The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 23, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 24, 2000
Keenan Wynn Franz, Austin, TX (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and system for verifying a correct orientation of a module during installation of the module into a circuit board mounting site. The module housing is symmetric in at least one respect such that the module may be positioned in at least one alternate orientation with respect to the mounting site in addition to the correct orientation. Within the module, a module test contact is electrically connected to a common plane mode contact. A mounting site test contact that engages the module test pin when the module is correctly aligned with respect to the mounting site is preselected to be tested upon placement of the module onto the mounting site. A test signal is applied to a conductive common plane within the mounting site to which a common plane mounting site contact is connected. Prior to installation of the module into the mounting site, the mounting site test contact is electrically isolated from the conductive common plane to which a test signal is applied. The module is tentatively connected to the mounting site. Upon connection of the module, only the mounting site test contact is tested to ensure that the module has been correctly positioned within respect to the mounting site.