US Patent 7822896 Electronically configurable connector module

An input/output module includes a device communication connector apparatus for connecting at least one conductor between the module and at least one device and interface apparatus for causing the module to place any of a plurality of signals on any of a plurality of contacts of the device communication connector apparatus. The interface apparatus includes at least one electronic integrated circuit providing a selectable interconnection apparatus to a particular one of the contacts. The interface apparatus is configurable by a user of the module. A method of configuring the module includes providing inputs on a personal computer, communicating with a web server embedded in the module, to determine a specific interconnection apparatus for each of the contacts.