WO1993015465A1

WO1993015465A1 - User configurable media interface for network computer products

Info

Publication number: WO1993015465A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/000815
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher J. Oliver; Bonnie B. Coffin
Original assignee: Cabletron Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 1992-01-31
Filing date: 1993-01-29
Publication date: 1993-08-05
Also published as: AU3599193A

Abstract

A system for providing a user-configurable physical interface between a data network transmission medium and a computer product to be connected to the transmission medium includes at least one plug-in interface module including a first portion having at least one data transmission network interface connector for physical connection to the transmission medium, a second portion, attached to the first portion, which physically engages the computer product and provides an electrical connection between the data transmission network interface connector and the computer product, and a single fastener for securing the module to the computer product. The computer product includes an opening to allow insertion of the interface module, guides disposed within the device, for engaging and directing insertion of the interface module, at least one electrical connector, disposed in the computer product, for mating with a corresponding connector on the interface module upon insertion of the interface module into the computer product. The system allows a computer product to be quickly and easily connected to a local area network transmission medium.

Description

USER CONFIGURABLE MEDIA INTERFACE FOR NETWORK COMPUTER PRODUCTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of data transmission networks for computer products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a user selectable transmission media interface system for data transmission networks including local area networks such as ethernet-type data transmission networks.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Data transmission networks which allow computer products connected to a network to transmit and receive data are available and use a wide variety of protocols for data transmission and transmission media for transmitting the data from one computer product to another. Within this disclosure the term "computer product" is meant to include any type of device which can be connected to a network and can receive and/or transmit data to/from the network. Local area networks are data transmission networks which connect computer products together over relatively short distances. Most local area networks span less than

one mile between the furthest separated computer products on the network. One of the most widely used local area networks is defined in ANSI/IEEE standard 802.3, commonly known as "ethernet."

Transmission of data according to the ethernet protocol may be accomplished over a wide variety of transmission media, such as coaxial cable, unshielded twisted pair wiring, and optical fibers. The capability of converting from one transmission medium to another depending upon a particular installed network is a desirable feature in a computer product. In addition, network users often desire to upgrade the capabilities of their local area networks. For example, a user may desire to convert a local area network from twisted pair type wiring to optical fibers in order to gain the benefits of enhanced bandwidth, faster transmission of data, and greater network efficiencies. However, connecting computer products to different transmission media has proven difficult.

In many cases, the computer product which is connected to the local area network includes a physical hardware interface for only a single type of transmission medium. In an extreme case, the equipment cannot be connected to a different transmission medium and has to be discarded or rewired, solutions which are both inefficient and expensive. One solution has been to use an adapter to

convert from the transmission medium which the equipment was originally designed for connection to and the desired transmission medium. However, adapters can be expensive, consume power, and increase the physical complexity of the installation. This situation is particularly exacerbated in an office-type installation where a conglomeration of transmission media and adapter devices can be objectionable. Furthermore, the use of adapters requires the user to perform additional operations and to connect and disconnect additional pieces of equipment when connecting to a different transmission medium. Additionally, when the user desires to connect different transmission media to the same device, as in the case of an ethernet "hub" or "repeater," multiple adapters of differing styles and configurations are required, thus adding to the expense and complexity of the installation.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system for use with data transmission networks for computer products, including plug-in interface modules each having at least one connector for a particular transmission medium and which can plug into a computer product to allow connection to a different transmission medium by simply changing the interface module.

Another object of the present invention is to provide easily interchangeable plug-in interface

modules that provide the physical interface to a particular local area network transmission medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide easily interchangeable local area network interface modules that are attached to a computer product using a single fastener.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a computer product for connection to a local area network such as an ethernet hub or repeater that receives easily interchangeable plug-in interface modules which provide the physical interface between the hub or repeater and a particular ethernet transmission medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in a system that provides a user-configurable physical interface between a data transmission network transmission medium and a computer product to be connected to the transmission medium. The system uses plug-in interface modules which are inserted into a computer product to provide the physical connection between the computer product and the network transmission medium. Each of the plug-in interface modules uses the same type of connector on the end which makes the electrical connection between the module and the

computer product. The computer product uses a corresponding mating connector. The system thus provides a uniform connection means and system for connecting transmission media to computer products. The physical interface can be changed by simply substituting one plug-in interface module with another. The system of the present invention can be applied, by using appropriate data transmission network interface connectors installed in the plug-in interface modules, to a variety of data transmission networks, such as local area networks and wide area networks.

The system includes at least one plug-in interface module including connector means for physical connection to the transmission medium, an electrical connection between the connector means and the computer product, and attachment means for securing the module to the computer product. In one embodiment of the invention, the plug-in interface module includes a first portion having at least one data transmission network interface connector means for physical connection to the transmission medium, a second portion, attached to the first portion, which physically engages the computer product and provides an electrical connection between the at least one data transmission network interface connector means and the computer product, and attachment means for securing the module to the computer product. The computer

product includes at least one opening to allow insertion of the plug-in interface module, at least one guide means disposed within the computer product for engaging and directing insertion of the interface module, at least one electrical connection means disposed in the computer product for mating with a corresponding electrical connection means on the interface module upon insertion of the interface module into the computer product, and at least one means for receiving the attachment means to secure the module to the computer product.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second portion includes a printed circuit board having a header connector and the data transmission network interface connector mounted thereon and connected by traces on the printed circuit board. The computer product includes printed circuit board guides which accept the printed circuit board portion of the plug-in interface module and a header connector that mates with the header connector on the plug-in interface module upon insertion. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment means uses a single fastener such as a machine screw or a self-tapping screw. When the module is inserted into the computer product, the machine screw engages a threaded hole in the computer product or a threaded nut welded over the hole. If a self-tapping screw is used, the screw engages a hole in the computer product.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood and apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and from the claims which are appended at the end of the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference and in which like elements have been given like reference characters,

FIGS. 1A and IB are front perspective views of the plug-in interface module of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is front plan view of the module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a side plan view of the module of FIG. 1, FIGS. 4B and 4C are side and front plan views of a portion of a computer product, and together FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate how the module is inserted into the computer product;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the computer product of FIG. 4 illustrating multiple openings for multiple plug-in modules;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of the computer product of FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrating the location of components which engage the plug-in module;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the module as inserted into the computer product of FIGS. 4-6;

FIG. 8 is a front plan view of a portion of the computer product of FIGS. 4-7 illustrating multiple modules installed in the computer product;

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of a portion of the computer product illustrated in FIGS. 4-8 illustrating multiple modules installed in the computer product;

FIGS. 10A-E are front plan views illustrating various network interface connectors installed in the plug-in interface module of FIG. 1 to allow connection to different data transmission network transmission media; and

FIGS. 11A and 11B are top plan and fragmentary side views respectively illustrating an alternative embodiment for providing an electrical connection between the module illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and the computer product illustrated in FIGS. 4-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of illustration only, and not to limit, the present invention will now be explained with reference to its use in a hub or repeater used in an ethernet type local area network. A repeater is a computer product which receives and rebroadcasts a signal over a local area network to prevent signal degradation. A hub is a computer product which routes

signals to other computer products connected to the network. However, the present invention is not so limited. One skilled in the art will recognize that the system of the present invention may be used in a variety of computer products such as terminals, processors, printers, and storage devices, and that the present invention may be used with local area networks other than ethernet. The present invention may be used with other data transmission networks such as wide area data transmission networks which transmit data over relatively long distances.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-4, which illustrate a plug-in interface module 10 of the present invention. The module includes a substantially-planar, vertically-disposed faceplate 12 which may be made out of a suitable metal such as aluminum or steel. A network interface connector 14 such as a lOBase-T connector meeting ISO standard 887714 which provides for connection to a twisted pair wire type transmission medium is mounted in a suitable opening 15 in faceplate 12. A hole 16 is bored through faceplate 12 and accepts a machine screw 18 (FIG. 1A) or a self-tapping screw 20 in an alternate embodiment (FIG. IB) . Faceplate 12 also has tabs 22 which extend orthogonally from the lower edge 21 of faceplate 12.

A substantially-planar, rectangular, horizontally-disposed base 24 is mounted to tabs 22 -lo¬

using rivets 26 which are installed through suitable holes in base 24. Faceplate 12 and base 24 extend substantially orthogonally of one another. In a preferred embodiment, base 24 is a printed circuit board. A header connector 28 is mounted on top of the printed circuit board at one short end of rectangular base 24 while faceplate 12 is disposed at the opposing short end. Connector 28 may be a female or socket-type header connector and is electrically connected to printed circuit board 24 via pins 30 which extend into printed circuit board 24 and are soldered thereto. Conventional interface circuitry 33 is mounted on printed circuit board 24 and provides any needed signal conditioning and conversion functions. For example, if network interface connector 14 is an optical network connector (such as illustrated in FIGS. 10B or 10E) interface circuitry 33 contains the circuits needed to convert optical data signals to electrical signals which can be processed by a computer product. Printed circuit board traces 32A-32H electrically connect interface circuitry 33 to network interface connector 1 . Printed circuit board traces 35A-35H electrically connect interface circuitry 33 to header connector 28.

Module 10 also includes springs 38 which extend from faceplate 12, and, as will be explained in greater detail, assist in holding module 10 in a computer product.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4-7, which figures illustrate a computer product that accepts the plug-in interface module 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. Computer product 50, which may be an ethernet hub or repeater, for example, contains a plurality of identical openings 52 which are sized and spaced from one another to accept a number of plug-in interface modules 10. If computer product 50 is an ethernet hub, an individual computer product is separately connected, respectively, to the hub via a transmission medium connected to an interface module 10 inserted into a respective opening 52. Obviously, computer product 50 is not limited to the particular configuration and number of openings as shown in FIG. 5. Other configurations and numbers of modules are also contemplated by the present invention. Computer product 50 contains any necessary power supplies and circuitry and runs appropriate software to perform its intended function.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a pair of printed circuit board guides 54 and 56 having flanges 55A, 55B and 57A, 57B, respectively, are attached to a mother board 58 which is attached to an outer case or frame 60 of computer product 50 by

standoffs 62. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, printed circuit board guides 54 and 56 snap into holes 64 in mother board 58 and are held in place by tabs 66 and 68. A header connector 70 is mounted and soldered on top of mother board 58 via leads 72. Header connector 70 may be a male or pin-type header connector having pins 74 extending from header connector 70 parallel to mother board 58. A pair of printed circuit board guides 54, 56 and a header connector 70 is disposed on mother board 58 adjacent and aligned with each opening 52 in computer product 50. Each header connector 70 is connected to a network bus within computer product 50 which allows communication among the computer products connected to computer product 50.

To insert plug-in interface module 10 into computer product 50, module 10 is aligned in front of opening 52 and aligned with printed circuit board guides 54 and 56 as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C. Thereafter, module 10 is moved in the direction of arrow A so that printed circuit board 24 enters portion 70 of printed circuit guides 54 and 56, respectively. Module 10 is pushed along the direction of arrow A until pins 74 of header connector 70 engage respective sockets 78 of header connector 28 as shown in FIG. 6. As sockets 78 engage pins 74, springs 38 also engage edges 80 of opening 52 to hold module 10 in place.

Typically, signals which are transmitted to/from module 10 through connectors 28 and 70 when the connectors are physically engaged are in the data format of the network. For example, in the case of an ethernet network, the signals are in ethernet protocol format.

When module 10 is fully seated within opening 52 as illustrated in FIG. 7, the user uses machine screw 18 to secure module 10 to computer product 50 by passing machine screw 18 through hole 16 into hole 82 in frame 60. Hole 82 may be a threaded hole which can accept machine screw 18 directly. In another embodiment, a threaded nut 84 can be welded or attached to frame 60 coaxially with hole 82 and machine screw 18 is then threaded into threaded nut 84. In another embodiment, self-tapping screw 20 may simply be inserted through hole 16 into hole 82 and used to secure module 10 to frame 60. When the user desires to change interface modules, the user need only remove machine screw 18 (or self-tapping screw 20), pull module 10 out of computer product 50 along the direction of arrow B, and substitute a different plug-in module which is then resecured to frame 60 using machine screw 18 or self-tapping screw 20. When installed in computer product 50, printed circuit board 24 is parallel to motherboard 58, thus saving space and providing a compact installation and interface system.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8 and 9, which figures illustrate multiple plug-in modules 10 installed in computer product 50. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, two mother boards 58 and 58A are provided and supported on standoffs 62 and 62A, respectively. Respective printed circuit board guides 64, 64A and header connectors 70 and 70A are also provided. Plug-in interface modules 10 are inserted and removed from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 in the same manner as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which figure illustrates additional types of data transmission network interface connectors which may be provided in plug-in modules 10. FIG. 10A illustrates a coaxial-type connector. FIG. 10B illustrates a multi-mode optical fiber-type connector. FIG. 10C illustrates an auxiliary unit interface connector. FIG. 10D illustrates an internal transceiver connector. FIG. 10E illustrates a single-mode optical fiber-type connector. The plug-in modules illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 10 may be used in any combination in computer product 50, allowing computer product 50 to be easily connected to any particular type or types of ethernet local area network transmission media, as well as allowing the user the flexibility to choose the type of transmission medium depending upon his or her particular network requirements.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 11A and 11B, which figure illustrates an alternate embodiment of the apparatus for electrically connecting plug-in module 10 to computer product 50. In FIG. 11A, header connector 28 is replaced with conductive ingers 90A-90I which are connected respectively to printed circuit board traces 35A-35H. Header connector 70 is replaced with a printed circuit board edge connector 92 containing fingers 94A-94J which electrically connect with fingers 90A-90J upon insertion of module 10 in the direction of arrow C into connector 92 as illustrated in FIG. 11B.

The present invention thus provides a simple interface system which allows a user to connect multiple differing types of data transmission network media to a single computer product. The plug-in interface modules are easily and rapidly changed by the use of the single fastener system which secure modules 10 to the particular computer product. Using the present invention, a user is not only able to connect new equipment to an existing network, but, if the transmission medium is upgraded from twisted pair to fiber optics, for example, the user can connect the equipment to the new network by simply selecting and installing the appropriate plug-in interface module. The present invention provides a user-configurable physical interface between the transmission medium and a computer product, allowing the user to change

transmission media or to connect a computer product to a predetermined data transmission network.

A single, uniform connection system is provided between an interface module and a computer product, eliminating adapter cables and connectors. The present invention eliminates the need for external adapter devices and can be readily incorporated into the design of computer products and manufactured inexpensively. The present invention also conserves space within the computer product by the use of the parallel printed circuit boards of the interface module and the motherboard of the computer product.

Having thus described one particular embodiment of the invention, various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements as are made obvious by this disclosure are intended to be part of this disclosure although not expressly stated herein, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended as limiting. The invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A plug-in interface module that provides an interface between a network data transmission medium and a computer product, comprising: a first connector means for connection to the transmission medium; a second connector means for connection to the computer product; and attachment means for securing the module to the computer product.

2. The plug-in interface module of claim 1, wherein the first connector means is mounted to a substantially planar base.

3. The plug-in interface module of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a printed circuit board and the first connector means is mounted at one end thereof.

4. The plug-in interface module of claim 3, wherein the second connector means is mounted at another end of the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the first connector means by traces on the printed circuit board.

5. The plug-in interface module of claim 3, wherein the second connector means comprises at least one conductive finger at another end of the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the first connector means by traces on the printed circuit board,

6. The plug-in interface module of claim 2, wherein the first connector means is additionally mounted to a faceplate extending substantially orthogonally from the base and the attachment means includes means for attaching the faceplate to the computer product.

7. The plug-in module of claim 6, wherein the attachment means includes a single fastener.

8. The plug—in module of claim 7, wherein the single fastener includes a machine screw.

9. The plug-in module of claim 7, wherein the single fastener includes a self-tapping screw.

10. A computer product for accepting a plug-in interface module, the module providing an interface between a network data transmission medium and the computer product, the computer product comprising: means defining an opening in the computer product to allow insertion of an interface module;

guide means, disposed within the computer product, for engaging and directing insertion of an interface module; electrical connection means, disposed in the computer product for mating with a corresponding connection means on an interface module upon insertion of the interface module into the computer product; and means for receiving an attachment means for securing an interface module to the computer product.

11. The computer product of claim 10, wherein the guide means comprises at least one printed circuit board guide.

12. The computer product of claim 11, wherein the electrical connector means comprises at least one header connector.

13. The computer product of claim 11, wherein the electrical connector means comprises at least one printed circuit board edge connector.

14. The computer product of claim 11, wherein the means for receiving the attachment means comprises a threaded hole in the device.

15. The computer product of claim 11, wherein the means for receiving the attachment means comprises a threaded nut welded over a hole in the computer product disposed so that the threaded portion of the nut is coaxial with the hole.

16. A system for providing a user-configurable physical interface between a network data transmission medium and a computer product connected to the network, comprising: at least one plug-in interface module, comprising a first connector means for connection to the transmission medium; a second connector means for connection to the computer product; attachment means for securing the module to the computer product; a computer product having means defining at least one opening in the computer product to allow insertion of the at least one plug-in interface module; at least one guide means, disposed within the computer product, for engaging and directing insertion of the interface module; at least one electrical connection means, disposed in the computer product, for mating with the second connector means on the interface module upon insertion of the interface module into the computer product; and at least one means for receiving the attachment means for securing the module to the computer product.

17. A method of connecting a computer product to a predetermined network data transmission medium, comprising the steps of: providing a plug-in interface module, comprising a first portion including at least one data transmission network interface connector means for connection to the predetermined network data transmission medium; a second portion, attached to the first portion, which physically engages the computer product and provides a connection between the at least one data transmission network interface connector means and the computer product; attachment means for securing the module to the computer product; providing a means for receiving the attachment means in the computer product; inserting the interface module into an opening in the computer product, including guiding the interface module into the computer product; connecting an electrical connection means in the computer product to the second portion of the plug-in interface module; and securing the plug-in interface module to the computer product by attaching the attachment means to the means for receiving.

18. A system for providing a user-configurable interface between a network data transmission medium and a computer product to be connected to the network, comprising: a plurality of plug-in interface modules, each module including a different, respective connector means for connection to a transmission medium and a first uniform electrical connector means for connection to the computer product; and a computer product having means defining at least one opening in the computer product to allow insertion of at least one of the plurality of plug-in interface modules and a second uniform electrical connector means, which mates with the first uniform electrical connector means upon insertion of the at least one plug-in interface module into the computer product, for providing an electrical connection between the computer product and the at least one plug-in interface module.

19. A method of connecting a computer product to any one of a number of different transmission media, comprising steps of: providing a computer product having an opening to accept a plug-in interface module and means for connecting the computer product and module;

providing a plurality of plug-in interface modules, each module providing an interface between the computer product and a different transmission medium, each module including: a first connector means adapted for connection to one of the different transmission media; a second connector means adapted for connection to the computer connecting means; selecting a module having a corresponding first connector means for connection to a selected transmission medium; inserting the selected module into the opening of the computer product; and connecting the second connector means to the computer connecting means.

20. The plug-in interface module of claim 3, wherein the second connector means comprises at least one header connector at another end of the printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the first connector means by traces on the printed circuit board,