KR101247030B1 - Graphic Controller Bridge Module and Portable Computer with the Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a graphics controller bridge module and a portable computer having the same to ensure compatibility between each other by switching the interface of the graphics card having a different specification according to the manufacturer to the same interface.

The graphic controller bridge module according to the present invention includes a case for protecting the graphic controller bridge module; A substrate provided in the case, on which each component of the graphic controller bridge module is mounted and in which signal wiring between the components of the graphic controller bridge module is formed; A module connector connected to a computer main body for transmitting and receiving a signal of the graphic card; And a first graphics card and a second graphics card connector for selectively transmitting signals in a state of being connected to the module connector.

Accordingly, the present invention is compatible with each other due to the graphics controller bridge module for converting graphics cards having different specifications into the same interface, and the user's request for changing and upgrading the graphics environment of the computer through modularization of the graphics card. Can be satisfied.

Graphics Card, Graphic Controller, Modularity, Interface, Portable Computer, Upgrade, Graphic Environment

Description

Graphic Controller Bridge Module and Portable Computer with the Same

In order to better understand the drawings used in the detailed description of the invention, a brief description of each drawing is provided.

Figure 1 schematically shows a cutaway perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a portable computer having a graphics controller bridge module according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of a graphic controller bridge module constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of a graphics controller bridge module constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

<< Signs and explanations of the main parts of the drawings >>

100: portable computer 110: central processing unit

120: module connection 130: display

200: graphics controller bridge module 210: case

210a: heat sink 220: printed circuit board

230: module connector 240: graphics card connector

250, 250´: Graphic card 260: Cooling fan

300: signal connection unit for the first graphics card 310: common signal connection unit

320: signal connection for the second graphics card

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable computer, in particular a portable computer having a graphics controller bridge module for converting different interface specifications to the same interface depending on the graphics card.

Portable computers are rapidly expanding due to the convenience of being portable and being used on the go. Users can enjoy video, games, web surfing, etc. using a portable computer. However, in order to enjoy the multimedia as described above, the graphic environment is most important. Therefore, the user's desire for changing and upgrading the graphics card increases to improve the graphics environment.

In the case of a graphic card of a conventional portable computer, it is designed in an on-board form, and thus it is impossible to change or upgrade it arbitrarily according to a user's request. Thus, products have been developed that modularize graphics cards of portable computers.

However, these products adopt their own specifications according to the manufacturer, so there is no guarantee of mutual compatibility. Therefore, when upgrading the graphics environment of a portable computer, it is impossible to use a third-party product, and it is possible to use a limited product of the same manufacturer.

In the prior art as described above, since the manufacturer independently adopts the interface standard of the graphic card, compatibility between the two is not guaranteed.

Therefore, when upgrading the graphics environment of the computer, you can not use the graphics card of the desired manufacturer according to the various needs of the user. That is, the selectivity and convenience of the user are deteriorated.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a graphic controller bridge module for converting various interface standards of a graphics card currently being developed into the same interface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable computer having a graphics controller bridge module that can modularize the graphics card to facilitate the exchange and upgrade of the graphics card.

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention provides a graphics environment according to the graphics controller bridge module for converting multiple graphics cards of different specifications into the same graphics interface and the graphics card in the module. And a computer main body having a module connection portion to be controlled by a central processing unit and to which the graphic controller module is coupled, and the graphic controller module is detachably attached to the computer main body.

The graphic controller bridge module includes a case constituting an appearance; A substrate mounted to the case and having signal lines formed therein; A module connector mounted on the substrate and exposed to the outside of the case and coupled to the module connection unit; And a plurality of graphics card connectors mounted on the substrate and each having a different type of graphics card mounted thereon.

A plurality of heat dissipation holes are formed on one surface of the case, and further include a cooling fan to dissipate heat generated by the graphics card driving to the outside through the heat dissipation holes.

The module connector is located on one surface of each other connecting terminal for forming an electrical connection between the substrate and the module connection.

The connection terminal is a connection terminal for the first and second graphics card for selectively transmitting only the signals of the first graphics card and the second graphics card and a common connection terminal for the common signal transmission of the first graphics card and the second graphics card. It includes.

According to another feature of the invention, there is formed a space portion therein, the connector connector for connecting to the computer main body formed on one surface; A substrate disposed in the case and having respective components mounted thereon and having signal wiring formed therebetween; A module connector mounted on the board and connected to a computer main body to transmit and receive a signal of a graphics card; And first and second graphics card connectors mounted on the substrate and selectively transmitting signals to the graphics card while being connected to the module connector, respectively.

A plurality of heat dissipation holes are formed on one surface of the case, and further include a cooling fan to dissipate heat generated by the graphics card driving to the outside through the heat dissipation holes.

The module connector is located on one surface of each other connecting terminal for forming an electrical connection between the substrate and the module connection.

The connection terminal with connection terminals for first and second graphics cards for selectively transmitting only signals of the first graphics card and the second graphics card; It includes a common connection terminal responsible for the common signal transmission of the first graphics card and the second graphics card.

According to the above configuration, the portable computer having the graphic controller bridge module according to the present invention converts graphics cards having different specifications into the same interface, and the graphic environment of the portable computer according to the user's requirements by modularization of the graphics card. Make it easy to upgrade.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a portable computer having a graphics controller bridge module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The portable computer 100 includes a central processing unit 110, a module connection unit 120, a display 130, and a graphic controller bridge module 200.

The CPU 110 controls to provide a graphic environment according to a graphics card embedded in the graphic controller bridge module 200.

The module connection unit 120 is responsible for the connection between the CPU 110 and the graphics controller bridge module 200.

The display 130 is connected to the module connection unit 120 and displays an image signal received from a graphics card embedded in the graphic controller bridge module 200.

The graphic controller bridge module 200 is detachable from the portable computer 100 and includes a graphic card therein. And the interface specification of the graphics card according to the manufacturer is changed to the same.

2 illustrates a cutaway perspective view of the graphics controller bridge module 200 shown in FIG. 1. The graphic controller bridge module 200 includes a case 210, a printed circuit board 220, a module connector 230, a graphics card connector 240, a graphics card 250, and a cooling fan 260.

The case 210 has an appearance, and a heat dissipation hole 210a for dissipating heat generated by the graphics card is formed on one surface thereof. Each of the components constituting the graphic controller bridge module 200 is mounted in the case 210.

The printed circuit board 220 is provided in the case 210, and the components are disposed on one surface of the printed circuit board 220. The printed circuit board 220 is provided with signal wiring for electrical connection between each component.

The module connector 230 is mounted on the printed circuit board 220 and connected to the module connection unit 120 of the portable computer 100 shown in FIG. 1.

The graphics card connector 240 includes a first graphics card connector 240a and a second graphics card connector 240b having different specifications. The first graphics card connector 240a and the second graphics card connector 240b mounted on the printed circuit board 210 may be selectively used according to the graphics card 250. The graphic control signal from the graphics card 250 mounted on the graphics card connector 240 is transmitted to the module connector 230 through signal wiring of the graphics card connector 240 and the printed circuit board 220.

The graphics card 250 selectively connects with a suitable one of the first graphics card connector 240a and the second graphics card connector 240b to output an image signal through the graphics card connector 240.

The cooling fan 260 discharges heat generated by the graphics card 250 to the outside through the heat dissipation hole 210b.

3 schematically illustrates a block diagram of the graphics controller bridge module 200 of FIG. 2. Since the configuration of the graphic controller bridge module 200 is the same as that shown in FIG. 2, only characteristic parts will be described.

The printed circuit board 220 includes a first graphics card signal line connecting the first graphics card connector 240a and the module connector 230 and a second graphics card connector 240b and the module connector 230. 2 Signal lines for graphics cards are formed separately. In addition, a common signal line that is jointly used by the first graphics card connector 240a and the second graphics card connector 240b is also formed.

The lead wire of the terminal existing on one surface of the graphics card connector 240 is in contact with the signal line of the corresponding printed circuit board 220 to form an electrical connection, and the other side has the same specifications as the graphics card connector 240. Standard graphics card 250 is mounted.

The signal connector 300 for the first graphics card, the signal connector 320 for the second graphics card, and the common signal connector 310 of the module connector 230 may include the first graphics card signal line and the second graphics card signal line. Are connected to the common signal lines respectively.

Hereinafter, the operation of the portable computer having the graphic controller bridge module according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described in detail.

First, a case in which the first graphics card 250 illustrated in FIG. 2 is mounted on the first graphics card connector will be described as an example. When the first graphics card 250 is mounted on the first graphics card connector, the signal line for the first graphics card and the signal connection part 300 for the first graphics card of the module connector 230 are activated. The central processing unit 110 of the portable computer 100 shown in FIG. 1 transmits a digital image signal to the graphic controller bridge module 200 through the module connection unit 120. The module connector 230 of the graphic controller bridge module 200 receives a digital video signal through the signal connection unit 300 for the first graphics card and transmits the digital video signal to the first graphics card connector 240a through the signal line for the first graphics card. do.

The first graphics card 250 converts the digital video signal received through the first graphics card connector 240a into an analog video signal and outputs the analog video signal to the display 130. The display 130 displays the analog video signal supplied from the first graphics card 250 on the screen.

When the second graphics card 250 ′ shown in FIG. 3 is mounted on the second graphics card connector 240b, the signal line 320 for the second graphics card signal line and the second graphics card signal connector 320 of the module connector 230 are connected. Is activated. When the central processing unit 110 of the portable computer 100 outputs a digital image signal, the signal is transmitted to the module connector 230 of the graphic controller bridge module 200 through the module connection unit 120. The module connector 230 receives the digital video signal through the activated second graphics card signal connection unit 320 and supplies the digital video signal to the second graphics card connector 240b through the signal line for the second graphics card. The second graphics card 250 ′ receives a digital video signal through the second graphics card connector 240b, converts the signal into an analog signal, and outputs the analog video signal to a screen of the display 130.

The cooling fan 260 sucks hot air warmed due to heat generated when driving the second graphic card 250 ′ and discharges it to the outside through the heat dissipation hole 210b of the case 210.

As described above, in the present invention, since the module connector 230 and the graphic card connector 240 are modularized together with the graphics cards 250 and 250 ', the user does not consider the interface specifications of the graphics cards 250 and 250'. You can choose the product of your choice according to your needs. And, when changing and upgrading the graphics environment, the user can easily perform only by replacing the graphics controller module 200.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and many other modifications based on the present invention will be possible to those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

The graphics card connector 240 provided in the graphic controller bridge module 200 according to the present invention may be mounted on the substrate. For example, three graphics card connectors may be mounted on the substrate 220 to use three types of graphics cards.

As described above, the graphic controller bridge module according to the present invention converts graphic cards having different interface specifications into the same interface, thereby ensuring mutual compatibility. In addition, the modularity of the graphics card allows the user to easily change and upgrade the graphics environment with only the solid-state graphics controller bridge module. Therefore, the user has a wider choice of selecting a graphic environment that suits his needs, and can conveniently change and upgrade the graphic environment. That is, the selectivity and convenience of the user may be improved, and various demands of the user for the graphic environment may be satisfied.

In addition, by integrating a cooling fan for a separate graphic controller bridge module instead of the current multi-heat single cooling method, the problem of heat generation can be solved and the product speed can be improved.

Claims (9)

A graphics controller bridge module for converting multiple graphics cards of different specifications into the same graphics interface; And And a computer main body under control of a central processing unit to provide a graphic environment according to a graphic card in the graphic controller bridge module and having a module connection portion to which the graphic controller bridge module is coupled. A portable computer having a graphics controller bridge module that is detachable from a computer body. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphic controller bridge module comprises; A case constituting the appearance; A substrate mounted to the case and having signal lines formed therein; A module connector mounted on the substrate and exposed to the outside of the case and coupled to the module connection unit; And And a plurality of graphics card connectors mounted on the board and mounted with different graphics cards, respectively. 3. The method of claim 2, A plurality of heat dissipation holes are formed on one surface of the case, and the cooling computer further comprises a cooling fan for dissipating heat generated by the graphics card driving through the heat dissipation device. The method of claim 2, wherein the module connector, And a connection terminal for forming an electrical connection between the substrate and the module connection part is located on one surface of each other. The method of claim 4, wherein the connection terminal, Connection terminals for first and second graphics cards for selectively transmitting only signals of the first graphics card and the second graphics card; And A portable computer having a graphics controller bridge module comprising a common connection terminal for performing a common signal transmission between a first graphics card and a second graphics card. A case having a space formed therein and a connector connector formed on one surface thereof for connection with a computer main body having a module connection portion; A substrate disposed in the case and having respective components mounted thereon and having signal wiring formed therebetween; A module connector mounted on the board and connected to a module connection part of a computer main body for transmitting and receiving a signal of a graphics card; And And a first and a second graphics card connector mounted on the board and selectively transmitting signals to the graphics card while being connected to the module connector, respectively. The method according to claim 6, A plurality of heat dissipation holes are formed on one surface of the case, and further comprising a cooling fan for dissipating heat generated by the graphics card driving to the outside through the heat dissipation holes. The method of claim 6, wherein the module connector, And a connection terminal for forming an electrical connection between the substrate and the module connection part is located on one surface of each other. The method of claim 8, wherein the connection terminal, Connection terminals for first and second graphics cards for selectively transmitting only signals of the first graphics card and the second graphics card; And And a common connection terminal for performing common signal transmission between the first graphics card and the second graphics card.

Images