Computer System Having a Releasable Connector

• US 20040224539A1
• Filed: 05/07/2003
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Sultenfuss, Andrew T., Boyd, Scott J., Lopez, Raymundo
• Application Number:
  US10/431,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20040224539A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/39
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45

Abstract

A method and system for releasing a reusable breakaway media connection is disclosed. The connector includes a coupling element that may be released via an automated process. The connector may be used to efficiently convey data to and from an information handling system.

Claims

1. A releasable connector comprising:

one or more conductors supported by a housing, the one or more conductors capable of conveying data; and

a magnetic coupling element coupled to the housing.

2. The releasable connector of claim 1, wherein the housing is substantially transparent.

3. The releasable connector of claim 1, wherein the housing is substantially opaque.

4. The releasable connector of claim 1, wherein the releasable connector mates with an RJ45 receptacle.

5. The releasable connector of claim 1, wherein the releasable connector mates with an RJ11 receptacle.

6. The releasable connector of claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling element is a magnet.

7. The releasable connector of claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling element is a ferrous material.

8. A releasable connector comprising:

one or more conductors supported by a housing, the one or more conductors capable of conveying data; and

a friction coupling element coupled to the housing.

9. The releasable connector of claim 8, wherein the friction coupling element mates with an USB receptacle.

10. The releasable connector of claim 8, wherein the friction coupling element is Velcro.

11. The releasable connector of claim 8, wherein the housing is substantially transparent.

12. The releasable connector of claim 8, wherein the housing is substantially opaque.

13. The releasable connector of claim 8, wherein the releasable connector mates with an RJ45 receptacle.

14. The releasable connector of claim 8, wherein the releasable connector mates with an RJ11 receptacle.

15. A method of conveying data to an information handling system, the method comprising:

mating the releasable connector to an information handling system, the releasable connector including;

one or more conductors supported by a housing, the one or more conductors capable of conveying data;

a magnetic coupling element coupled to the housing;

conveying data to or from the information handling system through the releasable connector;

releasing the connector from the information handling system.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the information handling system is a computer.

17. A method of conveying data to an information handling system, the method comprising:

mating the releasable connector to an information handling system, the releasable connector including;

one or more conductors supported by a housing, the one or more conductors capable of conveying data;

a frictional coupling element coupled to the housing;

conveying data to or from the information handling system through the releasable connector;

releasing the connector from the information handling system.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the information handling system is a computer.

19. A method of manufacturing an information handling system connected to a manufacturing test station, the method comprising:

mating a releasable connector to the information handling system, the releasable connector including;

one or more conductors supported by a housing, the one or more conductors capable of conveying data;

a magnetic coupling element coupled to the housing;

coupling a test station to at least one of the conductors; and

conveying data between the information handling system and the test station.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the information handling system is a computer.

21. A method of uploading or downloading software from an information handling system, the method comprising:

mating a releasable connector to the information handling system, the releasable connector including;

one or more conductors supported by a housing, the one or more conductors capable of conveying data;

a magnetic coupling element coupled to the housing;

coupling, through at least one of the conductors, a software source to the information handling system; and

conveying data between the information handling system and the software source.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the information handling system is a computer.