US6344969B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switched multi-port communications device and associated methods
Assignee: STRATOS MICRO SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1999-06-15
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Granted: 2002-02-05
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Expires: 2019-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A switched communications device includes a multi-port jack housing having portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the front for receiving respective mating plugs. Signal connectors are preferably positioned within each of the recesses and define respective communications ports. A circuit board is positioned within the multi-port jack housing and preferably extends adjacent the back. The switched communications device preferably includes at least one switched communications processor mounted on the circuit board and connected to the plurality of communications ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals so that the signals are switched among the communications ports. A switched communications processor preferably communicates with two or more of the communications ports. The signal connectors may be electrical and/or optical, and may be compatible with an RJ-45 jack. An internal EMI shield may be provided in the circuit board.
Inventors
- 👤 Randal B. Lord
- 👤 Robert M. Scharf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62; H01R24/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A switched communications device, comprising: a multi-port jack housing having a front and a back, and a plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the front for receiving respective mating plugs therein; signal connector means within each of the recesses and defining a respective plurality of communications ports, each communications port for establishing inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug; a circuit board within said multi-port jack housing and extending adjacent the back thereof; and an integrated circuit switched communications processor mounted on said circuit board and connected to said plurality of communications ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals so that the signals are switched among the plurality communications posts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A switched communications device, comprising: a multi-port jack housing having a front and a back, and a plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the front for receiving respective mating plugs therein; signal connector means within each of the recesses and defining a respective plurality of communications ports, each communications port for establishing inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug; a circuit board within said multi-port jack housing and extending adjacent the back thereof; and an integrated circuit switched communications processor mounted on said circuit board and connected to said plurality of communications ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals so that the signals are switched among the plurality communications posts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switched communications device according to claim 1 , wherein said integrated circuit switched communications processor comprises means for communicating with two or more of said communication ports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The switched communications device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second integrated switched communications processor mounted on said circuit board and connected to a plurality of communication ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switched communications device according to claim 1 , wherein two or more of the plurality of recesses are positioned in side-by-side relation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The switched communications device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of recesses are arranged in two tiers, with each tier comprising two or more recesses arranged in side-by-side relation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switched communications device according to claim 1 , wherein said integrated circuit switched communications processor comprises a plurality of transceivers for a corresponding group of communications ports.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The switched communications device according to claim 1 , wherein said circuit board comprising an electrically conductive layer defining a first internal electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switched communications device according to claim 1 , wherein each of said communications ports is compatible with an RJ-45 jack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switched communications device according to claim 1 , wherein said signal connector means comprises a plurality of electrical contacts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The switched communications device according to claim 1 , wherein said signal connector means comprises: an optical detector for inbound optical signals; and an optical emitter for outbound optical signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The switched communications device according to claim 3 , wherein each of said first and second integrated circuit switched communications processors is connected to two or more of said communication ports.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The switched device according to claim 7 , wherein said integrated circuit switched communications processor comprises a plurality of integrated circuit switched communications processors all positioned on a first side of said circuit board.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The switched communications device according to claim 7 , further comprising an electrically conductive layer on outer surface portions of said multi-port jack housing defining an external EMI shield.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The switched communications device according to claim 7 , further comprising at least one EMI generating device positioned on a second side of said circuit board opposite the first side.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switched communications device according to claim 13 , wherein said first internal EMI shield is electrically connected to said external EMI shield.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switched communications device according to claim 14 , wherein said EMI generating device comprises at least one magnetic device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
143 words
A switched communications device, comprising: a multi-port jack housing including portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly for receiving respective mating plugs therein; a signal connector means within each of the recesses and defining a respective plurality of communications ports, each communications port for establishing inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug; a circuit board within said multi-port jack housing, said circuit board comprising an electrically conductive layer defining a first internal electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield; an integrated circuit switched communications processor mounted on said circuit board on a first side thereof and connected to said plurality of communications ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals so that the signals are switched among the plurality of communications ports; and at least one EMI generating device positioned on a second side of said circuit board opposite the first side.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
143 words
A switched communications device, comprising: a multi-port jack housing including portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly for receiving respective mating plugs therein; a signal connector means within each of the recesses and defining a respective plurality of communications ports, each communications port for establishing inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug; a circuit board within said multi-port jack housing, said circuit board comprising an electrically conductive layer defining a first internal electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield; an integrated circuit switched communications processor mounted on said circuit board on a first side thereof and connected to said plurality of communications ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals so that the signals are switched among the plurality of communications ports; and at least one EMI generating device positioned on a second side of said circuit board opposite the first side.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The switched communications device according to claim 17 , wherein said multi-port jack housing has a front and a back; wherein the recesses extend inwardly from the front of the multi-port jack housing; and wherein the circuit board extends across the back of the multi-port jack housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switched communications device according to claim 17 , wherein said integrated circuit switched communications processor comprises means for communicating with two or more of said communications ports.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The switched communications device according to claim 17 , wherein said integrated circuit switched communications processor comprises a plurality of integrated circuit switched communications processors all mounted on the first side of the circuit board.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switched communications device according to claim 17 , wherein two or more of the plurality of recesses are positioned in side-by-side relation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The switched communications device according to claim 17 , wherein the plurality of recesses are arranged in two tiers, with each tier comprising two or more recesses arranged in side-by-side relation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switched communications device according to claim 17 , wherein said integrated circuit switched communications processor comprises a plurality of transceivers for a corresponding group of communication ports.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The switched communications device according to claim 17 , further comprising an electrically conductive layer on outer surface portions of said multi-port jack housing defining an external EMI shield.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switched communications device according to claim 17 , wherein said at least one EMI generating device comprises at least one magnetic device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switched communications device according to claim 17 , wherein each of said communications ports is compatible with an RJ-45 jack.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The switched communications device according to claim 20 , wherein each of said plurality of integrated circuit communications processors is connected to two or more of said communications ports.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switched communications device according to claim 24 , wherein said first internal EMI shield is electrically connected to said external EMI shield.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
113 words
A switched communications device comprising: a multi-port housing including portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly for receiving respective mating plugs therein, the recesses being arranged in two tiers with each tier comprising two or more recesses arranged in side-by-side relation; signal connector means within each of the recesses and defining a respective plurality of communications ports, each communications port for establishing inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug; a circuit board within said multi-port jack housing; and an integrated circuit switched communications processor mounted on said circuit board and connected to said plurality of communications signals so that the signals are switched among the plurality of communications ports.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
113 words
A switched communications device comprising: a multi-port housing including portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly for receiving respective mating plugs therein, the recesses being arranged in two tiers with each tier comprising two or more recesses arranged in side-by-side relation; signal connector means within each of the recesses and defining a respective plurality of communications ports, each communications port for establishing inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug; a circuit board within said multi-port jack housing; and an integrated circuit switched communications processor mounted on said circuit board and connected to said plurality of communications signals so that the signals are switched among the plurality of communications ports.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
The switched communications device according to claim 29 , wherein said multi-port jack housing has a front and a back; wherein the recesses extend inwardly from the front of the multi-port jack housing; and wherein the circuit board extends across the back of the multi-port jack housing.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switched communications device according to claim 29 , wherein said integrated circuit switched communications processor comprises means for communicating with two or more of said communications ports.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switched communications device according to claim 29 , wherein said integrated circuit switched communications processor comprises a plurality of transceivers for a corresponding group of communication ports.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The switched communications device according to claim 29 , wherein said circuit board comprises an electrically conductive layer defining a first internal electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The switched communications device according to claim 29 , further comprising an electrically conductive layer on outer surface portions of said multi-port jack housing defining an external EMI shield.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switched communications device according to claim 29 , wherein each of said communications ports is compatible with an RJ-45 jack.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switched communications device according to claim 29 , wherein said signal connector means comprises a plurality of electrical contacts.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The switched communications device according to claim 29 , wherein said signal connector means comprises: an optical detector for inbound optical signals; and an optical emitter for outbound optical signals.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The switched communications device according to claim 33 , wherein said integrated circuit switched communications processor comprises a plurality of integrated circuit switched communications processors all positioned on a first side of said circuit board.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The switched communications device according to claim 33 , further comprising at least one EMI generating device positioned on a second side of said circuit board opposite the first side.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switched communications device according to claim 39 , wherein said at least one EMI generating device comprises at least one magnetic device.
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) | 2005-02-04 | 2005-08-06 | 2006-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-04 | 2009-08-06 | 2010-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-04 | 2013-08-06 | 2014-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |