Connector interface system for a multi-communication device

• US 20050240705A1
• Filed: 04/27/2004
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Filson, John Benjamin, Novotney, Donald J., Tupman, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,441,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/303
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/027 Remotely controlled remote control systems in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6456 comprising keying elements at different positions along the periphery of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2105/00 Three poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

A connector interface system a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Heretofore, all these features have not been implemented in a connector. Therefore, this would allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features. These controls help a user sort and search for data more efficiently within the device.

Claims

1. A docking connector for a multi-communication device comprising:

a plurality of keys for coupling the docking connector to a docking station;

the plurality of keys being separated by a predetermined length, wherein the predetermined length is customized.

2. The docking connector of claim 1 wherein the docking connector includes a Firewire connector interface.

3. The docking connector of claim 2 wherein the docking connector includes a plurality of signal pins wherein the plurality of signal pins define a first make/last break contact thereby minimizing internal damage.

5. The docking connector of claim 1 wherein a ground signal pin within the docking connector interfaces with a docking accessory before a power signal pin within the docking connector.

4. The docking connector of clam 3 wherein a Firewire and USB interface are both utilized in the docking connector.

6. A connector interface comprising:

a remote connector, the remote connector including a microphone and including a receptacle that outputs audio, video, provides I/O serial protocol.

7. A connector interface system for a multi-communication device comprising:

a connector system for receiving a plurality of signals; and

a serial protocol which allows for controls to help a user sort and search for data within the multi-communication device.

8. The connector interface system of claim 7, wherein the connector system comprises a docking connector and a remote connector.

9. The connector interface system of claim 8 wherein both docking and remote connectors interface with the controls to allow for any combination of the following functions of the multi-communications device:

Next album;

Previous album;

Next chapter;

Previous chapter;

Next play list;

Previous play list;

Shuffle setting advance;

Repeat setting advance;

Backlight for 30 seconds;

Begin fast forward;

Begin rewind.

10. A connector interface system for a multi-communication device comprising:

a connector system for reviewing a plurality of signals;

the connector system comprising a remote connector;

the remote connector including a microphone and including at least one receptacle that outputs audio, video, and provides an I/O serial protocol; and

a docking connector comprising a plurality of keys for coupling the docking connector to a docking station, the plurality of keys being separated by a predetermined length, wherein the predetermined length is customized and a plurality of signal pins, wherein the plurality of signal pins define the first make/last break contact, thereby minimizing internal damage; and

a serial protocol which allows for controls to sort and search for data within the multi-communication device;

wherein both docking and remote connectors interface with the controls to allow for any combination of the following functions of the multi-communications device;

Next album;

Previous album;

Next chapter;

Previous chapter;

Next play list;

Previous play list;

Shuffle setting advance;

Repeat setting advance;

Backlight for 30 seconds;

Begin fast forward;

Begin rewind.

11. A docking connector comprising:

an keying arrangement, wherein one set of keys are separated by one length and another set of keys are separated by another length; and

a plurality of pins, wherein the plurality of pins includes a first make/last break contact, wherein the ground pins are longer than the power pins, wherein the ground pins make contact with a mating connector before the power pins, and the plurality of pins includes a USB interface and a Firewire interface.

12. A docking connector comprising:

a keying arrangement, wherein one set of keys are separated by one length and another set of keys are separated by another length; and

thirty-two signal pins, wherein the pins include first break/last make contact, wherein the ground pins make contact with a mating connection before the power pins;

wherein the thirty-two pins comprise two Firewire and charge ground pins, three Firewire signal pins, two USB signal pins, a USB power in pin, an accessory identity signal pin, two Firewire and charge input power signals, an accessory power signal in pin, two digital ground signals, input serial protocol pin, an output serial protocol pin, an accessory detect signal pin, a line in signal for left channel signal pin, a line in signal for right channel signal pin, a line out signal for left channel signal pin, a line out for right signal channel pin, an audio return signal pin, two chassis ground for connector shell pins and six reserve pins.

13. A remote connector comprising:

a body portion, the body portion including a first receptacle for a headphone and second receptacle for a remote device; and

nine signal pins coupled to the first and second receptacles, the nine signal pins comprising an audio out left channel/Mono microphone in pin, a plug insertion detect pin, an audio return pin, an audio out right channel pin, an accessory power pin, a serial transmit pin, a serial protocol receive pin, a digital ground pin and a reserve pin.