Architecture for modular computer system in which one of the modules is dedicated to user-interface task
First Claim
1. An improved computer system with a user interface containing a number of processing units using separate internal bus systems, and equipment for tranferring data and messages, and software programs for a system-wide administration of the user interface, wherein the improvement comprises:
- a) the hardware and software components of the computer system are divided into first, second and third modules, said first module providing the user interface a presentation and a function;
said second module operates application programs and does not contain any of the operating programs and computer components needed for the user interface;
said third module takes charge of remaining components including at least a mass storage through a connecting structure which is suitable for providing access to these components; and
said three modules are implemented as a single unit of equipment apart from any external peripheral components;
b) said modules each possess their own data paths for handling internal tasks, which data paths are separate from those of the other modules;
c) a software and hardware interface exists in the unit of equipment between said first and second modules, which interface supports exchange of messages and data without creating a direct, permanent connection affecting independent running of processes in said first and second modules; and
d) said first and second modules each has its own, direct connection path to jointly used additional components in said third module.
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Abstract
Very large amounts of data may be handled by the user interface of computers. The main processor is thus permanently overloaded, so that the computing power available for the actual application is sharply reduced in a manner that cannot be predicted without limiting the user requests. A new computer architecture is disclosed which allows a higher and more exactly predictable computing power to be achieved. In order to make the rest of the system independent from the user interface, the computer is subdivided in such a way that a first module (part 1) takes over the display and operation tasks of the user interface, a second module (part 2) takes over the processing of the application programs without their user interface, and a third module (part 3) takes over the remaining functional units. All modules have their own internal data paths. An interface between the first and second modules support the exchange of messages and data without affecting the independent processes in the first and second modules. The first and second modules have their own access paths to common devices located in the third module.
15 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An improved computer system with a user interface containing a number of processing units using separate internal bus systems, and equipment for tranferring data and messages, and software programs for a system-wide administration of the user interface, wherein the improvement comprises:
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a) the hardware and software components of the computer system are divided into first, second and third modules, said first module providing the user interface a presentation and a function; said second module operates application programs and does not contain any of the operating programs and computer components needed for the user interface; said third module takes charge of remaining components including at least a mass storage through a connecting structure which is suitable for providing access to these components; and said three modules are implemented as a single unit of equipment apart from any external peripheral components; b) said modules each possess their own data paths for handling internal tasks, which data paths are separate from those of the other modules; c) a software and hardware interface exists in the unit of equipment between said first and second modules, which interface supports exchange of messages and data without creating a direct, permanent connection affecting independent running of processes in said first and second modules; and d) said first and second modules each has its own, direct connection path to jointly used additional components in said third module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23)
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11. A computer system, comprising:
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a first module having a first bus system and a first processing unit, the first module performing user-interface tasks; a second module located adjacent the first module, the second module having a second bus system and a second processing unit, the second module executing application programs but performing no user-interface tasks; an interface connecting the first module and the second module to transfer data and messages between the modules; a peripheral bus connecting the first module via a first access path and the second module via a second access path; and a third module having at least one additional unit that is connected to the peripheral bus, said at least one additional unit including a mass storage. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification