Terminal device configured to output a data signal and / or power to a media device

Abstract

A terminal device may output to a media device having a connection interface different from a connection interface of an output portion of the terminal device with a processing portion that may be operatively coupled with a fiber cable portion, a copper cable portion, and an electrical cable portion such that the processing may receive input data signals from the fiber cable or the copper cable and input power from the copper cable or the power cable. A media converter portion may convert a hybrid input signal to an output signal. The second connection interface and the second footprint may be different from the first connection interface and the first footprint, respectively. The processing portion and the media converter portion may output 10gbs data rates and power to the second connection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with a media device.

Description

TERMINAL DEVICE CONFIGURED TO OUTPUT A DATA SIGNAL AND / OR POWER TO A MEDIA DEVICE

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 715,161 , filed November 1 , 2024, which is currently pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to joining a cable box and, more particularly, to a terminal box with active electronics allowing for hybrid power and data connectivity in a variety of form factors.BACKGROUND

[0003] Growing populations have brought greater demand for digital bandwidth. While existing technologies have supplied some network services, expanding volume and expectations for digital signal speed, security, and reliability have spurned increased research and development of network components allow for enhanced operation. The existence of network hardware, along with heightened demand, may complicate the installation of new network components, particularly in installation environments where space and / or access is limited.

[0004] The development of cable distribution boxes provided a central hub for installation sites, such as apartment complexes and office buildings, that present numerous, and / or diverse, connectivity demands. However, distribution boxes may suffer from size requirements that restrict what network capabilities may be provided and what may be connected via the distribution box. For instance, some distribution boxes may be limited by size to input, or output, fiber optic cables or copper cables, which may present a compounding issue when downstream installation sites demand capabilities corresponding to cabling not conducive to existing distribution boxes.

[0005] Thus, assorted embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to a cable termination box that employs active hardware to provide hybrid cable connectivity and the ability to adapt installation capabilities over time.SUMMARY

[0006] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a terminal device may output a data signal and / or power to a media device having a connection interface different from a connection interface of an output portion of the terminal device. A housing portion may have an input portion and an output portion. A processing portion may be disposed in the housing portion. A first media converter portion may convert a hybrid input signal that has data and power to an output signal for use in a first media device. A second media converter portion may convert a hybrid input signal that has data and power to an output signal for use in a second media device. The input portion may receive a fiber cable connector terminating a fiber cable, a copper cable connector terminating a copper cable, and a power cable connector terminating a power cable. The processing portion may be electrically coupled with the input portion such that the processing portion may receive input data signals from the fiber cable or the copper cable and to receive input power from the copper cable or the power cable. The processing portion may be powered by power received from the copper cable or the power cable. The processing may output data signals and power to first and second output jack portions in the housing portion that each may output 10gbs data rates and power over ethernet (POE). The first output jack portion may receive a first plug portion that extends from the first media converter portion, and the second output jack portion may receive a second plug portion that may extend from the second media converter portion. The first plug portion may be the same as the second plug portion. The output portion of the housing portion may permit the first and second plug portions to pass through a wall portion of the housing portion and couple with the first and second output jack portions, respectively. The processing portion and the first and second media converters portion may provide the output portion with a first connection interface having a first footprint based on a first connector used to couple the first and second output jack portions with the first and second plug portions. The first media converter portion may have a second connection interface having a second footprint based on a second connector that may couple the first media converter portion with a first media device, and the second media converter portion may have a third connection interface having a third footprint based on a third connector that may couplethe second media converter portion with a second media device. The second and third connection interfaces may have different connection interfaces, and the second and third footprints may have different footprints. The processing portion and the first and second media converter portions may output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the second and third connection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with at least one media device with a connector that differs from the first connector.

[0007] A terminal device, in some embodiments, may output a data signal and / or power to a media device having a connection interface different from a connection interface of an output portion of the terminal device. A processing portion may be disposed in a housing portion and a media converter portion may convert a hybrid input signal comprising data and power to an output signal for use in a media device. The processing portion may be coupled with a fiber cable portion, a copper cable portion, and an electrical cable portion such that the processing portion may receive input data signals from the fiber cable or the copper cable and input power from the copper cable or the power cable. The processing portion may output data signals and power to an output jack portion in the housing portion that is configured to output 10gbs data rates and power over ethernet (POE). The output jack portion may receive a plug portion that extends from the media converter portion. The processing portion and the media converter portion may provide a first connection interface having a first footprint based on a first connector used to couple the output jack portion with the plug portion. The media converter portion may have a second connection interface having a second footprint based on a second connector that may couple the media converter portion with a media device. The second connection interface, the second footprint, and the second connector may be different from the first connection interface, the first footprint, and the first connector, respectively. The processing portion and the media converter portion may output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the second connection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with a media device with the second connector.

[0008] Other embodiments of a terminal device may output a data signal and / or power to a media device having a connection interface different from a connection interface of an output portion of the terminal device. A processing portion may be coupled with a fibercable portion, a copper cable portion, and an electrical cable portion such that the processing portion may receive input data signals from the fiber cable or the copper cable and input power from the copper cable or the power cable. A media converter portion may convert a hybrid input signal that has data and power to an output signal for use in a media device. The processing portion may output 10gbs data rates and power over ethernet (POE) to the media converter portion. The processing portion and the media converter portion may provide a first connection interface there between having a first footprint. The media converter portion may have a second connection interface having a second footprint that may couple the media converter portion with a media device. The second connection interface and the second footprint may be different from the first connection interface and the first footprint, respectively. The processing portion and the media converter portion may output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the second connection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with a media device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made.

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates portions of a distributed network in which assorted embodiments can be practiced.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a block representation of a signal distribution environment that may be part of the distributed network of FIG. 1 in various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3 displays a block representation of a signal distribution environment arranged in accordance with some embodiments to be employed in the distributed network of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 4 displays a block representation of portions of a signal distribution cable terminal box configured in assorted embodiments of this disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a line representation of aspects of a signal distribution cable terminal box arranged in accordance with some embodiments of this disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments generally provide a cable terminal box providing active components that allow for data and / or power transfer with a quick changeable media interface. Once installed on hybrid, or discrete, cabling, a cable terminal box is able to provide data, power, or power over ethernet (POE) via jacks that allow for hot exchange (swapability) in a range of different form factors.

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments and methods of the present disclosure, which constitute the best modes of practicing the present disclosure presently known to the inventors. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for any aspect of the present disclosure and / or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0017] It is also to be understood that this present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments and methods described below, as specific components and / or conditions may, of course, vary. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0018] With both copper and fiber optic means being utilized in a variety of distributed data network sites, cable termination boxes may become cumbersome and inefficient. As smart buildings increase in popularity, greater volumes of power and data handling capabilities have complicated the installation of cable termination and distribution. The reduced availability of access in many installation sites further exacerbates the installation inefficiencies and use of space. Accordingly, assorted embodiments of an active cabletermination box / device may consolidate hardware while providing form factor adaptability and efficient connection swapping.

[0019] In FIG. 1 , a block representation of a distributed network 100 conveys a distributed network environment in which assorted embodiments may be practiced. Any number, and type, of signal sources 110 may be connected to any number, and type, of signal destinations 120 via one or more signal pathways 130. That is, the distributed network 100 may employ any number, and type, of signal pathway 130 to supply oneway or two-way signal transmission between the respective sources 110 and destinations 120.

[0020] The distributed network 100 is not limited to a particular configuration of signal pathways 130 and may utilize wireless signal pathways 132 independently, or concurrently, with wired signal pathways 134. It is noted that the wired signal pathway 134 is not limited to a particular type, size, or signal carrying speed. As such, the wired signal pathway 134 may transfer signals with fiber optic aspects or conductive wires packaged in an environmentally protected jacket. In contrast to the wireless signal pathway 132 that converts signals into a form that may be distributed without physical aspects of wired signal pathway 134, transmitting data via a wired cables may provide greater performance and / or capabilities, such as signal integrity, reliability, speed, and cost.

[0021] While wired signal pathways 134 may provide some operational advantages over wireless signal pathways 132, the presence of a physical cable to house, guide, and protect signal carrying aspects may present challenges during installation. For instance, a wired cable may not be long enough, or physically compatible with, some installation sites, such as multi-residence complexes, that present small, tight, hidden, or otherwise hard to reach locations for distribution of numerous wired pathways 134. In some embodiments, an installation site may accommodate an interconnect 140 that connects separate wired cables 142 to allow signal transmission between sources 110 and destinations 120.

[0022] While not required or limiting, the incorporation of an interconnect 140, such as a server, switch, cassette, or splitter, into the distributed network 100 allows multiple cables 142 may form a stable signal pathway 134, The use of an interconnect 140 may provide the ability to employ different wired cables to customize the physical delivery, and electrical capabilities, provided to a destination 120. However, employing separate cables 142 to form a signal pathway 134 may introduce additional physical connections that may present installation challenges. For instance, separate cables 142 may require the installation of specific connectors to allow for compatibility with the interconnect 140, source 110, and / or destination 120, which presents cable 142 attachment situations that mandate precision mating to reliably operate over time.

[0023] FIG. 2 conveys a block representation of aspects of a signal distribution environment 200 that may be employed in the distributed network 100 of FIG. 1 in various embodiments. The signal distribution environment 200 may employ any number, type, and size of housing 210 that physically contains, and protects, one or more interconnects, such as interconnect 140 of FIG. 1 , to create selected signal pathways from separate cables. The housing 210 may support one or more matching, or dissimilar, types of interconnecting components, such as the non-limiting adapter 212, connector 214, cassette 216, and splitter 218 shown in FIG. 2, that operate independently, or concurrently, from input cables 220 to output cables 230 as part of a distributed network.

[0024] It is noted that the housing 210 is arranged as a non-active distribution box with the assorted interconnect components passively joining signals from copper 222 and / or fiber optic 224 signal carrying cables, which may be in the form of a stand-alone electrical power cable 226 or hybrid power / data cable 228, to any number of copper 232 / 234 / 236 and / or fiber optic 238 output cables. Some embodiments may output a stand-alone electrical power cable 240.

[0025] The ability to install any number, and type, of interconnect components into the housing 210 allows for a diverse variety of connectivity options. However, to accommodate such connectivity options, the housing 210 may have a physical size that is not conducive to some installation sites, particularly sites with relatively tight, or small,access spaces. In addition, many installation sites demand electrical power, which would require supplemental space, and operational complexity, for the housing 210 of the nonactive signal distribution environment 200.

[0026] Continuing with the non-active signal distribution environment 200 of FIG. 2, the connectivity capabilities are provided by the hardware installed in the housing 210. As such, the size and operational capabilities, of the housing 210 may play a role in the type, and number, of output cables 230 are available. For instance, a relatively large, sealed housing 210 may allow for one or more adapters 212, connectors 214, cassettes 216, and / or splitters 218 to facilitate a diverse variety of output signal pathways. Yet, such a physically large housing 210 may be difficult to utilize in some installation sites. Additionally, the lack of electrical power distribution in the housing 210 may necessitate additional boxes, terminals, and / or distributions to service modern components of a distributed network, such as sensors, devices, and signal transmission components.

[0027] As another non-limiting instance of operation of a non-active signal distribution environment 200, a housing 210 with a relatively small physical footprint may fit a greater volume of installation sites, but may not have enough space to house the hardware necessary to provide sufficient output cabling 230. A small housing 210 may further require inefficient removal and subsequent installation of internal hardware to adapt the input cabling 220 and / or output cabling 230 availability. Hence, an adapter 212 may not provide sufficient output availability and would need to be replaced with a splitter 218, for instance, due to the housing 210 not having enough space to store sufficient hardware to support a variety of different connectivity options. Accordingly, the limitations of a non- active housing 210 have spurned various embodiments to be directed to an active signal distribution box with increased modularity and adaptability to allow for efficient installation, use of space, and connectivity of data and electrical power over time.

[0028] FIG. 3 conveys a block representation of a signal distribution environment 300 that may be part of the distributed network 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with assorted embodiments. A distribution box housing 310 provides active (powered) translation of input cabling 220 into output cabling 320 that may service any number, and type, ofsources 110 and / or destinations 120 of a distributed network, such as network 100 of FIG. 1.

[0029] The active configuration of the distribution box housing 310 brings electrical power 226 / 228 to allow hardware internal to the housing 310 to utilize the electricity to provide intelligent translation of signal transmission platforms and / or interfaces. Various embodiments of the input cabling 220 provide electrical power to the housing 310 via an independent cable, such as a class 2 or 4 cabling, or via cabling with combined power and data, such as power over ethernet (POE), as illustrated with segmented line 228. The introduction of powered inputs allows for the output of electrical power 330 alone, or as part of a POE configuration extending from one or more output ports 322 / 324 / 326 / 328. It is noted that a port may be configured, in some embodiments, as a plug or a jack that may physically couple to one another to form an operable pathway for data signals and / or electrical signals.

[0030] In accordance with some embodiments, a media converter 312 operates to distribute data signals and / or power to the assorted outputs 320. The media converter 312 may utilize input power 226 / 228 and / or POE power 330 to conduct switching, distribution, and translation of signal carrying components from input cabling 220 to output cabling 320. The media converter 312 is not limited to a particular structure or configuration, but may utilize assorted electrical components, such as semiconductors, processors, controllers, system on chips (SOC), or application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), to intelligently route data signals to selected outputs 320 while converting input cabling 220 to output ports 322 / 324 / 326 / 328. That is, the media converter 312 may facilitate such data routing and cabling conversion by translating one type of cabling, plug, or port, into a different cabling, port 314, or port 316. For instance, a fiber optic cable 224 may provide a first type of plug that inputs into the media converter 312 and is translated into a different type of fiber optic port 322 / 324 / 326 / 328 / 332 that may be engaged by subsequent cabling to connect to downstream network components.

[0031] As another non-limiting instance, the media converter 312 may input multiple different types of input cabling 220, such as copper 222, fiber optic 224, and power226 / 228, and proceed to translate the inputs 220 into any number, and type, of output port 322 / 324 / 326 / 328 / 332. The translation capabilities of the media converter 312 may provide electrical compatibility so that cables with different plugs may be selectively utilized to form continuous signal pathways through the housing 310. It is noted that some embodiments of the media converter 312 provide a variety of different port types while other embodiments arrange the media converter 312 to provide multiple separate ports with matching port types.

[0032] The capabilities of the media converter 312, along with any associated internal ports 314, plugs 316, or interconnects, such as the hardware illustrated in housing 210, may employ electrical power and / or pass such power onto downstream network components. Such electrical power output, for instance, may be in the form of a dedicated power line 330 and / or a cable concurrently providing data and power transmission (POE). Through the configuration and use of the media converter 312, the housing 310 may provide connectivity modularity as different types of cabling may be employed to connect upstream devices to downstream devices.

[0033] In addition, the active aspects of the media converter 312 may allow for swapping of connected cabling without resetting, or turning off, the operation of the media converter 312 to one, or all, output ports 322 / 324 / 326 / 328 / 332. The active aspects of the media converter 312 further may allow for a smaller physical footprint, particularly relative to the passive distribution box housing 210 of FIG. 2. The concurrent availability of multiple different types of output ports 322 / 324 / 326 / 328 / 332, in accordance with some embodiments, may also provide efficiency over time as subsequent alteration and / or installation of hardware are not needed to accommodate changes to cabling, plugs, or network components.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a block representation of portions of a signal distribution environment 400 in which a terminal device housing 410 may be employed as part of a distributed network, such as network 100 of FIG. 1 , to provide modular connectivity and efficient use of physical space in accordance with various embodiments. Initially, it is noted that the terminal device housing 410 of FIG. 4 generally conveys a specific, non-limiting embodiment that is structurally configured with multiple media converters 312 to translate input cabling 220 into output ports 320. While the use of multiple media converters 312 may result in a physically larger housing 410 than if a single media converter 312 were to be employed, the use of multiple media converters 312 may allow for greater connectivity, signal transmission performance, and modularity.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, a variety of different input cables 220 may respectively terminate in a plug 422, which may be matching or different between different cables 220. The respective cable plugs 422 may then physically and operationally engage corresponding ports 424 that feed signals into the respective media converters 312. Each media converter 312 then outputs one or more ports 426, which may be similar, or dissimilar, in type and signal transmission capabilities.

[0036] As a practical, but non-limiting, embodiment, despite being separate input cables 220, each cable may terminate in an RJ45 plug 422 that respectively mate with an RJ45 port 424 in the housing 410 to provide signals to the respective media converters 312 that output any number of different types of ports 426, such as fiber optic, high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), single pair ethernet (SPE), and universal serial bus (USB). As such, output cabling terminated with plugs that differ from the input plugs 422 may be employed seamlessly, due to the operation of the media converters 312. It is contemplated that the respective media converters 312 change the input plugs 422 into a single type of output port 426, which may reduce electrical complexity while maximizing signal transmission performance.

[0037] While the ability to convert input cabling to different output cabling may provide modularity and heightened connectivity, the housing 410 may present signals with sub- optimal performance, such as latency, speed, or error rate, due to the, relatively, simple translation of one cabling type to a different cabling type. With these issues in mind, various embodiments employ additional active electronics to ensure signal transmission is not degraded while providing a relatively small physical footprint, hot interchange ability, efficient adaptability over time, and modularity.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a block representation of a signal distribution environment 500 arranged with a housing 510 that provides hot connection interchange ability and modular connectivity in a small form factor, as illustrated by housing width 512, for a distributed network, such as network 100 of FIG. 1. The housing 510 may be any size, shape, and configuration that houses connection components, such as any number of media converters and processing boards.

[0039] In some embodiments, a processing board portion may connect to various media converters 312 via internal ports 424 / 426. By arranging the processing board with input ports and output ports, the modularity of the housing 510 may be increased along with the efficiency of installation and adaptations over time. That is, incorporation of a processing board into the housing 510 may present a diverse variety of ports that allow for different input cabling 220 and media converters 312 to be selectively installed, and replaced, with efficient accuracy. In contrast to the plug-port interconnection within the housing 510, other interconnections, such as splices, adapters, or connectors, may be less efficient, and prone to operational errors, during installation and subsequent use due to the relatively tight internal space in which a technician would need to create stable signal pathways.

[0040] Embodiments may arrange a processing board portion as a photoelectronic chip, printed circuit board, system on chip (SOC), or other programmable circuitry that utilizes electrical power to actively covert data signals from assorted input ports to a common type of output port. For instance, but not required, the processing board portion may provide both fiber optic and copper cabling input ports that are actively converted to copper cabling output ports 522, such as an RJ45 port. Such common output port 522 type may allow for efficient modularity as different media converters 312 may be swapped into the output ports 522 by simply plugging a converter plug into a board output port 522. However, it is noted that some embodiments of the processing board portion provides different types of output ports 522 while other embodiments utilizes multiple media converters 312 connected in series to present a desired type of housing output port.

[0041] The conversion of assorted input cabling 220 with the processing board portion may preserve the signal integrity while transitioning to housing output ports 522 selected by installing particular media converters 312. For instance, the processing board portion may utilize electrical power to filter, amplify, or otherwise process input data signals into an output port 522 that is conducive to a variety of different housing output ports 522 by installing a media converter 312 with the desired output port type.

[0042] As a result, the housing 510 may provide POE, SPE, RJ45, and USB output ports 522 as well as dedicated output electrical power in a relatively small physical form factor. In addition, incorporation of a processing board portion may allow for efficient hot swapping of media converters 312 to alter and / or add output housing ports 522 without deactivating the processing board portion or suspending operation of other output housing ports 522 or media converters 312. While not required, the assorted output ports 522 may be engaged by an output cabling interface that terminates assorted output cabling 520, such as POE cable, fiber optic cable, and SPE cable.

[0043] Through the structural configuration of a signal distribution housing 310 / 410 / 510, an active terminal may be efficiently installed, and altered over time, to provide a selected variety of output cabling 520 terminated in matching, or dissimilar, interfaces. The use of electrical power in a signal distribution housing allows for creation of POE output cabling 520 from fiber optic, or otherwise non-powered, input cabling 220. Electrical power may, additionally, be provided as one or more dedicated lines with, or without, dedicated input electrical power. The ability to efficiently and accurately alter the port capabilities of a signal distribution housing provides adaptability and connectivity modularity that is complemented by the ability to hot swap components, such as media converters 312 to present different housing output ports 522.

[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 -5, a terminal device 200 / 300 / 400 / 500 may output a data signal and / or power to a media device, such as, for example, destination media device 120 having a connection interface different from a connection interface of an output portion of the terminal device. A housing portion 210 / 310 / 410 / 510 may have an input portion and an output portion. A processing portion, such as a media converter 312or processing board, may be disposed in the housing portion. A first media converter portion may convert a hybrid input signal that has data and power to an output signal for use in a first media device. A second media converter portion may convert a hybrid input signal that has data and power to an output signal for use in a second media device. The input portion may receive a fiber cable connector terminating a fiber cable, a copper cable connector terminating a copper cable, and a power cable connector terminating a power cable. The processing portion may be electrically coupled with the input portion such that the processing portion may receive input data signals from the fiber cable or the copper cable and to receive input power from the copper cable or the power cable. The processing portion may be powered by power received from the copper cable or the power cable. The processing may output data signals and power to first and second output jack portions in the housing portion that each may output 10gbs data rates and power over ethernet (POE). The first output jack portion may receive a first plug portion that extends from the first media converter portion, and the second output jack portion may receive a second plug portion that may extend from the second media converter portion. The first plug portion may be the same as the second plug portion. The output portion of the housing portion may permit the first and second plug portions to pass through a wall portion of the housing portion and couple with the first and second output jack portions, respectively. The processing portion and the first and second media converters portion may provide the output portion with a first connection interface having a first footprint based on a first connector used to couple the first and second output jack portions with the first and second plug portions. The first media converter portion may have a second connection interface having a second footprint based on a second connector that may couple the first media converter portion with a first media device, and the second media converter portion may have a third connection interface having a third footprint based on a third connector that may couple the second media converter portion with a second media device. The second and third connection interfaces may have different connection interfaces, and the second and third footprints may have different footprints. The processing portion and the first and second media converter portions may output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the second and third connection interface so asto permit the terminal device to be coupled with at least one media device with a connector that differs from the first connector.

[0045] A terminal device, in some embodiments, may output a data signal and / or power to a media device having a connection interface different from a connection interface of an output portion of the terminal device. A processing portion, such as a media converter and processing board, may be disposed in a housing portion 210 / 310 / 410 / 510 and a media converter portion 312 may convert a hybrid input signal comprising data 222 and power 228 to an output signal for use in a media device, such as, for example, destination 120. The processing portion may be coupled with a fiber cable portion, a copper cable portion, and an electrical cable portion such that the processing portion may receive input data signals from the fiber cable or the copper cable and input power from the copper cable or the power cable. The processing portion may output data signals and power to an output jack portion in the housing portion that is configured to output 10gbs data rates and power over ethernet (POE). The output jack portion may receive a plug portion that extends from the media converter portion. The processing portion and the media converter portion may provide a first connection interface having a first footprint based on a first connector used to couple the output jack portion with the plug portion. The media converter portion may have a second connection interface having a second footprint based on a second connector that may couple the media converter portion with a media device. The second connection interface, the second footprint, and the second connector may be different from the first connection interface, the first footprint, and the first connector, respectively. The processing portion and the media converter portion may output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the second connection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with a media device with the second connector.

[0046] Other embodiments of a terminal device may output a data signal and / or power to a media device having a connection interface different from a connection interface of an output portion of the terminal device. A processing portion may be coupled with a fiber cable portion, a copper cable portion, and an electrical cable portion such that the processing portion may receive input data signals from the fiber cable or the copper cable and input power from the copper cable or the power cable. A media converter portion mayconvert a hybrid input signal that has data and power to an output signal for use in a media device. The processing portion may output 10gbs data rates and power over ethemet (POE) to the media converter portion. The processing portion and the media converter portion may provide a first connection interface there between having a first footprint. The media converter portion may have a second connection interface having a second footprint that may couple the media converter portion with a media device. The second connection interface and the second footprint may be different from the first connection interface and the first footprint, respectively. The processing portion and the media converter portion may output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the second connection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with a media device.

[0047] Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

[0048] Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:1 . A terminal device configured to output a data signal and / or power to a media device having a connection interface different from a connection interface of an output portion of the terminal device comprising: a housing portion having an input portion and an output portion; a processing portion disposed in the housing portion; a first media converter portion configured to convert a hybrid input signal comprising data and power to an output signal for use in a first media device; a second media converter portion configured to convert a hybrid input signal comprising data and power to an output signal for use in a second media device; wherein the input portion is configured to receive a fiber cable connector terminating a fiber cable, a copper cable connector terminating a copper cable, and a power cable connector terminating a power cable; wherein the processing portion is electrically coupled with the input portion such that the processing portion is configured to receive input data signals from the fiber cable or the copper cable and to receive input power from the copper cable or the power cable; wherein the processing portion is configured to be powered by power received from the copper cable or the power cable; wherein the processing portion is configured to output data signals and power to first and second output jack portions in the housing portion that are each configured to output 10gbs data rates and power over ethernet (POE); wherein the first output jack portion is configured to receive a first plug portion that extends from the first media converter portion, and the second output jack portion is configured to receive a second plug portion that extends from the second media converter portion, wherein the first plug portion is the same as the second plug portion; wherein the output portion of the housing portion is configured to permit the first and second plug portions to pass through a wall portion of the housing portion and couple with the first and second output jack portions, respectively;wherein the processing portion and the first and second media converters portion are structurally configured to provide the output portion with a first connection interface having a first footprint based on a first connector used to couple the first and second output jack portions with the first and second plug portions; wherein the first media converter portion comprises a second connection interface having a second footprint based on a second connector that is configured to couple the first media converter portion with a first media device, and the second media converter portion comprises a third connection interface having a third footprint based on a third connector that is configured to couple the second media converter portion with a second media device; wherein the second and third connection interfaces comprise different connection interfaces, and the second and third footprints comprise different footprints; and wherein the processing portion and the first and second media converter portions are structurally configured to output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the second and third connection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with at least one media device with a connector that differs from the first connector.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the output jack comprises an RJ45 jack, and the plug portion comprises an RJ45 plug.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second connector comprises an RJ45 jack, an RJ11 jack, an HDMI port, a fiber connection port, a USB port, an single pair ethernet (SPE) port, or a DisplayPort.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the second connection interface is the same as the first connection interface.

5. The device of claims 1 or 4, wherein the second and third connection interfaces are different than the first connection interface.

6. A term inal device configured to output a data signal and / or power to a media device having a connection interface different from a connection interface of an output portion of the terminal device comprising: a processing portion disposed in a housing portion; a media converter portion configured to convert a hybrid input signal comprising data and power to an output signal for use in a media device; wherein the processing portion is operatively coupled with a fiber cable portion, a copper cable portion, and an electrical cable portion such that the processing portion is configured to receive input data signals from the fiber cable or the copper cable and input power from the copper cable or the power cable; wherein the processing portion is configured to output data signals and power to an output jack portion in the housing portion that is configured to output 10gbs data rates and power over ethernet (POE); wherein the output jack portion is configured to receive a plug portion that extends from the media converter portion; wherein the processing portion and the media converter portion are structurally configured to provide a first connection interface having a first footprint based on a first connector used to couple the output jack portion with the plug portion; wherein the media converter portion comprises a second connection interface having a second footprint based on a second connector that is configured to couple the media converter portion with a media device, and wherein the second connection interface, the second footprint, and the second connector are different from the first connection interface, the first footprint, and the first connector, respectively; wherein the processing portion and the media converter portion are structurally configured to output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the secondconnection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with a media device with the second connector.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the output jack comprises an RJ45 jack, and the plug portion comprises an RJ45 plug.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the second connector comprises an RJ11 jack, an HDMI port, a fiber connection port, a USB port, an single pair ethernet (SPE) port, or a DisplayPort.

9. The device of claims 6 or 7, further comprising a second media converter portion including a third connection interface having a third footprint based on a third connector that is configured to couple the second media converter portion with a second media device.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the processing portion and the second media converter portion are structurally configured to output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the third connection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with a media device with the third connector.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the third connection interface is the same as the first connection interface.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the third connection interface is different than the first connection interface.

13. The device of claims 6 or 7, wherein the processing portion is configured to be powered by power received from the copper cable or the power cable.

14. A term inal device configured to output a data signal and / or power to a media device having a connection interface different from a connection interface of an output portion of the terminal device comprising: a processing portion operatively coupled with a fiber cable portion, a copper cable portion, and an electrical cable portion such that the processing portion is configured to receive input data signals from the fiber cable or the copper cable and input power from the copper cable or the power cable; a media converter portion configured to convert a hybrid input signal comprising data and power to an output signal for use in a media device; wherein the processing portion is configured to output 10gbs data rates and power over ethernet (POE) to the media converter portion; wherein the processing portion and the media converter portion are structurally configured to provide a first connection interface there between having a first footprint; wherein the media converter portion comprises a second connection interface having a second footprint that is configured to couple the media converter portion with a media device, and wherein the second connection interface and the second footprint are different from the first connection interface and the first footprint, respectively; wherein the processing portion and the media converter portion are structurally configured to output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the second connection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with a media device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the first connection interface comprises an RJ45 interface.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the second connection interface comprises an RJ11 interface, an HDMI interface, a fiber connection interface, a USB interface, an single pair ethernet (SPE) interface, or a DisplayPort interface.

17. The device of claims 14 or 15, further comprising a second media converter portion including a third connection interface having a third footprint based on a third connector that is configured to couple the second media converter portion with a second media device.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the processing portion and the second media converter portion are structurally configured to output 10gbs data rates and / or POE to the third connection interface so as to permit the terminal device to be coupled with a media device with the third connector.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the third connection interface is the same as the first connection interface.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the third connection interface is different than the first connection interface.

21. The device of claims 14 or 15, wherein the processing portion is configured to be powered by power received from the copper cable or the power cable.

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