Rechargeable USB External Graphics Device Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
External graphics devices consume significant power and are limited by slow PCI-e slots when performing graphics tasks, necessitating a more efficient and portable solution for graphics processing.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable USB external graphics device equipped with a graphics processor and a lithium-ion battery, utilizing a USB 3.0 interface for communication and power, allowing for portable and auxiliary graphics processing independent of the host system's power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If external graphics device is coupled through PCI-e slot, then graphics processing capability is provided, but power consumption is significant and transfer speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the PCI-e mechanical connection system with a USB Type-C connection system. This substitution enables faster data transfer speeds (up to 10Gbps with USB 3.1 Gen 2) while reducing power consumption through more efficient power management capabilities inherent in the USB Type-C protocol, directly resolving the contradiction between transfer speed and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by implementing dynamic power management that adjusts graphics processing power consumption based on workload demands. The system can operate in low-power modes for basic tasks and scale up to high-performance modes when needed, optimizing the balance between performance and power usage compared to traditional PCI-e devices that maintain constant high power states.
2Ease of operation
If external graphics device relies on host system power supply, then device can operate continuously, but device loses portability and cannot operate during power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply system into two independent sources: the host system's USB power output and an internal rechargeable battery. This segmentation allows the device to be portable and independent while maintaining operational continuity through automatic power source switching. The battery management circuitry seamlessly manages power from either source, ensuring uninterrupted operation regardless of host power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a battery management circuit as an intermediary between the power sources (USB and battery) and the graphics processing unit. This intermediary component intelligently manages power flow, switches between power sources, and ensures stable power delivery to the GPU, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling portability through independent battery operation.
3Productivity
If USB interface is used instead of PCI-e slot, then portability and power efficiency are improved, but bandwidth may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation that adapts to real-time graphics processing needs. The USB Type-C interface operates at variable speeds (5Gbps or 10Gbps) based on workload requirements, and the system dynamically adjusts rendering resolution and complexity to optimize the balance between processing efficiency and data throughput, ensuring high productivity without requiring constant maximum bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs selective graphics processing where the USB external GPU processes only the necessary portion of graphics tasks that benefit from accelerated rendering. By implementing smart task offloading that identifies and processes only compute-intensive graphics operations through the USB interface while leaving simpler tasks to the host CPU, the system achieves high graphics processing efficiency without requiring excessive bandwidth for all operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides efficient and portable graphics processing capabilities, reducing power consumption and overcoming limitations of traditional PCI-e slots by using a rechargeable battery and USB 3.0 protocol for communication, enabling continued operation during power failures.
Implementation Method 1
a battery coupled with the graphics processor and configured to at least partially power the graphics processor to process the graphics instruction. The battery may be rechargeable. The battery may be a lithium ion battery.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphics processing device that is portable, reconfigurable and provides graphics processing for a computer system is provided. The graphics processing device includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface coupled with the graphics processor and configured to be coupled with computer system. The graphics processing device further includes the USB interface configured to transfer a graphics instruction, originated by the computer system, to the graphics processor. The graphics processing device may further include a battery coupled with the graphics processor to partially power the graphics processor. The battery may be rechargeable. The graphics processor may be configured to process graphics instruction on behalf of the computer system. A portable processing system to provide processing for a computer system is also disclosed. The portable processing system may include a processor. The portable processing system may include a USB module coupled with processor and configured to be coupled with computer system.