Modular communications connector for I/O card applications
US5423697A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S439/928
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A modular communications connector apparatus for coupling an external communications device to the auxiliary I/O contacts of an IC card receptacle of a computer system is described. The apparatus includes a communications adapter receptacle, affixed to the computer chassis, which includes electrical contacts which are coupled to the auxiliary I/O contacts of the IC card receptacle. The apparatus also includes at least one communications adapter module which serves as an intermediate adapter between the communications adapter receptacle and one of a variety of standard communications plugs. To form the desired interface, the standard communications plug of the external device is inserted into a standard receptacle contained on communications adapter module, and the communications adapter module is then inserted into the communications adapter receptacle. Flexibility is achieved because the communications adapter receptacle is capable of receiving a variety of differently-adapted communications adapter modules.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.