Magnetic connector with optical signal path

• US 8,702,316 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2010
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: DiFonzo, John C., Ligtenberg, Chris, Culbert, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): LEPISTO, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US12/910,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20110038582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 385/57, 385/74, 439/39, 439/40, 439/38
• US Class Current: 385/57
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3886 Magnetic means to align ferrule ends
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6616 with resistor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/00 Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure contact members H01R13/02; securing contact members in or to a base or case or insulating of contact members H01R13/40; bases or cases H01R13/46; means for supporting coupling part when not engaged H01R13/60; means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement H01R13/62; means for preventing, inhibiting or avoiding incorrect coupling H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.

Claims

1. A power and data adapter comprising:

a first port for receiving a first power supply;

a second port for a data connection; and

a third port for a second power supply, a ground, and an optical data signal;

a cable connected to the third port for the second power supply, the ground, and the optical data signal,

a connector insert connected to the cable and comprising;

a first pin and second pin for the second power supply,

a third pin and fourth pin for the ground; and

a fifth pin for the optical data signal, the fifth pin having a collector to improve the data signal,

wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pins are arranged in a single line.

2. The power and data adapter of claim 1 wherein the first power supply is an AC power supply received from a wall outlet.

3. The power and data adapter of claim 1 wherein the first power supply is a DC power supply received from a car outlet.

4. The power and data adapter of claim 1 wherein the data connection is a Universal Serial Bus connection.

5. The power and data adapter of claim 1 wherein the data connection is a Local Area Network connection.

6. The power and data adapter of claim 1 wherein the data connection is a Digital Visual Interface connection.

7. The power and data adapter of claim 1 further comprising:

first circuitry for converting data received at the data connection to the optical data signal.

8. The power and data adapter of claim 7 further comprising:

second circuitry for converting the first power supply to the second power supply.

9. A power and data adapter comprising:

a housing comprising;

a first power connector for receiving a first power supply;

a first data connector for a data connection; and

a first port for a second power supply, a ground, and an optical data signal;

a cable connected to the third port for the second power supply, the ground, and the optical data signal,

a connector insert connected to the cable and comprising;

a first pin and second pin for the second power supply,

a third pin and fourth pin for the ground; and

a fifth pin for the optical data signal, the fifth pin having a collector to improve the data signal,

wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pins are arranged in a single line.

10. The power and data adapter of claim 9 further comprising:

first circuitry in the housing for converting data received at the first data connector to the optical data signal.

11. The power and data adapter of claim 10 further comprising:

second circuitry in the housing for converting the first power supply to the second power supply.

12. The power and data adapter of claim 9 wherein the first power supply is an AC power supply received from a wall outlet.

13. The power and data adapter of claim 9 wherein the first power supply is a DC power supply received from a car outlet.