Module for insertion into a multi-module system having electronic keying for preventing power to improperly connected modules with improperly configured diode connections
US5293636A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 24, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 24, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K1/14
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer system with a number of subsystems or modules on separate circuit boards employs electronic keying to ensure proper configuration of these boards. A power key arrangement associated with a plug-in connector enables a separate power supply for each set of boards. A power supply turn-on signal is routed through a uniquely-configured connector path for each board, so the power supply turn-on is inhibited for improper configurations. The uniquely-configured connector path may use either a series or a parallel implementation. The series implementation employs a set of diodes connected for conduction in either of two directions, with the mating connector having its conductor paths connected to match the diode configuration; in this manner, the power supply enable signal can only flow through the series path if the proper board is plugged into a properly-coded slot, in which case the power supply to activate this board is activated through the series path including the diodes. The parallel implementation employs a given number of connector pins to establish the coding for each board, and each pin is either open-circuited or connected to ground; if this coding of the subsystem b…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.