Method and apparatus for factory or user configurable external connectors
US6215656A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R2201/06
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method is provided for installing and connecting one or more expansion boards in a computer system while the computer system is being manufactured as well as when a user upgrades or reconfigures the computer system. An expansion board bay for receiving the expansion board is located within the computer system, typically on a circuit board such as the motherboard. A connector module that is separate from the expansion board and the expansion board bay is positioned within the computer system. The connector module is positioned to provide easy external access to a contact portion of the connector module, thereby allowing a user to connect an external data signal line to the connector module. A connector cable operably connects the expansion board with the connector module to establish communication between the data processor and the external data line through the expansion board.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.