UBM 1.
- FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows the internal components of the UBM I comprising a power supply unit 4, an optional faxmodem/network interface 5, an optional floppy disk drive 6, an optional hard disk drive 7 and an optional processor board 8, in addition to the bus link 10. As shown diagrammatically in Figure 6, these
- the cover 9 is designed to be lockable in position after assembly, for example by special screws or rivets, in order to prevent access to the inside of the casing by the user.
- bus system may be split into two channels, namely a standard channel and a fast channel, which are provided respectively on the left hand side and the right hand side of the assembly for communicating signals to modules below and above a processor FUM, as will be described in more detail below.
- FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates the connecting together of the UBM 1 and the FUM 3 by means of the bus links 10 which are connectable to the main board 18 of a processor FUM 3 by means of plug and socket connectors and which form
- the main board 18 is provided with right hand and left hand bus sockets 13A, 13, the right hand socket 13A receiving an enhanced bus board 14 and the complete assembly being
- a lower FUM 3 inco ⁇ orates an integral standard bus link 10 comprising a socket 13, a standard bus board 12 connected to the socket 13 and a socket 15 (see Figure 11) by means of which the associated device unit
- an upper FUM 3 is provided with an integral enhanced bus link 10 comprising an enhanced bus board to which the associated device unit, e.g. a television
- a socket (not shown) and to the lower part of which a socket 13 is connected for detachable connection of the upper FUM 3 to the processor FUM
- connection will need to be positioned below the processor FUM 3 and to be
- the bus system may comprise tracks
- the UBM 1 may inco ⁇ orate a power supply, a graphics interface, an audio
- the MUB comprises a series of bus links 10
- each bus link 10 is a part of one
- each link 10 has a plug connector at one end and a socket
- the processor FUM has separate
- each module engages within the socket of the unit immediately below it to provide serial connection of the links.
- the MUB is a single continuous PC board
- the board 10A is provided with a number of electrical socket
- modules may be plugged. If required the board may be replaced by a flexible ribbon.
- the MUB consists of a number of U-
- Figure 11 diagrammatically shows the internal components of a number of
- FUM 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d each of which has a casing 16 and an internal bus link 10 in
- module 3a houses an industry standard PCI upgrade card 17A whereas the module 3b
- the module houses a custom designed board such as an upgrade processor board 18.
- module 3c houses a 5.25" drive unit such as a CD ROM player 17A, and module 3d houses
- Figure 12 shows a network computer 20 (NC or NetPC) consisting of
- NeoNC is upgradable to a
- NeoPC a modular personal computer 21 , which may be termed a NeoPC, comprising
- the lockable cover 9 being fitted to the uppermost FUM 3 in the stack.
- the lockable cover 9 provides mechanical and electrical safety and security.
- the NeoPC comprises any
- PC devices such as a processor, a hard disk drive, a CD ROM drive,
- a faxmodem a graphics interface, an audio interface, etc. Additionally or alternatively
- the MUB 1 and FUM 3 may be interconnected to form an appliance computer 22 (AC)
- NeoAC NeoAC
- PBX office telephone
- a safety system may be inco ⁇ orated to prevent damage to the
- Each FUM may be adapted to supply
- the installation may include features to minimise the power consumed by the installation at all times, particularly during periods of inactivity, and may provide visual indications of the
- a thermal management feature may also be included to
- the flexibility of the MDA may enable up to eight ISA and
- Figure 15 is a schematic layout of a typical software interface for driving
- the control unit serves to implement control of the individual modules and the power supply unit by means of appropriate instructions transmitted from the control
- the control unit has three main functions,
- control unit inco ⁇ orates the central processing unit (CPU)
- Figures 16 and 17 show a typical pin layout of the standard channel as
- plug and socket connector arrangements e.g. a PCB edge-mount
- Figures 18 and 19 show a typical pin layout
- FIG. 7 The pin layout is split into two main channels, namely a standard channel
- the pin layout and associated wire interconnections provide for communication of
- Figure 20 shows a block diagram of a modular computer system in accordance with the invention consisting of seven modules, namely a base module 30, a multi-media module 31, a communications module 32, a storage module 33, a control
- the base module 30 inco ⁇ orates the power supply unit, the hard disk drive, the floppy disk drive, the floppy disk controller, serial and parallel ports and SVGA graphics.
- the system will support both the ISA and the PCI expansion bus architectures.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP96942468A EP0811187A2 (en) | 1995-12-21 | 1996-12-17 | Modular digital computer installations |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9526156.6 | 1995-12-21 | ||
GBGB9526156.6A GB9526156D0 (en) | 1995-12-21 | 1995-12-21 | Computer bus systems |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1997023818A2 true WO1997023818A2 (en) | 1997-07-03 |
WO1997023818A3 WO1997023818A3 (en) | 1997-08-28 |
Family
ID=10785813
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1996/003110 WO1997023818A2 (en) | 1995-12-21 | 1996-12-17 | Modular digital computer installations |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0811187A2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9526156D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997023818A2 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0905604A2 (en) * | 1997-09-30 | 1999-03-31 | Compaq Computer Corporation | Cableless interface connection |
GB2347009A (en) * | 1999-02-20 | 2000-08-23 | Graeme Roy Smith | Improvements to hi-fidelity and home entertainment systems |
EP1126360A1 (en) * | 2000-02-14 | 2001-08-22 | Hewlett-Packard Company, A Delaware Corporation | Desktop computer appliance |
EP1576455A2 (en) * | 2002-12-24 | 2005-09-21 | Sunrise Telecom Incorporated | Scalable extensible network test architecture |
US7158843B2 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2007-01-02 | Akya Holdings Limited | Modular software definable pre-amplifier |
WO2008094123A1 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2008-08-07 | Ternary Technologies Pte Ltd | Modular entertainment system |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN115562136A (en) * | 2022-12-06 | 2023-01-03 | 国网浙江省电力有限公司金华供电公司 | Control device and system for collecting electric energy data |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2105115A (en) * | 1981-08-24 | 1983-03-16 | Sony Corp | Electronic apparatus such as computers |
WO1984004632A1 (en) * | 1983-05-09 | 1984-11-22 | Convergent Technologies Inc | Modular housing for computer system |
US4680674A (en) * | 1984-07-16 | 1987-07-14 | Moore Fergus E | Modular computer system with integral electronic bus |
DE29511005U1 (en) * | 1995-07-06 | 1995-09-14 | Peacock AG, 33181 Wünnenberg | Expandable multi-media device |
DE29503748U1 (en) * | 1995-03-04 | 1996-01-11 | Wedlich, Ron, 94315 Straubing | PC in modular design (stacking technology) |
-
1995
- 1995-12-21 GB GBGB9526156.6A patent/GB9526156D0/en active Pending
-
1996
- 1996-12-17 EP EP96942468A patent/EP0811187A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1996-12-17 WO PCT/GB1996/003110 patent/WO1997023818A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2105115A (en) * | 1981-08-24 | 1983-03-16 | Sony Corp | Electronic apparatus such as computers |
WO1984004632A1 (en) * | 1983-05-09 | 1984-11-22 | Convergent Technologies Inc | Modular housing for computer system |
US4680674A (en) * | 1984-07-16 | 1987-07-14 | Moore Fergus E | Modular computer system with integral electronic bus |
DE29503748U1 (en) * | 1995-03-04 | 1996-01-11 | Wedlich, Ron, 94315 Straubing | PC in modular design (stacking technology) |
DE29511005U1 (en) * | 1995-07-06 | 1995-09-14 | Peacock AG, 33181 Wünnenberg | Expandable multi-media device |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, vol. 28, no. 6, 1 November 1985, NEW YORK US, pages 2346-2347, XP002026859 "Stackable unit packaging concept" * |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0905604A2 (en) * | 1997-09-30 | 1999-03-31 | Compaq Computer Corporation | Cableless interface connection |
EP0905604A3 (en) * | 1997-09-30 | 2000-06-21 | Compaq Computer Corporation | Cableless interface connection |
GB2347009A (en) * | 1999-02-20 | 2000-08-23 | Graeme Roy Smith | Improvements to hi-fidelity and home entertainment systems |
EP1126360A1 (en) * | 2000-02-14 | 2001-08-22 | Hewlett-Packard Company, A Delaware Corporation | Desktop computer appliance |
US6731500B2 (en) | 2000-02-14 | 2004-05-04 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Desktop computer appliance |
US6985355B2 (en) | 2000-02-14 | 2006-01-10 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Desktop computer appliance |
US7158843B2 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2007-01-02 | Akya Holdings Limited | Modular software definable pre-amplifier |
EP1576455A2 (en) * | 2002-12-24 | 2005-09-21 | Sunrise Telecom Incorporated | Scalable extensible network test architecture |
EP1576455A4 (en) * | 2002-12-24 | 2010-08-11 | Sunrise Telecom Inc | Scalable extensible network test architecture |
WO2008094123A1 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2008-08-07 | Ternary Technologies Pte Ltd | Modular entertainment system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0811187A2 (en) | 1997-12-10 |
WO1997023818A3 (en) | 1997-08-28 |
GB9526156D0 (en) | 1996-02-21 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6934788B2 (en) | Port expansion peripheral module system | |
US6334793B1 (en) | Enhanced universal serial bus | |
US5428806A (en) | Computer networking system including central chassis with processor and input/output modules, remote transceivers, and communication links between the transceivers and input/output modules | |
US5871368A (en) | Bus connector | |
US5841424A (en) | USB to multiple connect and support bays for peripheral devices | |
US7039731B2 (en) | USB interface having selector for transmitting USB signal to conversion circuit and another USB interface | |
US6154774A (en) | In-wall data translator and a structured premise wiring environment including the same | |
US4686506A (en) | Multiple connector interface | |
US20040015637A1 (en) | Multiple bus interface for a computer system | |
US20020063621A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for device communications | |
EP1727020A2 (en) | Computer System and Display Apparatus | |
JP2003131767A (en) | Embedded electronic device connection system | |
CN1168036A (en) | Contactor corresponding to network | |
US6650549B1 (en) | Hub having a bluetooth system | |
WO1997023818A2 (en) | Modular digital computer installations | |
US6704832B1 (en) | Peripheral bus jumper block for a configurable peripheral bus interconnect system | |
CN1248493C (en) | Circuit arrangement for processing band of digital television channels | |
WO1996014614A1 (en) | Single computer control system for a wide range of electronic devices | |
US6141212A (en) | Method and apparatus for connecting peripherals having various size plugs and functions | |
US6662259B1 (en) | Modularized universal serial bus hub | |
CN2754294Y (en) | High-side television receiver | |
EP0710374A1 (en) | Apparatus for adding modem capabilities to a computer system equipped with a digital signal processor | |
US7987310B2 (en) | Self-configuring bus for connecting electronic devices | |
KR100322806B1 (en) | USB cable unit having a USB hub | |
CN212874984U (en) | Bidirectional data sharing transmission line |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): GB JP KR US |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE |
|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): GB JP KR US |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 1996942468 Country of ref document: EP |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 1996942468 Country of ref document: EP |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase in: |
Ref country code: JP Ref document number: 97523385 Format of ref document f/p: F |
|
WWW | Wipo information: withdrawn in national office |
Ref document number: 1996942468 Country of ref document: EP |