Shared multi-port communications device and associated methods

An RJ-jack housing, comprising:

• a multi-port RJ-jack housing including portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly for receiving respective mating plugs therein;
• signal connector means within each of the recesses and defining a respective plurality of communications ports, each communications port for establishing inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug;
• a circuit board within said multi-port RJ-jack housing, said circuit board comprising an electrically conductive layer defining a first internal electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields and said circuit board being parallel and adjacent to the back of the multi-port RJ-jack housing;
• at least one shared communications processor mounted on said circuit board on a first side thereof and connected to said plurality of communications ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals so that the signals are shared amount the plurality of communications ports;
• and
• at least one EMI generating device positioned on a second side of said circuit board opposite the first side.

An RJ-jack housing comprising;

• a multi-port RJ-jack housing including portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly for receiving respective mating plugs therein, the recesses being arranged in two tiers with each tier comprising two or more recesses arranged in side-by-side relation;
• signal connector means within each of the recesses and defining a respective plurality of communications ports, each communications ports for establishing inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug;
• a circuit board within, parallel, and adjacent to the back of said multi-port RJ-jack housing;
• and
• at least one shared communications processor mounted on said circuit board and connected to said plurality of communications ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals so that the signals are shared among the plurality of communications ports.

A method for making an RJ-jack housing comprising a multi-port RJ-jack housing having a front and a back, and including portions defining a plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the front for receiving respective mating plugs therein, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning signal connector means within each of the recesses and defining a respective plurality of communications ports, each communications port for establishing inbound and outbound signal paths with a respective mating plug;
• mounting at least one shared communications processor on a circuit board and connected to said plurality of communications ports for processing inbound and outbound communications signals so that the signals are shared among the plurality of communications ports;
• and
• positioning the circuit board within, parallel, and adjacent to the back of said multi-port RJ-jack housing.