Subscriber terminal with plug in expansion card
US5367571A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 2, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/84
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A subscriber terminal with a plug-in expansion card provides for memory expansion and security renewal. The subscriber terminal has a memory control bus including data, address, and control lines which are extended to an expansion connector. In addition, the subscriber terminal includes a secure microprocessor and secure microprocessor bus (SMB) which regulate the secure transactions of the subscriber terminal. The SMB is also extended to the external connector. The expansion card plugs into the external connector and can contain numerous combinations of external memory, such as ROM, RAM, EEPROM, Hash EPROM, or other types of memory, to supplement internal memory and/or a secure microprocessor to renew, supplement, or modify security precautions for the terminal. The extended memory of the expansion card is fully controllable by the control microprocessor of the terminal and is downloadable through the expansion connector to allow changes in the program code stored there. The expansion card is inserted into a narrow slot through the outside cover of the subscribers terminal and is guided by a carrier into the external connector. A protective casing on the card includes a pivotable …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.