Connecting a portable device to a network
US5689242A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R2201/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A tag associated with a device and that identifies the device with respect to other devices is connected to a communication link with the same connector used to connect the device to a source of power. The device connector includes an element for receiving electrical power and a data contact connected to the tag. An electrical power connector (which serves as the power source) has an element for engaging the element of the device connector and applying electrical power thereto, and another data contact connected to the communication link. When the device connector is engaged with the electrical power source connector, the data contacts engage one another and establish a data path between the communication link and the tag. The connection to the communication link allows information to be exchanged between the communication link and the tag.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.