Field Changeable Rendering System For A Computing Device

• Main Authors: MIMBERG LUDGER, DIAMOND MICHAEL B, BISSON LUC R, WALTERS JOSEPH D
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.01.2008
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; PHYSICS

One embodiment of a field changeable rendering system includes an output device interfaced to a motherboard, a fixed rendering device mounted to the motherboard for generating information to be output on said output device, a connector for attaching a field-changeable rendering card to the motherboard, said field-changeable rendering card capable of housing a discrete rendering device for generating information to be output on said output device and detection circuitry for detecting that a field-changeable rendering card housing a discrete rendering device is coupled to said connector and causing information from said field-changeable rendering card housing a discrete rendering device to be output on said output device. One advantage of the disclosed edge connector is that it is compatible with a plurality of graphics cards and systems, thereby enabling a computing device user to upgrade the existing device's graphics system. Thus, the user is not forced to purchase an entirely new computing device in order to take advantage of graphics innovations. A further advantage of the disclosed edge connector is that it enables upgrades to low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) features, without the need for additional costly devices capable of operating at LVDS data rates.