Communications adapter for converting wire-based communication to

Abstract

A communications adapter for converting a socket connector of communications apparatus from wire-based communication to wireless communication, with the socket connector having transmit and receive contacts, and a control contact which enables the socket connector only when a predetermined logic level is applied thereto. The communications adapter includes a plug connector having transmit, receive and control pins arranged to respectively engage the transmit, receive and control contacts of the socket connector, a light emitting diode, a timer having a trigger input and an output, and a photo detector. The light emitting diode and photo detector are respectively connected to the transmit and receive pins which engage the transmit and receive contacts of the socket connector, and the output of the timer is connected to the control pin of the plug connector which engages the control contact of the socket connector. The photo detector is additionally connected to the trigger input of the timer. The timer provides a timed output signal at the timer output having the first predetermined logic level only in response to a predetermined signal applied to the trigger input by the photo detector. An input signal applied to the photo detector causes the photo detector to trigger the timer, enabling communications via the socket connector for the duration of the timed output signal.