ELECTRONIC CABLE THAT HAS CONNECTORS WITH A LUMINOUS LENS

Abstract

An electronic cable is provided of the type having a plurality of electrical wires extending between an electronic signal interface connector assembly at each end thereof, wherein each electronic signal connector assembly comprises an electronic signal connector having a plurality of signal contacts within a grounding sleeve, each electrical wire being connected to a signal contact. A housing supports the electronic signal connector and extends therefrom. A lens extends around the periphery of the housing and is fixed thereto. A light-emitting diode within the housing is electrically connected between a power wire and a ground wire and is further oriented to emit light onto the lens when energized.

Description

ELECTRONIC CABLE THAT HAS CONNECTORS WITH A LUMINOUS LENS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Household and personal electronics had their beginnings in the mid-20th century. At that time, each individual component had at most two electrical / electronic interfaces. One interface was with the electrical distribution network to supply power to the component, and a second interface might include the connection of an antenna on the back of an analog radio or television. Component stereo systems ushered in a phase of component-to-electronics interfaces. These interfaces typically consisted of a two-wire cable that could be connected to a component using a bare wire connected to a terminal or, alternatively, terminated with a commonly used RCA plug. These connections were usually few and unique in their configuration and, therefore, relatively easy to categorize. The second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st have ushered in the digital age, where electrical / electronic devices are no longer standalone items but rather components of a constantly expanding electronic system. Such systems can include personal computers, printers, monitors, external hard drives, digital televisions, and other peripheral devices. These devices can communicate electronically with each other as part of a wireless intranet or by being wired together using electronic signal cables. Typically, the devices within the electronic system are interconnected with a combination of wired and wireless signals. Communication interfaces differ from device to device and include interfaces such as Ethernet cables for connecting computers on a local area network (LAN), Universal Serial Bus (USB), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Lightning, FireWire, and others. Each of the cables used for these protocols may have one or more unique connector types associated with it. Therefore, a LAN comprising multiple devices will typically have several different signal cables associated with it, all terminating at a central point, such as a personal computer. Television is no longer a single device but is usually a system that includes a cable television box, a monitor, one or more DVD / Blu-ray players, and a sound system, all of which are interconnected with electronic signal cables. This multitude of wired electronic signal cable connections can easily become confusing, especially when many of the cables are of the same type, such as multiple HDMI connections. Furthermore, these cables are typically plugged into the back panel of electronic devices where lighting is minimal and therefore difficult to see. Consequently, there is a need for electronic interface cables of the same type that are easily distinguishable from one another and also readily visible in low-light conditions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention, an electronic cable is provided of the type having a plurality of electrical wires extending between an electronic signal interface connector assembly at each end thereof, wherein each electronic signal connector assembly comprises a housing supporting an electronic signal connector extending from one end thereof. The electronic signal connector has a plurality of signal contacts within a grounding sleeve, the signal contacts being conductively fixed to the respective contacts of the plurality of electrical wires. A light-transmitting lens is fixed to the housing and extends through a cross-section of the housing, wherein a periphery of the lens fits an outer periphery of the housing. A light-emitting diode is positioned within the housing and is close to the lens.The light-emitting diode is electrically connected between a power wire and a ground wire inside the housing and is oriented to emit light into the lens when energized. In another aspect of the invention, the light-transmitting lens is fixed to one end of the housing and is positioned at an interface between the housing and the electronic signal connector. In one more aspect of the invention, the light-transmitting lens cuts transversely through the housing. In another aspect of the invention, when the light-emitting diode in the electronic signal connector assembly is energized, the light transmitted through the lens illuminates around the outer periphery of the housing and also illuminates the electronic signal connector. In a further aspect of the invention, the light-transmitting lens cross-cuts the housing at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing. In another aspect of the invention, the light-transmitting lens crosses the housing at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing. A further aspect of the invention includes that when the light-emitting diode of the electronic signal connector assembly is energized, the light transmitted through the lens illuminates an area around an external periphery of the housing. In one further aspect of the invention, the lens is transparent. In one more aspect of the invention, the lens is translucent. In a further aspect of the invention, the light-emitting diode of each electronic signal connector assembly emits the same color. In another aspect of the invention, the light-emitting diode of each electronic signal connector assembly emits white light and each light-transmitting lens is tinted the same color. In a further aspect of the invention, an electronic cable of the type having a plurality of electrical wires extending between an electronic signal interface connector assembly at each end thereof, wherein each electronic signal interface connector assembly comprises a housing supporting an electronic signal connector at one end thereof. The electronic signal connector is selected from a group consisting of the HDMI, USB-A, microUSB, and USB Type-C types. The electronic signal connector has a plurality of signal contacts within a grounding sleeve, wherein the signal contacts are conductively fixed to the respective contacts of the plurality of electrical wires. A light-transmitting lens is fixed to the housing and extends through a cross-section of the housing. A periphery of the lens fits against the outer periphery of the housing.A light-emitting diode (LED) is positioned inside the housing and close to the lens. The LED is electrically connected between a power wire and a ground wire inside the housing and is positioned close to the light-transmitting lens. The LED is oriented to emit light onto the lens when energized, thereby transmitting light through the lens and illuminating an external area and at least around one outer periphery of the housing. In a further aspect of the invention, the light-transmitting lens is fixed to one end of the housing and is positioned at an interface between the housing and the electronic signal connector. In one further aspect of the invention, the light-transmitting lens cuts transversely through the housing at a right angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing. In another aspect of the invention, the light-transmitting lens cuts transversely through the housing at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing. In a further aspect of the invention, the light-transmitting lens is translucent. In yet another aspect of the invention, the light-transmitting lens is transparent. In another aspect of the invention, the light-emitting diode of each electronic signal connector assembly emits the same color. In a further aspect of the invention, the light-emitting diode of each electronic signal connector assembly emits white light and each light-transmitting lens is tinted the same color. In a further aspect of the invention, an electronic cable of the type having a plurality of electrical wires extending between an electronic signal interface connector assembly at each end thereof. Each electronic signal interface connector assembly comprises a housing supporting an HDMI connector extending from one end thereof. The HDMI connector has a plurality of signal contacts within a grounding sleeve, and the signal contacts are conductively attached to the respective contacts of the plurality of electrical wires. A translucent, light-transmitting lens is attached to one end of the housing at an interface between the housing and the HDMI connector. The lens extends through a cross-section of the housing such that a periphery of the lens fits against the outer periphery of the housing.A monochromatic light-emitting diode (LED) is positioned inside the housing near the lens and electrically connected between a power wire and a ground wire within the housing. When energized, each LED emits light of the same color through the light-transmitting lens, illuminating an area around the outer periphery of the housing and also illuminating the electronic signal connector. Other embodiments and features of the invention will become apparent in conjunction with the detailed description of the inventions and their preferred embodiments provided below in this document. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where similar numbers denote similar elements and in which: FIGURE 1 presents a top symmetrical view of an HDMI electronic cable having HDMI connectors with a luminous end cap lens. FIGURE 2 presents an enlarged top symmetrical view of one of the HDMI connector assemblies of the HDMI electronic cable of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 presents a top symmetrical view of a USB electronic cable having USB-A connectors with a luminous end cap lens; FIGURE 4 presents an enlarged top symmetrical view of one of the USB-A connector assemblies of the USB electronic cable of FIGURE 3; FIGURE 5 presents a top symmetrical view of a USB electronic cable having a USB-A connector assembly with a luminous end cap at one end and a microUSB connector assembly with a luminous end cap lens at the opposite end; FIGURE 6 presents a top symmetrical view of a USB electronic cable having microUSB connectors with a luminous end cap lens at each end thereof; FIGURE 7 presents an enlarged top symmetrical view of the microUSB connector assemblies of the USB electronic cable of FIGURE 6; FIGURE 8 presents a top symmetrical view of a USB electronic cable having a USB-A connector assembly with a luminous end cap at one end thereof and a USB-C connector assembly with a luminous end cap lens at an opposite end thereof; FIGURE 9 presents a top symmetrical view of a USB electronic cable having USB-C connectors with a luminous end cap lens at each end thereof; FIGURE 10 presents an enlarged top symmetrical view of the microUSB connector assemblies of the USB electronic cable of FIGURE 9; FIGURE 11 presents a top symmetrical view of an HDMI electronic cable having HDMI connectors with a diagonally oriented light lens at each end thereof; FIGURE 12 presents an enlarged top symmetrical view of one of the HDMI connector assemblies of the HDMI electronic cable of FIGURE 11; FIGURE 13 presents an electrical schematic of the electronic cable of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 14 presents an electrical diagram of the electronic cable of FIGURE 3; and FIGURE 15 presents an electrical diagram of the electronic cable of FIGURE 9. Similar reference numbers refer to similar parts across the various views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the field of electronics in general, and more particularly to the design and construction of electronic signal cables having electronic signal connector assemblies at one or both ends for the communicative interconnection of two electronic devices. According to the design and construction of these electronic signal cables, a light-emitting diode within the connector housing at each end of the electronic cable illuminates a translucent lens to color-code the cable and illuminate the cable connection. In one embodiment of the invention, and as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 13, an HDMI electronic cable assembly 100 is shown, wherein a first HDMI connector assembly 110 according to the present invention is fixed to a first end 104 of a multi-wire cable 102. A second HDMI connector assembly 120 according to the present invention is fixed to a second end 106 of the cable 102. Each connector assembly 110, 120 includes at one end an HDMI connector 118, 128, respectively, of a configuration known as shown in Figure 2. The HDMI connector 128 (the connector 118 being identical thereto) has a plug configuration with a grounding sleeve 130 including friction tabs 134 on each side thereof for retaining the plug of the HDMI connector 128 in a receiving HDMI socket (not shown).The grounding sleeve 130 forms a cavity 136 in which a plurality of signal contacts 132 are arranged to interlock with similar mating contacts in a receiving HDMI socket (not shown). The HDMI connector assembly 110, 120, and, as shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, includes an interface area 127 between a housing 124 and the HDMI connector 128. Also positioned in the interface area 127 is a light-transmitting end-cap lens 126. The end-cap lens 126 is preferably translucent but, alternatively, may be transparent. The end cap lens 126 extends through a cross-section of the housing such that a periphery of the end cap lens 126 fits the periphery of the housing 124. The end cap lens 126 is attached to the housing 124 by chemical adhesion, press fit, or other methods known in the art and compatible with the respective materials of the housing 124 and the end cap lens 126. A strain relief 122 is attached to and extends from, or is integral with, the housing 124 to engage the cable 102 in a manner well known in the art. Inside housing 124, the individual signal conductors are conductively attached to the various electrical contacts 132 in accordance with industry standards for HDMI connectors. A light-emitting diode (LED) 158 is positioned inside housing 124 and near the end-cap lens 126. As illustrated in FIGURE 13, a resistor 156 is connected in series between the anode of the light-emitting diode (LED) 158 and the +5 volt conductor 152. The cathode of the LED 158 is connected to the ground conductor 154. During use, the electronic cable assembly 100 is used to interconnect two electronic devices, such as a personal computer and a video monitor. When one of the connector assemblies 110, 120 is connected to a powered HDMI socket on one of the devices, the +5 V power energizes LED 158, which then emits visible light 160, illuminating the translucent end cap lens 126. The illuminated end cap lens 126 further illuminates the HDMI1120 connector extending from it. LED 158 can be selected from a range of monochromatic LEDs, such that the light 160 emitted by the LED is a predetermined color, and connector assemblies 110, 120 emit the same color when energized. Therefore, the 100 cable is color-coded and each 100 cable used can be coded with a different color, thus easily distinguishing one electronic interface from another.Alternatively, LED 158 can be of a type that emits white light when energized, and end cap lens 126 can be tinted a desired color. Furthermore, the illumination of LED 158 through end cap lens 126 serves to illuminate the device panel where connector assembly 110,120 is received, thereby assisting the user in visualizing the connections. In another embodiment of the invention, and as illustrated in FIGURES 3, 4 and 14, an electronic cable assembly 200 is shown, wherein a first USB-A connector assembly 210 according to the present invention is fixed to a first end 204 of a multi-wire cable 202. A second USB-A connector assembly 220 according to the present invention is fixed to a second end 206 of the cable 202. Each connector assembly 210, 220 includes at one end thereof a USB-A connector 218, 228, respectively, of a known configuration as shown in the FIGURES. The USB-A connector 228 (connector 219 being identical to it) has a plug configuration with a grounding sleeve 230. The grounding sleeve 230 forms a cavity 236 in which a plurality of signal contacts 232 are embedded in a plastic insert 233 and arranged to interlock with similar contacts in a receiving USB-A socket (not shown). The USB-A connector assembly 210, 220, and as shown more clearly in FIGURE 4 (connector assembly 220 is shown and connector assembly 210 is identical to it), includes an interface area 227 between a housing 224 and the USB-A connector 228. Also positioned in the interface area 227 is an end cap lens 226 that is light-transmitting. The end cap lens 226 extends through a cross-section of the housing such that a periphery of the end cap lens 226 fits the periphery of the housing 224. The end cap lens 226 is attached to the housing 224 by chemical adhesion, press fit, or other methods known in the art compatible with the respective materials of the housing 224 and the end cap lens 226. A strain relief 222 is attached to and extends from, or is integral with, the housing 224 to engage the cable 202 in a manner known in the art. Inside the housing 224, the individual signal conductors are conductively attached to the various electrical contacts 232 in accordance with industry standards for USB-A connectors. A light-emitting diode (LED) 258 is positioned inside the housing 224 and near the end-cap lens 226. As illustrated in FIGURE 14, a resistor 256 is connected in series between the anode of the light-emitting diode (LED) 258 and the VCC wire 252. The cathode of the LED 258 is connected to the ground (GND) conductor 254. During use, the electronic cable assembly 200 is used to interconnect two electronic devices, such as a personal computer and a printer. When one of the connector assemblies 210, 220 is connected to a powered USB-A socket on one of the devices, electrical power from the VCC wire 252 energizes the LED 258, which then emits visible light 260, illuminating the translucent end cap lens 226. The illuminated end cap lens 226 further illuminates the USB-A connector 220 extending from it. The LED 258 can be selected from a range of monochromatic LEDs, such that the light 260 emitted by the LED is of a predetermined color, and the connector assemblies 210, 220 emit the same color when energized. Therefore, the 200 cable is color-coded and each 200 cable used can be coded with a different color, thus easily distinguishing one electronic interface from another.Alternatively, LED 258 can be of a type that emits white light when energized, and end cap lens 226 can be tinted a desired color. Furthermore, the illumination of LED 258 through end cap lens 226 serves to illuminate the device panel where connector assembly 210, 220 is received, thereby assisting the user in visualizing the connections. In another embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 15, an electronic USB cable assembly 300 is shown, wherein a first USB-A connector assembly 310 according to the present invention and identical to the USB-A connector assembly 210 is fixed to a first end 304 of a multi-wire cable 302. A second connector assembly, this being a microUSB connector assembly 320 according to the present invention, is fixed to a second end 306 of the cable 302 and is identical to the microUSB connector assembly 420 as described below. A similar USB 400 cable assembly is illustrated in FIGURE 6, wherein a first microUSB connector assembly 410 according to the present invention is fixed to a first end 404 of a multi-wire cable 402. A second microUSB connector assembly 420 according to the present invention is fixed to a second end 406 of the cable 402. Each connector assembly 410, 420, as further shown in FIGURE 7 (the connector assembly 410 being identical to the connector assembly 420), includes at one end a microUSB connector 418, 428, respectively, of known configuration. The microUSB connector 428 has a plug configuration with a grounding sleeve 430. The grounding sleeve 430 forms a cavity 436 in which a plurality of signal contacts 432 are arranged to interlock with similar contacts in a receiving microUSB socket (not shown). The microUSB 320, 410, and 420 connector assemblies are identical, and, as most clearly shown in FIGURE 7 illustrating the 420 connector assembly, each includes an interface area 427 between a housing 424 and the microUSB 428 connector. Also positioned in the interface area 427 is a light-transmitting end-cap lens 426. The end cap lens 426 extends through a cross-section of the housing 424 such that a periphery of the end cap lens 426 fits the periphery of the housing 424. The end cap lens 426 is attached to the housing 424 by chemical adhesion, press fit, or other methods known in the art compatible with the respective materials of the housing 424 and the end cap lens 426. A strain relief 422 is attached to and extends from, or is integral with, the housing 424 to engage the cable 402 in a manner known in the art. Inside housing 424, individual signal leads are conductively attached to various electrical contacts 432 in accordance with industry standards for microUSB connectors. A light-emitting diode (LED) 458 is positioned inside housing 424 and near the end-cap lens 426. As illustrated in FIGURE 15, a resistor 456 is connected in series between the anode of the LED 458 and is also connected to the VBUS wire 452. The cathode of the LED 458 is connected to the ground (GND) lead 454. During use, the electronic cable assembly 400 (and similarly the electronic cable assembly 300) is used to interconnect two electronic devices, such as a personal computer and a printer. When one of the connector assemblies 410, 420 is connected to a powered microUSB socket on one of the devices, electrical power from the VBUS wire 452 energizes the LED 458, which then emits a visible light 460, illuminating the translucent end cap lens 426. The illuminated end cap lens 426 further illuminates the microUSB connector 420 extending from it. The LED 458 can be selected from a range of monochromatic LEDs, such that the light 460 emitted by the LED is of a predetermined color, and the connector assemblies 410, 420 emit the same color when energized.Therefore, the 400 cable assembly is color-coded, and each 400 cable assembly used can be color-coded, thus easily distinguishing one electronic interface from another. Alternatively, the 458 LED can be of a type that emits white light when energized, and the 426 end cap lens can be tinted a desired color. Furthermore, the illumination of the 458 LED through the 426 end cap lens serves to illuminate the panel of the device receiving the 410, 420 connector assembly, thereby helping the user visualize the connections. In another embodiment of the invention, and as illustrated in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, an electronic USB cable assembly 500 is shown, wherein a first USB-A connector assembly 510 according to the present invention, and identical to the USB-A connector assembly 210, is fixed to a first end 504 of a multi-wire cable 502. A second connector assembly, this being a USB-C connector assembly 520 according to the present invention, is fixed to a second end 506 of the cable 502 and is identical to the USBC connector assembly 620 as described below. A similar USB 600 cable assembly is illustrated in FIGURE 9, wherein a first USB-C connector assembly 610 according to the present invention is attached to a first end 604 of a multi-wire cable 602. A second USB-C connector assembly 620 according to the present invention is attached to a second end 606 of the cable 602. Each connector assembly 610, 620, as further shown in FIGURE 10 (connector assembly 610 being identical to connector assembly 620), includes at one end a USB-C connector 618, 628, respectively, of known configuration. The USB-C connector 628 has a plug configuration with a grounding sleeve 630.The grounding sleeve 630 may include a lip 638 fixed to one end 637 of the grounding sleeve 630 and together they form a cavity 636 in which a plurality of signal contacts (not shown) are arranged to interrelate with similar contacts in a receiving USBC socket (not shown). The USB-C 520, 610, and 620 connector assemblies are identical, and, as most clearly shown in FIGURE 10 illustrating the USB-C 620 connector assembly, each includes an interface area 627 between a housing 624 and the USB-C connector 628. Also positioned in the interface area 627 is an end-cap lens 626 that is light-transmitting. The end cap lens 626 extends through a cross-section of the housing 624 such that a periphery of the end cap lens 626 fits the periphery of the housing 624. The end cap lens 624 is attached to the housing 624 by chemical adhesion, press fit, or other methods known in the art compatible with the respective materials of the housing 624 and the end cap lens 626. A strain relief 622 is attached to and extends from, or is integral with, the housing 624 to engage the cable 602 in a manner known in the art. Inside housing 624, the individual signal leads are conductively attached to the various electrical contacts (not shown) in accordance with industry standards for USB-C connectors. Similarly, and as illustrated in FIGURE 15, a light-emitting diode (LED) 458 is positioned inside housing 424 and near the end-cap lens 626. A resistor 456 is connected in series between the anode of the LED 458 and is also connected to the VBUS wire 452. The cathode of the LED 458 is connected to the ground (GND) lead 454. During use, the 600 electronic cable assembly (and similarly the 500 electronic cable assembly) is used to interconnect two electronic devices, such as a personal computer and a printer. When one of the connector assemblies 610, 620 is connected to a powered USB-C socket on one of the devices (referring here to FIGURE 15), electrical power from the VBUS wire 452 energizes the LED 458, which then emits a visible light 460, thereby illuminating the translucent end cap lens 626. The illuminated end cap lens 626 further illuminates the USB-C connector 620 extending from it. The LED 458 can be selected from a series of monochromatic LEDs so that the light 460 emitted by the LED is of a predetermined color, wherein the connector sets 610, 620 emit the same color when energized.Therefore, the 600 cable assembly is color-coded, and each 600 cable assembly used can be color-coded, thus easily distinguishing one electronic interface from another. Alternatively, the 458 LED can be of a type that emits white light when energized, and the 626 end cap lens can be tinted a desired color. Furthermore, the illumination of the 458 LED through the 626 lens serves to illuminate the panel of the device receiving the 610, 620 connector assembly, thereby helping the user visualize the connections. An alternative configuration for an HDMI cable assembly 700 is illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12, wherein a first HDMI connector assembly 710 according to the present invention is attached to a first end 704 of a multi-wire cable 702. A second HDMI connector assembly 720 according to the present invention is attached to a second end 706 of the cable 702. Each connector assembly 710, 720, as further shown in FIGURE 12 (the HDMI connector assembly 710 being identical to the HDMI connector assembly 720), includes at one end an HDMI connector 728 of known configuration. The HDMI connector 728 has a plug configuration with a grounding sleeve 730 including friction tabs 734 on each side thereof for retaining the plug of the HDMI connector 728 in a receiving HDMI socket (not shown).The grounding sleeve 730 forms a cavity 736 in which a plurality of signal contacts 732 are arranged to interrelate with similar contacts in a receiving HDMI socket (not shown). The HDMI connector assembly 710, 720, and, as more clearly shown in FIGURE 12, includes an interface area 727 in an intermediate position within a housing 724. The interface area 727 cuts transversely through the housing 724 at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the housing 724. Also positioned within the interface area 727 is a correspondingly diagonally oriented, light-transmitting lens 726. The lens 726 extends through the transversely cut housing 724 such that a periphery of the lens 726 fits against the periphery of the housing 724. The lens 726 is attached to the housing 724 by chemical adhesion, press fit, or other methods known in the art compatible with the respective materials of the housing 724 and the end-cap lens 726.Alternatively, the interface area 727 can cut transversely through the housing 724 laterally at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing 724, wherein the lens 726 can be similarly oriented laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing 724. A strain relief 722 is fixed and extends from the housing 724 to engage the cable 702 in a manner well known in the art. Inside housing 724, the individual signal conductors are conductively attached to the various electrical contacts 732 in accordance with industry standards for HDMI connectors. Schematically, the electrical connections inside housing 724 are as illustrated in FIGURE 13 for HDMI cable assembly 100. A light-emitting diode (LED) 158 is positioned inside housing 724 and near the lens 726. A resistor 156 is connected in series between the anode of the LED 158 and the +5 volt conductor 152. The cathode of the LED 158 is connected to the ground conductor 154. During use, the 700 electronic cable assembly is used to interconnect two electronic devices, such as a personal computer and a video monitor. When one of the connector assemblies 710, 720 is connected to a powered HDMI socket on one of the devices, the +5 V power energizes LED 158, which then emits a visible light 160, illuminating the diagonally oriented lens 726. The illuminated lens 726 further illuminates the area immediately adjacent to the housing 724. LED 158 can be selected from a range of monochromatic LEDs, such that the light 160 emitted by the LED is a predetermined color, and the connector assemblies 710, 720 emit the same color when energized. Therefore, the 700 cable is color-coded, and each 700 cable used can be color-coded, thus easily distinguishing one electronic interface from another.Alternatively, LED 158 can be of a type that emits white light when energized, and lens 726 can be tinted a desired color. Furthermore, the illumination of LED 158 through lens 726 serves to illuminate the area near the device panel where the connector assembly 710, 720 is received, thus helping the user to visualize the connections. The foregoing description is considered to be only that of certain embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art and those who manufacture or use the invention will think of modifications to the invention. Such modifications include, but are not limited to, the inclusion of a diagonally oriented lens (i.e., as described above with respect to the HDMI 720 connector assembly) that cuts transversely through the housings of the connector assemblies instead of the end-cap lens of the USB-A, USB-C, and microUSB connector assemblies as described herein. It is therefore understood that the embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic cable of the type having a plurality of electrical wires extending between an electronic signal interface connector assembly at each end thereof, wherein each electronic signal interface connector assembly comprises: a housing supporting an electronic signal connector extending from one end thereof; the electronic signal connector having a plurality of signal contacts within a grounding sleeve, the signal contacts being conductively fixed to the respective contacts of the plurality of electrical wires; a light-transmitting lens fixed to the housing, the lens extending through a cross-section of the housing, a periphery of the lens fitting to an outer periphery of the housing;and a light-emitting diode positioned inside the housing and close to the lens, the light-emitting diode electrically connected, furthermore, between a power wire and a ground wire inside the housing, the light-emitting diode oriented to emit light into the lens when energized.; 2. The electronic cable according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting lens is fixed to one end of the housing and is positioned at an interface between the housing and the electronic signal connector.

3. The electronic cable according to claim 1, wherein, when the light-emitting diode in the electronic signal connector assembly is energized, the light transmitted through the lens illuminates around the outer periphery of the housing and also illuminates the electronic signal connector.

4. The electronic cable according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting lens cuts transversely through the housing.

5. The electronic cable according to claim 4, wherein the light-transmitting lens cuts transversely through the housing at a right angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing.

6. The electronic cable according to claim 4, wherein the light-transmitting lens cuts transversely through the housing at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing.

7. The electronic cable according to claim 6, wherein, when the light-emitting diode in the electronic signal connector assembly is energized, the light transmitted through the lens illuminates an area around an outer periphery of the housing.

8. The electronic cable according to claim 1, wherein the lens is transparent.

9. The electronic cable according to claim 1, wherein the lens is translucent.

10. The electronic cable according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting diode of each electronic signal connector assembly emits the same color.

11. The electronic cable according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting diode of each electronic signal connector assembly emits white light and, furthermore, wherein each light-transmitting lens is tinted the same color.

12. An electronic cable of the type having a plurality of electrical wires extending between an electronic signal interface connector assembly at each end thereof, wherein each electronic signal interface connector assembly comprises: a housing supporting an electronic signal connector at one end thereof, wherein the electronic signal connector is selected from a group consisting of the HDMI, USB-A, microUSB, and USB-C types, the electronic signal connector having a plurality of signal contacts within a grounding sleeve, the signal contacts being conductively fixed to the respective contacts of the plurality of electrical wires; a light-transmitting lens fixed to the housing, the lens extending through a cross-section of the housing, a periphery of the lens fitting to the outer periphery of the housing;and a light-emitting diode positioned inside the housing and close to the lens, the light-emitting diode being electrically connected, furthermore, between a power wire and a ground wire inside the housing, the light-emitting diode being positioned close to the light-transmitting lens and oriented to emit light into the lens when energized, the light transmitted through the lens illuminating an area external to, and at least around, an external periphery of the housing.

13. The electronic cable according to claim 12, wherein the light-transmitting lens is fixed to one end of the housing and is positioned at an interface between the housing and the electronic signal connector.

14. The electronic cable according to claim 12, wherein the light-transmitting lens cuts transversely through the housing at a right angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing.

15. The electronic cable according to claim 12, wherein the light-transmitting lens cuts transversely through the housing at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connector housing.

16. The electronic cable according to claim 12, wherein the light-transmitting lens is translucent.

17. The electronic cable according to claim 12, wherein the light-transmitting lens is transparent.

18. The electronic cable according to claim 12, wherein the light-emitting diode of each electronic signal connector assembly emits the same color.

19. The electronic cable according to claim 12, wherein the light-emitting diode of each electronic signal connector assembly emits white light and, furthermore, wherein each light-transmitting lens is tinted the same color.

20. An electronic cable of the type having a plurality of electrical wires extending between an electronic signal interface connector assembly at each end thereof, wherein each electronic signal interface connector assembly comprises: a housing supporting an HDMI connector extending from one end thereof, the HDMI connector having a plurality of signal contacts within a grounding sleeve, the signal contacts being conductively fixed to the respective contacts of the plurality of electrical wires; a translucent light-transmitting lens fixed to one end of the housing at an interface between the housing and the HDMI connector, the lens extending through a cross-section of the housing and a periphery of the lens fitting to the outer periphery of the housing;and a monochromatic light-emitting diode positioned inside the housing near the lens and electrically connected between a power wire and a ground wire inside the housing, each light-emitting diode, when energized, emitting light of the same color through the light-transmitting lens and illuminating an area around the outer periphery of the housing and also illuminating the electronic signal connector.

Images