JP2003515234A - Data output socket assembly with switch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Summary The data output socket assembly (1) includes a conventional jack (4), for example, an RJ45 jack, and a switch 6. The switch may be a key operated switch or a keypad operated switch. The switch controls the connection of the jack (4) to the wiring system, and when the switch is in the "0" position, the jack does not provide a usable connection to the wiring system. The switch can be used to prevent unauthorized access to a computer network or unauthorized use of the telephone system. A switch can easily open a circuit containing one or more connections between a wiring and a jack, or between one or more conductors of a wiring system and another conductor or ground. Positive connections can be provided, thereby providing a signal to the central monitoring system regarding the status of the switch.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a data output socket assembly with a switch, that is, a data output socket assembly incorporating a switch for controlling the use of the data output socket.

[0002]

[Prior art]

Data outlet sockets are frequently used in building installations to allow the formation of removable data connections between electronics and fixed wiring systems provided in buildings.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

The data output socket allows, for example, a computer to be connected to a computer network or a telephone handset to be connected to a telephone line system. Often, there are more socket outlets than there are devices to be connected to the wiring system, and thus some sockets are "empty" at any one time. If these socket output ports are alive, unauthorized connections of equipment may be made to these sockets. For example, a telephone device can be plugged into an empty telephone socket, or a computer can be plugged into an empty computer network socket. This is highly undesirable, especially for computer networks that handle sensitive information.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

According to the present invention, a switch capable of disabling the socket is incorporated into the data output socket assembly.

The switch may be a mechanical key operated switch or a keypad operated switch. In its simplest embodiment, the switch can simply break the connection between the fixed wiring system and the corresponding conductor of the jack mounted in the socket assembly. Thus, when the switch is in the "off"("0") position, the device plugged into the jack will not work because one of the connections between the jack and the fixed wiring system is interrupted. Moving the switch to the "on"("1") position closes the connection controlled by the switch so that the socket functions.

However, more sophisticated configurations are possible. In particular, in the case of computer networks, a separate connection is formed between two or more conductors of a fixed wiring system or between one or more such conductors and ground when the switch is in the 0 position. The switch can be configured to In this case, a central location may be provided with means for monitoring the electrical connections to each socket output of the system. Socket 0
The one position to one position can detect state changes at the central monitoring point and provide a central indication that a particular socket has been activated. Such surveillance devices provide an increased level of security and are particularly desirable when highly confidential information is transmitted over computer networks.

It will be appreciated that the present invention has broad applicability in controlling the connection of equipment to fixed wiring systems. Thus, the socket assembly may, for example, control the connection of a computer modem to a telephone system or prevent unauthorized use of the telephone system by plugging the receiver of the telephone into an empty telephone socket. Can be used in private homes.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the socket output assembly incorporates a module that includes a printed circuit board (PCB). Mounted on the printed circuit board are switches, jacks for receiving connection plugs, and one or more connector blocks for receiving wiring from a fixed wiring system. The printed circuit board provides the necessary connections between the switches, jacks and connector blocks. As such, installation of the socket assembly only requires connecting the connector block to the fixed wiring system using existing wiring methods.

In a variation of the invention, the socket assembly includes a fly lead having one end connected to the connector block and the other end provided with a plug that can be inserted into an existing conventional socket output port. . Therefore, the socket outlet with switch of the present invention can be mounted on the existing socket outlet without the switch by inserting the plug of the socket outlet with switch into the jack of the existing socket outlet. . For mounting the socket output port with switch on the existing socket output port, a suitable mounting padless (pattr)
ess) is provided. Therefore, it is not necessary to temporarily disconnect the existing fixed wiring in order to use the modified example of the socket outlet assembly with a switch.

If desired, a secure fastener may be used to secure the embodiment of the invention in place. Such a secure fastener can be tightened using a special purpose screw that requires a special tool for removal, or a conventional screwdriver, but is removed because the screw head has no reaction surface. It is preferably in the form of a screw with a head that cannot.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of its preferred embodiments, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First, referring to FIG. 1, the illustrated data output socket assembly 1 with a switch has a face plate 2 provided with a fixing hole 3. The fixing holes 3 allow the face plate 2 to be attached to a conventional recessed mounting or surface mounting connection box. The socket assembly includes a conventional jack 4, such as an RJ45 jack. If desired, a slide cover 5 may be provided to cover the jack access holes when the socket is not in use. A panel 5A may be provided to provide the socket identification mark.

The key-operated switch 6 is provided adjacent to the jack 4. The switch has a "0" position where the socket is not usable and a "1" position where the socket is usable. Preferably, the key-operated device cannot withdraw the key from the socket when the switch is in the "1" position.

Referring now to FIG. 2, note that the key-operated switch 6 is mounted on the printed circuit board 7. The jack 4 and the connection blocks 9 and 10 are further connected to the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is block 9,
Provide a truck that connects 10 to jack 4. At least one connection is formed via the switch 6. In the simplest configuration, one critical conductor passes through switch 6, which is configured to disconnect when in the "0" position and connect when in the "1" position. However, more sophisticated equipment is possible. For example, when the switch 6 is in the "0" position, the connector block 9
It is also possible to connect two or more terminals 8 of 10 to each other and to ground one or more terminals 8 of blocks 9 and 10 when in the "0" position.

The module formed by the switch 6, the printed circuit board 7, the jack 4, and the connection blocks 9, 10 is a built-in type and self-supporting type, and is fixed to the face plate 2 by an adapter 11. The adapter 11 includes legs 12, 13 having a groove 14 near the base to form a snap fit with the face plate 2. Free end of leg 15
Is provided with a groove for receiving both edges of the printed circuit board 7. Therefore, in order to assemble the socket adapter, the adapter 11 is snap-fitted into the hole provided in the face plate 2 and the printed circuit board 7 is placed between the legs 12 and 13 by the spring action. The presence of the printed circuit board keeps the legs apart, which prevents the adapter 11 from coming off the face plate 2.

The screws 16 for fixing the face plate in place may be conventional screws, or may be security screws if a high degree of safety is required. In a variant of the invention (not shown), short fly leads are connected to the blocks 9, 10 and a plug adapted to be inserted into an existing outlet socket is incorporated at its free end. Using a suitable patless, mount the socketed outlet assembly with switch on top of the existing conventional socket outlet assembly so that it does not interfere with the fixed wiring of the building in which the socket is installed Convert the assembly to a switch socket output port assembly.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   It is the perspective view which looked at one example of the present invention from the front.

[Fig. 2]   It is a disassembled perspective view of the Example of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

  1 Data output socket assembly with switch   Two-sided plate   3 fixing holes   4 Jack   5 slide cover   6 key operated switch   7 printed circuit board   8 terminals   9,10 connection block   11 Adapter   12, 13 legs   14 groove   15 Free end

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 1, 2002 (2002.5.1)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A data output socket assembly including a switch that is operated to selectively enable or disable the socket assembly. 2. The data output socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a mechanical key operated switch. 3. The data output socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a keypad operated switch. 4. A data output socket assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the switch comprises one or more conductors of a fixed wiring system and a jack mounted in the socket assembly. A data output socket assembly for disconnecting each of the corresponding one or more conductors of the. 5. The data output socket assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the switch is in a state where the switch disables the socket, the switch is a fixed wiring system. A data outlet socket assembly configured to form a discrete connection between one or more conductors or between one or more such conductors and ground. 6. The data output socket assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the socket assembly includes a wire for receiving the switch, a jack for receiving a connection plug, and a fixed wiring system. A data output socket assembly having a module including a printed circuit board having one or more connector blocks mounted thereon for receiving. 7. A data output socket assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the socket assembly includes fly leads for providing input to the socket assembly. A data output socket assembly in which the socket assembly can be mounted over an existing socket output port that does not include a switch. 8. A data output socket assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the output socket assembly is removed when used to secure the assembly in place. A data outlet socket assembly with a fixture that cannot be removed or can only be removed using special tools.