Signal sampling using flex circuits on direct inter-connects

Abstract

A method and system for sampling data signals between electronic components are provided. The invention comprises using a straight feed-through connector to connect electronic components and attaching one end of a flexible circuit to the pins of the feed-through connector. The other end of the flexible circuit is attached to a display, such as a LED. The display constitutes a field replaceable unit (FRU), which allows a malfunctioning display (i.e. LED) to be replaced without having to remove other electronic components. The present invention can be used for the detection of fault signals, status, idle signals, error checking, and introduction of a signal analyzer.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . A method for sampling data signals between electronic components, comprising: 
 connecting the electronic components by using a hardware connector;    attaching one end of a flexible circuit to the hardware connector; and    attaching an opposite end of the flexible circuit to an output device.    
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the flexible circuit is attached to the hardware connector by a unidirectional locking tine.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the flexible circuit is attached to the hardware connector by a wire trap.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the output device is a light emitting diode.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the output device constitutes a field replaceable unit.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the hardware connector is a feed-through connector.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the data sampling can be used for detection of at least one of fault signals, status, idle signals, error checking, and introduction of a signal analyzer.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein connecting the components using a hardware connector includes: 
 directly connecting a first electronic component to a first end of the hardware connector; and    directly connecting a second electronic component to a second end of the hardware connector, and wherein the flexible circuit is directly coupled to the hardware connector.    
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the first electronic component is a storage device and the second electronic component is a circuit board.  
     
     
         24 . A system for sampling data signals between electronic components, comprising: 
 a hardware connector for connecting the electronic components;    first attaching means for attaching one end of a flexible circuit to the hardware connector; and    second attaching means for attaching the opposite end of the flexible circuit to an output device.    
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the flexible circuit is attached to the hardware connector by a unidirectional locking tine.  
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the flexible circuit is attached to the hardware connector by a wire trap.  
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the hardware connector is a feed-through connector.  
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the data sampling can be used for detection of at least one of fault signals, status, idle signals, error checking, and introduction of a signal analyzer.  
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein a first end of the hardware connector is directly connected to a first electronic component and a second end of the hardware connector is directly coupled to a second electronic component, and wherein the flexible circuit is directly coupled to the hardware connector.  
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 29 , wherein the first electronic component is a storage device and the second electronic component is a circuit board.  
     
     
         31 . A method for sampling data signals between a drive and a motherboard, comprising: 
 providing a direct connection between the drive and the motherboard by way of an hardware connector;    coupling a first end of a flexible circuit to the hardware connector; and    coupling a second end of the flexible circuit to an indicator.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first end of the flexible circuit is held between two snap-fit halves of the hardware connector.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first end of the flexible circuit is coupled to the hardware connector by one of wire taps and unidirectional locking tines.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the hardware connector is an interposer connector.