Portable computing unit system with novel interface and implementation method

Abstract

The invention discloses a portable computing unit system with a novel interface and an implementation method, the system is composed of a portable computing unit and a base, the portable computing unit comprises a CPU, an internal memory, a non-loss storage module, a startup and shutdown circuit, a signal coding synthesis module and the novel interface connected with the base, the base comprises a power supply interface, a USB interface, a display interface, an audio interface, a signal decoding and separating module and a novel interface connected with the portable computing unit. The novel interface comprises a two-core power supply channel and a bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel. According to the scheme, the novel interface is used for reducing the number of electric contact points, reducing the equipment failure rate, achieving waterproof and dustproof effects, being easy to clean and maintain, improving the reliability and maintainability of the equipment, adopting a mode that the equipment can normally work by aligning and approaching, and being higher in durability and longer in service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of computer technology, and in particular to a portable computing unit system with a new interface and an implementation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Currently, common portable computing units include microcomputer hosts (also known as MINI PCs), computer sticks, laptops, tablet computers, and mobile phones. Microcomputer hosts and computer sticks need to be connected to more electronic connectors when working, and the operation is relatively cumbersome. Some computer stick products can only be connected to one electronic connector, but there are also many contacts inside the connector. Poor contact is a common failure of electronic products. Therefore, this type of product has a high failure rate and a short service life. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the above technical problems, the present invention provides a portable computing unit system with a new interface and an implementation method thereof.

[0004] The present invention is implemented by adopting the following technical scheme: a portable computing unit system with a new interface, including a portable computing unit, a base, and a new interface respectively arranged in the portable computing unit and the base for interconnection; the new interface includes a 2-core power supply channel for powering the portable computing unit and a bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel.

[0005] Specifically, the portable computing unit includes: a CPU, a memory, a non-volatile storage module, a power on / off circuit, and a signal coding synthesis module.

[0006] Specifically, the base includes: a power interface, a USB interface, a display interface, an audio interface and a signal decoding and separation module.

[0007] Specifically, the signal encoding and synthesis module encodes and synthesizes the video signal, the USB signal and the audio signal into a high-speed serial signal.

[0008] Specifically, the signal decoding and separation module decodes and separates the received high-speed serial signal into a video signal, a USB signal and an audio signal.

[0009] Specifically, the 2-core power supply channel for powering the portable computing unit also includes a wireless power supply mode, and the bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel also includes an electrical connection.

[0010] Specifically, the bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel adopts a direct optical communication mode, and the bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel adopts a direct optical communication mode, and the optical receiving and sending devices communicate when they are aligned and close to each other.

[0011] A method for implementing a portable computing unit system with a novel interface comprises the following steps: Step S1: The portable computing unit is connected to the base via the novel interface; Step S2: Turn on the device, convert the video signal, USB signal and audio signal into high-speed serial signals through the signal encoding and synthesis module, and send them to the new interface to convert them into optical signals, and the new interface sends the optical signals to the base; Step S3: The new interface of the base converts the optical signal into a high-speed serial electrical signal and sends it to the signal decoding and separation module. The signal decoding and separation module outputs a video signal, a USB signal and an audio signal to drive corresponding peripherals, and the portable computing unit works normally. Step S4: After use, shut down the device.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: (1) The portable computing unit and the base of the present invention have a new type of interface. The new type of interface only has a two-core power supply channel and a bidirectional optical communication channel, and has fewer electrical connection contacts. Connection contacts are a high-incidence point of failure in electronic products. Reducing the number of contacts can reduce the failure rate of the equipment.

[0013] (2) In the present invention, the two-core power supply channel of the new interface has fewer connection contacts, which is convenient for adopting a larger surface electrode + multiple conductive spring pins arranged side by side to achieve a parallel conduction effect, which is convenient for achieving high reliability, waterproof and dustproof and easy to clean; the optical transmission data channel of the new interface adopts a direct light communication method, and the optical receiving and transmitting devices can communicate by aligning and approaching, without the need for the "insertion and locking" structure of the optical fiber in the optical fiber communication mode, and the optical communication components can be planarized, which is convenient for waterproof and dustproof and cleaning and maintenance of the optical path; thus, the entire new interface can be easily waterproof and dustproof and easy to clean and maintain, which is beneficial to improving the reliability and maintainability of the equipment.

[0014] (3) In the present invention, power connection 1, power connection 2, and optical communication are all easy to realize planarization, and there is no "insertion locking" structure of the connector. Even if the portable computing unit and the base are accidentally impacted or dropped, the portable computing unit and the base can be quickly separated. The new interface will not be subjected to great stress and has good impact resistance. Compared with the connector mode used in traditional microcomputer hosts and computer sticks, the portable computing unit and the base have higher durability and longer life. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying creative work.

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a portable computing unit system in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 It is a circuit module diagram of the signal coding synthesis module of mode 1 in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 It is a circuit module diagram of a signal coding synthesis module of mode 2 in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 1 is a block diagram of a novel interface circuit in Mode 1 of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 1 is a block diagram of a novel interface circuit in Mode 2 of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 1 is a block diagram of a novel interface circuit in Mode 3 of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 It is a circuit module diagram of a signal decoding and separation module of mode 1 in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 4 is a circuit module diagram of a signal decoding and separation module of Mode 2 in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0018] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0019] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 8 , some embodiments of the present invention are described in detail. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0020] The present invention proposes a portable computing unit system with a novel interface. In a preferred embodiment, the portable computing unit system is as follows: Figure 1As shown, it includes: a portable computing unit and a base, and a new interface for interconnecting the portable computing unit and the base; the portable computing unit includes: a CPU, a memory, a non-lost storage module, a power on / off circuit, and a signal encoding synthesis module; wherein the non-lost storage module can be composed of a hard disk, a memory card or a FLASH chip; the base includes: a power interface, a USB interface, a display interface, an audio interface, and a signal decoding separation module; the new interface includes: a 2-core power supply channel for supplying power to the portable computing unit, and a bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel; wherein the 2-core power supply channel for supplying power to the portable computing unit can also be equivalently replaced by a wireless power supply mode; wherein the bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel can also be equivalently replaced by an electrical connection.

[0021] In this embodiment, the signal encoding and synthesis module encodes the video signal, USB signal, and audio signal into a high-speed serial signal; the signal decoding and separation module decodes and separates the received high-speed serial signal into a video signal, USB signal, and audio signal.

[0022] In this embodiment, the two-core power supply channel included in the new interface adopts the surface electrode + conductive spring pin method, so that the power supply channel of the portable computing unit system can be easily sealed and planarized, waterproof and easy to clean, remove dust and maintain, thereby extending the service life of the power supply channel. The two-core power supply channel included in the new interface has only two electrical connections and fewer contacts. Larger surface electrodes and a larger number of conductive spring pins can be used side by side to achieve the effect of parallel conduction power supply, thereby reducing the probability of device failure caused by failure of the conductive spring pin and further improving device reliability.

[0023] In this embodiment, the bidirectional optical transmission data channel included in the new interface does not use the fiber optic access mode, but uses the direct light transmission mode. In the short-distance optical communication application scenario, the optical transmitter and the receiver can be aligned and close to achieve communication through direct light. The direct light communication method uses a light-transmitting protective component sheet to cover the optical emitting device and the optical receiving device to achieve protection of the optical transmission channel, and the light-transmitting protective component sheet and the equipment housing can be made into the same plane, which is convenient for cleaning, dust removal and maintenance of the optical path, thereby extending the service life of the optical transmission data channel.

[0024] The two-core power supply channel included in the new interface adopts surface electrodes, and the bidirectional optical transmission data channel included in the new interface adopts direct light communication and uses a transparent protective component sheet to protect the light emitting device and the light receiving device, so that the above-mentioned surface electrode and the above-mentioned transparent protective component sheet are in the same plane or parallel planes, so that the functional units related to the new interface of the portable computing unit and the base are aligned one by one, so that when the portable computing unit and the base are aligned and close, the surface electrode can realize power supply through the conductive elastic pin, and the optical transmission data channel can realize communication through the direct light transmission mode, and the portable computing unit can be turned on and enter the normal working mode; during the operation of the portable computing unit, the base and the portable computing unit can be combined together using magnetic force; the new interface does not have the "insertion locking" structure in traditional electronic connectors and traditional optical fiber communications. Even if the portable computing unit and the base are accidentally impacted or dropped, the portable computing unit and the base can be quickly separated. The new interface will not bear great stress and has good impact resistance. This form of normal operation when aligned and close is more durable and has a longer life than the connector mode used in traditional microcomputer hosts and computer sticks.

[0025] The present invention also accordingly proposes a method for implementing a portable computing unit of a novel interface, comprising the following steps: S1. The portable computing unit is connected to the base through a new interface; S2. Turn on the device, and the video signal, USB signal, and audio signal are converted into high-speed serial signals through the signal encoding and synthesis module and sent to the new interface to be converted into optical signals. The new interface sends the optical signals to the base; S3. The new interface of the base converts the optical signal into a high-speed serial electrical signal and sends it to the signal decoding and separation module. The signal decoding and separation module outputs the video signal, USB signal, and audio signal to drive the corresponding peripherals, and the portable computing unit works normally; S4. After use, turn off the device.

[0026] In a specific embodiment, a portable computing unit system with a new interface is composed of a portable computing unit and a base. The portable computing unit includes a CPU, memory, a non-volatile storage module, a power on / off circuit, a signal encoding and synthesis module, and a new interface connected to the base. The base includes a power interface, a USB interface, a display interface, an audio interface, a signal decoding and separation module, and a new interface connected to the portable computing unit. The new interface includes a 2-core power supply channel and a bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel.

[0027] The CPU of the portable computer unit may adopt an X86 architecture, an ARM architecture, a MIPS (LA) architecture, or a POWER architecture.

[0028] The memory of the portable computer unit can adopt SRAM, DRAM.

[0029] The non-volatile storage module of the portable computer unit can adopt HDD, SSD, FLASH, SD CARD, MicroSDCARD, CF CARD, CFAST CARD, CFexpress CARD, NM CARD, XDQ CARD.

[0030] The signal coding synthesis module mode is the same as Figure 2 As shown, the analog audio signal is converted into a 12S digital audio signal by the AD chip CS5340 and the DA chip CS4344 and sent to the FPGA XC7A35T IO for processing; for different chip solutions, some CPUs can also directly output digital audio signals, and the digital audio signals are directly sent to the FPGA XC7A35T IO for processing without the need for AD and DA chip conversion; the HDMI digital video signal is converted into an RGB format digital signal by the LT8619C chip and sent to the FPGA XC7A35T IO for processing; for different chip solutions, DP, THUNDERBOLT and other video interfaces can also be used, and the corresponding decoding chip can be used to match the conversion signal with the FPGA IO; the USB signal is converted into an RGMii digital signal by the CH317 chip (working in the host computer mode) and sent to the FPGA XC7A35T IO is used for processing; the HDMI signal is in 1920*1080@60Hz, 24bit true color format per pixel, and its total bit rate is 1920*1080*24*60, about 3Gbps; the RGMii digital signal bit rate is 1 Gbps; the audio bit rate is 16*44100*2, which is 1.4112Mbps, according to 16bit@44.1K stereo. The total bit rate of the three inputs is about 4Gbps. The FPGA chip is programmed to use time division multiplexing technology to encode and mix the three signals for transmission. The FPGA XC7A35T integrates a high-speed serial transceiver, and its maximum bit rate supports up to 6.6Gbps, which can meet the requirements of three-way signal input encoding and mixing transmission; the FPGA XC7A35T has the ability to process related signals, and can also be completed by other models of FPGA or CPLD, ASIC chips with the same capabilities; the CH317 chip can also be replaced by the similar chip CH315H.

[0031] Signal coding synthesis module mode 2 Figure 3As shown, the processing method of audio signal and HDMI digital video signal is the same as the aforementioned "Signal Coding Synthesis Module Mode 1", the difference lies in the processing of USB signal. CH318 is a chip that converts USB1.0 and 2.0 signals into a pair of differential isolation signals for bidirectional transmission. Here, CH318 is set to host mode. The differential isolation signal of CH318 and power connection 1 and power connection 2 are coupled together through high-frequency isolation inductors, isolation transformers, and DC isolation capacitors, so that the two-core connection can simultaneously complete the power supply and USB signal transmission; NS1021, VL670, VL671, and CH318 have similar processing capabilities.

[0032] New interface mode Figure 4 Shown: The novel interface of the portable computing unit includes power connection 1, power connection 2, optical communication output, and optical communication input; wherein, power connection 1 and power connection 2 use surface electrodes, and the optical communication output and optical communication input use photoelectric conversion devices to convert the high-speed serial signal of the signal encoding and decoding module into an optical signal, the photoelectric conversion device is covered and protected by a light-transmitting material, and the surface electrodes and the light-transmitting material are arranged on plane one.

[0033] The new interface of the base includes a conductive spring pin, a power connection 1, a power connection 2, an optical communication input, and an optical communication output; wherein the conductive spring pin is an independent component and can be replaced separately if worn, and multiple conductive spring pins can be arranged side by side to achieve the effect of parallel conduction, thereby further improving reliability; the optical communication output and the optical communication input are covered and protected by a light-transmitting material and are arranged on plane 2 on the outer surface of the base, and the power connection 1 and the power connection 2 are surface electrodes located on plane 3; plane 2 and plane 3 are parallel, and plane 3 is lower than plane 2, so that the length of the conductive spring pin is slightly larger than the height difference between plane 2 and plane 3, and when the base and the portable computing unit are aligned and close to each other, the conductive spring pin can be connected to the power connection 1 and the power connection 2 through an elastic connection to realize power supply, and the optical communication channel realizes data communication; during the operation of the portable computing unit, the base and the portable computing unit can be combined together using magnetic force.

[0034] New interface mode 2 Figure 5 As shown, power connection 1 and power connection 2 are equivalently replaced by wireless power supply mode, and the rest is the same as the aforementioned mode 1.

[0035] New interface mode: Figure 6 As shown, the optical communication channel is replaced by an electrical connection equivalent, and the rest is the same as the aforementioned mode 1.

[0036] The signal decoding separation module mode 1 matches the aforementioned "signal encoding synthesis module mode 1", such as Figure 7As shown in the figure, the high-speed serial signal of the new interface is connected to the FPGA chip, and the FPAG chip is used for decoding to restore the I2S digital audio signal, RGB digital video signal, and RGMII signal containing USB data; the I2S digital audio signal is converted into an analog audio signal to drive the headset and speakers through the AD CS5340 chip and the DA CS4344 chip; the RGB digital video signal is restored to an HDMI signal to drive the display through the LT8618 video conversion chip; by using conversion chips with different characteristics, displays in other modes such as DP and VGA can also be supported; the RGMII signal containing USB data is restored to a USB signal to drive the USB device through the CH317 (working in the slave mode).

[0037] Signal decoding separation module mode 2 matches the aforementioned "signal encoding synthesis module mode 2", such as Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the processing method of audio signal and HDMI digital video signal is the same as the aforementioned "signal decoding separation module mode 1", the difference lies in the processing of USB signal. CH318 is a chip that converts USB1.0 and 2.0 signals into a pair of differential isolation signals for bidirectional transmission. Here, CH318 is set to slave mode. The differential isolation signal of CH318 and power connection 1 and power connection 2 are coupled together through high-frequency isolation inductors, isolation transformers, and DC isolation capacitors, so that the two-core connection can simultaneously complete the power supply and USB signal transmission.

[0038] For the aforementioned embodiments, for the sake of simplicity, they are all described as a series of action combinations, but those skilled in the art should be aware that the present application is not limited by the order of the actions described, because according to the present application, some steps can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also be aware that the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments, and the actions involved are not necessarily required by the present application.

[0039] The above embodiments describe the basic principles and main features of the present invention and the advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments, and the above embodiments and descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art shall be within the scope of protection of the appended claims of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A portable computing unit system with a new interface, characterized in that: The invention comprises a portable computing unit, a base and a new type of interface respectively arranged in the portable computing unit and the base for interconnection; the new type of interface comprises a 2-core power supply channel for supplying power to the portable computing unit and a bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel.

2. A portable computing unit system with a novel interface as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The portable computing unit specifically includes: a CPU, a memory, a non-loss storage module, a power on / off circuit and a signal coding synthesis module.

3. A portable computing unit system with a novel interface as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The base includes: a power interface, a USB interface, a display interface, an audio interface and a signal decoding and separation module.

4. A portable computing unit system with a novel interface as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The signal encoding and synthesis module encodes and synthesizes the video signal, the USB signal and the audio signal into a high-speed serial signal.

5. A portable computing unit system with a novel interface as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The signal decoding and separation module decodes and separates the received high-speed serial signal into a video signal, a USB signal and an audio signal.

6. A portable computing unit system with a novel interface as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The 2-core power supply channel for powering the portable computing unit also includes a wireless power supply mode, and the bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel also includes an electrical connection.

7. A portable computing unit system with a novel interface as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The bidirectional optical transmission high-speed data channel adopts a direct optical communication mode, and the optical receiving and transmitting devices communicate when they are aligned and close to each other.

8. A method for implementing a portable computing unit system with a new interface, based on the portable computing unit system with a new interface as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step S1: The portable computing unit is connected to the base via the novel interface; Step S2: Turn on the device, convert the video signal, USB signal and audio signal into high-speed serial signals through the signal encoding and synthesis module, and send them to the new interface to convert them into optical signals, and the new interface sends the optical signals to the base; Step S3: The new interface of the base converts the optical signal into a high-speed serial electrical signal and sends it to the signal decoding and separation module. The signal decoding and separation module outputs a video signal, a USB signal and an audio signal to drive corresponding peripherals, and the portable computing unit works normally. Step S4: After use, shut down the device.

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