Computer expansion device detection device

Abstract

A detection device is provided that uses electrical current to analyze various computer augmentation devices. [Solution] In a detection device for a computer expansion device including a control unit 3, a detection unit 4 and a load unit 5, the control unit includes a control module 31, a power transmission channel 32 connected to the control module, a control transmission channel 33, and a power supply module connected to the power transmission channel, the detection unit includes an electrical detection module arranged between the power supply module and the power transmission channel, and a switch module arranged between the power supply module and the power transmission channel, the electrical detection module and the switch module exhibit a parallel connection relationship, the load unit includes at least one load module 51 connected to the power transmission channel and the control transmission channel, and the electrical detection module detects the load power value of the load module and analyzes the type of the load module.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection device, and more particularly to a detection device that uses electrical current to analyze various computer expansion devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional computer systems already provide devices that allow users to configure expansion devices, including fans, water pumps, light emitting devices (LEDs), etc., and the computer system can control the configured expansion devices.

[0003] Among them, when a user sets up an expansion device, the computer system expects the user to manually select the type, number and configuration of the expansion device from a predefined menu so that the computer system can accurately control the expansion device. However, in actual use, the following problems still exist:

[0004] 1. The manual setup procedure is cumbersome.

[0005] Conventional computer systems do not have the ability to proactively detect connected expansion devices, so users must manually select the type, number and configuration of expansion devices from the computer system menu, which makes the setup process very cumbersome and requires users to spend a lot of time setting up.

[0006] 2. It is error-prone.

[0007] When a user sets up a large number of different expansion devices, the user must set the configuration of each expansion device, but some users do not understand the expansion devices connected to the computer system, so manual menu selection is very error-prone, and incorrect settings can cause the computer system to be unable to control the expansion devices.

[0008] 3. Self-detection is not possible.

[0009] Some DIY players often replace the expansion devices connected to their computer systems, but because the computer system cannot perform automatic testing, the computer cannot automatically test the expansion device every time it is replaced, and the user must manually enter the menu to set it up before the computer system can control the replaced expansion device.

[0010] Therefore, it is an urgent goal for related artisans to enable a computer system to automatically check the type of expansion device connected thereto and automatically confirm the set quantity and configuration. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a detection device for a computer expansion device, which includes a control unit, a detection unit and a loading unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The control unit includes a control module, a power transmission channel connected to the control module, a control transmission channel connected to the control module, and a power supply module connected to the power transmission channel.

[0013] The detection unit includes an electrical detection module arranged between the power supply module and the power transmission channel, and a switch module arranged between the power supply module and the power transmission channel, and the electrical detection module and the switch module exhibit a parallel connection relationship.

[0014] The load unit includes at least one load module connected to the power transmission channel and the control transmission channel.

[0015] Another technical solution of the present invention is that the control module is provided with a switch control element, and the switch control element enables the control module to control the switch module to a short-circuit state and an open state, so that when the switch module is in an open state, the power output from the power supply module passes through the electrical detection module, and when the switch module is in a short-circuit state, the power output from the power supply module passes through the switch module.

[0016] Another technical solution of the present invention is that the control module is provided with an electrical sensing element, which enables the control module to detect a voltage drop across the electrical sensing module and calculate a load power value flowing through the electrical sensing module.

[0017] Another technical measure of the present invention is that the above-mentioned control unit further includes a device comparison module connected to the control module, and the device comparison module stores the type of the load module and the corresponding load power value so as to analyze the type of the load module from the load power value provided by the control module.

[0018] Another technical solution of the present invention is that the control module is provided with a position control element, the load modules are multiple, each load module is provided with a dedicated position, and the position control element controls the operation of the load modules by the control module respectively.

[0019] In still another aspect of the present invention, the control module is provided with an alternating control element, which enables the control module to operate the plurality of load modules alternately.

[0020] In still another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of load modules and the power transmission channel are in a parallel relationship, and the plurality of load modules and the control transmission channel are in a series relationship.

[0021] In still another technical solution of the present invention, the above-mentioned load module comprises an electronic element connected to the power transmission channel and the control transmission channel.

[0022] In still another technical solution of the present invention, the load module comprises a driving element connected to the power transmission channel and the control transmission channel, and an electronic element connected to the driving element.

[0023] In still another aspect of the present invention, the load module is selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, a fan, a motor, and combinations thereof. Effect of the Invention

[0024] The present invention has the beneficial effect that when the computer is started, the switch control element activates the multiple load modules one by one, and the electrical detection element obtains the current of each load module, and the computer analyzes the type, quantity and configuration of each load module based on the obtained current. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first preferred embodiment of a detection device for a computer expansion device according to the present invention, illustrating the state in which the detection device for the computer expansion device is connected to a motherboard; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional module setting schematic diagram for explaining a functional module setting form of a detection device of the computer expansion device in the first preferred embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional module setting schematic diagram for illustrating a functional module setting form of the detection device for a computer expansion device according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The features and technical contents of the patent application related to the present invention will be clearly presented in the following detailed description of two preferred embodiments with reference to the following drawings. Prior to the detailed description, please note that similar components are given the same numbers.

[0027] 1 and 2, a first preferred embodiment of the detection device of computer expansion device according to the present invention is shown, said detection device of computer expansion device includes a control unit 3, a detection unit 4 and a loading unit 5. As shown in FIG.

[0028] The control unit 3 includes a control module 31, a power transmission channel 32 connected to the control module 31, a control transmission channel 33 connected to the control module 31, a power supply module 34 connected to the power transmission channel 32, and a device comparison module 35 connected to the control module 31. The detection unit 4 includes an electrical detection module 41 provided between the power supply module 34 and the power transmission channel 32, and a switch module 42 provided between the power supply module 34 and the power transmission channel 32. The load unit 5 includes at least one load module 51 connected to the power transmission channel 32 and the control transmission channel 33.

[0029] 1 again, the configuration of the computer, the expansion device and the detection device in the first preferred embodiment will be described. The motherboard 21 is electrically connected to the microcontroller 22 to transmit data and power, the motherboard 21 is electrically connected to the power supply module 34 to transmit power, and the power supply module 34 and the plurality of load modules 51 are electrically connected to each other through the power transmission channel 32 to transmit power. The detection unit 4 is provided in the power transmission channel 32, the electrical detection module 41 and the switch module 42 are provided in the detection unit 4, the electrical detection module 41 detects the load power value (current) of the power transmission channel 32, the switch module 42 is provided in parallel with the electrical detection module 41, the microcontroller 22 is electrically connected to the detection unit 4 to obtain the detection data of the electrical detection module 41 and control the switch module 42, and the microcontroller 22 and the plurality of load modules 51 are electrically connected to each other through the control transmission channel 33, so that the microcontroller 22 controls the load modules 51 respectively.

[0030] In a first preferred embodiment, the device comparison module 35 is a memory chip provided on the motherboard 21, and data stored in the device comparison module 35 may be provided to the control module 31 for use.

[0031] 2, the control module 31 is provided in the microcontroller 22. Preferably, the microcontroller 22 is a control circuit independent of the motherboard 21. In actual implementation, the microcontroller 22 may be integrated into the motherboard 21, but is not limited thereto.

[0032] The power transmission channel 32 is a power transmission line set for transmitting the power of the power supply module 34 to the load module 51. The control transmission channel 33 is an information transmission line set for the control module 31 and the load module 51 to transmit data. The load modules 51 are in a parallel relationship with the power transmission channel 32. That is, each load module 51 is connected to the power supply module 34 via the electrical detection module 41 and the switch module 42. The load modules 51 are in a serial relationship with the control transmission channel 33, and information transmitted by the control module 31 passes through the connected load modules 51 in sequence.

[0033] Wherein, the electrical detection module 41 is in a parallel relationship with the switch module 42, the electrical detection module 41 is a shunt resistor, and the electrical detection element 312 detects a voltage drop occurring in the load module 51 connected to the power supply module 34. The switch module 42 is a power transistor, an analog switch, or a manual switch, and in actual implementation, the switch module 42 may use any suitable device for transmitting power to the load module 51 under test, but is not limited thereto.

[0034] The control module 31 includes a switch control element 311, an electrical sensing element 312, a position control element 313, and an alternating control element 314. The switch control element 311 is electrically connected to the switch module 42, and the electrical sensing element 312 is electrically connected to the electrical sensing module 41. Preferably, the sensing unit 4 is provided independently, and the microcontroller 22 and the sensing unit 4 transmit data by wire or wirelessly. In actual implementation, the sensing unit 4 may be integrated into the power supply module 34, or may be integrated into the microcontroller 22 or other positions, but is not limited thereto. The position control element 313 is electrically connected to the plurality of load modules 51. In addition, the alternating control element 314 is electrically connected to the position control element 313, and the connection method between the position control element 313 and the alternating control element 314 is a circuit configuration in semiconductors, which belongs to common technology, and therefore detailed description will be omitted.

[0035] The switch control element 311 enables the control module 31 to control the switch module 42 to a short-circuit state or an open state. When the switch module 22 is in an open state, the power output from the power supply module 34 passes through the electrical detection module 41, and when the switch module 42 is in a short-circuit state, the power output from the power supply module 34 passes through the switch module 42. The electrical detection element 312 enables the control module 31 to detect a voltage drop of the electrical detection module 41 and obtain a load power value flowing through the electrical detection module 41.

[0036] The main purpose of the switch module 42 is to reduce the power consumption of the circuit when it is working normally, so that when the switch module 42 is in a short circuit state, the load module 51 consumes a minimum amount of power from the power supply module 34. When power passes through the electrical sensing element 312, a significant amount of power is lost, and the power supply module 34 is unable to provide the entire power requirement of the computer. Therefore, when the switch module 42 is in a short circuit state, power passes through the switch module 42, which has a smaller resistance, and does not pass through the electrical sensing element 312, thus eliminating the power consumption of the electrical sensing element 312 for the power supply module 34. For example, when the test sequence of the multiple load modules 51 is executed, the switch module 42 is in an open state, and its resistance value in the open state is infinite, so that all current passes through the electrical detection element 312; when the test sequence of the multiple load modules 51 is completed, the switch module 42 is in a short-circuit state, and its resistance value in the short-circuit state approaches 0, so that current can flow smoothly through the switch module 42 without being obstructed, thereby minimizing power loss through the electrical detection element 312.

[0037] The device comparison module 35 stores the type of the load module 51 and a corresponding load power value, and the load power value is a detected current and / or a detected voltage, so that the control module 31 analyzes the type of the load module 51. Preferably, there are a plurality of load modules 51, and each load module 51 is provided with a dedicated position. The position control element 313 enables the control module 31 to control the operation of the load modules 51 respectively. The alternation control element 314 enables the control module 31 to operate the plurality of load modules 51 alternately.

[0038] Referring again to FIG. 2, in the first preferred embodiment, the load module 51 has a plurality of electronic elements 511, 512, 513 connected to the power transmission channel 32 and the control transmission channel 33. The plurality of electronic elements 511, 512, 513 use addressable light emitting elements, but are not limited thereto. Each load module 51 is provided with a dedicated position, and the plurality of load modules 51 show a series relationship. However, in actual implementation, the control module 31 may use, but is not limited to, a bus-bar for connecting each load module 51 in parallel. When the control module 31 executes a test sequence, the switch control element 311 controls the switch module 42 to be in an open state. The alternating control element 314 provides a test sequence. The position control element 313 operates one or more load modules 51 according to the sequence provided by the alternating control element 314 to cause current to flow through the electrical detection module 41 and generate a voltage drop, an analog-to-digital converter circuit in the microcontroller 22 can determine the amount of current flowing through the electrical detection module 41 and the corresponding voltage drop, and the load power values ​​stored in the device comparison module 35 can be provided to the control module 31 to compare the type, quantity and configuration of the load modules 51.

[0039] For example, the control module 31 transmits signals to the electronic elements 511, 512, and 513 to execute the test program of the load module 51 one at a time. First, the control module 31 activates the electronic element 511, and the other electronic elements 512 and 513 connected to the control module 31 are kept open or closed. Next, the control module 31 obtains current and / or voltage from the electrical sensing module 41, and then the control module 31 searches for the corresponding type from the obtained current and / or voltage and records it for quantity statistics, and determines the configuration position through the position, and then opens and closes the electronic element 511, and then activates the electronic element 512 again to keep the electronic element 513 open or closed. Finally, the test procedure is repeated to provide statistics on the type, number, and configuration of the load module 51, and if the electrical sensing module 41 indicates that no current and voltage were obtained at the position used by the control module 31, this indicates that the load module 51 is not set at the corresponding position.

[0040] The above-mentioned current detection and / or voltage detection method can be used to determine the type of the load module 51 connected to the control module 31. For example, some light emitting elements are integrated with red, green, and blue light emitting diodes, and other light emitting elements are further provided with a white light emitting diode in addition to the red, green, and blue light emitting diodes. Therefore, the type of the load module 51 of the control module 31 can be determined according to the current consumption of the load module 51. However, it is assumed that the power consumption of different load modules 51 is different from each other and the power consumption is independently detected by the electrical detection module 41.

[0041] The load module 51 is selected from, but is not limited to, one of a light emitting diode, a fan, a motor, and a combination thereof.

[0042] 3 shows the second preferred embodiment of the detection device for computer expansion device of the present invention, the second preferred embodiment is substantially the same as the first preferred embodiment, and the same contents will not be described in detail. The difference is that the load modules 51 each include driving elements 514, 515, 516 connected to the power transmission channel 32 and the control transmission channel 33, and electronic elements 511, 512, 513 connected to the driving elements.

[0043] The driving elements 514, 515, and 516 are driving circuit ICs for the electronic elements 511, 512, and 513, and the driving elements 514, 515, and 516 are electrically connected to the control module 31 via a bus bar. In actual implementation, the driving elements 514, 515, and 516 are electrically connected in series to the control module 31, but are not limited thereto.

[0044] In a second preferred embodiment, the device comparison module 35 is a memory chip provided in the microcontroller 22, and data stored in the device comparison module 35 may be provided to the control module 31 for use. In addition, the driving elements 514, 515, 516 and the electronic elements 511, 512, 513 are provided in the load modules 51, respectively.

[0045] In a second preferred embodiment, the load module 51 may be a computer fan, a separate light emitting diode, a computer cooling pump or other computer components. During the test process of the load module 51, the control module 31 sequentially supplies power to the driving elements 514, 515, 516, supplying electricity to one element at a time. The control module 31 measures the current consumption to determine whether the driving elements 514, 515, 516 are connected to the power supply module 34. The control module 31 can detect the power consumption of one of the driving elements 514, 515, 516 to determine the type of the driving elements 514, 515, 516. For example, a computer fan generally consumes more power than a light emitting diode, so the control module 31 can analyze the type, quantity and configuration of the load module 51.

[0046] From the above description, it can be seen that the detection device for computer expansion device according to the present invention has the following advantages.

[0047] 1. No manual configuration is required.

[0048] When the control module 31 performs the detection process of the load module 51, the position control element 313 provides a plurality of detection positions, and the alternation control element 314 provides a test sequence of the plurality of positions so that the control module 31 can supply electricity to the load module 51 in sequence, and the load modules 51 can be detected in sequence in a one-at-a-time operation manner to obtain their type, quantity and configuration, without the need for manual setting by the user.

[0049] 2. No errors occur.

[0050] Next, the type of the load module 51 and the corresponding load power value are stored in the device comparison module 35 and provided to the control module 31 so that the type, quantity and configuration can be compared, so that the type of the load module 51 is not erroneously set in the microcontroller 22 in which the control module 31 is provided.

[0051] 3.Self-detectable.

[0052] Since the detection device of the computer expansion device can automatically execute the self-test program of the load module 51 every time the computer is started, even if the user changes the type, number and configuration of the load module 51 while the computer is turned off, the control module 31 can automatically detect and then set the correct type, number and configuration, thereby enabling accurate monitoring of the load module 51 while the computer is in operation.

[0053] As described above, the control module 31 first controls the switch module 42 to an open state, and then operates the load module 51 to detect the load power value, thereby analyzing the type, quantity and configuration of the load module 51 and allowing the microcontroller 22 to monitor the load module 51. After completing the detection procedure of the load module 51, the control module 31 controls the switch module 42 to a short-circuit state again to prevent current from flowing again to the electrical detection module 41, thereby eliminating the power consumption of the electrical detection element 312 for the power supply module 34, which can reduce the power consumption of the entire computer, thereby certainly achieving the objective of the present invention.

[0054] The above contents are only two preferred embodiments of the present invention, which do not limit the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and description of the present invention are within the patent scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 21 Motherboard 22 Microcontrollers 3. Control Unit 31 Control Module 311 Switch control element 312 Electrical sensing element 313 Position control element 314 Alternating Control Element 32 Power Transmission Channels 33 Control Transmission Channel 34 Power Supply Module 35 Equipment Comparison Module 4 Detection unit 41 Electrical Sensing Module 42 Switch Module 5 Load Unit 51 Load Module 511 Electronic elements 512 Electronic elements 513 Electronic Components 514 Drive element 515 Drive element 516 Drive element

Claims

1. a control unit including a control module, a power transmission channel connected to the control module, a control transmission channel connected to the control module, and a power supply module connected to the power transmission channel; a detection unit including an electrical detection module disposed between the power supply module and the power transmission channel, and a switch module disposed between the power supply module and the power transmission channel, the electrical detection module and the switch module being in a parallel connection relationship; A detection device for a computer expansion device, comprising: a load unit including at least one load module connected to the power transmission channel and the control transmission channel.

2. 2. The detection device for a computer expansion device as described in claim 1, wherein the control module is provided with a switch control element, and the switch control element enables the control module to control the switch module to a short-circuit state and an open state, so that when the switch module is in an open state, the power output from the power supply module passes through the electrical detection module, and when the switch module is in a short-circuit state, the power output from the power supply module passes through the switch module.

3. 2. The detection device for a computer expansion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control module is provided with an electrical detection element, which enables the control module to detect a voltage drop across the electrical detection module and calculate a load power value flowing through the electrical detection module.

4. The detection device for a computer expansion device as described in claim 3, wherein the control unit further includes a device comparison module connected to the control module, and the device comparison module stores the type of the load module and the corresponding load power value so as to analyze the type of the load module from the load power value provided by the control module.

5. 2. The detection device for a computer expansion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control module is provided with a position control element, the load modules are multiple, each load module is provided with a dedicated position, and the position control element enables the control module to respectively control the operation of the load modules.

6. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said control module is provided with an alternation control element, said alternation control element causing said control module to operate a plurality of said load modules in an alternating manner.

7. 6. The detection device for a computer expansion device according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of load modules and said power transmission channel exhibit a parallel relationship, and said plurality of load modules and said control transmission channel exhibit a serial relationship.

8. 2. The detection device for a computer expansion device according to claim 1, wherein said load module comprises an electronic element connected to said power transmission channel and said control transmission channel.

9. 2. The detection device for a computer expansion device according to claim 1, wherein said load module comprises a driving element connected to said power transmission channel and said control transmission channel, and an electronic element connected to said driving element.

10. 2. The detection device of claim 1, wherein said load module is selected from one of a light emitting diode, a fan, a motor, and combinations thereof.

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