[0001] The present invention relates to cabling and connectors associated with digital computational devices and, more particularly although not exclusively, to connectors and associated cabling for the USB ports for such devices.

BACKGROUND

[0002] USB connectors and cabling have become ubiquitous for the charging and

interconnection of such devices as computers, mobile phones and tablets. Although their small size has added much convenience, an associated disadvantage is that in low or absent light, the small USB ports on often dark coloured equipment can be difficult to locate.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Notes

[0004] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of.

[0005] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided an illuminable connector for connection to a data port of a computing device; the illuminable connector including: a connector housing,

a source of illumination arranged to emit light from the housing,

- an actuator operable from an exterior portion of the housing for activation of the source of illumination, - a data connector extending or extendable from the connector housing for releasable connection to the data port.

[0007] Preferably, the connector further includes a rechargeable battery located within the connector housing.

[0008] Preferably, the data connector comprises a connector cable adapted for connection to a primary power source.

[0009] Preferably, the source of illumination is a light-emitting diode.

[00010] Preferably, the actuator is in operable engagement with a micro momentary-contact switch within the connector housing.

[00011] Preferably, the rechargeable battery is adapted to provide power to the source of illumination when the connector cable is disconnected from the primary power source.

[00012] Preferably, the data connector is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.

[00013] Preferably, the illuminable connector further includes a rechargeable power source adapted to providing an emergency charge to a discharged mobile device.

[00014] Preferably, the illuminable connector comprises a separate adaptor and a connector cable adapted for connection with the adaptor in series.

[00015] Preferably, each of the adaptor and the connector cable are provided with a source of illumination and micro switch for activating the respective sources of illumination.

[00016] Preferably, the adaptor is provided with a rechargeable battery.

[00017] Preferably, the connector cable incorporates a plurality of rechargeable battery cells disposed along at least a portion of the length of the connector cable; the rechargeable battery cells connected in series. [00018] Preferably, the rechargeable battery of the adaptor, the rechargeable battery cells of the connector cable and a mobile device are charged simultaneously when the connector cable is connected to a mains power source and the connector cable, adaptor and mobile device are interconnected in series.

[00019] In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of providing illumination and an emergency charge for a mobile device from an illuminable data port connector; the method including the steps of:

including a source of illumination within a housing of the data port connector,

connecting the source of illumination to a power source available within the data port connector, including an actuator operably engaged with switch within the housing for activation of the light source

including a rechargeable battery for delivery of the emergency charge.

[00020] Preferably, the source of illumination is powered by a rechargeable battery located within the housing.

[00021] Preferably, the data port connector is provided with a cable extending from the housing; the cable provide with a plug adapted for connection to a primary power source.

[00022] Preferably, the primary power source is a transformer module transforming input mains power to output suitable for the data port connector and the rechargeable battery.

[00023] Preferably, the data port connector comprises a separate adaptor module and a connector cable.

[00024] Preferably, illumination for interconnection of the adaptor module, the connector cable and a mobile device is provided by light sources in each of the adaptor and the connector cable.

[00025] Preferably, an emergency charge is provided to a connected mobile device from either a rechargeable battery incorporated in the adaptor module or from a series of rechargeable battery cells incorporated along a length of the connector cable, or from a combination of the rechargeable battery and the rechargeable battery cells. [00026] In another broad form of the invention, there is provided an illuminable connector cable for connection to a data port of a computing device; the illuminable connector including:

a connector housing at at least one end of the connector cable,

a source of illumination arranged to emit light from the housing,

- an actuator operable on the housing for activation of the source of illumination,

a rechargeable power source for the source of illumination.

[00027] Preferably, the rechargeable power source is electrically connected to the source of illumination.

[00028] Preferably, a data port connector adapted for connection to a data port of a digital computing device extends from the connector housing.

[00029] Preferably, the data port connector is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.

[00030] Preferably, a plug is provided at a distal end of the connector cable; the plug adapted for connection to a primary power source providing power to the rechargeable power source.

[00031] Preferably, a circuit within the connector housing includes componentry adapted for providing an emergency charge to a substantially completely discharged mobile device.

[00032] Preferably, the emergency charge is provided from the rechargeable power source for the source of illumination.

[00033] Preferably, the emergency charge is provided from an additional rechargeable power source within the connector housing.

[00034] In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided an illuminable charging system for connection to a data port of mobile device; the illuminable charging system including:

- an adaptor provided at one end with a data port connector,

a source of illumination arranged to emit light from the adaptor,

an actuator for activating the source of illumination,

a rechargeable power source, [00035] Preferably, the adaptor is provided at a distal end with a socket; the socket adapted to receive a data port connector.

[00036] Preferably, the data port connector is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector,

[00037] Preferably, a connector cable according to any one of claims 21 to 28 is connectable in series with the adaptor.

[00038] Preferably, the connector cable includes along at least a portion of its length a number of rechargeable battery cells adapted to storing and supplying a charge to a mobile device connected to the adaptor or to the adaptor and the connector cable in series.

[00039] Preferably, the rechargeable power source of the adaptor and the rechargeable battery cells of the connector cable are chargeable simultaneously when the adaptor and the cable are connected in series to a primary power source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00040] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[00041] Figure 1 is a partially sectioned view of an illuminable connector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[00042] Figure 2 - 7 illustrate mock ups of embodiments of the invention.

[00043] Figure 8 is a schematic of an integrated circuit for use in the illuminable connector.

[00044] Figure 9 shows an adaptor according to the invention connected to a mobile device.

[00045] Figures 10 and 10A show a combination of the adaptor of Figure 9 and a connector cable according to an embodiment of the invention.

[00046] Figure 11 illustrates a charging regime for both the adaptor and a mobile device to which it is connected.

[00047] Figure 12 is a collation of the various components of embodiments of the invention. [00048] Figure 13 is a schematic of a circuit for use in the illuminable connector and cable combination according to a further embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Preferred Embodiment

[00049] With reference to Figure 1, in a preferred embodiment of the illuminable connector of the invention, the connector 10 includes a housing 12 and a connection cable 14. Located within the housing 12 is a circuit including at least a resistor 16 and a source of illumination, preferably in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) 18.

[00050] Preferably also, the housing 12 may include a power source 20 in the form of a rechargeable battery, electrically connected to the source of illumination.

[00051] The source of illumination, the LED 18, is activated by a switch, preferably a micro momentary-contact switch 22, operably engaged with an actuator accessible from the exterior of the housing 12.

[00052] Extending, or extendable from the housing 12, is a data port connector 24 adapted for connection to a data port of a computing device (not shown) such as a mobile phone, tablet or computer. In a preferred form of the illuminable connector the data port connector 24 is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.

[00053] A distal end of the connection cable 14 is provided with a plug for connection to a primary power source (not shown) for providing power to the rechargeable battery power source 20. The primary power source may be a transformer module transforming mains power to an output suitable for the data port connector so as to provide charging power to a computing device as well as charging the rechargeable battery.

[00054] Further included in the illuminable connector is a power converting integrated circuit 26, such as that shown in Figure 8.

Second Preferred Embodiment

[00055] In a second preferred embodiment of the illuminable connector of the invention, still with reference to Figures 2 to 8, the connector 10 again includes a housing 12 and a connection cable 14. Also as for the first embodiment described above, located within the housing 12 is a circuit including at least a resistor 16 and a source of illumination, preferably in the form of a light- emitting diode (LED) 18, as well as a power source 20, micro contact switch 22, data port connector 24 and the power conversion integrated circuit 26.

[00056] In addition, in this embodiment, the illuminable connector further includes componentry for adapting the device as an emergency charger for providing at least a usable charge to a completely discharged mobile device. Preferably, the power source for providing an emergency charge of between 10-15% to the mobile device, is a 200mAH rechargeable cell. This rechargeable cell may be one with the illuminating power source 20, or be a separate additional power cell.

Third Preferred Embodiment

[00057] With reference now to Figures 9 to 11 , an illuminable connector according to the invention, in this embodiment comprises of an adaptor 40 and a connector cable 42 which may be used individually, as for example shown in Figure 9 or in series as shown in Figures 10 and 10A. Both the adaptor 40 and the cable 42 are provided with LED light sources 44 and 46 respectively.

[00058] In a preferred arrangement, the adaptor ... may be configured as a small device for convenient attachment to a key ring, and incorporating a rechargeable, for example, a 200mAH battery which, as described above may power both the LED light source and provide an emergency charge for a mobile device.

[00059] In this embodiment, as well as being provided with an LED light source 46, the cable 42 incorporates along at least a portion of its length, a number of small rechargeable battery cells (not shown) connected in series. It will be understood that, depending on the length of cable, the number of rechargeable cells incorporated and their individual mAH ratings, a cable configured according to the invention may be capable of storing and supplying a significant charge to a mobile device to which it is connected.

[00060] As shown in Figure 11, a portable device 50 and the adaptor 40 may be charged simultaneously when connected in series and with the cable from a mains power source. The cable in this instance may be the connector cable 42 of the invention, that is, the cable incorporating an LED light source and the series of small rechargeable cells, or a standard mobile device charging cable. In the case of the former, charging may proceed simultaneously for the rechargeable cells in the cable, the rechargeable battery of the adaptor and a mobile device to which the adaptor is connected. In Use

[00061] When it is desired to connect the data port connector to the data poit of a computing or mobile device in low light or darkness, the source of illumination LED 18 may be activated to illuminate the data port, thus greatly simplifying this often awkward process. In addition, while disconnected, the illuminable connector may be used as a small torch to guide a user, for example to find a small device such as a mobile phone or other object in a darkened room.

[00062] In the case of the illuminable connector of the second preferred embodiment, it may be used to provide an emergency charge to a discharged mobile device, at least to a level at which the mobile device can provide service.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

[00063] With reference to figure 13 there is illustrated in electronic schematic form a circuit diagram for an illuminable connector and cable combination according to a fourth preferred embodiment. In this instance the components illustrated operate functionally as follows:

[00064] The Illuminable Connector (IC) is a multi-functional charging adaptor for smart devices such as smart phones, tablets or other portable devices. The functions include:

Provide a controllable source of illumination to locate the charging port of the smart device.

Function as a torch when disconnected from an external power source.

- Function as an emergency power bank providing up to 50% charge (ie 1500mAh) to a

typical smart device

[00065] The main electronic components are:

- Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) batteries with at least lSOOmAh

Battery charging circuit - providing SV output

- On/off switch (possibly with turn knob that adjusts the level of illumination)

LED (possibly surface mount types which are smaller)

Connector for input power (male) - USB 2.0/3.0

- Connectors for output power (male) - Micro B, Lightning or Type-C

[00066] In this instance the basic appearance of the IC may be similar to a charging cable but with slightly greater width and height. The width and height is then limited by the width and height (or thickness) of the Li-Po batteries. [00067] Components designated in figure 13 have the following specifications:

[00068] Material Considerations

[00069] In this embodiment the IC enclosure includes the following characteristics:

It is flexible.

The case can be used in typical indoor and outdoor environments.

The operating temperature is typical of Li-Po batteries being in the range (O - 50 °C).

It can take some amount of impact.

[00070] In a preferred form two versions can be constructed - a basic version that can provide up to a " half-charge" (1500mAh) - and an extended version that provides a full charge to a smart phone (3000mAh).

[00071] In a preferred form in order for the IC to be flexible, multiple small Li-Po batteries may be assembled length wise allowing the IC to bend in between the batteries.

[00072] In a preferred form the assembly is constructed as sealed so as to be water resistant.

Summary

[00073] A primary purpose of at least some embodiments of the invention is to assist in poor- absent light environments, to locate the charging port on portable devices, for example, though not limited to, mobile phones and tablets. It may be provided to users who, for example, use their mobile devices as an alarm clock, or sleep with the device within hand's reach. [00074] The connector may be provided with the options of full length battery assisted, short battery assisted adaptor options that fits in the palm of the hand, as well as a simple hard wired version without rechargeable battery. This latter version is ideally intended to be used as a primary power cable, generally remaining connected to a primary or mains power source, used in conjunction with short adapter (battery assisted) option.

[00075] Although the connector's primary purpose and function is to locate the charging port on portable devices in poor or absent light environments, it also has second and a third functions of providing a rechargeable torch and emergency mobile device charger. The rechargeable built-in battery cell will be constantly recharged while the connector is plugged in to a primary 240V input - 5V output, so that when disconnected from the primary power source the LED can act as a torch to, for example, assist in a midnight trip to the bathroom without disturbing a possible sleeping partner.

[00076] Thus the unique properties of the invention which distinguishes it from similar devices are;

The ability to control the LED by means of the momentary-contact switch and rechargeable battery cell,

- The data port connector ' s function of its primary purpose of USB data transfer and mobile device charging remain unimpaired,

The ability to function as a light source while disconnected from a primary power source. The ability to provide an emergency charge to a discharged mobile device.

[00077] Thus, with reference to Figure 12, this tri purpose device is intended to provide a controllable source of illumination to locate the charging or data port of a smartphone, tablet or other portable device. Its secondary purpose is its ability to become a torch once disconnected from its primary power source, enabled by its built-in battery cells. Its third purpose is its ability to provide an emergency charge to a completely discharged portable device. Adaptor versions will be limited to the number of battery cells and achievable charge percentage, but the full length cable versions may well be able to achieve a full charge to a completely discharged portable device, dependent on the number of battery cells built into the device.

[00078] The components depicted in Figure 12 are intended to give a clear understanding of the functions of the device. Components and circuitry may be altered accordingly to best suit end user market fit products. The device's intended functions will not be altered.