Method and apparatus for ensuring feature compatability and communicating feature settings between processors and motherboards
US5889977A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 30, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/409
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A handshake mechanism is provided to allow feature compatible processor and motherboard combinations to operate, and incompatible combinations to fail safely. The handshake mechanism also facilitates communication of feature settings between a motherboard and an attached processor. For each feature, the handshake mechanism includes connection pins correspondingly disposed on complementary connectors of the processors and the motherboards for conveying a feature setting selection signal for the feature. The handshake mechanism further includes particular manners for connecting the processors' connection pins and the motherboards' connection pins to their respective internal circuitry, depending on the manners the feature is supported by the various processors and motherboards.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.