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.

A data and power communication cable that provides galvanic isolation between data-signal related circuitry and power-signal related circuitry present at both ends of the cable. The cable includes a first connector configured to mate with a first device to receive data and power signals therefrom; a first galvanic-isolating device configured to generate a galvanic-isolated data signal based on the data signal; a second galvanic-isolating device configured to generate a galvanic-isolated power signal based on the power signal; a second connector configured to mate with a second device to provide the galvanic-isolated data signal and the galvanic-isolated power signal thereto; a first set of communication mediums to route the data signal or the galvanic-isolated data signal from the first connector to the second connector; and a second set of communication mediums to route the power signal or the galvanic-isolated power signal from the first connector to the second connector.

A data and power communication cable that provides galvanic isolation between data-signal related circuitry and power-signal related circuitry present at both ends of the cable. The cable includes a first connector configured to mate with a first device to receive data and power signals therefrom; a first galvanic-isolating device configured to generate a galvanic-isolated data signal based on the data signal; a second galvanic-isolating device configured to generate a galvanic-isolated power signal based on the power signal; a second connector configured to mate with a second device to provide the galvanic-isolated data signal and the galvanic-isolated power signal thereto; a first set of communication mediums to route the data signal or the galvanic-isolated data signal from the first connector to the second connector; and a second set of communication mediums to route the power signal or the galvanic-isolated power signal from the first connector to the second connector.

According to an embodiment, a connector device is connected to an electronic device. The connector device includes a signal processor, a switch, and a movable member. The signal processor processes a signal inputted from the electronic device or a signal outputted to the electronic device. The switch is ON when power supplied from the electronic device is used as a power supply for operating the signal processor. The movable member moves to a first position when the switch is ON and moves to a second position when the switch is OFF. The connector device is connectable to a power-supply-support electronic device and is not connectable to a power-supply-non-support electronic device when the movable member is at the first position. The connector device is connectable to the power-supply-support and power-supply-non-support electronic devices when the movable member is at the second position.

A system for powering a network element of a fiber optic wide area network is disclosed. When communication data is transferred between a central office (CO) and a subscriber terminal using a network element to convert optical to electrical (O-E) and electrical to optical (E-O) signals between a fiber from the central office and twisted wire pair, coaxial cable or Ethernet cable transmission lines from the subscriber terminal, techniques related to local powering of a network element or drop site by the subscriber terminal or subscriber premise remote powering device are provided. Certain advantages and/or benefits are achieved using the present invention, such as freedom from any requirement for additional meter installations or meter connection charges and does not require a separate power network.

A modulating circuit is disclosed which includes a switch, wherein the switch comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, a transistor, wherein the transistor comprises a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, a power converter, wherein the power converter comprises a power input, a multiplexer, wherein the multiplexer comprises an output, and a feedback controller, wherein the feedback controller comprises a first output, a third input, and a fourth input, wherein the power input is coupled to the first terminal, wherein the second terminal is coupled to the fourth terminal, wherein the third terminal is coupled to the first output, wherein the third input is coupled to the fourth terminal, wherein the fourth input is coupled to the output.

A self-organizing network of nodes communicates with uncollimated optical pulses. The nodes use low-power, unmoving, broad-beam optical interfaces, low-power processors, and communication algorithms based on timeslots within a timeframe. Nodes self-organize to form the network by pulsing detectors and sources to find neighboring nodes, confirm connections, transmit and store data, and exchange partner node identities. Two- or three-dimensional networks can thereby self-organize without external awareness of network topology, and can repair themselves when nodes move or fail. Node communication may be synchronous, thereby allowing for images of the environment status, and activation of the environment is possible via node stimulators. After forming a network, a cluster of nodes may be read out to provide data from node sensors. Implementation of selected features in the nodes' processors enable formation of networks that are unidirectional, bidirectional, serial, or complex including the formation of meshed networks with adjustable link weights capable of computation.

A self-organizing network of nodes communicates with uncollimated optical pulses. The nodes use low-power, unmoving, broad-beam optical interfaces, low-power processors, and communication algorithms based on timeslots within a timeframe. Nodes self-organize to form the network by pulsing detectors and sources to find neighboring nodes, confirm connections, transmit and store data, and exchange partner node identities. Two- or three-dimensional networks can thereby self-organize without external awareness of network topology, and can repair themselves when nodes move or fail. Node communication may be synchronous, thereby allowing for images of the environment status, and activation of the environment is possible via node stimulators. After forming a network, a cluster of nodes may be read out to provide data from node sensors. Implementation of selected features in the nodes' processors enable formation of networks that are unidirectional, bidirectional, serial, or complex including the formation of meshed networks with adjustable link weights capable of computation.

A self-organizing network of nodes communicates with uncollimated optical pulses. The nodes use low-power, unmoving, broad-beam optical interfaces, low-power processors, and communication algorithms based on timeslots within a timeframe. Nodes self-organize to form the network by pulsing detectors and sources to find neighboring nodes, confirm connections, transmit and store data, and exchange partner node identities. Two- or three-dimensional networks can thereby self-organize without external awareness of network topology, and can repair themselves when nodes move or fail. Node communication may be synchronous, thereby allowing for images of the environment status, and activation of the environment is possible via node stimulators. After forming a network, a cluster of nodes may be read out to provide data from node sensors. Implementation of selected features in the nodes' processors enable formation of networks that are unidirectional, bidirectional, serial, or complex including the formation of meshed networks with adjustable link weights capable of computation.

An energy-harvesting system capable of wireless communication is disclosed which includes a solar cell adapted to generate charge from incident light on the solar cell; an energy-harvesting circuit coupled to the solar cell, the energy-harvesting circuit adapted to convey charge from the solar cell to an energy reservoir; a data communication circuit adapted to encode data to be communicated by the solar cell by adjusting the voltage across the solar cell into at least two states including 1) an open circuit (OC) state, where the current through the solar cell is substantially zero, and 2) a maximum power point (MPP) state, where power (VI) drawn from the solar cell is maximum, wherein the solar cell in response to the changes in its voltage and the incident light emits luminescent radiation with an intensity corresponding to the at least two states, thereby forming a wireless transmitter.