Connector adapter with memory function unit

• US 6,971,895 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tokyo Communication Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd.,
• Original Assignee: NTT Docomo Incorporated (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation), Tokyo Communication Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd.,
• Inventors: Koyama, Daisuke, Sago, Masuyuki, Enomoto, Masanori, Imamura, Susumu, Ootaka, Yukie
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasri, Javaid H.
• Application Number:
  US10/713,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20040105325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 439/188, 439/916, 439/709, 439/710
• US Class Current: 439/188
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7038 making use of a remote controlled switch, e.g. relais, solid state switch activated by the engagement of the coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/916 Antenna

Abstract

A non-lock detector switch is provided on or near an adapter to be switched by a connector plug when the connector plug with memory function unit is coupled to the adapter having an antenna for accessing to the memory function unit. Accordingly, connection state of each connector can be directly and simultaneously detected by the switching operation of the detector switch at a time preceding a little from a time when the antenna detects the memory function unit just having closed to a position opposed to the antenna. This is useful for exactly and detecting without delay the complete coupling state of each one of a number of adapters in distinction from the incomplete coupling state of any one of adapters.

Claims

1. A connector adapter for coupling to a connector plug, wherein said connector plug is provided with a memory function unit capable of performing operations of writing in and reading out necessary information, from an outside source by wireless transmission, and wherein said connector adapter comprises:

an antenna for reading out control information from said memory function unit by wireless transmission when said connector plug is coupled to said connector adapter; and

a detector switch for initiating said wireless transmission when said connector plug is coupled to said connector adapter, said detector switch being located on or near said connector adapter.

2. A connector adapter for coupling to a connector plug according to claim 1, wherein the detector switch is mounted on the connector adapter.