# US 12,191,610 B2 · Blind plug, data transmission system and method for indicating a power supply capability

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- Number: US 12,191,610 B2
- Document ID: US12191610B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/511,809
- Filed: 2021-10-27
- Published: 2022-05-05
- Granted: 2025-01-07
- Earliest claimed: 2020-10-29
- Assignees: Reichle & De-Massari AG
- Applicants: Reichle & De-Massari AG
- Inventors: Jan Kupec; Matthias Gerber; Nikolas Gerber
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12191610B2

## CPC

- H01R 13/7175: {Light emitting diodes (LEDs)}
- H01R 24/64: for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
- G01R 1/0416: {Connectors, terminals (G01R1/0425 and G01R1/0433 take precedence; with measurement function for battery poles G01R31/364)}
- H01R 12/7011: {Locking or fixing a connector to a PCB}
- H01R 13/443: Dummy plugs
- H01R 13/5213: {Covers}
- H01R 13/665: {with built-in electronic circuit (H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence)}
- H05K 3/403: {Edge contacts; Windows or holes in the substrate having plural connections on the walls thereof (H05K3/4092 takes precedence)}
- H01R 2107/00: Four or more poles
- H01R 2201/20: for testing or measuring purposes
- H05K 1/181: associated with surface mounted components
- H05K 2201/09181: Notches in edge pads
- H05K 2201/10106: Light emitting diode [LED]
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

## Abstract

A blind plug, in particular an RJ45 blind plug, includes at least one data plug unit, which is configured for a connection to a counter data plug unit, in particular an RJ45 plug socket, wherein the data plug unit includes an output unit, which is configured to indicate a power supply capability of the counter data plug unit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A blind plug with at least one data plug unit, which is configured for a connection to a counter data plug unit, wherein the data plug unit comprises an output unit, which is configured to indicate a power supply capability of the counter data plug unit, wherein the data plug unit has at least one printed circuit board comprising contacts for a contacting with counter contacts of the counter data plug unit, wherein the output unit permits a determination whether the counter data plug unit is a classic Ethernet terminal or a Power over Ethernet terminal, wherein the output unit comprises at least one lighting member and wherein the printed circuit board comprises at least one first conduction path, which connects a first one of the contacts to a first terminal of the lighting member in an electrically conductive manner, and at least one second conduction path, which connects a second one of the contacts to a second terminal of the lighting member in an electrically conductive manner, the lighting member being connected in an electrically conductive manner to at least two of the contacts via the first conduction path and the second conduction path, wherein the output unit comprises a further lighting member and the printed circuit board comprises at least one further first conduction path connecting, in an electrically conductive manner, a further first one of the contacts to a further first terminal of the further lighting member, and comprises at least one further second conduction path connecting, in an electrically conductive manner, a further second one of the contacts to a further second terminal of the further lighting member, the further lighting member being connected in an electrically conductive manner to at least further two of the further contacts via the further first conduction path and the further second conduction path.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The blind plug according to claim 1, wherein in at least one operation state at least one electrical parameter of the output unit is below or above a limit value of the electrical parameter for a detection as a Power Device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The blind plug according to claim 1, wherein the output unit comprises at least one lighting member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The blind plug according to claim 1, wherein the first conduction path and/or the second conduction path extend/s over an edge of the printed circuit board.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The blind plug according to claim 1, wherein the housing unit comprises at least one fixing element, which is configured for a fixation of the data plug unit with the counter data plug unit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The blind plug according to claim 1, wherein the housing unit comprises at least one cover element, which covers the counter data plug unit in a flush-mounted manner.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A data transmission system with a blind plug according to claim 1 and with the counter data plug unit which the blind plug is connected to.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The blind plug according to claim 1, further comprising a housing unit, which is configured to accommodate at least the output unit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The blind plug according to claim 8, wherein the housing unit is implemented at least partially transparent.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The blind plug according to claim 8, wherein the housing unit comprises at least one fiber optic, which deflects a light path at least once.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The blind plug according to claim 8, wherein the printed circuit board is inserted in the housing unit parallel to an insertion direction.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The blind plug according to claim 8, wherein the data plug unit has at least one printed circuit board comprising contacts for a contacting with counter contacts of the counter data plug unit and wherein the housing unit is connected to the printed circuit board.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The blind plug according to claim 12, wherein the housing unit and the printed circuit board together form an at least substantially closed hollow space, which the output unit is arranged in.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A method for indicating a power supply capability of the counter data plug unit, wherein a blind plug according to claim 1 is connected to the counter data plug unit and the power supply capability is indicated by the output unit.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method according to claim 14, wherein the output unit is supplied by a Power Sourcing Equipment via a detection signal for a detection of a Power Device.