Abstract:
A personal computer system comprises physically separate units and an interconnection between the units. An attached computing module (ACM) contains the core computing power and environment for a computer user. A peripheral console (PCON), contains the power supply and primary input and output devices for the computer system. To form an operational computer system, an ACM is coupled with a PCON. The plug-in module design of the ACM, and the concentration of high-value components therein (both in terms of high-value hardware and high-value files), makes it easy for a user to transport the high-value core between multiple PCON&#39;s, each of which can enjoy a relatively low cost. The concentration of a user&#39;s core computing environment in a small, portable package also makes it possible for large organizations to perform moves, adds, and changes to personal computer systems with greater efficiency.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims any and all benefits as provided by law of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/083,886 filed May 1, 1998 and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/092,706 filed Jul. 14, 1998. 
     This application is being filed concurrently with the application of William W. Y. Chu for “A Communication Channel and Interface Devices For Bridging Computer Interface Buses”, U.S. application No. 09/149,882 filed on Sept. 8, 1998 and incorporates the material therein by reference 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to the field of personal computers. In particular, the invention relates to a personal computer comprising a computing module that attaches to a mating peripheral console. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Most computer systems are designed as standalone, self-contained units. A personal computer (PC) is constructed with a motherboard, enclosed within a case, acting as the central circuit board that connects all devices together including the central processing unit (CPU), system memory, graphics devices, audio devices, communications devices, a power supply, hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, add-on cards, and others. While some components may be exposed to the exterior of the case for easy substitution and replacement, such as removable diskette drives or PCMCIA cards for a notebook computer, the CPU is fixed within the case. A new generation of processor “modules,” such as Intel&#39;s Mobile CPU module, contain the CPU and certain support circuitry within a pluggable module, but the module is directly attached to the motherboard, enclosed within the computer case, and removed only for servicing. As such, the CPU, which is an expensive component of the computer, cannot be readily utilized apart from the system in which it is installed. 
     Improved modular designs for personal computer systems have been suggested in the past. U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,616 (Kikinis) shows a notebook computer comprised almost entirely of pluggable modules. This design wins the advantages most often associated with modularity, i.e., flexibility in configuration and ease of servicing. At this level of modularity, however, no single module is sufficient in itself to preserve the core computing capability and environment of the computer user. 
     Another approach to personal computer modularity suffers from the same shortcoming. The recently developed Device Bay standard defines a mechanism for easily adding and upgrading PC peripheral devices without opening the computer case. Device Bay supports a wide variety of storage devices. The Device Bay standard supports only peripheral devices, however, and not CPU or memory modules. 
     Notebook computers with docking stations represent a partitioning of PC components that permits the core computing capability and environment of the user to be isolated to a portable physical package, i.e., the notebook computer. The notebook is self-contained and fully able to operate apart from any docking station, having all core computing capability plus primary input and display devices integrated into a single package. The docking station is an optional accessory that may be used to hold secondary or bulky peripheral devices. 
     The portability of notebook computers is, however, constrained by several factors. As a fully functional computer system, a notebook computer requires a substantial power supply. Batteries and AC adapters are both heavy limiting the ability to produce a device that is lightweight. A notebook computer also supplies primary input and display devices for the user. Usable keyboards and readable display screens limit the ability to produce a device with small dimensions that can support the software applications most commonly used on personal computers. 
     The most significant partitioning of a desktop personal computer occurs in the IBM Aptiva S Series. The Aptiva S PC&#39;s incorporate a system tower with a physically separate media console connected by a bus cable. The media console contains frequently accessed peripherals, such as CD-ROM and diskette drives, and has a connection for the keyboard and mouse. This construction removes the bulky tower case from the desktop by locating a small set of low performance peripherals near the monitor, as much as six feet away from the tower. The major components of the system, including the CPU, memory, hard disk drive, add-on cards, power supply, etc., remain together in the tower case. 
     Consequently, there is a need in the art for a personal computer that allows the user to localize their core computing power and software environment in a small, lightweight, single, portable, physical package. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A personal computer system comprising two physically separate units and the interconnection between them is disclosed. The first unit, an attached computing module (ACM), contains the core computing power and environment for a computer user. The second unit, a peripheral console (PCON), contains the power supply and primary input and output devices for the computer system. An ACM and a PCON are coupled with one another to form a fully functional personal computer system. 
     The ACM is small in size so as to be easily transported between work locations or to a servicing facility. The ACM is of comparable size to that of a videocassette, and similarly has a hard shell to provide mechanical protection for its internal components. The core computing power in the ACM comprises the central processing unit (CPU), system memory, any auxiliary processors, and primary mass storage (e.g., a hard disk drive) which serves as the boot device for the computer system. The user&#39;s core environment contained in the ACM comprises the primary operating system software files, frequently used application software files, files containing the user&#39;s working data, and stored configuration data that controls various aspects of software operation customized to the user&#39;s characteristics or preferences. Notably absent from the ACM are any substantial power supply, and any substantial input/output device such as would normally be used by the computer operator to interact and exploit the range of functionality provided by the operating system and application software. 
     The PCON provides the remaining components of a personal computer system including substantial power supply and input/output devices. Different PCON designs provide different usage possibilities for the user&#39;s core computing power and environment. Example PCON&#39;s include desktop computer, notebook computer, notepad computer, and computer-based entertainment computer designs. 
     To form a fully operational computer system, an ACM is coupled with a PCON. The plug-in module design of the ACM, and the concentration of high-value components therein (both in terms of high-value hardware and high-value files), makes it easy for a user to transport the high-value core between multiple PCON&#39;s, each of which can enjoy a relatively low cost. The concentration of a user&#39;s core computing environment in a small, portable package also makes it possible for large organizations to perform moves, adds, and changes to personal computer systems with greater efficiency. 
     These and other purposes and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary desktop peripheral console and attached computing module. 
     FIGS. 2 a  through  2   d  depict various peripheral console configurations. 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system employing the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an attached computing module (ACM). 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an external view of one embodiment of an ACM. 
     FIG. 5 b  illustrates one possible embodiment of a computer bay. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the internal component layout for one embodiment of an ACM. 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a peripheral console (PCON). 
     FIG. 8 depicts internal major component placement for one tower desktop peripheral console (PCON). 
     FIG. 9 depicts internal component placement for one notebook peripheral console (PCON). 
     In the figures just described, like parts appearing in multiple figures are numbered the same in each figure. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary desktop peripheral console and attached computing module. The desktop peripheral console (PCON) looks similar to a desktop PC system unit of conventional design. Front covers for device bays and a diskette drive are visible on the front panel of the PCON. The PCON also provides connections for a display monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse. 
     The front panel of the PCON also displays an opening to a computer bay  292 . The computer bay acts as the receptacle for the attached computer module (ACM). The ACM houses the core computing power and environment for a particular user and is inserted into the opening of the computer bay to receive power and to interact with the peripheral devices housed in the PCON. The ACM achieves normal operational capability when mated with a PCON. Because the ACM does not contain a primary power supply or primary input or output devices, it can be small and lightweight. These characteristics make the ACM greatly portable. It can be easily carried in a briefcase with other matter and is thus ideal for transport between home and office, or multiple office locations, each equipped with a desktop PCON. This represents one advantage of the present invention. 
     The design of peripheral consoles (PCON&#39;s) is in no way limited to the desktop unit as pictured in FIG.  1 . FIGS. 2 a  through  2   d  depict various peripheral console configurations. FIG. 2 a  depicts a tower desktop PCON configuration. The opening of the computer bay  292  is visible at the front of the PCON unit. The PCON provides support for a video monitor as the user&#39;s primary display device. The PCON also provides support for a keyboard and a mouse as the user&#39;s primary input (text and pointing) devices. 
     FIG. 2 b  depicts a notebook computer PCON configuration. The opening of the computer bay  292  is visible at the side of the PCON unit. The PCON provides an integrated LCD display panel as the user&#39;s primary display device. The PCON provides an integrated keyboard as the user&#39;s primary input device. 
     FIG. 2 c  depicts a notepad computer PCON configuration. The opening of the computer bay  292  is visible along the back side of the PCON unit. The PCON provides an integrated LCD display panel as the user&#39;s primary display device. The display panel may be equipped with touch sensitivity to serve as the user&#39;s primary input device. The stylus may be used to enter text or graphics, or to select “soft” buttons, on the touch sensitive screen. Software accessible mechanical switches serve as an alternative primary input mechanism. 
     FIG. 2 d  depicts an entertainment PCON configuration. The opening of the computer bay  292  is visible at the front side of the PCON unit. The PCON provides an integrated television screen as the user&#39;s primary display device. A remote control keypad serves as the user&#39;s primary input device. 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the components in one computer system employing the present invention. The computer system comprises an attached computer module (ACM), a peripheral console (PCON), and the interconnection apparatus between them. The ACM includes the central processing unit (CPU)  110 , system memory  120 , high performance devices  150 , primary mass storage  130 , and related interface and support circuitry  140 . The PCON includes primary display  210 , primary input  220 , secondary mass storage  250 , other devices  260 , expansion slots  270 , the primary power supply  230 , and related interface and support circuitry  240 . The interconnection apparatus  300  includes circuitry to convey power and operational signals between the ACM and PCON. 
     Within the ACM  100 , the CPU  110  executes instructions and manipulates data stored in the system memory. The CPU  110  and system memory  120  represent the user&#39;s core computing power. The core computing power may also include high performance devices  150  such as advanced graphics processor chips that greatly increase overall system performance and which, because of their speed, need to be located close to the CPU. The primary mass storage  130  contains persistent copies of the operating system software, application software, configuration data, and user data. The software and data stored in the primary mass storage device represent the user&#39;s computing environment. Interface and support circuitry  140  primarily includes interface chips and signal busses that interconnect the CPU, system memory, high performance devices, and primary mass storage. The interface and support circuitry also connects ACM-resident components with the ACM-to-PCON interconnection apparatus as needed. 
     Within the PCON  200 , the primary display component  210  may include an integrated display device or connection circuitry for an external display device. This primary display device may be, for example, an LCD, plasma, or CRT display screen used to display text and graphics to the user for interaction with the operating system and application software. The primary display component is the primary output of the computer system, i.e., the paramount vehicle by which programs executing on the CPU can communicate toward the user. 
     The primary input component  220  of the PCON may include an integrated input device or connection circuitry for attachment to an external input device. The primary input may be, for example, a keyboard, touch screen, keypad, mouse, trackball, digitizing pad, or some combination thereof to enable the user to interact with the operating system and application software. The primary input component is the paramount vehicle by which programs executing on the CPU receive signals from the user. 
     The PCON may contain secondary mass storage  250  to provide additional high capacity storage for data and software. Secondary mass storage may have fixed or removable media and may include, for example, devices such as diskette drives, hard disks, CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, and tape drives. 
     The PCON may be enhanced with additional capability through the use of integrated “Other Devices”  260  or add-on cards inserted into the PCON&#39;s expansion slots  270 . Examples of additional capability include sound generators, LAN connections, and modems. Interface and support circuitry  240  primarily includes interface chips, driver chips, and signal busses that interconnect the other components within the PCON. The interface and support circuitry also connects PCON-resident components with the ACM-to-PCON interconnection apparatus as needed. 
     Importantly, the PCON houses the primary power supply  230 . The primary power supply has sufficient capacity to power both the PCON and the ACM  100  for normal operation. Note that the ACM may include a secondary “power supply” in the form, for example, of a small battery. Such a power supply would be included in the ACM to maintain, for example, a time-of-day clock, configuration settings when the ACM is not attached to a PCON, or machine state when moving an active ACM immediately from one PCON to another. The total energy stored in such a battery would, however, be insufficient to sustain operation of the CPU at its rated speed, along with the memory and primary mass storage, for more than a fraction of an hour, if the battery were able to deliver the required level of electrical current at all. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an attached computing module (ACM)  100 . The physical ACM package  100  contains the ACM functional components  101  and the ACM side of the ACM-to-PCON Interconnection  300 . The ACM  101  comprises a CPU component  110 , a system memory component  120 , a primary mass storage component  130 , a high performance devices components  150 , and an interface and support component  140 . 
     The ACM side of the ACM-to-PCON Interconnection  300  comprises a Host Interface Controller (HIC) component  320  and an ACM connector component  330 . The HIC  320  and connector  330  components couple the ACM functional components  100  with the signals of an ACM-to-PCON interface bus  310  used to operatively connect an ACM with a PCON. The ACM-to-PCON interface bus  310  comprises conveyance for electrical power  314  and signals for a peripheral bus  312 , video  316 , video port  317 , and console type  318 . The preferred ACM-to-PCON Interconnection  300  is described in detail in a companion U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/149,882, entitled “A Communication Channel and Interface Devices for Bridging Computer Interface Buses,” by the same inventor, filed on the same day herewith, and hereby incorporated by reference. The preferred ACM-to-PCON interconnection  300  includes circuitry to transmit and receive parallel bus information from multiple signal paths as a serial bit stream on a single signal path. This reduces the number of physical signal paths required to traverse the interconnection  300 . Further, employing low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) on the bit stream data paths provides very reliable, high-speed transmission across cables. This represents a further advantage of the present invention. 
     The CPU component  110  of the ACM functional circuitry  101  of the presently described embodiment comprises a microprocessor  112 , which is the chief component of the personal computer system, power supply connection point  113 , and cache memory  114  tightly coupled to the microprocessor  112  by the CPU-to-cache bus  174  comprising signal paths for address, data, and control information. The microprocessor  112  of this embodiment is one of the models from the Pentium II family of processors from Intel Corporation. Microprocessor  112  receives electrical power from power bus  168  via connection point  113 . Microprocessor  112  couples to the Host Interface Controller (HIC)  320  via CPU-to-HIC bus  163  comprising signal paths to exchange control information such as an interrupt request. Microprocessor  112  also couples to CPU Bridge  146  via CPU main bus  164  comprising signal paths for address, data, and control information. 
     The CPU Bridge component  146  of the interface and support circuitry  140  operates to couple the high speed CPU main bus  164  to specialty buses of varying speeds and capability that connect other computer components. The CPU Bridge of the presently described embodiment incorporates memory controller circuitry, advanced graphics processor support circuitry, and a general, industry-standard PCI bus controller in a single package. A CPU Bridge  146  such as the 82443LX PCI/AGP Controller from Intel Corporation may be used. 
     The system memory component  120  of the ACM functional circuitry  101  in the present embodiment comprises main system memory (RAM)  122 , BIOS memory  124 , and flash memory  126 . The system memory  120  is used to contain data and instructions that are directly addressable by the CPU. The RAM  122  comprises volatile memory devices such as DRAM or SDRAM memory chips that do not retain their stored contents when power is removed. This form of memory represents the largest proportion of total system memory  120  capacity. The BIOS memory  124  comprises non-volatile memory devices such as ROM or EPROM memory chips that retain their stored contents regardless of the application of power and are read-only memory under normal operating conditions. The BIOS memory  124  stores, for example, start-up instructions for the microprocessor  112  and sets of instructions for rudimentary input/output tasks. The flash memory  126  comprises non-volatile memory devices that retain their stored contents regardless of the application of power. Unlike the BIOS non-volatile memory, however, the stored contents of the flash memory  126  are easily changed under normal operating conditions. The flash memory  126  may be used to store status and configuration data, such as security identifiers or ACM specifications like the speed of the microprocessor  112 . Some embodiments may combine the BIOS functions into the flash memory device, thus permitting BIOS contents to be rewritten, improving field upgradability. 
     The main system memory (RAM)  122  is coupled to memory controller circuitry resident within the CPU Bridge  146  via direct memory bus  165 . The BIOS  124  and flash memory  126  are coupled to HIC  320  via switched memory bus  166 . This permits the BIOS  124  and flash  126  memories to be accessed by circuitry in the HIC  320  or other circuitry connected thereto. The direct memory bus  165  and the switch memory bus  166  each comprises conductors to convey signals for data, address, and control information. 
     The primary mass storage component  130  of the ACM functional circuitry  101  in the present embodiment comprises a compact hard disk drive with an industry-standard, IDE interface. The hard disk drive (HDD)  132  has a formatted storage capacity sufficient to contain an operating system for the computer, application software desired by the user, and related user configuration and operating parameter data. The HDD  132  in the present embodiment serves as the “boot” device for the personal computer from which the operating system is loaded into RAM  122  by the start-up program stored in the BIOS  124 . 
     The present HDD  132  has a capacity of approximately 2,000 megabytes to provide adequate storage for common software configurations and reasonable space for user data. One example of a common software configuration includes the Windows 95 operating system from Microsoft Corporation, a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, a presentation graphics program, a database program, an email program, and a web browser such as Navigator from Netscape Corporation. The hard disk  132  stores program and data files for each software component, including files distributed by the vendor as well as files created or updated by operation of the software after it is installed. For example, a word processor program may maintain information about a user&#39;s identity and latest preferences in an operating system registry file. Or, for example, the web browser may maintain a file of the user&#39;s favorite web sites or most recently viewed web pages. An HDD with 2000 megabyte capacity is readily available in the small size of hard disk (e.g., 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch) to minimize the space required within the ACM for the primary mass storage device  130 . 
     The HDD  132  is coupled to IDE controller circuitry  148  via IDE bus  172 . The IDE controller circuitry  148  is coupled to the CPU Bridge  146  via the Host PCI bus  167 . IDE controllers and busses, and the PCI bus are well known and understood in the industry. The above components operate together to couple the hard disk drive  132  to the microprocessor  112 . 
     The high performance devices component  150  of the ACM functional circuitry  101  in the present embodiment comprises an Advanced Graphics Processor (AGP)  152 . The Model 740 Graphics Device from Intel Corporation may be used in the present embodiment as the AGP. 
     Increases in computer screen size, graphics resolution, color depth, and visual motion frame rates, used by operating system and application software alike, have increased the computing power required to generate and maintain computer screen displays. An AGP removes a substantial portion of the graphics computing burden from the CPU to the specialized high-performance processor, but a high level of interaction between the CPU and the specialized processor is nonetheless required. To maximize the effective contribution of having a specialized processor in the presently described embodiment, the AGP  152  is located in the ACM  100 , where it is in close proximity to the microprocessor  112 . The AGP  152  is coupled to the microprocessor  112  via the advanced graphics port bus  173  of the CPU Bridge  146 . The visual display signal generated by the AGP are conveyed toward actual display devices at the peripheral console (PCON) via video signal bus  170 . Video information from a source external to the ACM and appearing as video port signals  317  may be conveyed to the AGP  152  via video port signal path  171 . 
     Other types of high performance components may be included in different ACM configurations. For example, an interface to an extremely high speed data communication facility may be desirable in some future computer where CPU-to-network interaction is of comparable intensity to today&#39;s CPU-to-graphics interaction. Because such high performance components tend to be high in cost, their inclusion in the ACM is desirable. Inclusion of high cost, high performance components in the ACM concentrates a user&#39;s core computing power and environment in a portable package. This represents a further advantage of the invention. 
     The interface and support component  140  of the ACM functional circuitry  101  in the present embodiment comprises circuitry for power regulation  142 , clocking  144 , CPU Bridge  146 , IDE controller  148 , and signal conveyance paths  161 - 174 . The CPU Bridge  146  couples the CPU component  110  of the ACM  100  with the other components of the ACM  120 - 150  and the CPU-to-PCON Interconnection  300 . The CPU Bridge  146  and IDE controller  148  have already been discussed. Power regulation circuitry  142  receives electrical power via the electrical power conduction path  314  of the CPU-to-PCON Interconnection  300 , conditions and distributes it to the other circuitry in the ACM using power distribution bus  168 . Such regulation and distribution is well known and understood in the art. 
     Clocking circuitry  144  generates clock signals for distribution to other components within the ACM  100  that require a timing and synchronization clock source. The CPU  110  is one such component. Often, the total power dissipated by a CPU is directly proportional to the frequency of its main clock signal. The presently described embodiment of the ACM  100  includes circuitry that can vary the frequency of the main CPU clock signal conveyed to the CPU via signal path  162 , in response to a signal received from the host interface controller (HIC)  320  via signal path  161 . The generation and variable frequency control of clocking signals is well understood in the art. By varying the frequency, the power consumption of the CPU (and thus the entire ACM) can be varied. 
     The variable clock rate generation may be exploited to match the CPU power consumption to the available electrical power. Circuitry in the host interface controller (HIC)  320  of the presently described embodiment adjusts the frequency control signal sent via signal path  161  to the clocking circuitry  144 , based on the “console type” information signal  318  conveyed from the peripheral console (PCON) by the CPU-to-PCON interconnection  300 . In this arrangement, the console type signal originating from a desktop PCON, such as depicted in FIG. 2 a , would result in the generation of a maximum speed CPU clock. The desktop PCON, presumably has unlimited power from an electrical wall outlet and does not need to sacrifice speed for power conservation. The console type signal originating from a notebook PCON, such as depicted in FIG. 2 b , would, however, result in the generation of a CPU clock speed reduced from the maximum in order to conserve battery power and extend the duration of computer operation obtained from the energy stored in the battery. The console type signal originating from a notepad PCON, such as depicted in FIG. 2 c , would result in the generation of a CPU clock speed reduced further yet, the notepad PCON presumably having smaller batteries than the notebook PCON. Inclusion of control signals and circuitry to effect a CPU clock signal varying in frequency according to characteristics of the PCON to which the ACM is connected facilitates the movement of the user&#39;s core computing power and environment to different work settings, which is a further advantage of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an external view of one embodiment of an ACM. The case  510  of the ACM  100  is generally rectangular in shape, preferably constructed of a strong, lightweight, rigid material that will protect the internal components from mechanical and environmental exposure. Plastics may readily be used to construct the case  510 . The case  510  completely surrounds the internal components, being generally an 8-sided box. FIG. 5 shows the top  512 , right  514 , and rear  516  surfaces of the ACM case  510 . Rear edges  518  of the case joining the rear surface  516  with its adjoining surfaces may be beveled or rounded to facilitate insertion of the ACM  100  into the computer bay of the PCON. Notches  540  may be formed by projecting small surfaces inward from otherwise generally flat surfaces of the ACM case  510 . The notches  540  may be used to engage with mechanical devices mounted in and about a computer bay. Such mechanical devices can be employed to secure the ACM into position within a computer bay for reliability and security. Openings  517  are formed into the rear surface  516  of the ACM case  510  through which to project connectors  330   a  and  330   b . In one embodiment the case  510  is approximately 5.75 inches wide by 6.5 inches deep by 1.6 inches high. 
     Connectors  330   a  and  330   b  are part of the ACM-to-PCON Interconnection as described earlier in reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. When the ACM  100  is inserted into the computer bay of a peripheral console (PCON), connectors  330   a  and  330   b  mate with corresponding connectors located at the rear of the computer bay to electrically couple the ACM with the PCON containing the computer bay. Details concerning the ACM-to-PCON Interconnection can be found in the U.S. patent application entitled “A Communication Channel and Interface Devices for Bridging Computer Interface Buses,” already incorporated herein by reference. The connectors  330   a  and  330   b  used in one embodiment are connectors complying with the Device Bay industry standard as documented in “Device Bay Interface Specification,” revision 0.85, Feb. 6, 1998. Such connectors have specifically been designed to stand up to the rigors of repeated insertion and withdrawal. 
     Cooling plate  530  forms part of the top surface  512  of ACM  100 . The cooling plate  530  may be mounted to, or project through an opening formed in, case  510 . Similarly, electromagnetic interference (EMI)/electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding plate  532  forms part of the right surface  514  of ACM  100 . The grounding plate  532  may be mounted to, or project through an opening formed in, case  510 . Cooling plate  530  and grounding plate  532  compressively mate with counterparts when the ACM is fully inserted into the computer bay. The counterparts located along the boundaries of the computer bay conduct dangerous heat and electrical charges away from the ACM. Inside the ACM, cooling plate  530  thermally couples to heat-sensitive components such as CPU  110  by methods well known in the art. Similarly, grounding plate  532  electrically couples to EMI/ESD-sensitive components, such as a microprocessor, by methods well known in the art. 
     LCD display  550  forms part of the right surface  514  of ACM  100 . The LCD display may be mounted to, or project through an opening formed in, case  510 . The LCD display may contain indicators about the status of the ACM. Such indicators may display, for example, the time-of-day from a time-of-day clock contained within the ACM, or the amount of charge remaining in an ACM-resident battery, or certain configuration options recorded in flash memory. The LCD display  550  provides display capability for a limited amount of information, most useful when the ACM is separated from a PCON (and is thus separated from a full-capability, primary display device). 
     FIG. 5 b  illustrates one possible embodiment of a computer bay. A computer bay  290  acts as a receptacle for lodging an ACM (such as the one shown in FIG. 5) within a desktop PCON. The illustrated computer bay  290  provides an ACM with housing and with signal flow, electrical grounding, heat transfer, and mechanical connections. While many physical arrangements between the ACM and PCON are possible, the use of an enclosed computer bay as the one illustrated in FIG. 5 b  offers many advantages. For example, the illustrated computer bay  290  provides physical protection for the ACM. The computer bay may also be easily incorporated into industry standard form factors used in the manufacture of desktop personal computers (e.g., the ACM and associated computer bay could be designed to fit within the volume occupied by a standard-size disk drive). 
     The computer bay  290  appearing in FIG. 5 b  is shown mounted within the confines of PCON case  202 . The computer bay  290  comprises frame  291  and signal flow, grounding, cooling, and locking components as described below. Mounting flanges  298  of frame  291  may be used to attach the computer bay  290  to the PCON structure. The computer bay  290  is prominently defined by frame  291  generally forming a cavity in which to lodge an ACM. As such, the interior cavity formed by frame  291  closely approximates the exterior dimensions of a compatible ACM. The top  293 , right  294 , and rear  295  sides of the computer bay frame  291  are visible. The computer bay frame  291  also includes substantial bottom and left sides which are not shown. The front side of the frame  291  (not shown) is open to allow the insertion of the ACM. Frame  291  is constructed of metal for strength and to facilitate the conductance of heat and undesired electrical currents away from the ACM. 
     In the presently described embodiment, the weight of an inserted ACM is largely borne by the bottom side (not shown) of computer bay frame  291 . Alternative embodiments are possible where, for example, the weight of the ACM is borne by rails running longitudinally down the right and left sides of the computer bay cavity that engage corresponding grooves running longitudinally down the right and left sides of an ACM. 
     The computer bay  290  includes a signal conductor component to carry electrical signals between the circuitry in the ACM and the circuitry in the PCON. The signal conductor component comprises connectors  362   a  and  362   b  and cables  364 . The signal conductor component of the computer bay  290  is logically part of the interconnection apparatus represented in block  300  of FIG.  3 . 
     The rear sections of connectors  362   a  and  362   b  are visible in FIG. 5 b . When an ACM is operatively inserted into the computer bay  290 , connectors  362   a  and  362   b  mate with corresponding connectors located at the rear of the ACM (e.g., connectors  330   a  and  330   b  of FIG.  5 ). The signals present on the pins of an inserted ACM&#39;s connectors are conducted to the corresponding pins of connectors  362   a  and  362   b , and along corresponding conductors within cables  364 , to other circuitry housed within PCON case  201 . Details concerning the ACM-to-PCON Interconnection can be found in the U.S. patent application entitled “A Communication Channel and Interface Devices for Bridging Computer Interface Buses,” already incorporated herein by reference. The connectors  362   a  and  362   b  used in one embodiment are connectors complying with the Device Bay industry standard as documented in “Device Bay Interface Specification,” revision 0.85, Feb. 6, 1998. Such connectors have specifically been designed to stand up to the rigors of repeated insertion and withdrawal. 
     The computer bay  290  includes an electrical grounding component comprising spring contact bands  620 , opening  622 , and a conductive path to a grounding source. The electrical grounding component of the computer bay  290  provides a mating mechanism for the grounding pad  532  (shown in FIG. 5) on an inserted ACM. As such, the position of opening  622  and spring contact bands  620  corresponds to the position of grounding plate  532  (shown in FIG. 5) for an ACM fully inserted into the computer bay. The bands  620  attach at their ends to side  294  of the computer bay  290  and are formed to project through opening  622  in the side  294  of the computer bay  290 . The bands  620  project far enough through opening  622  so as to extend somewhat into the interior of the cavity into which an ACM is inserted. Spring contact bands  620  are constructed of an elastic, conductive material such as spring steel with a conductive coating. With an ACM inserted into the computer bay  290 , elastic forces position contact bands  620  against the grounding plate of an inserted ACM and establish a conductive path to ground potential via the bands&#39; connection to the metallic computer bay case  291  at ground potential. Alternatively, if the computer bay case  291  is not at ground potential, a dedicated wire (not shown) can be attached from a ground potential source directly to contact bands  620 . 
     Similarly, the computer bay  290  includes a cooling component comprising heat sink  610 , opening  611 , mounting pads  612 , and springs  614 . The cooling component provides a mating mechanism for the cooling pad  530  (shown in FIG. 5) on an inserted ACM. Heat sink  610  is mounted to project into the interior of the computer bay cavity through opening  611  at the top  293  of computer bay  290 . Elastic force from springs  614  positioned against mounting pads  612  hold heat sink  610  in firm physical and thermal contact with the cooling plate  530  (shown in FIG. 5) of an inserted ACM. Through effective thermal coupling between the ACM&#39;s cooling plate and the computer bay&#39;s heat sink, heat generated during operation can be conducted away from the ACM, via heat sink  610 , to the interior of the PCON where air circulated by a cooling fan can dissipate the heat. Movable heat sink  610  may also be thermally coupled to computer bay case or frame  291  to provide greater heat-sinking mass and surface area for heat dissipation. 
     The computer bay  290  includes a locking component comprising latching arm  631 , locking tip  631 , opening  632 , pivots  633  and  634 , spring  635 , mounting tab  636 , release arm  637 , and plate  638 . The locking component operates to prevent egress of an inserted ACM from the computer bay  290 . Locking tip  631  of the latching arm  630  projects into the computer bay cavity  299  through opening  632  in the side of computer bay  290 . The locking tip  631  engages one of the notches  540  (shown in FIG. 5) formed into the case of an ACM when the ACM is inserted into the computer bay  290 . The position of opening  632  and locking tip  631  thus corresponds to the position of a notch  540  (shown in FIG. 5) in the exterior case  510  of an operatively inserted ACM. The latching arm is pivoted at pin  633  with elastic tension from spring  635  urging locking tip  631  toward the interior of the computer bay cavity  299 . The angled, frontward edge of locking tip  631  facilitates displacement of the locking tip toward the exterior of the computer bay when the solid portion of the ACM case  510  (shown in FIG. 5) to the rear of the notch  540  (shown in FIG. 5) is moving past locking tip  631  as the ACM is inserted into the bay  290 . 
     Release arm  637  is pivotally connected by pin  634  to latching arm  630 . Rearward pressure on release arm  637 , such as from a computer operator depressing a front panel button (not shown) attached to the front surface of plate  638 , causes latching arm  630  to pivot about pin  633  in opposition to the force provided by spring  635 . Sufficient rearward motion of release arm  637  causes locking tip  631  to disengage adequately from the cavity space  299  to permit removal of the ACM from the computer bay  290 . 
     One skilled in the art recognizes that the motion of locking tip  631  could be restricted, controlled, or actuated by a variety mechanical or electrical means. For example, a mechanical lock could be coupled to locking tip  631  to prevent egress of the locking tip from the cavity  299  without a key. Similarly, an electrical actuator such as a solenoid, possibly under software control, could operate to disengage the locking tip  631  only after entry of a security password by the user. One skilled in the art recognizes that similar alternatives exist regarding many aspects of computer bay construction, and that these alternatives may be employed in varying embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the internal component layout for one embodiment of an ACM. All components are contained within the confines of the ACM case  510 , except for connectors  330   a  and  330   b  which extend from the rear of the ACM  100  to engage mating connectors (not shown) that will couple the ACM circuitry with the PCON circuitry. Main circuit board  610  provides electrical connections for circuitry within the ACM and mounting for many of its components  124 ,  122 ,  126 ,  152 ,  142   148 ,  320 , and  330 . The fabrication and use of such circuits boards is well known and understood in the art. Connector  622  is also mounted on main circuit board  610  and mates with mobile processor module  620 . Mobile processor module  620  represents a form of packaging for a microprocessor and related components. The illustrated mobile processor module  620  is a self-contained unit that includes a microprocessor  112 , CPU cache  114 , and CPU bridge  146  operatively interconnected by the manufacturer. An example of one such module is the Pentium Processor with MMX Technology Mobile Module from Intel Corporation (order number 24 3515-001, September 1997). One skilled in the art recognizes that discrete microprocessor, cache, and bridge could have been employed and mounted directly to the main circuit board. 
     The mobile processor module  620  blocks the view, from the top, of the system BIOS  124 . Similarly, hard disk drive  132  hides RAM memory  122 , the high performance graphics processor  152 , the host interface controller  320 , and flash memory  126 . Memory upgrade socket  630  remains exposed to facilitate installation of additional RAM memory  122 . Power regulator  142 , like the memory upgrade socket, enjoys a generous amount of overhead clearance to accommodate its vertical size. The area including IDE controller  148  also enjoys overhead clearance to facilitate a cable connection with the hard disk drive  132 . 
     The functional interconnection and operation of components contained within the ACM and depicted in FIG. 6 has already been described in relation to FIG. 4 for like numbered items appearing therein. 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a peripheral console (PCON). A peripheral console couples with an ACM to form an operating personal computer system. The peripheral console (PCON) supplies an ACM with primary input, display, and power supply; the ACM supplies the core computing power and environment of the user. In the presently described embodiment the physical PCON package  200  contains the PCON functional components  201  and the PCON side of the ACM-to-PCON Interconnection  300 . The PCON functional components  201  comprise primary display  210 , a primary input  220 , a primary power supply  230 , interface and support  240 , secondary mass storage  250 , other devices  260 , and expansion slots  270 . 
     The PCON side of the ACM-to-PCON Interconnection  300  comprises a Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC) component  340 , a PCON connector component  350 , console-type component  342 , and flash memory device  348 . The PIC  340  and connector  350  components couple the PCON functional components  201  with the signals of an ACM-to-PCON interface bus  310  used to operatively connect an ACM with a PCON. The ACM-to-PCON interface bus  310  comprises conveyance for electrical power  314  and signals for a peripheral bus  312 , video  316 , video port  317 , and console-type  318 . The preferred ACM-to-PCON Interconnection  300  is described in detail in the U.S. patent application entitled “A Communication Channel and Interface Devices for Bridging Computer Interface Buses,” already incorporated herein by reference. 
     Connector component  350  may be selected to mate directly with the connector component  330  of an ACM (shown in FIG.  4 ). Alternatively, connector component  350  may be selected to mate with, for example, the connector on one end of a cable intervening between the PCON and an ACM in a particular embodiment, such as cable  364  shown in FIG.  5 B. The ACM-to-PCON interconnection described in the aforementioned companion patent application has the advantage of providing reliable signal conveyance across low cost cables. 
     Flash memory device  348  provides non-volatile storage. This storage may be accessible to devices in both the ACM and the PCON, including the host interface controller and the peripheral interface controller to which it is connected. As such, flash memory  348  may be used to store configuration and security data to facilitate an intelligent mating between an ACM and a PCON that needs no participation of the CPU. 
     The primary display component  210  of the PCON functional circuitry  201  of the presently described embodiment comprises integrated display panel  212  and video connector  213 . Integrated display panel  212  is a color LCD display panel having a resolution of 640 horizontal by 480 vertical pixels. 640-by-480 resolution is popularly considered to be the minimum screen size to make practical use of the application software in widespread use today. One skilled in the art recognizes that the type and resolution of the display can vary greatly from embodiment to embodiment, depending on factors such as cost and intended application. Any display device may be used, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, that provides principal visual output to the computer user for operating system and application software executing in its customary and intended fashion using the CPU component ( 110  of FIG. 3) of an ACM presently coupled to PCON  200 . 
     Integrated display panel  212  is coupled to video signal bus  249  and displays a screen image in response to video signals presented on bus  249 . Certain pins of connector  350  receive video output signals  316  of the ACM-to-PCON interface bus  310  from a mated connector that is coupled to an ACM. These certain pins of connector  350  couple to video signal bus  249  which conveys the video output signals  316  throughout the PCON  200  as needed. Video connector  213  is exposed at the exterior of PCON  200  and couples to video signal bus  249 . Connector  213  permits easy attachment of an external display device that is compatible with the signals carried by bus  249 , such as a CRT monitor (not shown). The external display device may be used in addition, or as an alternative, to integrated display panel  212 . 
     The isolation of the relatively heavy and sizable primary display  210  from the core computing power and user environment contained within an ACM represents a further advantage of the present invention. 
     The primary input component  220  of the PCON functional circuitry  201  of the presently described embodiment comprises keyboard interface circuitry  222 , keyboard connector  223 , pointer interface circuitry  224 , and pointer connector  225 . Keyboard interface circuitry  222  and pointer interface circuitry  224  connect to ISA bus  245  and are thereby coupled to the CPU component ( 110  of FIG. 3) of any ACM attached to PCON  200 . Keyboard interface circuitry  222  interfaces a standard computer keyboard (not shown), attached at connector  223 , to ISA bus  245 . Pointer interface circuitry  222  interfaces a standard computer pointing device (not shown), such as a computer mouse attached at connector  225 , to ISA bus  245 . Computer keyboards, pointing devices, connectors  223 ,  225 , keyboard interface circuitry  222 , and pointer interface circuitry  224  are well known in the art. The isolation of the relatively heavy and sizable primary input devices  220  from the core computing power and user environment contained within an ACM represents a further advantage of the present invention. 
     The primary power supply component  230  of the PCON functional circuitry  201  of the presently described embodiment provides electrical energy for the sustained, normal operation of the PCON  200  and any ACM coupled to connector  350 . The power supply may be of the switching variety well known in the art that receives electrical energy from an AC source  289 , such as a wall outlet. Power supply  230  reduces the alternating current input voltage, to a number of distinct outputs of differing voltages and current capacities. The outputs of power supply  230  are applied to power bus  231 . Power bus  231  distributes the power supply outputs to the other circuitry within the PCON  200 . Bus  231  also connects to certain pins of connector  350  to provide the electrical power  314  for an ACM conveyed by ACM-to-PCON interconnection  300 . The isolation of the usually heavy power supply  230  from the core computing power and user environment contained within the ACM represents a further advantage of the present invention. 
     The interface and support component  240  of the PCON functional circuitry  201  of the presently described embodiment comprises peripheral bridge  246 , diskette controller  242 , IDE controller  248 , and signal conveyance paths  241 ,  243 ,  244 ,  245 ,  247  and  249 . Peripheral bridge  246  couples PCI peripheral bus  241  with peripheral busses of other formats such as ISA peripheral bus  245  and others  247 . PCI and ISA peripheral busses are industry standards, well known and understood in the art. Other peripheral busses  247  may include, for example, a bus compliant with the universal serial bus (USB) industry standard. While other embodiments of a peripheral console  200  may include a single peripheral bus that is coupled to an attached ACM via ACM-to-PCON interconnection  300 , such as PCI bus  241 , this embodiment includes peripheral bridge  246  to establish additional busses  245 ,  247 . The additional busses  245 ,  247  permit the use of the many low-cost and readily available components compatible with these bus specifications. 
     Diskette controller  242  interfaces a floppy disk drive  254  with the CPU component  110  of an attached ACM (shown in FIG. 4) so that the CPU may control and use the diskette drive  254  hardware to store and retrieve data. Diskette controller  242  couples to the CPU via a connection to ISA bus  245 . Diskette controller  242  connects to the diskette drive  254  via one of device cables  243 . 
     Similarly, IDE controller  248  interfaces a hard disk drive  252  and a CDROM drive  256  with the CPU component  110  of an attached ACM (shown in FIG. 4) so that the CPU may control and use the hard disk drive  252  and CDROM  256  hardware to store and retrieve data. IDE controller  248  couples to the CPU via connection to PCI peripheral bus  241 . IDE controller  248  connects to each of hard disk drive  252  and CD-ROM drive  256  via one of device cables  243 . Some embodiments of PCON  200  may take advantage of VLSI integrated circuits such as an 82371SB (PIIX4) integrated circuit from Intel Corporation. An 82371SB integrated circuit includes circuitry for both the peripheral bridge  246  and the IDE controller  248  in a single package. 
     The secondary mass storage component  250  of the PCON functional circuitry  201  of the presently described embodiment comprises diskette drive  254 , hard disk drive  252 , and CD-ROM drive  256 . Secondary mass storage  250  generally provides low-cost, non-volatile storage for data files which may include software program files. Data files stored on secondary mass storage  250  are not part of a computer user&#39;s core computing power and environment. Secondary mass storage  250  may be used to store, for example, seldom used software programs, software programs that are used only with companion hardware devices installed in the same peripheral console  200 , or archival copies of data files that are maintained in primary mass storage  150  of an ACM (shown in FIG.  4 ). Storage capacities for secondary mass storage  250  devices may vary from the 1.44 megabytes of the 3.5-inch high density diskette drive  254 , to more than 10 gigabytes for a large format (5-inch) hard disk drive  252 . Hard disk drive  252  employs fixed recording media, while diskette drive  254  and CD-ROM drive  256  employ removable media. Diskette drive  254  and hard disk drive  252  support both read and write operations (i.e., data stored on their recording media may be both recalled and modified) while CD-ROM drive  256  supports only read operations. 
     The other devices component  260  of the PCON functional circuitry  201  of the presently described embodiment comprises a video capture card. A video capture card accepts analog television signals, such as those complying with the NTSC standard used for television broadcast in the United States, and digitizes picture frames represented by the analog signal for processing by the computer. Video capture cards at present are considered a specialty, i.e., not ubiquitous, component of personal computer systems. Digitized picture information from video capture card  260  is carried via signal conveyance path  244  to the peripheral interface controller  340  which transforms it to the video port signals  317  of the ACM-to-PCON interconnection  300  for coupling to the advanced graphics processor  152  in an attached ACM (shown in FIG.  4 ). 
     Video capture card  260  is merely representative of the many types of “other” devices that may be installed in a PCON to expand the capabilities of the personal computer. Sound cards and laboratory data acquisition cards are other examples. Video capture card  260  is shown installed in one of expansion slots  270  for coupling to the interface and control circuitry  240  of the PCON. Any of other devices  260  could be coupled to the interface and control circuitry  240  of the PCON by different means, such as direct installation on the circuit board that includes the interface and control circuitry  240 ; e.g., a motherboard. 
     The expansion slots component  270  of the PCON functional circuitry  201  of the presently described embodiment comprises PCI connectors  271  and ISA connectors  272 . A circuit card may be inserted into one of the connectors  271 ,  272  in order to be operatively coupled with the CPU  110  of an attached ACM (shown in FIG.  4 ). Each of connectors  271  electrically connects to PCI bus  241 , and may receive and hold a printed circuit card which it electrically couples to PCI bus  241 . Each of connectors  272  electrically connects to ISA bus  245 , and may receive and hold a printed circuit card which it electrically couples to ISA bus  245 . The PCI  241  and ISA  245  busses couple to the CPU  110  of an attached ACM (shown in FIG. 4) by circuitry already described. 
     FIG. 8 depicts internal major component placement for one tower desktop peripheral console (PCON). The components shown belong to desktop tower PCON  200  and are housed in PCON case  202 , except for ACM  100 . Motherboard  810  is mounted parallel to the right side of PCON case  202 . This orientation is employed to comport with industry standard form factors for motherboards and desktop computer cases. Motherboard  810  provides mounting and interconnection for much of the circuitry of the PCON. For example, for the PCON embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, PCON-side interconnection circuitry  300 , interface and control circuitry  240 , keyboard  222  and pointer  224  interface circuitry, and expansion slot  270  components, could all be installed on motherboard  810 . 
     Computer bay  290  is mounted with its front opening exposed at the front face of PCON case  202  allowing easy insertion of ACM  100 . The long edge of the front opening of computer bay  292  runs perpendicular to the plane of motherboard  810 . This orientation is employed to comport with industry standard form factors for desktop computer cases. Cable  364  carries signals between the ACM  100  and motherboard  810  containing PCON-side interconnection circuitry (not specifically shown). Signals flow between cable  364  and ACM  100  over connectors  330 ,  362  mated when the ACM is inserted into the computer bay. 
     Because the rear face of computer bay  290  which holds connectors  362  runs perpendicular to the plane of motherboard  810 , the use of a flexible cable simplifies the interconnection between them. Use of the interconnection apparatus disclosed in the U.S. patent application entitled “A Communication Channel and Interface Devices for Bridging Computer Interface Buses,” already incorporated herein by reference, facilitates the use of flexible cable. 
     FIG. 8 also depicts CD-ROM  256 , power supply  230 , PCI expansion slot  271 , and an “other device”  260 , occupying positions that generally comport with form factors norms at use in the personal computer industry. Other Device  260  comprises a PCI expansion card plugged into PCI expansion slot  271 . 
     FIG. 9 depicts internal component placement for one notebook peripheral console (PCON) such as the one illustrated in FIG. 2 b . FIG. 9 shows a view from the top, with the hinged panel containing a display  212  opened as shown in FIG. 2 b , and with the keyboard and other top surfaces of the base portion  902  removed to allow a view of the interior. Motherboard  910  sits low within the base portion  902  of the notebook PCON  200 . The motherboard lies in a plane parallel to the bottom surface of the base portion  902 . Motherboard  910  provides mounting and interconnection for circuitry elements such as Peripheral Interface Controller  340 , keyboard connector  223 , pointer connector  225 , and LCD display panel connector  920 , and many others that are not shown. 
     Computer bay  290 , battery  230 , CD-ROM  256 , and PCMCIA slots  930  are placed above motherboard  910 . Computer bay  290  has its “front” opening  292  exposed at the right side of the notebook PCON case  202  to permit side insertion of an ACM into the computer bay  292 . CD-ROM drive  256  has its front face exposed at the front face of notebook PCON case  202  to permit easy insertion and removal of CD media. Battery  230  which serves as the primary power supply for notebook PCON has one face exposed at the left side of notebook PCON case  202  to facilitate insertion and removal of the battery  230 . PCMCIA slots  930  are exposed at the right side of PCON case  202  to facilitate insertion and removal of PCMCIA cards into and from the slots  930 . 
     PCMCIA cards are credit-card sized electronics modules that extend the functionality of a personal computer system. PCMCIA cards and slots are well known and understood in the art. A PCMCIA card may, for example, contain a modem or network interface electronics. 
     The keyboard (not shown) of notebook PCON  200  is placed in a plane generally parallel to Motherboard  910 , toward the front edge of notebook PCON  200 , and above CD-ROM  256  and computer bay  290 . 
     Various modifications to the preferred embodiment can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. (A limited number of modifications have already been described in the preceding discussion.) For example, a particular embodiment may insert another layer of bus bridging between the CPU bridge and the Peripheral bridge. This may be desirable if, for example, a vendor wants to implement a proprietary, general-purpose bus having intermediate performance characteristics that fall between those of the high-performance general purpose bus originating at the CPU, and the slower general purpose PCI bus. Thus, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the invention as set forth.