Connector system

• US 20010027055A1
• Filed: 02/22/2001
• Published: 10/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xircom Incorporated (Intel Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Xircom Incorporated (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Ahlstrom, Joakim, Laity, Ian A.
• Application Number:
  US09/791,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027055A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7172 Conduits for light transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0273 having extensions for peripherals, e.g. LAN, antennas details of antennas H01Q1/2275
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/91 Observation aide, e.g. transparent material, window in housing

Abstract

An electronic device adapted to be coupled to an information transfer system by means of a conductor including a standard connector having a translucent or transparent body insertable into a receptacle defined by the electronic device, the device including a housing, a substrate carrying electronic components, a light source mounted on the substrate and connected to components on the substrate, the light source being energizable in response to electrical signals generated by said components, the signals being indicative of the status and/or activity of the device, and a light guide extending between the light source and the receptacle for transmitting light from the light source to the receptacle, the light transmitted from the source to the receptacle illuminating the connector body thereby providing an indication of the status and/or activity of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A visual indicator for indicating the status of an electronic device in a detachable translucent electrical connector plug, said indicator comprising:

a light source driven by said electronic device, said light source being illuminated to indicate a status of said electronic device;

a light pipe having first and second ends for directing illumination from its first end to its second end, said light pipe optically coupled at its first end to said light source;

an electrical receptacle for receiving said connector plug and for providing one or more electrical signals from said electronic device to the connector plug when the connector plug is mated to said receptacle; and

wherein said second end of said light pipe is coupled to said electrical receptacle to provide illumination from said light pipe to said translucent electrical connector plug when the connector plug is mated to said receptacle.

2. The visual indicator of

claim 1

comprising two or more of said illumination sources and said light pipes for providing a plurality of status indicators.

3. The visual indicator of

claim 2

wherein at least one of said illumination sources emits illumination of a different color to indicate a different status of said electronic device.

4. The visual indicator of

claim 2

wherein at least one of said illumination sources emits illumination of a different color from another one of said illumination sources.

5. The visual indicator of

claim 1

wherein said light source is an LED.

6. The visual indicator of

claim 1

wherein said light pipe is comprised of Lexan.

7. The visual indicator of

claim 1

wherein said receptacle is configured to accept an RJ-45 connector plug.

8. The visual indicator of

claim 1

wherein said receptacle is configured to accept an RJ-11 connector plug.

9. The visual indicator of

claim 1

wherein said electronic device is a PCMCIA type card.

10. A system for providing electrical connections to an electronic device and visual indications of the status or activity of said device, said system comprising:

a detachable electrical connector plug having one or more electrical contacts within a translucent body;

a light source driven by said electronic device, said light source being illuminated to indicate a status of said electronic device;

a light pipe having first and second ends, said light pipe directing illumination from its first end to its second end, the first end of said light pipe being optically coupled to said light source;

an electrical receptacle for providing one or more electrical signals between said electronic device and the detachable electrical connector plug when said connector plug is mated to said receptacle; and

wherein

said second end of said light pipe is coupled to said electrical receptacle to provide illumination from said light pipe to said translucent body of said electrical connector plug when said connector plug is mated to said receptacle.

11. The system of

claim 10

comprising two or more of said illumination sources and said light pipes for providing a plurality of status indicators.

12. The system of

claim 11

wherein at least one of said illumination sources emits illumination of a different color to indicate a different status of said electronic device.

13. The system of

claim 11

wherein at least one of said illumination sources emits illumination of a different color from another one of said illumination sources.

14. The system of

claim 10

wherein said light source is an LED.

15. The system of

claim 10

wherein said light pipe is comprised of Lexan.

16. The system of

claim 10

wherein said receptacle is configured to accept an RJ-45 connector plug.

17. The system of

claim 10

wherein said receptacle is configured to accept an RJ-11 connector plug.

18. The system of

claim 10

wherein said electronic device is a PCMCIA type card.

19. A visual indicator for indicating the status of an electronic device in a detachable translucent electrical connector plug, said indicator comprising:

an electrical receptacle for coupling electrical signals between said electronic device and the detachable electrical connector plug when the connector plug is mated to said receptacle;

a light source driven by said electronic device, said light source being illuminated to indicate a status of said electronic device, said light source being adapted to illuminate at least a portion of said electrical receptacle; and

wherein

said illumination is provided to said translucent electrical connector plug when said plug is mated to said receptacle.

20. The visual indicator of

claim 19

additionally comprising:

a light pipe having first and second ends, said light pipe directing illumination from its first end to its second end, the first end of said light pipe being proximate said light source; and

wherein

said second end of said light pipe is coupled to said electrical receptacle to provide illumination from said light pipe to said translucent electrical connector plug when the connector plug is mated to said receptacle.

21. The visual indicator of

claim 20

wherein said light pipe is comprised of Lexan.

22. The visual indicator of

claim 20

comprising two or more of said illumination sources for providing a plurality of status indicators.

23. The visual indicator of

claim 22

wherein at least one of said illumination sources emits illumination of a different color to indicate different status from said electronic device.

24. The visual indicator of

claim 22

wherein at least one of said illumination sources emits illumination of a different color from another one of said illumination sources.

25. The visual indicator of

claim 19

wherein said light source is an LED.

26. The visual indicator of

claim 19

wherein said receptacle is configured to accept an RJ-45 connector plug.

27. The visual indicator of

claim 19

wherein said receptacle is configured to accept an RJ-11 connector plug.

28. The visual indicator of

claim 19

wherein said electronic device is a PCMCIA PC card.