Coaxial cable connector with an external sensor and method of use thereof
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A coaxial cable connector structure for connection to an RF port, the connector structure comprising:
- a connector;
a physical parameter status sensing circuit, mechanically attached to the connector, wherein the physical parameter status sensing circuit is configured to sense a condition of the connector when connected to the RF port, and wherein the physical parameter status sensing circuit is located in a position that is external to an RF path of an RF signal flowing through the connector; and
a status output component, in electrical communication with the physical parameter status sensing circuit, wherein the status output component is mechanically attached to the connector and configured to maintain the status of the physical parameter, and wherein the status output component is located in a position that is external to the RF path of the RF signal flowing through the connector.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A coaxial cable connector structure is provided, the connector structure comprising: a connector; a physical parameter sensing circuit mechanically attached to the connector; and a status output component mechanically attached to the connector. The physical parameter sensing circuit configured to sense a condition of the connector. The status output component configured to report an ascertained physical parameter status to a location outside of the connector. A corresponding method of ascertaining a physical parameter status of a connector connection is disclosed.
96 Citations
43 Claims
-
1. A coaxial cable connector structure for connection to an RF port, the connector structure comprising:
-
a connector; a physical parameter status sensing circuit, mechanically attached to the connector, wherein the physical parameter status sensing circuit is configured to sense a condition of the connector when connected to the RF port, and wherein the physical parameter status sensing circuit is located in a position that is external to an RF path of an RF signal flowing through the connector; and a status output component, in electrical communication with the physical parameter status sensing circuit, wherein the status output component is mechanically attached to the connector and configured to maintain the status of the physical parameter, and wherein the status output component is located in a position that is external to the RF path of the RF signal flowing through the connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A coaxial cable connector connection system having an RF port, the system comprising:
-
a coaxial cable connector structure, wherein the connector structure comprises a connector, a physical parameter status sensing circuit configured to sense a physical parameter of a connection between the connector and an RF port, and a status output component in electrical communication with the physical parameter status sensing circuit, wherein the status output component is configured to maintain the status of the physical parameter, wherein the physical parameter status sensing circuit is mechanically attached to the connector, wherein the status output component is mechanically attached to the connector, wherein the physical parameter status sensing circuit is located in a position that is external to an RF path of an RF signal flowing through the connector, and wherein the sensing circuit is located in a position that is external to the RF path of the RF signal flowing through the connector; a communications device, having the RF port to which the connector is coupled to form a connection therewith; and a physical parameter status reader, located externally to the connector, the reader configured to receive, via the status output component, information, from the sensing circuit, about the connection between the connector and the RF port of the communications device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A coaxial cable connector connection status ascertainment method comprising:
-
providing a coaxial cable connector structure having a connector; providing a sensing circuit mechanically attached to the connector, wherein the sensing circuit comprises a coaxial cable sensor configured to sense a physical parameter of the connector when connected to an RF port, and wherein the sensing circuit is located in a position that is external to an RF path of an RF signal flowing through the connector; providing a status output component mechanically attached to the connector body, wherein the status output component is in communication with the sensing circuit to receive physical parameter status information, and wherein the status output component is located in a position that is external to the RF path of the RF signal flowing through the connector; connecting the connector to the RF port to form a connection; and reporting the physical parameter status information, via the status output component, to facilitate conveyance of the physical parameter status of the connection to a location outside of the connector. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
-
Specification