Abstract:
A connector jack with reduced host PCB footprint and an assembly of the same are provided. The provided connector jack is constructed based on a housing defining at least a front face with a plug receiving cavity on the surface thereof and with a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within the cavity, and a bottom face having a recess area on the surface thereof and adapted for mounting on a circuit board. In the present invention, at least a portion of the housing is made of a transparent or translucent material so that the status indicators located within the recess will be visible through the transparent portion of the front face of the jack housing, and the recess area occupies a substantial portion of the bottom face and allows to place additional components on the circuit board at least partially within the recess area.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to connector jacks, connector jack assemblies and the fabrication method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved connector jack with reduced effective host circuit board footprint, assemblies adopting such connector jack and the fabrication method thereof. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   RJ connectors are commonly used in telecommunications and data networking equipment. Such connectors are typically employed for electrical connection between two communication devices. For example, RJ45 connectors are standard for interconnecting Ethernet devices. 
   RJ connectors employ a male connector plug and a female connector jack. The present invention concerns an improved female connector jack and a connectorjack assembly. 
   A connector jack, such as the one shown on  FIG. 1 , characteristically is constructed by a generally rectangular dielectric housing  11 , the dielectric housing having a front face  12  with a receptacle  18  for receiving the male connector plug (not shown), and a bottom face  13  adapted for mounting on the circuit board (not shown). The circuit board upon which the jack is physically mounted will herein be referred to as the host circuit board. 
   The mounting means provided for mounting the jack on the host circuit board typically include two mounting pins  19  for insertion into the corresponding holes on the host circuit board. 
   The dielectric housing typically also defines a left face  14 , a right face  15 , a top face  16 , and a rear face  17 . 
   The receptacle  18  on the front face  12  of the dielectric housing  11  includes a cavity  20  that is shaped and dimensioned to mate with the male connector plug. Positioned inside the cavity are electrical contacts  21  for mating with the electrical contacts of the plug. These contacts are typically spring contacts for biased engagement with the plug. 
   The bottom face  13  of the jack also has pins or leads  22  protruding from the bottom face towards the host circuit board. These pins or leads conduct electrical signals between the jack and the host circuit board. These pins or leads may include a direct extension of the spring contacts  21 , or be independent from the spring contacts. T he pins or leads  22  can be shaped for thru-hole or surface mounting to the host circuit board. In many commercially available jacks, pins  22  alternatively protrude from the rear face  17  of the jack. 
   Many connector jacks have internal chambers (not shown) that house additional electronic components, such as signal conditioning components, electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection components, power-over-Ethernet components, and any other necessary circuits. 
   Some, but not all connector jacks have a shield  23 . The typical shield is stamped out of sheet metal and formed as to envelope the dielectric housing  11  of the jack. Typically, the shield  23  also has solder tails  24  by which the shield is grounded to the host circuit board. Solder tails  24  also perform the function of securing the jack on the host circuit board. 
   The male connector plug and jack also incorporate a latching mechanism for reliable engagement with each other. This mechanism consists of a latching shoulder on the plug (not shown) and corresponding latching shoulders  25  on the connector jack. T he latching shoulders on the jack are located on the front face  12  and in the proximity to the bottom face  13  of the jack. 
   The use of the latching mechanism for reliable mating of the male plug with the female jack constitutes one of the best design elements of RJ connectors. This latching mechanism, however, also increases the height of the jack as it extends downwards from the plug-receiving cavity  20  on the front face  18  of the jack. 
   Continuous miniaturization of electronic devices demands an ever-increasing density of component placement on printed circuit boards and miniaturization of electronic components. While most electronic parts used in modern circuit board assemblies have shrunk dramatically in size, the connector jack has remained essentially unchanged, with its outline dimensions dictated mainly by the size of the connector plug and the corresponding receptacle cavity on the jack combined with the space occupied by the latching mechanism of the jack. 
   Several attempts has been made to somewhat decrease the overall dimensions of the connector jack. Most of these attempts have concentrated on decreasing jack height. F or example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,526 discloses a jack of reduced height, and the height reduction is achieved by moving the latching mechanism off the jack and onto the bottom side of the housing of the electronic device in which the jack is installed. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,172 discloses a low-profile jack, in which the reduction in the jack height is achieved by delegating the latching function of the jack to the host circuit board. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,210 also discloses a low-profile jack, where the height of the jack is reduced by dividing the latching function of the jack between the jack itself and the host circuit board. 
   The above inventions have only managed to reduce the height of the jack, and even the reduction in height was not dramatic. The length and width of the jack, and hence, the space occupied by the jack on the host circuit board, have remained essentially the same. 
   Unable to decrease the jack size further, inventors and manufacturers have attempted to add functionality to the jack in order to better utilize the space occupied by this component on the host circuit board. 
   One popular improvement was to add status indicators, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), and numerous patents exist on the subject. Many such inventions incorporate complex light tubes, guides, separate lenses, and other means by which the light from the light source is delivered to the front face of the jack. 
   Majority of the inventions place the status indicators, or areas through which the light exits through the front face of the jack, to the left and to the right of the latching mechanism of the jack. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,613,873, 5,685,737, 5,741,152, 5,876,239, 5,915,993, 6,224,417, 6,334,787, and 6,431,906 all disclose such jack designs. 
   Some inventors have also added the status indicators, or areas through which the light exits through the front face of the jack, to the portion of the jack, opposite to the latching mechanism and in the area proximal to the top face of the jack. Examples of such jack designs can be found in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,978,317 and 5,885,100. 
   It is noteworthy that despite a variety of disclosed approaches, the above patents only anticipated a rather limited number of status indicators provided per each jack—typically no more than two. At the same time, the increase in complexity and sophistication of modern electronic devices demands that more status indicators are implemented and it is not uncommon to have devices that require four or more of such status indicators to be provided. For example, a miniature electronic device, barely larger than the jack it encompasses, may require one status light to indicate a network link status, another light to indicate the type of the link (10BaseT or 100BaseT), as well as two additional lights to indicate the operating mode of the device itself. 
   Providing signal conditioning components within the jack housing is another popular method of extending jack functionality and justifying the host board space occupied by the jack. Examples of such inventions can be found in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,587,884 and 6,171,152. 
   Jacks with integrated isolation and filtering components, known as “jacks with magnetics”, are currently commonplace. Many related patents claim to integrate magnetics into the jack while maintaining essentially the same host circuit board footprint as that of a simple jack with no magnetics. 
   Ironically, in real life, integrating conditioning components within the jack has led to an increase in average jack size and, consequently, the footprint occupied by the jack on the host circuit board. This is because these components must be able to withstand significant levels of ESD and high common-mode voltages. T his prevents the miniaturization of such components. More recently, power-over-Ethernet circuits have also been integrated into some jacks, thus further increasing the area occupied by such jacks on the host circuit boards. 
   Finally, some inventors have even integrated data processing capabilities into the jack. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,096 discloses a jack that integrates not only magnetics, but also a processor, Ethernet controller, memory, and other computing components within a jack. Needless to say that such increase in jack functionality has led to the enlargement of the jack and its corresponding footprint on the host circuit board. 
   Thus, while integrating more functional elements within the jack, the above inventions also increase the space occupied by the jack on the host circuit board and, hence, decrease the host circuit board space available to other electronic components. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the effective footprint of the connector jack on the host circuit board and maximize the useful host circuit board area on which other electronic components can be mounted, while preserving sufficient space within the jack for placement of additional functional components such as signal conditioning circuitry, ESD protection circuitry, power-over-Ethernet circuitry, and even intelligent data processing circuitry. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide for an increased number of distinct status indicators that can be mounted on the host circuit board together with the jack, without leading to the increase of the required host circuit board size. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to simplify the construction of the jack and avoid the use of light tubes, guides, separate lenses, and other complex means of delivering the light from the status light sources to the front face of the jack. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a connector jack assembly constructed in a way that reduces the footprint occupied by the connector jack assembly on the host circuit board, maximizes the useful host circuit board space, provides for an increased number of status indicators that can be mounted on the host circuit board together with the connector jack assembly and in a way that would not lead to the increase in the required host circuit board size, while at the same time avoiding the use of light tubes, guides, separate lenses, and other complex means of delivering the light from the status light sources to the front of the connector jack assembly. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric housing of the connector jack incorporates a large recess area on the bottom face thereof. The recess area is generally rectangular in shape and almost as large as the footprint of the jack, with only relatively thin walls extending downwards along at least three sides of the recess area. Preferably, these walls extend downwards along the front, right, and left faces of the jack. It is contemplated that other electronic components, such as a microcontroller, may be mounted on the host circuit board at least partially within this recess area, thus increasing the host circuit board space utilization. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower portion of the jack housing including the bottom face and three walls forming the recess area on the bottom face, is made of a transparent or translucent material, thus making it possible to mount a number of status indicators, such as LEDs, on the host circuit board and within the recess area. Thus mounted, the status indicators will be visible through the transparent portion of the front face of the jack housing. Taking into the account miniature dimensions of modern LEDs, it becomes obvious that a large number of such LEDs can be mounted on the host circuit board within the recess area. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pins or leads of the jack extend towards the host circuit board, the pins or leads conducting electrical signals between the jack and the host circuit board. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, these pins or leads are shaped for thru-hole mounting to the host circuit board. It is contemplated, however, that pins or leads for surface mounting to the host circuit board can be used without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 
   It is additionally contemplated that the relative size or volume of the transparent or translucent portion of the jack housing and the size or volume of the remaining portion of the jack housing can vary depending on the design of the jack. Additionally, the non-transparent portion of the jack housing needs not be monolithic and may be constructed from several elements. It should be noted and understood that all such variations are encompassed within the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 
   It is also contemplated, that the jack of the present invention can incorporate any additional circuitry such as signal conditioning components, ESD protection components, power-over-Ethernet components, and even data processing components such as a microcontroller, Ethernet controller, data memory and the like. 
   In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the pins or leads of the RJ jack do not extend towards the host circuit board. Preferably, there is an additional circuit board that at least partially resides in the recess area on the bottom face of the jack and between the host circuit board and the jack body. In this embodiment, the pins or leads of the connector jack extend towards this additional circuit board. T he additional circuit board then has its own set of pins or leads extending towards the host circuit board, the pins or leads carrying electric signals between the additional circuit board and the host circuit board. 
   It is contemplated that the additional circuit board can have a number of status indicators, such as LEDs, mounted upon it and within the recess area on the bottom face of the connector jack. Thus mounted, the status indicators will be visible through the transparent portion of the front face of the jack housing. Taking into the account miniature dimensions of modern LEDs, it becomes obvious that a large number of such LEDs can be mounted on the additional circuit board within the recess area. 
   The additional circuit board may also carry any required electronic components including but not limited to signal conditioning circuitry, ESD protection circuitry, power-over-Ethernet circuitry, and even data processing components such as a microcontroller, Ethernet controller, data memory and the like. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a connector jack assembly including a circuit board defining top and bottom sides, a first part mounted upon the top side of the circuit board, and a second part mounted upon the bottom side of the circuit board is constructed. It should be understood that the terms top and bottom are used here for clarity and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way. 
   The second part includes a generally rectangular body defining a front face, a bottom face, as well as top, left, right and rear faces. 
   The front face of the second part incorporates a latching mechanism for the male plug. Together with the first part, the second part forms a complete receptacle for the male plug. 
   The bottom face of the second part is adapted for mounting on the host circuit board. Thus, the entire connector jack assembly is mounted on the host circuit board by using the mounting means provided on the bottom face of the second part. 
   The bottom face of the second part also incorporates a large recess area. The recess area is generally rectangular in shape and almost as large as the footprint of the second part, with only relatively thin walls extending downwards along at least three sides of the second part. In the third embodiment of the present invention, these walls extend downwards along the front, right, and left faces of the second part. It is contemplated that other electronic components, such as a microcontroller, may be mounted on the host circuit board at least partially within this recess area, thus increasing the host circuit board space utilization. 
   The second part is molded from a transparent or translucent material, in which case it becomes possible to mount a number of status indicators, such as LEDs, on the host circuit board and within the recess area. Thus mounted, the status indicators will be visible through the front face of the second part. Taking into the account miniature dimensions of modern LEDs, it becomes obvious that a large number of such LEDs can be mounted on the host circuit board within the recess area. 
   The connector jack assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention also has pins or leads that extend towards the host circuit board, the pins or leads conducting electrical signals between the connector jack assembly and the host circuit board. In this embodiment, these pins or leads are shaped for through-hole mounting to the host circuit board. It is contemplated, however, that pins or leads for surface mounting to the host circuit board can be used without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 
   It is additionally contemplated, that the circuit board of the connector jack assembly can have a significant size and a multitude of additional components can be placed on this circuit board. Such additional components may include signal conditioning components, ESD protection components, power-over-Ethernet components, and even data processing components such as a microcontroller, Ethernet controller, data memory and the like. 
   In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pins or leads of the circuit board of the connector jack assembly do not extend towards the host circuit board. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, there is an additional circuit board that partially resides in the recess area on the bottom face of the second part and between the host circuit board and the second part. Preferably, the pins or leads of the circuit board extend towards this additional circuit board. The additional circuit board then has its own set of pins or leads extending towards the host circuit board, the pins or leads carrying electric signals between the additional circuit board and the host circuit board. 
   It is contemplated that the additional circuit board can have a number of status indicators, such as LEDs, mounted upon it and within the recess area on the bottom face of the second part. Thus mounted, the status indicators will be visible through the transparent or translucent material of the second part. Taking into the account miniature dimensions of modern LEDs, it becomes obvious that a large number of such LEDs can be mounted on the additional circuit board within the recess area. 
   The additional circuit board may also carry any required electronic components such as signal conditioning components, ESD protection components, power-over-Ethernet components, and even data processing components such as a microcontroller, Ethernet controller, data memory and the like. 
   The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood through the following descriptions with reference to the drawings, wherein: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a construction of a conventional connector jack according to the prior art; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a connector jack according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention with the shield separated from the rest of the jack; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a connector jack according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and a host circuit board with a status indicator and an IC chip installed on this host circuit board; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a connector jack according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, a host circuit board with an IC chip installed on this host circuit board, and an additional circuit board with a status indicator and IC chips installed on this additional circuit board; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a connector jack assembly according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention with the shield separated from the rest of the assembly; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a connector jack assembly according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and a host circuit board with a status indicator and an IC chip installed on this host circuit board; and 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a connector jack assembly according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, a host circuit board with an IC chip installed on this host circuit board, and an additional circuit board with a status indicator and IC chips installed on this additional circuit board. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. 
   The embodiments of the present invention are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to be understood that changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in the limiting manner, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims and their equivalents. 
   Referring particularly to  FIGS. 2 and 3  showing a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a connector jack according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the shield separated from the rest of the jack.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the connector jack according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and a host circuit board with a status indicator and an IC chip installed on this host circuit board. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the dielectric body of the connector jack  100  is formed from two dielectric parts  102  and  104 . The parts  102  and  104  are arranged in such a way that the part  102  is stacked on top of the part  104 . 
   Dielectric part  102  is formed from any suitable material conventionally used in the manufacture of connector jacks, such as an appropriate mixture of the ABS and PC plastics. It should be noted that the part  102  is shown herein in a simplified form and, in fact, may consist of several separately molded parts. Such details are irrelevant to the essence of the present invention and are not shown for clarity. 
   Dielectric part  104  is formed from any suitable transparent or translucent material, such as ABS. The part  104  defines a generally rectangular outline shape that characteristically includes a front face  106 , a bottom face  108 , a left face  110 , and a right face  112 . Furthermore, the bottom face  108  defines a generally rectangular recess area  124  formed by wall extensions of the front face  106 , the left face  110 , and the right face  112 . The footprint of the jack  100  on the host circuit board  122  is then effectively defined by the area occupied by the three thin walls. 
   Additionally, the part  104  features two mounting pins  126  that are inserted into the corresponding mounting holes on the host circuit board  122  in order to secure the jack on the circuit board. 
   When combined together, both parts  102  and  104  jointly form the front face of the connector jack, with its characteristic cavity  114 , which is sized and shaped to mate with a standard male plug (not shown). Located within the cavity are contacts  116 . These contacts are spring contacts for biased engagement with the male plug. 
   Contacts  116  extend into the internal chamber  118  of the part  102 . This chamber may contain signal conditioning components, ESD protection components, power-over-Ethernet circuitry, and even the data processing components such as a microcontroller, Ethernet controller, data memory and the like. Detailed contents of the chamber  118  are irrelevant to the essence of the present invention and are not further mentioned. The presence of the chamber  118  is also optional. It should be noted and understood that connector jacks with and without the internal chamber are not going beyond the scope of the present invention. 
   Extending down from the chamber  118  are electric pins  120 . These pins electrically connect the jack to the host circuit board  122 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, pins  120  are shaped for through-hole mounting into the host circuit board  122 . It is contemplated, however, that pins for surface mounting to the host circuit board  122  can be used without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 
   Electrical shield  128 , which is stamped out of thin metal, is formed to envelope the parts  102  and  104 .  FIG. 2  shows the shield  128  separated from the rest of the jack, while  FIG. 3  shows the same shield assembled together with the parts  102  and  104 . 
   The shield  128  has two solder tails  130 , which are soldered into the host circuit board  122 . This not only additionally secures the jack  100  on the host circuit board  122 , but also tightens the internal assembly of the jack by pressing together the parts  102  and  104 . The shield  128  only partially covers the front of the jack and leaves the front face  106  of the part  104  exposed. 
   When the jack  100  is installed on the host circuit board  122 , the area on the circuit board located under the recess  124  is available for mounting other electronic components. 
   Notably, such electronic components include status indicator  132 . Since the part  104  is made of transparent or translucent material, the status indicator  132  is visible from the outside through the front face  106  of the part  104 . Taking into the account miniature dimensions of modern light-emitting devices, such as LEDs, it becomes apparent that several status indicators  132  can be mounted under the recess area  124 , thus achieving one of the objects of the present invention. 
   Additionally, other electronic components, such as an IC chip  134  can also be mounted on the host circuit board  122  and at least partially within the recess area  124 . In this way, the surface area of the host circuit board  122  is more densely populated and another object of the invention is achieved. 
   Looking now particularly at  FIG. 4 , there shown a cross-sectional view of the connector jack according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, a host circuit board with an IC chip installed on this host circuit board, and an additional circuit board with a status indicator and a IC chips installed on this additional circuit board. 
   In the alternative embodiment of the present invention, electric pins  120  do not extend into the host circuit board  122 . In the alternative embodiment of the invention, electric pins  120  extend into the additional circuit board  136 . The additional circuit board  136  resides, at least partially, within the recess area  124 . 
   The additional circuit board  136  may have a number of status indicators  132  mounted on the surface thereof. Since the part  104  is made of transparent or translucent material, the status indicators  132  are visible from the outside through the front face  106  of the part  104 . Taking into the account miniature dimensions of modern light-emitting devices, such as LEDs, it becomes apparent that several status indicators  132  can be mounted on the additional circuit board  136  within the recess area  124 . 
   Other electronic components, such as an IC chip  138  can also be mounted on the additional circuit board  136  and at least partially within the recess area  124 . It is also contemplated that the additional circuit board  136  may have a large size and extends significantly behind the parts  102  and  104 . Still more electronic components, such as an IC chip  138  can be mounted on either or both sides of the additional circuit board  136 . Such electronic components may include signal conditioning components, ESD protection components, power-over-Ethernet circuitry, and even the data processing components such as a microcontroller, Ethernet controller, data memory and the like. 
   Electrical contact between the additional circuit board  136  and the host circuit board  122  is running through a plurality of pins  142 . In this embodiment, the pins  142  are shaped for through-hole mounting to the host circuit board  122 . It is contemplated, however, that pins for surface mounting to the host circuit board  122  can be used without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 
   Referring particularly to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there shown a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a connector jack assembly according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention with the shield separated from the rest of the assembly.  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a connector jack assembly according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and a host circuit board with a status indicator and an IC chip installed on this host circuit board. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the connector assembly  200  includes a circuit board  201  defining a top and a bottom surfaces, as well as two dielectric parts  202  and  204 . The part  202  is mounted upon the top surface of the circuit board  201 . The part  204  is mounted upon the bottom surface of the circuit board  201 . It should be understood that the terms top and bottom are used here for clarity and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way. 
   Dielectric part  202  is formed from any suitable material conventionally used in the manufacture of RJ jacks, such as an appropriate mixture of the ABS and PC plastics. It should be noted that the part  202  is shown herein in a simplified form and, in fact, may consist of several separately molded parts. Such details are irrelevant to the essence of the present invention and not shown herein for clarity. 
   Dielectric part  204  is formed from any suitable transparent or translucent material, such as ABS. The part  204  defines a generally rectangular outline shape that characteristically includes a front face  206 , bottom face  208 , a left face  210 , and a right face  212 . Furthermore, the bottom face  208  defines a generally rectangular recess area  224  formed by wall extensions of the front face  206 , the left face  210 , and the right face  212 . The footprint of the connector jack assembly  200  on the host circuit board  222  is then effectively defined by the area occupied by the three thin walls. 
   Additionally, the part  204  features two mounting pins  226  that are inserted into the corresponding mounting holes on the host circuit board  222  in order to secure the connector jack assembly  200  on the host circuit board. 
   When mounted on the circuit board  201 , parts  202  and  204  jointly form the front face of the connector jack, with its characteristic cavity  214 , which is sized and shaped to mate with a standard male plug (not shown). T he major portion of the cavity  214  resides within the part  202 , while the locking shoulders characteristic to RJ connectors reside within the part  204 . Located within the cavity  214  are contacts  216 . These contacts are spring contacts for biased engagement with the male plug. 
   Contacts  216  extend into the internal chamber  218  of the part  202 . This chamber may contain signal conditioning components, ESD protection components, power-over-Ethernet circuitry, and even the data processing components such as a microcontroller, Ethernet controller, data memory and the like. Detailed contents of the chamber  218  are irrelevant to the essence of the present invention and are not shown herein. T he presence of the chamber is also optional. It should be noted and understood that connector jack assemblies with and without the internal chamber are not going beyond the scope of the present invention. 
   Extending out of the chamber  218  are electric pins  220 . These pins are connected to the circuit board  201 . In the present invention, the pins  220  are shaped for surface mounting into the circuit board  201 . It is contemplated, however, that pins for through-hole mounting to the circuit board  201  can be used without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 
   Electrical shield  228 , which is stamped out of thin metal, is formed to envelope the parts  202  and  204 .  FIG. 5  shows the shield  228  separately from the rest of the connector jack assembly, while  FIG. 6  shows the same shield assembled together with the parts  202 ,  204  and the circuit board  201 . 
   The shield  228  has two solder tails  230 , which are soldered into the host circuit board  222 . This not only additionally secures the connector jack assembly  200  on the host circuit board  222 , but also tightens the connector jack assembly  200  by pressing together the parts  202  and  204 , as well as the circuit board  201 . The shield  228  only partially covers the front of the jack and leaves the front face  206  of the dielectric part  204  exposed. 
   The circuit board  201  extends behind the parts  202  and  204  and may contain any required components such as signal conditioning components, ESD protection components, power-over-Ethernet circuitry, and even the data processing components such as a microcontroller, Ethernet controller, data memory and the like. As an example,  FIGS. 5 and 6  show the IC chips  236  and  238  installed on the opposite sides of the circuit board  201 . 
   When the connector jack assembly  200  is installed on the host circuit board  222 , the area on the circuit board located under the recess  224  is available for mounting other electronic components. 
   Notably, such electronic components include status indicator  232 . Since the part  204  is made of transparent or translucent material, the status indicator  232  is visible from the outside through the front face  206  of the part  204 . Taking into the account miniature dimensions of modern light-emitting devices, such as LEDs, it becomes apparent that several status indicators  232  can be mounted under the recess area  224 , thus achieving one of the objects of the present invention. 
   Additionally, other electronic components, such as an IC chip  234  can also be mounted on the host circuit board  222  and at least partially within the recess area  224 . In this way, the surface area of the host circuit board  222  is more densely populated and another object of the invention is achieved. 
   Electrical contact between the circuit board  201  and the host circuit board  222  is through a plurality of pins  240 . In the third embodiment of the present invention, pins  240  are shaped for through-hole mounting to the host circuit board  222 . It is contemplated, however, that pins for surface mounting to the host circuit board  222  can be used without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 
   Looking now particularly at  FIG. 7 , there shown a cross-sectional view of a connector jack assembly according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, a host circuit board with an IC chip installed on this host circuit board, and an additional circuit board with a status indicator and IC chips installed on this additional circuit board. 
   In the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electric pins  240  do not extend into the host circuit board  222 , but into the additional circuit board  242 . The additional circuit board  242  resides, at least partially, within the recess area  224  of the part  204  of the connector jack assembly. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the pins  240  are shaped for through-hole mounting to the additional circuit board  242 . It is contemplated, however, that pins for through-hole mounting to the additional circuit board  242  can be used without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 
   The additional circuit board  242  may have a number of status indicators  232  mounted on the surface thereof. Since the part  204  is made of transparent or translucent material, the status indicators  232  are visible from the outside through the front face  206  of the part  204 . Taking into the account miniature dimensions of modern light-emitting devices, such as LEDs, it becomes apparent that several status indicators  228  can be mounted on the additional circuit board  242  within the recess area  224 . 
   Additionally, other electronic components, such as an IC chip  244  can also be mounted on the additional circuit board  242  and at least partially within the recess area  224 . 
   It is also contemplated that the additional circuit board  242  may have a large size and may extend significantly behind the parts  202  and  204 . Still more electronic components can be mounted on either or both sides of the additional circuit board  242 . Such electronic components may include signal conditioning components, ESD protection components, power-over-Ethernet circuitry, and even the data processing components such as a microcontroller, Ethernet controller, data memory and the like. 
   Electrical contact between the additional circuit board  242  and the host circuit board  222  is through a plurality of pins  246 . In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the pins  246  are shaped for through-hole mounting to the host circuit board  222 . It is contemplated, however, that pins for surface mounting to the host circuit board  222  can be used without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. 
   Based upon the above, the present invention provides a connector jack with reduced effective host PCB footprint, which allows for integrating more functional elements within the jack. 
   While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.