SMART ACTIVE CONNECTOR
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Electrical socket connector (10) for pluggable connection to a complementary plug connector (40), comprising a casing (11), a connection terminal assembly (13) mounted in the casing for connection to a complementary connection terminal assembly (43) of the plug connector, an identification system for identification of the plug connector, and an electronic switch (32) for secure connection between the socket and plug connectors. The identification system comprises a display unit (12) for connection status and a processing unit configured to read a plug identifier provided by an identifier module (46) of the plug connector each time the socket and plug connectors are connected together, and to control the electronic switch and the visual aspect of the display unit based on the plug identifier output.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1-28. -28. (canceled)
- 29. Electrical socket connector for pluggable connection to a complementary plug connector, including a casing, a connection terminal assembly mounted in the casing for connection to a complementary connection terminal assembly of the plug connector, and an identification system comprising a processing unit configured to read a plug identifier provided by an identifier module of the plug connector each time the socket and plug connectors are connected together and a display unit with a light source for displaying a connection status based on said plug identifier read by the processing unit.
- 49. Electrical socket connector for use in medical applications for pluggable connection to a complementary disposable plug connector, comprising a plug receiving portion, an identification and connection history control system for identification of the plug connector and for connection history control between the socket and plug connectors, and an electronic switch for secure authenticated connection between the socket and plug connectors, wherein the identification and connection history control system comprises a digital display unit for connection history status and a processing unit configured to read a plug identifier and an integer stored in a memory of the plug connector, said integer being correlated to the connection history between the socket and plug connectors, wherein the processing unit is further configured to output a signal to modify the integer of the plug connector each time a secure connection is established between the socket and plug connectors, and to control the electronic switch and the digital display unit based on the plug identifier and integer outputs of the plug connector.
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55. Method of controlling secure connection history between a socket connector and a disposable plug connector, the socket connector comprising a plug ID reader and an electronic switch, the disposable plug connector comprising a plug identifier and a non-volatile memory in which is stored an integer representing a maximum number of allowed connection cycles between the plug connector and the socket connector, the method comprising the steps of:
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i) connecting the plug and socket connectors together; ii) reading of the plug identifier by the plug ID reader; iii) determining whether the integer has reached a predetermined value if the read-out of plug ID reader is positive; iv) modifying the integer stored in the memory of the plug connector each time a secure connection is established between the plug and socket connectors as long as the integer has not reached the predetermined value; and v) setting the electronic switch to an open state when the integer has reached a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (56)
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Specification