Method and system for identifying an industrial personal computer in a rack

Abstract

A system and method for identifying a match between an industrial PC to a slot in a rack which uses a blind mating keying and locking plates, so that when the mechanical keying plate and locking plate do match, then full insertion of the PC into the slot is permitted. When a mis-match occurs, then full insertion is prohibited.

1 . An industrial PC system comprising: 
 a rack having a plurality of slots therein for receiving industrial PCs;    a first one of said plurality of slots having a slot identification device disposed therein;    a first PC, which has predetermined characteristics suitable for use in said first one of said plurality of slots, said first PC having a PC identification device coupled thereto;    said slot identification device and said PC identification device cooperate to selectively prohibit full insertion of a PC into said first one of said plurality of slots when predetermined characteristics of said first one and said first PC do not match.    
     
     
         2 . A system wherein said first PC includes a blind mating connector disposed at a rear end of the first PC for mating with a blind mating connector disposed at a distal end of an entrance opening of said first one.  
     
     
         3 . A system of  claim 2  wherein a single horizontal motion of the first PC will, when predetermined characteristics of said slot identification device and said PC identification device have a predetermined relationship, result in both identification and electrical coupling of the first PC with the rack.  
     
     
         4 . A system of  claim 3  wherein said first PC is a general purpose PC having a CPU and a plurality of expansion cards disposed therein and coupled to the CPU via an internal buss.  
     
     
         5 . A system of  claim 4  wherein said first PC is housed in a rectangular shaped box case.  
     
     
         6 . A system of controlling insertion of PCs into an industrial PC rack comprising: 
 means for identifying a particular PC;    means for identifying a particular slot in a rack of PCs; and,    means for controlling insertion of a particular PC into a particular slot based upon an interaction between said means for identifying a particular PC and said    means for identifying a particular slot in a rack.    
     
     
         7 . A system of  claim 6  wherein said means for identifying a particular PC is a mechanical mating member deployed on an outside surface of a PC.  
     
     
         8 . A system of  claim 7  wherein said means for identifying a particular slot is a mechanical mating member deployed on an inside portion of said particular slot.  
     
     
         9 . A system of  claim 8  wherein means for controlling insertion includes structure which aligns features of said means for identifying a particular PC with said means for identifying a particular slot.