This invention relates to media signal transfer systems, and more specifically to transferring electronic media over a fiber optic pass-through cabling system.
Current cabling systems for audiovisual (AV) and data signals limit data transfer to a distance of approximately two to five meters. Current systems include mounting a small whip or adapter to a plate and/or using two male-to-male cables connected with an adapter. In an effort to achieve data transfer over a greater distance, hybrid cables, for example cables comprised of optical glass fiber and copper are already in use to directly connect distantly-connected electronic devices but generally have male-to-male connectors. The present invention provides a cabling system capable of data transfer over distances up to 100 meters without utilizing male-to-male connectors to connect multiple cables.
The present invention is capable of extending data transfer over media cable by providing a cabling system as described herein.
In one aspect, a media cable is described. The media cable comprising an extension cable comprising active optical cable, a female source connector housed within a headshell, and a destination connector. In some embodiments, the media cable further comprises a wallplate, and the headshell is configured to mount to the wallplate. Additionally, or alternatively, the media cable further comprises a table insert, and the headshell is configured to mount to the table insert. Additionally, or alternatively, the media cable further comprises a panel insert, and the headshell is configured to mount to the rack panel. In some embodiments, the female source connector is an HDMI-port. Additionally, or alternatively, the female source connector is a USB-port. In other embodiments, the female source connector is a DisplayPort-port.
In another aspect, a cable system is described. The cabling system comprising at least one extension cable comprised of active optical cable. The at least one extension cable comprises a female source connector housed within a headshell and a destination connector. In some embodiments, the cabling system comprises a wallplate mounted to the headshell. Additionally, or alternatively, the cabling system comprises a table insert mounted to the headshell. Additionally, or alternatively, the cabling system comprises a rack panel mounted to the headshell. In other embodiments, the cabling system comprises intermediary equipment. In some embodiments, intermediary equipment may include an AV splitter, an AV switcher, or an AV matrix. In some embodiments, the female source connector is an HDMI-port. Additionally, or alternatively, the female source connector is a USB-port. In other embodiments, the female source connector is a DisplayPort-port.
In another aspect, a panel mounted connection interface is described. The panel mounted connection interface comprising at least one female source connector housed within a headshell mounted to a panel. In some embodiments, the panel is wall-mounted. Additionally, or alternatively, the panel is table-mounted. Additionally, or alternatively, the panel is rack-mounted. In some embodiments, the female source connector is coupled to a destination connector via an extension cable comprising active optical cable. In some embodiments, the female source connector is an HDMI-port. Additionally, or alternatively, the female source connector is a USB-port. In other embodiments, the female source connector is a DisplayPort-port.
Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become evident as the description of the invention is read in conjunction with the following drawings.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
According to one aspect of the invention, novel uses are made of existing electronic signal transfer technology and components. According to another aspect of the invention, signal transfer distance is greatly increased. According to another aspect of the invention, mobile devices, for example, phones, tablets and laptops, may be connected into integrated systems without access to subcomponents of the systems.
These and other aspects of the invention are achieved by providing a cabling system configured to extend electronic signals from a digital user device through an optical glass fiber cable interface to a user-accessible connector and to remotely-connected digital equipment. A cabling system is provided wherein the remotely-connected digital equipment is audio-visual equipment. At least one end of or both ends of the cable includes a female connector and is adapted to permit attachment of a lead-in cable to connect a relatively short distance from the digital user device to the interface.
The novel cabling system extends audiovisual (AV) and data signals from a user-accessible interface plate, for example, on a wall or on a table, to permanently connected equipment such as switch gear or a display. This ability allows casual users to plug in mobile devices, for example, phones, tablets and laptops, into integrated systems without access to the subcomponents. Hybrid cables, for example cables comprised of optical glass fiber and copper are already in use to directly connect distantly-connected electronic devices but generally have male-to-male connectors. As described below, one novel feature of the invention changes one cable connector to a female connector with mounting points, and introduces a new mounting system for the female cable connector that allows it to be mounted to different types of interface plates, for example wallplates, table inserts, or equipment rack panels.
The invention comprises a group of devices designed to make extending and connecting audio, video, and data signals from source to display easier for users to manage. It is intended to be installed permanently within a building to be used in conjunction with other data systems. The novel devices according to the invention include a panel-mounted connection interface, for example, a wallplate, table insert or rack panel by which users can connect and disconnect various electronic devices such as phones, tablets, gaming controllers and laptops.
An extension cable of a specified length is provided that includes an internal optical glass fiber cable wire for high speed data transmission. The extension cable utilizes a hybrid cable, i.e., a combination of optical glass fiber and insulated conductors commonly known as an Active Optical Cable (“AOC”) to transmit the audio, video, and/or data signals distances not achievable through a common cable having only insulated conductors. Unlike other types of cables normally used, a modification is made to one or both ends of the cable to provide a female connector instead of the standard male connector, which will allow a ‘lead-in’ or ‘patch’ cable to connect the short distance from the user device, a laptop for example, to the interface.
The wallplate interface allows a source device to be connected and disconnected from the extension cable by the use of a ‘lead-in’ or ‘patch’. The design of the wallplate allows the female end of the extension cable to be affixed to the backside of the wallplate. The source connector and wallplate are then installed into a standard low-voltage electrical box, with the other end of the cable, comprising a destination connector, being run through the building infrastructure and connected to another electronic device via the destination connector. In the case of a video signal (HDMI-PORT, DisplayPort-PORT, etc.) the destination connector is usually connected to audio/visual (AV) equipment such as a television, a projector, speaker(s), microphones, etc.; but it is also possible to connect intermediary equipment, such as video switchers, splitters, or matrices, which may then be coupled to the AV equipment.
The connection interfaces are modular whereby extension cables of different types such as HDMI-PORT, USB-PORT and DisplayPort-PORT can be grouped together. The system is capable of transmitting signals at distances of 100 m or more from the signal origin. The installation design of the interface design may be based on common standards—for example the wallplate size, materials, layout, and color are based on existing standards in the construction industry, thereby ensuring continuity with existing devices such as electrical outlets, switches, and cover plates.
In accordance with the invention, reliable data connections for greater than 70 m (230 ft) are currently achievable with lengths up to 300 m being feasible. The distance limitations of the extension cable vary slightly by media type and bandwidth, USB-PORT 2.0 @ 480 mbps vs USB-PORT 3.0 @ 5 gbps, for example. Various standards that determine operation parameters include: HDMI-PORT 1.4-1.4(b); HDMI-PORT 2.0-2.0(b); HDMI-PORT 2.1; DisplayPort-PORT 1.4-1.4a (VESA); DisplayPort-PORT 2.0 (VESA); USB-PORT 1.0-1.1; USB-PORT 2.0; USB-PORT 3.0-3.2; USB-PORT 4; USB-PORT-C; US NEC Section 800 (NFPA 70). In some embodiments, the extension cable may be between 5 meters and 100 meters. Additionally, or alternatively, the extension cable may be between 5 meters and 50 meters. In some embodiments, the extension cable may be 5 meters. In other embodiments the extension cable may be 8 meters. Additionally, or alternatively, the extension cable may be 10 meters. In some embodiments, the extension cable may be 15 meters. In other embodiments, the extension cable may be 23 meters. Additionally, or alternatively, the extension cable may be 30 meters. In some embodiments, the extension cable may be 50 meters.
Similarly,
While the written description herein enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there exists variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiments and examples described herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the specified examples.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2022/074304 | 7/29/2022 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
63239548 | Sep 2021 | US |