WO2008152123A2

WO2008152123A2 - Motherboard for a computer, a computer chassis assembly housing the motherboard, and a method of allocating at least two audio sources using the motherboard

Info

Publication number: WO2008152123A2
Application number: PCT/EP2008/057443
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steen Christensen
Original assignee: Avx Aps
Priority date: 2007-06-12
Filing date: 2008-06-12
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Also published as: WO2008152123A3

Abstract

A motherboard for a computer comprising a first circuit board provided with a first set of electrical components for providing at least principal computing functionality, a second circuit board provided with a second set of electrical components for providing at least peripheral computing functionality, and where said first and second circuit board is placed in electrical communication on top of each other at least partly overlapping each other, and the first and the second set constitutes a complete set of components for a operational motherboard.

Description

Motherboard for a computer, a computer chassis assembly housing the motherboard, and a method of allocating at least two audio sources using the motherboard

The present invention relates to a motherboard for computers, a computer chassis assembly housing a motherboard for computers and a method of using a motherboard for computers.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently the demand for constant access to information technology systems is rapidly increasing. The tendency is to combine a plurality of apparatuses into a single device, providing a mobile phone, audio/video player, navigation eguipment, internet access, etc. in one apparatus. One of the areas of increased attention is providing a multi purpose PC in a vehicle, having a plurality of different functions that minimizes the driver's needs for different devices.

US 7,113,395 describes an information processing apparatus having a size which fits inside the car audio mounting bay which has a size of one DIN (Deutsches Institut fϋr Normung) (180 x 50 x 170 mm), which is an international standard for the size of a car mounting bay. The apparatus described has a body which fits inside the mounting bay, while the computer screen is permanently outside the mounting bay. This means that if the apparatus is mounted in the car, the screen cannot be folded away or hidden from individuals who are interested in breaking into cars and stripping the expensive parts from the inside of the car. Furthermore, the body of the apparatus includes a computer keyboard which means that if the apparatus is in a mounted position, there is no access to the computer keyboard.

Therefore there is a need to provide a motherboard for a computer which is designed such that a complete computer system, having at least a screen, and optical drive as peripheral devices may be constructed into a space which does not exceed the standard of one DIN.

In a first aspect according to the present invention, is provided a motherboard for a computer which is constructed in a way which maximizes a limited spatial area without losing any functionality .

The computing related terms and definitions used in the previous and following paragraphs can be found in Webster's New World Computer Dictionary, tenth edition (ISBN 076452478X) .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Within the scope of the present invention, the reference "the principal computing functionality" is understood as the basic functionality which reguires a computer to operate, such as communication along busses (electrical conductors) between the CPU, Graphic card, memory modules, control chipsets, Input/output ports, storage drive controllers, etc.

Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, the reference "the peripheral computing functionality" is understood as the functionality which is not vital to the operation of a computer but increases the basic functionality, such as sound mixer card, mobile phone card, uninterruptible power source, etc.

The novel and unigue feature whereby this is achieved according to the present invention is the fact that the motherboard comprises a first circuit board provided with a first set of electrical components for providing at least principal computing functionality, and a second circuit board provided with a second set of electrical components for providing at least peripheral computing functionality. Said first and second circuit board is placed in electrical communication on top of each other at least partly overlapping each other, and the first and the second set constitutes a complete set of components for an operational motherboard.

By dividing the motherboard into a first and a second circuit board it is possible to minimize the physical space reguirements of a motherboard, as the first and the second circuit boards may be placed on top of each other.

Furthermore, the restriction of at least the principal computing functionality on a single circuit board improves the stability of the motherboard, as the important communication channels of the motherboard, such as the communication between the CPU and the memory modules are optimal and does not have to travel from one circuit board to the other.

Therefore may the first set of electrical components be chosen from the group consisting of CPU, RAM, graphic processor, audio processor, storage drive controller, Bluetooth controller card, IrDA Controller card, USB controller, IEEE 1394 controller, RS- 232 controller and an expansion card controller and corresponding socket.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first circuit board has at least two expansion card sockets which are constructed according to the MINI PCI Type III standard or PC express card. The expansion slot may be used to add wireless networking functionality for the first circuit board, allowing a wireless connection to the Internet. The wireless connection may be of the IEEE 802.11 standard, WiMAX standard, or any similar appropriate standard.

Furthermore, the at least two expansion slots may be used to add a TV expansion card, providing analog and digital TV signals for the first circuit board. As the second circuit board is in communication with the first circuit board using electrical communication means which may be removably connected, the communication speed over the electrical communication means may be less than if permanent communication means would be used. Therefore are the electrical components on the second circuit board mainly restricted to at least the electrical components which do not require maximum communication speed.

Therefore may the second set of electrical components be chosen from the group consisting of sound card mixer, mobile phone, GPS, uninterruptible power source, analog and/or digital TV tuner, FM/AM radio tuner, amplifier, audio input/output connections, video input/output connections and antenna connectors.

The physical size of the first and/or the second circuit board may be at least equal to or smaller than 180 mm width and 170 mm depth, in accordance with the ISO 7736 or 1-DIN standard. This means that the physical size of the motherboard is small enough to fit inside the audio system mounting in vehicles .

The first or the second circuit board may be constructed in an appropriate shape having a cutout which allows room for a optical drive. This means that if an optical drive is included in a construction along with the motherboard, the optical drive may be placed in the same plane as the first or the second circuit board, thus saving valuable space.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the first circuit board may be the second circuit board and vice versa. This means that the first circuit board may hold the electrical components which provide peripheral computing functionality, while the second circuit board may hold the electrical components which provide principal computing functionality. Thus, the order of the circuit boards is not a controlling factor .

The present invention also introduces a computer chassis assembly for the motherboard of the present invention where the physical size of the chassis assembly may be at least equal to or smaller than 180 mm width, 50 mm height and 170 mm depth, in accordance with the ISO 7736 or 1-DIN standard. The computer chassis assembly is designed around the motherboard such that the first and second circuit boards fit inside the chassis assembly, in a manner as above mentioned, where the chassis assembly is designed to fit into a standard mounting bay of a car. This enables an easy installation of the chassis assembly and therefore the motherboard and its electrical components in a car or any entity which has a standard size mounting bay.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chassis may be adapted to fit a touch sensitive flat panel screen, which fits inside the computer chassis assembly in a closed position and extends out of the computer chassis assembly in an open position, exposing the viewing area to the user. The flat panel screen provides the graphical interface for the user and additionally provides the user with a simple way of inputting into a computer which is based on the motherboard and the chassis assembly.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the computer chassis assembly comprises a slide, comprised of a main frame and a screen frame mutually connected by means of a buggy, which buggy provides for moving the slide in and out of the chassis. The screen frame and the buggy are pivotable connected and may be provided with brake means so that a certain force is necessary to pivot the screen in a controlled manner in relation to the computer chassis assembly from a first hidden position inside the chassis, the closed position, to a second visual user position outside the chassis, the open position. The brake means enables the flat panel screen to keep any intermediate position during drawing out and pivoting the flat panel screen. Further, the brake means prevents a too fast movement of the screen thereby advantageously avoiding that the screen hits something and is broken or breaks something both during the movement from the first and the second position and vice versa.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer chassis assembly can have a stop means to ensure that the same open second visual position of the flat panel screen can be achieved from time to time. Such a predetermined position may be beneficial for the driver who wants the same position of the flat panel screen every time he/she intends to use the assembly, thus the stop means enables the screen to be positioned in the best position every time. The stop means, which for example may be a tab on the buggy and an engaging locking tab on the adjacent edge of flat panel screen, may also serve to prevent the screen from hitting other parts of the car, in particular parts of the car bay when arranged for use.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chassis is eguipped with a front panel, which in a closed position operates as an information panel and in an open position providing access to a DVD player with a DVD burner, two USB ports, a firewire port, a SD card reader and a SIM card reader. As the touch sensitive flat panel is retracted into the chassis the front panel would be able to close in a parallel position against the front of the chassis. The face of the front panel, which is directed away from the computer chassis includes an information panel which may show the current status of the computer in accordance with the invention, show mobile text messages, Email messages and traffic information, and may allow the user to adjust the current settings, such as switch radio station, adjust the speaker volume and switch between songs using a number of touch buttons. As the front panel is in an open position the touch sensitive flat panel may extend out of the chassis. The user may use the touch sensitive flat panel as an input device for the computer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the chassis assembly includes a cooling fan which provides air circulation inside the computer chassis assembly. The computer chassis assembly serves to hold a motherboard having a number of electrical components which may generate a considerable amount of heat during operation, the cooling fan is designed to provide the necessary air circulation, such that the heated air produced inside the chassis assembly may be directed out of the chassis minimizing the risk of overheating electrical components.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the chassis assembly may be adapted to hold a computer hard drive storage for mass storage of data such as operating systems, software programs, documents, E-mails, video files and/or audio files. The computer hard drive storage is connected to the motherboard using a storage drive controller and corresponding electrical connection on the motherboard. This allows a functional computer to hold any form for electronic data for operation of the computer.

The invention also includes a method of allocating at least two audio sources using a motherboard for computers which comprises a first circuit board provided with a first set of electrical components for providing at least principal computing functionality, and a second circuit board provided with a second set of electrical components for providing at least peripheral computing functionality. The said first and second circuit board are placed in electrical communication on top of each other at least partly overlapping each other, where the first and the second set constitutes a complete set of components for a operational motherboard, where the first circuit board may comprise at least two audio processors each processing an individual audio source, and the second circuit board may comprise an audio mixer card which receives the at least two audio sources from the at least two audio processors and allocates each audio source to an individual audio channel. Therefore may each audio processor be assigned to a different application being operated using a computer comprising the motherboard according to the present invention.

This allows the user to connect a plurality of speakers to a functional system, where each set of speakers has a separate audio channel. Using this method the user may as an example play one audio source in the front of the car while playing a different audio source in the back of the car. An example of this method would be when a family is traveling together, the driver would be able to play music in the front of the car while allowing the children in the back to watch a movie being played on the system, playing the audio source of the movie in the back of the car in synchronization with the video feed of the movie on external video display in the back.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in greater details below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a top view of a computer chassis assembly having a motherboards first circuit board,

Fig. 2 is a top view of a computer chassis assembly having a motherboards second circuit board,

Fig. 3 is a front view of a computer chassis assembly having a motherboards second circuit board, a hard disk drive and a motherboards second circuit board in a computer chassis assembly,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, seen substantially from the front, of a complete computer chassis assembly having a front cover in a closed position,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, seen substantially from the front, of a complete computer chassis assembly having a front cover in an open position and a flat panel in an extended position,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, seen substantially from the rear, of an assembly of a slide for moving the flat panel screen in and out of the chassis,

Fig. 7 shows the same in an exploded view seen from substantially the front,

Fig. 7a shows an exploded view of a stop means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows a top view of a computer chassis assembly 1 intended for installation in a car, having a first circuit board 2 positioned inside the chassis assembly 1. The size of the computer chassis is egual to or smaller than the size defined by the 1-DIN standard (ISO 7736) where the width X of the chassis 1 is less than 180 mm and the depth Y is less than 170 mm. The first circuit board 2 is of a size that is smaller than the internal size of the computer chassis assembly 1. The first circuit board 2 has a socket 3 for a CPU, where a processor (not shown) may be installed onto the first circuit board 2. The side walls 4 of the computer chassis assembly 1 have brackets (not shown) which holds the first circuit board in place. A disk drive connector 5 is used to connect an optical drive (not shown) or a storage drive (not shown) to the first circuit board 2, providing data storage options for the computer chassis assembly.

In a preferred embodiment the RAM module 6 is located on the first circuit board 2 having a stable permanent connection to the CPU socket 3 or control chipset (not shown) . A Bluetooth control card 8 is installed just behind a front cover, as described and shown more clearly in the following fig. 4. The Bluetooth control card 8 provides means for a wireless connection between the first circuit board and additional devices, such as a headset, PDA, Laptop, Mobile Phone, Printer, Digital Camera, and other devices having Bluetooth functionality .

Furthermore, external connectivity is provided using two USB connectors 8 and an IEEE 1394 connector 8'. These connections 8 and 8' provide the possibility of adding at least one peripheral device to the computer chassis assembly 1, without having to install the device inside the chassis assembly 1.

Furthermore, additional storage space may be added using a flash memory card reader 9, such as a Secure

Digital/MultiMediaCard (SD/MMC) reader which is accessible from the front of the computer chassis assembly 1.

A graphical processor 10 is constructed into the first circuit board 2, where the graphical processor 10 provides the video feed to at least one computer display, preferably providing video feeds to at least two displays, where the video feed for one display may be different from the video feed to another display. Additional functionality may be added to the computer chassis assembly 1 via the first circuit board 2, using at least one expansion card connector 11, where in this preferred embodiment the first circuit board 2 has two expansion card connectors 11, 11' of a standard size which corresponds to MiniPCI type III.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, close to the back wall 12 of the chassis assembly 1, the first circuit board 2 is constructed with a digital audio output 13, a combined RS-232, USB, Power and Stereo Out connection 14 and a cooling fan 15 providing air circulation inside the chassis assembly. The digital audio output 13 may provide an external amplifier with a number of audio channels, in mono, stereo or surround, where a two audio processors (not shown) built into the first circuit board 2 may provide a number of different audio channels at the same time. The combined RS-232 and USB connection 14 provides a possibility of connecting a car management computer to the first circuit board 2, allowing a functional computer system access to information provided by the car management computer providing the user with up to date information about the car.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of a computer chassis assembly 1 having a second circuit board 16 having an electrical connection 17 providing an electrical communication to the first electrical circuit board 2 (not shown). The corresponding electrical connection is on the bottom side of the first circuit board 2, coming into connection as the first circuit board 2 is placed on top of the second circuit board 16.

In a preferred embodiment, the second circuit board 16 has a GPS module 18, which provides GPS functionality to the computer chassis assembly 1, where the functional computer may operate as a navigational device for the driver of the car. Furthermore, the second circuit board 16 has a rechargeable battery providing an uninterruptible power source if the computer chassis assembly 1 loses its primary power source.

A mobile phone card 20 is built into the second circuit board 16, providing voice and data transmissions using TCP/IP stack for the motherboard via a mobile telephone network. The mobile phone card, has a slot where a Subscriber Identity Module card may be inserted, providing the access to the mobile phone network. The mobile phone antenna (not shown) is connected to the second circuit board 16 via an antenna connection 21 located near the back wall 12 of the computer chassis assembly 1, which furthermore may provide any of the following antenna interfaces for example, a GPS antennae, a wireless networking antenna, radio antenna or a TV antenna.

Additionally, a multi connector 22 General Purpose In Out (GPIO) is located on the second circuit board 16 near the back wall 12, providing a plurality of data, power, audio or video input/output options to the second circuit board 16, which is preferably in electrical communication with the first circuit board 2 via the electrical connection 17.

The second circuit board 16 is constructed in a L shape such that a optical drive (not shown) may be installed in the same plane as the second circuit board in a space 23 which is large enough to fit the optical drive. The size of space 23 is preferably defined by the size of an optical disk such as a CD, a DVD, a HD-DVD or a blue-ray disk.

Fig. 3 is a front view of a computer chassis assembly 1 having a second circuit board 16, where an optical drive 24 has been installed inside the computer chassis assembly 1 in the same plane as the second circuit board 16. Furthermore a hard disk drive 25 is installed above the second circuit board 16, substantially on top of the first circuit board (not shown) which is to be installed on top of the second circuit board 16. The optical drive 24 and the hard disk drive 25 are connected to the first circuit board (not shown) via the storage drive controller (not shown) .

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, seen substantially from the front, of a complete computer chassis assembly 1 which is a fully functional PC having the front cover 26 in a closed position. The face 27 of the front cover 26 directed away from the chassis assembly 1, includes an information panel 28, providing up to date information on the functionality of the computer chassis assembly 1. A number of control buttons 29 are located on the front cover, providing the input interface of the computer chassis assembly 1 where the front cover 26 is in a closed position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, seen substantially from the front, of a complete computer chassis assembly 1 which is a fully functional PC having a front cover 26 in a open position and a flat panel 30 in an extended position. The flat panel 30 is a touch sensitive panel which allows the user to control and input into a functional PC, via information presented on a screen 32 using a finger or a pointing device such as a stylus (not shown) . As the PC is turned off, the screen retracts into the computer chassis assembly, and closing the front cover into a state as shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, seen substantially from the rear, of a slide 33 that transports the screen 32 out of and into the computer chassis assembly 1. The slide 33 consists of three main parts, a main frame 34, a buggy 35 and a screen frame 36. The main frame 34 is fixed in relation to the computer chassis assembly 1. The buggy 35 moves translatory in relation to the main frame 34 between an extended position and a retracted position. The screen frame 36, in which the screen 32 is situated, is connected to the buggy 35 by means of a first axle 37a and a second axle 37b, having a common axis A. This means that the screen frame 36 can be pivoted about the axles 37a, 37b in relation to the buggy 35.

The buggy 35 is moved by a step motor (not visual) with a planet gear (not visual) and a cogwheel (not visual) which engages or gears into a tooth rack 36. The tooth rack 36 is an integrated part of the main frame 34. The buggy 35 is designed to ensure that the buggy 35 moves out of and into the main frame 34 without any play. On each side of the buggy 35 there are opposing wheels 38a which move on a trail surface 38b. The wheels 38a are covered by slip-resistant rubber to guarantee that the screen frame 36 and buggy 35 do not turn or deviate in relation to the main frame 34. The mobility of the buggy 35 is further stabilized by a slide rod 39 of satin finished steel that is fixed at the back and the front of the main frame 34. The slide rod 39 is mounted in the middle of the main frame 34 and the slide rod 39 passes through an opening 40 in the middle of the buggy 35. A teflon-coated slide bearing 41 is fitted in the opening 40 to ensure that the mobility of the buggy 35 on the slide rod 39 is precise and with low friction.

Fig. 7 shows the slide 33 from below to illustrate how the wheels 38a are fastened to the buggy 32 by first screws 42. The slide rod 39 is introduced through the opening 40 and a clip 43 fits a notch 44 on the slide rod 39 to fasten the slide rod 39. The screen frame 36 and the buggy 35 is connected by means of the first and second axles 37a, 37b on the buggy 35 extending through first cylinder hinge 45a and second cylinder hinge 45b, respectively, on the screen frame 36.

A second screw 46 fits a hole with threads at the end 37b' of the axle 37b. The second screw 46 tightens a retainer bushing 47, cup springs 48 and a first washer 49 against the second cylinder hinge 45b. The cup springs 48 ensure a constant friction force to keep the screen frame 36 in relation to the buggy 35, even though the second screw 46 somewhat loosens. The position of the screen frame 36 including the screen 32 is kept due to the friction force. Even when the retainer bushing 47, the cup springs 48 or the first washer 49 are worn the cup springs 48 will keep the friction force and keep the screen frame 36 in position. Since the second screw 46 must be screwed several turns from the point where the cup springs 48 starts to exert a pressure until the cup springs 48 are screwed to the bottom, the friction force can be adjusted with high accuracy.

A minimum force is needed to overcome the friction force to move the screen frame 36. By using a touch screen the friction force is high enough to keep the screen frame 36 in the same position, even when the touch function of the touch screen is used. The first washer 49 has a recess 49a that fits a first tab 50 so that the cup springs 48 do not rotate thereby minimizing the risk that the second screw 46 is unscrewed. The friction force further increases the stiffness of the construction. The increased stiffness minimizes vibrations of the screen frame 36.

When the screen frame 36 and the buggy 35 come out of the computer chassis assembly 1, the screen frame 36 sticks straight out. From this position the screen frame 36 is manually bent up to a user position exposing the viewing area of the screen 32 to the user. There is an adjustable lock or stop to enable that the same user position from time to time is achieved. When the screen frame 36 is bent up the screen frame 36 always reaches the same position.

Fig. 7a shows that an end 37a' of the first axle 37a, that is introduced in a third cylinder hinge 51, has a threaded first hole 52. The first axle 37a has a collar 54, which is pressed against the third cylinder hinge 51 when a third screw 53 is tightened, thus the third screw 53 secures the first axle 37a. On the side of the collar 54 that is not facing the third cylinder hinge 51 there is a second tab 55 in the form of a quarter of a ring. The second tab 55 engages into a third tab 56 of similar shape on the third cylinder hinge 51 when the screen frame 36 and the buggy 35 is joined and the first cylinder hinge 45a is pulled on the first axle 37a. The second tab 55 and the third tab 56 limit the pivoting of the screen frame 36 in relation to the buggy 35. A torsion spring 57a - is arranged between the buggy 35 and the first axle 37a through a pin 57b in a second hole 57c on the first axle 37a - to ensure that a first end surface (not shown) of the second tab 55 is pressed against a second end surface 58 of the third tab 56 so that when the screw 53 is secured a new user position can be defined. So, when the third screw 53 is fastened the second tab 55 and the third tab 56 will ensure that the position of the screen frame 36 will define the new user position. The screen frame 36 cannot be bent any further upwards unless the third screw 53 is loosened.

A similar system serves as a mechanical stopper to ensure that the screen frame 36 is in the same plane as the main frame 34 before the screen frame 36 and the buggy 35 are introduced into the computer chassis assembly 1. This similar system consist in a fourth tab 59 on the second cylinder hinge 45b and a fifth tab 60 on a fourth cylinder hinge 61 where the fourth tab 59 and the fifth tab 60 are facing towards each other and engage each other. A tilt sensor (not shown) in the screen 32 and a tilt sensor (not shown) in the main frame 34 further ensure that the screen frame 36 is in the same plane as the main frame 34 and the buggy 35. The tilt sensors register rotation or pivoting about the axis of the first and second axles 37a and 37b, respectively. The orientations of the tilt sensors are compared with each other and if they are equal or substantially equal the screen frame 36 and the buggy 35 are retracted into the computer chassis assembly 1. If the computer chassis assembly 1 is not mounted horizontal in the car the screen frame 36 can still be retracted since it is the relative orientation of the two tilt sensors that counts. A personal computer consumes current even when switched off, approximately 100 mA. A normal battery used in a car has a capacity of approximately 50Ah. The capacity is reduced when the battery is worn or when the outside temperature is low. That means that a battery in a car that contains a computer having a motherboard according to the present innovation will be emptied after 50Oh and in most cases much faster. To avoid that the battery is emptied when the car has been parked for some time there is a microprocessor that measures the current consumption and after some time activates a relay that breaks the connection from the battery. The limit before the relay is activated is certain period of time related to the current. It is possible to adjust the limit to fit the actual status of the battery. If e.g. the outside temperature is low the activation limit can be changed from e.g. 8h to 4h or 2h or from 80OmAh to 40OmAh or 20OmAh.

Claims

THE CLAIMS

1. A motherboard for a computer comprising a first circuit board (2) provided with a first set of electrical components for providing at least principal computing functionality, a second circuit board (16) provided with a second set of electrical components for providing at least peripheral computing functionality, and - said first (2) and second (16) circuit board is placed in electrical communication on top of each other at least partly overlapping each other, and the first and the second set constitutes a complete set of components for a operational motherboard.

2. A motherboard according to claim 1 wherein the first set of electrical components are chosen from the group consisting of CPU, RAM, graphic processor, sc audio processor, storage drive controller, Bluetooth controller card, IrDA controller Card, USB controller, IEEE 1394 controller, RS-232 controller and an expansion card controller and corresponding socket.

3. A motherboard according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the second set of electrical components are chosen from the group consisting of sound card mixer, mobile phone, GPS, uninterruptible power source, analog and/or digital TV tuner, FM/AM radio tuner, amplifier, audio input/output connections, video input/output connections and antenna connectors.

4. A motherboard according to any of the preceding claims wherein the physical size of the first (2) and/or the second

(16) circuit board is at least egual to or smaller than 180 mm width and 170 mm depth, in accordance with the ISO 7736 or 1-DIN standard.

5. A motherboard according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first (2) or the second (16) circuit board is constructed in an appropriate shape having a cutout which allows room for a optical drive (24) .

6. A motherboard according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first circuit board (2) is the second circuit board (16) and vice versa.

7. A computer chassis assembly (1) housing a motherboard according to claim 1 wherein the physical size of the chassis assembly is at least egual to or smaller than 180 mm width, 50 mm height and 170 mm depth, in accordance with the ISO 7736 or 1-DIN standard.

8. A computer chassis assembly (1) according to claim 7 wherein the chassis is adapted to fit a touch sensitive flat panel screen, which fits inside the computer chassis assembly (1) in a closed position and extends out of the computer chassis assembly in an open position, exposing the viewing area to the user.

9. A computer chassis assembly according to claim 8 wherein the computer chassis assembly (1) comprises a slide (33), comprised of a main frame (34) and a screen frame (36) mutually connected by means of a buggy (35), which buggy (35) provides for moving the slide (33) in and out of the chassis and the screen frame (36) and the buggy (35) are pivotable connected and are provided with brake means (48) so that a certain force is necessary to pivot the screen frame (36) in a controlled manner in relation to the computer chassis assembly (1) from a first hidden position inside the chassis, the closed position, to a second visual user position outside the chassis, the open position.

10. A computer chassis assembly (1) according to claims 8 or 9 wherein the computer chassis assembly has a stop means

(55,56) to ensure that the same open position of the flat panel screen (32) is achieved from time to time.

11. A computer chassis assembly (1) according to claims 7 to 10 wherein the chassis is eguipped with a front panel (26) .

12. A computer chassis assembly (1) according to claims 7 to 11 wherein the chassis assembly (1) includes a cooling fan

(15) which provides air circulation inside the computer chassis assembly (1) .

13. A computer chassis assembly (1) according to claims 7 to 12 wherein the chassis assembly (1) is adapted to hold a computer hard drive storage for mass storage of data such as operating systems, software programs, documents, Emails, video files and/or audio files.

14. A method of allocating at least two audio sources using a motherboard for computers which comprises

- a first circuit board (2) provided with a first set of electrical components for providing at least principal computing functionality, and - a second circuit board (16) provided with a second set of electrical components for providing at least peripheral computing functionality, where

- said first (2) and second (16) circuit board is placed in electrical communication on top of each other least partly overlapping each other, and the first and the second set constitutes a complete set of components for a operational motherboard, wherein

- the first circuit board (2) comprises at least two audio processors each processing an individual audio source, and - the second circuit board (16) comprises an audio mixer card which receives the at least two audio sources from the at least two audio processors and allocates each audio source to an individual audio channel .