DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter Module

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing information handling systems face challenges in seamlessly interfacing different video/graphics standards, such as DisplayPort and Dual-Link DVI, due to varying physical, operational, and electrical requirements, leading to the need for costly and power-consuming active cable adapters to facilitate data flow between these standards.

Innovation Solution

An information handling system with a video/graphics interface module that detects the presence of a cable adapter and configures multiple ports to operate in tandem, allowing for the implementation of a Dual-Link DVI port using DisplayPort ports, eliminating the need for expensive active protocol converters by using level shifters and control modules to condition signals and buffer data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an active cable adapter is used to convert between DisplayPort and Dual-Link DVI standards, then compatibility between different video standards is improved, but cost and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between video standardsVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple DisplayPort receptacle connectors to implement a Dual-Link DVI video graphics port. By combining resources from multiple DisplayPort ports, the system eliminates the need for separate active cable adapters, thereby reducing power consumption and cost while maintaining compatibility with Dual-Link DVI display devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables DisplayPort receptacle connectors to serve multiple functions. The same DisplayPort ports can operate in native DisplayPort mode or be configured to support Dual-Link DVI mode when a cable adapter is detected, providing universal compatibility across different video standards without requiring dedicated hardware for each standard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an active cable adapter is used to convert between DisplayPort and Dual-Link DVI standards, then compatibility between different video standards is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between video standardsVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple DisplayPort receptacle connectors to implement a Dual-Link DVI video graphics port. By combining resources from multiple DisplayPort ports, the system eliminates the need for separate active cable adapters, thereby reducing power consumption and cost while maintaining compatibility with Dual-Link DVI display devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual Dual-Link DVI interface by copying and combining signal resources from multiple DisplayPort receptacle connectors. This virtual interface emulation allows the system to support Dual-Link DVI without requiring physical Dual-Link DVI hardware or expensive active cable adapters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple video/graphics ports are included to support different standards, then compatibility with various display devices is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with display devicesVSAvoidnumber of video ports

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables DisplayPort receptacle connectors to serve multiple functions. The same DisplayPort ports can operate in native DisplayPort mode or be configured to support Dual-Link DVI mode when a cable adapter is detected, providing universal compatibility across different video standards without requiring dedicated hardware for each standard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple DisplayPort receptacle connectors to implement a Dual-Link DVI video graphics port. By combining resources from multiple DisplayPort ports, the system eliminates the need for separate active cable adapters, thereby reducing power consumption and cost while maintaining compatibility with Dual-Link DVI display devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8019905B2Video/graphics port adapter and method thereof

Publication Date: 2011.09.13 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A mode of operation of an information handling system is determined based upon configuration information received at a video/graphics port of the information handling system. In response to determining the mode of operation is a first mode of operation, information is provided from the first video/graphics port that represents only a portion of a video image. In response to determining the mode of operation is a second mode of operation, information is provided from the first video/graphics port that represents all of the video image.