Connector with a wireless coupler

• US 10,170,851 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2015
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Castell, Robin T
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phuong Chi T
• Application Number:
  US15/542,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20180013221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• Field of Search: 439569, 439573, 439 79, 439500
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2421 using coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling

Abstract

In example implementations, an apparatus includes a housing. The housing includes an electronic connector coupled to a back side of the housing. In addition, the housing includes a pin coupled to a front side of the housing and in communication with the electronic connector. At least one alignment magnet and at least one wireless transceiver chip is coupled to the housing. At least one waveguide is coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver chip.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

an electronic connector coupled to a back side of the housing, wherein the electronic connector is to communicate with a circuit board of an electronic device;

a pin located on a front side of the housing and in communication with the electronic connector;

a first alignment magnet on a first end of the housing;

a second alignment magnet on a second end of the housing located opposite the first end;

a first wireless transceiver chip that contacts the first alignment magnet; and

a second wireless transceiver chip that contacts the second alignment magnet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pin comprises a spring loaded pin.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first end and the second end are located at a maximum possible distance of separation within the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first wireless transceiver chip and the second wireless transceiver chip comprises an extremely high frequency electromagnetic (EHF EM) coupler.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wireless transceiver chip is coupled to a first waveguide, and the second wireless transceiver chip is coupled to a second waveguide.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first waveguide is embedded into the first alignment magnet and the second waveguide is embedded into the second alignment magnet.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the electronic device is capable of being charged via the first alignment magnet and the second alignment magnet, and is capable of providing data transfer via the first wireless transceiver chip and the second wireless transceiver chip.

8. A apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

an electronic connector coupled to a back side of the housing, wherein the electronic connector is to communicate with a circuit board of an electronic device;

a pin located on a front side of the housing and in communication with the electronic connector;

a first alignment magnet on a first end of the housing;

a second alignment magnet on a second end of the housing located opposite the first end;

a first wireless transceiver chip that contacts the first alignment magnet;

a second wireless transceiver chip that contacts the second alignment magnet; and

at least one waveguide coupled to the first wireless transceiver chip and the second wireless transceiver chip.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one waveguide is coupled to a plastic portion of the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pin comprises a spring loaded pin.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first wireless transceiver chip and the second wireless transceiver chip comprise an extremely high frequency electromagnetic (EHF EM) coupler.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first wireless transceiver chip is embedded in the first alignment magnet and the second wireless transceiver chip is embedded in the the second alignment magnet.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one waveguide is coupled to the first alignment magnet and the second alignment magnet.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electronic device is capable of being charged via the first alignment magnet and the second alignment magnet and is capable of providing data transfer via the first wireless transceiver chip and the second wireless transceiver chip.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

an opening formed on a front side of the housing for receiving a corresponding pin of an electronic device;

a first alignment magnet on a first end of the housing;

a second alignment magnet on a second end of the housing located opposite the first end;

a first wireless transceiver chip that contacts the first alignment magnet;

a second wireless transceiver chip that contacts the second alignment magnet; and

at least one waveguide coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver chip and the housing, wherein the at least one waveguide is for aligning with a corresponding waveguide of the electronic device for transmitting data between the at least one wireless transceiver chip and a corresponding at least one wireless transceiver chip in the electronic device.