Electronic device display system and method

Abstract

A system and method are provided for displaying electronic devices operable when electrical power is supplied to them at respective operating voltages through respective power connectors. The system has a power supply providing input electrical current at a first voltage and cable structures each connected with the power supply and having a respective power connector electrically connecting with the power receiving structure of one of the electronic devices. The cable structures each include a voltage regulator system that receives the input electrical current, converts it to an output electrical current at an output voltage, and transmits it to the power connector, so as to transmit an operating electrical current to the associated electronic device. The voltage regulator system sets the output voltage of the output electrical current such that the operating electrical current delivered to the associated electronic device has a voltage that corresponds to the operating voltage of that device. This is accomplished by connecting the voltage regulator to a calibrating component with a selected electrical characteristic that sets the output voltage. A security circuit creates an alarm when separation of the electrical device from the system occurs.

1 . A system for displaying a plurality of electronic devices each being operable when electrical power is supplied thereto at a respective operating voltage through a respective power connector, said system comprising: 
 a power supply providing input electrical current at a first voltage;    a plurality of cable structures each being connected with the power supply so as to receive said input electrical current therefrom at said first voltage, and each having a respective power connector configured to electrically connect with the power receiving structure of a respective one of the electronic devices;    said cable structures each including a respective voltage regulator system receiving said input electrical current, and converting said input electrical current to a respective output electrical current at a respective output voltage and transmitting said output electrical current to said power connector so as to transmit an operating electrical current to the associated electronic device;    said voltage regulator system setting the output voltage of the output electrical current such that the operating electrical current delivered to the associated electronic device has a voltage that corresponds to the operating voltage of said electronic device.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the voltage regulator system comprises a voltage regulator electrically connected with a calibrating component, said voltage regulator setting the output voltage of said output electrical current dependent upon an electrical characteristic of said calibrating component.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the electrical characteristic of the calibrating component on which the output voltage of the output current depends is resistance, and said calibrating component comprises a resistor.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the calibrating component is electrically connected with the voltage regulator via a releasable connector structure.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the releasable connector structure is a jack-and-socket system.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said releasable connector structure also connects said voltage regulator system with the power connector.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the releasable connector structure is a jack-and-socket electrical connection system comprising 
 a socket connected with the voltage regulator, and    a jack connected to an end of a cable having an opposite end connected electrically with said power connector so that said output current from said voltage regulator flows to said power connector through said cable.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said calibrating component is also connected with said opposite end of said cable.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the power connector has a body and the calibrating component is supported in or adjacent said body.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the jack has a body, and the calibrating component is in said body.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said jack and socket system is a USB plug structure.  
   
   
       12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the power supply is part of a base module from which the cable structure extends; 
 said cable structure including a security module configured to be secured to the associated electronic device;    said cable structure including a cable portion forming a security circuit extending from the base module to said security module;    said security module closing the security circuit when said security portion is secured to the electronic device, and said security module breaking the security circuit when the security module is removed from the electronic device, and    an alarm system determining if the security circuit has been broken, said alarm system generating a visible or audible alarm responsive to a determination that the security circuit has been broken.    
   
   
       14 - 25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . A method for displaying a plurality of electrical devices each being supplied with electrical current at a respective operating voltage through a respective power input structure configured to electrically connect with a respective power connector structure fitting complementarily therewith, said method comprising: 
 providing a base module having a power supply with a plurality of electrical connector structures each supplied with DC current at a first voltage;    securing to each electronic device a respective device module;    connecting a first cable between each device module and a respective electrical connector structure of the base module so that said first cables each carry said DC current at said first voltage to the associated device module;    the device modules each having a respective voltage regulator receiving the DC current and converting said DC current to a respective output current; connecting a second cable between each device module and the electrical device secured thereto, said second cable receiving the output current from the device module and transmitting the output current to a power connector complementarily engaging and electrically connecting with the power input structure of said electrical device;    said output current being transmitted to the electrical device at a voltage corresponding to the operating voltage of said device;    each of said voltage regulators setting the associated output current at a voltage that is dependent on an electrical characteristic of a respective calibrating component connected therewith, said calibrating component being part of the associated second cable connected with the device module.    
   
   
       27 - 32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . A cable assembly comprising: 
 a first electrical connector element having at least four electrical contacts configured to make four separate electrical connections when said first electrical connector element is secured in engagement with a complementary electrical connector structure;    a cable portion having two opposite ends and two wires each connected with a respective one of said electrical contacts of the first electrical connector element;    a device power input jack having at least two electrical contacts each connected electrically with a respective wire of said cable portion, said power input jack being configured to be matingly engaged with a power input structure as an electrical device so as to form an electrical connection therewith supplying electrical power to said electrical device at an operating voltage through said power input structure;    a calibrating component connected with two other contacts of the first electrical connector element so that a circuit containing the calibrating component is formed between said two contacts, said calibrating component having an electrical characteristic selected to cause a voltage regulator connected therewith to transmit electrical power at a voltage corresponding to the operating voltage of the electrical device.    
   
   
       34 . The cable assembly of  claim 33 , wherein said first electrical connector is a jack element configured to be inserted in a complementary socket.  
   
   
       35 . The cable assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the first electrical connector element has a body and the calibrating component is supported therein.  
   
   
       36 . The cable assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the electrical characteristic is resistance, and the calibrating component comprises a resistor.  
   
   
       37 . The cable assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the cable portion has at least four wires, and the calibrating component is supported in or adjacent the power input jack, two of said wires of the cable portion being electrically connected with the calibrating component.  
   
   
       38 - 55 . (canceled)