Patent ID: 7339367

Claim:
An interface module, comprising: a probe identification module configured for connection to an identification bus; a probe detect module configured for connection to a detect-control bus; a power control module configured for connection to the detect-control bus; a control and data module configured for connection to a control-data bus; and multiple connectors, wherein each connector has an associated hot swap circuit and wherein for each connector, if the probe detect module detects connection of that connector to a test probe via connection of that connector to the probe detect module, the power control module is configured to enable connection of power to that test probe via that connector using its associated hot swap circuit, the probe identification module is configured to enable transfer of an identification label identifying that test probe to that test probe via that connector, and the control and data module is configured to enable transfer of control instructions and data between the control-data bus and the test probe via connection of the control and data module to that connector.