Connector apparatus and method for distributed control modules used in computer networks

Claim 1

An electronic computer network connector apparatus for interfacing control signals at a remote workstation, said apparatus comprising: cartridge member means for modularly housing a distributed control electronic card assembly, said cartridge means and said electronic card assembly forming a module, said module providing intelligence for operation of said workstation; and bus rail backplane assembly means for electronically interfacing with a host computer system, with said workstation, with other modules associated with said workstation and with other workstations in a local area network system, said backplane assembly means comprising: cartridge receptacle means for detachably retaining said cartridge member, plurality of service connectors for coupling common signals from said host computer to said module, to said workstation, to said other modules and to said other workstations.

Claim 15

A method for serially interfacing distributed control modules in a local area computer network, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an electronic computer network connector apparatus for interfacing control signals at a remote workstation, said apparatus comprising: cartridge member means for modularly housing a distributed control electronic card assembly, said cartridge means and said electronic card assembly forming a module, said module providing intelligence for operation of said workstation, bus rail backplane assembly means for electronically interfacing with a host computer system, with said workstation, with other backplane assembly means associated with other workstations in a local area network system, said backplane assembly means being associated with a particular module and having: `backplane printed wiring board, multi-pin connector for coupling to a mating connector on said module, cartridge receptacle means for detachably retaining said cartridge member, plurality of service connectors for coupling common control data signals to said module and for daisy-chain serial interfacing said common control data signals to said other backplane assembly means connected to said other workstations, backplane support member, and rail attachment member for supporting said connector apparatus in a workstation enclosure, said bus rail backplane assembly means comprises a backplane printed wiring board commonly interconnecting said module via a multi-pin connector disposed on said printed wiring board and said plurality of service connectors, said printed wiring board having circuit patterns that common electrical signals between said plurality of service connectors and said multi-pin connector that plug to said module; (b) installing said computer network connector apparatus in an enclosure portion of a workstation member of said computer network; (c) interfacing signals from a host computer to a one of said service connectors for common interconnecting to said multi-pin connector that plugs to said module and to another one of said service connectors for serial signal distribution; and (d) servicing said computer network via said service connectors without interrupting data communication to said module.

Claim 16

A method for serially interfacing distributed control modules in a local area computer network, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an electronic computer network connector apparatus for interfacing control signals at a remote workstation, said apparatus comprising: cartridge member means for modularly housing a distributed control electronic card assembly, said cartridge means and said electronic card assembly forming a module, said module providing intelligence for operation of said workstation, bus rail backplane assembly means for electronically interfacing with a host computer system, with said workstation, with other backplane assembly means associated with other workstations in a local area network system, said backplane assembly means being associated with a particular module and having: `backplane printed wiring board, multi-pin connector for coupling to a mating connector on said module, cartridge receptacle means for detachably retaining said cartridge member, plurality of service connectors for coupling common control data signals to said module and for daisy-chain serial interfacing said common control data signals to said other backplane assembly means connected to said other workstations, backplane support member, and rail attachment member for supporting said connector apparatus in a workstation enclosure, said bus rail backplane assembly means comprises a backplane printed wiring board commonly interconnecting said module via a multi-pin connector disposed on said printed wiring board and said plurality of service connectors, said printed wiring board having circuit patterns that common electrical signals between said plurality of service connectors and said multi-pin connector that plug to said module; (b) installing said computer network connector apparatus in an enclosure portion of a workstation member of said computer network; (c) interfacing signals from a host computer to a one of said service connectors for common interconnecting to said multi-pin connector that plugs to said module and to another one of said service connectors for serial signal distribution; and (d) servicing said computer network via said service connectors without interrupting data communication to said module.