I/O HUB SUB-SURFACE STATUS INDICATORS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Various embodiments relate generally to communication hubs having sub-surface LEDs optically coupled to a translucent housing.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Communication hubs serve as pivotal points for the transmission and reception of various forms of data, facilitating seamless connectivity across diverse networks. For example, some communication hubs may function as centralized nodes where information converges and disseminates, enabling efficient communication between multiple devices and systems. Over the years, advancements in technology may have transformed the communication hubs from traditional wired setups to wireless configurations. For example, communication hubs may include a wide array of devices such as routers, switches, and modems. With the growing demand for interconnectedness in both personal and professional domains, the role of communication hubs continues to expand, driving innovation in networking infrastructure.
[0003] LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights have emerged as a transformative lighting solution, revolutionizing the way we illuminate our surroundings. In various examples, LED lights may be energy efficient, durable, and versatile. For example, some LED lights may be configured to have a compact size and a low power consumption. For example, the LED lights may be used for residential lighting, automotive headlights, display panels, and other applications. Moreover, the controllability and programmability inherent in LED technology allow for dynamic lighting effects and customizable illumination settings, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and functionality across various environments.
[0004] The integration of communication hubs and LED lights in a factory setting offers a compelling solution for enhancing productivity, safety, and efficiency in industrial environments. By leveraging communication hubs to facilitate real-time data exchange and coordination among machinery, sensors, and control systems, factories can optimize production processes, minimize downtime, and improve resource allocation. Concurrently, the deployment of LED lights provides reliable and energy-efficient illumination throughout the facility, ensuring optimal visibility and creating a safer working environment for personnel. Furthermore, the combination of communication hubs and LED lights enables advanced monitoring and control capabilities, allowing factory operators to remotely manage equipment status, monitor energy consumption, and respond to emergent issues promptly. This integrated approach not only streamlines operations but also lays the foundation for future-oriented smart factories that are agile, adaptive, and sustainable.
SUMMARY
[0005] Apparatus and associated methods relate to a communication hub having a controlled status light beam. Tn an illustrative example, the communication hub may include a translucent surface having a light emitting edge (LEE) extending on a first axis and multiple light-pipes. The translucent surface may enclose light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed within. For example, each LED may be optically coupled to the LEE through one of the light-pipes. For example, the lightpipes may optically guide a light beam emitted from the LEDs to the LEE. For example, on an exterior of the communication hub, the light beam may include a first beam unimodal intensity profile (BUIP) in the first axis, and a second BUIP along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. For example, the second BUIP is wider than the first BUIP. Various embodiments may advantageously enable a user to distinguish adjacent LEDs along the x-axis.
[0006] Various embodiments may achieve one or more advantages. For example, some embodiments may allow a user to view an operating status indicated by the LEDs with a relatively wide angle around the LEE. Some embodiments, for example, may reduce stray light between adjacent LEDs at the LEE. For example, some embodiments may create a wider viewing angle to read the operating status indicated by the LEDs of a communication hub while keeping the adjacent LEDs distinguishable.
[0007] The details of various embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary wide view translucent communicator (WVTC) employed in an illustrative use-case scenario.
[0009] FIG. 2A depicts an assembly view of an exemplary WVTC.
[0010] FIG. 2B depicts an internal view of an exemplary translucent housing of the WVTC described with reference to FIG. 2A.
[0011 ] FIG. 2C depicts a closed up view of an exemplary connector housing module of the WVTC described with reference to FIG. 2A.
[0012] FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E depict an exemplary WVTC in an activated mode and an exemplary beam intensity profile along a longitudinal axis of an exemplary communication port module the WVTC, respectively. [0013 | FIG. 3 A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C depict an exemplary WVTC having an exemplary light separator, and its light intensity response in an activated mode.
[0014] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B depict exemplary embodiments of a communication port module having various light capturing features.
[0015] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B depicts an exemplary configuration and corresponding response between adjacent status lights.
[0016] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary WVTC having a protruded light emission feature.
[0017] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] To aid understanding, this document is organized as follows. First, to help introduce discussion of various embodiments, a wide view translucent communicator (WVTC) is introduced with reference to FIGS. 1-2E. Second, that introduction leads into a description with reference to FIGS. 3-4B of some exemplary embodiments of optical connectors used in the WVTC. Third, with reference to FIGS. 5-6, various implementations of a translucent surface of a housing are described in application to exemplary WVTC. Finally, the document discusses further embodiments, exemplary applications and aspects relating to optical connectors and WVTC.
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary wide view translucent communicator (WVTC) employed in an illustrative use-case scenario. In this example, a WVTC 100 may include a translucent housing 105 and connection ports 110. For example, the WVTC 100 may be installed within a communication network. As shown, the WVTC 100 includes 8 connection ports 110. In some embodiments, the WVTC 100 may include more or less than 8 connection ports. In some embodiments, the WVTC 100 may include as few as 1 connection port. In some embodiments, the WVTC 100 may include 4 connection ports. In some embodiments, the WVTC 100 may include 10 connection ports. In some embodiments, For example, the WVTC 100 may include 13 connection ports. In some embodiments, the WVTC 100 may include 16 connection ports. For example, the WVTC 100 may include an input output (IO) hub. For example, the IO hub may be used in an automation process. For example, the IO hub may be used in a factory. In some examples, the connection ports 1 10 may be connected to other devices within the communication network. The translucent housing may be completely translucent, for example. In some embodiments, the translucent housing 105 may be partially translucent. For example, the translucent housing 105 may include a translucent surface and an opaque surface, each covering a portion of the WVTC 100.
In this example, the translucent housing 105 encloses multiple indicator light emitting diodes (LED 115). For example, the LED 115 may be disposed next to each of the connection ports 110. For example, the LED 115 may be configured to signify various statuses of the connection ports 110. For example, the status may include an output status, a power status, a communication status, other vital information within the network, or a combination thereof. For example, the LED 115 may display various statuses with different colors of light. In some examples, the LED 115 may display various statuses with different patterns of light. For example, various statuses may be displayed using a combination of color and pattern of light. In some implementations, the LED 1 15 may be illuminated in different status modes. For example, the LED 115 may not only be fixed as activated to indicate power. For example, the LED 115 may display various pattern (e.g., flash, warble, pulse) to provide some indication of, for example, sending data, receiving data, in stand-by mode. [0020] In this example, the translucent housing 105 may prevent the LED 115 from being seen because of its translucency. In this example, the connection ports 1 10 are disposed on a top surface of the WVTC 100 along a longitudinal axis. As shown in a first closed up cross-section diagram across a traverse axis of the WVTC 100 in FIG. 1, the translucent housing 105 encloses a circuit board 120. For example, the LED 115 may be powered by the circuit board 120. For example, the connection ports 110 and the 115 may be electrically coupled to the circuit board 120. In some embodiments, when turned off, the LED 115 (e.g., and the circuit board 120) may not be visible when a user is looking at it from a distance of an arm's length (e.g., 15 cm, 1 foot) from the translucent housing 105.
[0021] As shown on a right side of the closed up cross section diagram, the LED 115 is turned on and visible in an activated mode 125. In this example, the LED 115 emits light directly into an optical connector 135 (e.g., a light pipe, a light guide, a light diffuser). The optical connector 135, for example, may spread the emitted light in a fan angle. For example, the emitted light may be spread out of an exterior of the translucent housing 105. In various embodiments, the LED 115 may emit a status to be viewed over a wide viewing angle (e.g. > 90 degrees, > 120 degrees, > 150 degrees).
[0022] As shown, the optical connector 135 is configured to emit status lights 140 from the LED 115 around a first edge 130 A and a second edge 130B of the translucent housing 105 in the activated mode 125. In this example, the WVTC 100 includes two LED 115 for each of the connection ports 110. In some examples, other numbers of LED 115 may be used per each of the connection ports 110. For example, the WVTC 100 may include one LED 115 per each of the connection ports 110 For example, the WVTC 100 may include three or more LED 115 per connection ports 110.
[0023] In various embodiments, the optical connector 135 may be configured to emit lights along the longitudinal axis (x-axis) with a first angle of divergence such that the status lights 140 along the first edge 130 A or along the second edge 130B of the translucent housing 105 may be visually distinguishable.
[0024] As an illustrative example in FIG. 1, intensity response diagrams 145 of the LED 115 of one of the connection ports 110 may include a first beam intensity profile 150 A along the x-axis, a second beam intensity profile 150B along a y-axis orthogonal to the x-axis, and a third beam intensity profile 150C along a z-axis orthogonal to the x-axis and the y-axis.
[0025] In this example, the first beam intensity profile 150A, the second beam intensity profile 150B and the 150// includes a peak intensity 160 for the LED light LI. In some implementations, the first beam intensity profile 150A, the second beam intensity profile 150B, and the third beam intensity profile 150C may be unimodal based on a single light source. For example, the first beam intensity profile 150A, the second beam intensity profile 150B and the third beam intensity profile 150C may include only one peak intensity until being interfered by an adjacent light source (e.g., L2). In some implementations, the first beam intensity profile 150A, the second beam intensity profile 150B, and the third beam intensity profile 150C may include multiple (e.g., 2, 3, 4) local maximum intensity.
[0026] As shown, in the x-axis, light intensity between the two lights (LI and L2) may have a first rate of change 155 A. For example, the first slope may advantageously allow the two LEDs 115 around one of the connection ports 110 be distinguishable. For example, a light intensity at a midpoint 165 between LI and L2 may drop from a peak intensity (I_peak) by more than a predetermined percentage (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% or more) at a first threshold distance Dx. [0027] The second beam intensity profile 150B may include a second rate of change 155B. As shown, the second beam intensity profile 150B includes a peak intensity that drops off to a predetermined percentage value (70%) at a second threshold distance Dy along the y-axis (e.g., at an edge of the optical connector 135). For example, the second rate of change 155B may be less steep than the first rate of change 155 A. For example, the second beam intensity profile 150B may indicate a wide viewing angle of the status lights 140 along the y-axis. The third beam intensity profile 150C may include a third rate of change 155C. As shown, the third beam intensity profile 150C includes a peak intensity that drops off to a predetermined percentage value (70%) at a third threshold distance Dz along the z-axis (e.g., at an edge of the optical connector 135). For example, the third rate of change 155C may be less steep than the first rate of change 155 A. In some examples, the first threshold distance Dx is shorter than Dy and Dz.
[0028] For example, the third beam intensity profile 150C may indicate a wide viewing angle of the status lights 140 along the z-axis. For example, the optical connector 135 may advantageously allow a user to view an operating status of the WVTC 100 with a relatively wide angle (e.g., more than 90 degree, more than 120 degrees) around the edge of the WVTC 100. In some examples, the angle of divergence corresponding to a spread of the status lights 140 as the status lights 140 travels away from an edge (e.g., the first edge 130A in this illustrative example) may be smaller in the x- axis than in the y- and z-axis. For example, the status lights 140 may advantageously have a greater than 90 degree viewing angle along the yz-plane.
[0029] In various embodiments, a network communication hub (e.g., the WVTC 100) may include a translucent surface (e.g., a surface of the translucent housing 105) disposed on an edge (e.g., the first edge 130A and/or the second edge 130B) on a first axis (e.g., the x-axis) of a housing (e.g., the translucent housing 105) encapsulating a status light (e.g., any of the LED 115). For example, the status light may optically couple to emit light (e.g., the status lights 140) through the edge of the translucent surface via an optical connector (e.g., the optical connector 135) such that the emitted light has a first beam intensity profile (e.g., the first beam intensity profile 150A) in the first axis, a second beam intensity profile (e.g., the second beam intensity profile 150B) in the second axis (e.g., the y-axis), and a third beam intensity profile (e.g., the third beam intensity profile 150C) of the third axis (e.g., the z-axis). For example, the first, second and third axes may be orthogonal to each other. For example, the first beam intensity profile 150A may include a first rate of change (e.g., the first rate of change 155 A) greater than a second rate of change (e.g., the second rate of change 155B) of the second beam intensity profile and a third rate of change (e.g., the third rate of change 155C) of the third beam intensity profile.
[0030] FIG. 2A depicts an assembly view of an exemplary WVTC. In this example, the WVTC 100 includes a translucent surface 200 (e.g., the translucent housing 105) encapsulating a circuit board 205 (e.g., the circuit board 120). For example, the circuit board 205 may include one or more single-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). For example, the circuit board 205 may include one or more double-sided PCBs. For example, the circuit board 205 may include multilayer PCBs with multiple layers separated by insulating layers. For example, the circuit board 205 may include one or more rigid PCBs made of solid substrate preventing bending. For example, the circuit board 205 may include one or more flexible PCBs made of bendable material conforming to an inner surface of the translucent housing 105. In various implementations, the translucent surface 200 may include a non-transparent color. For example, under ambient light, the translucent surface 200 may conceal the circuit board 205 with the non-transparent color.
[0031] FIG. 2B depicts an internal view of an exemplary translucent surface 200 of the WVTC 100 described with reference to FIG. 2A, showing an inner surface of the translucent housing. In this example, the translucent surface 200 may be molded as a continuous body. As shown, the translucent surface 200 includes a connector housing module 210. For example, the connector housing module 210 may cover one of the connection ports 110 (e.g., extended out of the connector housing module 210). [0032| In this example, the connector housing module 210 includes two optical connectors 215 A, 215B. For example, each of the two optical connectors 215A, 215B may be molded unitarily to the housing. For example, the translucent surface 200 and the two optical connectors 215A, 215B may form a uniform and continuous surface. For example, a surface of each of the two optical connectors 215A, 215B may form a continuous surface with an inner surface of the translucent surface 200.
[0033] In some embodiments, the two optical connectors 215 A, 215B may each connect an LED (e.g., one of the LED 115) to an edge (e.g., one of the first edge 130A or the second edge BOB) of the translucent surface 200. For example, the two optical connectors 215A, 215B may advantageously transmit a light signal emitted from an LED to the edge such that the transmitted light include a first beam intensity profile along a longitudinal axis that has a smaller angle of divergence than a second and a third beam intensity along traverse axes to the longitudinal axis and orthogonal to each other.
[0034] FIG. 2C depicts a closed up view of an exemplary connector housing module of the WVTC described with reference to FIG. 2A. In this example, each of the two optical connectors 215A, 215B of the connector housing module 210 may include a first width xl along the x-axis. As shown, in an assembled state, each of the two optical connectors 215 A, 215B is configured to dispose on top of one of the LED 220 A, 220B. For example, the LED 220 A, 220B may include a second width x2 (e.g., of an inner surface closest to an LED) along the x-axis. As shown, xl < x2. In some embodiments, configuring xl and x2 may change the first beam intensity profile 150 A along the x-axis.
[0035] FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E depict an exemplary WVTC in an activated mode and an exemplary beam intensity profile along a longitudinal axis of an exemplary communication port module the WVTC, respectively. For example, the WVTC 100 may include the LED 220A, 220B, and the two optical connectors 215A, 215B having dimensions as discussed with reference to FIG. 2C. As shown in FIG. 2D, the LED 220A, 220B next to a connector port 225 may be viewed from the top or from a side (e.g., along the y- and z-axis in FIG. 2D). Along the x-axis, for example, a user may see a stray light spilling into a middle region 230 between the two optical connectors 215A, 215B. As discussed in further details with reference to FIGS. 3A-C and FIGS. 4A-B. The stray light within the middle region 230 may be mitigated in various embodiments.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2E, a beam intensity 235 along a portion of an edge of the WVTC 100 described in FIG. 2D may include a first peak 240 corresponding to a first LED (LI) of a connector port, and a second peak 245 corresponding to a second LED (L2) of the same connector port. For example, LI and L2 may be disposed along a same edge along the x-axis. [0037| In some embodiments, the beam intensity 235 may include a maximum beam intensity (Imax) at a midpoint (Xmid = (Xl-X0)/2) between adjacent LED 220A, 220B at which Imax is below a predetermined maximum percentage (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%) of a minimum of the first peak 240 and the second peak 245. As an illustrative example, if the minimum of the first peak 240 and the second peak 245 is 100 lux, Imax may be less than 70 lux. In some examples, along the y- and z-axis, the connector housing module 210 may include a beam intensity profile of the LED 220A, 220B may reach 70 lux for multiples (e.g., 2, 3, 5, 8) of (Xmid-XO). In various examples, the predetermined maximum percentage may advantageously enable a user to distinguish the LED 220A and the LED 220B along the x-axis.
[0038] FIG. 3 A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C depict an exemplary WVTC having an exemplary light separator, and its light intensity response in an activated mode. In some embodiments, the stray light as described with reference to FIG. 2D may advantageously be reduced. As shown in FIG. 3 A, the connector housing module 210 includes a light separator 300. For example, the light separator 300 may be disposed in between the two optical connectors 215 A, 215B. For example, the light separator 300 may be unitarily molded with the two optical connectors 215A, 215B and the circuit board 205. For example, the light separator 300 may be inserted between the two optical connectors 215A, 215B after the circuit board 205 is formed. In some embodiments, the light separator 300 may include a gasket material. For example, the light separator 300 in between the LED 220A, 220B to block any stray light.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3B, a second WVTC 305 having the light separator 300 inserted between the two optical connectors 215A, 215B is activated. In the activated mode, a middle region 330 between the two optical connectors 215 A, 215B may emit significantly less light compared to the middle region 230 as described with reference to FIG. 2D. In some examples, a user may see an original color of the second WVTC 305 at a predetermined distance from the second WVTC 305 after the LED 220A, 220B are activated. Accordingly, for example, the user may advantageously distinguish between the light of the LED 220A, 220B easily.
[0040] FIG. 3C shows an exemplary beam intensity profile 310 of the LED 220B of the second WVTC 305 having the light separator 300. As shown, the exemplary beam intensity profile 310 may be asymmetric along the x-axis. In various implementations, the exemplary beam intensity profile 310 may include a first intensity change 315 having a slower rate of change away from the adjacent LED 220A then a second intensity change 320 towards the LED 220A. For example, the light separator 300 may advantageously create a wider viewing angle to read a status of a connection port while keeping the two LED 220A, 220B distinguishable.
[0041] FIG. 4 A and FIG. 4B depict exemplary embodiments of a translucent housing having various embodiments of optical connectors. As shown, a translucent housing 400 may include optical connectors 405. In this example, the optical connectors 405 may include a width of x3 along the x-axis. As shown, x3 > x2. For example, the optical connectors 405 may cover the LED 220A. In some implementations, xl < x3 < x2. In various implementations, having a wider optical connector, the translucent housing 400 may advantageously mitigate the stray light between the LED 220 A, 220B.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4B, an optical connector 410 disposed above an LED 415. For example, the optical connector 410 may include a width x4 > Wied (width of the LED 415). In this example, the optical connector 410 also includes a curved bottom 420. In some implementations, the curved bottom 420 may include a shape capturing a light emitted from the LED 415. For example, the curved bottom 420 may be semi-spherical. For example, the optical connector 410 may be configured to straddle the LED 415 on each side. For example, the optical connector 410 may include a bottom surface shaped to straddle the LED 415 along the x-axis. For example, the optical connector 410 may be used as a light blocker to guide emitted light from the LED 415 to an edge of a translucent housing (e.g., the translucent housing 400).
[0043] In some examples, the curved bottom 420 may be molded as a lens. For example, the lens may include a curve to converge or diverge the light from the LED 415. In some examples, the lens may be converging the light in one axis and be diverging in another axis. Various embodiments may advantageously reduce the stray light in the middle region 230.
[0044] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B depicts an exemplary configuration and corresponding response between adjacent status lights. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a translucent housing 500 includes two light outlets 505 A, 505B. As shown, the two light outlets 505A, 505B are separated by a separation region 510. For example, a width w of the two light outlets 505A, 505B may be related to a width of an optical connector connecting each of the two light outlets 505A, 505B to a sub-surface LED (e.g., disposed on the circuit board 205. The separation region includes a width Xs. In some implementations, Xs/2 may be a positive multiple of w larger than 1. For example, varying a ratio between Xs and w may vary a light intensity between the two light outlets 505A, 505B in the activated mode after the translucent housing 500 is assembled a WVTC (e.g., the WVTC 100).
[0045] As shown in FIG. 5B, a beam intensity profile 515 of a light emitted in the activate mode through one of the two light outlets 505 A, 505B is depicted. The beam intensity profile 515 includes a peak intensity (I_max). In this example, I_max may be consistent within the width w of the light outlet 505 A. As shown, the beam intensity profile 515 includes a maximum intensity (I_thres) to separate adjacent lights. For example, the maximum intensity I_thres may be predetermined to be, for example, 10%, 20%, 30%, or more, of I_max. For example, I_thres may be the maximum intensity that a user may distinguish between adjacent light. [0046| In this example, the beam intensity profile 515 includes, at a mid-point of the two light outlets 505A, 505A (e.g., at Xs/2), a beam intensity I_s. In some examples, because I_s < I_thres, a user may be able to distinguish between a light emitted through the two light outlets 505 A, 505B. [0047] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary WVTC having a protruded light emission feature. In this example, a WVTC 600 includes a protruded light outlet 605 extended out of an external surface of a housing 610. For example, the protruded light outlet 605 may be molded to the housing 610 as a continuous surface at an edge 615 of the housing 610. In some embodiments, the protruded light outlet 605 may advantageously increase a viewing angle of a light emitted through the protruded light outlet 605 in a traverse axis (e.g., the y-axis and the z-axis) relative to the edge 615.
[0048] In some implementations, the protruded light outlet 605 may advantageously provide a more distinguishable distribution of light intensity form viewing along the xy -plane and the xz- plane. For example, the protruded light outlet 605 may be proud of an external surface of the housing 610 by 1mm. For example, the protruded light outlet 605 may be proud of an external surface of the housing 610 by less than 1mm. For example, the protruded light outlet 605 may be proud of an external surface of the housing 610 by more than 1mm. Various embodiments may advantageously enhance visibility of an emitted light. In some examples, the extended optical connector may advantageously allow a user to visualize lighting patterns and colors at each connector port. For example, the user may troubleshoot any status problems in the WVTC faster. [0049] Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, other embodiments are possible. In some implementations, the optical connector 135 may be used to guide light emitted by other status light emitters. For example, a status light emitter may include a light source controlled by the circuit board 120. For example, the circuit board 120 may control a release of light from the light source using a switch.
[0050] Although an exemplary system has been described with reference to FIG. 1, other implementations may be deployed in other industrial, scientific, medical, commercial, and/or residential applications.
[0051] In various embodiments, some bypass circuits implementations may be controlled in response to signals from analog or digital components, which may be discrete, integrated, or a combination of each. Some embodiments may include programmed, programmable devices, or some combination thereof (e.g., PLAs, PLDs, ASICs, microcontroller, microprocessor), and may include one or more data stores (e.g., cell, register, block, page) that provide single or multi-level digital data storage capability, and which may be volatile, non-volatile, or some combination thereof. Some control functions may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of any of them. 100521 In various implementations, the system may communicate using suitable communication methods, equipment, and techniques. For example, the system may communicate with compatible devices (e.g., devices capable of transferring data to and/or from the system) using point-to-point communication in which a message is transported directly from the source to the receiver over a dedicated physical link (e.g., fiber optic link, point-to-point wiring, daisy-chain).
[0053] The components of the system may exchange information by any form or medium of analog or digital data communication, including packet-based messages on a communication network. Examples of communication networks include, e.g., a LAN (local area network), a WAN (wide area network), MAN (metropolitan area network), wireless and/or optical networks, the computers and networks forming the Internet, or some combination thereof.
[0054] Other implementations may transport messages by broadcasting to all or substantially all devices that are coupled together by a communication network, for example, by using omnidirectional radio frequency (RF) signals. Still other implementations may transport messages characterized by high directivity, such as RF signals transmitted using directional (i.e., narrow beam) antennas or infrared signals that may optionally be used with focusing optics. Still other implementations are possible using appropriate interfaces and protocols such as, by way of example and not intended to be limiting, USB 2.0, Firewire, ATA/IDE, RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, 802.11 a/b/g, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, IrDA, FDDI (fiber distributed data interface), token-ring networks, multiplexing techniques based on frequency, time, or code division, or some combination thereof. Some implementations may optionally incorporate features such as error checking and correction (ECC) for data integrity, or security measures, such as encryption (e.g., WEP) and password protection.
[0055] Various examples of modules may be implemented using circuitry, including various electronic hardware. By way of example and not limitation, the hardware may include transistors, resistors, capacitors, switches, integrated circuits, other modules, or some combination thereof. In various examples, the modules may include analog logic, digital logic, discrete components, traces and/or memory circuits fabricated on a silicon substrate including various integrated circuits (e.g., FPGAs, ASICs), or some combination thereof. In some embodiments, the module(s) may involve execution of preprogrammed instructions, software executed by a processor, or some combination thereof. For example, various modules may involve both hardware and software.
[0056] In an illustrative aspect, a network communication hub may include a housing. For example, the housing may include a translucent surface disposed on a light emitting edge on a first axis of the housing. For example, the translucent surface may include a non-transparent color. For example, the housing may include a plurality of light pipes. 100571 For example, the network communication hub may include a plurality of indicator light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed within the housing. For example, each of the plurality of indicator LEDs may be optically coupled to the light emitting edge through one of the plurality of light pipes. For example, in an activation mode, at least one of the plurality of indicator LEDs may emit a light beam. A corresponding one of the plurality of light pipes optically may guide the light beam to the light emitting edge.
[0058] For example, on an exterior of the housing, the light beam may include a first beam unimodal intensity profile (BUIP) in the first axis, a second BUIP in a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third BUIP in a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis. For example, each of the first, the second, and the third BUIP may include a peak intensity, a predetermined threshold intensity defined as a predetermined percentage less than the peak intensity, and a threshold distance defined as a shortest distance between the peak intensity and the predetermined threshold intensity. For example, the threshold distance of the first BUIP may be shorter than the threshold distance of the second BUIP and the third BUIP that, in the activation mode, the light beam may include a greater than 90 degree viewing angle along a plane defined by the second axis and the third axis, and a separation region along the first axis showing the nontransparent color of the housing.
[0059] For example, the percentage may be more than 10%. For example, the plurality of light pipes are unitarily molded with the housing. For example, the plurality of light pipes and the housing may form a uniform and continuous surface.
[0060] For example, the plurality of light pipes may be configured to visually protrude out of an external surface of the housing. For example, an external surface of the plurality of light pipes and the external surface of the housing may include one continuous surface.
[0061] For example, the housing further may include a light separator disposed between at least two of the plurality of indicator LEDs that may be adjacently placed. For example, stray light between the two adjacently placed indicator LEDs may be reduced.
[0062] For example, an inner surface of each of the plurality of light pipes closest to a corresponding indicator LED may include a first width along the first axis and the plurality of indicator LEDs may include a second width along the first axis. For example, the first width may be wider than the second width.
[0063] For example, the housing may include a minimum distance between any two of the plurality of indicator LEDs. For example, the minimum distance may be larger than a multiple of the threshold distance of the first BUIP. For example, the multiple may be larger than 1. 100641 For example, each of the plurality of light pipes may be configured to straddle a corresponding indicator LED. For example, the light beam emitted from an indicator LED may be prevented from leaking out of a corresponding light pipe.
[0065] In an illustrative aspect, a network communication hub may include a housing. For example, the housing may include a translucent surface disposed on a light emitting edge (130 A) on a first axis of the housing. For example, the translucent surface may include a non-transparent color.
[0066] For example, the network communication hub may include at least one status light emitter disposed within the housing. For example, the network communication hub may include an optical connector configured to optically couple the at least one status light emitter to the light emitting edge. For example, in an activation mode, the at least one status light emitter may emit a light beam and the optical connector may guide the light beam to the light emitting edge. For example, on an exterior of the housing, the light beam may include a first beam unimodal intensity profile (BUIP) in the first axis, a second BUIP in a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third BUIP in a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis.
[0067] For example, each of the first, the second, and the third BUIP may include a peak intensity, a threshold intensity defined as a percentage less than the peak intensity, and a threshold distance defined as a shortest distance between the peak intensity and the threshold intensity. For example, the threshold distance of the first BUIP may be shorter than the threshold distance of the second BUIP and the third BUIP.
[0068] For example, the housing may include a plurality of the optical connector, and the at least one status light emitter may include a plurality of status light emitters, each of the plurality of status light emitters may be connected to the light emitting edge through a separate corresponding optical connector
[0069] For example, the housing further may include a light separator disposed between at least two of the plurality of status light emitters that may be adjacently placed. For example, stray light between the two adjacently placed status light emitters may be reduced.
[0070] For example, the housing may include a minimum distance between any two of the plurality of status light emitters. For example, the minimum distance may be larger than a multiple of the threshold distance of the first BUIP. For example, the multiple may be larger than 1.
[0071] For example, each of the plurality of light pipes may be configured to straddle a corresponding indicator LED such that the light beam emitted from a indicator LED may be prevented from leaking out of a corresponding light pipe. 100721 For example, in the activation mode, the light beam may include a greater than 90 degree viewing angle along a plane defined by the second axis and the third axis, and a separation region along the first axis showing the non-transparent color of the housing.
[0073] For example, the threshold intensity may include a percentage of more than 10%. For example, the optical connector may be unitarily molded with the housing. For example, the optical connector and the housing may form a uniform and continuous surface.
[0074] For example, the optical connector may be configured to visually protrude out of an external surface of the housing. For example, an external surface of the optical connector and the external surface of the housing may include one continuous surface.
[0075] For example, an inner surface the optical connector closest to the at least one status light emitter may include a first width along the first axis and the at least one status light emitter may include a second width along the first axis. For example, the first width may be wider than the second width. For example, the at least one status light emitter may include an indicator light emitting diode.
[0076] In an illustrative aspect, a communication hub housing may include a translucent surface disposed on a light emitting edge on a first axis. For example, the translucent surface may include a non-transparent color. For example, the communication hub housing may include a plurality of light pipes unitarily molded with the translucent surface, such that the plurality of light pipes and the translucent surface may form a uniform and continuous surface. For example, the communication hub housing may be configured to encapsulate at least part of a circuit board comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in an assembled mode. For example, each of the plurality of light pipes may be configured to disposed proximately to a corresponding each of the plurality of LEDs.
[0077] For example, when the plurality of LEDs may be activated to emit a light beam, the plurality of light pipes optically couple the plurality of LEDs to the light emitting edge to transmit the light beam to an external of the light emitting edge. For example, on the external of the light emitting edge, the light beam may include a first beam unimodal intensity profile (BUIP) in the first axis, a second BUIP in a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, and a third BUIP in a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis.
[0078] For example, each of the first, the second, and the third BUIP may include a peak intensity, a threshold intensity defined as a percentage less than the peak intensity, and a threshold distance defined as a shortest distance between the peak intensity and the threshold intensity. For example, the threshold distance of the first BUIP may be shorter than the threshold distance of the second BUIP and the third BUIP that the light beam may include a greater than 90 degree viewing angle along a plane defined by the second axis and the third axis and a separation region along the first axis showing the non-transparent color of the translucent surface.
[0079] The communication hub housing of any of [0076-78] may be combined with the network communication hub of any of [0065-75]. The communication hub housing of any of [0076-78] may be combined with the network communication hub of any of [0056-64].
[0080] The network communication hub of any of [0065-75] may be combined with the communication hub housing of any of [0076-78]. The network communication hub of any of [0065-75] may be combined with the network communication hub of any of [0056-64].
[0081] The network communication hub of any of [0056-64] may be combined with the communication hub housing of any of [0076-78]. The network communication hub of any of [0056-64] may be combined with the network communication hub of any of [0065-75].
[0082] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations are contemplated within the scope of the following claims.