IP Library Granted Patent US 9,225,127
Granted Patent B2
US 9,225,127 · App. 13/847,816 · Granted Dec 29, 2015

Connection illumination using communication elements

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,225,127
App. No.
13/847,816
Granted
Dec 29, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An aspect provides a plug including: a connection element for connecting to a port of an information handling device; a detection element disposed within the plug; and an illumination source disposed within the plug; the detection element controlling illumination of the illumination source via detecting the information handling device. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Claims (37)

1. A plug comprising:

a connection element for connecting to a port of an information handling device;

a detection element disposed within the plug; and

an illumination source disposed within the plug;

the detection element controlling illumination of the illumination source via detecting the information handling device;

wherein the detection element does not receive identification data unique to the port of an information handling device;

wherein the illumination source, when illuminated, provides illumination of the port of the information handling device.

2. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the detection element comprises a near field communication element, and wherein detecting the information handling device comprises entering into a field of a near field communication element of the information handling device.

3. The plug of claim 2 , wherein the detection element of the plug powers the illumination source via powering the illumination source with energy derived from the near field communication element of the information handling device.

4. The plug of claim 2 , wherein the detection element of the plug powers the illumination source via using detection of the near field communication element of the information handling device to produce a signal for switching power on to the illumination source.

5. The plug of claim 4 , further comprising a wire, wherein the wire provides power to the plug, and wherein said signal switches on power derived from the wire and the power is provided from the wire to the illumination source.

6. The plug of claim 2 , wherein the near field communication element of the plug comprises an RFID element.

7. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the illumination source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

8. The plug of claim 1 , wherein:

the connection element for connecting to a port of an information handling device comprises a keyed connection element; and

the illumination source is disposed in the plug at a particular orientation with respect to the keyed connection element.

9. A method, comprising:

detecting a detection element disposed within a plug is within a predetermined proximity of a detection element of an information handling device; and

illuminating an illumination source of the plug in response to the detection elements being brought into the predetermined proximity of one another;

wherein the detection element does not receive identification data unique to the port of an information handling device;

wherein the illumination source, when illuminated, provides illumination of a port of the information handling device.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the detection element disposed within a plug comprises a near field communication element, and wherein the detection element of the information handling device comprises a near field communication element.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein detecting a detection element disposed within the plug is within a predetermined proximity of a detection element of an information handling device comprises detecting the detection element has entered into a field of the near field communication element of the information handling device.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein illuminating the illumination source comprises powering the illumination source with energy derived from the near field communication element of the information handling device.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein illuminating the illumination source comprises powering the illumination source via using detection of the near field communication element of the information handling device to produce a signal for switching power on to the illumination source.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said signal switches on power derived from a wire providing power to the plug and the power is provided from the wire to the illumination source.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the near field communication element of the plug comprises an RFID element, and wherein the near field communication element of the information handling device comprises an RFID element.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the illumination source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

17. The method of claim 9 , wherein illuminating an illumination source of the plug comprises illuminating the illumination source prior to a connector element of the plug contacting a port of the information handling device.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising removing illumination of the illumination source after the connector element of the plug contacts the port of the information handling device.

19. The method of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined proximity comprises about 10 cm or less.

20. An information handling device, comprising:

a processor;

a memory operative coupled to the processor;

a port for connection of a plug, the port being operatively connected to the processor and comprising a detection element;

the detection element, upon detecting the plug, providing a signal to the plug causing an illumination source of the plug to illuminate;

wherein the detection element does not provide identification data unique to the port.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2025
From: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
To: LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 069870/0670 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2019
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 049687/0976 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2013
From: ROSE, AMY LEIGH; CROWE, JOHN SCOTT; LEE-BARON, JENNIFER; LONG, JOHN EDWARD, JR.; PETERSON, NATHAN J.
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 030094/0219 →