Method and apparatus for providing power activity and fault light support using light conduits for single connector architecture (SCA) disk drives
US5790374A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/326
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer cabinet and hot-pluggable disk drive module design including indicator light support for the disk drive module. The cabinet includes a disk drive module receiving bay into which the disk drive module is removably installed. The disk drive receiving bay includes a backplane having at least one connector for engagement with a corresponding connector, preferably a single connector architecture (SCA) connector, protruding from a leading surface of the disk drive module. A light source mounted to the backplane near the backplane connector is illuminated to provide status information concerning the disk drive module. A light conduit extends from the light source to a conspicuous viewing location on the computer cabinet. Multiple indicator lights and corresponding light conduits tinted to different colors may be employed to provide different status indications, e.g., power, activity and fault status information. The light conduits may also be incorporated into the disk drive modules, such that once the disk drive module has been installed within the drive bay the light conduits extend from a location on a leading surface of disk drive tray opposing the light sources contained o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.