Patent ID: 8773862

Claim:
A high-definition multimedia interface tap device for use in a digital signal distribution duct configured to supply a digital signal to multiple output devices, the distribution duct including a cover having multiple longitudinally spaced-apart openings, comprising: a housing containing a circuit board and including multiple openings; an input receptacle connector connected to the circuit board and including electrically conductive pins, the input receptacle connector spatially aligned with a first one of the openings of the housing to allow the pins of the input receptacle connector to electrically connect to corresponding pins of a plug connector of an input signal line contained in the distribution duct so that a digital signal traveling along the input signal line is transmitted to the tap device; an output receptacle connector connected to the circuit board and including electrically conductive pins, the output receptacle connector spatially aligned with a second one of the openings of the housing to allow the pins of the output receptacle connector to electrically connect to corresponding pins of a plug connector of an output signal line contained in the digital distribution duct, ones of the pins of the output receptacle connector being electrically connected to ones of the pins of the input receptacle connector to enable the digital signal to be transmitted from the input receptacle connector to the output receptacle connector; and a tap output receptacle connector connected to the circuit board and including electrically conductive pins, the tap output receptacle connector spatially aligned with a third one of the openings of the housing to allow the pins of the tap output receptacle connector to electrically connect to corresponding pins of a plug connector of an external signal supply line that is electrically connected to one of the output devices, ones of the pins of the tap output receptacle connector being electrically connected to ones of the pins of the input receptacle connector to enable the digital signal to be transmitted from the input receptacle connector to the tap output receptacle connector, the input, output and tap output receptacle connectors being positioned relative to one another such that when the tap device is positioned inside the distribution duct and the input and output receptacle connectors are mated with the plugs of the input and output signal lines contained in the distribution duct, the tap output receptacle connector is spatially aligned with and faces one of the openings of the cover of the distribution duct to enable the plug connector of the signal supply line to be mated with the tap output receptacle connector.