Electric cable connection error-detect method and apparatus

• US 5,170,113 A
• Filed: 05/15/1991
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Computervision Corp. (PTC Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Prime Computer, Inc. (DR Holdings, Inc. of Delaware)
• Inventors: Albonesi, David H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieder, Kenneth A.
• Application Number:
  US07/702,360
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 324/66, 324/539, 324/540, 324/542, 379/10, 379/25, 379/26
• US Class Current: 324/66
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/67 Testing the correctness of wire connections in electric apparatus or circuits

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting an improper connection of one or more cables to signal a cable misconnection error. On a board at one end of the cable there is provided a transmit circuit unique to one of the pins or sockets of the connector and at the other end of the cable at an opposite board there is provided a receive circuit that, when the cable is properly connected, receives the signal from the transmit circuit. A misconnection of the cable eliminates the signal from the transmit circuit thus signaling an error at the receive circuit. In addition, semi-dedicated connector positions are also employed so as to assure a detection of a number of different misconnections of the cable, particularly in a multi-cable system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting improper external connection of at least a first cable having multiple lines and constructed and arranged for connection between respective first connector means for separately disposed first and second circuit boards, in which each of the first connector means has a plurality of connector members corresponding to the number of first cable lines, said apparatus comprising;

means for establishing a first predetermined electrical signal connected to the first circuit board connector means and establishing on one of the first cable lines said first predetermined electrical signal identifiable as a first correct cable connection signal, wherein said means for establishing comprises a first signal generator connected to a preselected first connector member of said first circuit board first connector means;

first generating means connected to the second circuit board first connector means and connected for receiving from said one first cable line, said first predetermined electrical signal in the event of proper connection between said first circuit board first connector means and said second circuit board first connector means, said first generating means for generating a first error signal in the absence of said first predetermined electrical signal, wherein said first generating means comprises a first error detect circuit connected to a second connector member, said second connector member having a position on said second circuit board first connector means corresponding to the position of said first connector member on the first connector means of said first circuit board, said second connector member corresponding in the event of proper connection to the one first cable line to which the first predetermined electrical signal is applied by said establishing means;

first sensing means, connected to a third connector member of the first circuit board first connector means constructed and arranged for only receiving signals and for sensing any signal from said third connector member, whereby a connection between said first generating means and said first sensing means causes said first error detect circuit to indicate improper cable connection; and

a second signal generator connected to a fourth connector member, said fourth connector member having a position on the second circuit board first connector means corresponding to the position of said third connector member on said first circuit board first connector means,

whereby the successful reception of said first predetermined electrical signal from said means for establishing by said first generating means indicates proper connection of said first cable between the first and second circuit boards; and

whereby a failure to receive said first predetermined electrical signal indicates improper connection of said first cable between the first and second circuit boards.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the positions of the preselected first connector member and the third connector member are arranged on the first circuit board first connector means, and the positions of the second connector member and the fourth connector member are arranged on the second circuit board first connector means, so that if the cable is misconnected then said first sensing means is connected to said error detect circuit, whereby the first error signal can be generated and provision of a false indication of proper connection to said first generating means is avoided.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first signal generator includes means for generating a predetermined continuous voltage level.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

indicating means, receiving the error signal, for indicating improper connection of said cable between said first and second circuit boards if the first error signal is present.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said error detect circuit is connected to a grounded impedance;

said receive only circuit means is connected to a grounded impedance; and

the positions of the preselected connector member and the another connector member are arranged so that if the cable is misconnected then the receive only circuit means is connected to the error detect circuit, whereby the first error signal is generated.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said error detect circuit is connected to an electrical potential;

said receive only circuit means is connected to similar electrical potential; and

the positions of the preselected connector member and the another connector member are arranged so that if the cable is misconnected then the receive only circuit means is connected to the error detect circuit, whereby the first error signal is generated.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the at least first cable comprises first and second cables and wherein each of said first and second circuit boards are each further provided with second connector means respectively for the second cable, wherein each of the second connector means has a plurality of connector members corresponding to the number of second cable lines, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

means associated with said second connector means of said first circuit board for establishing a second predetermined electrical signal identifiable as a correct cable connection signal and including a third signal generator connected to a preselected fifth connector member of said second connector means of said first circuit board.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the preselected fifth connector member of said second connector means of said first circuit board has a relative position, in said second connector means of said first circuit board, different from the relative position of the preselected first connector member of said first connector means of said first circuit board.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 further including second generating means associated with the second circuit board second connector means and connected for receiving said second predetermined electrical signal in the event of proper connection of the second cable between said first circuit board second connector means and said second circuit board second connector means, said second generating means for generating a second error signal in the absence of said second predetermined electrical signal and including a second error detect circuit connected to a sixth connector member of the second circuit board second connector means corresponding in relative position to the preselected fifth connector member of said second connector means of said first circuit board.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the first and second error detect circuits are connected to different lines of the cable.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 including second sensing means, connected to a seventh connector member of the first circuit board second connector means and capable of only receiving signals, for sensing any signal from, but not transmitting any signal to, said seventh connector member, whereby a connection between said second sensing means and said first or second generating means provides a further indication of improper cable connection.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 including a fourth signal generator connected an eighth connector member of the second circuit board second connector means.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for receiving said predetermined electrical signal includes means for sensing said continuous voltage level, and, in the absence thereof, generating the error signal.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for sensing comprises an inverter.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said multi-line cable is of the ribbon type.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second predetermined electrical signal is different from the first predetermined electrical signal.

16. An apparatus for detecting improper external connection of at least first and second cables each having multiple lines and constructed and arranged for connection between connector means for separately disposed first and second circuit boards, wherein each of said first and second circuit boards are each provided with first and second connector means respectively for the first and second cables, wherein each said first connector means includes a plurality of connector members corresponding to the number of cable lines of the first cable, and wherein each said second connector means includes a plurality of connector members corresponding to the number of cable lines of the second cable, said apparatus comprising;

first means for establishing a first predetermined electrical signal associated with the first connector means for the first circuit board and establishing on a first line of the first cable said first predetermined electrical signal identifiable as a correct cable connection signal, wherein said first means for establishing comprises a first signal generator connected to a preselected first connector member of the first connector means of the first circuit board;

first means for receiving and generating connected to a second connector member of the first connector means of the second circuit board and receiving from the first line the first predetermined electrical signal and generating a first error signal in the absence of the first predetermined electrical signal;

second means for establishing a second predetermined electrical signal associated with the second connector means of the first circuit board and establishing on a second line of the second cable said second predetermined electrical signal identifiable as a correct cable connection signal, said second means for establishing including a second signal generator connected to a preselected third connector member of the second connector means of the first circuit board; and

second means for receiving and generating connected to a fourth connector member of the second connector means of the second circuit board and receiving from the second line the second predetermined electrical signal and generating a second error signal in the absence of the second predetermined electrical signal,

whereby the successful reception, respectively by the first and second means for receiving and generating, of the first and second predetermined electrical signals respectively from said first and second means for establishing, respectively indicates proper connection of the first and second cables between the first and second circuit boards;

whereby a failure to receive the first predetermined electrical signal at said first means for receiving and generating indicates improper connection of the first cable between the first and second circuit boards; and

whereby a failure to receive the second predetermined electrical signal at said second means for receiving and generating indicates improper connection of the second cable between the first and second circuit boards.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein the preselected third connector member of the second connector means of the first circuit board has a relative position different from the relative position of the preselected first connector member of the first connector means of the first circuit board.

19. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein:

said first means for receiving and generating comprises a first error detect circuit connected to the second connector member, of the first connector means of the second circuit board, having a relative position corresponding to the relative position of the preselected first connector member of the first connector means of the first circuit board; and

said second means for receiving and generating comprises a second error detect circuit connected to the fourth connector member, of the second connector means of the second circuit board, having a relative position corresponding to the relative position of the preselected third connector member of the second connector means of the first circuit board.

20. An apparatus for detecting improper external connection of at least first and second cables each having multiple lines and constructed and arranged for connection between connector means of separately disposed first and second circuit boards, wherein each of said first and second circuit boards is provided with first and second connector means respectively for the first and second cables, wherein each of said first connector means includes a plurality of connector members corresponding to the number of cable lines of the first cable, and wherein each of said second connector means includes a plurality of connector members corresponding to the number of cable lines of the second cable said apparatus comprising:

a first signal generator, connected to a preselected first connector member of the first connector means of the first circuit board, for establishing on a first line of the first cable a first predetermined electrical signal identifiable as a correct cable connection signal;

first means for receiving and generating associated with the first connector means of the second circuit board and receiving from the first line the first predetermined electrical signal and generating a first error signal in the absence of the first predetermined electrical signal, wherein said first means for receiving and generating is connected to a second connector member, said second connector member having a position on the first connector means of the second circuit board corresponding to the position of the preselected first connector member on the first connector means of the first circuit board;

a second signal generator, connected to a preselected third connector member of the second connector means of the first circuit board, for establishing on a second line of the second cable a second predetermined electrical signal identifiable as a correct cable connection signal, wherein the preselected third connector member has a relative position on said second connector means of the first circuit board different from the relative position of the preselected first connector member on said first connector means of the first circuit board; and

second means for receiving and generating associated with the second connector means of the second circuit board and receiving from the second line the second predetermined electrical signal and generating a second error signal in the absence of the second predetermined electrical signal, wherein said second means for receiving and generating is connected to a fourth connector member having a position on the second connector means of the second circuit board corresponding to the position of the preselected third connector member on the second connector means of the first circuit board;

whereby the successful reception, respectively by the first and second means for receiving and generating, of the first and second predetermined electrical signals respectively from said first and second signal generators, respectively indicates proper connection of the first and second cables between the first and second circuit board;

whereby a failure to receive the first predetermined electrical signal at said first means for receiving and generating indicates improper connection of the first cable between the first and second circuit boards; and

whereby a failure to receive the second predetermined electrical signal at said second means for receiving and generating indicates improper connection of the second cable between the first and second circuit boards.

21. An apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein the second predetermined electrical signal is different from the first predetermined electrical signal.

22. An apparatus for detecting improper external connection of at least first and second cable each having multiple lines and constructed and arranged for connection between connector means of separately disposed first and second circuit boards, wherein each of said first and second circuit boards is provided with first and second connector means respectively for the first and second cables, wherein each of said first connector means includes a plurality of connector members corresponding to the number of cable lines of the first cable, and wherein each of said second connector means includes a plurality of connector members corresponding to the number of cable lines of the second cable, said apparatus comprising:

a first signal generator, connected to a preselected first selector member of the first connector means of the first circuit board, for establishing on a first line of the first cable a first predetermined electrical signal identifiable as a correct cable connection signal;

a first means for receiving and generating associated with the first connector means of the second circuit board and receiving from the first line the first predetermined electrical signal and generating a first error signal in the absence of the first predetermined electrical signal, wherein said first means for receiving and generating is connected to a second connector member having a position o the first connector means of the second circuit board corresponding to the position of the preselected first connector member on the first connector means of the first circuit board;

a second signal generator, connected to a preselected third connector member of the second connector means of the second circuit board, for establishing on a second line of the second cable a second predetermined electrical signal identifiable as a correct cable connection signal, wherein the preselected third connector member has a relative position on the second connector means of the second circuit board different from the relative position of the preselected second connector member on the first connector means of the second circuit board; and

second means for receiving and generating associated with the second connector means of the first circuit board and receiving from the second line the second predetermined electrical signal and generating a second error signal in the absence of the second predetermined electrical signal, wherein said second means for receiving and generating is connected to a fourth connector member having a position on the second connector means of the first circuit board corresponding to the position of the preselected third connector member on the second connector means of the second circuit board;

whereby the successful reception, respectively by the first and second means for receiving and generating, of the first and second predetermined electrical signals respectively from said first and second signal generators, respectively indicates proper connection of the first and second cables between the first and second circuit boards;

whereby a failure to receive the first predetermined electrical signal at said first means for receiving and generating indicates improper connection of the first cable between the first nd second circuit boards; and

whereby a failure to receive the second predetermined electrical signal at said second means for receiving and generating indicates improper connection of the second cable between the first and second circuit boards.

23. An apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein the second predetermined electrical signal is different from the first predetermined electrical signal.