Abstract:
The present invention discloses a universal connection recognition system which includes a universal connector, a pin recognition module and a signal detection module, wherein the universal connector is composed of plural testing pins that are electrically connected to plural connection pads to be tested, while at least one testing pin is connected to each connection pad to be tested. With the implementation of the present invention, complex production process or equipment is not required thus enormously reduce the implementation cost; the universal connection recognition system can be applied to connections of great diversity of inspection instruments or equipment to thus make more applications possible; and with the learning capability of the universal connection recognition system, any inspection instrument or equipment once connected is memorized to have the capability of achieving automatic and exact pin compatibility when the inspection instrument or equipment is connected again.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a connection recognition system configured for detection purposes and more particularly to a universal connection recognition system with a pin recognition module and a detection module. 
       2. Description of Related Art 
       [0002]    Detection instruments or devices have rapidly come into extensive use in modern life, especially those related to physical health or medical treatment. 
         [0003]    Today, detection instruments or devices are available in large numbers and a great variety, with marked differences in size, form, location, and number of their probes, pads, or contacts for detection. The differences not only complicate the collection and compilation of detection data, but also make it difficult to improve the utilization efficiency of those data effectively. 
         [0004]    In the light of this, it has been an important issue in the detection technology industry, or even the entire medical application industry, to develop a simple and effective technique or detection system that can be implemented at low cost by dispensing with a complex manufacturing process and expensive production equipment, that features an innovative structural design compatible with different detection instruments or devices and therefore widely applicable, and that has a learning function for automatically applying the correct pin-grouping arrangement to an instrument or device that is connected to the system again, thereby satisfying the demands of electronic devices with a detection or recognition system while greatly enhancing the quality of medical examination and the health of humanity. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention discloses a universal connection recognition system which includes a universal connector, a pin recognition module, and a detection module. The universal connector is composed of a plurality of detection pins to be electrically connected with a plurality of external terminals to be detected. More specifically, each external terminal to be detected is electrically connected with at least one of the detection pins. This universal connection recognition system can be implemented at low cost without a complicated manufacturing process or costly production equipment. Moreover, the system is compatible with various detection instruments or devices and therefore has a wide range of applications. Last but not least, the system has a learning function to enable automatic application of the correct pin-grouping arrangement to an instrument or device that is connected to the system again. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides a universal connection recognition system which includes a universal connector, a pin recognition module, and a detection module. The universal connector is composed of a plurality of detection pins. The pin recognition module is configured to send an identifying signal to one of the detection pins, read the signal of each of the other detection pins, and then identify and group the detection pins to form a corresponding pin combination. The detection module is configured to send a test signal to the corresponding pin combination and to receive and process a feedback signal sent by the corresponding pin combination in response to the test signal. The detection pins are electrically connected with a plurality of external terminals to be detected, and each external terminal to be detected is electrically connected with at least one of the detection pins. 
         [0007]    Implementation of the present invention at least produces the following advantageous effects: 
         [0008]    1. A low implementation cost can be achieved because neither a complicated manufacturing process nor expensive production equipment is required. 
         [0009]    2. A wide range of applications are made possible by the system&#39;s compatibility with various detection instruments or devices. 
         [0010]    3. Thanks to the learning function of the system, any instrument or device that is connected to the system again will be automatically connected with the correctly grouped detection pins. 
         [0011]    The features and advantages of the present invention are detailed hereinafter with reference to the preferred embodiments. The detailed description is intended to enable a person skilled in the art to gain insight into the technical contents disclosed herein and implement the present invention accordingly. In particular, a person skilled in the art can easily understand the objects and advantages of the present invention by referring to the disclosure of the specification, the claims, and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the universal connection recognition system in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the universal connection recognition system in another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the system has a control unit; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the universal connection recognition system in yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pin recognition module includes a digital signal generating unit and a pin recognition unit; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the universal connection recognition system in still another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the detection module includes an analog signal generating unit and an impedance detection unit; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the process flow of the pin recognition module in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the process flow of the detection module in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  schematically shows the detection operation of the detection module in an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of the detection pins in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the detection pins are arranged in a two-dimensional (2D) array; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the detection pins in another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the detection pins are arranged in a three-dimensional (3D) array; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing how the detection pins in an embodiment of the present invention detect the to-be-detected terminals, wherein the detection pins are arranged in a 3D array. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing how the detection pins in another embodiment of the present invention detect to-be-detected terminals formed on upper and lower surfaces of a substrate, wherein the detection pins are arranged in two 3D arrays above and below the to-be-detected terminals. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the universal connection recognition system  100  in an embodiment of the present invention includes a universal connector  10 , a pin recognition module  20 , and a detection module  40 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the universal connector  10  is composed of a plurality of detection pins  11 . Each detection pin  11  can be a gold finger or a pogo pin. The number of the detection pins  11  and the shape of each detection pin  11  depend on the intended applications or production requirements; the present invention does not have special limitations in this regard. 
         [0026]    The detection pins  11  are configured mainly for electrical connection with a plurality of external terminals  50  to be detected. More specifically, each to-be-detected terminal  50  is to be electrically connected with at least one detection pin  11 . In other words, the thickness or width of each detection pin  11  can be less than that of each to-be-detected terminal  50 . 
         [0027]    The to-be-detected terminals  50  can be the terminals of a detection instrument or device of any brand or configuration. For example, the to-be-detected terminals  50  can be the connection terminals of a blood glucose meter of any brand or configuration. 
         [0028]    In addition, the detection pins  11  can be arranged in a two-dimensional (2D) array, as shown in  FIG. 8A , or a three-dimensional (3D) array, as shown in  FIG. 8B . Proper arrangement of the detection pins  11  not only facilitates signal communication, but also may increase the area of contact between the detection pins  11  and the to-be-detected terminals  50 . When the to-be-detected terminals  50  are relatively thick or are arranged over a relatively large area, arranging the detection pins  11  in a 3D array helps provide error-free contact. 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  shows how the detection pins  11 , arranged in a 3D array, are used to detect the to-be-detected terminals  50 . Whether or not the contact portions of the to-be-detected terminals  50  have a uniform thickness or height, the 3D array of detection pins  11  can detect the to-be-detected terminals  50  without error. 
         [0030]      FIG. 10  shows how the detection pins  11 , arranged on two 3D arrays above and below the to-be-detected terminals  50 , are used to detect the to-be-detected terminals  50  formed on upper and lower surfaces of a substrate. 
         [0031]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the pin recognition module  20  is configured to send an identifying signal  91  to one of the detection pins  11 , read the signal of each of the other detection pins  11 , and then identify and group the detection pins  11  to form a corresponding pin combination  30 . The identifying signal  91  can be a digital signal. In one embodiment of the present invention, the identifying signal  91  is a current signal such that, when several detection pins are in contact with the same to-be-detected terminal  50  and the current signal is sent to the to-be-detected terminal  50  via a specific one of those detection pins, the rest of the detection pins in contact with the to-be-detected terminal  50  each detect a corresponding current signal and are therefore classified as in the same group as that specific detection pin. The identifying signal  91 , however, is not necessarily a current signal, provided that the identifying signal  91  can be used to determine whether a plurality of detection pins are in contact with the same to-be-detected terminal. 
         [0032]    As demonstrated by the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , some detection pins  11  are classified as group A, some detection pins  11  are classified as group B, some detection pins  11  are classified as group C, some detection pins  11  are classified as group D, and some detection pins  11  are classified as group E. Groups A through E define a corresponding pin combination  30 . 
         [0033]    When the to-be-detected terminals  50  are the connection terminals of a blood glucose meter of a certain brand and configuration, the corresponding pin combination  30  obtained by the foregoing identifying and grouping process includes a pin-grouping arrangement that matches the connection terminals perfectly. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the pin recognition module  20  of the universal connection recognition system  100  may further include a digital signal generating unit  21  and a pin recognition unit  22 . The digital signal generating unit  21  is configured to generate and send out a digital signal while the pin recognition unit  22  is configured to identify and group the detection pins  11 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the recognition process S 100  performed by the pin recognition module  20 . As stated above with regard to the function of the pin recognition module  20 , the process S 100  may include: looking for any unclassified detection pin (step S 101 ), sending a signal to one detection pin (step S 102 ), detecting the other detection pins (step S 103 ), grouping the detection pins (step S 104 ), and establishing a corresponding pin combination (step S 105 ). 
         [0036]    To look for any unclassified detection pin (step S 101 ), the universal connection recognition system  100  reads pin-corresponding data to identify any unclassified detection pin  11 . The pin-corresponding data can be stored in the universal connection recognition system  100  or read in from an external source. 
         [0037]    To send a signal to one detection pin (step S 102 ), the universal connection recognition system  100  sends an identifying signal  91  to one of the detection pins  11 . 
         [0038]    To detect the other detection pins (step S 103 ), the universal connection recognition system  100  reads the signals sent by all the detection pins  11  except for the detection pin  11  to which the identifying signal  91  was sent. 
         [0039]    To group the detection pins (step S 104 ), the universal connection recognition system  100  identifies and groups the detection pins  11  according to the signals read from all the detection pins  11  except for the detection pin  11  to which the identifying signal  91  was sent. 
         [0040]    To establish a corresponding pin combination (step S 105 ), the universal connection recognition system  100  defines the identified and grouped detection pins  11  as a corresponding pin combination  30 . 
         [0041]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the detection module  40  is configured to send a test signal  92  to the corresponding pin combination  30  and then receive and process a feedback signal  93  sent by the corresponding pin combination  30  in response to the test signal  92 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7 , the test signal  92  sent by the detection module  40  can be an analog signal such as a voltage signal or a current signal. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 7 , where the test signal  92  is a voltage signal by way of example, the test signal  92  of a certain voltage value is input to group A in the corresponding pin combination  30 , and then the voltage value of the feedback signal  93  detected from a group other than group A (e.g., group B) is read. By calculating the difference between the input voltage value and the read voltage value, the impedance value between group A and group B is obtained. 
         [0044]    By the same token, the impedance value between each two groups can be obtained, thereby acquiring the impedance characteristics of the entire corresponding pin combination  30 , and hence of each two connection terminals of the corresponding blood glucose meter (or other detection device). 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the detection module  40  of the universal connection recognition system  100  may further include an analog signal generating unit  41  and an impedance detection unit  42 . The analog signal generating unit  41  is configured to generate and send out an analog signal, and the impedance detection unit  42 , to detect the impedance value between each two groups of detection pins and thereby obtain the impedance characteristics of the corresponding pin combination  30  and of the corresponding blood glucose meter (or other detection device). 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the detection process S 200  performed by the detection module  40 . As stated above with regard to the function of the detection module  40 , the detection process S 200  may include: inputting a voltage to a group of detection pins (step S 201 ), reading a voltage value from another group of detection pins (step S 202 ), and calculating or storing an impedance value between the two groups of detection pins (step S 203 ). 
         [0047]    Moreover, referring to  FIG. 2 , the universal connection recognition system  100  may further include a control unit  60  for controlling the operation of the pin recognition module  20  and of the detection module  40 . The control unit  60  can be a hardware device, software, firmware, or a combination of any two of the above. 
         [0048]    The control unit  60  may further include or connect with a storage element  62  for storing the data of blood glucose meters or other detection devices that have been connected to and detected by the system. When one of those blood glucose meters or detection devices is connected to the system again, the data corresponding to the blood glucose meter or detection device can be immediately retrieved from the storage element  62  and put to use. 
         [0049]    In a nutshell, the universal connector  10 , the pin recognition module  20 , the detection module  40 , and the control unit  60  are so designed that the universal connection recognition system  100  can be implemented at low cost without a complicated manufacturing process or costly production equipment, has a wide range of applications due to its compatibility with various detection instruments or devices, and features a learning function to ensure that the correct pin-grouping arrangement is automatically applied when a device is connected to the system again. 
         [0050]    The embodiments described above are intended only to demonstrate the technical concept and features of the present invention so as to enable a person skilled in the art to understand and implement the contents disclosed herein. It is understood that the disclosed embodiments are not to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent changes or modifications based on the concept of the present invention should be encompassed by the appended claims.