Computer system having a central processing unit responsive to the identity of an upgrade processor
US5884091A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4405
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A uniprocessing computer system is provided with an original CPU and an upgrade socket for receiving an additional processor that need not be of a single predetermined type. On system RESET, the original CPU determines if an upgrade processor is resident in the upgrade socket and, if so, what kind of upgrade processor is present. Each upgrade processor is equipped with a programmed data word for identifying the upgrade type and its features. The system includes a mechanism for communicating this upgrade information from the upgrade processor to the original CPU. The processors cooperatively configure the system properly according to the identity and features of the upgrade processor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.