AU2008100430A4 - Cabling module - Google Patents

Description

09/05 2008 16:27 FAX 61 3 92438333 00 0 0 Applicant: DEMDL No. 1 Pty GRIFFITH HACK

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent 4 IPAUSTRALIA is invention, ;o me/us: @004 Ltd.

Invention Title; CABLING MODULE The following statement is a full description of t including the best method for performing it known P77801AU PsLalS_Fding Aipplialc 200 5-9.doc (M) COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09 09/05 2008 16:27 FAX 61 3 92413833 T PPT I 0..28 ^lr"iHtI l HACK IPAUSTRALIA @005 00 2- C CABLING

MODULE

SField of the Invention The present invention relates to a cabling module.

0 Background of the Invention O There exist a number of cabling modules for receiving Selectronic signals from an electronic component (or components), processing those signals with on-board circuitry (including electronics), then outputting the 0 processed signals to another electronic camponent. One o existing example comprises a video module that has c- connectors for incoming signals from a video source and output connectors for distributing signal 4 to multiple video devices; the video module includes 4lectronic components for directing the signals to tie correct outputs without loss of signal quality.

These cabling modules are provided in a vjriety of types, each adapted for a different use as Ia video module, as an audio module or as an IR control module). This reduces the manufacturing economies that jight be possible if only a single module were adequate for all these functions.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides, therefore, a cabling module, comprising:

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a termination portion with a plurality of input cable connectors for connection to input cables and a plurality of output cable connectors for connection to output cables; and a processing portion detachably 6 ttachable to said termination portion and having signal processing circuitry;

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wherein said termination portion and said processing portion have respective complementary COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09 09/05 2008 16:28 FAX 61 3 92438333 O D T r r T 'TT ti T7 .'-rrI a -A IPAUSTRALIA [Q006 00 3 0 3 c electrical connectors located to be coupld when said Stermination and processing portions are a tached, and configured to pass signals received at sa.d input cable connectors to said signal processing circuitry and to pass O 5 processed signals outputted by said signal processing circuitry to said output cable connectors.

0 In one embodiment, the processing portion is attachable to o the termination portion at least in part 4ith the complementary electrical connectors.

00 0 In another embodiment, the termination portion is adapted Sto be detachably attachable to a plurality of processing portions.

The termination portion may comprise one cr more Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). Each processing pqrtion typically comprises a single PCB, but it is conceivable that a Processing portion may comprise a pluralit of PCBs.

The processing portion may comprise, for example, a video module, an audio module, an infrared (IR) module, a computer hub module, or a combination module (that provides the functionality of a plurality of other modules).

Thus, the installer may for example terinate cables (commonly comprising simple wires) at the termination portion, and only later install the proces ing portion (comprising one or more functional modules The installation of the processing portion can thus be effected if desired by a user rather than by an expert, it is envisaged that the inventio. would thus be of value when installing plug and play sys-ems or when upgrading or otherwise replacing the processing portion (since an upgraded or replacement processing portion can readily be installed). In addition, upgraiing or COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09 09/05 2008 16:28 FAX 61 3 92438333 G(iVPT CTTT uI/l 0 0 2 8 5 8 F .13 9 3 3 I P A U S T R A L IA iR 0 0 7 ,It 0- 4replacing an existing processing portion 4oes not require Sthe rewiring of the cabling module, as the termination Sportion- to which the input and output cbles are attached need not be replaced in such aa operation.

0 In another broad aspect, the invention provides a method of cabling, comprising: providing a termination board w th a plurality of Sinput cable connectors for connection to nput cables and a plurality of output cable connectors fo# connection to 0I O output cables, and a first plurality of eectrical connectors variously electrically coupled to the input CM cable connectors and the output cable con ectors; providing a processing module d tachably attachable to the termination portion and having signal Processing circuitry, and a second plurali ty of electrical connectors electrically coupled to the processing circuitry, and complementary to the first plurality of electrical connectors for electrically connecting the termination board and the processing module; coupling the input cable connect rs to the input cables and the output cable connectors to Ithe output cables; and attaching the termination board bo the processing module such that the first plurality of ele ctrical connectors are connected to the second plurality of electrical connectors.

Brief Description of the Drawin In order that the invention may be more clIarly ascertained, preferred embodiments will no be described, by way of example, with reference to the apcompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspect:ve view of a cabling module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

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Figure 2 is a plan view of the cabling module of COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09 09/05 2008 16:28 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4.PAUSTRALIA Q008 00 0 0 ci 0 figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a tei according to an embodiment of the present cabling module according to the present ii 5 Figure 4 is a plan view of a tex according to another embodiment of the prE for a cabling module according to the preE mination board invention for a Lvention; and mination board 'sent invention ent invention.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view 4f a cabling module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The module 100 includes a low r termination portion in the form of termination board 02 and an upper processing portion in the form of process ng module 104.

Termination board 102 comprises a PCB 106 'on which are located two sets of connectors (shown schlimatically at 108) for connecting wiring or cabling, as lis discussed in greater detail below. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, other numbers of connectors may be provided, including more than the two sets of this embodiment. Termination board 102 also has a pair of male pin connectors 110 for connecting with coplementary female connectors (not shown in this figure, but see female connectors 210 in figure 2) provided on processing module 104. Circuitry provided on PCB 1061 electrically couples connectors 108 and male connectors i0. In addition, male connectors 110 and the complementary female connectors of processing module 104 are configured and located to couple termination board 102 and processing module 104 electrically and mechanically, s is discussed below.

Processing module 104 comprises a housing (not shown) with circuitry (including elec shown) so that cabling module 100, when te 102 and processing module 104 are coupled, one or more of a video module, an audio mo 12 and a PCB ronics) (not tmination board constitutes any lule, an COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09 09/05 2008 16:28 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA 141 00 o -6 infrared (IR) module or a computer hub module. Other comparable modules with alternative functionalities are also envisaged.

Termination board 102 and processing moduie 104 are adapted to be attached to each other. Hotsing 112 of oprocessing module 104 is locatable about the periphery of termination board 102, in which configuraion male o connectors 110 are connected to the complmentary female 0 10 connectors of processing module 104. Additional fastening may be provided, such as locking screws 0 clips for 0 further securing termination board 102 and processing module 104. Further, termination board 1(2 is generally provided with apertures suitable for receiving screws for attaching termination board 102 and henc~e cabling module 100 to a support surface.

In use, cabling (such as wiring) is termidated to termination board 102. Such cabling will include inputs to and outputs from various electrical or electronic components. Once such cabling has been attached to connectors 108, processing module 104 is fitted to termination board 102, and the installati# of the cabling module 100 is complete.

Figure 2 is a plan view of termination board 102 (seen from above in the lower register of the figure) and processing module 104 (seen from below in he upper register of the figure). Like reference n amerals have been used to indicate like features. As i apparent in this view, connectors 108 comprise two row 202a, 202b of connectors, each row including both screw- 9 own connectors 204 and IDC connectors 206. It should be nderstood that other types of connectors may be used, inc luding coaxial connectors. Screw-down connectors 204 and IDC connectors 206 are used as desired or according to requirements.

09 COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09 09/05 2008 16:28 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IJPAUSTRALIA 0 010 00 0 0 c-i 0 -7- Housing 112 of processing module 104 includes slots 208 either side of each of female connectors 110 (which complement male connectors 110 of termination board 102), for admitting cabling or wiring to the in erior space between and defined by termination board i02 and processing module 104. Examples of such tiring are shown (as dashed curves) at 212a and 212b.

As mentioned above, processing module 104 includes a PCB 214 with processing circuitry (not shown) Iso that cabling module 100 can function as, for example, a video module, an audio module, an infrared (IR) module r a computer hub module. Female connectors 210 are connec ed to this circuitry. Hence, when termination board 102 and processing module 104 are coupled, connectors 108 (and hence the cabling attached thereto) are cdnnected to this processing circuitry via male connectors 10 and complementary female connectors 210. However, the processing module 104 can be easily replaced, should it fail or require upgrading, or if the user purchases a more advanced model or wishes to use the cabling module as, say, an audio module where previously it bas been used as a video module.

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In other embodiments, the termination boar, can accommodate plural processing modules. Referring to figure 3, a termination board according to another embodiment of the invention is shown schemftically at 300.

Termination board 300 comprises three esse Itially identical PCBs 302a, 302b, 302c, each of which is comparable to PCB 106 of cabling module 10. Similarly, each of PCBs 302a, 302b, 302c is provided with two sets of connectors 304, a pair of male pin connect rs 306, and circuitry (not shown) that connects connectors 304 to male pin connectors 306. The connectors 304 in each case include both screw-down connectors 308 and IDC connectors 310.

COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09 09/05 2008 16:29 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA [0011 00 0 0 ci 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ci 8 Termination board 300 includes inter-conncting cables 312a and 3l2b that respectively connect tie circuitry of PCB 302a to that of PCB 302b, and the circuitry of PCB 5 302b to that of PCB 302c. These PCBs may also be power looped. Thus, termination board 300 can &ccommodate up to three processing modules comparable to pr6cessing module 104 of cabling module 100. Indeed, termination board 300 can accommodate a more complex processing module that is 10 received by more than just a single pair f connectors 306; such a processing module may constitute the equivalent of two or three processing modules of the type used in cabling module 100.

j Referring to figure 4, a termination board according to another embodiment of the invention is shown schematically at 400. Termination board 400 is essentially identical with termination board 300 of figure 3, bdt comprise a single PCB 402 rather than three inter-connected PCBs.

PCB 402 has all the components of PCBs 302a, 302b, 302c of termination board 300. The inter-connect ion that in termination board 300 is provided by inter-connecting cables 312a and 312b is provided in termnination board 400 by the circuitry (not shown) of PCB 402; i!a other respects, however, the circuitry of PCB 402 like that of PCBs 302a, 302b, 302c of termination board 300 is configured so that termination board 400 functions essentially as three separate termination boards.

i Thus, termination board 400 includes six s9ts of connectors 404, three pairs of male pin connectors 406 and circuitry (not shown) that connects co;rectors 404 to male pin connectors 406. The connectors 414 also include both screw-down connectors 408 and IDC connectors 410.

Modifications within the scope of the invention may be readily effected by those skilled in the a(t. It is to be COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09 09/05 2008 16:29 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4 IPAUSTRALIA 012 O0 Cunderstood, therefore, that this inventio is not limited to the particular embodiments described b way of example hereinabove.

In the claims that follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the contexk requires Sotherwise owing to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as o "comprises" or "comprising" is used in anlinclusive sense, O 10 that is, to specify the presence of the saated features 00 but not to preclude the presence or addition of further o features in various embodiments of the inention.

Further, reference herein to prior art is not intended to imply that such prior art forms or formed a part of the common general knowledge.

COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09

Claims (3)

1. 2. A module as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processing portion is attachable to said ermination portion at least in part with said complementary electrical connectors.
2. 3. A termination board for a cabling module, comprising: a plurality of input cable connectors for connection to input cables; a plurality of output cable conn ctors for connection to output cables; and a Plurality of electrical connec ors variously electrically coupled to said input cable c$nnectors and said output cable connectors; wherein said termination board i adapted to be detachably attachable to a processing module having a plurality of complementary electrical connectors, said Plurality of complementary electrical conn ctors complementing said plurality of electrical connectors, COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date
3. 2008-05-09 09/05 2008 16:29 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK IPAUSTRALIA IM014 00 0 0 c-i 0- 11 said termination portion being configured received at said input cable connectors t of electrical connectors and, when attach processing module, to receive processed s processing module and to pass said proces said output cable connectors. 4. A processing module for a cabling mod signal processing circuitry; ant a plurality of electrical connec said signal processing circuitry; wherein said processing module detachably attachable to a termination boi plurality of input cable connectors for cc input cables, a plurality of output cable connection to output cables and plurality electrical connectors, said plurality of c electrical connectors complementing said I electrical connectors, said processing moc configured to receive, when attached to sa board, signals from said termination board said signals, and to pass said signals so said termination board via said electrical 5. A method of cabling, comprising: providing a termination board wi input cable connectors for connection to a plurality of output cable connectors fo output cables, and a first plurality of el connectors variously electrically coupled cable connectors and said output cable con providing a processing module de attachable to said termination portion and processing circuitry, and a second plurali connectors electrically coupled to said pr circuitry, and complementary to said first electrical connectors for electrically con !to pass signals K said plurality ad to said ignals from said sed signals to ile, comprising: .tors connected to *s adapted to be Ard with a innection to connectors for lof complementary Somplementary Slurality of ule being id termination to process processed to connectors. h a plurality of Iput cables and connection to ectrical to said input nectors; achably having signal by of electrical cessing plurality of iecting said COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09 09/05 2008 16:29 FAX 61 3 92438333 GRIFFITH HACK 4IPAUSTRALIA 015 0 0 0 12- termination board and said processing module; coupling said input cable connectors to said input cables and said output cable connectors to said output cables; and I attaching said termination board to said processing module such that said first plrality of electrical connectors are connected to sa id second plurality of electrical connectors. COMS ID No: ARCS-190036 Received by IP Australia: Time 16:30 Date 2008-05-09