The present invention relates to computer connectors. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to VGA connectors that have integral electronic components.
Almost all personal computers use the same type of 15 pin display connector. Because that connector was used in the original IBM VGA card it is often referred to simply as the VGA connector. Since the VGA connector is so widely used it acts as a standard that enables different graphic display electronics providers to provide equipment that mate with displays from different display providers.
While the VGA connector has been very successful over the years, it has several drawbacks that have become more important as displays and the computer systems that drive them have advanced. First, the VGA connector is not particularly well suited for high resolution video graphics systems. This is because the VGA connector does not provide well defined and controlled impedance characteristics.
Yet another problem with VGA connectors is that video graphics systems that use VGA connectors typically require extensive filtering of the signals passed via the VGA connector pins. While this is not in itself a problem, since different suppliers use filters that have different performance characteristics, the “standard” provided by the VGA connector is eroded by widely varying electronic interfaces. Even if two suppliers use supposedly identical filters, one supplier may use higher quality components that provide high quality filtering while the other supplier might use lesser quality components that provide relatively poor filtering. Another problem is that the VGA signals required shielding, but the standard VGA connector does not provide effective signal shielding.
Still another problem with using VGA connectors is that they do not support controlled signal paths. For example, two different display card manufacturers might use different signal paths to traverse the distance between the video driver, typically a digital to analog converter (DAC), and the VGA connector.
Uncontrolled variations in impedance characteristics, signal shielding, signal path lengths, and VGA signal filters can be highly damaging to the quality reputations of major device suppliers. For example, many different manufacturers might supply video graphics cards that use graphical processor devices supplied by another company. Indeed, that company's name is often prominently displayed in connection with the card. Since poor VGA connectors, filters, and uncontrolled signal path lengths can provide noticeably poor performance, the reputation of device suppliers can be harmed by factors related to VGA connectors.
Therefore, an improved VGA connector would be beneficial. Even more beneficial would be an improved VGA connector that provides signal shielding. Also beneficial would be an improved VGA connector that provides internal electronics, such as electronic filters and digital to analog converters. Such VGA connectors that also support controlled analog signal path lengths would also be beneficial.
The principles of the present invention provide for an improved VGA connector. Embodiments of the principles of the present invention provide for VGA connector having enhanced graphic performance by internally incorporating one or more functions of fusing, filtering, shielding, and controlling of signal line impendances. Embodiments of the inventive VGA connector are dimensionally interchangeable with many aspects of standard VGA connectors, and use standard pin-outs that mate with mating connectors. At least some embodiments include integral DACs to provide analog outputs.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, wherever possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.
The principles of the present invention provide for improved graphic performance using an inventive VGA connector having internal support for one or more fusing, filtering, shielding, and controlling impendances. While the inventive VGA connector is beneficial in many respects, it is in many respects dimensionally interchangeable with standard VGA connectors and pin-outs, and mates with mating connectors. At least some embodiments include integral DACs to provide analog outputs.
For convenience, the standard VGA pinouts are provided below. Because of the pin-outs are standardized, what follows does not discuss particular pins. Rather, what follows discusses pins and connections in relation to power, logic signals, and analog voltages.
Some of the pins pass analog 0.7 voltages (Vp-p) at nominal 75 ohm loads, while others operate at TTL levels.
Referring now to
As previously noted, the VGA connector 100 is physically dimensioned in accord to the standard VGA connector such that it mates to a standard VGA male connector. However, the VGA connector 100 includes a non-standard circuit board 250, elongated and bent female pins 220, the protective shield 106, and various electronic components that are discussed below.
While most, possibly all, applications will benefit by having filters within the VGA connector 100, in some applications it may be beneficial to mount the digital-to-analog converters which produce the red, blue and green outputs within the VGA connector 100. One reason to do this is to equalize and/or reduce the signal path lengths of the analog signals, and thus improve performance. For example,
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
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