US6215656B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for factory or user configurable external connectors
Assignee: Dell USA LP
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Filing: 1999-06-18
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Granted: 2001-04-10
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Expires: 2019-06-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method is provided for installing and connecting one or more expansion boards in a computer system while the computer system is being manufactured as well as when a user upgrades or reconfigures the computer system. An expansion board bay for receiving the expansion board is located within the computer system, typically on a circuit board such as the motherboard. A connector module that is separate from the expansion board and the expansion board bay is positioned within the computer system. The connector module is positioned to provide easy external access to a contact portion of the connector module, thereby allowing a user to connect an external data signal line to the connector module. A connector cable operably connects the expansion board with the connector module to establish communication between the data processor and the external data line through the expansion board.
Inventors
- 👤 Sean P. O'Neal
- 👤 Reynold L. Liao
- 👤 Mark A. White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; H; H01; H01R; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A computer system comprising: an expansion board bay for receiving an expansion board; a system processor; a communication bus operably connected between the system processor and the expansion board bay; a connector module positionable independently of the expansion board, wherein the connector module includes a contact portion that is positioned to allow a user to attach an external data signal line between the contact portion and a device external to the computer system; and a connector cable for operably connecting the expansion board and the connector module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer system comprising: an expansion board bay for receiving an expansion board; a system processor; a communication bus operably connected between the system processor and the expansion board bay; a connector module positionable independently of the expansion board, wherein the connector module includes a contact portion that is positioned to allow a user to attach an external data signal line between the contact portion and a device external to the computer system; and a connector cable for operably connecting the expansion board and the connector module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system, as set forth in claim 1 , further including a circuit board, wherein the expansion board bay is positioned on the circuit board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer system, as set forth in claim 1 , further including a circuit board, wherein the connector module is positioned on the circuit board.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer system, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising one end of the connector cable being connected to the connector module, and another end of the connector cable being connected to the expansion board bay.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer system, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a first contact portion on the connector module and a corresponding second contact portion on one end of the cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer system, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a jumper block, wherein the connector module includes a first contact portion that mates with one portion of the jumper block and the cable includes a second contact portion that mates with another portion of the jumper block.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for connecting an expansion board in a computer system, the apparatus comprising: an expansion board bay for receiving the expansion board, the expansion board bay being positioned on a circuit board; a connector module positionable independently of the expansion board and the expansion board bay, wherein the connector module includes a contact portion that is positioned to allow a user to attach an external data signal line between the contact portion and a device external to the computer system; and a connector cable for operably connecting the expansion board and the connector module when the expansion board is installed in the expansion board bay.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for connecting an expansion board in a computer system, the apparatus comprising: an expansion board bay for receiving the expansion board, the expansion board bay being positioned on a circuit board; a connector module positionable independently of the expansion board and the expansion board bay, wherein the connector module includes a contact portion that is positioned to allow a user to attach an external data signal line between the contact portion and a device external to the computer system; and a connector cable for operably connecting the expansion board and the connector module when the expansion board is installed in the expansion board bay.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the connector module is positioned on the circuit board.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 7 , further comprising one end of the connector cable being connected for communication with the connector module, and another end of the connector cable being connected for communication with the expansion board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 7 , further comprising a first contact portion on the connector module and a corresponding second contact portion on one end of the cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus, as set forth in claim 7 , further comprising a jumper block, wherein the connector module includes a first contact portion that mates with one portion of the jumper block and the cable includes a second contact portion that mates with another portion of the jumper block.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for installing an expansion board in a computer system, the computer system having a data processor, the method comprising: attaching an expansion board bay on a circuit board in the computer system; installing an expansion board in the expansion board bay; connecting a computer bus in electrical communication with the data processor and the expansion board; positioning a connector module within the computer system, the connector module being positionable independently of the expansion board, wherein the connector module includes a contact portion that is positioned to allow a user to attach an external data signal line between the contact portion and a device external to the computer system; and connecting a cable to operatively connect the expansion board and the connector module.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for installing an expansion board in a computer system, the computer system having a data processor, the method comprising: attaching an expansion board bay on a circuit board in the computer system; installing an expansion board in the expansion board bay; connecting a computer bus in electrical communication with the data processor and the expansion board; positioning a connector module within the computer system, the connector module being positionable independently of the expansion board, wherein the connector module includes a contact portion that is positioned to allow a user to attach an external data signal line between the contact portion and a device external to the computer system; and connecting a cable to operatively connect the expansion board and the connector module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method, as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the connector module is positioned on the circuit board.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method, as set forth in claim 12 , further comprising providing a first contact portion on the connector module and a corresponding second contact portion on one end of the cable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method, as set forth in claim 12 , further comprising providing a jumper block on the circuit board, wherein the connector module includes a first contact portion that mates with one portion of the jumper block and the cable includes a second contact portion that mates with another portion of the jumper block.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-04-09 | 2004-10-09 | 2005-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-04-09 | 2008-10-09 | 2009-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-04-09 | 2012-10-09 | 2013-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |