Flat ethernet cables and associated systems, devices, and methods
View Patent ↗Flat Ethernet cables and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed, particularly as applied to home security system implementations. For example, disclosed herein is a flat Ethernet cable that includes an interior, female connection end, an exterior, female connection end, opposite the interior end, and including a weather-proofing clamshell enclosing the female connection end, and a flat cable portion that runs between the interior end and the exterior end. The flat Ethernet cable is configured as a PoE cable.
1. A security camera system comprising:
an Internet protocol (IP) camera that is configured to receive electrical power and provide a digital data signal via an Ethernet connection;
a mounting/positioning apparatus connected to the IP camera that physically connects the IP camera to a building structure at an exterior portion of the building structure;
an exterior Ethernet cable, comprising a first male connection end and a second male connection end, which is connected to the IP camera at the first male connection end, and which runs through or along the mounting/positioning apparatus;
a flat Ethernet cable that comprises:
a first female connection end;
a second female connection end, opposite the first female connection end, and comprising a weather-proofing clamshell enclosing the second female connection end; and
a flat Ethernet cable portion disposed between the first female connection end and the second female connection end, wherein the flat Ethernet cable portion is characterized as having two parallel planar sides that are greater in dimension than a thickness of the flat Ethernet cable portion, and wherein the flat Ethernet cable is configured as a power over Ethernet (PoE) cable that is configured to carry electrical energy to the IP camera for operating image acquisition functions of the IP camera,
wherein the second male connection end of the exterior Ethernet cable connects to the second female connection end of the flat Ethernet cable within the weather-proofing clamshell at the exterior portion of the building structure, and wherein the flat Ethernet cable runs through a closed window of the building structure between a rail portion and a jamb portion of the closed window of the building structure;
an interior Ethernet cable, comprising a third male connection end and a fourth male connection end, which is connected to the first female connection end of the flat Ethernet cable at the third male connection end within an interior portion of the building structure;
a WiFi bridge that is electrically connected to an interior power outlet of the building structure within the interior portion of the building structure and that is connected to the interior Ethernet cable at the fourth male connection end, wherein the digital data signal is configured to travel from the IP camera, through the exterior Ethernet cable, then through the flat Ethernet cable, then through the interior Ethernet cable, and then to WiFi bridge, and wherein the WiFi bridge receives the electrical energy from the interior power outlet; and
a wireless router that wirelessly connects with the WiFi bridge that is configured to transmit the digital data signal between the wireless router and the WiFi bridge.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting/positioning apparatus connects to the closed window of the building structure with a hanger device.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the exterior Ethernet cable connects to the IP camera with a stopper device.
4. A camera system comprising:
a camera that is configured to provide a digital data signal via an Ethernet connection, wherein the camera is positioned exterior to a building structure;
an exterior Ethernet cable, comprising a first male connection end and a second male connection end, which is connected to the camera at the first male connection end;
a flat Ethernet cable that comprises:
a first female connection end;
a second female connection end, opposite the first female connection end; and
a flat Ethernet cable portion disposed between the first female connection end and the second female connection end, wherein the flat Ethernet cable portion is characterized as having two parallel planar sides that are greater in dimension than a thickness of the flat Ethernet cable portion, wherein the flat Ethernet cable is disposed partially within the building structure and partially exterior to the building structure,
wherein the second male connection end of the exterior Ethernet cable connects to the second female connection end of the flat Ethernet cable exterior to the building structure; and
an interior Ethernet cable, comprising a third male connection end and a fourth male connection end, which is connected to the first female connection end of the flat Ethernet cable at the third male connection end within the building structure,
wherein the digital data signal is configured to travel from the camera, through the exterior Ethernet cable, then through the flat Ethernet cable, and then through the interior Ethernet cable.