US6033257A — I/O connector module for a field controller in a …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 99 words

An internal dongle, comprising: a body, including connective structure arranged to removably and securely mount the body to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing; and a circuit assembly, including an exterior connector on the body for electrically connecting to a second electronic device, a dongle circuit electrically coupled to the external connector through the body, an electronic cable having a first end electrically coupled to the dongle circuit, and a second end structured and arranged to connect to an electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device at a location within the housing.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 99 words

An internal dongle, comprising: a body, including connective structure arranged to removably and securely mount the body to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing; and a circuit assembly, including an exterior connector on the body for electrically connecting to a second electronic device, a dongle circuit electrically coupled to the external connector through the body, an electronic cable having a first end electrically coupled to the dongle circuit, and a second end structured and arranged to connect to an electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device at a location within the housing.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 15 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the second end of the cable includes a connector.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 13 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the dongle circuit includes a passive circuit.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 13 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the dongle circuit includes an active circuit.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the dongle circuit includes an active circuit and a passive circuit.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the dongle circuit includes a circuit board attached to the body.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 31 words

The dongle of claim 6, wherein the circuit board is attached to an interior portion of the body which is internal the housing when the body is mounted to the housing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device within the housing is a PCMCIA card.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 29 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the connective structure includes a socket or plug structure adapted for receiving a mating plug or socket structure rigidly coupled to the housing.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 18 words

The dongle of claim 9, wherein the socket or plug structure is adapted to receive a faston-type connector.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the connective structure comprises a ground connector adapted to connect to a ground connection within the housing.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 13 words

The dongle of claim 11, wherein the ground connector comprises a faston-type connector.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 38 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein a rectangular-shaped forward facing front surface of the body is structured to form, with the housing, an outer surface of the first mentioned device when the body is mounted to the housing.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

The dongle of claim 13, wherein the connective structure includes, at a first end of an exterior portion of the body, a lip structured to overlap a portion of the housing.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The dongle of claim 14, wherein the lip of the exterior portion is hooked in a rearward direction.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 94 words

The dongle of claim 14, wherein an interior portion of the body which, is positioned within the housing when the body is mounted to the housing comprises a substantially flat surface located near a second end of the exterior portion of the body which is located opposite from the first end, and wherein the connective structure comprises a groove formed in the substantially flat surface adapted to engage with a bead extending from a surface of a cover portion of the housing when the body is connected to a base portion of the housing.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 13 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the external connector comprises an ethernet-type connector.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the external connector comprises an Allen Bradley-type connector.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 14 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the external connector comprises a telephone jack-type connector.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 21 words

The dongle of claim 19, wherein the dongle circuit includes an indicator lamp that indicates an active connection through the dongle.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 13 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the external connector comprises an RS-232-type connector.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 41 words

The dongle of claim 1, the circuit assembly further including a second exterior connector on the external portion of the body for electrically connecting to a third electronic device, wherein the dongle circuit is electrically coupled to the second external connector.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 42 words

The dongle of claim 22, wherein the dongle circuit comprises a first circuit structured to condition a first signal transmitted through the first mentioned external connector, and a second circuit structured to condition a second signal transmitted through the second external connector.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 36 words

The dongle of claim 22, wherein the connective structure includes first and second ground connectors each adapted for coupling to a ground bus rigidly coupled to the housing when the dongle is mounted to the housing.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 33 words

The dongle of claim 24, wherein the first and second ground connectors each comprise a socket or plug adapted to connect to a mating plug or socket rigidly coupled to the ground bus.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 80 words

The dongle of claim 14, wherein the interior portion of the body comprises a substantially flat surface located near a second end of the exterior portion of the body which is located opposite from the first end, and wherein the connective structure comprises a groove formed in the substantially flat surface adapted to engage with a bead extending from a surface of a cover portion of the housing when the body is connected to a base portion of the housing.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

The dongle of claim 1, wherein the connective structure includes a surface shaped to engage with a mating surface of the housing.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 19 words

The dongle of claim 27, wherein the connective structure includes a groove formed in a side of the body.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 19 words

The dongle of claim 27, wherein the connective structure includes a lip extending from a side of the body.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 16 words

The dongle of claim 27, wherein the connective structure further includes a grounding plug or socket.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 119 words

An internal dongle adapted to removably mount to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing, the dongle comprising: a non-conductive body, including connective structure assuring a secure mechanical connection with the housing; and an electrical circuit carried by the body, including an external connector at a front end of the body for electrically coupling to another electronic device outside the housing, an electrical cable coupled to a rear end of the body at one end and having an internal connector at another end for electrically coupling to a component of the electronic device at a location within the housing, and circuit means including a circuit board connecting between the cable and the external connector.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 119 words

An internal dongle adapted to removably mount to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing, the dongle comprising: a non-conductive body, including connective structure assuring a secure mechanical connection with the housing; and an electrical circuit carried by the body, including an external connector at a front end of the body for electrically coupling to another electronic device outside the housing, an electrical cable coupled to a rear end of the body at one end and having an internal connector at another end for electrically coupling to a component of the electronic device at a location within the housing, and circuit means including a circuit board connecting between the cable and the external connector.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 40 words

The dongle of claim 31, wherein the electronic device within the housing is comprised of a PCMCIA connector for a PCMCIA card, and wherein the internal connector is adapted to couple to a PCMCIA card inserted in the PCMCIA connector.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 20 words

The dongle of claim 31, wherein the internal connector is adapted to connect to an RS-232 connector within the housing.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 17 words

The dongle of claim 31, wherein the circuit board extends from the rear end of the body.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 18 words

The dongle of claim 31, wherein the circuit means further includes active circuit elements on the circuit board.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 51 words

The dongle of claim 31, wherein the housing includes a ground bus, and the dongle electrical circuit further comprises a ground connector carried by the body, wherein the ground connector is structured and arranged to couple to the ground bus within the housing when the dongle is mounted to the housing.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 34 words

The dongle of claim 36, wherein the ground connector includes a socket or plug structure adapted for connecting to a mating plug or socket structure on the ground bus rigidly coupled to the housing.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 19 words

The dongle of claim 37, wherein the socket or plug structure is adapted to connect to a faston-type connector.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 39 words

The dongle of claim 37, wherein the connective structure includes the socket or plug structure, the body mounts to the housing by coupling the socket or plug structure to the mating plug or socket structure on the ground bus.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 16 words

The dongle of claim 31, wherein the body comprises a molding fabricated of a nonconductive material.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 21 words

The dongle of claim 31, wherein the circuit means further includes a passive circuit capable of modifying a signal passing therethrough.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 14 words

The dongle of claim 31, wherein the circuit means further includes an active circuit.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 14 words

The dongle of claim 31, wherein the circuit means further comprises connecting wires only.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 22 words

The dongle of claim 31, wherein the connective structure includes a surface shaped to engage with a mating surface of the housing.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 19 words

The dongle of claim 44, wherein the connective structure includes a lip formed in a side of the body.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 19 words

The dongle of claim 44, wherein the connective structure includes a groove formed in a side of the body.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 16 words

The dongle of claim 44, wherein the connective structure further includes a grounding plug or socket.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 172 words

A double dongle, comprised of: a body, including connective structure arranged to removably and securely mount the body to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing; and a circuit assembly structurally coupled to the body, including a first exterior connector on an external portion of the body which is exposed when the body is mounted to the housing for electrically connecting to a first exterior electronic device, a second exterior connector on the external portion of the body for electrically connecting to a second exterior electronic device, a first internal circuit electrically coupled to the first external connector, a second internal circuit electrically coupled to the second external connector, an electronic cable having a first end electrically coupled to the first and second internal circuits, and an internal connector at a second end of the electronic cable, wherein the internal connector is structured and arranged to connect to a mating connector on an electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device at a location within the housing.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 172 words

A double dongle, comprised of: a body, including connective structure arranged to removably and securely mount the body to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing; and a circuit assembly structurally coupled to the body, including a first exterior connector on an external portion of the body which is exposed when the body is mounted to the housing for electrically connecting to a first exterior electronic device, a second exterior connector on the external portion of the body for electrically connecting to a second exterior electronic device, a first internal circuit electrically coupled to the first external connector, a second internal circuit electrically coupled to the second external connector, an electronic cable having a first end electrically coupled to the first and second internal circuits, and an internal connector at a second end of the electronic cable, wherein the internal connector is structured and arranged to connect to a mating connector on an electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device at a location within the housing.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 58 words

The dongle of claim 48, wherein the first internal circuit includes a portion on a first circuit board, the second internal circuit includes a portion on a second circuit board, the circuit assembly further including a connection between the first and second circuit boards, and the first end of the cable is coupled to the first circuit board.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 34 words

The dongle of claim 49, wherein the first and second circuit boards are attached to an internal portion of the body which is within the housing when the body is mounted to the housing.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 22 words

The dongle of claim 50, wherein the electronic component of the first mentioned electronic device within the housing is a PCMCIA card.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 38 words

The dongle of claim 51, wherein the circuit assembly further includes a ground line including at least one ground connector adapted to connect to a ground bus within the housing when the body is mounted to the housing.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 13 words

The dongle of claim 52, wherein the connective structure includes the ground connector.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 41 words

The dongle of claim 48, wherein the exterior portion of the body comprises a rectangular-shaped forward facing front surface structured to form, with the housing, an outer surface of the first mentioned device when the body is mounted to the housing.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 22 words

The dongle of claim 48, wherein the connective structure includes a surface shaped to engage with a mating surface of the housing.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 19 words

The dongle of claim 55, wherein the connective structure includes a groove formed in a side of the body.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 19 words

The dongle of claim 55, wherein the connective structure includes a lip extending from a side of the body.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 72 words

An internal dongle adapted to removably and securely mount to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing, the electronic device including a ground bus within the housing, the dongle comprising: a non-conductive body; an electrical circuit carried by the body, including a ground connector structured and arranged to couple to the ground bus at a location within the housing when the dongle is mounted to the housing.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 72 words

An internal dongle adapted to removably and securely mount to a housing of an electronic device in a recess of the housing, the electronic device including a ground bus within the housing, the dongle comprising: a non-conductive body; an electrical circuit carried by the body, including a ground connector structured and arranged to couple to the ground bus at a location within the housing when the dongle is mounted to the housing.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 27 words

The dangle of claim 58, wherein the ground connector includes a socket or plug adapted for connecting to a mating plug or socket on the ground bus.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 68 words

The dongle of claim 59, wherein the electrical circuit further includes an external connector at a front end of the body for electrically coupling to another electronic device outside the housing, and an electrical cable extending from a rear end of the body at one end and having an internal connector at another end for electrically coupling between the electronic device within the housing and the external connector.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 40 words

The dangle of claim 60, wherein the electronic device within the housing is comprised of a PCMCIA connector for a PCMCIA card, and wherein the internal connector is adapted to couple to a PCMCIA card inserted in the PCMCIA connector.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 20 words

The dongle of claim 60, wherein the internal connector is adapted to connect to an RS-232 connector within the housing.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 35 words

The dongle of claim 60, wherein the electrical circuit further includes a circuit board to which the one end of the cable is coupled, the circuit board extending from the rear end of the body.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 18 words

The dongle of claim 63, wherein the electrical circuit further includes active circuit elements on the circuit board.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 29 words

The dongle of claim 58, wherein the body includes a surface shaped to engage with a mating surface of the housing, thereby further securing the dongle to the housing.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 19 words

The dongle of claim 65, wherein the shaped surface comprises a groove formed in a side of the body.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 19 words

The dongle of claim 65, wherein the shaped surface comprises a lip extending from a side of the body.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-03-07	2003-09-06	2004-03-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-03-07	2007-09-06	2008-03-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-03-07	2011-09-06	2012-03-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

I/O connector module for a field controller in a distributed control system

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