ADAPTER

• US 20100081337A1
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lydon, Gregory T., Dorogusker, Jesse, Bolton, Lawrence G., Schubert, Emily C., Alten, Brett Gregory, Ginsburg, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 8,041,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/660
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus

Abstract

Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide compatibility among incompatible accessories and portable media players. One example provides an adapter having a connector receptacle to mate with an accessory'"'"'s connector insert and a connector insert to mate with a portable media player'"'"'s connector receptacle. Another example provides an adapter having a direct connection between pins on the connector insert and pins on the connector receptacle that are used for compatible signals. Another example provides an adapter including a DC-to-DC converter that receives a first power supply from an accessory and provides a second power supply to a portable media player. Another translates signals using different signaling technologies. Authentication and identification circuitry may also be included. Other examples may employ wireless technologies instead of either or both the connector insert and connector receptacle.

Claims

1. An adapter for providing a communication path between a portable electronic device and an accessory, the adapter comprising:

a connector receptacle to mate with a connector insert on an accessory; and

a connector insert to mate with a connector receptacle on the portable electronic device,

wherein the connector insert on the adapter is incompatible with the connector receptacle on the adapter.

2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the incompatibility is physical.

3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the incompatibility is electrical.

4. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the incompatibility is both physical and electrical.

5. The adapter of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of wires directly connecting contact pins in the connector insert of the adapter with contact pins in the connector receptacle of the adapter.

6. The adapter of claim 3 wherein a first power supply voltage received at the connector insert is different than a voltage to be provided at the connector receptacle.

7. The adapter of claim 3 further comprising a DC-to-DC converter to convert a first voltage received at the connector receptacle of the adapter to a second voltage to be provided at the connector insert of the adapter.

8. The adapter of claim 3 further comprising translation circuitry to translate between signals using a first signaling technology at the connector insert of the adapter and signals using a second signaling technology at the connector receptacle of the adapter.

9. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the portable electronic device is a portable media player.

10. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising identification circuitry to provide identification information to the accessory.

11. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising authentication circuitry to respond to an authentication query received at the connector receptacle of the adapter.

12. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising a video converter to convert a first video signal using a first technology provided by the portable electronic device to a second video signal using a second technology to the accessory.

13. An adapter for providing a communication path between a portable electronic device and an accessory, the adapter comprising:

a connector receptacle to mate with a connector insert on an accessory;

a wireless interface to communicate with the portable electronic device; and

translation circuitry to translate between signals at the connector receptacle and signals at the wireless interface.

14. The adapter of claim 13 wherein the portable electronic device is a portable media player.

15. The adapter of claim 13 further comprising identification circuitry to provide identification information to the accessory.

16. The adapter of claim 13 further comprising authentication circuitry to respond to an authentication query received at the connector receptacle of the adapter.

17. The adapter of claim 13 further comprising power supply circuitry to receive power from the accessory.

18. An adapter for providing a communication path between a portable electronic device and an accessory, the adapter comprising:

a wireless interface to communicate with the accessory;

a connector insert to mate with a connector receptacle on the portable electronic device, and

translation circuitry to translate between signals at the connector insert and signals at the wireless interface.

19. The adapter of claim 18 wherein the portable electronic device is a portable media player.

20. The adapter of claim 18 further comprising power supply circuitry to receive power from the portable electronic device.