Patent ID: 7314392

Claim:
A connecting device, comprising: a connector housing; a first sensor associated with the housing for sensing a mating of a connector with the housing; a second sensor associated with the housing for sensing a mating of a specific type of connector with the housing; and an indicating circuit connected to the first sensor and the second sensor that provides a first indication when the first sensor indicates that a connector has been mated with the housing and the second sensor indicates that the connector mated with the housing is not the specific type of connector, and a second indication when the first sensor indicates that a connector has been mated with the housing and the second sensor indicates that the connector mated with the housing is the specific type of connector; wherein the first and second sensors each consist of a spring contact and a contact on an interior cavity of the housing that are forced into electrical connection by direct physical contact between the spring contact and a connector when mated with the housing.