Electrical connectors – With indicating or identifying provision – Connection indicating provision
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-27
2002-10-01
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With indicating or identifying provision
Connection indicating provision
C439S131000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06457992
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to directing light within an electronic device and, in particular, to a visual feedback system for electronic devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to illuminating all or a portion of a connector to provide visual feedback to a user.
2. Description of Related Art
Various electronic devices, such as computers, personal information managers and personal data assistants, are often configured to include one or more different types of electrical connectors. One conventional type of electrical connector that is frequently used with electronic devices is an RJ-type connector. As known to those skilled in the art, RJ-type connectors are typically used in connection with telephone network and computer communication systems, and these connectors may serve a variety of different purposes. For example, RJ-type connectors, which include a connector plug that is removably received with a receptacle, allow electrical communication to be established between an electrical device and a local or global computer network. This allows data and other information to be transferred between the electronic device and the computer network. Additionally, RJ-type connectors are commonly used to electrically connect telephones and the like to computer networks. Further, RJ-type connectors may be used to transmit electrical power from one device to another.
While conventional RJ-type connectors provide a number of useful features and capabilities, these connectors also suffer from shortcomings that compromise the overall usefulness of the connector. For example, the electrical connection between the RJ-type connector plug and the electronic device is generally hidden from view. Thus, it is often difficult for a user to readily ascertain whether or not the RJ-type connector plug is electrically coupled to the electronic device.
Another problem with conventional RJ-type connectors is determining the status and operation of the electronic device with which the connector interacts. In particular, it is often difficult to determine whether a specific operation or program of the device is active, inactive, complete or ready to be performed. Similarly, parameters such as the operational status of the device are not always readily apparent. For example, it may be difficult to ascertain whether the device is preparing for operation, ready for operation or operational.
It is known to use of various types of diagnostic software in order to obtain feedback regarding the connection of the electronic device to the communication system or network. For example, the user may run diagnostic software to obtain information regarding parameters such as the status and operation of the connector and/or the electronic device with which the connector interacts. While such diagnostic software is somewhat effective, it is problematic in that there are expenses, often significant, associated with obtaining and installing the diagnostic software. Further, there is no guarantee that, even when properly installed, the diagnostic software is functioning properly and providing accurate and complete feedback. Finally, the use of such diagnostic software is often time-consuming and disruptive.
Another known method commonly employed to obtain feedback regarding parameters such as the operation and status of the connector, and/or the devices with which the connector interacts, involves testing various elements of the system hardware or device in which the connector is employed, and/or testing of the connector itself. This approach, however, is problematic for a variety of reasons. For example, many users do not have access to the instrumentation necessary to carrying out such testing. Further, such instrumentation is often expensive, time-consuming to use and difficult to operate.
It is also known to use “light pipes” in conjunction with light emitting diodes (“LED”s) to provide visual feedback to the user of an electronic device. For example, the electronic device may include an LED disposed adjacent to one end of the light pipe. The other end of the light pipe may be disposed in an exterior surface of the electronic device. Light from the LED is transmitted through the light pipe and the user can view the light exiting the end of the light pipe. The light may be used to indicate if the electronic device is active and operational.
Conventional devices utilizing LEDs and light pipes, however, suffer from various shortcomings that impair their effectiveness. One such shortcoming concerns the specific arrangement of the light pipe and the LED. When the LED emits light, a portion of the emitted light enters the light pipe and is conducted to the predetermined location. A large portion of the light emitted by the LED, however, does not enter the light pipe and it typically illuminates the interior portion of the electronic device. Accordingly, conventional devices are inefficient because only a fraction of the light emitted from the LED is actually transported through the light pipe. As a consequence of such inefficiency, the quality of the feedback provided by the light pipe arrangement is compromised.
Another problem inherent in conventional light pipe arrangements is that the light pipe must be precisely placed during assembly so that adequate optical communication between the light pipe and LED is achieved. Ensuring such precise placement adds to the expense of producing devices incorporating a light pipe arrangement.
Yet another shortcoming relating to typical light pipe arrangements concerns the fact that the LED and light pipes are arranged in such a way that dust and other contaminants, such as may be produced during production and/or operation of the electronic device, can accumulate on the LED and/or on the ends of the light pipe. Such contaminants may compromise the efficiency with which light emitted by the LED is passed to the light pipe. Such a reduction in efficiency of light transmission, in turn, compromises the overall operation of the light pipe arrangement and the quality and reliability of the feedback that it provides.
Further, typical light pipes and light pipe arrays are often characterized by complex geometries and frequently necessitate the use of special tooling to facilitate their manufacture. Such special tooling often increases the costs associated with production of the light pipes and light pipe arrays, and thus, the devices in which the light pipes are employed.
Finally, the transmission of the light from the LED to the light pipe is inefficient because the light must pass through different mediums. That is, the light from the LED is first transmitted through the air and then to the end of the light pipe, which is often constructed from a plastic, generally translucent material. As known to those skilled in the art, transmission of the light through different mediums causes undesirable reflections, scattering of the light and other problems resulting in the loss of light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need therefore exists for a visual feedback system that provides information to the user and overcomes the above-described disadvantages and problems.
One aspect of the present invention is visual feedback system that employs one or more light reflecting surfaces to provide effective and reliable feedback to a user regarding aspects such as the operation and status of various electronic systems and devices. Advantageously, the light reflecting surfaces efficiently transfer light while reducing undesirable scattering and loss of light. Significantly, the light reflecting surfaces can direct the light directly from the light source to a target such as a receptacle for receiving a connector plug or an exterior portion of the electronic device.
Another aspect of the visual feedback system is it can be used with a wide variety of electronic devices, such as communication cards that are frequently used with computers or other electronic devices. Preferably the communication card complies with standards established
Johnson Thomas A.
Oliphant David
Posey Charles E.
Price Tim U.
3Com Corporation
Patel Tulsidas
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
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