Patent ID: 6044423
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A computer system, comprising:a plurality of swappable devices, each bearing a first plurality of connectors positioned to conduct data reads from corresponding ones of said peripheral devices;a portable computer having a swap bay incorporating a second plurality of connectors accommodating insertion of one of said plurality of swappable devices, said second plurality of connectors assisting in the identification of said swappable devices;an identification provider borne by each of said plurality of swappable devices and storing specific device information identifying corresponding ones of the swappable devices by manufacturer, model, and capacity, to the portable computer through an input output port;a read only memory basic input/output system for reading said device information from said one of said plurality of swappable devices to perform initialization on said plurality of peripheral devices based on the device information when the computer is started and when a module check request signal is made during operation of the computer;said identification provider comprising:a plurality of digital voltage levels;a switch array having switches that selectively output the plurality of digital voltage levels;an inter-integrated circuits serial interface connected with the outputs of the switches; andan interrupt signal receiving means for enabling the serial interface to output serial data of the switches in response to the interrupt signals fed from the computer.