Safety mechanism circuit and motherboard
AssigneeQuanta Computer Inc.
InventorsChih-Wei Yang, Chin-Yu Liu, Ming Hong Ni, Kung-Chang Chuang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A safety mechanism circuit is provided. The safety mechanism circuit is disposed on a motherboard which includes a connector to be connected to a function circuit. In response to the function circuit being coupled to the connector, a detection circuit detects the voltage level of a contact terminal. In response to the voltage level of the contact terminal not being equal to a predetermined level, an operating circuit enters a safety mode to perform a safety operation. In response to the voltage level of the contact terminal being equal to the predetermined level, the operating circuit enters a normal mode to stop performing the safety operation.
Claims20
A safety mechanism circuit disposed on a motherboard which comprises a connector to be connected to a function circuit, comprising:
- a detection circuit coupled between a first contact terminal of the connector and a specific node;
- a control circuit setting a voltage level of the specific node so that the voltage level of the specific node is equal to a set level in response to the function circuit being coupled to the connector and a specific function is activated;
- and
- an operating circuit operating in a normal mode or a safety mode according to the voltage level of the specific node,
- wherein:
- in response to the function circuit being coupled to the connector:
- the function circuit is electrically connected to the first contact terminal,
- the detection circuit detects the voltage level of the first contact terminal,
- in response to the voltage level of the first contact terminal not being equal to a first predetermined level, the detection circuit sets the voltage level of the specific node so that the voltage level of the specific node is not equal to the set level, and the operating circuit enters the safety mode to perform a safety operation,
- in response to the voltage level of the first contact terminal being equal to the first predetermined level, the operating circuit enters the normal mode to stop performing the safety operation.
A motherboard, comprising:
- a connector to be coupled to a function circuit and comprising:
- a first transmission terminal electrically connected to the function circuit and a first contact terminal;
- a second transmission terminal electrically connected to the function circuit and a second contact terminal;
- and
- a plurality of third transmission terminals disposed between the first and second transmission terminals;
- and
- a safety mechanism circuit determining whether a connection between the function circuit and the connector is unstable and comprising:
- a detection circuit coupled between the first contact terminal, the second contact terminal and a specific node;
- a control circuit setting a voltage level of the specific node so that the voltage level of the specific node is equal to a set level in response to the function circuit being coupled to the connector and a specific function is activated;
- and
- an operating circuit operating in a normal mode or a safety mode according to the voltage level of the specific node,
- wherein:
- in response to the function circuit being coupled to the connector:
- the function circuit is electrically connected to the first and second contact terminals,
- the detection circuit detects the voltage level of the first contact terminal and a voltage level of the second contact terminal,
- in response to the voltage level of the first or second contact terminal not being equal to a first predetermined level, the detection circuit sets the voltage level of the specific node so that the voltage level of the specific node is not equal to the set level, and the operating circuit performs a safety operation,
- in response to the voltage levels of the first and second contact terminals being equal to the first predetermined level, the operating circuit stops performing the safety operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.