Patent ID: 7896708

Claim:
A connector for use in providing both electrically conductive connection and infrared connection, comprising at least one electrically conductive member adapted to provide electrically conductive connection to a further electrically conductive member, the at least one electrically conductive member having a linear axial extent and including at least one electrical terminal along the axial extent, an infrared member adapted for use in infrared coupling with a further infrared member, the infrared member comprising at least one of an infrared source or infrared sensor supported in relation to the at least one electrical terminal in at least partial circumscribing relation about the axial extent, the at least one electrically conductive member and the infrared member being held in positional relation to each other to be positioned with respect to a further connector for electrically conductive connection and infrared coupling with respect thereto, the further connector comprising at least a one further electrically conductive member adapted to connect by electrical conduction with the at least one electrically conductive member, and a further infrared member adapted to connect by infrared to the infrared member, and an alignment guide adapted to guide connection of the connector and further connector to provide alignment of the infrared member and further infrared member.