IP Library Granted Patent US 7,963,773
Granted Patent B2
US 7,963,773 · App. 12/343,089 · Granted Jun 21, 2011

Magnetic and locking cable connectors

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,963,773
App. No.
12/343,089
Granted
Jun 21, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a cable connector. The cable connector may have magnetic properties and/or a locking mechanism. The cable connector may be an HDMI connector and the cable may be an HDMI cable. Further, the connector may be plugged into the corresponding male/female connector port and be held in position by the magnetic properties associated with the connector and the port and/or by a lock lever mechanism. The magnetic array may be moved various distances in various directions. In addition, the connector and/or cable may include a processor, an integrated circuit, an indicator, an LED and/or a user interface.

Claims (17)

1. A device connector, comprising:

a device connector for a data cable, the device connector having a magnetic portion;

a magnetically attractive element with a shape adapted to mate with the device connector and magnetically connect to the magnetic portion; and

a double-sided adhesive element, wherein the double-sided adhesive element is adhered to the magnetically attractive element and positioned to adhere to a device.

2. The device connector of claim 1 , wherein the data cable is a High Definition Multimedia Interface cable.

3. The device connector of claim 1 , wherein the device connector is a HDMI connector.

4. The device connector of claim 1 , further comprising, an integrated circuit.

5. The device connector of claim 1 , further comprising, a processor.

6. The device connector of claim 5 , wherein the processor provides status information.

7. A method of attaching a data cable to a device, comprising:

adhering a double-sided adhesive element to a magnetic element, leaving an exposed side of the magnetic element and an adherence side of the adhesive element;

magnetically attaching the exposed side of the magnetic element to a device connector of the data cable; and

pressing the device connector onto a data port of a device such that the adherence side adheres to at least one of the device and the data port.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the data cable is a High Definition Multimedia Interface cable.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the device connector is a HDMI connector.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the device connector comprises an integrated processor.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the device connector comprises an integrated circuit.

Continuity (6)
Provisional Application 61016535 · Dec 24, 2007
Provisional Application 61029519 · Feb 18, 2008
Provisional Application 61033072 · Mar 3, 2008
Provisional Application 61057044 · May 29, 2008
Provisional Application 61108719 · Oct 27, 2008
Related Publication 20090269943A1 · Oct 29, 2009