Magnetic and locking cable connectors

• US 8,342,857 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2010
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Craig Palli, John D. Haddick, Ralph F. Osterhout
• Original Assignee: Craig Palli, John D. Haddick, Ralph F. Osterhout
• Inventors: Palli, Craig, Osterhout, Ralph F., Haddick, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D
• Application Number:
  US12/963,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20110136350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 439 38- 40
• US Class Current: 439/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/504 different pieces being moulded, cemented, welded, e.g. ultrasonic, or swaged together
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6599 Dielectric material made conductive, e.g. plastic material coated with metal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/665 with built-in electronic circuit H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43635 HDMI
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a cable connector. The cable connector may have magnetic properties and/or a locking mechanism. The cable connector may be an HDMI connector and the cable may be an HDMI cable. Further, the connector may be plugged into the corresponding male/female connector port and be held in position by the magnetic properties associated with the connector and the port and/or by a lock lever mechanism. The magnetic array may be moved various distances in various directions. In addition, the connector and/or cable may include a processor, an integrated circuit, an indicator, an LED and/or a user interface.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a cable including a data transmission wire wherein the cable has a device connector end;

a device connector mechanically attached to the device connector end, the device connector having at least one pin electrically associated with the data transmission wire;

the device connector having a slidable housing, wherein the slidable housing slides to increase and decrease an exposure of a data pin of the device connector; and

a magnetic element having a shape suitable for mating with a device side of the device connector, wherein a first side of the magnetic element is magnetically connected to a portion of the device connector and a second side is positioned to magnetically connect to a device, wherein the magnetic element is separable from the device connector.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises a High Definition Multimedia Interface cable.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the device connector is a HDMI connector.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the device connector includes an integrated circuit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is attached to a non-sliding portion of the housing.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the slidable housing slides to increase and decrease an exposure of the magnetic element.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the device connector includes a processor.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor performs signal equalization.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a processor provides status information.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the status information is provided by a display.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the display includes at least a LED.

12. A device connector, comprising:

a pin of a device connector, the pin including an end for engaging a device port, wherein the pin includes a receptacle end for forming an electrical connection with a data transmission wire of a cable that includes a device connector end for mechanically attaching to a cable exit end of the device connector;

a slidable portion of the device connector for sliding relative to the pin along the axis of the pin; and

a magnetic element associated with the slidable portion of the device connector for magnetically connecting the slidable portion of the device connector to the device.

13. The device connector of claim 12, wherein the magnetic element comprises multiple attached magnets.

14. The device connector of claim 13, wherein the multiple magnets can move relative to each other while maintaining physical and magnetic connection therebetween.

15. The device connector of claim 14, wherein the multiple magnets move in response to a torque applied to the device connector.

16. A system, comprising:

a cable including a data transmission wire and a power wire wherein the cable has a device connector end;

a device connector mechanically attached to the device connector end, the device connector having at least one pin electrically associated with the data transmission wire and at least one pin electrically associated with the power wire;

the device connector having a slidable housing for enhanced connection quality, wherein the slidable housing slides to increase and decrease an exposure of a data pin of the device connector; and

an electromagnet attached to the device connector and disposed to magnetically couple to at least one of a device and a device port, wherein the electromagnet is powered by an electrical signal passed from the device port to the at least one pin electrically associated with the power wire.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the electromagnet is attached to a non sliding portion of the housing.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the slidable housing slides to increase and decrease an exposure of the electromagnet.