REMOVABLE EXPANSION INTERFACE DEVICE

A removable expansion interface device comprising: a motherboard; a system slot which is installed on and electrically connected to the motherboard and develops an accommodation space; a carrier which is a printed circuit board held in the accommodation space and electrically connected to the system slot; an expansion slot installed on and electrically connected to the carrier and develops a plug-in space. As such, the present invention relies on removable design to match an interface device to be used and realize lowered costs and spatial and economic efficiency. Furthermore, the present invention is based on a motherboard without extra cost and has significant advantages such as applications of new storage devices, expansion of other functions, time and cost efficiency, lowered complexity, and industrial applicability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a card slot interface structure, particularly a removable expansion interface device featuring a removable expansible interface and spatial and economic efficiency in manufacture and usage.

2. Description of the Related Art

The principal IT storage devices or media such as digital camera, recording pen, and music player rely on mature technology for manufacture of compact flash memories, particularly CF cards (Compact Flash cards), CFast cards, CFEX cards, or CF-SATA cards, which are based on SATA interfaces (or other available interfaces) for data storages or boot disk applications and widely adopted in various IT products, and even taken as host computers' system hard drives substituting conventional IDE hard discs because of their multiple advantages including good compatibility, high access speed, high capacity, ultra-low power consumption, compact structure, dust prevention, good vibration strength, and impact resistance.

A conventional CF module (plug-in module) structure as shown inFIG. 1and the technology comprises: a CF slot94, which is installed on a motherboard90and coupled with a CF card95; a CPU socket91prepared on the motherboard90for a CPU to be mounted; expansion slots92(e.g., PCI bus); a chip93; and relevant electronic components or circuits. As a high-speed and high-stability transmission interface for data access, the conventional CF module still has some drawbacks. For example, the conventional CF slot94in which only a CF card (i.e., CF module) for a single function can be held is not an ideal design for other storage interfaces incompatible with each other CF-SATA card, CFast card, or CFEX card to he installed on the motherboard90) because that would occupy or double up more spaces on the motherboard which consume costs and complicate design of a motherboard; each of these storage interfaces has fixed dimensions and pin counts which limit expandability and functions. Furthermore, it costs a lot to change a client's existing motherboard on which old storage devices are installed by a new one with new storage devices mounted. Against this background, an existing interface device deserves to be corrected because a client's lowered inclination to employ a new storage device is unfavorable to development of new storage media technology and promotion of work efficiency. Thus, how to correct drawbacks related to applications of conventional storage interfaces should be further studied by the persons skilled in the art.

Having considered defects and unideal structural design of a conventional storage interface, in usage and operation for a long time, the inventor offered a solution and manufactured the present invention of a removable expansion interface device featuring selectivity, expandability, and effectiveness for the general public and development of the industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a removable expansion interface device with removable design matching an interface device to be used, save costs, and realize spatial and economic efficiency.

The other object of the present invention is to provide a removable, expansion interface device which is based on a motherboard without extra cost and has advantages such as applications of new storage devices, expansion of other functions, time and cost efficiency, lowered complexity, and industrial applicability.

The present invention comprises the following technical measures to realize the above purposes: a motherboard; a system slot which is installed on and electrically connected to the motherboard and develops an accommodation space; a carrier which is a printed circuit board inserted into the accommodation space and electrically connected to the system slot; an expansion slot which is installed on and electrically connected to the carrier and develops a plug-in space.

For technical features and effects in terms of the present disclosure completely comprehended and recognized, the preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings are thoroughly described hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention presents a removable expansion interface device installed on a motherboard and comprising: a system slot on the motherboard; a carrier which is used in the motherboard, inserted into the system slot, and provided with (a) an expansion slot, i.e., a CF slot, a CFast slot, a CFEX slot or a CF-SATA slot, with which a CF card, a CFEX card, a CF-SATA card or a CFast card is coupled, and (b) a WiFi module or a IPMI module.

The CFEX slot, the CF-SATA slot, or the CFast slot and the corresponding cards are described and defined in the following sections. Refer toFIG. 2that illustrates a CFEX slot10(CF Expansion slot and CFEX slot for short) to be electrically connected to circuits of a motherboard which is a printed circuit board (carrier) for installation of the CFEX slot10and not limited to the motherboard of the present invention: the CFEX slot10similar to a common CF slot is coupled with a CFEX card20(CF Extension card and CFEX card for short) for stable signal communication between the CFEX card20and circuits on the motherboard via the CFEX slot10; the CFEX slot10presented herein comprises an inward card built-in end11and an outward, circuit connecting end12: the circuit connecting end12is electrically connected to the motherboard; the card built-in end11is internally provided with a terminal pin unit111which allows one side to link the outward circuit connecting end12of the CFEX slot10.

Specifically, the CFEX card20has an interface connector21used to match and link the terminal pin unit111: the interface connector21exerts its functions defined as per actual functionality of the CFEX card20; the terminal pin unit111exerts functions of all pins defined as those of the interface connector21on the CFEX card20. Output signals transmitted from the CFEX card20are sent to the terminal pin unit111at the CFEX slot10via the corresponding interface connector21, the outward circuit connecting end12of the CFEX slot10via the terminal pin unit111, and circuits of the motherboard sequentially. Comparatively, input signals transmitted from circuits of the motherboard are forwarded to the inward terminal pin unit111via the outward circuit connecting end12of the CFEX slot10and the corresponding interface connector21via the terminal pin unit111for completion of signal transmission between the motherboard's circuits and the CFEX card20.

The number of pins available in the terminal pin unit111. which is held in the card built-in end11can be freely decided according to realistic demands. Refer toFIG. 3which illustrates 50 pins of the terminal pin unit111held in the card built-in end11in the embodiment. Depending to realistic functions, the terminal pin unit111can be defined and classified as ground pins113, power pins114and functional pins115. A terminal pin which is defined as one of the ground pins113implies the circuit connecting end12behind the terminal pin is electrically connected to ground circuits on the motherboard; a terminal pin which is defined as one of the functional pins115implies the circuit connecting end12behind the terminal pin is electrically connected to functional circuits on the motherboard for executing a specific function; a terminal pin which is defined as one of the power pins114implies the circuit connecting end12behind the terminal pin is electrically connected to power circuits on the motherboard.

The circuit connecting end12linking the terminal pin unit111of the CFEX slot10can be electrically connected to either PCI circuits or PCI Express circuits on the motherboard for more functional applications.

As examples presented inFIG. 3, the pins, e.g., ground pins113, power pins114and functional pins115, can be adjusted and connected to different circuits for distinct functions as per realistic functionality and demands but not limited to applications in these examples.

It can be seen from above descriptions that the functions of the CFEX card20and the CFEX slot10in the present invention can be flexibly defined according to pins of the terminal pin unit111. Moreover, the interface connector21based on realistic functionality of the CFEX card20has distinct functions at pins corresponding to those of the terminal pin unit111so that the CFEX card20is internally provided with either a single module or multiple modules, for example, wireless communications module, remote control module, hardware debugging module, and hardware monitoring module, each of which makes both the CFEX card20and the CFEX slot10exert flexible functions.

Like design of a conventional CF card, the CF-SATA slot and the CF-SATA card also have 50 pins for transmission of SATA signals, i.e., 4 of 50 pins in a CF card are used to receive SATA signals, and appearances of a common CF slot and a common CF card, respectively.

The specifications of a CFast card and a CFast slot should refer to CFast standard specifications constituted by the CompactFlash Association: a CFast slot (CFast card) has appearance identical to that of a common CF slot (CF card); a CFast card has 7 of 50 pins for reception of SATA signals and 17 for power according to CFast standard specifications.

Refer toFIG. 4which illustrates the present invention of a removable expansion interface device comprising a motherboard module100and a system slot30: the motherboard module100comprises a motherboard101on which the system slot30is installed, a CPU socket102mounted on the motherboard101for a CPU, a plurality of expansion slots103(e.g., PCI bus), and relevant electronic components or circuits. The system slot30is provided with an outward system circuit connecting end31and an inward accommodation space32; the motherboard101is provided with a SATA signal circuit to which the system circuit connecting end31is connected; the accommodation space32is prepared for an expansion interface module (described hereinafter); the system slot30has an expansion terminal connection end33situated inside the accommodation space32and electrically connected to the outward system circuit connecting end31.

The system slot30has a size which is no less than that of a CF slot and includes, without limitation, 50 pins. Preferably, the system slot30is larger than a CF slot and has more than 50 pins for variously defined pins, connections to more circuits, diversified functions, and no limitation in space or pin counts.

Furthermore, the motherboard101is provided with multiple signal transmission circuits to which the system circuit connecting end31of the system slot30is connected for more functions designed in the present disclosure. For example, the motherboard101is provided with a PCIE (PCT Express) signal circuit, an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) signal circuit, an SMBUS (System Management Bus) signal circuit, or an LPC (Low Pin Count) signal circuit. Moreover, the system circuit connecting end31of the system slot30is connected to the PCIE signal circuit, the I2C signal circuit, the SMBUS signal circuit, or the LPC signal circuit on the motherboard101. The signal transmission circuit designed on the motherboard101is used to transmit signals including, without limitation, those signals hereinbefore as examples. As shown inFIG. 4, the expansion interface module can be a CF interface module40A, a CFast interface module40B, a CFEX interface module40C, or a CF-SATA interface module40D.

The details of the CF interface module40A are presented hereinafter. The CF interface module40A comprises a carrier41and an expansion slot42which is a CF slot installed on and electrically connected to the carrier41in the embodiment: the carrier41as a printed circuit board with a plurality of terminals43at its front end is held in the accommodation space32of the system slot30for electric connection between the terminals43and the expansion terminal connection end33and further comprises a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) module44on which a WiFi chip is mounted or an IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) module45on which an IPMI chip is installed. Moreover, the expansion slot42which is a CF slot in the embodiment comprises an outward expansion circuit connecting end421, an inward card terminal connection end422, and a plug-in space420; the carrier41can be designed with multiple signal transmission circuits to which the principal expansion circuit connecting end421is connected for more functions executed in the present disclosure. For example, the carrier41can comprise a SATA signal circuit, a PCIE (PCI Express) signal circuit, an IC (Inter-Integrated Circuit) signal circuit, an SMBUS (System Management Bus) signal circuit, or an LPC (Low Pin Count) signal circuit. Furthermore, the expansion circuit connecting end421is able to link the SATA signal circuit, the PCIE signal circuit, the I2C signal circuit, the SMBUS signal circuit, or the LPC signal circuit on the carrier41, each of which is used to transmit signals exemplified in the present disclosure. The plug-in space420is prepared for holding an expansion card50(a CF card in the embodiment) and developing electric connection between the card terminal connection end422and the expansion card50.

The details of the CFast interface module40B are shown hereinafter. The CFast interface module40B comprises a carrier41and an expansion slot42(a CFast slot in the embodiment) installed on and electrically connected to the carrier41: the carrier41as a printed circuit board with a plurality of terminals43at its front end is held in the accommodation space32of the system slot30for electric connection between the terminals43and the expansion terminal connection end33and further comprises a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) module44on which a WiFi chip is mounted or an IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) module45on which an IPMI chip is installed. Moreover, the expansion slot42which is a CFast slot in the embodiment comprises an outward expansion circuit connecting end421, an inward card terminal connection end422, and a plug-in space420; the carrier41can be designed with multiple signal transmission circuits to which the principal expansion circuit connecting end421is connected for more functions executed in the present disclosure. For example, the carrier41can comprise a SATA signal circuit, a PCIE (PCI Express) signal circuit, an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) signal circuit, an SMBUS (System Management Bus) signal circuit, or an LPC (Low Pin Count) signal circuit. Furthermore, the expansion circuit connecting end421is able to link the SATA signal circuit, the PCIE signal circuit, the I2C signal circuit, the SMBUS signal circuit, or the LPC signal circuit on the carrier41, each of which is used to transmit signals exemplified in the present disclosure. The plug-in space420is prepared for holding an expansion card50(a CFast card in the embodiment) and developing electric connection between the card terminal connection end422and the expansion card50.

The details of the CFEX interface module40C are shown hereinafter. The CFEX interface module40C comprises a carrier41and an expansion slot42(a CFEX slot in the embodiment) installed on and electrically connected to the carrier41: the carrier41as a printed circuit board with a plurality of terminals43at its front end is held in the accommodation space32of the system slot30for electric connection between the terminals43and the expansion terminal connection end33and further comprises a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) module44on which a WiFi chip is mounted or an IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) module45on which an IPMI chip is installed. Moreover, the expansion slot42which is a CFEX slot in the embodiment comprises an outward expansion circuit connecting end421, an inward card terminal connection end422, and a plug-in space420; the carrier41can be designed with multiple signal transmission circuits to which the principal expansion circuit connecting end421is connected for more functions executed in the present disclosure. For example, the carrier41can comprise a SATA signal circuit, a PCIE (PCI Express) signal circuit, an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) signal circuit, an SMBUS (System Management Bus) signal circuit, or an LPC (Low Pin Count) signal circuit. Furthermore, the expansion circuit connecting end421is able to link the SATA signal circuit, the PCIE signal circuit, the I2C signal circuit, the SMBUS signal circuit, or the LPC signal circuit on the carrier41, each of which is used to transmit signals exemplified in the present disclosure. The plug-in space420is prepared for holding an expansion card50(a CFEX card in the embodiment) and developing electric connection between the card terminal connection end422and the expansion card50.

The details of the CF-SATA interface module40D are shown hereinafter, The CF-SATA interface module401) comprises a carrier41and an expansion slot42(a CF-SATA slot in the embodiment) installed on and electrically connected to the carrier41: the carrier41as a printed circuit board with a plurality of terminals43at its front end is held in the accommodation space32of the system slot30for electric connection between the terminals43and the expansion terminal connection end33and further comprises a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) module44on which a WiFi chip is mounted or an IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) module45on which an IPMI chip is installed. Moreover, the expansion slot42which is a CFEX slot in the embodiment comprises an outward expansion circuit connecting end421, an inward card terminal connection end422, and a plug-in space420; the carrier41can be designed with multiple signal transmission circuits to which the principal expansion circuit connecting end421is connected for more functions executed in the present disclosure. For example, the carrier41can comprise a SATA signal circuit, a PCIE (PCI Express) signal circuit, an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) signal circuit, an SMBUS (System Management Bus) signal circuit, or an LPC (Low Pin Count) signal circuit. Furthermore, the expansion circuit connecting end421is able to link the SATA signal circuit, the PCIE signal circuit, the I2C signal circuit, the SMBUS signal circuit, or the LPC signal circuit on the carrier41, each of which is used to transmit signals exemplified in the present invention. The plug-in space420is prepared for holding an expansion card50(a CF-SATA card in the embodiment) and developing electric connection between the card terminal connection end422and the expansion card50.

The system slot30has a size, which is no less than that of the expansion slot42for accommodation of more pins, and more than 50 pins for variously defined pins, connections to more circuits, diversified functions, and no limitation in space or pin counts.

In other words, the expansion interface module can be the CF interface module40A, the CFast interface module40B, the CFEX interface module40C, or the CF-SATA interface module40D, each of which corresponds to the expansion card50to be held in the present invention, i.e., a. CF card, a CFast card, a CFEX card, or a CF-SATA card, respectively. For instance, the carrier41of the CFast interface module40B should be inserted into the system slot30for holding a CFast card; the carrier41of the CFEX interface module40C should be inserted into the system slot30fur holding a CFEX card with the carrier41of the CFast interface module4013removed from the system slot30.

It can be seen from the above disclosure that the present invention of a removable expansion interface device based on removable design for an interface device to be used features lowered costs and spatial and economic efficiency. Moreover, the present invention based on a motherboard without extra costs is in favor of applications of new storage devices or expansion of other functions and realizes significant advantages such as time and cost efficiency, lowered complexity, and industrial applicability.

Accordingly, the present invention significantly meets patentability and is applied for the patent. However, the above descriptions are preferred embodiments which do not limit the scope of the present invention; any equivalent change or improvement in shapes, structure or features without departing from spirit of the present invention should be incorporated in claims herein.