Abstract:
The present invention relates to the interface unit and allows using one of RJ-XX type connectors for simultaneously connecting an interface cable and RF antenna unit. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise means of reducing EM influence between said interface cable and RF antenna unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is the first application filed for the present invention. 
   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to the equipment which has both interface cable and RF antenna unit for the connection to the external device. 
   COPYRIGHT 
   A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The high level of integration in the computer industry allows combining different devices into one device. An example of this is a combination of both wired and wireless communication interfaces. This implementation requires a specific solution that allows connecting those internal devices to external devices via external cables. And those different devices can share the same interface unit for each of the devices. 
   Combination of different devices helps to miniaturize and reduce the cost of the solution. 
   Using high-speed interfaces raise the problem of EMI (Electro Magnetic Influence) compatibilities between devices. It&#39;s known that many patents that are devoted to EMI problems. 
   The small-sized retractable connector RJ-XX type are used widely for connecting wired communication interfaces, or wireless RF interface antenna, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,469,681 (Jones J. L., et al.). 
   Brower C. J., et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,260 propose a PCB mountable module including logic circuitry that translates between serial and wireless communication protocols. These modules can be used wherever a device designer wants a plug-in (or “drop-in”) system that obviates the need for independent development and maintenance of wireless capability. Said module uses RJ-45 type connector only for wired interface, and all variant shows that an antenna is external to the said module. 
   Madsen B. D., et al in U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,205, Jonhson T. A., et al in U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,868, use one or more connectors for wired communication interface and one connector for wireless interface for antenna that is mounted separately. 
   A lot of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,729,901, 6,802,743, 6,840,816, 6,893,296, 6,962,503, 6,896,557, 7,172,466 (Aekins R et al) dedicate to the problem of protection transmitted information against cross talk by using unshielded twisted pair media (“UTP”) and, in particular, by using RJ-45 modular type plugs and connectors. 
   These patents show importance of struggle against cross talk in RJ-45 type of connectors by use of high-speed interfaces. The basic decisions of this patent group are connected with the placement of pins, in particular in an arrangement of said pins at some angle, placement of said pins in two rows on predetermined vertical distance, mutual disposition of separate interface wires and use mutual cross talks compensation. 
   These decisions give a positive effect, but require, as a rule, to use not standard (custom made) connectors. And it is suitable only for cross talks compensation between wires of one interface or wires between different interfaces. 
   Tolmie B. R. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,146 proposes a hybrid connector that is capable to unite a set of pins of different types e.g. a group of pins of wired connection and a group of pins of RF signal, and said hybrid connector uses a metallic extruded housing. Said housing has a plurality of connector channels, and these metallic connector channels have metallic walls that separate one signal wires (lines) from another. These metallic walls are shields that exclude a EMI between close signals. 
   Said hybrid connector allows to use different interfaces in one connector, excepting mutual influence of interface wires one to another, but demands complex and very expensive connectors. The solution cannot be implemented based on standard RJ-XX connector types. 
   SUMMARY 
   The first aspect of present invention consists in possibility of using two heterogeneous interfaces, for example, Ethernet and wireless communication RF interfaces that share one common connector. For connection of these interfaces a standard RJ-XX like connector can be used. That connector corresponds to standard bracket and wherein a first lateral interface group of pin positions is separated from the second lateral group of pin positions by a central group of pin positions. Said central group of pin positions includes no less than one position, and said central group of pin positions is free from interface signals. 
   A second aspect of present invention consists in that one or more said pin positions of the central group are grounded. 
   A third aspect of present invention consists in that the RF interface antenna is made in view of free-suspended wire. 
   A fourth aspect of present invention consists in that the RF interface antenna is made in view of rod antenna, disk antenna, dipole antenna, magnetic (ferrite rod) or dielectric antenna. 
   A fifth aspect consists in that said RF interface antenna is a receiving antenna. 
   A sixth aspect consists in that said RF interface antenna is a receiving/transmitting antenna. 
   A seventh aspect consists in that said antenna is an external antenna that is connected to said connector by wire. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features and advantage of present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawing, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration showing a prior art interface unit according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,146. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration showing a prior art antenna disposition according to US Pat. Appl. 20030031138. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration showing a plug RJ-45 according to §68.500 of Federal Communications Commission. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration showing a connector RJ-45 according to §68.500 of Federal Communications Commission. 
       FIG. 5  shows one possible variants of distribution of the pin groups between connector plug and connector itself. 
       FIG. 6  shows one possible variants of using RF interface antenna in view of free-suspended wire. 
       FIG. 7  shows another possible implementation of using RF interface antenna. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows a prior art of interface unit (hybrid connector) according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,146. Hybrid connector  1100  has a metallic extruded housing  11 . It has a first plurality of connector channels formed therein during extrusion and accepts one or more of the connector pins, which are capable of providing digital and analog signal transmission. Pin  1110  having an end  1112  and capable of providing RF signal transmission. Further, the presence of laser surface  720  and optical fiber  730  is optional. In an example embodiment, at least one of the solder tails (e.g.,  19   b ) corresponding to the removed pins is removed as well, as RF pins  1110  extend beyond the remaining pins, e.g. pins  13 A,  13   c ,  13   d , and out beyond the edge  14 E of the IPCB  14 . RF pin  1110  is sized to fit into the corresponding channel (e.g., channel  12   b ) of extruded metal housing  11 . 
   Accurate electrical impedance is maintained for RF pin  1110  over a wide range of RF frequencies (e.g., from megahertz to gigahertz) by virtue of the air gap between the insulated walls of the housing channels and the RF pin. The size of the channels can be selected to achieve a desired air gap and thus a desired impedance value. 
   An advantage of hybrid connector  1100  is that both high-speed electrical digital signals and RF signals can be transmitted in a single connector. This allows for a high signal density as compared to using individual standard high-frequency connectors. The higher signal density is achieved, in part by the rectangular shape of the housing and the multiple channels formed therein, as compared to a round connector with a single channel formed therein. 
   Said advantages of said hybrid connector (U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,146) are achieved by using not standard, expensive and intricate connectors. 
     FIG. 2  shows a prior art antenna disposition according to US Pat. Appl. 20030031138. This antenna  1205  is mounted on a housing of device. It is connected to the internal unit of device and doesn&#39;t share connector with any communication interfaces. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  show the standard view of RJ-45 (a plug and a connector correspondently) according to §68.500 of Federal Communications Commission. 
     FIG. 5  shows one possible variant of distribution of the pin groups between connector plug and connector itself according to present invention. Groups of pins  113  and  213  are intended to Ethernet interface (for example). The pin  112  is the pin for external RF antenna unit connection. The pin  212  is connected to RF radio unit, for example, tuner or unit for RF receiving/transmitting. The pins of center (third) group— 101  and  201 , correspondently, are intended for separation of two pin groups  113  ( 213 ) and  112  ( 212 ). Even if pins in the center group are not connected the distance between first and second lateral groups significantly reduce EMI between signals of both groups. To additionally reduce EMI one or more pins of the central group can be connected to ground or shield. 
     FIG. 6  shows one possible variant of the antenna in the view of the free-suspended wire  121  that is connected to the RF antenna unit output  12 . This wire  121  is connected to the pin  112  inside said plug  10 . 
     FIG. 7  shows a second possible case of the antenna  32  in the view of the rod that is placed, for example, on the bracket  34  and is connected to the RF antenna unit output  12  via a cable  321  and a connector  322 . 
   In the design of  FIG. 7  any antenna type instead of the rod  32  can be used, any antenna type that is suitable for a RF range and its sizes, for example, disk, ferrite, dipole antenna etc.