IP Library Granted Patent US 7,075,784
Granted Patent B2
US 7,075,784 · App. 10/691,114 · Granted Jul 11, 2006

Systems and methods for providing a dynamically modular processing unit

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,075,784
App. No.
10/691,114
Granted
Jul 11, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for providing a dynamically modular processing unit. A modular processing unit is provided as a platform that is lightweight, compact, and is configured to be selectively used alone or oriented with one or more additional processing units in an enterprise. In some implementations, a modular processing unit includes a non-peripheral based encasement, a cooling process (e.g., a thermodynamic convection cooling process, a forced air cooling process, and/or a liquid cooling process), an optimized circuit board configuration, optimized processing and memory ratios, and a dynamic back plane that provides increased flexibility and support to peripherals and applications. The modular processing unit is customizable and may be employed in association with all types of computer enterprises. The platform allows for a plethora of modifications that may be made with minimal impact to the dynamically modular unit, thereby enhancing the usefulness of the platform across all type of application.

Claims (52)

1. A dynamically modular processing unit comprising:

a first non-peripheral based encasement;

a first processor coupled to a first optimized circuit board that includes a first bus system, wherein the first optimized circuit board is a tri-board electrical printed circuit board configuration removably secured within the first non-peripheral based encasement; and

a first interchangeable back plane coupled to the first non-peripheral based encasement, wherein the first interchangeable back plane provides flexibility and support to peripherals and applications, and wherein the dynamically modular processing unit is configured to provide processing versatility through selective coupling to one or more other dynamically modular processing units in an enterprise, wherein all of the dynamically modular processing units are interconnected at the system bus level.

2. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first interchangeable back plane includes one or more data manipulating systems, and wherein the first interchangeable back plane is coupled to the first optimized circuit board.

3. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 2 , wherein the first optimized circuit board includes a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments are interconnected.

4. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 3 , wherein the plurality of segments are interconnected in a layered circuit board configuration.

5. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 1 , wherein one or more peripherals external to the first non-peripheral based encasement are selectively connected to the first bus system.

6. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 5 , wherein the one or more peripherals external to the first non-peripheral based encasement include at least one of:

(i) a mass storage device;

(ii) a peripheral input device;

(iii) a peripheral output device;

(iv) a network interface;

(v) a second dynamically modular processing unit;

(vi) a proprietary input connection;

(vii) a proprietary output connection; and

(viii) a proprietary device.

7. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 6 , wherein the second dynamically modular processing unit comprises:

a second non-peripheral based encasement;

a second processor coupled to a second optimized circuit board that includes a second bus system, wherein the second optimized circuit board is coupled to the second non-peripheral based encasement; and

a second interchangeable back plane coupled to the second non-peripheral based encasement, wherein the second interchangeable back plane provides flexibility and support to peripherals and applications.

8. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 7 , wherein the first bus system and the second bus system are directly coupled to form a single bus system for an enterprise having the dynamically modular processing units.

9. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 8 , wherein the combination of the dynamically modular processing units provide increased processing power to the enterprise.

10. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 1 , further comprising memory coupled to the first bus system and within the non-peripheral based encasement.

11. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the dynamically modular processing unit provides a processing platform that is employed in association with any electrical enterprise.

12. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first interchangeable back plane includes one or more data manipulating systems, and wherein a modification of the one or more data manipulating systems alters an application of the dynamically modular processing unit.

13. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a cooling system, wherein the cooling system comprises a thermodynamic cooling process.

14. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first interchangeable back plane is selectively exchangeable with another interchangeable back plane, and wherein the logic of the first interchangeable back plane is different from the another interchangeable back plane.

15. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the dynamically modular processing unit is employed in one of (i) a central processing unit, and (ii) an electronic consumer device.

16. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the dynamically modular processing unit is a handheld computer device.

17. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 16 , wherein the handheld computer device is selectively coupled to at least one of (i) a peripheral input device, and (ii) a peripheral output device.

18. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 17 , wherein the peripheral input device and the peripheral output device do not include processing power, and wherein the peripheral input device and the peripheral output device in combination with the dynamically modular processing unit forms a laptop computer device.

19. A dynamically modular processing unit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the dynamically modular processing unit is used as a smart electronic consumer device.

20. A modular processing system comprising:

a first non-peripheral based encasement having first, second and third side wall supports and first and second end plates removably coupled to the first non-peripheral based encasement and comprising a plurality of ventilation ports;

a first processor coupled to a first optimized circuit board that includes a first bus system, wherein the first optimized circuit board is coupled to the first non-peripheral based encasement, wherein the first optimized circuit board is a tri-board electrical printed circuit board configuration removably secured within the first non-peripheral based encasement; and

a first interchangeable back plane coupled to the first non-peripheral based encasement, wherein the first interchangeable back plane provides flexibility and support to peripherals and applications.

21. A modular processing system as recited in claim 20 , wherein one or more peripherals external to the first non-peripheral based encasement are selectively connected to the first bus system.

22. A modular processing system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the one or more peripherals external to the first non-peripheral based encasement include at least one of:

(i) a mass storage device;

(ii) a peripheral input device;

(iii) a peripheral output device;

(iv) a network interface;

(v) a second dynamically modular processing unit;

(vi) a proprietary input connection;

(vii) a proprietary output connection; and

(viii) a proprietary device.

23. A modular processing system as recited in claim 22 , wherein the second dynamically modular processing unit comprises:

a second non-peripheral based encasement;

a second processor coupled to a second optimized circuit board that includes a second bus system, wherein the second optimized circuit board is coupled to the second non-peripheral based encasement; and

a second interchangeable back plane coupled to the second non-peripheral based encasement, wherein the second interchangeable back plane provides flexibility and support to peripherals and applications.

24. A modular processing system as recited in claim 23 , wherein the first bus system and the second bus system are coupled to form a single bus system.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2015
From: ROWSELL, AARON; SULLIVAN, JASON
To: AMERISOURCE FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 036368/0296 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2015
From: SULLIVAN, JASON A.; ISYS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: ATD VENTURES LLC
Reel/Frame 035207/0583 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 16, 2013
From: SULLIVAN, JASON; XI3, INC.
To: CSC TRUST COMPANY OF DELAWARE
Reel/Frame 030820/0702 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 16, 2007
From: SULLIVAN, JASON A.
To: COMPUTIVE CORPORATION; KAM SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 019965/0473 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 8, 2007
From: SULLIVAN, JASON A.
To: PETERSON, WALTER OWEN, III
Reel/Frame 019260/0676 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2006
From: ISYS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: COMPUTIVE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018303/0471 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 6042012700 · Oct 22, 2002
Provisional Application 6045578900 · Mar 19, 2003
Related Publication 20040136166A1 · Jul 15, 2004