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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to computers, and more particularly relates to personal computers, and even more particularly relates to methods and systems for identifying personal computers with racks. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, industrial personal computers have become increasingly prevalent in many industries. It is not uncommon today to see rows of industrial PCs arranged in racks. These racks may be populated with a single type, model, or brand of computer or an assortment of brands, models, and types. For example, some racks may contain computers which are dedicated to particular tasks; e.g., email, firewalls, web page hosting, etc. While many of these industrial PCs are often designed and manufactured to higher standards than consumer PCs, they still are occasionally in need of repair. When this happens, the PC is usually required to be removed from the rack to enable service to occur. At times, several of the computers in a rack may be removed, or slots in the rack might otherwise be unoccupied. One approach that has been used in the past to identify PCs to particular slots is to use labels or other textual tags, etc. on the PC and the appropriate slots. 
     While these labels and/or tags have been used extensively in the past, they do have some drawbacks. First of all, they require that the person installing the PCs into a slot be familiar with the labeling scheme. Secondly, they require that the scheme be correctly implemented. At times, due to lack of attention, knowledge, or other reasons, a PC is inserted into an improper slot. This can result in damage to the PC, a failure to operate, or even worse. 
     Also, in the past single computers have had individual circuit cards which have blind mating identification mechanisms thereon to prohibit improper insertion of these circuits cards into the single computer. However, they were not entire PCs inserted into rack. 
     Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and systems for identifying PCs within a rack of PCs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for identifying a PC within a rack in an efficient manner. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to utilize a mechanical keying system. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to include a blind mating keying system. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to achieve certainty that a PC installed in a rack slot is the appropriate PC in the appropriate slot. 
     It is another advantage of the present invention to reduce the occurrences of human error which result in improper PC placement. 
     It is another advantage of the present invention to use a simple single motion to both identify and install a PC into the proper slot. 
     The present invention is an apparatus and method for identifying industrial personal computers within a rack. The invention is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “human error-less” manner in a sense that the human error associated with implementing a labeling scheme has been greatly reduced. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is a system and method including a configurable mechanical keying plate disposed on an exterior of an industrial computer with a corresponding locking plate disposed within a slot in a rack of PCs. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded enlarged perspective view of un-mated keying plate/locking plate portion of a system of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now referring to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more specifically referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a system of the present invention generally designated  100 , including a rack  102  for retaining industrial PCs. An industrial PC  104  is shown having been removed from a slot  105  in rack  102 . PC  104  has a front end  106  and a rear end  107 . PC  104  preferably is a general purpose PC having a CPU  111  and a plurality of expansion cards  113  disposed therein and coupled to the CPU  111  via an internal buss  115 . Front end  106  has a handle  108  thereon. Also shown in FIG. 1 is keying plate  110  and a quick connecting blind mating connector  112 . Keying plate  110  will mate with latching plate  114  when PC  104  is placed within slot  105 . 
     Now referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an exploded view of the keying plate and locking plate portion of the system of FIG.  1 . There is shown keying plate  110 , which is coupled to the PC  104  (FIG. 1) and locking plate  114 , which is coupled to the rack  102  (FIG.  1 ). Disposed on keying plate  110  are keying slots  210 ,  212 ,  214 , and  216 . Slots  210 ,  212 , and  216  are shown having keying inserts  211  disposed therein. These keying inserts  211  may be any type of device which occupies space in and prevents reception of a keying pin into the slots  210 ,  212 ,  214 , and  216 . In a preferred embodiment, the keying insert  211  may have a protuberance raised region  213  or a pin disposed thereon. Preferably when the slot is unoccupied by a keying insert, it is capable of receiving a locking pin therein. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a locking plate  114  containing locking slots  230 ,  232 ,  234 , and  236 . Locking slots  230 ,  232 , and  236  are shown as unoccupied; i.e., not having a locking pin insert disposed therein. Locking slot  234  is shown as occupied with a locking pin insert. Preferably both keying inserts and locking pin inserts are removable slide or snap inserts; however, any means of coupling these inserts to the plates is intended to be covered within the scope of the claims. 
     In operation, keying plate  110  and locking plate  114  are shown in FIG. 2 to be uniquely configured so as to permit mating. Unoccupied slot  214  permits reception of the locking pin disposed in slot  234 . Likewise, the fact that slots  230 ,  232 , and  236  are unoccupied permits reception of the keying pins on the keying inserts disposed in slots  210 ,  212  and  216 , respectively. For example, if locking plate  114  were configured for another PC, it might have an additional locking pin in slot  232 . If this were the case, the keying insert in slot  212  would prohibit the reception of the locking pin in slot  232 , and thereby prohibit the mating of keying plate  110  with the locking plate  114 . The number, shape orientation, and placement of slots in the locking and key plates may differ from the  4  slots shown. In a preferred embodiment, a repair technician may employ a master-keyed PC, which would be accepted into any slot, irrespective of the particular locking plate associated with that slot. This master-keyed PC may be as simple as a PC with all slots  210 ,  212 ,  214 , and  216  being unoccupied. 
     It is contemplated that numerous alternate approaches could be used, all of which are intended to be included within the scope of the claims. For example, any variation of blind matable connectors could be used which have the ability to identify a PC and a slot and to permit rejection of the PC if it were not the proper PC for the slot. Preferably, the plates  110  and  114  are mounted and configured so that a failure to mate will result in an inability to connect any blind-matable electrical connectors on the PC and in the slot. One method of controlling the mating of electrical blind-mating connectors is to have the slots be sufficiently long so that the difference in permissible travel of the PC within the slot is significantly longer when the IDs match and insertion is permitted. 
     Throughout this description, reference is made to an industrial PC because it is believed that the beneficial aspects of the present invention would be most readily apparent when used in connection with industrial PCs. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to industrial PCs, and should be hereby construed to include other non-industrial PCs. 
     Throughout this description, the term “industrial PC” is used to represent a general purpose PC of the type which is capable of being stored in racks of multiple rows of PCs where each row has multiple PCs, and where the PCs are coupled to wiring associated with the rack and other equipment by at least one connector at the rear end of the PC. This definition of industrial PCs is not intended to include laptop PCs which have connectors on the rear end of the laptop for coupling with a docking station or a port replicator. Consequently, the term “industrial PC” will specifically exclude any computer which has along its top side a hinged display screen hinged along the rear end of the PC. 
     It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps, and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.