US6755575B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self powered data communication optical fiber cable extender
Assignee: Tyco Electronics Service GmbH
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Filing: 2001-07-12
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Granted: 2004-06-29
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Expires: 2021-07-12
Abstract
Abstract An extender for an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines has first and second electrical connectors for connection to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses. The electrical connectors include a data interface circuit for communication with the electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to the data interface circuit, and driver circuits for the optical transmitter and optical receivers. The driver circuits obtain power from the power line on the local electrical data bus. An optic fiber is connected between the optical transmitters and receivers at respective first and second electrical connectors to transfer data optically between the first and second electrical connectors and thereby extend the range of the data bus.
Inventors
- 👤 Bertil Kronlund
- 👤 Claus Johansson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:19
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4274; G02B6/4284; H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/25; H04B10/2589; H04B10/25891; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3878; G02B6/3879
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An extender for an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines, comprising first and second electrical connectors for connection to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses, each of said first and second electrical connectors comprising a data interface circuit for communication with a respective said electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to said data interface circuit, driver circuits for said optical transmitters and optical receivers, said driver circuits obtaining power from the power line on the local electrical data bus, and an optic fiber connected between said optical transmitters and receivers at respective first and second electrical connectors to transfer data optically between said first and second electrical connectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
An extender for an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines, comprising first and second electrical connectors for connection to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses, each of said first and second electrical connectors comprising a data interface circuit for communication with a respective said electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to said data interface circuit, driver circuits for said optical transmitters and optical receivers, said driver circuits obtaining power from the power line on the local electrical data bus, and an optic fiber connected between said optical transmitters and receivers at respective first and second electrical connectors to transfer data optically between said first and second electrical connectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An extender as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said data interface circuit, said driver circuit and said optical transmitter and receiver at each end of said optical fiber are integrated into a respective connector housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An extender as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said housing is made of plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An extender as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said housing makes a snap fit with the electrical connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An extender as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said fiber is large core plastic fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An extender as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said electrical bus is a Universal Serial Bus.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of extending the range of an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines, comprising connecting first and second electrical connectors to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses, each of said first and second electrical connectors comprising a data interface circuit communicating with a respective said electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to said data interface circuit, driver circuits for said optical transmitters and optical receivers; deriving power for said driver circuits power from the power line on the local electrical data bus; and transferring data between said optical transmiters and receivers at said respective first and second connectors over an optic fiber.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of extending the range of an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines, comprising connecting first and second electrical connectors to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses, each of said first and second electrical connectors comprising a data interface circuit communicating with a respective said electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to said data interface circuit, driver circuits for said optical transmitters and optical receivers; deriving power for said driver circuits power from the power line on the local electrical data bus; and transferring data between said optical transmiters and receivers at said respective first and second connectors over an optic fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said data interface circuit, said driver circuit and said optical transmitter and receiver at each end of said optical fiber are integrated into a respective connector housing, and said connected housing is snapped onto the respective electrical connector attached to the local bus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said electrical bus is a Universal Serial Bus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
An electrical data bus including a power line, comprising a first electrical connector for connection to an electrical connector attached to an electrical data bus and a second optical connector for connection to an optic fiber, said first electrical connector comprising a data interface circuit for communication with a respective said electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to said data interface circuit, driver circuits for said optical transmitters and optical receivers, said driver circuits obtaining power from the power line on the local electrical data bus, and an optic fiber connected between said optical transmitters and receivers and said second optical connector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
An electrical data bus including a power line, comprising a first electrical connector for connection to an electrical connector attached to an electrical data bus and a second optical connector for connection to an optic fiber, said first electrical connector comprising a data interface circuit for communication with a respective said electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to said data interface circuit, driver circuits for said optical transmitters and optical receivers, said driver circuits obtaining power from the power line on the local electrical data bus, and an optic fiber connected between said optical transmitters and receivers and said second optical connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
An extender as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said data interface circuit, said driver circuit and said optical transmitter and receiver at each end of said optical fiber are integrated into a respective connector housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An extender as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said housing is made of plastic.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-06-29 | 2007-12-29 | 2008-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-29 | 2011-12-29 | 2012-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-29 | 2015-12-29 | 2016-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |