Interface system for enabling data communication between a multi-communication device and other devices

• US 7,853,746 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Filson, John B., Novotney, Donald J., Tupman, David
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, RAYMOND NGAN
• Application Number:
  US12/210,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20090013110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 710 8- 19, 710300-315, 710 62- 64, 710 72- 74, 710324-340, 439/609, 725/153, 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 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 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 for accessing 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 plurality of lingoes, each lingo comprising a plurality of commands that implement the controls.

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 system of claim 1 wherein the serial protocol comprises a predetermined signaling protocol.

4. The connector interface system of claim 3 wherein the predetermined signaling protocol is based on a modified RS-232 serial specification.

5. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of lingoes comprises a general lingo and a simple remote lingo.

6. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the connector system includes a first connector, the first connector comprising:

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

a keying mechanism configured to prevent a non-compliant connector from engaging the first connector.

7. The connector interface system 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.

8. The connector interface system of claim 3 wherein the predetermined signaling protocol that has a signaling rate of about 19,200 bits per second.

9. The connector interface system of claim 3 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.

10. The connector interface system of claim 3 wherein the predetermined signaling protocol is bidirectional.

11. The connector interface system of claim 5 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 wherein the identify command may be sent by the accessory device to the multi-communication device.

12. The connector interface system of claim 5 wherein the simple remote lingo comprises a buttons status command indicating an updated status of which buttons on the multi-communication device are held down.

13. The connector interface system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of lingoes further comprises an RF transmitter lingo, a microphone lingo and a display remote lingo.

14. The connector interface system of claim 6 wherein the keying mechanism of the first connector comprises a first set of keys that are spaced apart by a first predetermined distance.

15. The connector interface system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of contacts include a first plurality of contacts configured to carry universal serial bus (USB) signals.

16. The connector interface system of claim 6 wherein the first connector electrically couples to a docking connector of the multi-communication device.

17. The connector interface system of claim 6 wherein the first connector further comprises an accessory identify contact pin and an accessory detect contact pin, wherein when an 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.

18. The connector interface system of claim 6 wherein the first connector further comprises one or more pins designated to carry power.

19. The connector interface system of claim 10 wherein the serial protocol comprises a plurality of packets, and wherein contents of a packet determine whether the packet is being transmitted from the multi-communication device to an accessory device or vice versa.

20. The connector interface system of claim 14 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.

21. The connector interface system of claim 17 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.

22. An interface system for communicating with a multi-communication device, the interface system comprising:

an interface for receiving a plurality of signals; and

a serial protocol which allows for controls for accessing data within the multi-communication device, wherein the interface is communicatively coupled 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 plurality of lingoes, each lingo comprising a plurality of commands that implement the controls.

23. The interface system of claim 22 wherein the functions of the multi-communication device further comprise Repeat setting advance.

24. The interface system of claim 22 wherein the serial protocol comprises a predetermined signaling protocol.

25. The interface system of claim 22 wherein the plurality of lingoes comprises a general lingo and a simple remote lingo.

26. The interface system of claim 23 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.

27. The interface system of claim 24 wherein the predetermined signaling protocol is based on a modified RS-232 serial specification.

28. The interface system of claim 24 wherein the predetermined signaling protocol that has a signaling rate of about 19,200 bits per second.

29. The interface system of claim 24 wherein the predetermined signaling protocol is bidirectional.

30. The interface system of claim 25 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 wherein the identify command may be sent by the accessory device to the multi-communication device.

31. The interface system of claim 25 wherein the simple remote lingo comprises a buttons status command indicating an updated status of which buttons on the multi-communication device are held down.

32. The interface system of claim 25 wherein the plurality of lingoes further comprises an RF transmitter lingo, a microphone lingo and a display remote lingo.

33. The interface system of claim 29 wherein the serial protocol comprises a plurality of packets, and wherein contents of a packet determine whether the packet is being transmitted from the multi-communication device to an accessory device or vice versa.

34. An interface system for a multi-communication device, the interface system comprising:

an interface for receiving a plurality of signals from a device that is communicatively coupled with the multi-communication device; and

a serial protocol which allows for controls for accessing data within the multi-communication device, wherein the interface is communicatively coupled 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 plurality of lingoes, each lingo comprising a plurality of commands that implement the controls.