Connector interface system for enabling data communication with a multi-communication device

• US 7,441,062 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2004
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Novotney, Donald J., Tupman, David, Filson, John Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan; Raymond N
• Application Number:
  US10/833,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20050240705A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,638 Days
• Field of Search: 710300-315, 710 8- 19, 710 62- 74, 713300-310, 713324-340, 439/609, 725/153, 725/134, 369 2- 6
• 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 connector interface system for communicating with a multi-communication device, the connector interface system comprising:

a connector system for receiving a plurality of signal, wherein the connector system comprises a first connector, the first connector comprising;

a plurality of contacts configured to carry the plurality of signals; and

a keying mechanism that is configured to prevent a non-compliant connector from engaging the first connector; and

a serial protocol which allows for controls to help a user sort and search for data within the multi-communication device, wherein the connector system interfaces with the controls to allow for at least one of the following functions of the multi-communication device;

Shuffle setting advance, Begin fast forward, and Begin rewind.

2. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the functions of the multi-communication device further comprise Repeat setting advance.

3. The connector interface of claim 2 wherein the functions of the multi-communication device further comprise:

Next album, Previous album, Next chapter, Previous chapter, Next play list, Previous play list, and Backlight for a predetermined period of time.

4. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the keying mechanism of the first connector comprises a first set of keys that are spaced apart by a first predetermined distance.

5. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of contacts include a first plurality of contacts configured to carry universal serial bus (USB) signals.

6. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the serial protocol comprises a predetermined signaling protocol.

7. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the first connector electrically couples to a docking connector of the multi-communication device.

8. The connector interface system of claim 4 wherein the keying mechanism of the first connector further comprises a second set of keys that are spaced apart by a second predetermined distance that is different than the first predetermined distance.

9. A connector interface system for an accessory device configured to connect with a multi-communication device, the connector interface system 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,

wherein the connector system interfaces with the controls to allow for at least one of the following functions of the multi-communication device;

Shuffle setting advance, Begin fast forward, and Begin rewind, and

wherein the connector system comprises a first connector, the first connector comprising an accessory identify contact pin and an accessory detect contact pin, wherein when the accessory device is connected to the multi-communication device, the accessory identify contact pin and the accessory detect contact pin operate to identify the accessory device for the multi-communication device.

10. The connector interface system of claim 9 wherein the accessory device is identified when the accessory detect contact pin is coupled to ground and a resistor of predetermined value is coupled between the accessory identify and accessory detect contact pins.

11. A connector interface system for communicating with a multi-communication device, the connector interface system 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,

wherein the connector system interfaces with the controls to allow for at least one of the following functions of the multi-communication device;

Shuffle setting advance, Begin fast forward, and Begin rewind, and

wherein the serial protocol comprises a predetermined signaling protocol that is based on a modified RS-232 serial specification.

12. The connector interface system of claim 11 wherein the predetermined signaling protocol defines a mark by a signal that is 3.3 V or less, and a space by a signal that is about 0V.

13. The connector interface system of claim 11 wherein the predetermined signaling protocol is bidirectional.

14. The connector interface system of claim 11 wherein the serial protocol comprises a plurality of lingoes, each lingo comprising a plurality of commands that implement the controls.

15. The connector interface system of claim 13 wherein the serial protocol comprises a plurality of packets, wherein contents of a packet determine whether the packet is being transmitted from the multi-communication device to an accessory device or vice versa.

16. A connector interface system for communicating with a multi-communication device, the connector interface system 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,

wherein the connector system interfaces with the controls to allow for at least one of the following functions of the multi-communication device;

Shuffle setting advance, Begin fast forward, and Begin rewind, and

wherein the serial protocol comprises a predetermined signaling protocol that has a signaling rate of about 19,200 bits per second.

17. A connector interface system for communicating with a multi-communication device, the connector interface system 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,

wherein the connector system interfaces with the controls to allow for at least one of the following functions of the multi-communication device;

Shuffle setting advance, Begin fast forward, and Begin rewind,

wherein the serial protocol comprises a plurality of lingoes, each lingo comprising a plurality of commands that implement the controls, and

wherein the plurality of lingoes comprises a general lingo, a simple remote lingo and an RF transmitter lingo.

18. The connector interface system of claim 17 wherein the general lingo comprises a request identify command and an identify command, wherein the request identify command may be received by an accessory device from the multi-communication device, the request identify command requesting identification of the accessory device, and the identify command may be sent by the accessory device to the multi-communication device.

19. The connector interface system of claim 17 wherein the simple remote lingo comprises a buttons status command, wherein the button status command indicates an updated status of which buttons on the multi-communication device are held down.

20. The connector interface system of claim 17 wherein the plurality of lingoes further comprises a microphone lingo and a display remote lingo.

21. The connector interface system of claim 19 wherein the functions Play/Pause, Begin fast forward and Begin rewind have corresponding button states.

22. A connector interface system for communicating with a multi-communication device, the connector interface system 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,

wherein the connector system interfaces with the controls to allow for at least one of the following functions of the multi-communication device;

Shuffle setting advance, Begin fast forward, and Begin rewind,

wherein the connector system comprises a connector that is configured to electrically couple to a docking connector of the multi-communication device, and

wherein the connector comprises a plurality of pins designated to carry a plurality of signals, the plurality of signals comprising;

USB signals, accessory identify and accessory detect signals, and audio and video signals.

23. The connector interface system of claim 22 wherein the connector further comprises one or more pins designated to carry power.