Integrated Hot Shoe Interface for Cable-Free High-Speed Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot shoe interfaces are limited in electrical coupling, primarily used for carrying power, and require external connectors or cables for data transmission, which is cumbersome and not suitable for high-speed data such as video and augmented reality data.
Innovation Solution
A hot shoe interface with a planar surface and terminal contacts that allow direct electrical and mechanical attachment to a mounting assembly, enabling high-speed data transmission without external cables, using gold-plated brass or copper contacts for efficient data transfer up to 6 Gb/s with zero bit errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external connectors and cables are used for data transmission, then data transmission capability is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to physical mating and de-mating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mechanical mounting function and electrical connection function into a single integrated hot shoe interface. The mounting assembly combines mechanical attachment features with contact pins that directly engage with contact pads on the hot shoe, eliminating the need for separate external connectors and cables. This integration allows simultaneous mechanical securing and electrical connection through one attachment action.
Solution Approach 2:
The hot shoe interface is designed to serve multiple functions: mechanical mounting support, electrical power transmission, and high-speed data communication. The same contact pads and contact pins that provide power also transmit data signals, allowing a single interface structure to handle multiple operational requirements without needing separate specialized connectors for each function.
2Ease of operation
If traditional hot shoe interfaces are used, then ease of connection is maintained, but data transmission capability deteriorates due to limited electrical coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the hot shoe interface by implementing multiple contact pads arranged in specific configurations (including differential pairs) and using gold-plated contact pins. These parameter changes enable the interface to support high-speed data transmission rates while maintaining the simple mechanical attachment design that allows one-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact pins are made with composite material construction, specifically gold plating over brass or copper core. This composite structure combines the excellent electrical conductivity of copper/brass with the corrosion resistance and signal integrity properties of gold plating, ensuring reliable high-speed data transmission while maintaining mechanical durability for repeated connections.
3Reliability
If gold plated brass pins are used, then electrical conductivity and signal integrity are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive gold-plated materials throughout the entire mounting assembly, the patent applies gold plating only to the contact pins that directly engage with the hot shoe contact pads. This localized application of premium material ensures signal integrity at the critical connection interface while using less expensive materials for the bulk of the mounting structure, thereby controlling manufacturing costs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hot shoe interface system for transmitting high speed data includes a hot shoe portion including a first set of electrical contacts configured to receive high speed data from a first device. A second set of electrical contacts is configured to receive a power signal and a third set of electrical contacts is configured to receive low speed data from the first device. A first set of optical terminals is configured to receive optical data from the first device. A hot shoe receiver further includes a fourth set of electrical contacts configured to provide the high speed data to a second device. A fifth set of electrical contacts is configured to receive the power signal and a sixth set of electrical contacts is configured to provide the high speed data to the second device. A second set of optical terminals is configured to transmit optical data to the second device.