Patent CA691965A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US20030194908A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact serial -to ethernet conversion port
Assignee: Lantronix Inc
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Filing: 2002-04-15
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2022-04-15
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a serial-to-ethernet modular converter jack and a method of fabricating of the same. The serial-to-ethernet converter electronic components, including the control software stored in on-board memory, are miniaturized and housed entirely in an RJ-45 jack. The present invention is constructed of a shielded housing that defines an open front portion for a connector port. The housing of the present invention also includes a segregated interior chamber, which encases all of the electrical components necessary to complete a serial-to-ethernet conversion of data. Lead pins electrically connected to the circuitry within the interior chamber, protrude from the based of the connector jack providing for a means to mate the jack to a circuit board. First, second and third circuit boards collectively incorporate the serial-to-ethernet circuitry components. Both the first circuit board incorporating magnetic circuitry and the second circuit board incorporating control circuitry are positioned in generally horizontal parallel relation within the interior chamber. The second circuit board which defines opposed sides includes electronic components disposed upon the upper and lower of both sides of said second circuit board. The third circuit board, incorporating connections to the LEDs, is positioned generally perpendicular in relation to the first and second circuit boards and is structurally connected to said first and second circuit boards, additionally providing an electrical connection between the first and second boards. Alternative embodiments of the invention are disclosed and include various arrangement of the serial-to-ethernet circuitry within the interior chamber of the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis Brown
- 👤 Charles Brower
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R31/00; H01R31/06; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/665; H01R13/6658; H01R13/6691; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/04; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62; H01R24/64; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/14; H05K1/144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
1 . A modular communications jack comprising; a. a housing defining an open cavity and a segregated interior chamber; b. a connector port having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within said open cavity; and c. at least two circuit boards in common electrical communication positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port, each of said circuit boards defining opposed sides wherein electrical circuitry components are disposed on both circuit boards and on each of the opposed sides of at least one of said circuit boards:
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
1 . A modular communications jack comprising; a. a housing defining an open cavity and a segregated interior chamber; b. a connector port having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within said open cavity; and c. at least two circuit boards in common electrical communication positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port, each of said circuit boards defining opposed sides wherein electrical circuitry components are disposed on both circuit boards and on each of the opposed sides of at least one of said circuit boards:
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
2 . The modular communications jack of claim 1 wherein first and second circuit boards are positioned in generally horizontal parallel relation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
3 . The modular communications jack of claim 1 wherein at least three circuit boards in common electrical communication are positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and wherein said circuit boards are in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
4 . The modular communications jack of claim 3 wherein first and second circuit boards are positioned in generally horizontal parallel relation and a third circuit board is positioned in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
5 . The modular communications jack of claim 4 wherein said third circuit board operates to electrically connect the first and second circuit boards.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
6 . The modular communications jack of claim 4 wherein said third circuit board operates as a structural member to support said first and second circuit boards.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
7 . The modular communications jack of claim 1 wherein said circuit boards are each formed on a common flexible substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
8 . The modular communications jack of claim 3 wherein said circuit boards are each formed on a common flexible substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
9 . A serial-to-ethernet converter jack comprising; a. a housing defining an open cavity and a segregated interior chamber; b. a connector port having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within said open cavity; and c. at least one circuit board incorporating serial-to-ethernet circuitry components disposed within said interior chamber in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port; wherein said converter jack is a modular component which is capable of electrical connection to a circuit board or another electronic component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
9 . A serial-to-ethernet converter jack comprising; a. a housing defining an open cavity and a segregated interior chamber; b. a connector port having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within said open cavity; and c. at least one circuit board incorporating serial-to-ethernet circuitry components disposed within said interior chamber in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port; wherein said converter jack is a modular component which is capable of electrical connection to a circuit board or another electronic component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
10 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 9 wherein said circuit board defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
11 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 9 wherein at least two circuit boards in common electrical communication are positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and wherein said circuit boards are in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
12 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 11 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
13 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 9 wherein at least three circuit boards in common electrical communication are positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and wherein said circuit boards are in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
14 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 13 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
15 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 11 wherein first and second circuit boards are positioned in generally horizontal parallel relation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
16 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 15 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
17 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 13 wherein first and second circuit boards are positioned generally horizontal in parallel relation to each other and a third circuit board is positioned in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
18 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 17 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
19 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 11 wherein said circuit boards are each formed on a common flexible substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
20 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 19 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
21 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 13 wherein said circuit boards are each formed on a common flexible substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
22 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 21 wherein at least one of said circuit boards defines first and second opposed sides and serial-to-ethernet circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
23 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 9 wherein said serial-to-ethernet circuitry includes magnetics circuitry, controller circuitry and LED circuitry.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
24 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 23 wherein at least three circuit boards in common electrical communication are positioned in spaced relation within said interior chamber and wherein said circuit boards are in electrical communication with the electrical contacts of said connector port.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
25 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 24 wherein a first circuit board includes magnetics circuitry components, a second circuit board includes controller circuitry and a third circuit board connects LEDs to the controller circuitry.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
26 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 25 wherein said second circuit board defines first and second opposed sides and said controller circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
27 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 24 wherein first and second circuit boards are positioned generally horizontal in parallel relation to each other and a third circuit board is positioned in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
28 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 27 wherein said first circuit board includes magnetics circuitry components, said second circuit board includes controller circuitry and said third circuit board connects LEDs to the controller circuitry.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
29 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 28 wherein said second circuit board defines first and second opposed sides and said controller circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
30 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 27 wherein said third circuit board operates to electrically connect the first and second circuit boards.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
31 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 27 wherein said third circuit board operates as a structural member to support said first and second circuit boards.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
32 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 17 wherein said third circuit board operates to electrically connect the first and second circuit boards.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
33 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 17 wherein said third circuit board operates as a structural member to support said first and second circuit boards.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
135 words
34 . A serial-to-ethernet modular converter jack capable of electrical connection to a circuit board or other electronic apparatus comprising; a. a housing defining an open cavity and a segregated interior chamber; b. a connector port having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within said open cavity; and c. first, second and third circuit boards in common electrical communication with said electrical contacts of said connector port, collectively incorporating serial-to-ethernet circuitry components disposed within said interior chamber; wherein said first and second circuit boards are positioned generally horizontal in parallel relation to each other and the third circuit board is positioned in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit board and providing structural support for said first and second circuit boards and electrically connecting said first circuit board to said second circuit board.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
135 words
34 . A serial-to-ethernet modular converter jack capable of electrical connection to a circuit board or other electronic apparatus comprising; a. a housing defining an open cavity and a segregated interior chamber; b. a connector port having a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within said open cavity; and c. first, second and third circuit boards in common electrical communication with said electrical contacts of said connector port, collectively incorporating serial-to-ethernet circuitry components disposed within said interior chamber; wherein said first and second circuit boards are positioned generally horizontal in parallel relation to each other and the third circuit board is positioned in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit board and providing structural support for said first and second circuit boards and electrically connecting said first circuit board to said second circuit board.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
35 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 34 wherein said serial-to-ethernet circuitry includes magnetics circuitry, controller circuitry and LED connection and control circuitry.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
36 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 35 wherein said first circuit board includes magnetics circuitry components, said second circuit board includes controller circuitry components and said third circuit board includes interconnections to LEDs.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
37 . The serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 36 wherein said second circuit board defines first and second opposed sides and said controller circuitry components are positioned on both first and second sides of said circuit board.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
111 words
38 . A method of forming an integrated communications jack comprising the steps of; a. providing a housing having an open cavity and segregated interior chamber; b. positioning an array of electrical contacts within the open cavity to form a connector port; c. positioning at least two circuit boards within said interior chamber, each of said circuit boards defining opposed sides; d. electrically interconnecting said circuit boards to said electrical contacts of said connector port; e. electrically connecting electronic circuitry components to at least one side of one of said circuit boards; and f. electrically connecting electronic circuitry components to each of the opposed sides of another of said circuit boards.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
111 words
38 . A method of forming an integrated communications jack comprising the steps of; a. providing a housing having an open cavity and segregated interior chamber; b. positioning an array of electrical contacts within the open cavity to form a connector port; c. positioning at least two circuit boards within said interior chamber, each of said circuit boards defining opposed sides; d. electrically interconnecting said circuit boards to said electrical contacts of said connector port; e. electrically connecting electronic circuitry components to at least one side of one of said circuit boards; and f. electrically connecting electronic circuitry components to each of the opposed sides of another of said circuit boards.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
39 . The method of forming a communications jack of claim 38 further comprising the step of positioning said circuit boards in generally parallel relation.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
42 words
40 . The method of forming a communications jack of claim 39 further comprising the step of positioning a third circuit board in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards to electrically connect said first and second circuit boards.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
42 words
41 . The method of forming a communications jack of claim 39 further comprising the step of positioning a third circuit board in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards to structurally support said first and second circuit boards.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
42 . The method of forming a communications jack of claim 38 further comprising the step of forming said circuit boards on a common flexible substrate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
79 words
43 . A method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack comprising the steps of; a. providing a housing having an open cavity and segregated interior chamber; b. positioning an array of electrical contacts within the open cavity to form a connector port; c. positioning at least one circuit board within said interior chamber; d. electrically interconnecting said circuit board to said electrical contacts of said connector port; and e. electrically connecting serial-to-ethernet circuitry components to said circuit board.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
79 words
43 . A method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack comprising the steps of; a. providing a housing having an open cavity and segregated interior chamber; b. positioning an array of electrical contacts within the open cavity to form a connector port; c. positioning at least one circuit board within said interior chamber; d. electrically interconnecting said circuit board to said electrical contacts of said connector port; and e. electrically connecting serial-to-ethernet circuitry components to said circuit board.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
44 . The method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 43 comprising the additional step of positioning at least two circuit boards within said interior chamber.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
45 . The method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 44 further comprising the step of positioning said circuit boards in generally parallel relation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
44 words
46 . The method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 45 further comprising the step of positioning a third circuit board in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards to electrically connect said first and second circuit boards.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
44 words
47 . The method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 46 further comprising the step of positioning a third circuit board in generally perpendicular relation to said first and second circuit boards to structurally support said first and second circuit boards.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
28 words
48 . The method of forming an integrated serial-to-ethernet converter jack of claim 44 further comprising the step of forming said circuit boards on a common flexible substrate.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
49 . The modular communication jack of claim 1 wherein the height and width of said housing is substantially equal to the height and width of a standard RJ-45 jack.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
29 words
50 . The serial-to-ethernet jack of claim 9 wherein the height and width of said housing is substantially equal to the height and width of a standard RJ-45 jack.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
29 words
51 . The serial-to-ethernet jack of claim 34 wherein the height and width of said housing is substantially equal to the height and width of a standard RJ-45 jack.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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