US 2001/0041969 A1 · Computer having multiple alarm function communication paths

Abstract

A computer having a backplane and a motherboard disposed on the backplane along with expansion slots for receiving expansion cards. The backplane further having circuitry coupled thereto for performing an alarm function where the alarm circuitry is not coupled to a card occupying one of the expansion slots, instead the alarm circuitry is coupled to the backplane in a manner so that it is not directly under the supervision of the system processor on the motherboard. The alarm circuitry including processors which use the LON bus protocols for receiving and transmitting information relating to environmental conditions in the PC.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A computer comprising:

a protective case;
a backplane disposed inside said protective case;
a system microprocessor coupled to said backplane;
a plurality of expansion slots, each coupled to the backplane and an expansion bus which is operated under the supervision of the system microprocessor, each of the expansion slots having a connector for receiving an expansion card;
said backplane coupled to alarm circuitry for monitoring environmental conditions inside said case, said alarm circuitry including a bus transceiver processor for transmitting and receiving second bus signals over a second bus without direct supervision of the system microprocessor;
said second bus including a two wire local operating network connection which is polarity insensitive.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Computer having multiple alarm function communication paths

Life of this patent

Computer having multiple alarm function communication paths

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17