Abstract:
An illuminated interface cable with a connector interface on at least one end. A light circuit including a light and a mechanical switch, the light circuit configured to energize the light upon actuation of the mechanical switch. The light and momentary switch coupled to the connector interface, the light oriented to illuminate an interconnection area of the connector interface. The light may be provided, for example, as a light emitting diode.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to power and/or data cables for electronic apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to a power and/or data cable for electronic apparatus with an illuminated interconnection interface. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Electronic apparatus, particularly portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones, laptops and/or tablet computers utilize cables for power, charging and/or data exchange. 
         [0005]    A typical standardized interface for many electronic devices is the microUSB interface. A microUSB interface provides both power and data interconnections in a very small space, reducing the mating connector dimensions required on the electronic device and thereby enabling electronic devices that are smaller and therefore have increased portability. 
         [0006]    Electronic devices may require interconnection with the cable, for example for charging as a part of daily routine, often performed for example by the users bedside so that the device recharges overnight, while still available for use even while charging. 
         [0007]    A problem with the prior cables is that interconnecting the male cable connector interface to the electronic device female interface may be difficult as the interfaces are small and require relatively precise alignment prior to interconnection. It may be particularly difficult to align for interconnection in poor lighting conditions and/or darkness as the female electronic device interface may be a recessed socket preventing alignment by touch. 
         [0008]    Illuminated cables, wherein the cable illuminates to indicate an energized status are known. However, a constantly illuminated cable may waste power and/or create undesireable illumination, for example in places/times where darkness may be preferred, such as a bedroom when another is person is sleeping. 
         [0009]    Convenience, cost and/or reliability may be significant factors of commercial success in the consumer electronic market. 
         [0010]    Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a cable that overcomes deficiencies in the prior art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, where like reference numbers in the drawing figures refer to the same feature or element and may not be described in detail for every drawing figure in which they appear and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an exemplary illuminated interface cable with USB and microUSB connector interfaces. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic circuit diagram for an illuminated interface cable wherein the light is an LED activated by a momentary switch. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic isometric view of a connection interface with a light for illuminating the connection area, the light and momentary switch to activate the light enclosed within an overbody of the connector. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic isometric view of a connection interface with a light for illuminating the connection area, demonstrating a momentary switch with an external button surface. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic isometric view of a connection interface with a light for illuminating the connection area, demonstrating a slide switch. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a schematic isometric view of a connection interface with a light for illuminating the connection area, demonstrating a momentary switch with a bias provided by the overbody. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a schematic isometric view of a USB connection interface. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a schematic isometric view of a car adapter connection interface. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a schematic isometric view of a wall adapter connection interface. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a schematic isometric view of a connection interface with a light for illuminating the connection area, demonstrating selective illumination of the connection area for ease of interconnection with minimized light pollution. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The inventors have recognized that a cable with a capacitive switch, activating a light emitting diode (LED) light illuminating the area of the connection interface whenever the capacitive switch surface is touched, also has the drawback of illuminating whenever the capacitive switch surface contacts other surfaces with suitable capacitive characteristics and/or may not be reliably actuated when the user fails to have suitable body capacitance, for example due to insulating coatings, a grounded environment and/or humidity pre-emptively inhibiting charging and/or dissipating any charge that may be present. Where a capacitive switch is applied to an interface cable, as the operator for a light or the like the capacitive switch may actuate by accident if accidentally shifted into contact with a suitable surface, turning on the light and disturbing those nearby. 
         [0023]    As referenced herein, a mechanical switch is defined as a switch requiring physical movement of at least a portion of the switch to engage or disengage electrical continuity across the switch. 
         [0024]    As demonstrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , an illuminated interface cable  10  is provided with a mechanical switch  15  that activates a light  20  illuminating the interface area  80  for ease of interconnection, with minimal light pollution outside of the interface area  80 . The interface area  80  may be defined as the area into which the interface is inserted to interconnect two interfaces with one another. The illuminated interface cable  10  enables, for example, illumination sufficient to guide interconnection with a corresponding interface  85  of, for example, electronic devices in a dark area without disturbing the overall light levels of the dark area, such as a bedroom at night, for example as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0025]    The cable  10  may be a standard interface cable, for example demonstrated in  FIG. 1  as a shielded four conductor data/power cable  10  with a standard USB interface  25  at one end, P 1 , and a microUSB interface  30  at a second end, P 2 . 
         [0026]    A light  20 , such as a light emitting diode (LED)  22 , is provided, for example, at the microUSB interface  30  end P 2 , the light  20  preferably directed primarily upon the direction of insertion for the mating microUSB connector. The light  20  may be encapsulated into the overbody  35  of the connector, for example applied within the polymeric overbody  35  of the connector hand grip surface  40 . By recessing the LED  22  within an aperture  45  of the surrounding overbody  35  open to the interconnection end, the light output may be guided toward the desired interface area  80 , minimizing light pollution outside of the interface area  80 . 
         [0027]    The light  20  may be energizable via an LED circuit applied between a first and a second power conductor  27  of the cable  10 , for example as shown in  FIG. 2 . The LED  22  and associated resistor R 1  requires minimal current to operate, limiting the potential for disrupting the operation of the cable  10  as a power supply for the electronic device. 
         [0028]    Any of several embodiments of the switch  15  may be applied, for example as shown in detail in  FIGS. 3-6 .  FIG. 3  demonstrates a connector overbody  35  wherein the switch  15  is a momentary-type switch, enclosed within the connector overbody  35 , activated by squeezing a deflectable portion  50  of the connector overbody  35  to overcome a bias provided by the material of the connector overbody  35 , which otherwise maintains the switch  15  in an open circuit or off position and thereby the light  20  is not energized unless the overbody  35  is squeezed at the deflectable portion  50 . The overbody  35  may be provided as a polymeric material, molded/sealed around the selected connection interface, encapsulating the switch  15  and LED circuit, inhibiting fouling and/or moisture contamination of the LED circuit. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  demonstrates a connector overbody  35  with an external button surface  55  that activates the momentary switch  15  when depressed. The switch  15  may be momentary or include a retention function maintaining the light  20  in the energized/illuminated state until the connector overbody  35  is again depressed. The external button surface  55  may be a separate element movable within a cavity of the overbody  35 , or a protrusion of the overbody  35  of the connector, useful as feedback of the location of the switch  15 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  demonstrates a moveable switch  15  that activates when the switch handle  60  is moved from the off position to the on position. The switch  15  may be spring biased towards the off position or self retaining in the on and/or off position, enabling the light  20  to be turned on without requiring the user to maintain a constant pressure upon the switch  15  and/or overbody  35  of the connector. 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  demonstrates a flush button activation embodiment wherein the overbody  35  may provide a bias to the off position of the switch wherein the user flexes an overbody lever portion  65  against the switch  15  to activate it and the bias provided by the overbody  35  then removes the activation when the pressure is removed from the overbody lever portion  65 . 
         [0032]    The several embodiments have been demonstrated with respect to the microUSB interface  30 . Alternatively, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the connection interface may be any standard or proprietary connection interface, such as the USB interface  25  and/or RJ45 interfaces or the like. 
         [0033]    In further embodiments the cable  10  may be applied with any of a range of interconnections opposite the illuminated connector interface end and/or with an illuminated connector interface at both ends of the cable. Alternatively, instead of the USB or similar communications cable type interface, for example according to  FIG. 7 , the non-illuminated connection interface end of the cable may be provided with any desired interface and/or directly connected module, such as an automobile cigarette lighter adapter  70 , for example as shown in  FIG. 8  or a wall outlet adapter  75 , for example as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0034]    One skilled in the art will appreciate that the illuminated interface cable provides a positive engagement characteristic for activating the illumination that is unlikely to be inadvertently activated by mere incidental contact with surrounding objects. Further, the circuit requirements for the illuminated interface cable enables addition of the illumination functionality with minimal additional cost and high reliability. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Table of Parts 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10  
                 cable 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 switch 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 light 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 light emitting diode 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 USB interface 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 power conductor 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 microUSB interface 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 overbody 
               
               
                   
                 40  
                 connector hand grip surface 
               
               
                   
                 45  
                 aperture 
               
               
                   
                 50  
                 deflectable portion 
               
               
                   
                 55  
                 external button surface 
               
               
                   
                 60  
                 switch handle 
               
               
                   
                 65  
                 lever portion 
               
               
                   
                 70  
                 automobile cigarette lighter adapter 
               
               
                   
                 75  
                 wall outlet adapter 
               
               
                   
                 80  
                 interface area 
               
               
                   
                 85  
                 interface 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0035]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept. Further, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims.