Abstract:
Compatible mechanical and/or electrical connections to video game system accessories provide unique shape, design and dimensions that discourage or prevent non-compatible devices from being connected, connector configurations that allow connection only in a proper orientation to ensure electrical compatibility and eliminate the possibility of short-circuits, quick release locking arrangement firmly mechanically holds mating connectors together despite extensive movement of the game player&#39;s arms and hands, staged electrical contacting sequence provides proper signal application sequence, and wrist strap to tether handheld remote controller to hand is attached to a locking connector that mates with a connector of the remote controller.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to the filing dates of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/905,903 filed Oct. 5, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/866,391 filed Nov. 17, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/916,750 filed May 8, 2007, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The technology herein relates to electrical connectors for video game systems, and more specifically to electromechanical connecting arrangements for connecting with video game input, peripheral and/or other devices. Still more particularly, the technology herein relates to methods, apparatus and techniques for providing reliable electrical and mechanical connectivity between 3D video game system components while preventing or discouraging incompatible and/or unauthorized device connections. The technology herein also relates to a secure lockable connector arrangement for video game system peripheral or other devices. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Video game system designers spend enormous amounts of time, effort, energy, money and other resources designing new video game systems for the consumer electronics market. A vast amount of human factor and other engineering typically goes into video game designs to make them successful and popular with consumers. For example, a video game input device such as a remote controller, handheld controller, joystick or the like should be capable of providing fine and other flexible user control inputs while at the same time being able to withstand various forms of physical abuse from small children. There are significant challenges to designing, developing and manufacturing video game consumer electronics hardware that is easy to use, very capable, highly reliable, rugged, flexible, compact, relatively low cost and a pleasure to operate. 
         [0004]    A video game system designer may become disappointed if a competitor attempts to “knock off”, copy or otherwise attempt to develop unlicensed or unauthorized substitute input devices. Video game input devices that are cheaply made without the requisite human factor engineering tend to disappoint consumers. Furthermore, it is important for reliability, safety, avoiding damage and other reasons that only those devices intended to be connected are in fact able to be connected. It is undesirable to allow an unauthorized or unlicensed video game accessory manufacturer to get a “free ride” by selling certain types of products designed to interoperate with the video game system without first obtaining permission from or otherwise working out an agreement with the video game system manufacturer. 
         [0005]    Some in the past have used complex electronic authentication or other elements to ensure that accessory hardware and software manufacturers obtain proper licenses and permissions. For example, many video game system software, disks and cartridges are protected by security systems that allow the system to determine whether software is authentic. The system can refuse to run software that is not authentic. While it may be possible and desirable to include electronic encryption and authentication on hardware accessory signal pathways, more fundamental approaches can also be effective. 
         [0006]    The technology herein relates to a new and improved electromechanical connector arrangement for use in a video game system and/or other application. Exemplary illustrative non-limiting features include:
       Unique shape, design and dimensions that discourage or prevent connection of non-compatible devices   Male connector insertion portion defines receiving socket containing electrical contacts, and female connector socket has protrusion having electrical contact strips disposed thereon for pressure insertion into and engagement with the male connector receiving socket   Connector configurations that ensure connection in a proper orientation to provide electrical compatibility and eliminate the possibility of short-circuits   Quick release locking arrangement that firmly mechanically holds mating connectors together despite extensive movement of the game player&#39;s arms and hands   Staged electrical contacting sequence provides proper sequence for applying signals   Wrist strap tethering handheld remote controller to hand is attached to a locking connector that securely mates with a connector of the remote controller   High reliability and long life   Very rugged design in a compact low cost package   Easy to manipulate and operate to insert and release   Positive coupling with tactile feel so users know when connection is successful   Positive interlock securely fastens and holds connectors together despite active motion by users holding onto handheld controllers the connector is used to couple together   Good strain resistance preventing cable from being forceably pulled out of connector   Combination insertion/receiving interlocking portions on both male and female connectors provide mechanical strength when connectors are mated   Other advantageous non-limiting features       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0021]    These and other features and advantages will be better and more completely understood by referring to the following detailed description of exemplary non-limiting illustrative implementations in conjunction with the drawings of which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is an elevated front right perspective view of an exemplary illustrative non-limiting male connector plug as seen from near the connector&#39;s insertion end; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is an elevated rear left perspective view of the  FIG. 1  male connector plug inverted and as seen from behind the connector&#39;s cable receiving portion; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 2A &amp; 2B  show the  FIG. 1  male connector plug being squeezed between a finger and thumb to partially retract locking nibs used to lock the connector in a mating position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2C  shows fully retracted locking nibs; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2D  shows exemplary illustrative non-limiting retractable locking nibs in more detail;
         FIG. 2D-1  shows an exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation of how retractable nibs of the  FIG. 1  male connector can engage with exemplary female mating connector nib retaining slots;         
           [0028]      FIGS. 2E-2P  show an exemplary illustrative non-limiting plug and socket connector mating sequence (and, if viewed in reverse, an unmating/release sequence) from different perspectives; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a top view in plan of the  FIG. 1  exemplary illustrative non-limiting male connector showing exemplary illustrative non-limiting dimensions in millimeters for an exemplary illustrative plug cable assembly; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a side elevation of the  FIG. 3  exemplary male connector and cable assembly including dimensions in millimeters; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows further exemplary illustrative non-limiting cable assembly dimensions in millimeters; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a plan view of an exemplary illustrative non-limiting male plug six pin electrical contact arrangement; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show perspective views of an exemplary illustrative non-limiting female connector socket contact arrangement; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7A  is an exemplary illustrative non-limiting cross-section view of an exemplary illustrative non-limiting corresponding female plug connector showing exemplary electrical pin assignments; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7B  is an exemplary illustrative non-limiting electrical circuit connection diagram; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional more detailed view of an exemplary illustrative non-limiting locking mechanism showing the retractable locking nibs operated by finger-depressible actuators; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8A  shows in detail an exemplary illustrative non-limiting internal locking mechanism structure portion of the  FIG. 1  connector; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show exemplary electrical contacting arrangements including dimensions in millimeters; 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  shows a top exemplary illustrative non-limiting female connector metallic or other conductive socket shield; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12  is a side elevated view in plan of an exemplary illustrative non-limiting female connector in a flipped configuration as compared to  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 13  is a side elevated plan view of the  FIG. 11  exemplary illustrative non-limiting socket shield; 
           [0042]      FIG. 14  shows the exemplary illustrative non-limiting socket shield in cross-section; 
           [0043]      FIG. 15  shows exemplary illustrative non-limiting socket shield dimensions in millimeters; 
           [0044]      FIG. 16  show exemplary illustrative non-limiting socket shield printed circuit board contact dimensions in millimeters; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 17A-17L  show exemplary illustrative compatible or partially compatible non-limiting connector socket shapes; and 
           [0046]      FIGS. 18A-18P  show exemplary illustrative non-limiting compatible plug shapes. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0047]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary illustrative non-limiting electrical connector plug  50 . Electrical connector plug  50  can be used, for example, to electrically connect a video game accessory including but not limited to a “nunchuk”, “classic controller” or other device to another video game unit such as for example a handheld remote control. These are exemplary illustrative non-limiting examples—connector  50  can be used to connect any device to any other device. 
         [0048]    Exemplary illustrative non-limiting electrical connector plug  50  includes an insertion portion  52  and a manually grippable portion  54 . Insertion portion  52  in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation forms a male portion of a connector that mates with a female connector receptacle or socket  100  (See  FIG. 2E  and following). Grippable portion  54  is intended to be gripped by human digits (fingers and thumb of the human hand) to allow a user to easily manually, and in a locking manner, insert the connector plug  50  into and to remove (unlock) the connector plug  50  from a corresponding mating female connector socket  100 . 
         [0049]    In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation shown, grippable portion  54  includes a generally box-like housing  56  including grippable side walls  58   a,    58   b.  Housing  56  can be of two-piece construction with a top (upper) case portion  60  joining with a bottom (lower) case portion  62 . Upper and lower or top and bottom housing case portions  60 ,  62  can be for example made of molded hard plastic, white “66Nylon” material or any other suitable durable material. 
         [0050]    The upper and lower housing case portions  60 ,  62  when coupled together (e.g., using retaining screws, adhesive, or any other convenient fastening system) encapsulate and protect internal portions of the connector assembly to make the connector plug  50  rugged and allow it to stand up to abuse from children and others. In other exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, housing  56  as shown could be eliminated and some other arrangement used (or omitted as desired) for electrically connecting the connectors of a cable (not shown) to the insertion portion  52 . 
         [0051]    In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the connector plug housing  56  is of a convenient size for grasping or gripping between a thumb and other digit (e.g., forefinger, middle finger, etc.). See  FIG. 2A  for example. Dimensions can be for example 17 mm wide by 23.5 mm long by 9.7 mm high in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation. See for example  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Such a size is convenient to be grasped by adults and small children. Other dimensions are possible. 
         [0052]    In one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the male connector plug  50  has a wrist strap hook  59  mounted on its housing  56 . Wrist strap hook  59  can comprise for example a separate layer of clear strong durable plastic or other similar material providing a ridge  59   a  and a hook structure  59   b.  The purpose of ridge  59   a  and hook structure  59   b  in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation is to retain a nylon or other durable fabric or other wrist strap (e.g., loop) so the device into which the male connector plug  50  (e.g., a handheld remote controller) can be anchored to the user&#39;s hand or wrist. 
         [0053]    Since illustrative non-limiting implementations shown herein have a rugged, strong locking mechanism that locks the male connector plug  50  to a mating female connector socket  100  (and thus for example to a handheld device which provides the mating female connector socket), it is sufficient in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation to anchor the wrist strap to the connector  50  which mates with the handheld device (direct connection of the wrist strap to the handheld device itself is thus not necessary in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation). In other implementations, a wrist strap could be anchored directly to the handheld device as opposed to the connector, or it could be omitted. In some exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, a sensor of some sort (e.g., optical) is provided to detect whether the wrist strap is being used and in some cases to prevent games or other applications from operating unless the wrist strap is physically in place. The wrist strap could be replaced with a lanyard or any other desired arrangement. 
       Exemplary Illustrative Non-Limiting Secure Locking Mechanism 
       [0054]    An exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation includes a secure locking mechanism including control arms  64 , locking nibs or tangs  66 , and slots or other openings defined within a mating connector in registry with the locking nibs or tangs (see  FIG. 2E ). In one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the thumb for example can be placed into contact with sidewall  58   a  and a finger can be placed into contact with sidewall  58   b.  When the user grasps connector plug  50  in the way shown in  FIG. 2A  and exerts pressure against the sidewalls  58   a,    58   b,  the user may inwardly depress control arms  64   a,    64   b.  Arms  64   a,    64   b  provide a control feature for the locking mechanism. In more detail, in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, nibs  66  are normally biased to project outwardly through openings  68 . In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, locking nibs  66  have ramped, angled or inclined leading edges  70  and flat (non-angled) following edges  72 . As shown in  FIG. 2C  (and see also  FIG. 8A  internal view), these retractable nibs  66  may be integrally formed (e.g., by conventional metal cutting and bending manufacturing processes) on metal members  65   a,    65   b  that integrally extend alongside the control arms  64   a,    64   b.  Two such retractable nibs  66  are formed on each metal member in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, although other exemplary embodiments could have one nib, more than two nibs, some locking structure other than a nib, or no locking structure at all. 
         [0055]    In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, control arms  64  and associated retractable nibs  66  are mechanically biased (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) such that, at rest, the locking nibs  66  are fully extended. In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, nibs  66  can be forced to retract in two ways: (a) by the user depressing control arms  64  (for unlocking action), and (b) when the connector plug insertion portion  52  is inserted into a snugly fitting receptacle (leading up to locking action) which applies retracting pressure directly onto the nibs in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the associated control arm extends. In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, inserting the connector plug insertion portion  52  into a female receptacle thus causes a locking action, and user depression of control arms  64  causes an unlocking action. As  FIG. 8A  shows, the metal members  65   a,    65   b  are part of a U-shaped structure  65  that is formed with a stiffening cross base  65   c  that holds the members  65   a  and  65   b  in an outwardly biased position, but which allows the members (and hence the nibs  66 ) to flex inwardly when pressure is applied to the control arms  64   a,    64   b.  The metallic structure  65  can serve double duty as a cable retaining structure. 
         [0056]    In more detail, when the user grasps the connector plug housing  54  between the thumb and a finger and applies pressure to the control arms  64  and at this stage may or may not cause retractable nibs  66  to retract (see  FIGS. 2A-2D ). The user may insert the plug insertion portion  52  into a corresponding conformal or other snugly fitting female connector socket  100  (see  FIGS. 2E-2K ) and apply pressure onto the connector to force the connector insertion end further into the female connector socket. A point is reached (see  FIG. 2L ) at which the retractable locking nibs  66  contact the outer edges of the connector socket  100  and the retractable nib biasing forces offer some resistance to further insertion. If the user continues to increase or otherwise provide applied insertion force, the socket wall will apply a side directed component of that axially directed insertion force to the retractable nibs  66  to cause the nibs to retract sufficiently to clear the socket opening (see  FIG. 2M  and following). Such retraction of nibs  66  can occur whether or not the user is applying pressure to the control arms  64 . 
         [0057]    Insertion is smoother and easier if the user is applying pressure to the control arms  64 , but the force that the insertion wall of the female connector socket applies to the retractable nibs  66  will cause the nibs to retract irrespective of whether the user is applying force to control arms  64 . Even though they are partially retracted, the nibs  66  are outwardly biased in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation such that they remain in close biased contact with the female socket inner wall and exert a frictional force thereon. However, in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the contact is between smooth metal surfaces so the frictional insertion force is relatively small, so as not to substantially impede insertion progress. Meanwhile, proper registration between the plug  50  and the socket is ensured by channel  320  conformally in registry with an engaging ridge  1320  disposed on an insertion wall of the female socket. 
         [0058]    Thus, in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation shown, retractable nibs  66  serve to automatically retract as the connector insertion portion  52  is inserted into a corresponding snugly-fitting female receptacle. If corresponding locking grooves, openings or other structures in registry with locking nibs  66  are provided, the locking nibs may then automatically protrude into the corresponding structures in registration therewith, such that the trailing edges  72  abut corresponding edges of grooves, holes or the like and thereby substantially prevent the connector insertion portion  52  from being removed from a corresponding female receptacle unless either the control arms  64  are depressed to retract the nibs or a substantial amount of pressure is applied. 
         [0059]      FIG. 2D-1  shows one such exemplary illustrative non-limiting female connector socket engaging structure including a metal housing  201  defining a pair of rectangular openings or slots  202  (only one is shown), each rectangular opening being dimensioned to accept a pair of nibs  66 , the openings being positioned so that the nibs engage with the opening when male connector plug  50  is substantially fully inserted into and thus fully mated with female connector socket  100 . 
         [0060]    More specifically, as the user continues to supply insertion force ( FIG. 2N ,  FIG. 2O ), the retractable nibs  66  eventually engage with corresponding slots  202  defined in the female connector socket wall. In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, such slots are located and disposed in registry with the nib  66  positions when the male connector plug  50  is fully mated with the female connector socket  100 . Upon such mating connection, the locking nibs  66  snap outwardly with a positive “click” sound and generate a corresponding tactile snap, thereby letting the user know that the male connector plug  50  has fully mated with the female connector socket  100  ( FIG. 2P ). At this fully mated point, the body of connector  50  may be in direct contact with an outer surface  67  defined by a device housing the female socket  100 . The nib flat engaging surfaces  72  at this point engage, much as a ratchet engages with a pawl, with edges of the corresponding female socket wall slots  202  to firmly and strongly lock the connector plug into the mating connector socket  100 . When locked, the connector plug  66  can move in and out by a very small distance in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, but is in fact firmly locked in place so that attempting to pull the connector plug out by force will be unsuccessful unless a very large amount of force is applied. 
         [0061]    The locking mechanism (the retractable nib portion of which is shown in more detail in FIG.  8 A—including the U-shaped structure  65 ) thus provides added degrees of safety and security since the accessory or other device that connector plug  50  connects to will generally not easily unintentionally separate from the corresponding female connector socket  100 . This can provide significant benefits for example when a user is holding a video game remote controller with one hand, the remote controller providing a female connector socket  100  into which a wired connector plug  50  is inserted. As the user independently swings his or her left and right arms to operate the two different devices, for example, the exemplary illustrative locking mechanism shown including retractable nibs  66  and corresponding in-registration slots, grooves or other openings or similar structures maintains a firmly-locked electrical and mechanical connection. This prevents electrical connector  50  from unexpectedly and unintentionally flying out of the corresponding female connector socket  100  during such arm movements, thereby potentially avoiding injuries, inconvenience, and other potential occurrences caused by unintended disconnection. 
         [0062]    In one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the locking mechanism is designed so it will fail and release the connector plug  50  from the connector socket  100  when a very substantial removal force is applied. Such a removal force can for example be somewhat or substantially less than the amount of force required to pull a cable out of the connector plug so that the locking mechanism will forceably release just before the cable strain release fails. Thus, the exemplary illustrative non-limiting locking mechanism is sufficiently stiff so that the connector will not come out accidentally, but is not so stiff that the cord will break first (locking mechanism strength is less than the tensile strength of the cable connected to the male connector  50  assuming a cable based connection is used). 
         [0063]    In normal use, the user can easily withdraw the connector plug  50  from the connector socket  100  at any time by applying pressure onto control arms  64  and thereby cause the control arms to retract inwardly into the connector plug housing. As the user applies force to the control arms  64  and exceeds the biasing force that maintains the control arms in their outwardly protruding resting positions, the retractable nibs begin to retract into housing  54  (see  FIG. 2C ) and thus disengage from the female connector socket wall slots  202  or other engaging voids. As the user continues to apply more force, the control arms  64  continue to travel inwardly into the grippable portion  54  housing  56  interior. This causes locking nibs  66  to further retract into insertion portion  52 , thereby in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation freeing the connector insertion portion  52  from a mating receptacle engaging slot or other engaging structure(s). Once the locking nibs  66  are sufficiently retracted to disengage from corresponding slots, the user can then pull the male connector plug  50  outwardly away from the female connector socket  100  to slide out and thereby withdraw the plug from the socket  100 . 
         [0064]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2A , the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation of male connector plug insertion portion  52  has one or more longitudinally defined raised portions or ribs  69  that are intended to maintain frictional contact with the female connector socket inner wall while limiting or reducing the total contact surface area between the withdrawing male connector plug insertion portion  52  and the female connector socket interior walls. Furthermore, during the operation of withdrawing the connector plug  50  from the female socket  100 , the user can continue to maintain strong pressure on the control arms  64  with the same finger and thumb that is being used to apply withdrawal force in a direction away from the female connector socket  100 , thereby maintaining the retractable nibs  66  in substantially or completely retracted positions so the nibs do not substantially add to the amount of force needed to withdraw the connector plug  50  from the connector socket  100 . Such a withdrawal operation is therefore simple, does not require much dexterity or applied force, and therefore can be performed even by a small child without difficulty. 
         [0065]    In still other exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, the retractable nibs  66  could be formed in other ways and or omitted entirely. Although the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation shown includes a locking mechanism including retractable nibs  66 , other arrangements could be used instead. For example, in some applications, a friction fit alone might be sufficient, or the force of gravity in combination with a friction fit could be used to keep the connector insertion portion  52  mated with a corresponding female connector receptacle. 
       Exemplary Male and Female Multilevel Interlocking Configurations 
       [0066]      FIG. 6  shows a forward-looking plan view looking down onto (and into) the male connector  50 . One can see the insertion portion  52  which terminates in a planar surface  300  composed of plastic or other material. The exemplary illustrative male connector  50  defines, in this planar surface  300 , a recess  302  in which the above-mentioned electrical contact strips are disposed. This recess  302  is dimensioned to receive a protrusion which is disposed within the female connector (socket). Thus, the male connector  50  in the exemplary illustration has a portion with a female receptacle for receiving a male protrusion portion of the female socket  100 . Providing a male plug  50  with a female socket portion  302  and providing the female socket  100  with a male protrusion portion enhances ruggedness, reliability and mechanical strength through the application of multiple interlocking elements that surround one another. In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the female socket male protrusion portion is received and surrounded by the male plug recess  302 , which in turn is surrounded by the larger male projection  52  that is received within the female socket recess. 
         [0067]    The cross-sections of the different interlocking portions can be other than those shown in the Figures discussed above. For example,  FIGS. 17   a - 18   p  illustrate various connector/plug configurations that include fully or partially compatible mechanical configurations in combination with compatible electrical configurations for the male projection  52  and female connector socket  100 , each or any of which may be used to establish the desired electrical connection. However, as mentioned above, entirely different locking mechanisms could be substituted, such locking mechanisms including for example:
       a lever-operated locking mechanism of the type often seen holding zero insertion force connector pins   a retractable spring or other biased plunger, ball or the like   a pure friction fit such as commonly used by USB connectors   a threaded ring or other structure that screws onto a corresponding threaded shaft or other structure   threaded shafts with knurled knobs that mate and interlock with corresponding threaded screw holes, of the type for example used for personal computer parallel and serial cables   side protrusions of the type used commonly for USB male and female connectors   any other suitable locking, retaining or friction fully engaging structural mechanism   in suitable applications, a combination of friction and the force of gravity (e.g., docking ports or the like) while connector  50  is not in physical motion and has a generally downwards orientation   any other suitable arrangement (for example, a locking mechanism that engages the slots on the bottom of a  FIG. 6A  remote controller rather than engaging the connector itself).   other       
 
       Exemplary Electrical Connection 
       [0078]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation of male connection plug  50  includes a keyed or slotted insertion portion  52  having a substantially planar distal surface  300 . Substantially planar distal surface  300  may define a rectangular opening  302  therein. Rectangular opening  302  may have channels  304   a, b, c, e, f  and  g  (sometimes referred to generally as “channels  304 ”) defined therein. A portion  305  of each channel located at the front of the opening  302  is closed off with respect to the opening  302 . Electrical contact strips (e.g., copper or other conductive strips)  306  may be disposed within the channels  304 . These copper or other conductive contact strips  306  are dimensioned and disposed to make good electrical contact with corresponding electrical contacts  308  of mating female connector socket  100 . See  FIG. 12 , which shows an exemplary illustrative non-limiting female connector socket  100  including a metal outer housing  402  defining an opening  404  that is dimensioned and shaped to conformally match and accept, with close frictional engagement, the male connection plug insertion portion  52 . Thus, for example, the cross-section of the male connection insertion portion  52  is the “positive” of a shape that is dimensioned to conformally match the shape and size of a “negative” or void defined within the space of opening  404  defined by the female mating connector socket metal housing  402 . Of course, metal is just one example, any type of material could be used. Metal may have some advantages in terms of durability, ruggedness, scratch and breakage-resistance and ability to provide RF and noise shielding, but other materials could be used instead or in addition. 
         [0079]    Referring again to  FIG. 12 , a channeled projection  406  is defined within the space or void  404  within the female connector socket  100 . The channeled projection  406  has channels  408   a, b, c, d, e  and  f  (sometimes referred to generally as “channels  408 ”) defined therein, the channels each having a copper or other electrically conductive strip  308  therein. The female connector channeled projection  406  is shaped and dimensioned to be inserted within the channeled rectangular opening  302  within the male connector plug insertion portion distal surface  300 . When the male plug  50  mates with the female socket  100 , the male plug insertion portion  52  is inserted within the female socket space  404  as described above, and the female socket channeled projection  406  is in turn inserted into the male plug rectangular opening  302 . As the female socket channeled projection  406  is inserted into the male plug rectangular opening  302 , the copper or other conductive strips  306  of the male plug  50  engage in close electrically conductive sliding contact with corresponding copper or other conductive strips  308  of the female socket  100 . Such sliding contact establishes corresponding electrical connections for each of the six pairs of conductors shown. Different numbers of conductors could be used if desired. In some cases, unneeded ones of the conductive strips for particular applications can be omitted or made to be “no connection.” As many connective strips as desired may be provided. In the example shown, a total of six connective strips are provided for six independent electrical connections. In some configurations, not all connections are used (for example, there may be no need in some applications to connect to a “battery” connection). In such cases, the female socket  100  could be provided with one more (unused) electrical contact than certain configurations of male plug  50 , whereas other configurations of male plug  50  could have the same number of electrical contacts as the female socket  100 , or vice versa. Other applications can of course have other configurations. 
         [0080]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show details of exemplary illustrative non-limiting copper or other conductive strips  308  as described above (strips  306  are similar). See also cross-sectional  FIG. 8 . As shown for example in  FIG. 6B , each strip  308  comprises a thin strip of copper or other conductive metal or similar having a bulging portion  309  formed longitudinally therein. Such bulging or protruding portions can provide good sliding frictional electrical contact while minimizing the amount of force necessary to establish insertion. Furthermore,  FIG. 6B  shows that not all of the strips  308  in the female connector socket  100  are the same length. In one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, certain of the strips  308  are shorter than others so that the longer strips make contact with counterpart strips  306  (which in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation are all the same size) before the shorter ones make contact. For example, in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, it may be desirable to connect power and ground before making contact between data signal lines. This exemplary illustrated non-limiting connector conductive strip configurations shown provide such staged connections. 
         [0081]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show electrical wiring diagrams for the paired connection, and  FIG. 8  shows a cross-section of an exemplary electrical connecting strip structure within male connector  50 . The electrical connecting strips in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation are made of a highly ductile, relatively stiff conductive material such as copper, aluminum or other metal. As perhaps best seen in  FIG. 8 , when pressure is applied to the copper strips due to engagement with additional copper strips within the female socket (see  FIG. 6A ), the copper strips in the male connector  50  flex outwardly. Forward ends of the copper strips rest against the closed off portions  305  of the channels formed on the sidewalls of the opening. An angled portion  307  projecting inwardly of the male connector copper strips protruding through a slotted opening in the male connector inner contact supporting structure  310  moves outwardly upon conformal engagement with a corresponding female connector structure. However, the springiness of the copper strips ensures that an inward mechanical bias continues to be applied, resulting in a pressure contact between the male and female connector mating contact strips. Such pressure contact provides effective and reliable highly-conductive electrical conductivity even when the copper strips are worn or oxidized after long use. 
         [0082]    One exemplary illustrative non-limiting pin assignment configuration may be as follows for a six-pin male connector: 
         [0083]    Pin 1: Vcc (3 volts) 
         [0084]    Pin 2: SCL (serial clock line) 
         [0085]    Pin 3: “Attach” (connected to Vcc on the male plug  50  side, sensed on the female socket  100  side to determine whether a plug is connected or not) 
         [0086]    Pin 4: V-Batt (can be used for supplying external power through the connectors if desired; this connection is optional in many games) 
         [0087]    Pin 5: SDA (serial data line) 
         [0088]    Pin 6: Ground 
         [0089]    In one implementation shown in  FIG. 6B , Vcc and Ground (1 and 6) are in an exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation made longer than the rest of the lines. This means that power and ground will be connected first, before the other signal lines. Furthermore, in the illustrative implementation, ground shield is connected first when the male and female connectors first come into contact (see for example  FIG. 2I to 2 ). One exemplary illustrative non-limiting connection sequence is thus: 
         [0090]    (1) shielding plates make contact 
         [0091]    (2) pins 1 and 6 (Vcc and ground) make contact simultaneously 
         [0092]    (3) pins 2-5 (all the rest) make contact. 
         [0093]    Other variations are of course possible, e.g., pins 2-5 make contact first and then power and ground make contact. 
         [0094]    Such earlier or staged connection helps to eliminate power surges etc. 
         [0095]      FIGS. 3-5  show an exemplary illustrative non-limiting cable assembly including a multi-conductor cable with a male connector  50  at one end and an associated strain reliever  1500  at an opposite end. The dimensions shown in these drawings (in millimeters) are exemplary (different dimensions could be used if desired). 
       Keyed Configuration 
       [0096]      FIG. 6B  shows that the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation of the female connector  100  channeled projection  406  is symmetrical such that if taken by itself, it could be turned upside down and still connect equally well with the male connector plug rectangular opening conductors  306 . However,  FIG. 7A  reveals that if the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation female connector channeled projection  406  were flipped in its connection orientation, then Vcc and Ground would be reversed, the clock line and the data line would be reversed, and the Attach and V-Batt lines would be reversed. This would not provide a compatible or even working connection in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation. To avoid such inadvertent connection reversals, the outer profile of the male and female connector portions are keyed so they can made in only one orientation. See the longitudinal key slot, trough or channel  320  in the male connector plug  50  of  FIG. 2  and the corresponding mating and engaging longitudinal plateau  450  shown in the illustrative exemplary non-limiting female connector socket  100  shown in  FIG. 12 . Note also the curved corners in each connector. 
         [0097]    While such conformal keying wherein plateau  450  slides into trough  320  provides good compatibility, it should be understood that other cross-sectional shapes and profiles could similarly provide partial compatibility and orientation control without being entirely conformal. In particular, although the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations shown in  FIGS. 1 and 12  provide substantially 100% complete conformality between the corresponding mating shapes, less than 100% conformality in shape and/or dimension might be attempted instead to nevertheless providing proper mating orientation, retention, etc. 
       Different Cross-Sectional Configurations 
       [0098]      FIGS. 17A-17L  provide non-exhaustive examples of female socket insertion cavity cross-sectional shapes that may accept a  FIG. 1  male connector plug  50 .  FIGS. 18A-18P  provide non-exhaustive examples of male connector plug cross-sectional shapes that may be accepted by the  FIG. 12  female connector socket  100 . There are a very large number of potential variations and possibilities, so the examples shown in these drawings are only representative. 
         [0099]    One can assume that an unauthorized or unlicensed hardware manufacturer would try to make his or her connector as different as possible from an authentic connector while still achieving electrical and mechanical compatibility. Elements of electrical and mechanical compatibility include for example proper electrical connection of most of the six electrical connections in the exemplary implementation (at least data and clock line connections would presumably be wanted to provide electrical compatibility, although the pluggable device might be able to provide its own power it would presumably also tie to the common ground connection or to shield but perhaps not to both); and prevention or correction in some way, shape or form from reversed orientation such that those lines are not reversed (although in some circumstances one could envision simply telling the user to try it one way or the other until it works since there are only two possibilities, so long as pin assignment is made carefully to avoid short-circuits). 
         [0100]    Elements of mechanical compatibility depend to some extent on the particular application. Rugged, locking, conformal compatibility is probably useful for many applications. However, in applications where not much movement is involved, then perhaps the locking mechanism could be dispensed with or not used, and less conformality might be used. Less conformal might weaken ruggedness, but other precautions (e.g., additional means of attachment or stabilization) might be used to compensate. In some applications such as stationary docking port applications involving very little motion, the aspects of mechanical conformality used for compatibility might be reduced. By setting for these illustrative non-limiting shapes and examples, applicants intend to capture any and all ways to compatibly connect to either the  FIG. 1  (male) connector or to the  FIG. 12  (female) connector. 
         [0101]    All dimensions herein and in the drawings are in millimeters. Tolerances are plus or minus 0.3 mm. 
         [0102]    While the technology herein has been described in connection with exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, the invention is not to be limited by the disclosure. For example, other connection means including sleeves, clip down, tie downs, plunger based retaining mechanisms, discrete fingers, capacitive or inductive proximity sensors, optical couplers and other variations could be used instead of what is described above. Although the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation connects video game systems, other arrangements are also possible. The invention is intended to be defined by the claims and to cover all corresponding and equivalent arrangements whether or not specifically disclosed herein.