NVIDIA Corp. has been granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that concerns advanced D-Sub 15 (VGA) connector with integrated filtering. The analogue connector developed by the graphics company should have improved image quality over typical outputs.

The patent No. 6,942,521 describes the connect as “an improved VGA connector that supports enhanced graphic performance by internally incorporating one or more functions of fusing, filtering, shielding, and the controlling of signal line impendances”. The improved D-Sub connector is dimensionally interchangeable with many aspects of standard VGA connectors, and use standard pin-outs that mate with mating connectors. Integral DACs can be included to provide analog outputs.

Modern graphics cards based on graphics processing units from market leaders ATI Technologies and NVIDIA Corp. usually feature two DVI-I outputs and are bundles with DVI-I-to-D-Sub adapters so that users with displays that feature traditional VGA plugs. The industry, meanwhile, is moving towards dual-link DVI as well as HDMI outputs that provide high resolutions digitally. Generally, D-Sub 15 connectors are gradually withdrawing from the market. However, there are some professional applications that still use traditional VGA interconnections and may require improved image quality.

NVIDIA did not comment for the news-story, which is inline with the company’s policy not to comment on the matter of patents and unannounced products.