Personal computer

• US 20040070920A1
• Filed: 10/21/2003
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Silvatech Global Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Silvatech Global Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Flueli, Adolf
• Application Number:
  US10/451,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20040070920A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/500
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers

Abstract

The invention relates to a personal computer and its portable versions, such as laptops and handheld computers, comprising at least two independent subsystems (8) in addition to a microprocessor (2). Each existing subsystem (8) is based on a separate, independent classification of the data contained therein as a result of the latter'"'"'s security-specific sensitivity. Each subsystem (8) comprises at least one individual physical and/or virtual storage medium (9). Each subsystem (8) contains at least one individual integrated operating system (10). According to requirements, the subsystems (8) can be started and prepared for operation, or switched to standby mode jointly or independently of one another, or started and operated jointly or independently of one another, or switched to standby mode from operational mode, or shutdown jointly or independently of one another, or shutdown from standby mode jointly or independently of one another.

Claims

1. A personal computer, including its portable versions, like laptops, handhelds, comprising

the necessary peripheral devices, like display, cabinet and means for the data input, and further components,

at least one core system (1a, 1b, 1c), comprising

at least one microprocessor (2), also named central processing unit, CPU, as well as occasionally

at least one BIOS (3a, 3b, 3c), basic input output system, and/or

at least one main memory and/or working memory (4a, 4b, 4c), and/or

at least one intermediate memory (5a, 5b, 5c), also named cache memory, and/or

the appropriate memory management (6a, 6b, 6c), also named memory management unit, MMU, and

at least one subsystem (7a, 7b, 7c), comprising

at least one graphic controller, and/or

at least one SCSI-controller, small computer system interface, and/or

at least one RAID-Controller, redundant array of inexpensive disks,

characterized in that the personal computer comprises

at least two from each other independent subsystems (8), whereby each present subsystem (8) is based on a separate, independent classification of the data contained in it due to their safety-specific sensitivity, either

for all subsystems (8) a central core system (1a) is present, or

for a first partial amount of subsystems (8) a common core system (1b) and for any further partial amount of subsystems (8) either an individual core system (1c) or at least a further common core system (1b) is present, or

for each individual subsystem (8) an individual core system (1c) is present,

each subsystem (8) comprises at least one individual physical and/or virtual storage medium (9),

each subsystem (8) comprises at least one individual integrated operating system (10), either

for all present subsystems (8) a central BIOS (3a) is present, or

for a first partial amount of subsystems (8) a common BIOS (3b) and for any further partial amounts of subsystems (8) either an individual BIOS (3c) or at least one further common BIOS (3b) is present, or

for each individual subsystem (8) one individual BIOS (3c) is present, either

for all present subsystems (8) a central main memory and/or working memory (4a), a central intermediate memory (5a) and a central memory management (6a) is present, or

for a first partial amount of subsystems (8) a common main memory and/or working memory (4b), a common intermediate memory (5b) and a common central memory management (6b) and for any further partial amounts of subsystems (8) either an individual main memory and/or working memory (4c), an individual intermediate memory (5c) and an individual memory management (6c) or at least one further common main and/or working memory (4b), a common intermediate memory (5b) and a common memory management (6b) is present, or

for each individual subsystem (8) an individual main memory and/or working memory (4c), an individual intermediate memory (5c) and an individual memory management (6c) is present,

the subsystems (7a, 7b, 7c) are contained either in a core system (1a, 1b, 1c) or in a subsystem (8) or are arranged between a core system (1a, 1b, 1c) and a subsystem (8), whereby either

for all present subsystems (8) at least one central subsystem (7a) is present, or

for a first partial amount of subsystems (8) at least one common subsystem (7b) and for any further partial amounts of subsystems (8) either at least one individual subsystem (7c) or at least one further common subsystem (7b) is present, or

for each individual subsystem (8) at least one individual subsystem (7c) is present,

the subsystems (8) alternatively may be started either together or independently form each other and may be prepared for operation or may be put into a standby mode,

the subsystems (8) may be started and operated alternatively either commonly or independently form each other,

the subsystems (8) may be put from the operating mode into a standby mode or may be turned off alternatively either commonly or independently form each other,

the subsystems (8) may be turned off from a standby mode alternatively either commonly or independently form each other,

only one single subsystem (8) may be connected, started, operated and be turned off together with the respective necessary peripheral devices and further components of the personal computer as an overall system, whereas during this phase all remaining subsystems (8) are not connected with the overall system, and thus no data transfer from one subsystem (8) to an other subsystem (8) may occur,

whereby for the case A, that in the personal computer is present a central core system (1a), the subsystems (8) are integrated or are directly connected with the personal computer in such a way, that simultaneously in maximum only one subsystem (8) together with the central core system (1a) and the necessary subsystems (7a, 7c) may be started, operated and be turned off, whereas during this phase the remaining subsystems (8) of this personal computer are not connected with the central core system (1a) and may also not be connected with the central core system (1a) and are either turned off or are in a standby mode,

whereby for the case B, that in the personal computer are present common and individual core systems (1b, 1c),

B1—

the subsystems (8), which are assigned to a common core system (1b), are integrated in such a manner into the personal computer or are directly connected with the personal computer, that simultaneously in maximum only one of these subsystems (8) together with the common core system (1b) and the necessary subsystems (7b, 7c) may be started, operated and be turned off, whereas during this phase the remaining subsystems (8) of this assignment category are not connected with the common core system (1b) and may also not be connected with the common core system (1b), and are either turned off or are in a standby mode,

B2—

the subsystems (8), for which an individual core system (1c) is present, are integrated in such a manner into the personal computer or are directly connected with the personal computer, that simultaneously in maximum only one of these subsystems (8) may be connected, started, operated and be turned off together with the respective necessary peripheral devices and further components as well as the necessary subsystems (7c) of the personal computer as an overall system, whereas during this phase all remaining subsystems (8) are not connected with the overall system and also may not be connected with the overall system,

whereby for the case C, that in the personal computer for each subsystem (8) an individual core system (1c) is present, these subsystems (8) are integrated in such a manner into the personal computer or are directly connected with the personal computer, that simultaneously in maximum only one of these subsystems (8) may be connected, started, operated and be turned off together with the necessary peripheral devices and further components as well as the necessary subsystems (7c) of the personal computer as an overall system, a so called “

hot-swap”

, whereas during this phase all remaining subsystems (8) are not connected with the overall system and also may not be connected with the overall system,

during the change from a subsystem (8) to another subsystem (8) either

the central core system (1a) or the common core system (1b) as well as the necessary peripheral devices and the further components as well as the necessary subsystems (7a, 7b, 7c) of the personal computer as an overall system must be turned off compulsory in such a way, that

on one hand all in the central core system (1a) or in the common core system (1b) as well as in the necessary subsystems (7a, 7b, 7c) stored data neither are buffered nor are in any way supported and are completely deleted within the time interval for starting another subsystem (8) or within the time interval for the connection admission with a subsystem (8) which is in a standby mode, and/or before the complete deletion of the data for their preservation on the previously operated subsystem (8), and

on the other hand all for the repeated starting of the central core systems (1a) or of the common core system (1b) and for the following initial start-up, the so-called booting, of the newly selected subsystem (8) necessary primary initialization data, including the BIOS data and configuration data, on the central core system (1a) or on the common core system (1b) or the respective subsystem (8) remain unchanged and are connected together with the central core system (1a) or the common core system (1b) of the specific hardware configuration of the newly selected subsystem (8), or

the respective individual core system (1c) together with the respective subsystem (8) is separated in such a way form the overall system of the personal computer as well as the necessary subsystems (7c), that all in the respective peripheral devices and further components as well as in the required subsystems (7c) of the overall system of the personal computer stored data are neither buffered nor are in any way supported and are completely deleted within the time interval for starting another subsystem (8) or within the time interval for the connection admission with a subsystem (8) which is in a standby mode, and/or before the complete deletion of the data for their preservation on the previously operated subsystem (8).

2. Personal computer according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the present subsystems (8) is in the form of an explicitly autarkic, autonomous subsystem (8), which is completely and permanently separated from all external and internal network data streams and is exclusively denoted for the operation with safety-relevant data, the so-called mode of operation “

safe”

, which actually in relation to data communication media, for example wireless, networks, in particular external networks, Wide Area network, WAN, internal networks, local Area network, LAN, connections within the computer, bus, is separated or is separately led, respectively, and thus during its operation together with the respective core system (1a, 1b, 1c) and the overall system of the computer corresponds with regard to the data security to a completely isolated “

stand alone”

personal computer.

3. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the layout of the core systems (1a, 1b, 1c) with regard to the architecture, performance of the processors and memory elements is individually adjusted to the respective needs of the different subsystems (8).

4. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for the change from a first subsystem (8) to any further subsystem (8)

the previous completely operated first subsystem (8) is either completely turned off or is kept in standby mode by a standby unit, which is contained in the first subsystem (8), in a reduced mode of operation,

the respective operating modes of the individual subsystems (8) are indicated at the personal computer or at a display connected with the personal computer, and that

either before the complete switch-off of the personal computer together with the regularly operated subsystem (8) also the individual subsystems (8) that are still in a standby mode are regularly run down,

or that the personal computer is only partially turned off in such a way that a previous determined number of subsystems (8) is either put into a standby mode or is further kept in the standby mode.

5. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that all or a partial amount of the subsystems (8), which are not connected with the central core system (1a) or a common core system (1b) are managed by a separate subsystem management in such a way that these subsystems (8)

on occasion of switching on the personal computer are started autonomously and are put into a condition prepared as far as possible and are started up in such a manner that these subsystems (8) are quickly available upon their selection, and whereby an option for pre selection, default, for the following operation of an occasionally pre-determined user program this user program is preferably also prepared and thus is also ready for immediate use, and that

either before the complete turn off of the personal computer besides of the regularly operated subsystem (8) also the individual subsystems (8), which are still in the standby mode, including the respective user programs, are regularly run down,

or that the personal computer is only in such a manner partly switched off that a previously determined number of subsystems (8) with the appropriate network connections through the said subsystem management either is put into a standby mode or is still left in the standby mode,

whereby the time, which is needed by the subsystem management, in order to regularly run down the subsystems (8) with their operating systems (10) and user programs is shorter, than the time, which passes from the command to the complete or partial switch off of the personal computer, and that this delay effect is realized either by means of an appropriate control element, for example a time relay, or by the use of the corresponding signals of the respective operating system (10).

6. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one core system (1a, 1b, 1c) together with further components, for example the sockets for I/O cards, are contained in an assembling module, in particular in a main board.

7. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the subsystems (8) are integrated in such a manner into the personal computer or are directly connected with the personal computer that at the same time in maximum only one subsystem (8) may be started, operated and be turned off, whereas the remaining subsystems 8 are switched off and remain switched off.

8. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that either

at least one of the subsystems (8) is physically installed and integrated in the personal computer, or

at least one of the subsystems (8) is permanently or temporarily connected with the personal computer, for example over a plug connection or over a cable.

9. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the subsystems (8) is integrated into the personal computer in such a manner, that this subsystem or these subsystems (8) are physically enclosed into a removable carrier, preferably in an individualized or personalized form, that a simple replacement of this physically removable carrier is ensured.

10. Personal computer according to claim 9, characterized in that in the presence of several physical removable carriers a permanent differentiation of the total amount or a partial amount of these physical removable carriers is ensured, preferably in the form of mutual physical incompatibility, for example by different geometrical shapes.

11. Personal computer according to one of the claims 9 to 10, characterized in that for bringing a physical removable carrier into the personal computer or for the removal of a physical removable carrier from the personal computer the use of a key is necessary, whereby this key is preferably designed as mechanical, electrical, electronic, piezoelectric, optical, acoustic or magnetic, active or passive element, including any combination thereof.

12. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one of the storage media (9) contained in a subsystem (8) is designed in such a manner that this storage medium (9) in the form of an physically enclosed memory unit, preferably in an individualized or personalized form, is designed and arranged in the personal computer in such a manner as a storage sub module, that a simple replacement of this storage sub module is ensured.

13. Personal computer according to claim 12, characterized in that in the presence of several storage sub modules a permanent differentiation of the total amount or a partial amount of these storage sub modules is guaranteed, preferably in the form of mutual physical incompatibility, for example by different geometrical shapes.

14. Personal computer according to one of the claims 12 to 13, characterized in that for bringing a storage sub module into the personal computer or for the removal of a storage sub module from the personal computer the use of a key is necessary, whereby this key is preferably designed as mechanical, electrical, electronic, piezoelectric, optical, acoustic or magnetic, active or passive element, including any combination thereof.

15. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the storage medium (9) is a permanent storage medium, preferably a bootable storage medium, for example in the form of a hard disk.

16. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 15, characterized in that in at least one of the subsystems (8) an additional standby unit is present, that supports the operating systems (10) and the user programs that are present in this subsystem (8) for the duration of the standby mode, whereby this additional standby unit is assigned preferably to one of the storage media (9).

17. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 16, characterized in that at least two, in particular three or four, autonomously usable storage media (9) are taken together into an enclosed integral module, whereby this integral module contains for each present storage medium (9) the separate internal control elements, for example of hard disk controllers, and has for each present storage medium (9) the interfaces necessary for its operation, for example electrical connections for the power supply and plug connections for data communication.

18. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 17, characterized in that either all or any partial amount of the connections, that serve for the data transfer from a core system (1a, 1b, 1c) to the subsystems (8), contained in the personal computer, and to the subsystems (8), connected directly with the personal computer, and to further peripheral data readers and data memory devices contained in the personal computer or directly connected with it, are conducted across at least one switching element, for example over

a switching element contained in the personal computer, or

a switching element contained in the core system (1a, 1b, 1c), or

a switching element contained in at least one physical removable carrier,

a switching element directly connected with the personal computer,

a switching element that is contained in an integral module of autonomously usable storage media (9),

including any combination there of.

19. Personal computer according to claim 18, characterized in that the switching element together with the appropriate switching positions and the necessary connections is arranged in a so-called unit, and that the selected mode of operation is shown visually on this unit and/or is shown visually at a display connected with the personal computer, whereby this unit is integrated either in the personal computer or in one of its peripheral devices, for example printer, keyboard, display, or is represented in the form of a so-called “

stand alone”

device, and is directly connected to the personal computer by cabeling.

20. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 19, characterized in that both the change from a first subsystem (8) to any further subsystem (8) and the necessary complete switch off of the respective core system (1a, 1b, 1c), and, if necessary, further components as well as the necessary subsystems (7a, 7b, 7c) of the personal computer is performed by use of at least one switching element.

21. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the switching element has well defined physical switching positions, preferable self-locking switching positions, for example in a locking form or in the form of an electrical or optical switch, for example an opto coupling device, whereby especially for each present subsystem (8) at least one locking position is present.

22. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the switching element is at least one directly operable mechanical switching element, for example a rotary switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a rocker switch, a pedal, a push button, including any combination thereof.

23. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 22, characterized in that the switching element is designed as directly operable combination switch, in particular such a combination switch, which is swiveling, turnable or tiltable around a center or around an axle or around several axles, or is movable on one or more straight levels or on one or more curved surface of any shape, including any combination thereof.

24. Personal computer according to claim 23, characterized in that the combination switch has an integrated protection against unintentional manipulation, in particular for certain switching positions.

25. Personal computer according to one of the claims 23 to 24, characterized in that the combination switch on one hand

allows the direct selection of any subsystem (8), for example through turning of a switch, and on the other hand

effects at the same time also the obligatory putting out of operation of the respective core systems (1a, 1b, 1c) and if necessary of further components of the personal computer over at least one switching element, for example by axial shifting of the switching element along its rotation axle.

26. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 25, characterized in that the switching element is either a mechanical, an electrical, an electronic, a piezoelectric, an optical, an acoustic or a magnetic element, including any combination thereof, for example a relay.

27. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 26, characterized in that the switching element, depending on its installation in the personal computer or in the physical removable carrier or in the integral module of autonomously usable storage media (9), is either directly manually operable or is indirectly controllable over an actuator arranged separately from the switching element, whereby the control is preferably done in a manner which is not observable or influenceable by third party, for example by a particularly designed and if necessary shielded autonomous wiring.

28. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 27, characterized in that the control of the switching element is done using a remote control, preferably over an individualized or personalized remote control, which is neither to be influenced nor to be manipulated by third party, for example over a separate remote control or over a computer mouse, which is directly connected with the personal computer, preferably over such a computer mouse, which is equipped with a separate actuator, for example in the form of a rocker switch, with which the change from a subsystem (8) to any another subsystem (8) can be done.

29. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 28, characterized in that for the complete or partial, direct or indirect manipulation of the switching element the use of a key is necessary, whereby this key is preferably in the form of a mechanical, electrical, electronic, piezoelectric, optical, acoustic or magnetic, active or passive element, including any combination thereof.

30. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 29, characterized in that the switching element is directly or indirectly, completely or partly operable in the personal computer or outside of the personal computer either

by bringing in or by removing at least one physically separate removable carrier, preferably in an individualized or personalized form, or

by bringing in or by removing at least one storage medium (9) in the form of a physically separate removable storage unit, preferably in an individualized or personalized form, for example in the form of a storage sub module.

31. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 30, characterized in that the switching element is operable directly or indirectly, completely or partly in combination with the shifting or by rotating of the component containing the respective core systems (1a, 1b, 1c) against to the personal computer, in particular by shifting or by the rotating of the component with the respective core systems (1a, 1b, 1c) against to the subsystems (8), which are contained in the personal computer.

32. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 31, characterized in that the switching element is operable directly or indirectly, completely or partly either

by shifting or by rotating of at least one component with the subsystem (8) against the personal computer, or

by shifting or by rotating of at least one physically removable carrier against the personal computer, or

by shifting or by rotating of at least one integral module, which is self contained, of autonomously usable storage media (9) against the personal computer, or

by shifting or by rotating of the component with the respective core systems (1a, 1b, 1c) against the personal computer,

including any combination thereof.

33. Personal computer according to one of the claims 18 to 32, characterized in that

either the switching element and at least one subsystem (8) or the switching element and the respective core system (1a, 1b, 1c) are integrated in such a manner into a module that this module is movable against the cabinet of the personal computer in at least one straight level or in one curved surface of any shape, or is swivelable, turnable or tiltable around at least one center or around one axle,

that both the selection of the switching position and the start-up of the respective selected subsystem (8) as well as the physical access to the further peripheral data readers and data memory devices, assigned to a certain subsystem (8), is done directly or indirectly either

by shifting, turning, tilting or swiveling of the module against the cabinet of the personal computer or

by shifting, turning, tilting or swiveling of the cabinet of the personal computer against the surrounding environment or by a connection of the module or of the cabinet with its surrounding environment, for example in the form of a table or of a docking station,

and

that the chosen position of the module and of the thereby selected mode of operation of the personal computer is evident and/or is indicated visually for example on a display connected with the personal computer, either

at the position of the module in connection with its surrounding cabinet or

the position of the surrounding cabinet in connection with its surrounding environment or

by a connection of the module or of the cabinet with its surrounding environment.

34. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 33, characterized in that together with the subsystems (8) also

all or a partial amount of the serial and/or parallel, analogue and/or digital interfaces, respectively the incoming and/or outgoing connections, and/or the internal connections, bus, which are present in the personal computer,

and/or the supply for the components, which are installed in the personal computer, for example internal modems, transmission cards, I/O cards, for example network interface cards, preferably in the form of a separate network interface card of different designs per subsystem (8),

are wired over at least one switching element, in particular over that switching element, with which the change from a subsystem (8) to another subsystem (8) is done, and that said interfaces, connections, transmission cards, and I/O cards may be connected or disconnected accordingly at the same time with the respective selected subsystem (8),

whereby all network interface cards are arranged centrally preferably on a separate board in the rear of the personal computer.

35. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 34, characterized in that all or a partial amount of the serial and/or parallel, analogue and/or digital interfaces, respectively the incoming and/or outgoing connections, contained in a certain subsystem (8) of the personal computer, are not compatible against each other, in that either

different categories of data communication media, for example unshielded twisted pair cable, UTP cable, coaxial cable, optical fiber cable are used, or

by different versions not compatible against each other of the data communication media, that belong to the same category, for example by their different geometrical design of the transmission links and connection elements, for example plugged connections.

36. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 35, characterized in that together with the storage media (9), that are present in the subsystems (8), also

at least one of the further in the personal computers contained or to this personal computer connected peripheral data readers and data memory devices, for example floppy disk drives, CD-R drives, CD-RW drives, memory-card readers, streamers, which for the additional storage of data on separate, individual storage media (9) of different categories, for example disks, CD-R, CD-RW, memory sticks, memory cards, magnetic tapes, especially in the form of streamer cassettes, must be inserted for this purpose temporarily into said further peripheral data readers and data memory devices,

is also directly wired with a switching element, in particular by that switching element, with which the change from a subsystem (8) to another subsystem (8) is done, and

that these said further peripheral data readers and data memory devices may be connected or disconnected accordingly at the same time with the respective selected subsystem (8).

37. Personal computer according to claim 36, characterized in that at least one of the subsystems (8) together with the further peripheral data readers and data memory devices that belong to the PC, is designed in such a manner, that for the prevention of unintentional data exchange from a first subsystem (8) to any further subsystem (8) the individual storage media, which must be brought temporarily into said further peripheral data readers and data memory devices, are designed to be incompatible against each other, for example by use of different categories of storage media, for example disks, CD-R, CD-RW, memory sticks, memory cards, magnetic tapes, in particular in the form of streamer cassettes, or by different incompatible versions of the further peripheral data readers and data memory devices, which belong to the same category, for example by different geometrical shapes.

38. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 37, characterized in that at least one of the subsystems (8) together with the further peripheral data readers and data memory devices, which belong to it, is designed in such a manner, that for the prevention of unintentional data exchange from a first subsystem (8) to any further subsystem (8) at least two of said further peripheral data readers and data memory devices are partially compatibly against each other, but exclusively allow a selective data transfer, in that either

the respective drives are designed as “

read only drives”

or as or as “

memory only drives”

, or

only the reading functions or only the memory functions of the respective drives are controllable by the respective software, or

that in the presence of a combined “

read and memory drive”

as desired either the read function or the memory function of the respective drive, preferably the memory function, can be operated only through a permanent activation of an additional element during the desired procedure, for example through pressing of a separate key which is located near the corresponding data memory device,

including any combination thereof.

39. Personal computer according to one of the claims 36 to 38, characterized in that the physical access to the further peripheral data readers and data memory devices, that belong to a certain subsystem (8), is only possible when the corresponding subsystem (8) is selected, whereas the other present peripheral data readers and data memory devices, are completely inaccessible and remain inaccessible, in particular in the form of at least one shiftable mechanical cover, which is swiveling, turnable or tiltable around at least one center or around at least one axle or around several axles, or is movable in a straight level or in several straight levels or in one or more curved surface of any shape, including any combination thereof.

40. Personal computer according to claim 39, characterized in that the change of the position of the mechanical cover is coupled with the direct or indirect actuation of a switching element in such a manner that either

the swiveling, turning, tilting and moving of the mechanical cover causes simultaneously the actuation of the switching element, or

the actuation of the switching element causes the corresponding swiveling, turning, tilting and moving of the mechanical cover.

41. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 40, characterized in that it comprises two from each other independent subsystems (8), in particular

a first autarkic, autonomous subsystem (8), which is completely and permanently separated from all external and internal network data streams and is exclusively denoted for the operation with safety-relevant data, the so-called mode of operation “

safe”

, which corresponds in fact to a completely isolated “

stand alone”

personal computer, and

a second autonomous subsystem (8), which is wired and connected, respectively with wire-bound means of communication, for example internet, fax, telephone, intranet, ethernet, universal standard bus, USB, or with wireless means of communication, for example infrared, wireless, including any combination thereof, the so-called mode of operation “

open”

, and

that a switching element is present, which has switching positions in the order “

safe”

, “

off”

, “

open”

, and that the chosen switching position is obvious either at the switching element itself or its actuator and/or is indicated visually, for example on a display connected with the personal computer.

42. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 40, characterized in that it comprises two from each other independent subsystems (8), in particular

a first autonomous subsystem (8), which is wired and connected, respectively with an self contained, autarkic internal network, for example an internal network of an enterprise or a segment of such a network, of either analogously equipped personal computers or correspondingly configured “

stand alone”

personal computers, the so-called mode of operation “

internal”

, whereby the connections between the individual personal computers are made in such a manner, that in this mode of operation only personal computers may be selected internal, that are also operated in the mode of operation “

internal”

or are selected correspondingly, and

a second autonomous subsystem (8), which is wired and connected, respectively with wire-bound means of communication, for example internet, fax, telephone, intranet, ethernet, universal standard bus, USB, or with wireless means of communication, for example infrared, wireless, including any combination thereof, the so-called mode of operation “

open”

, and

that a switching element is present, which has switching positions in the order “

internal”

, “

off”

, “

open”

, and that the chosen switching position is obvious either at the switching element itself or its actuator and/or is indicated visually, for example on a display connected with the personal computer.

43. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 40, characterized in that it comprises three from each other independent subsystems (8), in particular

a first autarkic, autonomous subsystem (8), which is completely and permanently separated from all external and internal network data streams and is exclusively denoted for the operation with safety-relevant data, the so-called mode of operation “

safe”

, which corresponds in fact to a completely isolated “

stand alone”

personal computer,

a second autonomous subsystem (8), which is wired and connected, respectively with a self contained, autarkic internal network, for example an internal network of an enterprise or a segment of such a network, of either analogously equipped personal computers or correspondingly configured “

stand alone”

personal computers, the so-called mode of operation “

internal”

, whereby the connections between the individual personal computers are made in such a manner, that in this mode of operation only personal computers may be selected internally, that are also operated in the mode of operation “

internal”

or are selected correspondingly, and

a third autonomous subsystem (8), which is wired or separately connected, either with external wire-bound means of communication, for example internet, fax, telephone, or with external wireless means of communication, for example infrared, wireless, including any combination thereof, the so-called mode of operation “

open”

, and

that a switching element is present, which has between the switching positions “

safe”

, “

internal”

, and “

open”

always a switching position “

off”

, preferably in the sequence “

safe”

, “

off”

, “

internal”

, “

off”

, “

open”

, and that the chosen switching position is obvious either at the switching element itself or its actuator and/or is indicated visually, for example on a display connected with the personal computer.

44. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 40, characterized in that it comprises four from each other independent subsystems (8), in particular

a first autarkic, autonomous subsystem (8), which is completely and permanently separated from all external and internal network data streams and is exclusively denoted for the operation with safety-relevant data, the so-called mode of operation “

safe”

, which corresponds in fact to a completely isolated “

stand alone”

personal computer,

a second autonomous subsystem (8), which is wired and connected, respectively with a self contained, autarkic internal network, preferably a segment of an internal network of an enterprise, of either analogously equipped personal computers or correspondingly configured “

stand alone”

personal computers, the so-called mode of operation “

work”

, whereby the connections between the individual personal computers are made in such a manner, that in this mode of operation only personal computers may be selected internally, that are also operated in the mode of operation “

work”

or are selected correspondingly,

a third autonomous subsystem (8), which is wired and connected, respectively with an from said second autonomous subsystem (8) independent and self contained, autarkic internal network, for example an internal network of an enterprise or a segment of such a network, of either analogously equipped personal computers or correspondingly configured “

stand alone”

personal computers, the so-called mode of operation “

internal”

, whereby the connections between the individual personal computers are made in such a manner, that in this mode of operation only personal computers may be selected internally, that are also operated in the mode of operation “

internal”

or are selected correspondingly, and

a fourth autonomous subsystem (8), which is wired or separately connected, either with external wire-bound means of communication, for example internet, fax, telephone, or with external wireless means of communication, for example infrared, wireless, including any combination thereof, the so-called mode of operation “

open”

, and

that a switching element is present, which has between the switching positions “

safe”

, “

work”

, “

internal” and

“

open”

always a switching position “

off”

, preferably in the sequence “

safe”

, “

off”

, “

work”

, “

off”

, “

internal”

, “

off”

, “

open”

, and that the chosen switching position is obvious either at the switching element itself or its actuator and/or is indicated visually, for example on a display connected with the personal computer.

45. Personal computer according to one of the claims 42 to 44, characterized in that for those modes of operation, that belong not to an autarkic, autonomous subsystem (8), one separate network interface card is present per subsystem, whereby each network interface card preferably has a different design with different network connections, plugs and driver data, and whereby the driver data is installed only on the corresponding appropriate subsystem (8), and that all network interface cards in dependency of the respectively selected mode of operation are also selectively connected or interrupted accordingly by the switching element.

46. Personal computer according to one of the claims 42 to 44, characterized in that at least two of the possible modes of operation, for example “

work” and

“

internal”

, are located together in a subsystem (8), and are preferably located on different partitions of a hard disk.

47. Personal computer according to one of the claims 42 to 44, characterized in that with the exception of the first autarkic, autonomous subsystem (8), the so-called mode of operation “

safe”

, which corresponds in fact to a completely isolated “

stand alone”

personal computer, at least one of the further subsystems (8) is protected by additional tools, for example coding software, cryptographic software, against unauthorized access to data.

48. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 47, characterized in that all changes in the hardware configuration of an individual subsystem (8), made after the last start-up of the personal computer, are recognized during the start-up of the personal computer and are shown in the form of a warning message on a display connected with the personal computer, and that these changes must be confirmed and be released for use through an appropriate authentication before the operation of the respective subsystem (8) in a distinct manner and in correspondence with the individualized or personalized form of the subsystem (8), whereby the authentication and release is preferably done in an appropriate, protected form with regard to the sensitivity of the subsystem (8), for example in the form of a biometric recognition or by a personal password.

49. Personal computer according to one of the claims 19 to 48, characterized in that over an autonomous interface management, contained in the personal computer,

all or any partial amount of the serial and/or parallel, analogue and/or digital interfaces respectively the incoming and/or outgoing connections, for example internal modems, transmission cards, I/O cards, for example network interface cards, preferably in the form of a separate network interface card of different design per subsystem (8), as contained in the personal computer, are autonomously supplied with power, supported and individually operated, and that

only those connections together with the respectively selected subsystem (8) can be activated, which are in connection with the switching element, in particular with this switching element, with which the change is performed from a first subsystem (8) to a further subsystem (8).

50. Personal computer according to claim 49, characterized in that by the autonomous interface management the further subsystems (8), that by their standby units are held in a separate standby mode, may also, together with the appropriate transmission cards, I/O cards, for example network interface cards, be simultaneously and autonomously connected with networks and may be operated individually over these networks after a previous clearance by the respective user of the respective personal computer.

51. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 50, characterized in that by an autonomous network management, which is contained in the personal computer,

all or any segment of the autonomous internal networks connected with the personal computer and the further network management connected therewith are separately and autonomously supplied with power, buffered and individually operated, and that

the autonomous internal networks and the therewith indirectly connected further subsystems 8 which are in the mode of operation or in the standby mode are permanently monitored in regard to their hardware integrity and their allocation to a specific subsystem (8), and that

the actual operating mode of the autonomous internal networks and the actual operating mode of the applicable subsystems (8) are indicated either on a separate display at the personal computer or on a display connected with the personal computer.

52. Personal computer according to claim 51, characterized in that all changes in the hardware configuration of the autonomous internal network and of the subsystems (8), made after the last-up of the personal computer, which are indirectly connected with these networks or which are in a standby mode, are monitored in regard to their hardware integrity and their allocation to a specific subsystem (8), and that any changes are recognized and will be indicated in the form of a warning message on a display connected with the personal computer, and that these changes must be accepted and released for use through a corresponding authentication before the initial start-up of the respective subsystem (8), and in agreement with the individualized or personalized form of the subsystem (8), whereby the authentication and the release is preferably done in such a manner, which is in accordance to the sensitivity of the subsystem (8), and will be performed in an appropriate, protected form, for example in the form of a biometric recognition or by a personal password.

53. Personal computer according to one of the claims 1 to 52, characterized in that it is equipped with such means, which allow an active and/or passive detection, a sequential or permanent detection concerning its absolute geographical location or its relative locational changes, for example in relation to real estates or to vehicles or to further similar equipped personal computers, whereby these means are preferably selected from the group consisting of

communication devices, for example in the form of global system for mobile communications, GSM,

navigation devices, for example in the form of a global positioning system, GPS, and

physical sensors for the measurement of changes of position, for example in the form of sensors to the barometric pressure measurement, in particular altimeters,

including any combination thereof.

54. A kit for upgrading of existing personal computers for the achievement of the extended functionality of the personal computers, preferably for their stationary embodiments, according to one of the claims 1 to 53, characterized in that this kit comprises at least one switching element, which is equipped with the correspondingly configured cables and plugs for the simple setup of the connections between “

main board” and

the hard disks as well as the occasionally needed interfaces, transmission cards, I/O cards and actuators, if necessary in combination with additional storage media (9), for example hard disk drives, HDD, as well as the further occasionally needed elements, for example integrated or adaptive interface managements and network managements, and

personal computers, comprising this kit.

55. A kit for upgrading of existing personal computers for the achievement of the extended functionality of personal computers, preferably for their mobile embodiments, for example laptops, handhelds, according to one of the claims 1 to 53, characterized in that this kit has the form of a pre-assembled cabinet, which comprises a switching element and its cabeling as well as pre-assembled modules, and the occasionally needed additional components in the form of at least one hard disk, as well as the further occasionally needed elements, for example integrated or adaptive interface managements and network managements, and

personal computers, comprising this kit.

56. A kit for upgrading of existing personal computers for the achievement of the extended functionality of personal computers according to one of the claims 1 to 53, characterized in that this kit comprises at least two autonomous storage media (9) in the form of at least one integral module,

whereby in this module is integrated preferably the switching element, and whereby this kit comprises occasionally further needed additional components,

for example correspondingly preassembled cables and plugs for the setup of the connections between the integral module and the “

main board”

, as well as correspondingly preassembled cables and plugs for the setup of the connections to the occasionally needed interfaces, transmission cards, I/O cards and actuators, and

personal computers, comprising this kit.