A micro high-performance computer host system and use method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a micro high-performance computer host system, including a host and a base, wherein the host includes a computer module, a host control unit, a base interface, a micro battery, a charging circuit and a high-speed power switching circuit; the base includes a power input interface, a base control unit, a host interface, a host interface power switch, a USB sound card, a USB network card, a network interface, a display interface, an audio interface, a USB interface, a status indicator screen and a fan. The volume of the computer host provided by the present invention is about 100 cubic centimeters, about the size of a box of ordinary cigarettes, and can be carried in a pocket; hot plugging with power on can be achieved through the base interface and the host interface, and automatic sleep and automatic wake-up can be achieved at the same time. After entering the sleep state, the entire host maintains an extremely low power consumption state, and the internal micro battery can ensure that data is not lost for at least one month, creating favorable conditions for improving office efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer host system, in particular to a micro high-performance computer host system, belonging to the computer field. Background Art

[0002] Computers are becoming an indispensable office equipment for people day by day. How to make computers easy to carry and convenient to use has always been a topic that people are constantly researching.

[0003] There are three main models of portable office computers:

[0004] 1. Laptop computer, which has all the functions of a computer and can be used for general office work.

[0005] 2. Tablet computer, which has all the functions of a computer but is easier to carry than a notebook. It is mainly operated by touch but can also be operated with an external keyboard and mouse.

[0006] 3. A microcomputer host, which does not have a display screen or keyboard and other devices, is smaller and easier to carry than a laptop or tablet computer, and requires peripherals such as a dock to work together.

[0007] Defects of the prior art:

[0008] 1. Laptops and tablets cannot be too small in size and weight due to their display screens and batteries, and their portability is still not very good.

[0009] 2. A microcomputer host without a screen and keyboard can be made very small and easy to carry, but it does not have a battery and needs to be turned on and off normally, similar to an ordinary desktop computer, which is time-consuming and cumbersome to operate. Summary of the invention

[0010] In order to improve office efficiency, the present invention provides a micro high-performance computer host system with easy hot plugging, automatic sleep and recovery and a use method thereof.

[0011] The technical scheme adopted by the micro high-performance computer host system and the use method of the present invention is as follows: A micro high-performance computer host system includes a host and a base. The volume of the host is about 100 cubic centimeters, which is about the size of a box of ordinary cigarettes and can be carried in a pocket. The host includes a computer module, a host control unit, a base interface, a micro battery, a charging circuit and a high-speed power switching circuit; the base includes a power input interface, a base control unit, a host interface, a host interface power switch, a USB sound card, a USB wired or wireless network card, a network interface, a display interface, an audio interface, a USB interface, a status indicator screen and a fan;

[0012] Among them, the host computer module, the host control unit and the base interface are connected in pairs, the high-speed power switching circuit is connected to the computer module, the base interface and the micro battery respectively, the micro battery is connected to the charging circuit, and the charging circuit is connected to the host control unit; the base control unit and the host interface power switch are connected to the host interface and the power input interface respectively, the host interface is also connected to the USB sound card, USB wired or wireless network card, network interface, display interface, audio interface and USB interface respectively, and the base control unit is also connected to the status indicator screen, the host interface power switch and the fan.

[0013] Furthermore, the computer module of the host includes a CPU, DDR memory, a solid-state hard disk, a power supply control and peripheral circuits, can independently run the software system, and can be controlled by the control unit to power on or off its internal circuits. The control unit can be composed of a single-chip microcomputer or FPGA, CPLD, or ASIC logic circuit. The micro battery is a rechargeable battery. On the premise of meeting the actual power consumption requirements of the computer module during sleep, a battery with a smaller capacity and a higher discharge rate is used to obtain a smaller volume and weight. The display interface of the host base includes VGA, DVI, HDMI, DP, and Thunderbolt.

[0014] The base has an internal control unit that continuously monitors the current of the host hot-swap detection circuit of the base host interface. When the host is inserted into the base, it will absorb a certain current. After the absorbed current stabilizes for a certain period of time, the base control unit will control the host interface power supply switch to close and conduct to power the host and wake up the host control unit. After the host control unit is awakened, it will communicate serially with the base control unit. After confirming that it is reliably connected to the base, the host control unit will control the internal circuit of the computer module to power on, and then Fig.11 The simulation shown is to press the power button of the computer module to start the computer. The computer module wakes up from the sleep state (the last shutdown state was the sleep shutdown state), restores the software system, and enters the working state. At the same time, the control unit controls the charging circuit to charge the micro battery. When the host is inserted into the base, the base control unit and the host control unit maintain serial communication and exchange operating information in real time. When the serial communication between the base control module and the host control module is terminated for a period of time or the current of the host hot plug detection circuit of the base disappears for a period of time, the base can determine that the host has been removed and will cut off the base's power supply to the host.

[0015] The host can be hot-swapped with power on when it is powered on, and the host can automatically sleep and wake up; the host shell is made of metal and serves as a CPU radiator, and the base is equipped with a fan to cool the host shell; when the machine is finished, there is no need to shut down the machine, and the host can be directly removed from the base and taken away. The high-speed power switching circuit inside the host will detect the host removal status and automatically switch from the base power supply to the micro battery power supply. The control unit of the host will recognize the host removal status by monitoring the power interruption of the base interface, and will notify the computer module to enter the sleep state, and then control the internal circuit of the computer module to cut off the power, and the control unit will also enter the sleep state. The entire host maintains an extremely low power consumption state, and the internal micro battery can ensure that no data is lost for at least one month; when the machine needs to be used, the host is directly placed on the base. The base will automatically power on the host when it recognizes that the host is inserted, and then automatically wake up the host control unit. After the host control unit detects that the host and the base are reliably connected, it controls the internal circuit of the computer module to power on and control the computer module to be released from the sleep state and resume the operating state, and at the same time controls the charging circuit to charge the internal micro battery. By setting up a set of bases and peripherals such as monitors, keyboards, and mice at home and in the office respectively, and switching the host quickly and freely between the two sets of bases, the efficiency of working between two fixed locations can be improved.

[0016] The beneficial effects achieved by the present invention are:

[0017] The computer host provided by the present invention has a volume of about 100 cubic centimeters, which is about the size of a box of ordinary cigarettes and can be carried in a pocket; hot plugging under power can be achieved through a base interface and a host interface, and automatic sleep and automatic wake-up can be achieved at the same time. After entering the sleep state, the entire host maintains an extremely low power consumption state, and the internal micro battery can ensure that no data is lost for at least one month; a set of bases and peripherals such as a display, keyboard, and mouse are respectively set at home and in the office, and the host can switch quickly and freely between the two sets of bases, thereby improving the efficiency of working between two fixed locations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention can be obtained from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and the claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this case, the individual features of the different embodiments shown in the figures can be combined in any desired manner without exceeding the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 It is a structural principle block diagram of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the base and host interface of Example 1;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a control schematic diagram of a host control unit of Example 1;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the base and host interface of Example 2;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of composite control of a host control unit of Example 2;

[0024] Figure 6 A high-speed power switching circuit diagram of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 It is a base working flow chart of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 It is a mainframe workflow diagram of the present invention;

[0027] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the host control unit notifying the computer module to sleep through the serial port;

[0028] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of the host control unit notifying the computer module to sleep through keyboard keywords;

[0029] Fig.11 This is a schematic diagram of the host control unit controlling the computer module to start and sleep via the power button;

[0030] Fig.12 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the host computer module;

[0031] Fig.13 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the host control unit.

[0032] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0034] Embodiment 1:

[0035] In this embodiment, a micro high-performance computer host system, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a host and a base, the host includes a computer module, a host control unit and a base interface; the base includes a power input interface, a base control unit, a host interface, a host interface power switch, a USB sound card, a USB wired or wireless network card, a network interface, a display interface, an audio interface and a USB interface;

[0036] Among them, the host computer module, the host control unit and the base interface are connected in pairs; the base control unit and the host interface power supply switch are respectively connected to the host interface and the power input interface, the base control unit is connected to the host interface power supply switch, and the host interface is also respectively connected to the USB sound card, USB wired or wireless network card, network interface, display interface, audio interface and USB interface.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the interface between the base and the host includes USB signals, display signals, serial communication signals, signals for waking up the host control unit, host hot-plug detection signals, and power supply lines from the base to the host. The USB signals are used for the base to access network, audio, keyboard, mouse, U disk and other devices; the display signals are used for the base to access the display device; the serial communication signals are used for the base and the host control unit to perform bidirectional (or quasi-bidirectional) communication. In order to simplify the signal lines between the base and the host, a commonly used two-wire protocol, such as a two-wire UART, I2C or a custom protocol, can be used, or a single-wire quasi-bidirectional protocol can be used.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the host hot-plug detection signal is used by the base to detect whether the host is plugged in. The principle is that the insertion of the host provides an additional current loop R2 to the base. The base control unit identifies whether the host is plugged in through the voltage value of point U2 monitored by 002 voltage. The power supply is used by the base to provide power to the host. After the base control unit identifies that the host is plugged in, the base control unit turns on SW1 through 003 to power the host. After the base powers the host, the base control unit wakes up the host control unit with a pulse or level through 001.

[0039] The host also includes a micro battery, a charging circuit and a high-speed power switching circuit. The high-speed power switching circuit is connected to the computer module, the base interface and the micro battery respectively. The micro battery is connected to the charging circuit, and the charging circuit is connected to the host control unit.

[0040] The micro battery uses three 3.8V 250mAH 25C discharge rate lithium batteries (YANLLPOERER601148) connected in series to provide backup power for the computer module. The minimum voltage of the three batteries in series is about 10V (calculated based on the discharge termination voltage of 3.35V), and the current can reach 25*0.25=6.25A. The maximum continuous output power is 10V*6.25A=62.5W, which meets the power consumption needs of the computer module. The maximum power continuous working time is 60 minutes / 25, about 2.4 minutes. Generally, a computer module equipped with a solid-state hard drive takes about 10 seconds to sleep. The battery configured in this example fully meets our functional requirements. Its volume is about 13 cubic centimeters and its weight is about 18 grams.

[0041] The high-speed power switching circuit is as follows Figure 6As shown, the computer module is powered by two electronic switches SW1 and SW2 in opposite states in parallel. When the base is powered, U1 turns on SW1 and turns off SW2, the computer module is powered by the base, and the micro battery is in standby mode; when the base is not powered, U1 turns on SW2 and turns off SW1, and the computer module is powered by the micro battery; in the process of switching switches, there may be a state where SW1 and SW2 are disconnected at the same time, and the charge stored in C1 maintains the power supply of the computer module.

[0042] In the power management strategy of the computer module software system, it is set to automatically enter sleep mode when the power button is pressed in the power-on state. Then, the host control unit controls the computer module to simulate pressing the power button in the power-on state to realize automatic sleep control. Fig.11 As shown; or a control program is run in the computer module software system, and when the control program receives the notification from the host control unit, it can control the computer module to enter the sleep mode. The way in which the control program receives the notification from the host control unit can be as follows Fig. 9 Serial communication as shown or as Fig.10 As shown in the keyboard keywords, when the host control unit detects that the computer module has entered the sleep mode, it will control the internal circuit of the computer module to cut off the power.

[0043] The computer module of the host is as follows Fig.12 As shown, it includes CPU, DDR memory, solid-state drive, power supply control and peripheral circuits, can run the software system independently, and can be controlled by the control unit to power on or off its internal circuits. Among them, 001 display signal and 002 USB signal are connected to the base interface, 003 power button interface, 004 communication interface, 006 power-on control is connected to the host control unit, and 007 is connected to the high-speed power switching circuit as the power input terminal. The CPU power consumption is a low-power type with a TDP of about 25W.

[0044] The control unit can be composed of a single chip microcomputer or FPGA, CPLD, or ASIC logic circuit. Fig.13 It indicates a functional structure using a single-chip microcomputer as a host control unit, 001 power button interface, 002 communication interface, 003 power-on control are connected to the computer module, respectively controlling the power-on, sleep, power-on and power-off of the computer module; 004 charging control is connected to the charging circuit to control the charging of the micro battery; 005 base communication interface, 006 interrupt or reset wake-up, 007 AD voltage monitoring are connected to the base interface, respectively realizing communication with the base control unit, receiving the base control unit wake-up signal to realize the 010 single-chip microcomputer to wake up from sleep, and monitoring whether the base power supply is maintained through the AD converter (that is, judging whether the host is removed from the base); 008 base power supply is connected to the base, and 009 battery power supply is connected to the micro battery, so that the base and the micro battery provide dual power supply to the single-chip microcomputer.

[0045] The display interface of the host base includes VGA, DVI, HDMI, DP, and Thunderbolt. The base also includes a fan, which is connected to the base control unit and is used to cool the host shell. The base also includes a status indicator screen, which is connected to the base control unit and is used to prompt the status of the host.

[0046] In this embodiment, Figure 7 The base working flow chart of the present invention is shown as follows: Figure 8 The mainframe work flow chart of the present invention is as follows:

[0047] When the base interface and the host interface are connected, the base control unit automatically detects that the host is inserted, automatically powers on the host, and automatically wakes up the host control unit; after the host control unit automatically detects a reliable connection, it automatically controls the internal circuit of the computer module to power on, and then simulates pressing the computer module power button to release the computer module from the sleep state and resume the operating state, and automatically controls the charging circuit to charge the micro battery; when the base interface and the host interface are separated, the high-speed power switching circuit monitors the host removal state, and automatically switches from the base power supply to the micro battery power supply. The host control unit detects the host removal state through the power supply interruption of the base interface, automatically controls the computer module to enter the sleep state, and then automatically controls the internal circuit of the computer module to power off, the machine control unit also enters the sleep state, and the host remains in a low power consumption state.

[0048] In order to further achieve the above object, the present invention also provides a second embodiment.

[0049] Embodiment 2:

[0050] In this embodiment, a micro high-performance computer host system, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a host and a base, the host includes a computer module, a host control unit and a base interface; the base includes a power input interface, a base control unit, a host interface, a host interface power switch, a USB sound card, a USB wired or wireless network card, a network interface, a display interface, an audio interface and a USB interface;

[0051] Among them, the host computer module, the host control unit and the base interface are connected in pairs; the base control unit and the host interface power supply switch are respectively connected to the host interface and the power input interface, the base control unit is connected to the host interface power supply switch, and the host interface is also respectively connected to the USB sound card, USB wired or wireless network card, network interface, display interface, audio interface and USB interface.

[0052] like Figure 4As shown, the interface between the base and the host includes USB signals, display signals, and serial communication signals. In order to reduce the connection lines between the base and the host, the signal for waking up the host control unit, the host hot plug detection signal, and the base's power supply to the host are compositely controlled. Figure 5 Before the host and the base are connected, SW1 is in the closed state. The base control unit voltage detection 1 measures that the voltage at point U2 is equal to point U1. After the host is inserted into the base, R2 is connected to the circuit. Assume R1=R2, then the voltage at point U2 is equal to half of U1. Based on this change, the insertion of the host can be detected, and then the base control unit controls SW1 to turn on, so that the base can supply power to the host. At the same time, the voltage at point U2 jumps from half U1 to U1. The host uses a level trigger circuit to convert this jump into a single pulse to wake up the host control unit. R3 is a current sampling resistor of about 10 milliohms. The voltage at point U3 can be used for loop current monitoring. When the host is removed, the voltage of voltage detection 2 will become 0. Through this change, the host unplugging detection is realized. After detecting that the host is unplugged, the base control unit will control SW1 to disconnect.

[0053] The host also includes a micro battery, a charging circuit and a high-speed power switching circuit. The high-speed power switching circuit is connected to the computer module, the base interface and the micro battery respectively. The micro battery is connected to the charging circuit, and the charging circuit is connected to the host control unit.

[0054] The computer module of the host includes a CPU, DDR memory, a solid-state hard disk, a power supply control and peripheral circuits, can independently run the software system, can be controlled by the control unit to power on or off its internal circuit, and the switch CPU power consumption is a low-power type of about TDP25W. The control unit can be composed of a single-chip microcomputer or FPGA, CPLD, ASIC logic circuit. The micro battery is a rechargeable battery. On the premise of meeting the actual dormant power consumption requirements of the computer module, a battery with a smaller capacity and a higher discharge rate is used to obtain a smaller volume and weight. The display interface of the host base includes VGA, DVI, HDMI, DP, and Thunderbolt. The base also includes a fan, which is connected to the base control unit for air cooling and heat dissipation of the host shell. The base also includes a status indicator screen, which is connected to the base control unit for prompting the plug-in and unplug status of the host.

[0055] In this embodiment, Figure 7 The base working flow chart of the present invention is shown as follows: Figure 8 The mainframe work flow chart of the present invention is as follows:

[0056] When the base interface and the host interface are connected, the base control unit automatically detects that the host is inserted, automatically powers on the host, and automatically wakes up the host control unit; after the host control unit automatically detects a reliable connection, it automatically controls the internal circuit of the computer module to power on, and automatically simulates pressing the computer module power button to release the computer module from the sleep state and resume the operating state, and at the same time controls the charging circuit to charge the micro battery; when the base interface and the host interface are separated, the high-speed power switching circuit detects the host removal state, and automatically switches from the base power supply to the micro battery power supply. The host control unit detects the host removal state by monitoring the power supply interruption of the base interface, automatically controls the computer module to enter the sleep state, and then automatically controls the internal circuit of the computer module to power off, the host control unit also enters the sleep state, and the host remains in a low power consumption state.

[0057] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A micro high-performance computer host system, characterized in that: The system includes a host and a base, wherein the host includes a computer module, a host control unit and a base interface; the base includes a power input interface, a base control unit, a host interface, a host interface power switch, a display interface and a USB interface group; The computer module is connected to the host control unit, and the host control unit and the computer module are connected to the base through the base interface; the power input interface is respectively connected to the base control unit and the host interface power switch, and the USB interface group, the display interface, the base control unit and the host interface power switch are all connected to the host through the host interface, and the base interface and the host interface are connected in a pluggable manner; The host also includes a micro battery, a charging circuit and a high-speed power switching circuit, the high-speed power switching circuit is connected to the computer module, the base interface and the micro battery respectively, the micro battery is connected to the charging circuit, and the charging circuit is connected to the host control unit; The host control unit is composed of a single chip microcomputer or FPGA, CPLD, ASIC logic circuit; The functional structure of the single-chip microcomputer as a host control unit is that the power button interface (001), the communication interface (002), and the power-on control (003) are connected to the computer module, respectively controlling the power-on, sleep, power-on and power-off of the computer module; the charging control (004) is connected to the charging circuit to control the charging of the micro battery; the base communication interface (005), the interrupt or reset wake-up (006), and the AD voltage monitoring (007) are connected to the base interface, respectively realizing communication with the base control unit, receiving the base control unit wake-up signal to realize the single-chip microcomputer (010) to wake up from sleep, and monitoring whether the base power supply is maintained through the AD converter; the base power supply (008) is connected to the base, and the battery power supply (009) is connected to the micro battery, so that the base and the micro battery provide dual-channel power supply to the single-chip microcomputer; The high-speed power switching circuit supplies power to the computer module through two electronic switches SW1 and SW2 in opposite states in parallel. When the base is powered, the high-speed voltage comparator turns on SW1 and turns off SW2, and the computer module is powered by the base, and the micro battery is in a standby state; when the base is not powered, the high-speed voltage comparator turns on SW2 and turns off SW1, and the computer module is powered by the micro battery; if SW1 and SW2 are disconnected at the same time during the switch switching process, the charge stored in the capacitor C maintains the power supply of the computer module; The three circuits are compositely controlled to wake up the host control unit, detect the host hot plug, and power the host from the base. Before the host and the base are connected, SW1 is in the closed state. The first voltage detection (1) of the base control unit measures that the voltage at point U2 is equal to that at point U1. When the host is inserted into the base, the second resistor R2 is connected to the circuit. Assuming the first resistor R1=the second resistor R2, the voltage at point U2 is equal to half of U1. The insertion of the host is detected based on the change. The base control unit controls SW1 to be turned on, and the base supplies power to the host. At the same time, the voltage at point U2 jumps from half of U1 to U1. The host uses a level trigger circuit to convert this jump into a single pulse to wake up the host control unit. R3 is a 10 milliohm current sampling resistor. The voltage at point U3 is used to monitor the current of the loop. When the host is removed, the voltage of the second voltage detection (2) will become 0. This change realizes the host unplugging detection. After detecting that the host is unplugged, the base control unit controls SW1 to be disconnected.

2. A micro high-performance computer host system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The computer module of the host includes a CPU, DDR memory, a solid-state hard disk and peripheral circuits, and can independently run the software system. The CPU power consumption is a low-power type of TDP25W.

3. A micro high-performance computer host system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The micro battery is a rechargeable battery. On the premise of meeting the actual power consumption requirements of the computer module during sleep, a battery with a smaller capacity and a higher discharge rate is used to obtain a smaller volume and weight.

4. A micro high-performance computer host system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display interface of the host base includes VGA, DVI, HDMI, DP, and Thunderbolt.

5. A micro high-performance computer host system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base also includes a fan, which is connected to the base control unit and is used for air cooling and heat dissipation of the mainframe housing.

6. A micro high-performance computer host system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base also includes a status indicator screen, which is connected to the base control unit and is used to prompt the status of the host.

7. The micro high-performance computer host system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The USB interface group is connected to the host interface through a USB HUB, and includes a USB sound card, a USB network card, a network interface, an audio interface and a USB interface.

8. A method for using a micro high-performance computer host system, comprising any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: The steps include: S1: When the base interface and the host interface are connected, the base interface automatically supplies power to the host and automatically wakes up the host control unit; S2: After the host control unit detects a reliable connection with the base, it automatically controls the computer module to release from the sleep state and resume the running state, and at the same time controls the charging circuit to charge the micro battery; S3: When the dock interface and the host interface are separated, the high-speed power switching circuit detects the host removal state and automatically switches from the dock power supply to the micro battery power supply without interruption; S4: The host control unit detects that the host is removed and notifies the computer module to enter the sleep state. Then the host control unit also automatically enters the sleep state, and the host remains in a low power consumption state.

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