US6257906B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Functionally illuminated electronic connector with improved light dispersion
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1999-02-08
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Granted: 2001-07-10
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Expires: 2019-02-08
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an illuminated connector that may be illuminated from a light source that is not immediately adjacent to the connector. The connector is illuminated by projecting a focused beam of light onto a translucent portion of the connector. The focused beam of light may then be redirected so as to illuminate selected sections of the connector in order to indicate diagnostic information or identify the source or model of the electronic device in which the connector is placed.
Inventors
- 👤 Tim Urry Price
- 👤 Scott W. Rupp
- 👤 Charles Eric Posey
- 👤 Nathan A. Mueller
- 👤 Thomas A. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/60; H01R13/66; H01R13/717; H01R13/7175; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A functionally illuminated connector for an electronic device, said connector comprising: one or more translucent portions; means for receiving one or more focused beams of light into said one or more translucent portions; and said electronic device comprising means for focusing one or more beams of light onto said means for receiving, and wherein said connector is retractably mounted to said device so that said connector rests in a first position wherein said connector is substantially contained within said device and said connector also rests in a second position wherein said connector protrudes from said device allowing a plug to be inserted substantially perpendicular to a direction of retracting into an aperture of said connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A functionally illuminated connector for an electronic device, said connector comprising: one or more translucent portions; means for receiving one or more focused beams of light into said one or more translucent portions; and said electronic device comprising means for focusing one or more beams of light onto said means for receiving, and wherein said connector is retractably mounted to said device so that said connector rests in a first position wherein said connector is substantially contained within said device and said connector also rests in a second position wherein said connector protrudes from said device allowing a plug to be inserted substantially perpendicular to a direction of retracting into an aperture of said connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving and said means for focusing each operationally communicate so as to functionally illuminate said connector in said first position and in said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving comprises one or more refractive or reflective surfaces which direct light throughout said one or more translucent portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving comprises one or more refractive or reflective surfaces which direct light to one or more specific areas of said one or more translucent portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein the illumination of said one or more specific areas indicates the state or condition of the electrical device or the state or condition of the connection thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein said one or more specific areas are configured to illuminate with different colors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector of claim 6 wherein said different colors are effected through the use of multiple LED's of varying colors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector of claim 6 wherein said different colors are effected through the use of varying pigmentation of said one or more translucent portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector of claim 6 wherein said different colors are effected through the use of multi-colored LED's of varying colors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving is an exterior surface of said one or more translucent portions which is substantially transparent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving is a lens comprised in said one or more translucent portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said means for focusing is a fresnel lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said means for focusing is a laser.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
146 words
A functionally illuminated connector for an electronic device, said connector comprising: a connector body having a thickness smaller than a cross-section of a connector plug capable of mating with the connectors the connector body also having formed therein an aperture for receiving said plug; said body comprising one or more translucent portions; means for receiving one or more focused beams of light into said one or more translucent portions; means for focusing one or more beams of light onto said means for receiving, and wherein said connector is retractable mounted to said device so that said connector rests in a first position wherein said connector is substantially contained within said device and said connector also rests in a second position wherein said connector protrudes from said device allowing said plug to be inserted substantially perpendicular to direction of retraction into said aperture of said connector body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
146 words
A functionally illuminated connector for an electronic device, said connector comprising: a connector body having a thickness smaller than a cross-section of a connector plug capable of mating with the connectors the connector body also having formed therein an aperture for receiving said plug; said body comprising one or more translucent portions; means for receiving one or more focused beams of light into said one or more translucent portions; means for focusing one or more beams of light onto said means for receiving, and wherein said connector is retractable mounted to said device so that said connector rests in a first position wherein said connector is substantially contained within said device and said connector also rests in a second position wherein said connector protrudes from said device allowing said plug to be inserted substantially perpendicular to direction of retraction into said aperture of said connector body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
The functionally illuminated connector of claim 14 wherein said connector body is retractable within said electronic device so that said connector body occupies a first position wherein the connector is substantially contained within said device and said connector body occupies a second position wherein said connector body protrudes from said electronic device allowing a media plug to be received by said connector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector of claim 14 wherein said means for focusing is a fresnel lens.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connector of claim 14 wherein said means for focusing is a laser.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
110 words
A functionally illuminated connector for an electronic device, said connector comprising: one or more translucent portions; means for receiving one or more focused beams of light into said one or more translucent portions; means for focusing one or more beams of light onto said means for receiving, and wherein said connector is retractably mounted to said device so that said connector rests in a first position wherein said connector is substantially contained within said device and said connector also rests in a second position wherein said connector protrudes from said device allowing a plug to be inserted substantially perpendicular to a direction of retraction into an aperture of said connector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
110 words
A functionally illuminated connector for an electronic device, said connector comprising: one or more translucent portions; means for receiving one or more focused beams of light into said one or more translucent portions; means for focusing one or more beams of light onto said means for receiving, and wherein said connector is retractably mounted to said device so that said connector rests in a first position wherein said connector is substantially contained within said device and said connector also rests in a second position wherein said connector protrudes from said device allowing a plug to be inserted substantially perpendicular to a direction of retraction into an aperture of said connector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector of claim 18 wherein said means for focusing is a fresnel lens.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connector of claim 18 wherein said means for focusing is a laser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-07-09 | 2005-01-08 | 2005-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-09 | 2009-01-08 | 2009-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-09 | 2013-01-08 | 2013-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |