COMPACT SERIAL -TO ETHERNET CONVERSION PORT

• US 20030194908A1
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lantronix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lantronix Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Curtis D., Brower, Charles J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,881,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/620.22
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• 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 1/144 Stacked arrangements of planar printed circuit boards

Abstract

The present invention relates to a serial-to-ethernet modular converter jack and a method of fabricating of the same. The serial-to-ethernet converter electronic components, including the control software stored in on-board memory, are miniaturized and housed entirely in an RJ-45 jack. The present invention is constructed of a shielded housing that defines an open front portion for a connector port. The housing of the present invention also includes a segregated interior chamber, which encases all of the electrical components necessary to complete a serial-to-ethernet conversion of data. Lead pins electrically connected to the circuitry within the interior chamber, protrude from the based of the connector jack providing for a means to mate the jack to a circuit board. First, second and third circuit boards collectively incorporate the serial-to-ethernet circuitry components. Both the first circuit board incorporating magnetic circuitry and the second circuit board incorporating control circuitry are positioned in generally horizontal parallel relation within the interior chamber. The second circuit board which defines opposed sides includes electronic components disposed upon the upper and lower of both sides of said second circuit board. The third circuit board, incorporating connections to the LEDs, is positioned generally perpendicular in relation to the first and second circuit boards and is structurally connected to said first and second circuit boards, additionally providing an electrical connection between the first and second boards. Alternative embodiments of the invention are disclosed and include various arrangement of the serial-to-ethernet circuitry within the interior chamber of the housing.

Claims

1. A modular communications jack comprising;

a. a housing defining an open cavity and a segregated interior chamber;

b. a connector port having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within said open cavity; and

c. at least two circuit boards in common electrical communication positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port, each of said circuit boards defining opposed sides wherein electrical circuitry components are disposed on both circuit boards and on each of the opposed sides of at least one of said circuit boards;

2. The modular communications jack of claim 1 wherein first and second circuit boards are positioned in generally horizontal parallel relation.

3. The modular communications jack of claim 1 wherein at least three circuit boards in common electrical communication are positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and wherein said circuit boards are in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port.

4. The modular communications jack of claim 3 wherein first and second circuit boards are positioned in generally horizontal parallel relation and a third circuit board is positioned in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit board.

5. The modular communications jack of claim 4 wherein said third circuit board operates to electrically connect the first and second circuit boards.

6. The modular communications jack of claim 4 wherein said third circuit board operates as a structural member to support said first and second circuit boards.

7. The modular communications jack of claim 1 wherein said circuit boards are each formed on a common flexible substrate.

8. The modular communications jack of claim 3 wherein said circuit boards are each formed on a common flexible substrate.

49. The modular communication jack of claim 1 wherein the height and width of said housing is substantially equal to the height and width of a standard RJ-45 jack.

9. A serial-to-ethernet converter jack comprising;

a. a housing defining an open cavity and a segregated interior chamber;

b. a connector port having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within said open cavity; and

c. at least one circuit board incorporating serial-to-ethernet circuitry components disposed within said interior chamber in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port;

wherein said converter jack is a modular component which is capable of electrical connection to a circuit board or another electronic component.

10. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 9 wherein said circuit board defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.

11. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 9 wherein at least two circuit boards in common electrical communication are positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and wherein said circuit boards are in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port.

12. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 11 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.

13. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 9 wherein at least three circuit boards in common electrical communication are positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and wherein said circuit boards are in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port.

14. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 13 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.

15. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 11 wherein first and second circuit boards are positioned in generally horizontal parallel relation.

16. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 15 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.

17. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 13 wherein first and second circuit boards are positioned generally horizontal in parallel relation to each other and a third circuit board is positioned in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards.

18. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 17 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.

19. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 11 wherein said circuit boards are each formed on a common flexible substrate.

20. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 19 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.

21. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 13 wherein said circuit boards are each formed on a common flexible substrate.

22. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 21 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.

23. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 9 wherein said serial-to-ethernet circuitry includes magnetics circuitry, controller circuitry and LED circuitry.

24. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 23 wherein at least three circuit boards in common electrical communication are positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and wherein said circuit boards are in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port.

25. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 24 wherein a first circuit board includes magnetics circuitry components, a second circuit board includes controller circuitry and a third circuit board connects LEDs to the controller circuitry.

26. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 25 wherein said second circuit board defines first and second opposed sides and said controller circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.

27. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 24 wherein first and second circuit boards are positioned generally horizontal in parallel relation to each other and a third circuit board is positioned in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards.

28. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 27 wherein said first circuit board includes magnetics circuitry components, said second circuit board includes controller circuitry and said third circuit board connects LEDs to the controller circuitry.

29. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 28 wherein said second circuit board defines first and second opposed sides and said controller circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.

30. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 27 wherein said third circuit board operates to electrically connect the first and second circuit boards.

31. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 27 wherein said third circuit board operates as a structural member to support said first and second circuit boards.

32. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 17 wherein said third circuit board operates to electrically connect the first and second circuit boards.

33. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 17 wherein said third circuit board operates as a structural member to support said first and second circuit boards.

50. The serial-to-ethernet jack of claim 9 wherein the height and width of said housing is substantially equal to the height and width of a standard RJ-45 jack.

34. A serial-to-ethernet modular converter jack capable of electrical connection to a circuit board or other electronic apparatus comprising;

a. a housing defining an open cavity and a segregated interior chamber;

b. a connector port having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within said open cavity; and

c. first, second and third circuit boards in common electrical communication with said electrical contacts of said connector port, collectively incorporating serial-to-ethernet circuitry components disposed within said interior chamber;

wherein said first and second circuit boards are positioned generally horizontal in parallel relation to each other and the third circuit board is positioned in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit board and providing structural support for said first and second circuit boards and electrically connecting said first circuit board to said second circuit board.

35. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 34 wherein said serial-to-ethernet circuitry includes magnetics circuitry, controller circuitry and LED connection and control circuitry.

36. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 35 wherein said first circuit board includes magnetics circuitry components, said second circuit board includes controller circuitry components and said third circuit board includes interconnections to LEDs.

37. The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 36 wherein said second circuit board defines first and second opposed sides and said controller circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.

51. The serial-to-ethernet jack of claim 34 wherein the height and width of said housing is substantially equal to the height and width of a standard RJ-45 jack.

38. A method of forming an integrated communications jack comprising the steps of;

a. providing a housing having an open cavity and segregated interior chamber;

b. positioning an array of electrical contacts within the open cavity to form a connector port;

c. positioning at least two circuit boards within said interior chamber, each of said circuit boards defining opposed sides;

d. electrically interconnecting said circuit boards to said electrical contacts of said connector port;

e. electrically connecting electronic circuitry components to at least one side of one of said circuit boards; and

f. electrically connecting electronic circuitry components to each of the opposed sides of another of said circuit boards.

39. The method of forming a communications jack of claim 38 further comprising the step of positioning said circuit boards in generally parallel relation.

40. The method of forming a communications jack of claim 39 further comprising the step of positioning a third circuit board in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards to electrically connect said first and second circuit boards.

41. The method of forming a communications jack of claim 39 further comprising the step of positioning a third circuit board in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards to structurally support said first and second circuit boards.

42. The method of forming a communications jack of claim 38 further comprising the step of forming said circuit boards on a common flexible substrate.

43. A method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack comprising the steps of;

a. providing a housing having an open cavity and segregated interior chamber;

b. positioning an array of electrical contacts within the open cavity to form a connector port;

c. positioning at least one circuit board within said interior chamber;

d. electrically interconnecting said circuit board to said electrical contacts of said connector port; and

e. electrically connecting serial-to-ethernet circuitry components to said circuit board.

44. The method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 43 comprising the additional step of positioning at least two circuit boards within said interior chamber.

45. The method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 44 further comprising the step of positioning said circuit boards in generally parallel relation.

46. The method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 45 further comprising the step of positioning a third circuit board in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards to electrically connect said first and second circuit boards.

47. The method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 46 further comprising the step of positioning a third circuit board in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards to structurally support said first and second circuit boards.

48. The method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 44 further comprising the step of forming said circuit boards on a common flexible substrate.