COMMUNICATION CONNECTORS HAVING SWITCHABLE ELECTRICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
First Claim
1. A connector for use with a cable comprising a plurality of wires, the connector comprising:
- a plurality of connector contacts;
a plurality of wire contacts, each of the plurality of wire contacts being couplable to a corresponding one of the plurality of wires;
a plurality of circuit paths, a different one of the plurality of circuit paths connecting each of the plurality of connector contacts to a different one of the plurality of wire contacts;
a plurality of contact pads, the plurality of contact pads comprising a different contact pad corresponding to each of the plurality of connector contacts, at least a portion of the plurality of contact pads being connected to one or more coupling elements, each of the plurality of connector contacts being positioned to contact the contact pad corresponding to the connector contact; and
an insulator comprising an insulating portion adjacent the plurality of contact pads, the insulator being movable between an insulating position and a non-insulating position, the insulating portion of the insulator insulating the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts when the insulator is in the insulating position, the plurality of connector contacts contacting the plurality of contact pads when the insulator is in the non-insulating position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector configured to operate in two different electrical performance modes. The connector may include a plurality of connector contacts, a plurality of contact pads, and an insulator having an insulating portion adjacent the plurality of contact pads. The insulator is movable between an insulating position and a non-insulating position. When the insulator is in the insulating position, the insulating portion insulates the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts and the connector operates in a first one of the electrical performance modes. When the insulator is in the non-insulating position, the plurality of connector contacts contact the plurality of contact pads and the connector operates in a different second one of the electrical performance modes. The connector may be implemented as a plug or an outlet.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A connector for use with a cable comprising a plurality of wires, the connector comprising:
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a plurality of connector contacts; a plurality of wire contacts, each of the plurality of wire contacts being couplable to a corresponding one of the plurality of wires; a plurality of circuit paths, a different one of the plurality of circuit paths connecting each of the plurality of connector contacts to a different one of the plurality of wire contacts; a plurality of contact pads, the plurality of contact pads comprising a different contact pad corresponding to each of the plurality of connector contacts, at least a portion of the plurality of contact pads being connected to one or more coupling elements, each of the plurality of connector contacts being positioned to contact the contact pad corresponding to the connector contact; and an insulator comprising an insulating portion adjacent the plurality of contact pads, the insulator being movable between an insulating position and a non-insulating position, the insulating portion of the insulator insulating the plurality of contact pads from the plurality of connector contacts when the insulator is in the insulating position, the plurality of connector contacts contacting the plurality of contact pads when the insulator is in the non-insulating position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A communication outlet for use with a first communication plug comprising a plurality of plug contacts, the first communication plug being configured to operate in accordance with a first standard, and a second communication plug comprising a plurality of plug contacts, the second communication plug being configured to operate in accordance with a second standard, the first standard being different from the second standard, the outlet comprising:
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a receptacle configured to receive both the first and second communication plugs one at a time; a coupling element subassembly configured to provide noise compensation in accordance with the first standard; a plurality of outlet contacts positioned in the receptacle to form electrical connections with the plurality of plug contacts of the first communication plug when the first communication plug is received inside the receptacle, and to form electrical connections with the plurality of plug contacts of the second communication plug when the second communication plug is received inside the receptacle; and a switch assembly configured to connect the plurality of outlet contacts with the coupling element subassembly when the first communication plug is inserted into the receptacle, and disconnect the plurality of outlet contacts from the coupling element subassembly when the second communication plug is inserted into the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A communication plug for use with a first communication outlet comprising a receptacle with a plurality of outlet contacts, the first communication outlet being configured to operate in accordance with a first standard, and a second communication outlet comprising a receptacle with a plurality of outlet contacts, the second communication outlet being configured to operate in accordance with a second standard, the first standard being different from the second standard, the plug comprising:
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a housing having a portion configured to be received inside the receptacle of first communication outlet, the housing being further configured to be received inside the receptacle of the second communication outlet; a coupling element subassembly configured to provide electrical coupling in accordance with the first standard; a plurality of plug contacts positioned inside the housing, a portion of each of the plurality of plug contacts being contactable through apertures in the housing (1) with the plurality of outlet contacts of the first communication outlet when the plug is received inside the receptacle of the first communication outlet, and (2) with the plurality of outlet contacts of the second communication outlet when the plug is received inside the receptacle of the second communication outlet; and a switch assembly configured to connect the plurality of plug contacts with the coupling element subassembly when the plug is inserted into the receptacle of the first communication outlet, and disconnect the plurality of plug contacts from the coupling element subassembly when the plug is inserted into the receptacle of the second communication outlet. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A communication outlet comprising:
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a first electrical circuit portion comprising a plurality of outlet contacts; and a second electrical circuit portion, the second electrical circuit portion being selectively connectable to the first electrical circuit portion, and selectively disconnectable from the first electrical circuit portion, the outlet operating in a first electrical performance mode when the second electrical circuit portion is disconnected from the first electrical circuit portion, and the outlet operating in a different second electrical performance mode when the second electrical circuit portion is connected to the first electrical circuit portion. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A communication plug comprising:
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a first electrical circuit portion comprising a plurality of plug contacts; and a second electrical circuit portion, the second electrical circuit portion being selectively connectable to the first electrical circuit portion, and selectively disconnectable from the first electrical circuit portion, the plug operating in a first electrical performance mode when the second electrical circuit portion is disconnected from the first electrical circuit portion, and the plug operating in a different second electrical performance mode when the second electrical circuit portion is connected to the first electrical circuit portion. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification