I don't think you'll have to worry too much about it. It seems that it covers of a reconfigurable circuit on a PCB that doesn't change when linked to a custom PCB assembly process and ordering process that does it all automatically and on demand. But I'm no attorney... -Adam On 6/12/07, PicDude wrote: > This is pretty neat, but I'm not clear on if the patent is for the ability to > re-use pads for different components or if it's for their specific > implementation. If the former, then I have prior art from at least a few > years ago where I did this -- Vref replacing 2 resistors (was a voltage > divider) to feed a PIC's Vref input. I could select either based on whether > the product required a reference relative to Vdd or absolute (based on the > sensor type). > > Cheers, > -Neil. > > > > On Friday 08 June 2007 08:46, M. Adam Davis wrote: > > The patent application for a the rabbitflex stuff is 20060195804, > > filed September 21, 2005, Assignee Digi International Inc. As an > > aside, I doubt the patent covers what you're trying to do. Just > > wanted to give it as an example of other's doing what you're doing, > > but on a much larger and more build-to-order way. > > > > I made a PDF out of the patent application so you don't have to wade > > through TIFs and other inconvenient web interface issues. > > http://ubasics.com/patapp20060195804.pdf > > > > -Adam > > > > On 6/8/07, M. Adam Davis wrote: > > > Provide the correct bill of materials for a given configuration for a > > > given build, with component locations and rotation, and they will > > > assemble it appropriately. > > > > > > They might care a little bit if the pads are too big or small, as > > > inappropriately sized pads may lead to poor solder joints, but if you > > > follow their Design For Manufacturing (DFM) rules then there shouldn't > > > be an issue. > > > > > > The RabbitFLEX product > > > http://www.rabbitsemiconductor.com/products/RabbitFLEX/largeView.shtml > > > is very interesting in this respect - if you get a chance to see one > > > up close, do so. Each I/O is individually configurable by the end > > > user during the ordering process, and based on what is chosen > > > different components are installed in small cells. A given pad may > > > accept one end of a resistor in one orientation, a transistor in > > > another orientation, etc. I'm sure they've got a patent on some > > > aspects of this that shows this close up with placement examples, but > > > I can't find it at the moment. > > > > > > At any rate, your assembly house should not even blink at it. Just > > > make sure your BOM is correct. > > > > > > -Adam > > > > > > On 6/8/07, PicDude wrote: > > > > Hey all, > > > > > > > > Optimizing a really tight circuit and being able to drop even one 0805 > > > > would be a noticeable relief. The board is setup for various > > > > configurations (circuit variations). In one part of the circuit, one > > > > configuration requires a SOT-23 voltage reference (such as LM4040) and > > > > another configuration requires an 0805 resistor. But never both. > > > > Actually, pins 2 and 3 of the SOT-23 (the two pins that are on the same > > > > side of the SOT-23 package) are the same signals that are on both ends > > > > of the 0805 resistor, and I can actually fit the 0805 on the SOT-23 pin > > > > 2 and pin 3 pads. Great, I can drop the 0805! > > > > > > > > But how do I handle this when I pass the board to a CM? Will they > > > > willingly accept this placement, or throw it back as non-standard? > > > > What if I overlap these two components on the board layout? Ignoring > > > > layout-software warnings/errors, is this acceptable practice? Final > > > > option is to create a special component that I define are being able to > > > > hold an SOT-23 or 0805, but not sure if this is enough to appease the > > > > board houses. > > > > > > > > Cheers, > > > > -Neil. > > > > -- > > > > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > > > > View/change your membership options at > > > > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > > > > > > -- > > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > > Moving in southeast Michigan? Buy my house: http://ubasics.com/house/ > > > > > > Interested in electronics? Check out the projects at http://ubasics.com > > > > > > Building your own house? Check out http://ubasics.com/home/ > > > > -- > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > Moving in southeast Michigan? Buy my house: http://ubasics.com/house/ > > > > Interested in electronics? Check out the projects at http://ubasics.com > > > > Building your own house? Check out http://ubasics.com/home/ > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist > -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Moving in southeast Michigan? Buy my house: http://ubasics.com/house/ Interested in electronics? Check out the projects at http://ubasics.com Building your own house? Check out http://ubasics.com/home/ -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist