WO2002029591A1

WO2002029591A1 - Computer

Info

Publication number: WO2002029591A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001651
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young-Hie Leem
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-04
Filing date: 2001-10-04
Publication date: 2002-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2003-04-04
Also published as: KR20010100107A; AU2001296039A1

Abstract

A computer, including: two mainboards, each comprising at least one CPU, RAM, video controller and hard disk; a connection device for peripheral devices selectively interconnecting connected peripheral devices to one of said two mainboards mounted within the same computer case by mainboard selection switch 6,7 thereof; at least one auxiliary storage device connected to said connection device for peripheral devices and selectively interconnected to one of said mainboards by mainboard selection switch 6,7 thereof; electric power supply device providing electric power to said two mainboards at the same time or selectively and to the auxiliary storage devices continuously; and a computer case comprising means of mounting said two mainboards, said connection device for peripheral devices, said electric power supply device, and said auxiliary storage devices within itself.

Description

COMPUTER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technology of manufacturing

computer and more particularly to the technology of manufacturing the

computer capable of client/ server computer communication networking

within itself.

BACKGROUND ART

Nowadays because of progress of computer technology, most

computers including personal computers could be server computer

systems in case they have installed server programs for its operating

systems. Of course even a server computer can be a client doing the

client/ server communication network task with other server computer.

But there is in personal computers no such computer that is capable of

operating two operating systems such as client and server operating

programs at the same time within itself.

Generally a set of computer includes:

main body comprising mainboard which includes video-card, CPU

(central processing unit) and RAM, hard disk, FD drive, CD-ROM drive,

power supply device and computer case, etc.; and

external input/ output(I/O) peripheral devices such as monitor, keyboard and mouse, etc..

Theses are basic computer components for recent windows

operating system. That is why at least two sets of computers including

said components are needed in a client/ server computer communication

network environment for use in office, home or study. But said network

system is kind of burden for personal users if not so for business

companies which do many networking tasks. Especially it requires some

configuration space and cost to set said two computers on a desk of an

individual in home or office for network use. Since server computers do

not always use all said devices except said mainboard and hard drive, it is

kind of waste that a personal user including a home network user has to

buy two full sets of computer systems for networking. However as

computer working environment changes into networking one, so it is more

and more necessary for even a personal user to have a server for using

home network system or studying about the technology of programming

related to client/ server computer communication network including

recently well known P2P (Peer To Peer) computer communication network.

Especially Linux operating system including its application program could

be acquired freely or cheaply but is a very good operating system as to be

operated well even at low speed computer doing powerful function, and

there are many users who use it in their server computers for its operating system(OS). For that reason it is more and more necessary for two

computers to be set on one desk. But Linux is inconvenient for a person to

use as OS for a client computer as it is originally made fit for the use of

server computer. Furthermore it is not easy for a person to buy a

computer used exclusively for a server of private client/ server networking

environment because of cost and not using frequently. Of course, there is

a technology to use two operating systems such as Window and Linux in

one computer selecting one between the two systems at booting time, but

that environment could not be a client/ server computer communication

network one and therefore can not normally operate the client/ server

computer communication networking based application programs. But if

there is a computer that can operate two operating systems at the same

time sharing a plurality of peripherals, communicating with each other in

client/ server computer communication network environment that can be

easily configured by the user after buying it, it will solve the above

mentioned problems like buying two full sets of computer systems for

personal use. And this computer will be useful, economical and

convenient for a personal user, especially for a learner about client/ server

communication network, and a user who wants to configure home

network and will contribute to the development of this technical field,

besides, a personal user can learn conveniently the technology related to

client/ server computer communication network without connecting to internet as in prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention is to provide the technology of manufacturing

a client/ server computer that a personal user can buy cheaply and easily

configure client/ server computer communication network with, as the

computer operating environment is rapidly changing into internet based

client/ server computer communication network, accordingly there is more

and more need for configuring computer communication networks even

for the uses of study and home network though it is not easy for the

reason of expense.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the technology of

sharing peripheral storage device and other peripherals by two computers

within one computer case.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the

technology of manufacturing a computer functioning as two computers for

the uses of client and server computer but appearing like one computer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the

technology of manufacturing a computer functioning as two computers for

the uses of client and server computers which cost less than in two real

computers of the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the technology of manufacturing the computer contributing to reusing and

saving computer components(parts).

The key point of the present invention is as followings:

The present invention is related to technology of manufacturing the

computer including two mainboards, each comprising CPU(Central

Processing Unit), RAM(Random Access Memory), hard disk and video

controller card, within one computer case, therefore capable of sharing

peripherals and storage devices by two mainboards within the same

computer case while the two computers operate at the same time.

And if in one is installed client OS (operating system) for client

computer such as Windows 98, while in the other is installed server OS

for server computer such as Linux or NT, therefore said two computers are

linked to each other within by computer communication devices such as

ethernet card, that computer can be used for a client/ server computer.

For that reason, that computer seems to be a normal one computer

in appearance but in fact it is a real client/ server computer that can

operate two computer systems at the same time within itself unlike the

computer using the prior art.

In this description, the word "client/ server computer" is used to only

represent a computer having functionally two computers integrated into

one computer case and intended to be used for client and server computer. Full client/ server computer will be formed after installing each OS for

client or server computer respectively and communication network devices

such as ethernet card, etc., in each mainboard to configure

communication network between two computers. The reason for calling

the present invention as "client/ server computer" is that it is much easier

to configure client/ server computer communication network with this

invention than with any computer of the prior art.

In this description of each embodiment of the present invention,

Linux is assumed to be used OS for the server computer in that the

computer of the present invention will be in most case used by a personal

user and Linux is distributed freely or cheaply, but in fact all other OS for

the server computer such as NT, etc., could be included if it could be

operated in a personal computer without problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG.1 is for illustrating a schematic structure of a computer system

of the present invention.

FIG.2 is for illustrating the internal structure of mainboard selection

controller of the present invention.

FIG.3 is for illustrating the structure of a connection device for

peripheral devices of the present invention and connected devices.

FIG.4 is for illustrating the structure of an electric power supply device of the present invention.

FIG.5 is for illustrating an example of using the present invention in

home network.

FIG.6 is for illustrating a flowchart of steps of composing the

computer of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The objects and characteristics of the present invention will be more easily

understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed

description hereinafter.

Each term used in this description is specially selected for the

convenience of explanation. Therefore, the terms in this description

should be interpreted considering their substantial functions.

FIG. l is for describing a schematic structure of a computer system

and the first embodiment of the present invention,

wherein the computer 1 is characteristic of including:

two mainboards 2-A,2-B, each comprising at least one Central

Processing Unit(abbreviated as CPU), Main Memory device such as

Random Access Memory(abbreviated as RAM), video controller and hard

disk;

a connection device 5 for peripheral devices (various peripheral storage devices and external input/ output(I/O) peripheral devices etc.)

selectively interconnecting said connected peripheral devices to one of said

mainboards by mainboard selection switch 6,7 thereof;

at least one auxiliary storage device such as floppy disk drives

connected to said connection device 5 for peripheral devices and

selectively interconnected to one of said mainboards by mainboard

selection switch 6,7 thereof;

electric power supply device providing electric power to said

mainboards at the same time or selectively and to the auxiliary storage

devices and additional devices continuously as shown in FIG 4; and

a computer case comprising means of mounting two said

mainboards, said connection device for peripheral devices, said electric

power supply device and said auxiliary storage devices and additional

devices within itself.

And said computer 1 is characteristic of more including computer

communication networking devices 8 for configuring computer

communication network within one computer case by connecting two

mainboards.

And it is a matter of course that said each CPU, RAM and video

controller should be fit in specification for the each corresponding

mainboard. The second embodiment of the present invention is characteristic in

that it includes only one mainboard as described in the first embodiment

and selectively more includes network devices 8 according to user's need

while other things included are the same as in the first embodiment.

Said second embodiment is intended to be used mainly by computer

makers for manufacturing a new model computer, in consideration of

allowing a consumer to mount one more mainboard into a spare slot for

mainboard mounting and computer communication network devices 8

separately in the computer case after buying the computer as described in

said second embodiment of the present invention to complete a perfect

client/ server computer like the computer as described in the first

embodiment according to said consumer's need.

The third embodiment of the present invention is characteristic in

that it provides the technology of making separately the main

parts(components) of the computer of the present invention in the form of

articles such as a computer case, a connection device 5 for peripheral

devices and an electric power supply device.

Said third embodiment allows a consumer to buy separately said

parts of the present invention such as a computer case, a connection

device 5 for peripheral devices and/ or an electric power device selectively

with which to compose a client/ server computer of the present invention as described in first embodiment, together with other parts that he/she

already have such as used mainboard and used peripheral devices.

More specific description about said each component for various

embodiments of the present invention is as followings, but it may be

omitted or briefly described about the technology of the prior art.

As shown in FIG 1 , means of mounting two mainboards within said

one computer case may be a pair of sliding mainboard cases 3 capable of

conveniently mounting or unmounting mainboards, a pair of grooved slots

(not shown) for mounting mainboards within the case or a pair • of

protruded slots (not shown) for mounting mainboards within the case,

these are well known technology for those skilled in the art in light of the

prior art. And preferably, on the front side of said computer case is

attached signal ramps that show the operation state of each computer,

which is widely used in the prior art. And preferably, at least one of said

two mainboard mounting means is able to have a used mainboard

mounted. And said computer case should have means for mounting in the

proper position peripheral storage devices (such as FDD, CD-ROM),

electric power supply device as shown in FIG 4 and a first connection unit

5 for peripheral devices to be easily shared by two computers

(mainboards) and should be proper size to have all above mentioned

components including two mainboards mounted within. And said used

mainboard includes one made by widely used standard specification for mainboard.

Said connection device for peripheral devices comprises a first

connection unit 5 for peripheral devices and two second connection units

12 for peripheral devices.

Said first connection unit 5 for peripheral devices comprises a

socket unit M321 for connecting peripheral devices, mainboard selection

controller M322 and two connector units M323 as shown in FIG 3,

said socket unit M321 for connecting peripheral devices is means

for directly connecting to the matching conductors (terminators) of

peripheral devices;

said mainboard selection controller M322 consisting of controller

and mainboard selection switch 6,7 is means for selectively

interconnecting connected peripheral devices to one of two mainboards

through said connector unit M323 by means of said mainboard selection

switch 6,7 attached on the computer case or a keyboard as shown in FIG

2, there in FIG 1 are illustrated the switch for mainboard 2-A as "A" and

the switch for mainboard 2-B as "B".

Said connector unit M323 is means for transferring the

input/ output(I/O) signals between said connected peripheral devices and

each corresponding second connection unit(or each mainboard), wherein

the type of said connector unit M323 may be the form of connector

collection each connector corresponding to each matching connector of peripheral device or the form of one consolidated connector into which are

consolidated all the functions of connector collection of peripheral devices

as shown in FIG 1 and FIG 3, there in FIG 1 are illustrated the connector

for mainboard 2-A as " 10" and the connector for mainboard 2-B as " 11".

Interface types of said connection device 5 for connecting with the

peripheral devices comprise at least one among serial, USB and IEEE 1394

according to peripheral devices.

Said peripheral devices M310 comprise all kinds of devices directly

connected to first connection unit 5 for peripheral devices and selectively

interconnected to one of two mainboards 2-A, 2-B by means of mainboard

selection switch 6,7 of mainboard selection controller M322 linked to said

first connection unit 5 therefore to be shared by two mainboards, wherein

said peripheral devices M310 comprise all kinds of storage devices

such as FDD and CD-ROM, etc., mounted within a computer case; and

all kinds of input/ output(I/O) peripheral devices such as keyboard,

mouse, monitor, camcorder and other storage devices, etc., connected to

said connection device 5 from outside the computer case.

Said second connection unit 12 for peripheral devices comprises

connection unit M331 for connector unit M323 and mainboard connection

unit M332 for peripheral devices as illustrated in FIG 3; said connection

unit M331 is means for connecting to said connector unit M323, said

mainboard connection unit M332 is a connector collection set for directly interconnecting each connector of peripheral devices to corresponding

I/O port M340 of the mainboard and having connection terminators for

electrically coupling with the corresponding I/O ports M340 of the

mainboard, especially if the form of said connector unit M323 is

consolidated one as illustrated in FIG 1.

Said electric power supply device as in FIG 4 is means of providing

electric power to said two mainboards at the same time or selectively

according to selection of related switches by user and to the auxiliary

storage device (such as FD drive and CD-ROM drive) and additional

devices separately and continuously while the power switch sw is on,

including three power cable collections wherein one is for said storage

devices, the others are for two mainboards and attaching hard disks and

capable of providing two computers with as much electric power as

sufficient for two computers to operate at the same time;

said switches consist of the power switch SW for said electric power

supply device itself and the mainboard power switches swA, swB for each

corresponding mainboard.

Preferably, said power switch sw and said mainboard power

switches swA,swB are separately attached on the proper side of the

computer case to be distinguished from each others, there in FIG 1 are

illustrated the power switch for said electric power supply device itself as

"sw", the mainboard power switch for mainboard 2-A as "swA" and the mainboard power switch for mainboard 2-B as "swB".

It is a matter of course to those killed in the art that said electric

power supply device may consist of two separate electric power supply

devices of the prior art for providing electric power to each corresponding

mainboard respectively, not using said electric power supply device of the

present invention illustrated in FIG 4, in this case the devices which are

not provided with electric power all the time continuously (such as

peripheral storage devices) may be provided with electric power from the

server side electric power supply device or from each corresponding

electric power supply device while a computer (mainboard) accesses said

peripheral devices by controlling corresponding electric power supply

device, etc..

And there in FIG 1 are illustrated mainboard expanding slots 4

covered with slot covers 13, and into one of said slots of each mainboard

is inserted an ethernet card, with UTP cable linking between two ethernet

cards to be networked with each other.

Said computer communication network devices 8 include all kinds

of devices such as ethernet card, UTP cable, etc., as in the prior art.

FIG.2 illustrates the internal structure of mainboard selection

controller M322 of the first connection unit 5 of said connection device for

peripheral devices. As described before, the first connection unit 5 for peripheral

devices comprises a socket unit M321 for peripheral devices, mainboard

selection controller M322 and two connector units M323 as shown in FIG

1 and FIG 3,

wherein said mainboard selection controller M322 is to selectively

and electrically interconnect said connected peripheral devices to one of

two mainboards through said connector units M323 by mainboard

selection switch 6,7 attached on the computer case or a keyboard.

FIG.3 illustrates the structure of a connection device for peripheral

devices of the present invention and connected devices, wherein said

connection device for peripheral devices comprises a first connection unit

5 for peripheral devices and two second connection units 12 for peripheral

devices, which is specially devised for the present invention to function for

a set of peripheral storage devices and other input/ output(I/O) peripheral

devices to be shared by two computer mounted in one computer case

through adjusting mainboard selection switch(es) 6,7, and it is desirable

that the first connection unit 5 is installed in the proper location of the

computer case and each second connection unit 12 is installed at

corresponding each mainboard using expanding slot.

FIG.4 illustrates the structure of an electric power supply device of the present invention, which is devised specially altering that of the prior

art to be fit for the present invention.

There are three power cable collections in said electric power supply

device as illustrated in FIG 4. As soon as the power switch sw is turned on,

one collection provides electric power to the devices such as FD drive,

CD-ROM drive and additional devices (HUB etc.) continuously while other

two collections (mainboard power cable collections) provide electric power

to each mainboard and hard disk selectively by adjusting each mainboard

power switches swA, swB. Said mainboard power switches swA, swB

linked to each mainboard power cable collection are to selectively operate

each corresponding mainboard. As said peripheral storage devices (FDD,

CD-ROM) and additional devices (HUB etc.) are shared by two computers

(mainboards), they have to be provided with electric power constantly

while the power switch sw of the electric power^' supply device itself is

turned on. For that reason, the capacity of the electric power supply

device should enable two computers to operate at the same time without

problem. And preferably, the mainboard power switches swA, swB are

attached on different side from the power -switch sw of the electric power

supply device itself not to be mixed up with the power switch sw.

Preferably, the mainboard selection switch 6,7 of said connection

device 5 and the mainboard power switches swA,swB for each mainboard

are joined to be formed as collection switch sets for each corresponding mainboard respectively, and theses switch sets are attached separately on

different side from each other in the same computer case not to be mixed

up with each other according to uses of two mainboards such as server or

client, for instance, server side switch set may be located on rear side of

the computer case as it is used occasionally while client side switch set

may be located on front side, etc., of the computer case to be used

conveniently.

Preferably, wherein the mainboard selection switches 6,7 of said

connection device 5 is selection type between two switches and said

mainboard power switches swA,swB of electric power supply device is

ON/OFF type.

And it is natural to the expert in the art that if each mainboard

supports interface types of USB or IEEE 1394 for peripheral storage

devices and other peripheral devices, said connection device 5 for

connecting peripheral devices also can be made to be used only for, or to

comprise the function of USB or IEEE 1394 interface.

And said computer 1 of the present invention may include HUB as

shown in FIG 5 to be used for a network server and in consideration to

this, in FIG 4 the electric power supply device more comprises additional

power cable for additional devices. And it is natural to the expert in the art

that said HUB comprises dummy HUB or switching HUB.

Till now, this description is described about the method of sharing peripheral devices and making a client/ server computer through joining

two prior art mainboards 2-A,2-B, an electric power supply device, a

connection device 5 for peripheral devices and peripheral I/O devices

together within one computer case. But it is natural to the expert in the

art that said mainboard may be single consolidated mainboard into which

the functions of said two mainboards are consolidated to lessen the size of

the computer of the present invention and to save the cost for

manufacturing the present invention, as compared to using two

mainboards of the prior art.

FIG.5 illustrates an embodiment of using the present invention in

home network.

As illustrated in FIG 5, the home network is connected to internet

through cable modem, the manager of which network is son and there in

son's room is the client/ server computer of the present invention. The son

manages home network with the sever function of the computer, and with

the client function of the computer does word processing, networking with

other computers in his home, and manages the server computer of the

present invention through client/ server computer communication network

environment configured within the present invention.

Besides, there in the home are three rooms except son's room, and

in each room is a computer. Generally ISP (Internet Service Provider) provides each home with one internet line having a changing IP (Internet

Protocol) address and while one computer is connected to internet, other

computers in the same home cannot connect to internet.

But in FIG 5, all computers in home network can connect to

internet at the same time, for the computer of the present invention runs

router program supporting multiple internet connection all day using the

server function of the present invention computer and manages home

network. As illustrated in FIG 5, there is a printer connected to the server

computer of the present invention to be shared by all the computers in

home network all day. And also there are illustrated two communication

lines between son's computer (i.e., client/ server computer) and HUB,

wherein one is connected to server computer and the other is connected to

client computer. But in FIG 5, as only simple uses of the server function of

the present invention are illustrated, there will be many other uses for the

present invention such as web server through which one can connect and

control various kinds of home electric appliances connected to home

network anytime from remote place. And one can transfer data to or

receive data from said web server anytime from remote place. For that

reason, the uses of the present invention are much more than any other

internet devices such as internet TV or set-top box which provides definite

internet function, besides, even a person can configure this kind of

network environment cheaply and conveniently. Especially in future when the technology of IPv6(Internet Protocol version 6) is widely used, all home

or office can get its own IP address, and then home network will be built

generally. In that case the present invention may be used as a useful

network server for home or small size office network.

FIG.6 illustrates a flowchart of steps of composing the computer of

the present invention and operating it.

As illustrated in FIG 6, the steps of installing devices and OS within

one computer case include folio wings:

the step M61 of preparing mainboard and OS;

the step M62 of mounting a connection device 5, an electric power

supply device, peripheral storage devices and two mainboards each

comprising CPU, RAM, hard disk and video controller within a computer

case;

the step M63 of joining two second connection units 12 of the

connection device and two mainboard power cable collections with each

corresponding mainboard, wherein said second connection unit 12 of the

connection device for peripheral devices and two mainboard power cable

collections illustrated in FIG 4 should be joined exactly with each

corresponding mainboard to be related to each other through the

mainboard selection switches 6,7 and the mainboard power switches

swA,swB; the step M64 of joining peripheral devices and peripheral storage

device with socket unit M321 of the first connection unit 5 of the

connection device for peripheral devices, wherein peripheral storage

devices and additional devices such as HUB, etc., are also joined to

electric power supply device, if necessary;

the step M65 of booting server side computer of the present

invention through turning on the server side mainboard selection switch

6,7 and the server side mainboard power switch swA, finally the power

switch sw of the electric power supply device itself;

the step M66 of installing server OS in the peripheral storage

devices such as hard disk for server side computer;

the step M67 of booting client side computer of the present

invention through turning on the client side mainboard selection switch

6,7 and the client side mainboard power switch swB sequentially;

the step M68 of installing client OS in the peripheral storage devices

such as hard disk for client side computer;

after said steps, the computer of the present invention will operate

easily changing environment modes between client mode, server mode and

client/ server computer communication network mode by selecting

mainboard selection switch 6,7 according to user's need.

Of course, only one mainboard (computer) could be booted and

operated while the other is off according to user's selection, therefore the present invention can be used for various uses according to the purpose of

user by easily changing system environment mode.

It may seem at first that the present invention is very difficult to be

operated because of adjusting various switches such as mainboard

selection switch 6,7 and mainboard power switches swA, swB, but in

practice case it is not so because server side mainboard operates all day

and mainboard selection switch 6,7 in most case is switched for client side

mainboard, therefore in most case only the client side mainboard power

switch swB is switched between ON/ OFF options.

As described till now, the present invention includes two

mainboards within a single computer case and in appearance seems to be

a single computer but in reality is a computer within which two computers

operate at the same time, for that reason this computer can operate three

operating systems such as client, server, client/ server selectively. That's

why to buy this computer, only the cost for buying the connection device 5

for peripheral devices will be more needed than in the prior art if he/she

uses a used mainboard and installs Linux as server OS for a server side

mainboard. Therefore, the computer of this invention is more economical

and efficient than that of the prior art.

Till now, the present invention has bee described in detail. However,

it should be understood that the said detailed description and specific

examples (which indicate preferred embodiments of the invention) are given by way of illustrations only, since various changes and modifications

within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those

skilled in the art from this detailed description.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Basically, it is the object of the present invention that even a personal

user can have a computer functioning as a server and/ or a client

computer at low cost, wherein the applicability of which invention in the

art is as followings:

1. providing a personal user with saving and benefit

Through the present invention, a personal user can configure client/ sever

computer communication network with low cost, and can install two

computers in the same size space as the size for one computer.

2. providing progress in the art of client/ server computer communication

network

In the prior art, if one wants to make and exercise the program based on

client/ server computer communication, he/she has to do it only in the

above mentioned network environment, differing from the client only

program. But he/she can configure the said network environment at low

cost, and without connecting to internet can make and exercise the

client/ server network program if using the present invention. Thus the

present invention will be contributed to enlarge the users of client/ server computer communication network and to the progress of the art.

3. expanding distribution of home network

In prior art, it is not easy to configure home network because of cost, but

if using the present invention it is easy, and as the computer of the

present invention can be used as a router, etc., one internet line can be

shared at the same time by all computers in the home network managed

by the server function of the present invention, besides, the present

invention can be used for many other uses such as web server, etc., for

instance, when it is used as a web serve of home network, through which

one can control various kinds of home electric appliances connected to

said home network anytime from remote place, for the specific technology

about which, refer to the patent application No. kr 10-1998-0019264,

issued date:27/05/ 1998, by Samsung electronic co.

4. enlarging users of Linux

The present invention is especially helpful for Linux. Though Linux is not

so good for a personal user to use as a client OS because of insufficient

client application programs, etc., but it is a good OS for server use

especially because of being a freely or cheaply distributed system. For that

reason, if combining with the server function of the present invention,

even a personal user can easily have a server computer, therefore it will

contribute to enlarge users of Linux and to the progress of the art so

much. 5. enlarging users of the technology of P2P communication network

The technology of P2P (Peer to Peer) computer communication network

provides computer communication network to client computers without

intermediation of server computer of ISP, etc., through IP address of each

matching computer. Even this technology can be practicable while each

matching computer is operating but in most case, client computer is not

used all day, which prevents this technology from widely using. But this

invention can easily solve said problem of the prior art, for one can use

this invention as a server computer without additional cost.

6. contribution to reuse of used computer components

The present invention is also characteristic of sharing peripheral devices

by two mainboards mounted within single computer case, and if a person

installs Linux as server OS for one mainboard, even used mainboard

having low speed CPU such 486 cpu etc., can be used as server side

mainboard, which allows user to have a server computer freely or cheaply.

Especially as the progress rate of computer technology is more rapid, so

the discarded mainboards are more. But in the present invention, many of

said used mainboards can be reused for server or client computers

without problem, which is helpful for resource reuse and preservation of

nature.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A computer, including:

two mainboards, each comprising at least one CPU, RAM, video

controller and hard disk;

a connection device for peripheral devices selectively interconnecting

connected peripheral devices to one of said two mainboards mounted

within the same computer case by mainboard selection switch 6,7 thereof;

at least one auxiliary storage device connected to said connection

device for peripheral devices and selectively interconnected to one of said

mainboards by mainboard selection switch 6,7 thereof;

electric power supply device providing electric power to said two

mainboards at the same time or selectively and to the auxiliary storage

devices continuously; and

a computer case comprising means of mounting said two

mainboards, said connection device for peripheral devices, said electric

power supply device, and said auxiliary storage devices within itself.

2. A computer, including:

one mainboard comprising at least one CPU, RAM, video controller

and hard disk;

a connection device for peripheral devices selectively interconnecting connected peripheral devices to one of two mainboards mounted within

the same computer case by mainboard selection switch 6,7 thereof;

at least one auxiliary storage device connected to said connection

device for peripheral devices and selectively interconnected to one of said

mainboards by mainboard selection switch 6,7 thereof;

electric power supply device providing electric power to said two

mainboards at the same time or selectively and to the auxiliary storage

devices continuously; and

a computer case comprising means of mounting two mainboards,

said connection device for peripheral devices, said electric power supply

device and said auxiliary storage devices within itself.

3. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein the computer more

includes computer communication networking devices for configuring

computer communication network within one computer case by

connecting two mainboards.

4. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein said means of

mounting two mainboards within one computer case is a pair of sliding

mainboard cases capable of conveniently mounting or unmounting

mainboards, a pair of grooved slots for mounting mainboards within the

case or a pair of protruded slots for mounting mainboards within the case.

5. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of said two

mainboard mounting means is able to have a used mainboard mounted

which includes the mainboard made by widely used standard specification

for mainboard.

6. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein said connection device

for peripheral devices comprises a first connection unit 5 for peripheral

devices and two second connection units 12 for peripheral devices.

7. The computer of claim 6, wherein said first connection unit 5

for peripheral devices comprises socket unit M321, mainboard selection

controller M322 and two connector unit M323;

said socket unit M321 is means for directly connecting to the

matching conductors (terminators) of peripheral devices,

said mainboard selection controller M322 consisting of controller

and mainboard selection switch 6,7 is means for selectively

interconnecting connected peripheral devices to one of two mainboards

through said connector unit M323 by means of said mainboard selection

switch 6,7 attached on the computer case or a keyboard,

said connector unit M323 is means for transferring the

input/ output signals between said connected peripheral devices and each corresponding mainboard, wherein the type of said connector unit M323

is the form of one connector collection each connector corresponding to

each matching connector of peripheral device or the form of one

consolidated connector into which are consolidated all the functions of

said connector collection of peripheral devices.

8. The computer of claim 7, wherein said second connection unit

12 for peripheral devices comprises connection unit M331 and mainboard

connection unit M332;

said connection unit M331 is means for connecting to said

connector unit M323,

said mainboard connection unit M332 is a connector collection set

for directly interconnecting each connector of peripheral devices to the

corresponding I/O port M340 of the mainboard and having connection

terminators for electrically coupling with the corresponding I/O ports

M340 of the mainboard.

9. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein said peripheral devices

M310 comprise all kinds of devices directly connected to first connection

unit 5 for peripheral devices and selectively interconnected to one of two

mainboards 2-A, 2-B by means of mainboard selection switch 6,7 linked

to said first connection unit 5 therefore to be shared by two mainboards.

10. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein said peripheral devices

M310 comprise:

all kinds of storage devices such as FDD and CD-ROM, etc.,

mounted within a computer case; and

all kinds of input/ output peripheral devices such as keyboard,

mouse, monitor, camcorder and other storage devices, etc., connected to

said connection device 5 from outside the computer case.

11. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein interface types of said

connection device 5 for connecting with peripheral devices comprise at

least one among serial, USB and IEEE 1394 according to peripheral

devices.

12. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein said electric power

supply device as in FIG 4 more comprises means of providing electric

power for additional devices continuously.

13. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein said electric power

supply device as in FIG 4 is means of providing electric power to said two

mainboards at the same time or selectively according to selection of

related switches and to the auxiliary storage devices and additional devices continuously while said power supply device is on, capable of

providing two computers with as much electric power as sufficient for two

computers to operate at the same time;

said switches consist of the power switch sw for said electric power

supply device itself and the mainboard power switches swA, swB for each

corresponding mainboard, and are separately attached on the proper side

of the computer case to be distinguished from each other.

14. The computer of claim 12, wherein said electric power supply

device consists of two separate electric power supply devices of the prior

art for providing electric power to each corresponding mainboard

respectively.

15. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein the mainboard

selection switch 6,7 and the mainboard power switches swA, swB for each

mainboard are joined to be formed as collection switch sets for each

corresponding mainboard, and are attached separately on different side

from each other in the same computer case according to uses of two

mainboards such as server or client, wherein said mainboard selection

switch 6,7 of said connection device 5 is selection type between two

switches and said each mainboard power switch swA, swB of electric

power supply device is ON/ OFF type.

16. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein said computer more

includes HUB like dummy HUB or switching HUB.

17. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein said HUB is provided

with electric power from electric power supply device mounted in said

computer case.

18. The computer of claim 1 or 2, wherein said mainboard is

single consolidated mainboard into which the functions of said two

mainboards are consolidated.

19. A computer case comprising means of mounting folio wings

within itself:

two mainboards, each comprising at least one CPU, RAM, video

controller and hard disk;

a connection device for peripheral devices selectively interconnecting

connected peripheral devices to one of said two mainboards mounted

within the same computer case by mainboard selection switch 6,7 thereof;

at least one auxiliary storage device connected to said connection

device for peripheral devices and selectively interconnected to one of said

mainboards by mainboard selection switch 6,7 thereof; and electric power supply device providing electric power to said two

mainboards at the same time or selectively and to the auxiliary storage

devices continuously.

20. The computer case of claim 19, wherein said means of

mounting two mainboards within one computer case is a pair of sliding

mainboard cases capable of conveniently mounting or unmounting

mainboards, a pair of grooved slots for mounting mainboards within the

case or a pair of protruded slots for mounting mainboards within the case.

21. The computer case of claim 19, wherein at least one of said

two mainboard mounting means is able to have a used mainboard

mounted which includes the mainboard made by widely used standard

specification for mainboard.

22. The computer case of one of claims 19 to 21, wherein said

computer case more includes means of mounting HUB like dummy HUB

or switching HUB.

23. The computer case of one of claims 19 to 21, wherein said

computer case comprises means of attaching the mainboard selection

switch 6,7 and the mainboard power switches swA, swB for each mainboard, wherein said mainboard selection switch 6,7 and said

mainboard power switches swA, swB are joined to be formed as collection

switch sets for each corresponding mainboard, and are attached

separately on different side from each other in the same computer case

according to uses of two mainboards such as server or client, wherein said

mainboard selection switch 6,7 for said connection device 5 is selection

type between two switches and said each mainboard power switch swA,

swB of electric power supply device is ON/ OFF type.

24. A connection device for peripheral devices used for composing a

computer, mounted within a computer case and selectively

interconnecting connected peripheral devices to one of two mainboards

mounted within the same computer case by mainboard selection switch

6,7.

25. The connection device of claim 24, wherein said connection

device for peripheral devices comprises a first connection unit 5 for

peripheral devices and two second connection units 12 for peripheral

devices.

26. The connection device of claim 25, wherein said first

connection unit 5 for peripheral devices comprises socket unit M321, mainboard selection controller M322 and two connector unit M323;

said socket unit M321 is means for directly connecting to the

matching conductors (terminators) of peripheral devices,

said mainboard selection controller M322 consisting of controller

and mainboard selection switch 6,7 is means for selectively

interconnecting connected peripheral devices to one of two mainboards

through said connector unit M323 by means of said mainboard selection

switch 6,7 attached on the computer case or a keyboard,

said connector unit M323 is means for transferring the

input/ output signals between said connected peripheral devices and each

corresponding mainboard, wherein the type of said connector unit M323

is the form of one connector collection each connector corresponding to

each matching connector of peripheral device or the form of one

consolidated connector into which are consolidated all the functions of

said connector collection of peripheral devices.

27. The connection device of claim 26, wherein said second

connection unit 12 for peripheral devices comprises connection unit M331

and mainboard connection unit M332;

said connection unit M331 is means for connecting to said

connector unit M323,

said mainboard connection unit M332 is a connector collection set for directly interconnecting each connector of peripheral devices to the

corresponding I/O port M340 of the mainboard and having connection

terminators for electrically coupling with the corresponding I/O ports

M340 of the mainboard.

28. The connection device of one of claims 24 to 27, wherein said

peripheral devices M310 comprise all kinds of devices directly connected

to first connection unit 5 for peripheral devices and selectively

interconnected to one of two mainboards 2-A, 2-B by means of mainboard

selection switch 6,7 linked to said first connection unit 5 therefore to be

shared by two mainboards.

29. The connection device of one of claims 24 to 27, wherein said

peripheral devices M310 comprise:

all kinds of storage devices such as FDD and CD-ROM, etc.,

mounted within a computer case; and

all kinds of input/ output peripheral devices such as keyboard,

mouse, monitor, camcorder and other storage devices, etc., connected to

said connection device 5 from outside the computer case.

30. The connection device of one of claims 24 to 27, wherein

interface types of said connection device 5 for connecting with peripheral devices comprise at least one among serial, USB and IEEE 1394 according

to peripheral devices.

31. An electric power supply device as in FIG 4, used for composing

a computer, mounted within a computer case and providing electric power

to two mainboards mounted within said computer case at the same time

or selectively and to the auxiliary storage device shared by said two

mainboards continuously.

32. The electric power supply device of claim 31, wherein said

electric power supply device more comprises means of providing electric

power for additional devices continuously.

33. The electric power supply device of claim 31 or 32, wherein

said electric power supply device is means of providing electric power to

said two mainboards at the same time or selectively according to selection

of related switches and to the auxiliary storage devices and additional

devices continuously while said power supply device is on, capable of

providing two computers with as much electric power as sufficient for two

computers to operate at the same time;

said switches consist of the power switch sw for said electric power

supply device itself and the mainboard power switches swA, swB for each corresponding mainboard, and are separately attached on the proper side

of the computer case to be distinguished from each other.

34. The electric power supply device of claim 31 or 32, wherein said

electric power supply device consists of two separate electric power supply

devices of the prior art for providing electric power to each corresponding

mainboard respectively.