Dual key electronic connector

• US 8,271,705 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2011
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Novotney, Donald J., Filson, John B., Tupman, David
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, RAYMOND NGAN
• Application Number:
  US13/288,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20120052745A1
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: 710 8- 19, 710 62- 66, 710 72- 74, 710300-315, 710104-110, 710324-340, 439/638, 439/660, 439/939, 439/607, 439/610, 439/218, 380/123, 380/361, 380/384
• US Class Current: 710/62
• 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. An electronic connector comprising:

a connector housing designed to accommodate at least 30 contacts spaced apart in sequentially numbered contact locations including;

(i) ground contact locations 1, 15 and 30 designated for ground, (ii) a plurality of digital contact locations including first and second USB data contact locations 4 and 6 designated for USB data signals and contact locations 3, 5 and 7 interleaved around the first and second USB data contact locations and designated for digital signals other than USB data signals, (iii) analog contact locations 27 and 28 designated for left and right audio signals, (iv) a plurality of contacts designated for power including contact location 13 designated for accessory power and contact location 8; and

a keying arrangement including first and second sets of keys, wherein the first set of keys is formed on a first side of the housing and is spaced apart by a first length and the second set of keys is formed on a second side of the housing, opposite the first side, and is spaced apart by a second length different than the first length.

2. The electronic connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the sequentially numbered contact locations further include ground contact locations 2, 16 and 29 designated for ground.

3. The electronic connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the sequentially numbered contact locations further include an accessory detect contact location at location 20 designated for an accessory detect signal.

4. The electronic connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the sequentially numbered contact locations further include an accessory identify contact at location 10 designated for an accessory identify signal.

5. The electronic connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the sequentially numbered contact locations further include serial communication contact locations 17 and 18 designated for transmitting and receiving digital signals using a serial protocol.

6. The electronic connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the contact locations designated for USB data signals are designated for a USB D+ signal and a second USB D−

signal.

7. The electronic connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the sequentially numbered contact locations consists of thirty contact locations arranged in a single row.

8. The electronic connector of claim 1 wherein the plurality of contacts designated for power further includes contact locations 11 and 12 designated for charger input power.

9. The electronic connector set forth in claim 4 wherein contact locations 3, 5 and 7 are designated for Firewire signals.

10. The electronic connector of claim 8 wherein contact location 13 is designated to carry power at a first power level and contact locations 11 and 12 are designated to carry power at a second power level that is higher than the first power level.

11. The electronic connector of claim 10 wherein the first power level is 3.3 volts.

12. The electronic connector of claim 11 wherein the second power level is between 8-30 volts.

13. An electronic connector comprising:

a connector housing designed to accommodate at least 30 contacts spaced apart in a single row of sequentially numbered contact locations including;

(i) ground contact locations 1, 15 and 30 designated for ground, (ii) a plurality of digital contact locations including first and second USB data contact locations 4 and 6 designated for USB data signals and contact locations 3, 5 and 7 interleaved around the first and second USB data contact locations designated for digital signals other than USB data signals, (iii) analog contact locations 27 and 28 designated for left and right audio signals, (iv) a plurality of contacts designated for power including contact location 13 designated for accessory power and contact location 8, (v) an accessory identify contact at location 10 designated for an accessory identify signal, (vi) an accessory detect contact location at location 20 designated for an accessory detect signal, and (vii) serial communication contact locations 17 and 18 designated for transmitting and receiving digital signals using a serial protocol; and

a keying arrangement including first and second sets of keys, wherein the first set of keys is formed on a first side of the housing and is spaced apart by a first length and the second set of keys is formed on a second side of the housing, opposite the first side, and is spaced apart by a second length different than the first length.

14. The electronic connector set forth in claim 13 wherein the sequentially numbered contact locations further include ground contact locations 2, 16 and 29 designated for ground.

15. The electronic connector set forth in claim 13 wherein contact locations 3, 5 and 7 are designated for Firewire signals.

16. The electronic connector set forth in claim 13 wherein the sequentially numbered contact locations consists of thirty contact locations.

17. The electronic connector of claim 16 wherein the plurality of contacts designated for power further includes contact locations 11 and 12 designated for charger input power.

18. The electronic connector of claim 17 wherein contact location 13 is designated to carry power at a first power level and contact locations 11 and 12 are designated to carry power at a second power level that is higher than the first power level.

19. The electronic connector of claim 18 wherein the first power level is 3.3 volts.

20. The electronic connector of claim 19 wherein the second power level is between 8-30 volts.