TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSFERRING INFORMATION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MULTI-COMMUNICATION DEVICE

• US 20090013096A1
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Published: 01/08/2009
• 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 7,702,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/15
• 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 for 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. Embodiments of the present invention 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 method for transferring information between an accessory and a multi-communication device, the method comprising:

receiving, at the accessory, a request identify command from the multi-communication device requesting identification of one or more lingoes supported by the accessory;

transmitting, by the accessory, an identify command to the multi-communication device identifying the one or more lingoes supported by the accessory;

determining, at the accessory, when one or more controls in a plurality of controls are activated; and

transmitting, by the accessory, a status command to the multi-communication device, the status command including a bitmask with bits identifying the state of each of the one or more controls.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more lingoes include a simple remote lingo, and wherein the status command is included in the simple remote lingo.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the request identify command comprises a command ID byte having a value of 0x00.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the status command comprises a command ID byte having a value of 0x00.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the identify command comprises one or more lingo specification bytes associated with the one or more lingoes.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of controls include a play/pause control, a volume up control, and a volume down control, and wherein the play/pause, volume up, and volume down controls are associated with bits in the bitmask corresponding to a first lowest-order bit, a second lowest-order bit, and a third lowest-order bit respectively.

7. A protocol for transferring information between an accessory and a multi-communication device, the protocol comprising:

a request identify command for requesting identification of one or more lingoes supported by the accessory;

an identify command for identifying the one or more lingoes supported by the accessory; and

a status command for identifying one or more controls in a plurality of controls that are activated.

8. The protocol of claim 7 wherein the one or more lingoes include a simple remote lingo, and wherein the status command is included in the simple remote lingo.

9. The protocol of claim 7 wherein the request identify command comprises a command ID byte having a value of 0x00.

10. The protocol of claim 7 wherein the status command comprises a command ID byte having a value of 0x00.

11. The protocol of claim 7 wherein the identify command comprises one or more lingo specification bytes associated with the one or more lingoes.

12. The protocol of claim 7 wherein the plurality of controls include a play/pause control, a volume up control, and a volume down control, and wherein the play/pause, volume up, and volume down controls are associated with bits in the bitmask corresponding to a first lowest-order bit, a second lowest-order bit, and a third lowest-order bit respectively.

13. An accessory capable of being communicatively coupled with a multi-communication device, the accessory comprising:

a plurality of controls; and

a control component configured to;

receive a request identify command from the multi-communication device requesting identification of one or more lingoes supported by the accessory;

transmit an identify command to the multi-communication device identifying the one or more lingoes supported by the accessory;

determine when one or more controls in the plurality of controls are activated; and

transmit a status command to the multi-communication device, the status command including a bitmask with bits identifying the state of each of the one or more controls.

14. The accessory of claim 13 wherein the one or more lingoes include a simple remote lingo, and wherein the status command is included in the simple remote lingo.

15. The accessory of claim 13 wherein the request identify command comprises a command ID byte having a value of 0x00.

16. The accessory of claim 13 wherein the status command comprises a command ID byte having a value of 0x00.

17. The accessory of claim 13 wherein the identify command comprises one or more lingo specification bytes associated with the one or more lingoes.

18. The accessory of claim 13 wherein the plurality of controls include a play/pause control, a volume up control, and a volume down control, and wherein the play/pause, volume up, and volume down controls are associated with bits in the bitmask corresponding to a first lowest-order bit, a second lowest-order bit, and a third lowest-order bit respectively.

19. The accessory of claim 13 wherein the control component is configured to receive the request identify command and transmit the identify and status commands via a connector of the accessory.

20. The accessory of claim 19 wherein the connector comprises:

a plurality of pins configured to mate with a corresponding plurality of pins of a connector of the multi-communication device; and

an accessory-identifying resistor connected between two of the plurality of pins.

21. A multi-communication device capable of being communicatively coupled with an accessory, the multi-communication device comprising:

a control component configured to;

transmit a request identify command to the accessory requesting identification of one or more lingoes supported by the accessory;

receive an identify command from the accessory identifying the one or more lingoes supported by the accessory; and

receive a status command from the accessory pertaining to one or more controls in a plurality of controls, wherein the status command includes a bitmask with bits identifying the state of each of the one or more controls.

22. The multi-communication device of claim 21 wherein the one or more lingoes include a simple remote lingo, and wherein the status command is included in the simple remote lingo.

23. The multi-communication device of claim 21 wherein the request identify command comprises a command ID byte having a value of 0x00.

24. The multi-communication device of claim 21 wherein the status command comprises a command ID byte having a value of 0x00.

25. The multi-communication device of claim 21 wherein the identify command comprises one or more lingo specification bytes associated with the one or more lingoes.

26. The multi-communication device of claim 21 wherein the plurality of controls include a play/pause control, a volume up control, and a volume down control, and wherein the play/pause, volume up, and volume down controls are associated with bits in the bitmask corresponding to a first lowest-order bit, a second lowest-order bit, and a third lowest-order bit respectively.

27. The multi-communication device of claim 21 wherein the control component is configured to transmit the request identify command and receive the identify and status commands via a connector of the multi-communication device.

28. The multi-communication device of claim 27 wherein the connector comprises:

a plurality of pins configured to mate with a corresponding plurality of pins of a connector of the accessory; and

an accessory-identifying resistor connected between two of the plurality of pins.

29. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon program code which, when executed by a control component of an accessory, causes the accessory to transfer information to a multi-communication device, the program code comprising:

code instructing the control component to receive, from the multi-communication device, a request identify command requesting identification of one or more lingoes supported by the accessory;

code instructing the control component to transmit, to the multi-communication device, an identify command identifying the one or more lingoes supported by the accessory;

code instructing the control component to determine when one or more controls in a plurality of controls are activated; and

code instructing the control component to transmit a status command to the multi-communication device, the status command including a bitmask with bits identifying the state of each of the one or more controls.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 29 wherein the one or more lingoes include a simple remote lingo, and wherein the status command is included in the simple remote lingo.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 29 wherein the request identify command comprises a command ID byte having a value of 0x00.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 29 wherein the status command comprises a command ID byte having a value of 0x00.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 29 wherein the identify command comprises one or more lingo specification bytes associated with the one or more lingoes.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 29 wherein the plurality of controls include a play/pause control, a volume up control, and a volume down control, and wherein the play/pause, volume up, and volume down controls are associated with bits in the bitmask corresponding to a first lowest-order bit, a second lowest-order bit, and a third lowest-order bit respectively.