Patent Description:
In the filmmaking industry, it is common to provide a connection port on a video camera that permits external electrical devices {i.e. devices aside from the video camera itself) to draw power from the video camera's battery pack. A typical connection port on a video camera is sometimes referred to as an Anton Bauer connection port. Connectors that are configured to mate with the Anton Bauer connection port may be referred to as Anton Bauer connectors, or Anton Bauer P-taps, or D-taps. The Anton Bauer connection port employs two female terminals which are surrounded by a D-shaped surround that is intended to receive a connector with two male terminals and a D-shaped lip that mates with the D-shaped surround. The D-shaped surround and lip are intended to permit P-taps to connect to the female terminals in only one way, so that the current flow to an external device at the other end of the connector occurs only in a selected flow direction. This helps to prevent a situation where the current flow is in the opposite direction to that required by the external device, which can damage certain types of devices. However, it has been found that the D-shaped surround and lip are sufficiently close to being rectangular that it is possible in some circumstances, for the D-shaped lip to be inserted onto the D-shaped surround the wrong way, potentially leading to damage of the device connected to the other end of the connector.

In addition, a number of companies supply the P-taps in the form of a kit of parts, thereby permitting a purchaser to manufacture their own connector assembly with an Anton Bauer connector at one end, an electrical cable leading from it, and either an electrical device directly connected to the other end of the cable, or another type of connector at the other end of the cable for connection to an electrical device. For example, a Lightning™ connector can be provided at the other end of the cable, so as to permit connection to an iPhone™ by Apple, Inc. , of Cupertino, California, USA, thereby permitting charging of the device using power from the battery pack on the video camera. However, to form the Anton Bauer connector from the kit of parts and to connect an end of an electrical cable to it can be time consuming and relatively difficult. Additionally, it is relatively easy for errors to be made in assembling the connector, leading to short circuits, polarity reversal, or other problems.

There is consequently a need for a connector that connects to an Anton Bauer connection port that addresses at least one of these and/or other shortcomings in existing designs.

<CIT> discloses an outlet which includes a plurality of blade receiving members adapted in use to be connected respectively to a plurality of DC supply lines, and to be connected respectively to a plurality of blades of an outlet plug. The outlet includes a wiring detecting means.

<CIT> discloses a modular power supply having a standard structure to engage with a variety of sockets and including a casing, a circuit board and a plural number of sockets. The circuit board has circuits to convert alternate current into direct current and a connector room at one end thereof for engaging with a socket.

<CIT> describes improved capabilities for a cable connector. The cable connector may have magnetic properties and/or a locking mechanism. The cable connector may be an HDMI connector and the cable may be an HDMI cable. The connector may be plugged into the corresponding male/female connector port and be held in position by the magnetic properties associated with the connector and the port and/or by a lock lever mechanism.

<CIT> discloses an electric charging connector which receives an output of an electric charger. A reverse flow preventing diode is connected in the forward direction with respect to an output of a positive electrode. The diode is connected to a positive electrode charging terminal on the side of a cathode. The product "D-TAP DTAP Plug for DSLR Rig cable Ues to Anton Bauer Battery" by Welleen Electronics CO. , disclosed at the URL http://www. php? m=mod product& a=view&p id=<NUM> is a kit of parts for an electrical connector for a D-tap connection port and is considered the closest prior art.

A kit of parts for an electrical connector is disclosed according to claim <NUM>.

Reference is made to <FIG>, which shows a kit of parts <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The kit of parts <NUM> is used for forming an electrical connector <NUM> (<FIG>) that is connectable to an Anton Bauer connection port shown at <NUM> in <FIG> on a video camera <NUM>. The connector <NUM> is part of a connector assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG> that additionally includes an electric cable <NUM>. The connector assembly <NUM> is used to connect an electrical device <NUM> to the connection port <NUM> so as to draw power from a power source <NUM> (<FIG>) for the video camera <NUM>. The power source for the video camera <NUM> may be a battery pack <NUM> on the video camera <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the power source could be provided via a cable connection from the video camera <NUM> to A/C wall power.

The kit of parts <NUM> includes a group of housing portions that mate together to form a housing (shown at <NUM> in <FIG>), a printed circuit board <NUM> assembly that includes a printed circuit board 24a, a microcontroller 24b, a circuit 24c, an output device 24d, and a pair of male terminals 25a and 25b. The circuit 24c is represented by simple lines shown on the printed circuit board 24a in <FIG>. It will be understood that these lines are not intended to show the full detail of the actual circuit provided on the printed circuit board 24a. The kit of parts <NUM> further includes a tie wrap <NUM> and a housing fastener <NUM>.

The housing portions include a first housing portion 22a and a second housing portion 22b, that together provide the primary physical protection for the components therein, and, in the embodiment shown, a third housing portion, which is a transparent cover 22c used to provide a window to show a printed circuit board-mounted light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> that is, in the embodiment shown, the output device 24d, which is inside the housing <NUM> when the housing <NUM> is fully assembled.

The housing portions 22a and 22b together form a D-shaped lip <NUM> (<FIG>) that is mateable with a D-shaped surround <NUM> on the Anton Bauer connection port <NUM> (<FIG>), so as to permit the connector <NUM> to mount to the Anton Bauer connection port <NUM> in only one orientation so that the male terminals 25a and 25b are received in female terminals 36a and 36b on the connection port <NUM> to provide a selected current direction to a circuit formed therewith.

The housing portions 22a and 22b are shown more clearly in <FIG>, <FIG>. The group of housing portions (and in particular the housing portion 22a) has a first breakaway member 38a and a second breakaway member 38b (<FIG>) connected thereto. The first and second breakaway members 38a and 38b are selectively separable from the group of housing portions 22a and 22b to selectively form first and second apertures (shown at <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>). The first and second apertures <NUM> and <NUM> would be positioned on first and second sides of the housing <NUM> respectively when the housing <NUM> is assembled. The first and second sides of the housing <NUM> are shown at <NUM> and <NUM> respectively in <FIG>. As noted above, in the embodiment shown, breakaway members 38a and 38b are provided on the first housing portion 22a. The group of housing portions 22a and 22b (and in particular the second housing member 22b) has third and fourth breakaway members 38c and 38d (<FIG>) connected thereto, which are selectively separable from the group of housing portions to selectively form third and fourth apertures (shown at <NUM> and <NUM> respectively in <FIG>). Each of the apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is sized to permit an electrical conduit to extend between an interior of the housing <NUM> and an exterior of the housing <NUM>. The interior of the housing <NUM> is shown at <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the first and third breakaway members 38a and 38c are positioned to be separable from the first and second housing portions 22a and 22b respectively so as to form a first enlarged aperture <NUM> when the housing portions 22a, 22b and 22c mate together to form the housing <NUM>. Similarly, with reference to <FIG>, the second and fourth breakaway members 38b and 38d are positioned to be separable from the first and second housing portions 22a and 22b respectively so as to form a second enlarged aperture <NUM> when the housing portions 22a, 22b and 22c mate together to form the housing <NUM>.

The breakaway members 38a and 38b {<FIG>), and 38c and 38d (<FIG>) may be integrally connected with the housing portions 22a and 22b, with a notch <NUM> separating each of the breakaway members 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d from the housing portions 22a and 22b. The notches <NUM> facilitate separation of the breakaway members 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d from the housing portions 22a and 22b. When assembling the connector <NUM>, one can separate whichever breakaway members are desired so as to form an aperture on one side or the other of the housing <NUM> for the pass-through of the electrical conduit. In the embodiment shown, breakaway members 38a {<FIG>) and 38c (<FIG>) have been removed so as to form the first enlarged aperture <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) through which the electrical conduit <NUM> passes. In embodiments wherein the electrical conduit <NUM> is smaller in diameter than that which is shown, a single breakaway member (e. g, member 38a) may be removed so that a smaller aperture (e.g. aperture <NUM>) is formed. By permitting different size apertures to be formed using the breakaway members, an aperture can be provided that is sized relatively snugly around the electrical conduit, thereby inhibiting the entry of debris and the like into the interior <NUM> of the housing <NUM> during use and transport of the connector assembly <NUM>.

A step in the assembly of the connector assembly is to separate whichever breakaway members 38a-38d (<FIG>, <FIG>) are desired.

One can use a suitable tool such as pliers to grab whichever breakaway member is to be separated and to fold it or tear it from the associated housing portion 22a or 22b.

The printed circuit board assembly <NUM> is shown in <FIG> as an exploded view. The printed circuit board assembly <NUM> has a first face <NUM> and a second face <NUM> that is opposite the first face <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the microcontroller 24b is mounted onto the second face <NUM> of the printed circuit board 24a to integrate into the circuit 24c. The light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> is mounted to the side edge shown at <NUM> of the printed circuit board 24a, but is connected electrically to electrical traces on the second face <NUM>.

The printed circuit board 24a may be any suitable type of printed circuit board and may be a multi-layer configuration, including a layer of conductors on one or both of its faces and one or more layers of conductors internally.

The microcontroller 24b includes a memory 24b1 in which program code is stored, and a microprocessor 24b2 which is configured to execute the program code in memory 24b1. The microprocessor 24b2 and memory 24b1 are shown as being separate elements that are easily identifiable on the microcontroller 24b, however, it will be understood that this representation is for illustrative purposes only and that the actual microprocessor 24b2 and memory 24b1 may be integrated into the microcontroller 24b in such a way that one cannot visually discern them.

The microcontroller 24b may be any suitable type of microcontroller, such as, for example, known by a member of the PSoC (Programmable-System- on-Chip) family of microcontrollers provided by Cypress Semiconductor Corporation based in San Jose, California, USA. The microcontroller 24b is integrated into the circuit 24c for controlling the operation of the connector <NUM> (<FIG>).

The mounting of the terminal 25a is as follows, with the understanding that the mounting of the terminal 25b may be substantially the same. The terminal 25a has a distal portion <NUM> that extends out from the printed circuit board 24a for connection to an electrical component (female terminal 36a) and a proximal portion <NUM> that has a slot <NUM> therein dividing the proximal portion <NUM> into a first face engaging structure <NUM> and a second face engaging structure <NUM>, which are positioned to engage the first and second faces <NUM> and <NUM> respectively of the printed circuit board 24a. One of the first and second face engagement structures (in the example shown, second face engagement structure <NUM>) includes a first engagement member <NUM> and a second engagement member <NUM>. The first and second engagement members <NUM> and <NUM> are separated by a first gap G1. The face engaging structure <NUM> is electrically connected to a first electrical connection surface <NUM> on the printed circuit board 24a via a solder connection shown at <NUM> in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the first electrical connection surface <NUM> is connected to a first electrical trace <NUM>. An advantage of providing the gap G1 is highlighted when one considers the method of mounting the terminal 25a to the printed circuit board 24a. As an initial step a selected first amount of solder material <NUM> (e.g. solder paste) is deposited on the printed circuit board <NUM> on the first electrical connection surface <NUM> that is on one of the first and second printed circuit board faces <NUM> and <NUM> (in the example shown, surface <NUM> is on the second printed circuit board face <NUM>). Once the solder material <NUM> is deposited, the terminal 25a is slid onto the printed circuit board 24a (specifically, into locating slot <NUM> on the printed circuit board 24a) such that the face engagement structure <NUM> slides through the first amount of solder material <NUM> such that some solder material <NUM> is captured in the first gap G1. The solder material <NUM> is then melted and solidified to join the terminal 25a to the first electrical connection surface <NUM>, thereby forming the solder connection <NUM> (<FIG>).

The above steps for mounting the terminal 25a may be described as steps in a method of making a printed circuit board assembly. The method is shown at <NUM> in <FIG> and includes at least: step <NUM> which is to provide a printed circuit board (such as printed circuit board 24a), step <NUM> which is to provide a terminal (such as terminal 25a or 25b), step <NUM> which is to provide solder material on the first electrical connection surface on the printed circuit board, as described above, step <NUM> which is to slide the terminal onto the printed circuit board as described above, and step <NUM> which is to melt and solidify the solder material, as described above.

In the embodiment shown, the other of the first and second face engagement structures (in this example, the first face engagement structure <NUM>) includes a third engagement member <NUM> and a fourth engagement member <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> the third and fourth engagement members <NUM> and <NUM> are separated by a second gap G2. The aforementioned initial step may further include providing a selected second amount of solder material on an optionally provided additional portion of the first electrical connection surface <NUM> that is on the other of the first and second faces <NUM> and <NUM> (in the example shown, first face <NUM>) of the printed circuit board 24a. The step in which the terminal 25a is slid onto the printed circuit board 24a may further include sliding the terminal 25a onto the printed circuit board 24a such that the other of the first and second face engagement structures (in this example, structure <NUM>) slides through the second amount of solder material <NUM> on the other of the first and second faces (in the example shown, face <NUM>) such that some solder material is captured in the second gap G2. The step that includes melting and solidifying the solder material on the face <NUM> may further include melting and solidifying the solder material on the other of the first and second faces (e.g. face <NUM>) to join the terminal 25a to the first electrical connection surface <NUM>.

The second terminal 25b may connect to a second electrical connection surface <NUM> that connects to a second electrical trace <NUM> on the printed circuit board 24a in similar manner to how the first terminal 25a connects to the first electrical surface <NUM> and first electrical trace <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown, the slot <NUM> has a base <NUM>, and the first gap G1 is generally parallel to the base <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the second gap G2 is also generally parallel to the base <NUM>. Other configurations are possible however.

In the embodiment shown, the distal portion <NUM> of the terminal 25a is male and is a banana plug, however, any other type of distal portion may be provided. For example, in an alternative embodiment the distal portion <NUM> may be female instead of male.

The kit of parts <NUM> may include the printed circuit board assembly <NUM> in its completed state. Alternatively one or more of the components 24b, 24c, 24d, 25a and 25b may be provided loose as part of the kit of parts and not premounted to the printed circuit board 24a.

The microcontroller 24b and light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> may be mounted to the printed circuit board 24a by any suitable means. Program code stored in memory 24b1 may be executed by the microprocessor 24b2 to control current flow from the first and second terminals 25a and 25b to third and fourth electrical traces shown at <NUM> and <NUM> that end at third and fourth electrical connection surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, which are provided for connection to first and second leads <NUM> and <NUM> of the electrical cable <NUM>. A description of the program code is provided further below. Another step in the assembly of the connector assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) is shown in <FIG>, wherein the first lead <NUM> from the electrical cable <NUM> is connected (e.g. soldered) to the third connection surface <NUM> on the first face <NUM> of the printed circuit board 24a.

As shown in <FIG>, the printed circuit board 24a is then installed into the second housing portion 22b, with the electrical conduit <NUM> extending through the aperture <NUM>. The printed circuit board 24a may be captured in the housing portion 22b by a pair of housing projections <NUM> and <NUM> on the housing portion 22b that engage snugly with a pair of notches <NUM> and <NUM> on the printed circuit board 24a. The engagement between the projections <NUM> and <NUM> and the notches <NUM> and <NUM> hold the printed circuit board 24a in place during plugging in and unplugging of the connector <NUM> (<FIG>) with respect to the connection port <NUM> (<FIG>). This reduces stresses on the printed circuit board 24a and on the soldered connections of the printed circuit board 24a with the leads <NUM> and <NUM> during such plugging in and unplugging actions. By having snug engagement between the projections <NUM> and <NUM> and the notches <NUM> and <NUM> (as opposed to a loose engagement), the printed circuit board 24a is located fixedly in position in the housing <NUM> (<FIG>) so that there is substantially no movement of the printed circuit board 24a during plugging and unplugging with respect to the connection port <NUM>, thereby ensuring that the housing <NUM> absorbs all forces during plugging and unplugging and that there is no relative movement between the leads <NUM> and <NUM> and the printed circuit board 24a thereby protecting the soldered connections further.

As can be seen, the cable <NUM> has sheathing <NUM> that surrounds the first and second leads <NUM> and <NUM>. The sheathing <NUM> itself passes through the aperture <NUM> into the interior <NUM> of the housing <NUM> for reasons described further below. As a result, there is little distance between the end of the sheathing, shown at <NUM>, and the side edge <NUM> of the printed circuit board 24a, and thus there is little room for the leads <NUM> and <NUM> to extend from the end <NUM> of the sheathing <NUM>, along the side edge <NUM> and onto the third and fourth electrical connection surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> respectively. As a result, without any modification of the side edge <NUM>, there is potential for the side edge <NUM>, in some circumstances, to cut into and damage or even sever the leads <NUM> and <NUM>. In order to mitigate this risk, a first groove <NUM> extends from the side edge <NUM> to the first face <NUM> in a first direction that is non parallel to the side edge <NUM> (i.e. that is at a non-zero angle relative to the side edge <NUM>). Additionally, a second groove <NUM> extends from the side edge <NUM> to the second face <NUM> in a second direction that is non parallel to the side edge <NUM>. These first and second grooves <NUM> and <NUM> provide a path for the leads <NUM> and <NUM> to reach the first and second faces <NUM> and <NUM> without risk of damaging the leads <NUM> and <NUM>. As can be seen, the printed circuit board 24a includes a second pair of grooves <NUM> and <NUM> on the other side to accommodate the leads <NUM> and <NUM> if the cable <NUM> is mounted on the other side (i.e. side <NUM> of the connector <NUM> (<FIG>)). The electrical connection surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> extend between the two pairs of grooves <NUM> and <NUM>.

The next step in the assembly process is to secure the cable <NUM> to the housing portion 22b using the tie wrap <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the housing portion 22b has first and second tie wrap pass-through apertures <NUM> and <NUM> which border and define a tie wrap attachment member <NUM>. The tie wrap <NUM> is initially in an open configuration as shown in <FIG>, and has a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. A tie-wrap locking member <NUM> is provided at the second end <NUM> (which may comprises a cage with a plurality of ratchet teeth that engage corresponding ratchet teeth on the first end <NUM>, as is commonly provided on tie wraps). The tie wrap <NUM> is passed through the apertures <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG>), around the attachment member <NUM> and is tightened around the sheathing <NUM> of the cable <NUM> to secure the cable <NUM> to the housing portion 22b (and therefore to the housing <NUM>), as shown in <FIG>. In the embodiment shown, the locking member <NUM> of the tie wrap <NUM> faces the rear of the housing portion 22b, however this does not need to be the case.

In the embodiment shown, the attachment member <NUM> is simply a portion of the outer wall of the housing <NUM> (and of the housing portion 22b), as this structure is particularly strong and space efficient. However, any other suitable attachment member may alternatively be used, such as a post that projects into the interior <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

To assist the gripping of the cable <NUM>, the housing <NUM> (or more specifically, the housing portion 22b) may include a plurality of teeth <NUM> on a first face <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM>. The teeth <NUM> are positioned to grip the electrical cable <NUM> when the tie wrap <NUM> is tightly connected around the electrical cable <NUM> and the attachment member <NUM>.

It will be noted that the housing portion 22b has an attachment member <NUM> with teeth <NUM> and apertures <NUM> and <NUM> on both sides, so as to grip the cable <NUM> whether the cable <NUM> is inserted on the right side or left side of the housing portion 22b.

After securing the cable <NUM> to the housing portion 22b, the second lead <NUM> is connected (e.g. soldered) to the fourth electrical connection surface <NUM>, on the second face <NUM> of the printed circuit board 24a, shown in <FIG>. Because the cable <NUM> is already secured in place when this step is carried out, there is no risk of accidentally pulling the connection between the first lead <NUM> and the connection surface <NUM> during this step.

After the second lead <NUM> is soldered, the first housing portion 22a is installed on the second housing portion 22b, as shown in <FIG>. To locate the first housing portion 22a relative to the second housing portion 22b, The first and second housing portions 22a and 22b may include respective limit surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) that are engaged by a flange <NUM> (<FIG>) on the light emitting diode (LED) window 22c. The limit surface <NUM> is part of a slot <NUM> (<FIG>) that receives the flange <NUM> (<FIG>) that fixedly holds the light emitting diode (LED) cover 22c in place on the second housing portion 22b.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first and second housing portions 22a and 22b may also include other locating means, such as projections <NUM> on the first housing portion 22a that engage apertures <NUM> on the second housing portion 22b. Alternatively the projections and apertures may be omitted, however.

Once the first housing portion 22a is installed on the second housing portion 22b, the fastener <NUM> may be inserted into the apertures shown at <NUM> in the first housing portion 22a, <NUM> through the printed circuit board 24af <NUM> in the second housing portion 22b, to engage a nut <NUM> that is held in the second housing portion 22b (e.g. by press-fit). The second housing portion 22b may be provided with the nut <NUM> already therein so as to reduce the number of loose items in the kit of parts <NUM>, or alternatively, the nut <NUM> may be provided loose, for the user to insert into place in the second housing portion 22b. Once the fastener <NUM> is installed, the connector assembly <NUM> is complete, as shown in <FIG>. Reference is made to <FIG>, which illustrates a method of operation of the electrical connector assembly that is carried out by the microcontroller 24b. As can be seen in <FIG>, the method is shown at <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, as well as <FIG>, the method <NUM> includes step <NUM> in which a user <NUM> plugs in the connector assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) to a connection port <NUM> (<FIG>). Optionally, a step <NUM> is carried out in which the microcontroller 24b illuminates each light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> (in this example there is only one light emitting diode (LED) <NUM>) for a brief period of time (e.g. <NUM>) to indicate that the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> is functioning properly. One or more FETs, (field effect transistors), shown at <NUM> in <FIG>, may be provided to control the flow of current to the electrical device <NUM>. In the embodiment shown three FETs <NUM> are provided. Initially, the FETs <NUM> in the circuit 24c are kept open, at step <NUM>. With the FETs <NUM> open, a number of checks are performed by the microcontroller 24b. At step <NUM> the microcontroller 24b checks if the polarity is correct. If the polarity is not correct (i.e. if the connection to the connection port <NUM> is reversed), then the microcontroller 24b outputs a signal indicating the reversed polarity at step <NUM>. For example, the microcontroller 24b may cause the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> to illuminate in red at <NUM> until the connector assembly <NUM> is disconnected from the connection port <NUM>.

If the connection is correct {i.e. if the polarity is correct), then, at step <NUM> the microcontroller 24b checks whether the voltage is above a selected maximum permitted voltage, which indicates an overvoltage condition that could damage the device <NUM>. For example, the selected maximum permitted voltage may be 18VDC. If the voltage is above 18VDC then the microcontroller 24b checks whether the FETs <NUM> are closed at step <NUM>. If the FETs <NUM> are closed, then the FETs <NUM> are opened at step <NUM>. If the FETs <NUM> are already open (or after the FETs <NUM> are opened at step <NUM>) the microcontroller 24b outputs a signal indicating the overvoltage condition at step <NUM>. For example, the microcontroller 24b may cause the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> to illuminate in orange at <NUM> at step <NUM> for a period of time (e.g. <NUM> minutes) after which the connector assembly <NUM> may enter a sleep mode at step <NUM>.

If the voltage is not above the maximum permitted voltage, then, at step <NUM> the microcontroller 24b checks whether the voltage is below a selected minimum permitted voltage, which indicates that an undervoltage condition is approaching. An undervoltage condition is indicative that the charge level of the battery pack (in situations where a battery pack is the power source <NUM>) is so low that further discharge of the battery pack <NUM> could damage the battery pack in a way that impacts the inability for the battery pack <NUM> to fully charge thereafter. The selected first minimum permitted voltage may be any suitable value, such as, for example, 11VDC. If the voltage is below 11VDC then the microcontroller 24b checks whether the FETs <NUM> are closed at step <NUM>. If the FETs <NUM> are not closed, then the FETs <NUM> are closed at step <NUM>. If the FETs <NUM> are already closed (or after the FETs <NUM> are closed at step <NUM>) the microcontroller 24b checks whether a short circuit is detected at step <NUM> (e.g. by determining whether the current in the circuit is above a selected maximum permitted current, such as, for example, <NUM> Amps). If a short circuit is detected, then the microcontroller 24b opens the FETs <NUM> at step <NUM>, and outputs a signal indicating that a short circuit condition exists at step <NUM>. For example, the microcontroller 24b may illuminate the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> in solid red until the connector assembly <NUM> is disconnected from the connection port <NUM> or until the device <NUM> is disconnected from the connector assembly <NUM> if the device <NUM> is the source of the short circuit.

If, at step <NUM> the microcontroller 24b does not detect a short circuit, the microcontroller 24b may permit the FETs <NUM> to remain closed (thereby connecting the device <NUM> electrically to the battery pack <NUM> (<FIG>)), but may output a signal indicating a low voltage warning condition at step <NUM> (e.g. by causing the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> to flash orange at <NUM>). The microcontroller 24b continues to check the voltage however to determine whether the voltage falls below <NUM> VDC (or some other selected minimum permitted voltage) at step <NUM>, which is indicative that an undervoltage condition exists. If the voltage does fall below this other selected minimum permitted voltage, then the microcontroller 24b may open the FETs <NUM> at step <NUM> so as to prevent current flow to the device <NUM>, and may output a signal indicating the second low (below 10VDC) voltage condition at step <NUM> (e.g. by causing the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> to illuminate as solid blue). The microcontroller 24b continues to cause the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> to glow solid blue for some period of time (e.g. <NUM> minutes) at which point the connector assembly <NUM> enters sleep mode at step <NUM>.

Worded in another way (and more broadly in at least some senses), the microcontroller 24b (<FIG>) may be configured to sense a voltage related to a voltage from the battery pack <NUM> (<FIG>) in embodiments wherein the power source <NUM> is a battery pack, and to prevent a flow of current from the electrical power source <NUM> to the electrical conduit <NUM> (<FIG>) if the sensed voltage is below a selected first minimum permitted voltage (e.g. 10VDC). Additionally or alternatively the microcontroller 24b may be programmed to control the output device (e.g. light emitting diode (LED) <NUM>) to indicate that there is an undervoltage condition present. The microcontroller 24b may also be programmed to output a signal to an output device (e.g. light emitting diode (LED) <NUM>) to indicate if the sensed voltage is below a selected second minimum permitted voltage that is higher than the selected first minimum voltage (e.g. <NUM> VDC), to notify a user that an undervoltage condition is approaching.

If the voltage is determined to not fall below <NUM> VDC at step <NUM>, then the microcontroller 24b may check if the FETs <NUM> are closed at step <NUM>, and if the FETs <NUM> are open, the microcontroller 24b may close it at step <NUM>, thereby connecting the device <NUM> to the battery pack <NUM>. If the FETs <NUM> are already closed at step <NUM> (or once they are closed at step <NUM>) the microcontroller 24b checks whether a short circuit is detected at step <NUM> (e.g. by determining whether the current is above a selected maximum permitted circuit). If a short circuit is detected, then the microcontroller 24b may open the FETs <NUM> at step <NUM> and may output a signal indicating that a short circuit condition exists (e.g. by illuminating the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> solid red) for a period of time (e.g. <NUM> minutes) at which point the connector assembly <NUM> enters the sleep mode at step <NUM>.

If no short circuit is detected at step <NUM>, the microcontroller 24b may check at step <NUM> to determine whether there is an overtemperature condition at some point in the circuit, which indicates that some point in the circuit (e.g. the temperature of the microprocessor 24b2) has a temperature that is greater than a selected maximum permitted temperature, such as <NUM> degrees C. This overtemperature condition may be sensed using any suitable means, such as by an on-die thermal sensor that is associated with the microprocessor. By setting the maximum permitted temperature to a value that ensures that the elements of the connector <NUM>, such as the microcontroller 24b, the memory 24c, the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> and other components, do not overheat and incur damage, an inexpensive way is provided for protecting the connector <NUM> against such an event. If an overtemperature condition is determined to exist, then the microcontroller 24b may indicate this (e.g. by illuminating the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> solid purple) and may send the connector <NUM> into the sleep mode at step <NUM>.

If an overtemperature condition is not determined to exist, then the microcontroller 24b may be programmed to output a signal indicative of a healthy circuit between the device <NUM> and the battery pack <NUM> at step <NUM>, {e.g. by illuminating the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> to be green). In some embodiments, the microcontroller 24b may, using PWM, cause the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> to flash at a selected frequency (e.g. <NUM>) with a selected duty cycle. A healthy circuit, in the example described above, means that the voltage at the first and second terminals 25a and 25b is within a selected range (e.g. between <NUM>-18VDC), that no short circuit is detected and that the polarity of the connection is not reversed. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 24b may not be programmed / configured to check for one or more of these aforementioned conditions (overvoltage, undervoltage, short circuit, polarity reversal, overtemperature). In such embodiments, the microcontroller 24b could instead monitor some other property or condition of a circuit that is considered to be determinative of whether the circuit is healthy.

Once a healthy circuit is determined to exist, control may then be sent back to step <NUM> wherein the microcontroller 24b checks again for an overvoltage condition. As can be seen in <FIG>, it will be noted that, if at step <NUM> the voltage is determined not to be below the second minimum voltage, the microcontroller 24b may also send control back to step <NUM> where an overvoltage condition is checked.

While the above method <NUM> has been shown to be operated in a certain sequence of steps, it will be understood that the order of the steps may be changed from what is shown in <FIG>. For example, it is possible that the undervoltage condition can be checked before the overvoltage condition is checked. It will further be noted that some steps are optional, it is possible, for example, that no check is made if a selected time period has elapsed if the voltage falls below the second low voltage (e.g. 10VDC).

It will also be understood that the colours and frequencies selected for the light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> under different conditions may be changed. Indeed the output device need not be an light emitting diode (LED) <NUM> at all; the output device could instead be some other device, such as, for example, a speaker.

It will be understood, that, while specific hardware is not shown for carrying out some of the steps of the method <NUM>, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how to carry out these steps, such as checking the voltage for an overvoltage condition or an undervoltage condition.

For example, in an embodiment, a diode may be provided to prevent current flow in a situation where the polarity has been reversed due to connecting the connector <NUM> (<FIG>) backwards on the port <NUM> (<FIG>). Thus, instead of FETs being provided to act as the current flow preventer, the diode may be provided as the current flow preventer. Alternatively, the diode may form part of a current flow preventer along with the FETs in embodiments where both the diode and the FETs are provided.

Regardless of what component or components are provided to prevent current flow in the event of a reverse polarity event, those components that make up the current flow preventer (e.g. the diode) need not be internal to the housing <NUM>. They could be external to the housing <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A kit of parts (<NUM>) for an electrical connector (<NUM>), comprising:
a plurality of housing portions (22a, 22b) that are mateable together to form a housing (<NUM>);
a first terminal (25a) and a second terminal (25b) that are positionable in the housing (<NUM>), wherein the terminals (25a, 25b) are connectable to an electrical conduit (<NUM>) and are positioned to connect an electrical power source (<NUM>) to the electrical conduit (<NUM>),
wherein the terminals (25a, 25b) are male terminals (25a, 25b) and wherein the kit of parts (<NUM>) is configured for forming an electrical connector (<NUM>) that is connectable to a D-tap connection port on a video camera (<NUM>),
characterized in that the kit of parts (<NUM>) for the electrical connector (<NUM>) comprises:
a current flow preventer positioned to prevent current flow through the electrical conduit (<NUM>) if the polarity at the terminals (25a, 25b) is other than a selected polarity,
an output device (<NUM>) configured to indicate whether the polarity at the male terminals (25a, 25b) is other than a selected polarity, and
a printed circuit board (24a) positionable in the housing (<NUM>),
wherein the male terminals (25a, 25b) are connected to the printed circuit board (24a),
wherein the output device (<NUM>) is connected to the printed circuit board (24a), wherein the printed circuit board (24a) is connectable to the electrical conduit (<NUM>) and is configured to electrically connect the electrical conduit (<NUM>) to the male terminals (25a, 25b), and contains a microprocessor (24b2) that is programmed to control the output device (<NUM>) to indicate whether the polarity at the male terminals (25a, 25b) is other than a selected polarity.