Multiple module computer system and method including differential signal channel comprising unidirectional serial bit channels to transmit encoded peripheral component interconnect bus transaction data
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A computer system comprising:
- a console comprisinga plurality of coupling sites,a serial communication hub controller, andan enclosure housing the coupling sites and the serial communication hub controller; and
a plurality of computer modules coupled to respective ones of the coupling sites, at least one of the computer modules comprisinga processing unit,a main memory coupled to the processing unit,a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions,a serial controller coupled to the serial communication hub controller, anda first interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction.
2 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system for multi-processing purposes. The computer system has a console comprising a first coupling site and a second coupling site. Each coupling site comprises a connector. The console is an enclosure that is capable of housing each coupling site. The system also has a plurality of computer modules, where each of the computer modules is coupled to a connector. Each of the computer modules has a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a graphics controller coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit. Each of the computer modules is substantially similar in design to each other to provide independent processing of each of the computer modules in the computer system.
237 Citations
103 Claims
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1. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a plurality of coupling sites, a serial communication hub controller, and an enclosure housing the coupling sites and the serial communication hub controller; and a plurality of computer modules coupled to respective ones of the coupling sites, at least one of the computer modules comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions, a serial controller coupled to the serial communication hub controller, and a first interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a plurality of coupling sites, and an enclosure housing the coupling sites; and a plurality of computer modules coupled to respective ones of the coupling sites, each of the computer modules comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions, an Ethernet controller to communicate with an external network, and a first interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a slot, a power supply, and an enclosure housing the coupling sites and the power supply; and a plurality of computer modules, each of the computer modules coupled to a respective one of the coupling sites through the slot of the respective one of the coupling sites, each of the computer modules comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions, and an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to transmit encoded Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data, wherein the computer modules receive power from the power supply upon coupling to the console. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a plurality of coupling sites, a power supply, a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions, an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and an enclosure housing the coupling sites, the power supply, the LVDS channel, and the interface controller; and a computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites and comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, and a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit, wherein the computer module receives power from the power supply for operation. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a connector, a pair of unidirectional, multiple serial bit, low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channels to transmit encoded Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data in opposite directions, and an enclosure housing the coupling sites and the LVDS channels; and a computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector of the one of the coupling sites, the computer module comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a mass storage device comprising a flash memory, and a serial communication controller, wherein the serial communication controller is coupled to the console for data communication upon coupling of the computer module to the console. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 32)
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23. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a plurality of coupling sites, at least one of the coupling sites comprising a connector, a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) drive, a first differential signal channel comprising a pair of unidirectional, serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions, and an enclosure housing the coupling sites, the DVD drive, and the first differential signal channel; and a computer module coupled to the at least one of the coupling sites through the connector, the computer module comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a mass storage device comprising a flash memory, a second differential signal channel comprising a pair of unidirectional, serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions, and an interface controller coupled to the console through the second differential signal channel and the connector, wherein the first differential signal channel and the second differential signal channel are coupled to each other upon insertion of the computer module into the console. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a connector, a power supply, an integrated Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a first differential signal channel comprising a pair of unidirectional, serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions, and an enclosure housing the coupling sites, the power supply, the LCD, and the first differential signal channel; and a computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector of the one of the coupling sites, the computer module comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a mass storage device comprising a flash memory, and a second differential signal channel comprising a pair of unidirectional, serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions, wherein the first differential signal channel and the second differential signal channel are coupled to each other upon insertion of the computer module into the console, and the computer module is at least partially powered by the power supply for operation. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a connector, and a first pair of unidirectional, multiple bit, low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channels to transmit encoded Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction as serial data along a pair of directions that are different from each other; and a computer module coupled to one of the coupling sites through the connector of the one of the coupling sites, the computer module comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit, a second pair of unidirectional, multiple bit, LVDS channels to transmit encoded PCI bus transaction as serial data along a pair of directions that are different from each other, and an interface controller coupled to the second pair of LVDS channels, wherein the interface controller is coupled to the console for data communication upon coupling of the computer module to the console. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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33. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a slot, a mass storage device, and an enclosure housing the coupling sites and the mass storage device; and a plurality of computer modules, each of the computer modules coupled to a respective one of the coupling sites through the slot of the respective one of the coupling sites, each of the computer modules comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions, a serial communication controller, and an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to transmit encoded Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data, wherein the computer modules are similar in design to each other, and wherein the mass storage device is coupled to the computer modules during operation. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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37. A computer system comprising:
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a console comprising a plurality of coupling sites, each of the coupling sites comprising a slot, a mass storage device, and an enclosure housing the coupling sites and the mass storage device; and a plurality of computer modules, each of the computer modules coupled to a respective one of the coupling sites through the slot of the respective one of the coupling sites, at least one of the computer modules comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions, a serial communication controller, and an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel to transmit encoded Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction data, wherein the computer modules are similar in design to each other, and wherein the at least one of the computer modules is configured to provide protection against failure of another one of the computer modules. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. A computer system comprising:
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a plurality of coupling sites; a power supply; a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel associated with at least one of the coupling sites, the LVDS channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions; a first interface controller associated with the at least one of the coupling sites and coupled to the LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction; and a plurality of computer modules coupled to respective ones of the coupling sites, at least one of the computer modules comprising a processing unit, a main memory coupled to the processing unit, and a second interface controller coupled to the first interface controller through the LVDS channel, wherein the computer modules receive power from the power supply for operation. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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45. A computer system comprising:
a console comprising a first coupling site, a second coupling site, a power supply, a first low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel associated with the first coupling site, the first LVDS channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions, a second LVDS channel associated with the second coupling site, the second LVDS channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions, a first interface controller coupled to at least one of the first LVDS channel and the second LVDS channel to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, and an enclosure housing the first coupling site, the second coupling site, the power supply, the first LVDS channel, the second LVDS channel, and the first interface controller. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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49. A computer system comprising:
a console comprising a coupling site, a power supply, a first low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions to communicate an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, a second differential channel associated with the coupling site, the second differential channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, serial bit channels in opposite directions, a first interface controller coupled to the second differential channel, and an enclosure housing the coupling site, the power supply, the first LVDS channel, the second differential channel, and the first interface controller. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A computer module insertable into a coupling site of a console for data communication, comprising:
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a main circuit board; a processing unit coupled to the main circuit board; a main memory coupled to the processing unit; a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction; and a peripheral bridge directly coupled to the processing unit, the peripheral bridge comprising an interface controller directly coupled to the LVDS channel. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. A computer module comprising:
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an enclosure insertable into a slot of a console for guidance to a first connector of the console for operation; a processing unit housed in the enclosure; a main memory coupled to the processing unit and housed in the enclosure; an Ethernet controller coupled to the processing unit and housed in the enclosure; a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions; a second connector configured to couple to the first connector of the console; and an interface controller housed in the enclosure and coupled to the second connector through the LVDS channel for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71)
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72. A computer module comprising:
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a main circuit board; a first connector distinct from the main circuit board; a processing unit coupled to the main circuit board; a main memory coupled to the processing unit; a hard disk drive coupled to the processing unit; a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions; and an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel and the first connector for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction, wherein the computer module is configured to engage rails on opposite sides of a slot of a console for guidance towards a second connector of the console. - View Dependent Claims (73, 74, 75, 76)
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77. A computer module comprising:
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a processing unit; a main memory coupled to the processing unit; a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit; a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction; and a serial communication controller configured to couple to a console, wherein the computer module is insertable into a slot of the console for guidance to a connector of the console for serial data communication. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79, 80, 82)
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81. A console to couple to a plurality of computer modules to form a server system, comprising:
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a first coupling site to couple to a first computer module; a second coupling site to couple to a second computer module; a power supply coupled to at least one of the first coupling site and the second coupling site; a printed circuit board; a first low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel coupled to the printed circuit board and comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions; a second LVDS channel coupled to the printed circuit board and comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions; and an enclosure housing the first coupling site, the second coupling site, the power supply, the first LVDS channel, the second LVDS channel, and the printed circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88)
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89. A console to couple to a plurality of computer modules to form a server system, comprising:
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a first coupling site to couple to a first computer module; a second coupling site to couple to a second computer module; a power supply; a printed circuit board coupled to the first coupling site and the second coupling site; a serial communication hub controller coupled to the printed circuit board; a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel associated with at least one of the first coupling site and the second coupling site, the LVDS channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels in opposite directions for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction; and an enclosure housing the first coupling site, the second coupling site, the power supply, the printed circuit board, the serial communication hub controller, and the LVDS channel. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96)
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97. A server comprising:
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a processing unit; a main memory coupled to the processing unit; a mass storage device coupled to the processing unit; a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction; and a peripheral bridge directly coupled to the processing unit, the peripheral bridge comprising an interface controller directly coupled to the LVDS channel; wherein the processing unit is configured to couple to an external network through the LVDS channel. - View Dependent Claims (98, 99, 100)
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101. A server comprising:
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a processing unit; a main memory coupled to the processing unit; a SCSI hard disk drive coupled to the processing unit; a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) channel comprising two sets of unidirectional, multiple serial bit channels to transmit data in opposite directions for communicating an encoded serial bit stream of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus transaction; and an interface controller coupled to the LVDS channel; wherein the processing unit is coupled to the interface controller for data communication with an external Ethernet network. - View Dependent Claims (102, 103)
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Specification