Multiple connector interface

• US 4,686,506 A
• Filed: 07/28/1986
• Issued: 08/11/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acticon Technologies LLC (General Patent Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Anico Research Ltd., Rapitech Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Farago, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US06/891,190
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 340/347 DD, 339/17 R, 339/17 C, 339/17 F, 339/14 R, 339/17 M, 339/17 LC, 339/17 N, 339/176 R, 339/176 M, 339/176 MP, 361/392-395, 361/412, 361/415, 364/705, 364/771, 179/20 P
• US Class Current: 341/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/38 Information transfer, e.g. on bus G06F13/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/00 Data switching networks interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units G06F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring

Abstract

A connector interface for enabling multiple conversions between first and second data handling systems wherein the data in the first system is arranged in a first type of format and the data in the second system is arranged in a second type of format, includes a connector housing with first and second sets of electrical contact elements exposed at different portions of the housing. Circuitry contained entirely within the housing operates to convert data transmitted to the first set of contact elements from the first data handling system into corresponding data in the second type of format for transmission to the second data handling system through the second set of contact elements, and to convert data transmitted to the second set of contact elements from the second data handling system into corresponding data in the first format for transmission to the first data handling system. One set of electrical contact elements may, for example, be arranged to extend out from the connector housing in two parallel rows to allow the elements to be directly connected to corresponding terminals arranged in a dual in line configuration on an outside printed circuit board. The other set of electrical contact elements may be arranged for multiple simultaneous or selective output connections for applications such as multiple communication, digital to analog and analog to digital conversions, and a multiple floppy disk controller.

Claims

1. A connector for implementing a direct predetermined logical interface between a first data handling system wherein data signals are arranged in a first type of format, and a second data handling system wherein data signals are arranged in a second type of format, comprising:

a connector housing including a first wall part forming a first outside connection surface and a second wall part forming a second outside connection surface;

a first set of terminals arranged to extend at least partly through said first wall part from inside said connector housing in a given configuration for engaging in contact with corresponding terminals of first outside connection means associated with the first data handling system, with said first set of terminals forming an interface member for matingly engaging a corresponding interface member formed by said corresponding terminals associated with the first data handling system;

a second set of terminals arranged to extend at least partly through said second wall part from inside said connector housing in a given configuration for engaging in contact with multiple corresponding terminals of second outside connection means associated with the second data handling system, with said second set of terminals forming multiple interface members for matingly engaging corresponding interface members formed by said corresponding terminals associated with the second data handling system; and

interface circuit means arranged within said connector housing and coupled between said first set of terminals and said second set of terminals for converting data signals transmitted to at least some of said first set of terminals from the first data handling system in the first type of format into corresponding data signals in the second type of format and providing said corresponding data signals in the second type of format to at least some of said second set of terminals for subsequent transmission to the second data handling system.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein data signals transmitted to at least some of said second set of terminals from the second data handling system in the second type of format are converted by conversion means, within said connector, into corresponding data signals in the first type of format and said corresponding data signals in the first type of format are provided to at least some of said first set of terminals for subsequent transmission to the first data handling system.

3. A connector according to claim 2, wherein said interface circuit means comprises means for converting data signals transmitted to at least some of said first set of terminals in a serial format into corresponding data signals in a parallel format and providing the corresponding parallel data signals to at least some of said second set of terminals for multiple simultaneous output, and for converting data signals transmitted to at least some of said second set of terminals in a parallel format into corresponding data signals in a serial format and providing the corresponding serial data signals to at least some of said first set of terminals.

4. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said interface circuit means comprises means for selectively converting multiple analog data signals into corresponding data signals in a digital format.

5. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said interface circuit means comprises means for converting multiple digital data signals into corresponding analog data signals.

6. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector provides a multiple daisy chained floppy drive controller interface.

7. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said connector housing has structural dimensions of a height of no more than about 0.5 inches (12.70 mm), a depth of no more than about 1.2 inches (30.48 mm), and a width of no more than about 2.0 inches (50.80 mm).

8. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said connector housing comprises walls forming an enclosure member and wherein said interface circuit means are completely enclosed within the walls of said connector housing.

9. The connector of claim 1 wherein said first set of terminals comprises a number of male contact elements adapted for direct integrated electrical mating with a printed circuit board member which handles data in said first type of format and wherein said housing is adapted to be physically supported by said printed circuit board.

10. The connector of claim 1 wherein said first set of terminals comprises a number of male contact pins adapted for direct integrated electrical mating with an insulated ribbon cable connector member, with said pins being adapted to pierce the insulation of said cable to electrically contact conductors of said cable whereby said electrical mating is effected, said cable connector member being adapted to be electrically connected to a printed circuit board which handles data in a first format and wherein said connector comprises means to physically enclose a portion, of said ribbon cable connector

11. The connector of claim 1 wherein said interface circuit means further comprises a power supply, with said power supply being contained within said walls of said connector housing.

12. A multiple "D-type" RS-232-C connector having a male connection interface adapted for direct integrated electrical mating with a printed circuit board member which handles data in a parallel format, said connecter further having multiple female connection interfaces for mating connection with corresponding external male connection interface members from one or more external devices which handle data in a serial format, characterized in that means for converting data from said parallel format to said serial format and means for converting data from said serial format to said parallel format are electrically positioned between said male connection interface and said female connection interfaces within said connector, and wherein said connector is adapted to be physically supported by said printed circuit board.

13. A multiple "RJ-11" connector having a male connection interface adapted for direct integrated electrical mating with a printed circuit board member which handles data in a parallel format, said connecter further having multiple female connection interfaces for mating connection with corresponding external male connection interface members from one or more external devices which handle data in a serial format, characterized in that means for converting data from said parallel format to said serial format and means for converting data from said serial format to said parallel format are electrically positioned between said male connection interface and said female connection interfaces within said connector, and wherein said connector is adapted to be physically supported by said printed circuit board.