Abstract:
A wire system comprising a splitter integrated between two wire portions. The wire system can be used to transmit a signal between a signal source and a first output device connected to the wire portions. At any time, a user can choose to couple one or more additional output devices to the splitter to access the same signal being transmitted to the first output device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to prior filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/422,122, filed Dec. 10, 2010, the complete contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The current disclosure relates generally to a wire for conducting signals to a device, and more specifically to a wire having an in-line splitter that can optionally be connected to a second wire to enable additional devices to access the signals. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    For decades wire systems have been used to connect signal sources such as music players and telephones with output devices such as speakers and headphones. Wiring systems can transmit different types of signals, including audio, video, data, and other signals. Generally, the signal source includes a female socket component that can accept a male plug component on a wire. The wire can be connected directly to an output device, or have another male plug on the other end that can be inserted into a female socket on the output device. The output device can then transmit a signal through the wire to the output device. 
         [0006]    Conventional wire systems are easy to use, but they can be limited to conveying signals to a single output device. In cases in which the output device is a pair of headphones and the signal is an audio signal, only a single user can wear the headphones and listen to the audio signal. 
         [0007]    Some devices have attempted to solve this problem by including more than one output socket such that multiple devices can be connected to the same signal source at different output sockets and access the same output signal. However, this solution only works for certain devices that include multiple output sockets, and may not be useful for a user who desires to use multiple output devices with any signal source the user desires. 
         [0008]    Another solution has been to attach a splitter to the output socket of a signal source, and attach additional wires to the splitter in order to convey the same signal to multiple output devices. Various splitters have included splitters that connect directly to the output socket, and splitters in the shape of a Y or a box located at the end of a wire that is connected to the output socket. However, such splitters are components that are separate from the signal source, wires, and output devices. A splitter that is a separate component can be inconvenient because a user can lose it, find it inconvenient to bring with other equipment, forget to bring it with other equipment, and/or not know when the splitter might be needed in a given situation. 
         [0009]    What is needed is a splitter incorporated into the middle of a wire&#39;s length such that the wire can transmit a signal to a single output device when desired, while retaining the possibility of at any time connecting an additional output device to the splitter without additional separate components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a view of one embodiment of a wiring system comprising a splitter. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a view of one embodiment of a wiring system comprising a splitter connected to a signal source, an output device through the wiring system, and a separate output device through the splitter. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view of one embodiment of a wiring system connected directly to an output device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a view of one embodiment of a wiring system connected directly to an output device having two components. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross section of one embodiment of a splitter. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6A  is a view of one embodiment of a splitter having two jacks. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6B  is a view of one embodiment of a splitter having a jack positioned orthogonal to the first wire portion and the second wire portion. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of an embodiment of a circuit board. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7B  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a circuit board. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7C  is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of additional circuitry. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7D  is a circuit diagram of alternate embodiment of additional circuitry. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a view of one embodiment of a splitter having a secondary feature. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a view of an alternate embodiment of a wiring system comprising a splitter and a control module. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  depicts a wire system  100  comprising a first plug  102 , a first wire portion  104 , a splitter  106 , a second wire portion  108 , and a second plug  110  coupled in sequence with one another. The first plug  102  can be a connector configured to be attached to a corresponding connector at a signal source  200  to conduct a signal from the signal source  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The signal source  200  can be any device capable of outputting a signal, such as a music player, telephone, camera, musical instrument, computer, microphone, audio equipment, video equipment, or any other device. The signal can be an audio signal, a video signal, a data signal, a voltage, or any other type of signal. In some embodiments, the first plug  102  can be a male prong or a female socket. The diameter of the male prong or the female socket can be any size, such as 6.35 mm, 3.5 mm, 2.5 mm, or any other size. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the first plug  102  can comprise one or more conductors  112 . Each conductor  112  can be comprised of any material capable of conducting a signal including, but not limited to, copper, gold, steel, or any other known, convenient, desirable, or useful material and/or combination of materials. In some embodiments, the conductors  112  can be separated by insulating rings  114 . Each insulating ring  114  can be comprised of any non-conductive material such as rubber, plastic or any other known, useful, convenient and/or desirable non-conductive material or combination of materials. In some embodiments, each conductor  112  can conduct a separate signal or a portion of a signal. By way of a non-limiting example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  the first plug  102  is a TRS connector comprising a tip  112   a,  a ring  112   b,  and a sleeve  112   c,  wherein the tip  112   a  can conduct a left audio signal, the ring  112   b  can conduct a right audio signal, and the sleeve  112   c  can be grounded. By way of an additional non-limiting example, the first plug  102  can be a TRRS connector comprising a tip, a first ring, a second ring, and a sleeve, wherein the tip can conduct a left audio signal, the first ring can conduct a right audio signal, the second ring can conduct a mono audio signal from a microphone, and the sleeve can be grounded. In still other embodiments, the first plug  102  can be a TS connector, an XLR connector, a RCA connector, a RF connector, or any other type of connector. 
         [0025]    The second plug  110  can be substantially similar to the first plug  102 . The second plug  110  can be a connector configured to be attached to a corresponding connector at an output device  202  to conduct a signal to the output device  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The output device  202  can be any device capable of receiving a signal, such as a speaker, pair of headphones, amplifier, telephone, computer, instrument, audio equipment, video equipment, or any other device. The signal can be an audio signal, a video signal, a data signal, a voltage, or any other type of signal. In some embodiments, the second plug  110  can be a male prong or a female socket. The diameter of the male prong or the female socket can be any size, such as 6.35 mm, 3.5 mm, 2.5 mm, or any other size. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the second plug  110  can comprise one or more conductors  112 . Each conductor  112  can be comprised of any material capable of conducting a signal including, but not limited to, copper, gold, steel, or any other known, convenient, desirable, or useful material and/or combination of materials. In some embodiments, the conductors  112  can be separated by insulating rings  114 . Each insulating ring  114  can be comprised of any non-conductive material such as rubber, plastic or any other known, useful, convenient and/or desirable non-conductive material or combination of materials. In some embodiments, each conductor  112  can conduct a separate signal or a portion of a signal. By way of a non-limiting example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  the second plug  110  is a TRS connector comprising a tip  112   a,  a ring  112   b,  and a sleeve  112   c,  wherein the tip  112   a  can conduct a left audio signal, the ring  112   b  can conduct a right audio signal, and the sleeve  112   c  can be grounded. By way of an additional non-limiting example, the second plug  110  can be a TRRS connector comprising a tip, a first ring, a second ring, and a sleeve, wherein the tip can conduct a left audio signal, the first ring can conduct a right audio signal, the second ring can conduct a mono audio signal from a microphone, and the sleeve can be grounded. In still other embodiments, the second plug  110  can be a TS connector, an XLR connector, a RCA connector, a RF connector, or any other type of connector. In some embodiments, the second plug  110  can be the same type of connector as the first plug  102 . In alternate embodiments, the second plug  110  can be a different type of connector than the first plug  102 . 
         [0027]    The first wire portion  104  can comprise one or more wires  116 . Each wire  112  can be comprised of any material capable of conducting a signal including, but not limited to, copper, gold, or any other known, convenient, desirable, or useful material and/or combination of materials. Each wire  116  can be any gauge suitable for the particular application and/or the type of signal to be conducted through the wire  116 . In some embodiments, each wire  116  can conduct a specific signal or portion of a signal. By way of a non-limiting example, one wire  116  can conduct a left audio signal and a different wire  116  can conduct a right audio signal. The first wire portion  104  can comprise a different number of wires  116  depending on the desired application. By way of a non-limiting example, one embodiment of a first wire portion  104  can comprise two wires  116  for two audio signals, while a different embodiment of a first wire portion  104  can comprise two wires  116  for two audio signals, a third wire  116  for an audio signal from a microphone, and a fourth wire  116  for data signals such as play/pause commands. The first wire portion  104  can have any length desired for a particular application. In some embodiments, the wires  116  can be insulated by a non-conducting material such as rubber, plastic or any other known, useful, convenient and/or desirable non-conductive material or combination of materials. In alternate embodiments, the non-conducting material can be absent. One end of the first wire portion  104  can be coupled with the first plug  102 , and the other end of the first wire portion  104  can be coupled with the splitter  106 . 
         [0028]    The second wire portion  108  can comprise one or more wires  116 . Each wire  116  can be comprised of any material capable of conducting a signal including, but not limited to, copper, gold, or any other known, convenient, desirable, or useful material and/or combination of materials. Each wire  116  can be any gauge suitable for the particular application and the type of signal to be conducted through the wire  116 . In some embodiments, each wire  116  can conduct a specific signal or portion of a signal. By way of a non-limiting example, one wire  116  can conduct a left audio signal and a different wire  116  can conduct a right audio signal. The second wire portion  108  can comprise a different number of wires  116  depending on the desired application. By way of a non-limiting example, one embodiment of a second wire portion  108  can comprise two wires  116  for two audio signals, while a different embodiment of a second wire portion  108  can comprise two wires  116  for two audio signals, a third wire  116  for an audio signal from a microphone, and a fourth wire  116  for data signals such as play/pause commands. The second wire portion  108  can have any length desired for a particular application. In some embodiments the second wire portion  108  can be longer than the first wire portion  104 . In other embodiments the second wire portion  108  can be the same length as the first wire portion  104 . In still other embodiments the second wire portion  108  can be shorter than the first wire portion  104 . In some embodiments, the wires  116  can be insulated by a non-conducting material such as rubber, plastic or any other known, useful, convenient and/or desirable non-conductive material or combination of materials. In alternate embodiments, the non-conducting material can be absent. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, one end of the second wire portion  108  can be coupled with the second plug  110 , and the other end of the second wire portion  108  can be coupled with the splitter  106 , as shown by  FIG. 1 . In alternate embodiments, one end of the second wire portion  108  can be coupled with an output device  202  directly, and the other end of the second wire portion  108  can be coupled with the splitter  106 , as shown by  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, each wire  116  of the second wire portion  108  can be separated such that each wire  116  can be separately coupled with an individual component of the output device  202  that is designed to receive the signal carried by that wire  116 , as shown by  FIG. 4 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross section of the splitter  106 . The splitter  106  can comprise one or more jacks  502 , one or more connection points  504 , and a housing  506 . Each jack  502  can be a connector designed to interact with a corresponding connector to conduct a signal to an additional output device. By way of a non-limiting example,  FIG. 2  depicts an additional output device  208  connected to the splitter through a wire  206  and a corresponding connector  204  inserted into the splitter  106  at the jack  502 , such that the additional output device  208  can access the same signal from the signal source  200  as the output device  202 . In some embodiments, the jack  502  can comprise one or more conductors  112 . Each conductor  112  can be comprised of any material capable of conducting a signal including, but not limited to, copper, gold, steel, or any other known, convenient, desirable, or useful material and/or combination of materials. In some embodiments, the jack  502  can be a female socket designed to accept a male prong. The female socket can have the same number of conductors  112  as a male prong, such that each conductor  112  on the male prong can transmit a specific signal or portion of a signal to a specific corresponding conductor  112  in the female socket. The jack  502  can have the number of conductors  112  necessary for a particular application. By way of a non-limiting example, in some embodiments the jack  502  can have multiple conductors  112  such that the jack  502  can conduct multiple signals, such as a left audio signal, a right audio signal, and/or a data signal. By way of another non-limiting example, a jack  502  can have a single conductor  112  designed to conduct a mono audio signal from a microphone. In other embodiments, the jack  502  can be similar to the first plug  102  and/or the second plug  110 . In still other embodiments, the jack  502  can have any known or convenient geometry and use any connection mechanism capable of conducting a signal. 
         [0031]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the splitter  106  comprises one jack  502 . In alternate embodiments, the splitter  106  can comprise a plurality of jacks  502 , as shown in  FIG. 6A . Each jack  502  can be located at any location on the splitter  106  and can be oriented in any direction. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the jack  502  is on a side of the splitter  106  not in line with the first wire portion  104  and the second wire portion  108 , and the jack  502  is angled at an obtuse angle with the first wire portion  104  and at an acute angle with the second wire portion  108 . In alternate embodiments, the jack  502  can be orthogonal with the first wire portion  104  and the second wire portion  108 , as shown in  FIG. 6B . In still other embodiments, the jack  502  can be parallel with the first wire portion  104  and/or second wire portion  108 , or can have any other position and orientation. 
         [0032]    The connection points  504  can be conduction mechanisms through which a signal from one wire or component can be transmitted to one or more other wires or components. Each connection point  504  can be a path, joint, or area comprising one or more conductive materials such as gold, copper, silver, solder, metal, metal alloy, or any other material capable of conducting a signal. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7A  depicts a top view of one embodiment of connection points  504  on a circuit board  700 .  FIG. 7B  depicts a bottom view of the same embodiment of a circuit board  700 . In some embodiments, the connection points  504  can be conduction patterns  702 , vias  704 , and/or other conduction mechanisms located on the circuit board  700 . The conduction patterns  702  can conduct a signal to any point on the same conduction pattern  702 . The vias  704  can conduct a signal from one conduction pattern  702  to a different conduction pattern  702  on the other side of the circuit board  700 . 
         [0034]    In alternate embodiments, the connection points  504  can be connected to additional circuitry  514  to enable volume amplification, volume control, volume limiting, bass boost, switching the jack on or off, or any other desired additional functions. In some embodiments, the additional circuitry  514  can be a general amplifier  708 , as shown in  FIG. 7C . In alternate embodiments, the additional circuitry  514  can be an all pass amplifier  710 , as shown in  FIG. 7D . In some embodiments, the additional circuitry  514  can be powered by a battery  516  or any other power source. In some embodiments, the additional circuitry  514  and battery  516  can be located on a circuit board, such as the circuit board  700  shown in  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B . 
         [0035]    The housing  506  can be an enclosure that surrounds the connection points  504  and the jacks  502 . The housing  506  can have a first opening  508 , a second opening  510 , and an additional opening  512  for each jack  502 . The housing  506  can have any desired shape and size. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the housing  506  is shaped to fit tightly around the first wire portion  104 , the second wire portion, the connection points  504 , and the jack  502 . In alternate embodiments, the housing  506  can have a geometric shape such as a ball or box, have a shape resembling a product, have a shape resembling a cartoon character, or have any other desired shape. In some embodiments, the first opening  508  and the second opening  510  can be in line with each other on opposing ends of the splitter  106 . In alternate embodiments, the first opening  508  and the second opening  510  can be located anywhere on the housing. 
         [0036]    The first wire portion  104  can enter the housing  506  through the first opening  508 . The second wire portion  108  can enter the housing  506  through the second opening  510 . The first wire portion  104  and the second wire portion  108  can meet inside the housing  506  and be electrically coupled with each other at the connection points  504 . Each jack  502  can meet with and be electrically coupled with the first wire portion  104  and the second wire portion  108  at the connection points  504 . In some embodiments, each jack  502  can be directly coupled with the connection points  504 . In alternate embodiments, each jack  502  can be coupled with the connection points  504  with one or more wires  116 . 
         [0037]    The connection points  504  can be configured such that the signal from the first wire portion  104  can be conducted through the connection points  504  to both the second wire portion  104  and the jack  502 , such that when a corresponding connector  204  is inserted into the jack  502 , the signal can be conducted through the corresponding connector  204  to the additional output device  208 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the signals can be conducted through the connection points  504  such that they are transmitted, split, and/or combined in any direction. By way a non-limiting example, a signal from the first wire portion  104  can be conducted to the second wire portion  108  and the jack  502 . By way of another non-limiting example, a signal from the second wire portion  108  can be conducted to the first wire portion  104  and the jack  502 . By way of still another non-limiting example, a signal from the second wire portion  108  can be combined with a signal from the jack  502  and both signals can be conducted to the first wire portion  104 . 
         [0038]    By way of a non-limiting example, in the circuit board  700  shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the wires  116  of the first wire portion  104  can be coupled with the conduction patterns  702  at connection points  706   a,    706   b,  and  706   c.  The wires  116  of the second wire portion  108  can be coupled with the conduction patterns  702  at points  706   d,    706   e,  and  706   f.  A jack  502  can be coupled with the conduction patterns  702  at points  706   g,    706   h,  and  706   i  directly or with wires  116 . In operation, in this example a right audio signal can be conducted from the first wire portion  104  at point  706   a  through the conduction pattern  702   a  to the second wire portion  108  at point  706   d,  and through the conduction pattern  702   a,  via  704   a,  and the conduction pattern  702   d  to the jack  502  at point  706   g.  A ground signal can be conducted from the first wire portion  104  at point  706   b  through the conduction pattern  702   b  to the second wire portion  108  at point  706   e,  and through the conduction pattern  702   b,  via  704   b,  and the conduction pattern  702   e  to the jack  502  at point  706   h.  A left signal can be conducted from the first wire portion  104  at point  706   c  through the conduction pattern  702   c  to the second wire portion  108  at point  706   f,  and through the conduction pattern  702   c,  via  704   c,  and the conduction pattern  702   f  to the jack  502  at point  706   i.  When no corresponding connector  202  is inserted into the jack  502 , the signals can be conducted from the first wire portion  104  to the second wire portion  108 . When a corresponding connector  202  is inserted into the jack  502 , the signals can be conducted from the first wire portion  104  to the second wire portion  108  and the corresponding connector  202  through the jack  502 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternate embodiment in which the splitter  106  further comprises one or more secondary features  800 . Secondary features  800  can include a microphone, a display screen, an amplifier, controls, and/or any other desired feature. Controls can include volume controls, an on/off switch, play/pause buttons, a volume limiter, a camera shutter control, or any other control for any type of feature. Controls can be buttons, knobs, switches, dials, or any other mechanism. In some embodiments, the secondary features  800  can alter the signals conducted from the first wire segment  104  to the second wire segment  108  and the jack  502  through the connection points  504 . By way of a non-limiting example, in some embodiments a secondary feature  800  can be a volume control that changes an audio signal to be louder or quieter. In alternate embodiments, the secondary features  800  can create and transmit a signal to the signal source  200 . By way of a non-limiting example, in some embodiments a secondary feature  800  can be a play/pause button that can send a command to the signal source  200  such that the signal source  200  can play or pause transmission of an audio signal. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the secondary features  800  can operate through additional circuitry, electronic components, wires, or other components located within the housing  506 . By way of a non-limiting example, a secondary feature  800  comprising an amplifier can operate through the general amplifier circuit shown in  FIG. 7C . By way of a non-limiting example, a secondary feature  800  comprising an amplifier can operate through the all pass amplifier circuit shown in  FIG. 7D . In some embodiments, the secondary features  800  can be powered by a power source, such as the batteries  516  shown in  FIG. 5 , solar power, kinetic energy, or any other power source. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternate embodiment of a wiring system  100  that further comprises a control module  900 . The control module  900  can be integrated into the first wire portion  104  or the second wire portion  108 . In some embodiments, the first wire portion  104  or the second wire portion  108  can be split into two segments  902 , with the control module  900  electrically coupled in between the two segments  902 , such that a signal conducted through one segment  902  can be conducted through the control module to the other segment  902 . 
         [0042]    The control module  900  can comprise one or more secondary features  904 . Secondary features  904  can include a microphone, a display screen, an amplifier, controls, and/or any other desired feature. Controls can include volume controls, an on/off switch, play/pause buttons, a volume limiter, a camera shutter control, or any other control for any type of feature. Controls can be buttons, knobs, switches, dials, or any other mechanism. By way of a non-limiting example, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  comprises volume buttons  906 , a play/pause button  908 , and a microphone  910 . In some embodiments, the secondary features  904  can alter the signals conducted from one segment to the other segment through the control module. By way of a non-limiting example, in some embodiments a secondary feature  904  can be a volume control that changes an audio signal to be louder or quieter. In alternate embodiments, the secondary features  904  can create and transmit a signal to the signal source  200 . By way of a non-limiting example, in some embodiments a secondary feature  904  can be a play/pause button that can send a command to the signal source  200  such that the signal source  200  can play or pause transmission of an audio signal. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the secondary features  904  can operate through circuitry, electronic components, wires, or other components located within the control module  900 . By way of a non-limiting example, a secondary feature  900  comprising an amplifier can operate through the general amplifier circuit shown in  FIG. 7C . By way of a non-limiting example, a secondary feature  800  comprising an amplifier can operate through the all pass amplifier circuit shown in  FIG. 7D . In some embodiments, the secondary features  904  can be powered by a power source, such as the batteries  516  shown in  FIG. 5 , solar power, kinetic energy, or any other power source. 
         [0044]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.