LED Extension Cable Assembly for External Server Status Viewing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Embedded infrastructure control modules within equipment like servers are difficult to access externally for status verification due to their deep placement within infrastructure housing, making it impossible to visually confirm the operational status of internal light emitting diodes (LEDs) from outside.
Innovation Solution
A cable assembly with LED detector circuitry and external LEDs that mimics the status indicators of internal LEDs, allowing external viewing by connecting to the infrastructure module and housing, using flexible electronics and circuitry to detect and replicate the status indicators externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control modules are placed deep within infrastructure housing for security, then information assurance security is improved, but accessibility of status indicators deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cable assembly that connects to the internal control module's LED indicators and transmits their status externally. The cable contains LED detector circuitry that senses the internal LEDs and drives external indicator LEDs, serving as a mediator between the secured internal module and the external monitoring environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly creates a visual copy of the internal LED status indicators by driving external indicator LEDs that replicate the internal LED patterns. This allows external users to view a faithful reproduction of the internal module's operational status without direct access to the physical LEDs deep within the housing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If control modules are embedded deep within housing, then protection of internal modules is improved, but visibility of operational status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the protected internal LEDs and the external viewing environment. It contains detection circuitry that senses internal LED status and transmits this information through external indicators, enabling status detection without compromising module protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/optical viewing of internal LEDs with an electronic detection and reproduction system. The LED detector circuitry electronically senses the internal LED status and drives external indicator LEDs, substituting direct visual inspection with an electronic intermediary system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed I/O jacks are used in embedded modules, then connection stability is improved, but external accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into internal and external components connected by a flexible cable. The cable assembly separates the stable internal connection point from the accessible external indicator, allowing the connection to remain stable while the indicator portion extends externally for easy viewing and monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly extends the status indication into a new spatial dimension by routing external indicator LEDs outside the housing through a flexible cable. This dimensional extension allows status visibility in a different location without compromising the stability of the internal connection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables external visualization of internal module operation, ensuring information assurance security by providing a means to verify the operational status of embedded control modules without exposing them, thus ensuring proper functioning can be confirmed from outside the housing.
Implementation Method 1
LED detector circuitry...detecting activity of the status indicator LEDs
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of external light emitting diodes (LEDs)...driving the external LEDs to illuminate in response to the detected LED activity
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic cable system operates as an extension cable to facilitate external viewing of internal infrastructure LED status. A wired cable is provided having a first end and a second end, the first end including a first I/O coupler, LED detectors and a power jack; and the second end including a second I/O coupler and a plurality of LEDs. The plurality of LEDs of the second end illuminate in response to activation of the LED detector of the first end. The first I/O coupler may plug into an internal module of electronic infrastructure, such as a server, to detect operational status of the internal module via the LED detectors. The second I/O coupler may couple to infrastructure housing, permitting the plurality of LEDs to be viewed externally of the housing. The plurality of external LEDs on the infrastructure housing mimic internal (non-viewable) status indicator LEDs of the internal module.