Patent ID: 6361357
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A connector system for coupling a cable to a host device, the connector system comprising:a light source disposed within the host device, the light source being capable of emitting a light signal; an electrical connector having a socket, the electrical connector further including a light conducting portion that is optically coupled to the light source and that is capable of conducting at least a portion of the emitted light signal to a light emitting surface disposed along the majority of an outer periphery of the socket; and a plug having a body disposed on an end of the cable, at least a portion of the plug capable of being operably received within the socket so as to provide an electrical connection between the cable and the host device, wherein the plug further comprises: an optical conducting portion defining a light conducting path within the plug body, the optical conducting portion being optically coupled with the light emitting surface when the plug is operably received within the socket so as to conduct the light signal emitted therefrom; at least one viewing portion positioned on the plug so as to emit at least some of the light signal received by the optical conducting portion for visual inspection; and at least one reflector, positioned so as to reflect at least some of the light signal present within the optical conducting portion substantially towards the at least one viewing portion.