Abstract: In an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) video signal transmission system in which a fiber optic cable connects the HDMI transmitter and receiver, the HDMI receiver supplies a DC power to the receiver-side connector of the fiber optic cable on a designated pin of the HDMI interface, such as pin 14 of the Type A interface. The DC power does not affect the AC signal (e.g. ARC) transmitted on this pin under the HDMI specification. The receiver-side connector uses this power to power its internal components such as optical transceiver and signal processing chips. This eliminates the need to supply power to the receiver-side connector via a separate USB cable. One example of the HDMI receiver is a video matrix switch, which acts as a receiver for devices plugged into its input HDMI ports. A fiber optic cable incorporating Bluetooth wireless chips in its two connectors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A USB-C connector for a fiber optic cable has a two-section dongle form. The small plug section has a USB-C plug head and an optical transceiver and control circuitry, but no other signal processing functions. The second section includes a fiber connector and a signal processing chipset, but no optical transceiver. The two sections are connected together by a short hybrid cable containing both optical fibers and electrical wires. The optical fibers connect the optical transceiver to the fiber connector. A subset of electrical wires connect the control circuitry to the chipset, and another subset of electrical wires connect the chipset to a second subset of pins of the plug head. A first subset of pins of the plug head are connected directly to the control circuitry for optical-electrical signal conversion. Two such USB-C connectors connected to the ends of a long all-fiber cable form a USB-C extender.

Abstract: In a video signal transmission system using fiber optic cable, an improved optical transceiver module (fiber module) having integrated video signal processing capabilities can be used in video signal transmitters for video sources, video signal receivers for display devices, or video switching devices. The improved fiber module has a form factor complying with the Small Form-factor Pluggable standard, and a standard optical fiber connector. In addition to an optical transceiver, the improved fiber modules includes a ¼ inch signal processing chip programmed to perform video signal processing. The mainboard of the video signal transmitter or receiver or the video switching device has additional signal processing chips for processing non-video signals such as audio, data, network, RS-232, and IR remote control signals, but they do not perform video signal processing. Another embodiment is a fiber optic cable with an electrical signal connector module that integrates a video signal processing chip.

Abstract: A video signal transmitter or receiver for handling multiple video signals, including mainboard signal processing circuitry, one master fiber module, and one or more add-on fiber modules. Video data signal for the multiple videos are transmitted over the master and add-on fiber modules, but no video control signal is transmitted over any add-on fiber module. Video control signal for all of the multiple videos are transmitted on a first subset of channels of the master fiber module in a multiplexed manner. The mainboard signal processing circuitry cooperates with the signal processing chip of the master fiber module to process all video control signals, with the master fiber module processing video control signals for at least two videos. Non-video signals are processed by the mainboard circuitry and transmitted on a second subset of channels of the master fiber module (same as or different from the first subset of channels).

Abstract: In a video signal transmission system using fiber optic cable, an improved optical transceiver module (fiber module) having integrated video signal processing capabilities can be used in video signal transmitters for video sources, video signal receivers for display devices, or video switching devices. The improved fiber module has a form factor complying with the Small Form-factor Pluggable standard, and a standard optical fiber connector. In addition to an optical transceiver, the improved fiber modules includes a ¼ inch signal processing chip programmed to perform video signal processing. The mainboard of the video signal transmitter or receiver or the video switching device has additional signal processing chips for processing non-video signals such as audio, data, network, RS-232, and IR remote control signals, but they do not perform video signal processing. Another embodiment is a fiber optic cable with an electrical signal connector module that integrates a video signal processing chip.

Abstract: A video signal transmitter or receiver for handling multiple video signals, including mainboard signal processing circuitry, one master fiber module, and one or more add-on fiber modules. Video data signal for the multiple videos are transmitted over the master and add-on fiber modules, but no video control signal is transmitted over any add-on fiber module. Video control signal for all of the multiple videos are transmitted on a first subset of channels of the master fiber module in a multiplexed manner. The mainboard signal processing circuitry cooperates with the signal processing chip of the master fiber module to process all video control signals, with the master fiber module processing video control signals for at least two videos. Non-video signals are processed by the mainboard circuitry and transmitted on a second subset of channels of the master fiber module (same as or different from the first subset of channels).

Abstract: A connecting device for a fiber optic cable includes a first part having first and second electrical connectors located on its housing, and a second part having a third electrical connector located on its housing. The second and third electrical connectors are adapted to be mechanically and electrically connect with each other or disconnected from each other. The first part has electrical components disposed within its housing and electrically connected to the first and second electrical connectors. The second part receives end portions of optical fibers of the fiber optic cable; it has optical transceivers within its housing but no other electrical circuitry. Also disclosed is a cable device employing an optical fiber cable and two connecting devices at its two ends, at least one of which having a structure described above. Various form factors can be adopted for the first part, including a plug, wall plate, standalone box, etc.

Abstract: A connecting device for a fiber optic cable includes a first part having first and second electrical connectors located on its housing, and a second part having a third electrical connector located on its housing. The second and third electrical connectors are adapted to be mechanically and electrically connect with each other or disconnected from each other. The first part has electrical components disposed within its housing and electrically connected to the first and second electrical connectors. The second part receives end portions of optical fibers of the fiber optic cable; it has optical transceivers within its housing but no other electrical circuitry. Also disclosed is a cable device employing an optical fiber cable and two connecting devices at its two ends, at least one of which having a structure described above. Various form factors can be adopted for the first part, including a plug, wall plate, standalone box, etc.

Abstract: A connecting device for a fiber optic cable includes a first part having first and second electrical connectors located on its housing, and a second part having a third electrical connector located on its housing. The second and third electrical connectors are adapted to be mechanically and electrically connect with each other or disconnected from each other. The first part has electrical components disposed within its housing and electrically connected to the first and second electrical connectors. The second part receives end portions of optical fibers of the fiber optic cable; it has optical transceivers within its housing but no other electrical circuitry. Also disclosed is a cable device employing an optical fiber cable and two connecting devices at its two ends, at least one of which having a structure described above. Various form factors can be adopted for the first part, including a plug, wall plate, standalone box, etc.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable is disclosed, a fiber optic cable containing multiple optical fibers within an enclosure, where the fibers are divided into two groups, the first group of fibers being arrayed together and the second group being free fibers. The arrayed fibers are used to carry signals that are desired to be maintained in synchronization with each other, while the free fibers are used to carry signals whose synchronization with other signals is not important. In one example, four optical fibers form a linear array, and two free optical fibers are arranged on two sides of the linear array.

Abstract: A connecting device for a fiber optic cable includes a first part having a first housing and first and second electrical connectors located on the first housing, and a second part having a second housing and a third electrical connector located on the second housing. The second and third electrical connectors are adapted to be mechanically and electrically connect with each other or disconnected from each other. The first part further includes electrical components disposed within the first housing and electrically connected to the first and second electrical connectors. The second part receives end portions of optical fibers of the fiber optic cable, and further includes optical transceivers disposed within the second housing which are electrically connected to the third electrical connector and optically coupled to the optical fibers.

Abstract: A connecting device for a fiber optic cable includes a first part having first and second electrical connectors located on its housing, and a second part having a third electrical connector located on its housing. The second and third electrical connectors are adapted to be mechanically and electrically connect with each other or disconnected from each other. The first part has electrical components disposed within its housing and electrically connected to the first and second electrical connectors. The second part receives end portions of optical fibers of the fiber optic cable; it has optical transceivers within its housing but no other electrical circuitry. Also disclosed is a cable device employing an optical fiber cable and two connecting devices at its two ends, at least one of which having a structure described above. Various form factors can be adopted for the first part, including a plug, wall plate, standalone box, etc.

Abstract: A connecting device for a fiber optic cable includes a first part having a first housing and first and second electrical connectors located on the first housing, and a second part having a second housing and a third electrical connector located on the second housing. The second and third electrical connectors are adapted to be mechanically and electrically connect with each other or disconnected from each other. The first part further includes electrical components disposed within the first housing and electrically connected to the first and second electrical connectors. The second part receives end portions of optical fibers of the fiber optic cable, and further includes optical transceivers disposed within the second housing which are electrically connected to the third electrical connector and optically coupled to the optical fibers.