Corning Optical Communications LLC

Corning Cable Systems

Percil Watkins

James Phillip Luther

Micah Colen Isenhour

Davide Domenico Fortusini

Christopher Paul Lewallen

Dennis Michael Knecht

Douglas Llewellyn Butler

Andreas Matiss

Claudio Mazzali

Jürgen Matthies

Disclosed are optical plug connectors and optical receptacles for making optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical plug connector includes an optical portion having an optical interface and a cover for protecting the optical interface. The cover can translate toward the optical interface when connecting the optical plug connector and a portion of the cover allows transmission of optical signals therethrough.

Optical plug having a translating cover and a complimentary receptacle

Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors for making optical connections. The optical plugs and optical connectors disclosed have a nosepiece that is easily removed and replaced for allowing access to the optical interface for cleaning and the nosepiece may also protect the optical interface when installed. The nosepiece may be a single component or an assembly as desired. The devices disclosed may be hybrid devices providing both optical and electrical connectivity or they may solely have optical connectivity if desired.

Optical plug having a removable and replaceable nosepiece and a complimentary receptacle

Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors having one or more integral alignment features used for making optical connections. In one embodiment, an optical connector comprising an optical body and at least one magnetic attachment. The optical body comprises a front side with a first surface, an optical section comprising at least one optical channel, and a datum section disposed on a second surface of the front side and comprising one or more integral alignment features. The optical body also comprises a circuit mounting portion disposed at a rear side of the optical body. The datum section may be arranged on opposite sides of the optical section. Further, the one or more integral alignment feature may be arranged at a top and a bottom of the datum section for alignment in a first direction. The first surface may also be recessed from the second surface.

Optical connections having integral alignment structure

Disclosed are optical connectors for electronic devices that are disposed at a hinge of the device. The electronic device has an optical connector comprising a base portion having a hinge with a hinge attachment structure and a base connector having one or more base optical channels, and a display. The display comprising a display attachment structure and a display connector having one or more display optical channels for mating with the base connector. The concepts disclosed allow an optical connection for electronic devices having a display that is separable from a base portion.

Optical connectors disposed on hinge interface

Disclosed are optical plug connectors and optical receptacles for making optical connections. In one embodiment, the optical plug connector includes an optical portion having an optical interface and a cover for protecting the optical interface. The cover can translate toward the optical interface when connecting the optical plug connector and a portion of the cover allows transmission of optical signals therethrough. The cover has a sliding fit relative to a portion of the housing and may translate on at least one guide surface of the housing.

A fiber optic connection system is disclosed for optically connecting a fiber optic connector to an internal optical interface of a device through a display surface of the device. Connecting the connector to the device causes a display alignment feature of the connector to be retained against the display surface of the device. This causes a connector optical interface in the connector to optically connect to a device optical interface through the display surface of the device when the connector is connected with the device. One benefit of this arrangement is that a device, such as a smartphone or other small form-factor device for example, may include optical communication hardware that leverages the excellent clarity and flatness of the display surface, such as a display glass for example, to form and maintain a strong fiber optic connection between the connector and the device.

Fiber optic connectors and interfaces for fiber optic connectivity through device display surface, and related components, systems and methods

Docking stations, electronic devices, fiber optic cable assemblies, and display devices incorporating optical connections including a magnetic coupling portion are disclosed. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a docking station for an electronic device having a major surface. The docking station includes a mating surface operable to contact a major surface of an electronic device, and an optical connection disposed in the mating surface. The optical connection includes an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion positioned adjacent to the optical interface portion. Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to an electronic device including a major surface having a cavity, and an optical connection disposed in the cavity. The optical connection includes an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion positioned adjacent to the optical interface portion. The optical interface portion is offset from the major surface. Display devices are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Conover, NC, United States of America

Percil Watkins