Distributed-intelligence computer system including remotely reconfigurable, telephone-type user terminal
US5321840A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M11/066
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved user terminal specifically designed for use in the home for accessing a wide variety of service computers is disclosed. The terminal comprises a single board computer including a microprocessor remotely reconfigurable programmable gate array logic, several types of solid-state memory, and various input-output units. The programmable gate array forms the logical connection between the microprocessor, the memory, and the input-output elements, and allows the computer to functionally mimic an IBM Personal Computer, thus allowing it to run a wide variety of software. The programmable gate array can be remotely reconfigured, and a so-called FLASH-EPROM memory is used to store reconfiguration code. This allows the hardware to be reconfigured remotely in order to add additionally function, or to cure a particular problem such as to prevent a "virus" or the like from attacking the system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.