Protection of computer system against incorrect card insertion during start-up
First Claim
1. An apparatus for protecting a computer system which has a power supply from damage during start-up as a result of incorrect circuit card insertions, said apparatus comprising:
- a circuit card having at least two card edge segments on an edge thereof;
said card edge segments being spaced from each other;
said card edge segments being of different widths;
each said card edge segment having a conductive electrical finger thereon;
said electrical fingers being electrically connected to each other;
a card slot for receiving said circuit card, said card slot having a pair of connector contacts adapted to engage and make electrical contacts with said electrical fingers when said circuit card is properly seated in said card slot;
a power inhibit circuit for inhibiting operation of the computer power supply; and
an insertion detector for detecting the seating status of said card in said card slot, said insertion detector activating said power inhibit circuit unless said card is properly inserted to protect the computer system against damage.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus ensures that circuit cards of a computer system are properly oriented and fully inserted into their slots before allowing the computer system to power-up. Each card has two electrically connected key fingers on the card edge, while each slot has first and second contacts adapted to engage the two key fingers when the card is fully seated on the slot. One contact of the first slot is connected to a known voltage, while the second contact is connected to the first contact of the next slot. The second contact of the next slot is in turn connected to the first contact of the subsequent slot. Thus, upon a complete engagement of the cards onto the slots, all contacts are connected in a series arrangement. The final contact is connected to an insertion detector which turns on the computer system power supply only when the voltage of the last contact equals the known voltage, indicating that all circuit cards are fully seated on the slots. Additionally, each circuit card has a card edge with asymmetrical segments which form a mechanical key for ensuring proper orientation of the circuit card on the slot.
52 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for protecting a computer system which has a power supply from damage during start-up as a result of incorrect circuit card insertions, said apparatus comprising:
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a circuit card having at least two card edge segments on an edge thereof; said card edge segments being spaced from each other; said card edge segments being of different widths; each said card edge segment having a conductive electrical finger thereon; said electrical fingers being electrically connected to each other; a card slot for receiving said circuit card, said card slot having a pair of connector contacts adapted to engage and make electrical contacts with said electrical fingers when said circuit card is properly seated in said card slot; a power inhibit circuit for inhibiting operation of the computer power supply; and an insertion detector for detecting the seating status of said card in said card slot, said insertion detector activating said power inhibit circuit unless said card is properly inserted to protect the computer system against damage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer system with safeguards against damage caused by improper card insertions, comprising:
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a power supply for providing power to the computer system; a circuit card having at least two card edge segments on an edge thereof; said card edge segments being spaced from each other; said card edge segments being of different widths; each said card edge segment having a conductive electrical finger thereon; said electrical fingers being electrically connected to each other; a card slot for receiving said circuit card, said card slot having a pair of connector contacts adapted to engage and make electrical contacts with said electrical fingers when said circuit card is properly seated in said card slot; a power inhibit circuit for inhibiting operation of the computer power supply; and an insertion detector for detecting the seating status of said card in said card slot, said insertion detector activating said power inhibit circuit unless said card is properly inserted to protect the computer system against damage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A circuit card which protects a computer system from damage during start-up as a result of incorrect circuit card insertions, said circuit card adapted for insertion into a computer system having a card slot with a pair of spaced apart connector contacts adapted to engage said circuit card, a power supply, a power inhibit circuit for inhibiting operation of the computer power supply, and an insertion detector for detecting the seating status of said circuit card in said card slot, said circuit card comprising:
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a circuit card base; at least two card edge segments on an edge thereof; said card edge segments being spaced from each other; said card edge segments being of different widths; each said card edge segment having a conductive electrical finger thereon; said electrical fingers being electrically connected to each other; and a conductor coupled between said electrical fingers for providing an electrical path between said electrical fingers, said conductor adapted to complete an electrical path in said power inhibit circuit and to deactivate said power inhibit circuit only when said card is properly inserted to protect the computer system against damage. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification