TW202004507A - Modularized computer system and computing core board thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A modularized computer system includes an input/output board and a computing core board. The input/output board includes a first connection interface and one or more input/output peripheral circuit. The input/output peripheral circuit is connected to the first connection interface. The computing core board includes a second connection interface, a memory, a storage, and a processing unit. The second connection interface is provided for connecting to the first connection interface of the input/output board. The memory records type information corresponding to the input/output peripheral circuit. The storage stores backup firmware. The processing unit is connected to the memory, the storage, and the second connection interface. The processing unit obtains the type information from the memory, and obtains, according to the type information, a matched firmware from the backup firmware as the driver firmware. The processing unit executes the driver firmware to control the input/output peripheral circuit.

Description

Modular computer system and its computing core board

The invention relates to a computer system, in particular to a modular computer system and its computing core board.

At present, in order to meet the needs of most users, general manufacturers manufacture application systems by designing the computing core board with the input and output boards. However, when you want to update or upgrade the application system, sometimes you must upgrade the computing core board accordingly, so that you can replace it with a processor with better performance.

However, usually the same type of computing core board can be applied to various types of input and output boards. In other words, the same computing core board can be used with different types of input and output boards to form an application system. Therefore, when you want to use different input and output boards, you must install the corresponding firmware on the computing core board, which often causes users to not know where to get the correct firmware or how to install the firmware.

In view of the above, embodiments of the present invention provide a modular computer system. The modular computer system includes an input-output board and a computing core board.

The input-output board includes: a first connection interface and at least one input-output peripheral circuit. Each input/output peripheral circuit is connected to the first connection interface. The computing core board includes: a second connection interface, a memory unit, a storage unit, and a processing unit. The second connection interface is for corresponding connection of the first connection interface of the input-output board. The memory unit records the type information of the corresponding input and output peripheral circuits. The storage unit stores a plurality of prepared firmware. The processing unit is connected to the memory unit, the storage unit and the second connection interface. The processing unit obtains the type information from the memory unit, and obtains a match in the preliminary firmware based on the type information as the driving firmware. The processing unit executes driving firmware to control the input and output peripheral circuits of the input and output board.

In one embodiment, the computing core board further includes an input interface to write type information to the memory unit through the input interface.

According to the above embodiment, when the modular computer system and its computing core board of the present invention can be connected to the computing core board at the input/output board, the computing core board can provide suitable drive firmware according to the memory unit to further control the input/output board. This allows users to operate more conveniently and save a lot of research and development costs.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a modular computer system of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the modular computer system 1 includes an input-output board 10 and a computing core board 20. The input/output board 10 is connected to the computing core board 20.

In an embodiment, the modular computer system 1 may be, for example, an industrial computer, a personal computer, a notebook computer, an embedded system, or the like.

In one embodiment, the input-output board 10 includes a first connection interface 11 and an input-output peripheral circuit 12. The input/output peripheral circuit 12 is connected to the first connection interface 11. The I/O peripheral circuit 12 receives the message from the first connection interface 11, and then causes the I/O peripheral circuit 12 to operate correspondingly according to the message.

In one embodiment, the input/output peripheral circuit 12 may be a peripheral module with one or more specific uses. Therefore, a message can be sent through the computing core board 20 and through the first connection interface 11 to the input/output peripheral circuit 12 to further The input/output peripheral circuit 12 is controlled. In some embodiments, the input/output peripheral circuit 12 may be a storage module, a display module, a control module, etc. The present invention is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the input/output peripheral circuit 12 further includes an input/output port 121. The input/output port 121 can be further connected to a peripheral device 30 having a specific purpose.

In one embodiment, the computing core board 20 includes a second connection interface 21, a memory unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a processing unit 24. The processing unit 24 is connected to the second connection interface 21, the memory unit 22, and the storage unit 23, respectively.

The second connection interface 21 is for corresponding connection of the first connection interface 11 of the input-output board 10, so that the input-output peripheral circuit 12 can receive messages through the second connection interface 21 and the first connection interface 11 and can allow the input-output peripheral The circuit 12 operates according to the message (or correspondingly transmitted via the input/output port 121). Thereby, the input and output peripheral circuits 12 on the input and output board 10 can be directly controlled by the computing core board 20, and more types of input and output ports 121 can be expanded by connecting different input and output boards 10.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the memory unit 22 of the present invention. Please refer back to FIGS. 1 and 2. The memory unit 22 records the type information corresponding to the input/output board 10. In one embodiment, the memory unit 22 records the type information of the input/output peripheral circuit 12. Here, the type information may include, for example, the manufacturer, version, and chip model of each component in the input/output board 10 (such as the first connection interface 11 or each input/output peripheral circuit 12), but the invention is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the computing core board 20 includes an input interface 25, and the type information of the memory unit 22 can be loaded through the input interface 25 according to a write command. In other words, the user can write the type information corresponding to the input/output board 10 to the memory unit 22 via the input interface 25 by himself using the write command.

The storage unit 23 stores single or plural preliminary firmware 231, which is plural in one embodiment. Each type of information corresponds to a preliminary firmware 231. The preliminary firmware 231 includes definitions of registers, pins, etc. corresponding to the chips of each element in the input-output board 10. Here, the input/output peripheral circuit 12 can receive the message from the first connection interface 11 according to the corresponding type information 231 in the memory unit 22 to further correctly communicate with the external peripheral device 30 via the input/output port 121.

In one embodiment, the input/output peripheral circuit 12 can be designed by the user or use the same circuit as the reference circuit. The present invention is not limited thereto. The reference circuit may be provided by the provider of the computing core board 20 or the provider of the input/output board 10.

In one embodiment, the memory unit 22 also stores reference circuit parameters corresponding to corresponding type information. Therefore, when the input/output peripheral circuit 12 used by the user is the reference circuit provided by the computing core board 20 provider, the user only needs to connect the input/output board 10 and the computing core board 20 to quickly input The output board 10 operates normally.

Here, when the computing core board 20 detects that the input-output board 10 is connected (ie, the first connection interface 11 and the second connection interface 21 are correspondingly connected), the processing unit 24 reads the type information stored in the memory unit 22 . Therefore, after receiving the type information from the memory unit 22, the processing unit 24 can obtain a match from each of the preliminary firmware 231 in the storage unit 23 as the driving firmware according to the type information. Therefore, after the processing unit 24 executes the driving firmware, it can control the input-output board 10, and can transmit or manipulate the input-output peripheral circuit 12 through the first connection interface 11 (or through the input-output port 121 and the connected The peripheral device 30 performs transmission or manipulation). Therefore, the user can connect and use the peripheral device 30 after connecting the input/output board 10 to the computing core board 20 without additionally finding and installing appropriate firmware.

In one embodiment, when the input/output board 10 of the same type is replaced, it corresponds to the type information recorded by the memory unit 22. Then, the user does not need to write another type information that conforms to the input/output version 10 to the memory unit 22, and it can be directly replaced with the input/output board 10 of the same type to quickly allow the input/output board 10 to operate normally.

In one embodiment, please refer to FIG. 2 again. Each type of information includes a common information 222 and a different information 221. The common information 222 is a common part among multiple types of information, and the dissimilar information 221 is a different part among multiple types of information. In this way, memory space can be saved. The common information 222 may include the version number of the recognition character, type information, and the product number of the input/output board 10.

In one embodiment, the I/O port 121 is implemented as a COM port. Here, the input/output peripheral circuit 12 is a driving circuit corresponding to the COM port. After the computing core board 20 is connected to the input/output board 10, the input/output board 10 receives the message (such as a data file) of the computing core board 20 via the first connection interface 11. Through the driving circuit, the data file can be smoothly transmitted from the COM port to the peripheral device 30 connected to it for opening, storing, and loading into an execution program or other various applications.

In one embodiment, the I/O port 121 is implemented as an HDMI port. Here, the input/output peripheral circuit 12 is a driving circuit corresponding to the HDMI port. After the computing core board 20 is connected to the input/output board 10, the input/output board 10 receives the message (such as an image file) of the computing core board 20 via the first connection interface 11. Through the driving circuit, the image file can be smoothly transmitted from the HDMI port to the peripheral device 30 connected thereto for displaying images, storing image files, or other various applications.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an input-output board 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the first connection interface 11 is implemented with a low pin count of 40, and the I/O port 121 is implemented with a serial communication port 43. There are two input/output peripheral circuits 12 here. Each input/output peripheral circuit 12 includes a first peripheral circuit 41 and two second peripheral circuits 42. The I/O board 10 receives the message of the computing core board 20 via the low pin count 40. The first peripheral circuit 41 converts the low pin count 40 protocol to another communication protocol, such as UART. Here, the first peripheral circuit 41 is converted into two sets of UART output. The two second peripheral circuits 42 respectively receive the two sets of UART outputs, and convert the UART signals into COM port signals (such as RS232, RS422, RS485), and output them on the serial communication port 43. Here, the computing core board 20 can initialize the first peripheral circuit 41 via the low pin count 40. The first peripheral circuit 41 and the second peripheral circuit 42 also have some pins connected to communicate with a low pin count 40, so that the computing core board 20 can initialize the second peripheral circuit 42 through the first peripheral circuit 41. In other words, the I/O peripheral circuit 12 can convert the message received from the first connection interface 11 into a communication protocol that conforms to the I/O port 121.

In one embodiment, the storage unit 23 and the memory unit 22 are non-volatile memories. For example: Electronic erasable rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM).

In an embodiment, the processing unit 24 may be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or the like.

In an embodiment, the input/output port 12 may be, for example, a DIO (Digital Input Output) port, a USB port, an HDMI port, a COM port, a UART port, a network port, a memory card port, or other types of inputs Any one of the output ports 12 or any combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the first connection interface 11 and the second connection interface 21 include any one of COM Express transmission interface, Qseven transmission interface, SMARC transmission interface, or any combination thereof, but the invention is not limited thereto. The transmission interface (such as the first connection interface 11 or/and the second connection interface 21) may be, for example, a system management bus (System Management Bus, SMBus), a fast peripheral component interconnect (PCI Express), and a low pin count ( Low Pin Count (LPC) or any other kind of transmission interface or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the peripheral device 30 may be a storage device (such as a hard disk, SSD, memory card, ROM, or ROM), a display device (such as an LCD screen, a touch screen), and a control device (such as a mouse, keyboard, or handwriting) Board or key), computing device (GPU, microprocessor or microcontroller) or other various electronic devices, the invention is not limited. In some embodiments, the peripheral device 30 may be any combination of the foregoing various electronic devices.

In an embodiment, the computing core board 20 may be a motherboard that provides a computing unit in the modular computer system 1. The I/O board 10 can provide various types of I/O peripheral circuits 12 (such as different types of I/O ports 121) or peripheral devices 30 for the computer system 1 to further achieve the desired effect of the modular computer system 1.

According to the above embodiment, the modular computer system 1 and its computing core board 20 of the embodiment of the present invention can automatically execute the appropriate firmware according to the type information in the memory unit 22 when the input and output board 10 is connected to correct Communication with the input/output peripheral circuit 12 (or further with the peripheral device 30) via the input/output board 10 does not require the user to install additional firmware. In this way, the user can conveniently update, and the performance of the modular computer system 1 can be quickly improved.

1‧‧‧ Computer system 10‧‧‧ I/O board 11‧‧‧ First connection interface 12‧‧‧I/O peripheral circuit 20‧‧‧Computer core board 21‧‧‧ Second connection interface 22‧‧‧ Memory unit 23‧‧‧ storage unit 24‧‧‧ processing unit 25‧‧‧ input interface 30‧‧‧ peripheral device 40‧‧‧ low pin count 41‧‧‧ first peripheral circuit 42‧‧‧ second peripheral circuit 43‧ ‧‧Serial communication port 121‧‧‧I/O port 221‧‧‧Different information 222‧‧‧Common information 231‧‧‧Prepared firmware

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a modular computer system of the present invention. [Fig. 2] is a schematic diagram of the memory unit of the present invention. [FIG. 3] A schematic diagram of the structure of an input-output board according to an embodiment of the invention.

1‧‧‧ Computer system

10‧‧‧I/O board

11‧‧‧First connection interface

12‧‧‧I/O peripheral circuit

20‧‧‧Computer core board

21‧‧‧Second connection interface

22‧‧‧Memory unit

23‧‧‧Storage unit

24‧‧‧Processing unit

25‧‧‧ input interface

30‧‧‧Peripheral device

121‧‧‧I/O port

231‧‧‧Prepared firmware

Claims (9)

A modular computer system includes: an input-output board, including: a first connection interface; and at least one input-output peripheral circuit connected to the first connection interface; and a computing core board, including: a second connection Interface for corresponding connection of the first connection interface of the input/output board; a memory unit to record a type of information corresponding to the input and output peripheral circuits; a storage unit to store a plurality of spare firmware; and a processing unit to connect the A memory unit, the storage unit and the second connection interface, the processing unit obtains the type information from the memory unit, and obtains a match among the preliminary firmwares as a driving firmware according to the type information, the processing unit The driving firmware is executed to control the I/O peripheral circuit of the I/O board. The modular computer system according to claim 1, wherein the computing core board further includes an input interface to write the type information to the memory unit through the input interface. The modular computer system according to claim 1, wherein the second connection interface and the first connection interface include any one of a COM Express transmission interface, a Qseven transmission interface, and a SMARC transmission interface, or any combination thereof. The modular computer system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the second connection interface and the first connection interface include the system a management bus (SMBus), a fast peripheral component interconnect (PCI Express) and a low Any one or any combination of pin count (LPC). The modular computer system according to claim 1, wherein the input/output peripheral circuit further includes at least one input/output port, and the processing unit executes the driving firmware to control the input/output board via the at least one input/output port Communicate with the outside world. A computing core board, suitable for connecting an input and output board, the input and output board includes a first connection interface, the computing core board includes: a second connection interface for connecting the first connection interface of the input and output board; The memory unit records a type of information about an input-output peripheral circuit corresponding to the input-output board; a storage unit stores a plurality of spare firmwares; and a processing unit that connects the memory unit, the storage unit and the second connection interface , The processing unit obtains the type information from the memory unit, and obtains a match among the preliminary firmwares as a driving firmware according to the type information, the processing unit executes the driving firmware to control the input and output boards The input and output peripheral circuits. The computing core board according to claim 6, further includes an input interface for writing the type information to the memory unit through the input interface. The computing core board according to claim 6, wherein the second connection interface includes any one of a COM Express transmission interface, a Qseven transmission interface, and a SMARC transmission interface, or any combination thereof. The computing core board according to claim 6 or 8, wherein the second connection interface and the first connection interface include a system management bus (SMBus), a fast peripheral component interconnect (PCI Express), and a low pin Any one or any combination of counts (LPC).

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