Plug Insertion Detection Circuits that Sense a Change in Capacitance and Related Methods and Communications Connectors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of detecting a plug insertion into a plug aperture of a communications connector, the method comprising:
- receiving a control signal that is electromagnetically coupled across a plug aperture of the communications connector using a reactive coupling element; and
detecting that a mating plug has been inserted into the plug aperture based on the received control signal.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods of detecting a plug insertion into a plug aperture of a communications connector are provided in which a control signal is received that is electromagnetically coupled across a plug aperture of the communications connector using a reactive coupling element. A determination may be made that a mating plug (e.g., an RJ-45 plug or a connector on a fiber optic jumper cable) has been inserted into the plug aperture based on this received control signal. Related connectors are also provided.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method of detecting a plug insertion into a plug aperture of a communications connector, the method comprising:
-
receiving a control signal that is electromagnetically coupled across a plug aperture of the communications connector using a reactive coupling element; and detecting that a mating plug has been inserted into the plug aperture based on the received control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A communications connector, comprising:
-
a housing that defines a plug aperture; a capacitor that has a first electrode that is mounted adjacent a first side of the plug aperture and a second electrode that is mounted adjacent a second side of the plug aperture, wherein the second side is opposite the first side; a plug insertion detection circuit that is configured to couple a plug insertion detection signal though the capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A communications connector, comprising:
-
a housing that defines a plug aperture; a capacitor; a plug insertion detection circuit that is configured to couple a plug insertion detection signal though the capacitor; and a movable element that moves between a resting position and an activated position in response to the insertion of a plug within the plug aperture, wherein the capacitor exhibits a first capacitance when the movable element is in the resting position and a second capacitance when the movable element is in the activated position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
Specification