Computer system with externally accessible upgrade capability
First Claim
1. A computer system with externally accessible upgrade capability, the system comprising:
- a) an insertable, removable cartridge having a handle with a first slot, the handle being normally capable of relative movement with respect to a remainder of the cartridge;
b) means for receiving the cartridge, the receiving means being in a predetermined portion of the computer system having an "on" power state and an "off" power state;
c) means for ensuring that the cartridge cannot be inserted or removed when the predetermined portion of the system is in its "on" power state;
d) a second slot in the computer system near the receiving means; and
e) a lock mechanism including a first movable member and a second movable member which move integrally with respect to each other;
wherein the first slot and the second slot are disposed at respective positions adjacent the lock mechanism when the cartridge is installed in the computer system so that, when the lock mechanism is in a "locked" position, the first movable member is contained within the first slot and the second movable member is contained within the second slot, so as to substantially prevent relative movement of the cartridge and remainder of the computer system and so as to substantially prevent relative movement of the handle and the remainder of the cartridge.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for upgrading a computer is disclosed. Certain essential chips present in the original computer system are functionally, but not necessarily physically, removed from the computer system. Functions which would otherwise be performed by the original chips are instead performed by higher-performance chips on a plug-in module which is plugged into the computer system. The functional removal of the certain chips from the original computer system is achieved through simple insertion of the plug-in module. No replacement or substitution of original chips or boards is necessary. Furthermore, upgraded computer systems may be further upgraded by replacement of a first plug-in module with a second plug-in module with different performance characteristics. The upgrade capability is accessible from outside the cabinet, to avoid opening the cabinet to upgrade the system. Advantageously, means are provided for ensuring that the module cannot be inserted or removed when system power is turned on.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A computer system with externally accessible upgrade capability, the system comprising:
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a) an insertable, removable cartridge having a handle with a first slot, the handle being normally capable of relative movement with respect to a remainder of the cartridge; b) means for receiving the cartridge, the receiving means being in a predetermined portion of the computer system having an "on" power state and an "off" power state; c) means for ensuring that the cartridge cannot be inserted or removed when the predetermined portion of the system is in its "on" power state; d) a second slot in the computer system near the receiving means; and e) a lock mechanism including a first movable member and a second movable member which move integrally with respect to each other; wherein the first slot and the second slot are disposed at respective positions adjacent the lock mechanism when the cartridge is installed in the computer system so that, when the lock mechanism is in a "locked" position, the first movable member is contained within the first slot and the second movable member is contained within the second slot, so as to substantially prevent relative movement of the cartridge and remainder of the computer system and so as to substantially prevent relative movement of the handle and the remainder of the cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer system with externally accessible upgrade capability, the system comprising:
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a computer cabinet; a cartridge, sized to be inserted and/or removed from the cabinet, the cartridge having a handle with a first slot and including (1) a cartridge processor capable of controlling the system and (2) means for generating an installation announcement signal whenever the cartridge is installed in the cabinet, the handle being normally capable of relative movement with respect 19 a remainder of the a first processor, disposed outside the cartridge, the first processor having an input which, when activated by the installation announcement signal, causes the first processor not to interfere with the cartridge processor'"'"'s control of the computer system; a connector for receiving the insertable, removable cartridge, the connector being in a predetermined portion of the computer system having an "on" power state and an "off" power state; means for ensuring that the cartridge cannot be inserted or removed when the predetermined portion of the system is in its "on" power state, the ensuring means including a blocking member and means for controlling the position of the blocking member so as to be in a blocking position in response to the "on" power state and in a non-blocking position in response to the "off" power state; a second slot in the computer system near the connector; and a lock mechanism including a first movable member and a second movable member which move integrally with respect to each other; wherein the first slot and the second slot the disposed at respective positions adjacent the lock mechanism when the cartridge is installed in the computer system so that, when the lock mechanism is in a "locked" position, the first movable member is contained within the first slot and the second movable member is contained within the second slot, so as to substantially prevent relative movement of the cartridge and remainder of the computer system and so as to substantially prevent relative movement of the handle and the remainder of the cartridge.
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Specification