PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9453976-B2
Application Number: US-201514597995-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Optical connector

Abstract:
An electronic device having an optical connector that provides and/or receives optical signals through openings or perforations formed at an external surface of the electronic device. These openings can serve as the interface of the optical connector through which the electronic device can engage in one-way or two-way communication with corresponding optical connectors of other electronic devices. These openings can be sized such that they are not visible or not easily visible with the naked human eye. As such, these openings can be too small for communicating with corresponding optical connectors using any single one of these openings. But light that is collectively transmitted through or received through a group of these openings can provide optical signals that can be used to communicate with corresponding optical connectors using optical signals.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device that supports optical communication, the electronic device comprising:
 a connector having a mating region that includes a plurality of openings, the mating region forming a portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device, the connector comprising:
 an active optical component for at least one of transmitting or receiving optical signals, the active optical component positioned adjacent to the plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of openings is sized such that an amount of light passing through any single opening of the plurality of openings is insufficient for communicating with a corresponding connector using an optical signal; and 
 a lens positioned between the plurality of openings and the active optical component. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the active optical component includes a photodiode that converts electromagnetic radiation to electrical signals. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 2 , further comprising a collector that extends between the active optical component and the lens, the collector configured to collect light and provide the light to the photodiode. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the active optical component includes a laser device that converts electrical signals to electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the lens extends between the active optical component and the plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings are configured to carry optical signals transmitted by the active optical component. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the laser device is an infrared laser device. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical signals communicate data corresponding to at least one of state change information or a keystroke input. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings include between about 10 openings and about 80 openings. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of each of the plurality of openings is between about 0.01 mm and about 0.4 mm. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the connector further includes a passive optical component disposed within one or more of the plurality of openings, the passive optical component configured to carry optical signals transmitted by the active optical connector. 
     
     
       11. An electronic device that supports optical communication, the electronic device comprising:
 a housing having a mating region that includes an optical channel having a plurality of openings extending between exterior and interior surfaces of the housing; 
 a processor positioned within the housing; and 
 an optical connector positioned adjacent to the mating region, the optical connector including an active optical component operatively coupled to the processor and a lens positioned between the optical channel and the active optical component, wherein the optical component is configured to transmit and receive optical signals between the electronic device and a corresponding optical connector associated with a second device through the optical channel, and wherein each individual opening in the plurality of openings is too small to allow an optical signal to be communicated over the optical channel through the individual opening. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the active optical component is a transceiver. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the optical connector further includes a holding mechanism for mechanically retaining the corresponding optical connector in a mated position with the optical connector. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the optical connector further includes a magnetic element having poles positioned to generate a magnetic field that attracts the corresponding optical connector. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic device is a host device, an accessory or a cable assembly. 
     
     
       16. A method of initiating optical communication between an optical connector of an electronic device and a corresponding connector of another electronic device, the method comprising:
 activating an active optical component of the optical connector when an event is detected by the electronic device; and 
 at least one of transmitting or receiving optical signals using the active optical component, wherein the active optical component is positioned adjacent to a plurality of openings of the optical connector, wherein each of the plurality of openings is sized such that an amount of light passing through any single opening of the plurality of openings is insufficient for communicating with the corresponding connector using an optical signal. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the detected event is the optical connector being mated with the corresponding connector, wherein a sensor detects the mating. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the detected event is the electronic device waking from a sleep mode, wherein the active optical component remains activated until the electronic device returns to the sleep mode. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the detected event is an input received at the electronic device. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the detected event is a determination made by the electronic device that a period of time has passed since the electronic device powered on.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/057,759, filed Sep. 30, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to input/output electrical connectors, and in particular optical connectors for electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many electronic devices include electrical connectors that receive and/or provide data. These electrical connectors are typically receptacle connectors and are designed to receive a single male plug connector extending from a cable, thereby forming one or more conductive paths for signals. The cable may also be attached to power adapters, accessories, devices or other connectors (e.g., plug or receptacle connectors), thereby allowing signals to be exchanged via the cable. 
     As the cosmetic appearance and convenience of electronic devices continue to become more important, devices are increasingly leveraging wireless signal transfer to obviate the need for physical connectors for communication between devices. However, the use of certain forms of wireless communication creates a number of challenges. For example, Bluetooth, one form of wireless communication used for communication between devices, can consume a significant amount of power. On the other hand, optical communication between devices may require less power, but conventional optical connector interfaces are visible and may detract from the overall cosmetic appearance of a device. 
     Current electronic devices, portable and otherwise, may suffer from some or all of these deficiencies or from similar deficiencies. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments of the present invention pertain to an optical connector for an electronic device that improves upon some or all of the above described deficiencies. For example, an optical connector can include an interface at an external surface of a device having a plurality of non-visible openings, instead of a light-permeable window, through which optical signals can pass. As such, optical signals can still be transmitted and received through the plurality of openings of this interface, but the connector interface may not be visible, thereby allowing the cosmetic appearance of the device to be unaffected by the optical connector interface. This optical connector can also enable devices to communicate with other devices, including peripherals, while consuming less power than would be consumed by Bluetooth communication between devices. 
     According to one embodiment, an electronic device that supports optical communication is provided. The electronic device can include a connector having a mating region that includes a plurality of openings, the mating region forming a portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device. The connector can include an active optical component for at least one of transmitting or receiving optical signals, the active optical component positioned adjacent to the plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of openings can be sized such that an amount of light passing through any single opening of the plurality of openings is insufficient for communicating with a corresponding connector using an optical signal. The electronic device can also include a lens positioned between the plurality of openings and the active optical component. 
     According to another embodiment, an electronic device that supports optical communication is provided. The electronic device can include a housing having a mating region that includes an optical channel having a plurality of openings extending between exterior and interior surfaces of the housing. The electronic device can also include a processor positioned within the housing. The electronic device can further include an optical connector positioned adjacent to the mating region, the optical connector including an active optical component operatively coupled to the processor and a lens positioned between the optical channel and the active optical component, wherein the optical component is configured to transmit and receive optical signals between the electronic device and a corresponding optical connector associated with a second device through the optical channel, and wherein each individual opening in the plurality of openings is too small to allow an optical signal to be communicated over the optical channel through the individual opening. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the invention pertains to a method for initiating optical communication between an optical connector of an electronic device and a corresponding connector of another electronic device. An active optical component of the optical connector can be activated when an event is detected by the electronic device. Optical signals can be at least one of transmitted or received using the active optical component, wherein the active optical component is positioned adjacent to a plurality of openings of the optical connector, wherein each of the plurality of openings is sized such that an amount of light passing through any single opening of the plurality of openings is insufficient for communicating with the corresponding connector using an optical signal. 
     To better understand the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present invention. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evident to the contrary from the description, where elements in different figures use identical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a simplified perspective view of one particular electronic device and a plug connector that can be mated with a corresponding receptacle connector of the device; 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrates perspective views of an electronic device that includes an optical connector for communicating with another electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device that includes an optical connector for communicating with another electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an electronic device with a housing and a display partially cut away to reveal a simplified, partial section view of a female optical connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is an enlarged view of the simplified, partial section view of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an electronic device with a housing and a display partially cut away to reveal a simplified, partial section view of a female optical connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is an enlarged view of the simplified, partial section view of  FIG. 5A ; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates steps of a method for initiating optical communication between a connector of an electronic device and a corresponding connector of another electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known details have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device having an optical connector that provides and/or receives optical signals (e.g., signals conforming to Infrared Data Association (irDA) protocols or Consumer IR protocols) through small openings or perforations formed at an external surface of the electronic device. These perforations can serve as the interface of the optical connector, through which the electronic device can engage in one-way or two-way communication with corresponding optical connectors of other electronic devices. The perforations can be sized such that they are not visible or not easily visible with the naked human eye. As such, these perforations can be too small for communicating with corresponding optical connectors using any single one of these perforations. But light that is collectively transmitted through or received through a group of these perforations can provide optical signals that can be used to communicate with corresponding optical connectors. The corresponding optical connectors can be conventional optical connectors or another optical connector according to the present invention. 
     Electronic devices according to the present invention can also include power contacts (e.g., flush pins or electrical contacts) and/or inductive charging elements at the optical connector interface to charge the electronic device, e.g., to offset power consumed while engaging in optical communication using an optical connector according to the present invention. Additionally, optical connectors according to the present invention can conserve power and potentially obviate the need for power contacts or inductive charging elements by periodically powering on the optical connector, powering on the optical connector when an input corresponding to a command to engage in optical communication is received at the electronic device, or by attempting to engage in optical communication when sensors determine that the optical connector is proximate or physically coupled to a corresponding connector. 
     As used herein the terms “electronic device” or “device” may refer to any device that uses electrical power to operate. In some instances, embodiments of the invention are particularly well suited for use with portable electronic media devices because of their small form factor. Such devices may include, for example, portable music players (e.g., MP3 devices and Apple&#39;s iPod devices), portable video players (e.g., portable DVD players), cellular telephones (e.g., smart telephones such as Apple&#39;s iPhone devices), wearable devices such as smartwatches, video cameras, digital still cameras, projection systems (e.g., holographic projection systems), gaming systems, PDAs, desktop computers, as well as tablet (e.g., Apple&#39;s iPad devices), laptop or other mobile computers. Other examples of electronic devices include accessory devices such as smart covers, docking stations, cable assemblies, chargers, external power sources such as external batteries, cable adapters, clock radios, game controllers, audio equipment, headsets or earphones, video equipment and adapters, keyboards, medical sensor devices such as heart rate monitors and blood pressure monitors, point of sale (POS) terminals, as well as numerous other hardware devices that can connect to and exchange data with a host device. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a simplified perspective view of one particular electronic device  100  and a plug connector  110  that can be mated with a corresponding receptacle connector  120  of device  100 . Device  100  includes a touch screen display  130  as both an input and an output component housed within a device housing  140 . Receptacle connectors  120  can be positioned within housing  140  such that the cavity of the receptacle connector into which corresponding plug connector  110  is inserted can be located at an exterior surface of device housing  140 . The cavity can open to an exterior side surface of device housing  140 . For simplicity, various internal components, such as the control circuitry, graphics circuitry, bus, memory, storage device and other components are not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , plug connector  110  includes a body  150  and a tab or insertion end  160  that extends longitudinally away from body  150  in a direction parallel to the length of the connector. A cable  170  is attached to body  150  at an end opposite of insertion end  160 . Insertion end  160  is sized to be inserted into corresponding receptacle connector  120  during a mating event and may include contacts (not shown) formed on exterior surfaces of insertion end  160 . When insertion end  160  is inserted into corresponding receptacle connector  120 , exterior surfaces of insertion end  160  abut a housing of receptacle connector  120  of device  100 . The contacts of connector  110  (not shown) can be used to carry a wide variety of signals including digital signals and analog signals as well as power and ground. 
     As illustrated and described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , a traditional wired connector interface can include numerous visible features on the receptacle connector side to accommodate wired charging, e.g., a receptacle connector cavity. These visible features can adversely affect the cosmetic appearance of electronic devices that include a traditional wired connector interface such as receptacle connector  120 . However, the present invention can, among other things, provide an electronic device with an optical connector that may not affect the cosmetic appearance of the electronic device and can consume less power than that of conventional Bluetooth or other wireless, non-visible communication interfaces. The following figures illustrate examples of electronic devices having such an optical connector. 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrates perspective views of an electronic device  200  that includes an optical connector  205  for communicating with an electronic device  210 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2A , electronic device  200  (e.g., a tablet) can include optical connector  205  that can be used for communicating with electronic devices such as device  210  (e.g., a smart cover). Examples of the internal components of optical connector  205  are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 3A-5B . As shown in close up view  215 , optical connector  205  can include a number of perforations or openings  220 , which can be located at a region, i.e., a mating region, of device housing  225  that interfaces with, or is proximate to, corresponding connectors (e.g., connector  235 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) during mating events (e.g., when device  200  is mated with device  210 , as shown in  FIG. 2C ). Collectively, openings  220  form an optical channel that can replace light permeable windows (e.g., window  240 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) used by traditional optical connectors (e.g., optical connector  335 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ). 
     Openings  220  can be sized such that they are not visible or not easily visible by the naked human eye. Openings  220  can be so small that no single opening of openings  220  is large enough for carrying optical signals to and/or from a corresponding optical connector (e.g., connector  235 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ). However, openings  220  can be large enough so that the collective light that can pass through individual openings (e.g., openings  221 ) of openings  220  can still be sufficient for optical signal communication. For example, the diameter of an individual opening (e.g., opening  221 ) of openings  220  can range between, e.g., about 0.01 millimeters (mm) and about 0.4 mm (e.g., 0.22 mm or 0.03 mm), and the number of openings included with openings  220  can range between, e.g., about 5 openings and about 100 openings (e.g., 8 openings or 19 openings). The size of the individual openings of openings  220  and the number of openings of openings  220  can have a negative correlation so that, e.g., larger openings can compensate for optical signal losses when there are fewer openings and vice versa. In addition, surface finishing can be applied to housing  225  to help mask or camouflage openings  220 , thereby allowing the size of individual openings of  220  to be larger while still being not visible or not easily visible by the naked human eye. 
     Optical connector  205  can also include magnetic elements (not shown) for magnetically attracting magnetic elements (not shown) of corresponding optical connector  235  (as shown in  FIG. 2B ), a hinge  230 , or device  210 . This magnetic attraction between magnetic elements of optical connector  205  and corresponding magnetic elements can assist in aligning and mating optical connector  205  with corresponding optical connectors when these connectors are proximate each other. Proper alignment and mating of optical connector  205  with respect to corresponding optical connectors can center or focus light transmitted during optical communication about the center of either optical connectors  205  or optical connectors  235 , depending on whether optical connector  205  is transmitting or receiving the optical signals. This can maximize or increase the signal strength of the optical signals received or transmitted by optical connector  205 , thereby decreasing or minimizing optical signal losses. Mechanical latching or interference fits could also be used to align and/or retain the mating of optical connectors  205 ,  235 . 
     As shown in close up view  242  of  FIG. 2B , which is a 180 degree rotated view of  FIG. 2A , electronic device  210  includes an optical connector  235  having a light permeable window  240  positioned on hinge  230 . Window  240  can be made from a material permeable to the specific wavelength of optical signals used by optical connectors  205 ,  235 . For example, permeable window  240  can be made from polymers such as acrylic, which are permeable to infrared light. Optical connector  235  can be positioned such that optical connector  235  is aligned with optical connector  205  when devices  200 ,  210  are mated, as shown in  FIG. 2C . Optical connector  205  can also be configured to communicate with optical connector  235  when devices  200 ,  210  are not physically mated, but rather just proximate each other (e.g., spaced as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  or spaced apart by a greater distance). 
     A number of different types of information, commands, state information, and other inputs/outputs can be communicated between devices  200 ,  210  using optical connectors  220 ,  235 . For example, device  210  can communicate information to identify itself and/or provide information about its features, thereby allowing device  200  to access those features to, e.g., allow its applications to provide additional functionality corresponding to the identified features of device. Where device  210  includes a keyboard, a user could provide text input to an application running on device  200  by providing input at the keyboard (e.g., keystroke inputs), which input can be communicated to the application via optical control signals using optical connectors  220 ,  235 . Further examples and discussion of types of other inputs that can be communicated between devices such a tablets and smart covers, which could also be communicated using optical connector  205 , can be found in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/708,833, filed Dec. 7, 2012, and titled “INTEGRATED VISUAL NOTIFICATION SYSTEM IN AN ACCESSORY DEVICE,” the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
     In order to conserve power, optical connector  205  can remain powered off except for when it is physically coupled or proximate to a corresponding connector (e.g., connector  235 ). For example, optical connector  205  and/or device  200  can include sensors (not shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C ) for determining the presence of a corresponding connector. For example, connector  205  can include magnetic, optical, electrical and/or other sensors for determining the presence of corresponding connectors. Further examples and discussion suitable sensors and methods for using sensors to determine the presence of a corresponding connector can be found in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,659 for “RECEPTACLE CONNECTOR WITH CIRCUITRY FOR DETERMINING THE CONFIGURATION OF A CORRESPONDING PLUG CONNECTOR MATED THEREWITH,” filed Apr. 9, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     As an alternative to sensors, optical connector  205  could periodically (e.g., every 20 seconds or every 5 minutes) turn on, activate its internal components, and attempt to establish communication with corresponding device  210  via transmitting and/or receiving optical signals and turn off if communication cannot be established or if an established optical communication link is not being actively used. As another example, optical connector  205  could simply remain powered off until input corresponding to instructions to power on are received at device  200 . For example, device  200  can be configured to receive power-on instructions for optical connector  205  at a touch screen display  245  of device  200 . 
     Although device  200  is shown and described as including openings  220 , which includes circular openings, embodiments of the invention could also implement openings for openings  220  that are otherwise shaped. For example, shapes composed of straight lines such as polygonal shapes, shapes composed of curved lines, irregular shapes, and other shapes could be used. In addition, openings  220  can be arranged in a pattern other than of openings  220 , as shown in close up view  215 . For example, instead of being arranged in concentric rings surrounding a single opening positioned in the center of the rings, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the openings could be, e.g., arranged in parallel lines or in rings that are shaped liked the shapes listed above. As yet another example, the opening can be arranged in a random pattern of equally spaced openings or unequally spaced openings. The opening of openings  220  can also span a larger or smaller surface area than that of openings  220 . 
     It will also be appreciated that optical connector  205  can be located at other positions on housing  225  (e.g., a different side of housing  225 ) or in multiple locations (e.g., device  200  can include more than one optical connector  205 ). Optical connector  205  can even be positioned on an accessory device (e.g., a device  210 ) instead of, or in addition to, a host device (e.g., a device  200 ). Where an accessory device such as device  210  includes optical connector  205 , a corresponding host device such as device  205  can also include optical connector  205  or a corresponding traditional optical connector (e.g., connector  235 ). 
     Additionally, another embodiment of optical connector  205  can include two sets or more of openings  220 , each having its own set of internal components (e.g., active and passive optical components), shared common internal components or a combination thereof. For example, an embodiment of optical connector  205  can include one set of openings  220  for transmitting optical signals while another set of openings  220  that are also part of connector  205  can be used to receive optical signals. Alternatively, optical connector  205  can include multiple sets of openings  220  for transmitting the same or different optical signals and/or multiple sets of openings  220  that can be used for receiving the same or different optical signals. To further expand the function of optical connector  205 , optical connector  205  of electronic device  200  can include multiplexing/demultiplexing circuitry. This circuitry can receive/send certain signals at one point in time and then send other signals at a different point in time. Thus, instead of having openings  220  dedicated to a particular type of signal (e.g., identification, input or others), openings  220  and associated circuitry (e.g., active optical component  320 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ) or pair of openings  220  can transmit a number of different types of signals. 
     As mentioned above, the internal components of optical connector  205  are discussed in further detail herein; the following figures illustrate examples of optical connectors and their internal components. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device  300  that includes an optical connector  305  for communicating with an electronic device  310 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Electronic devices  300 ,  310  can be any of the electronic devices discussed herein including devices  200 ,  210  (shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C ), with electronic device  310  including a traditional optical connector  315  (e.g., optical connector  235 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) and electronic device  300  including an optical connector (e.g., optical connector  205 , as shown in  FIG. 2A ) according to the present invention. Devices  300 ,  310  can also include various internal components, such as the input and output controllers, graphics circuitry, bus, memory, storage device and other components, which, for simplicity, are not shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Optical connector  305  includes an active optical component  320  that can convert electric signals from electronic device  300  into optical signals and/or convert optical signal received from another device (e.g., device  310 ) into electrical signals that are usable by electronic device  300 . Active optical component  320  can be an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, or an optical transceiver that includes both an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. Optical connector  305  can include any number of active optical components, including lens devices (e.g., lens device  418  and transmission lens  518 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A-B  and  FIGS. 5A-5B , respectively) for transferring light to active optical component  320  (or active optical component  320  may include such lens devices). In one embodiment, active optical component  320  can be configured to work with electromagnetic radiation at a specific wavelength (e.g., 650 nm or 850 nm) or any wavelength suitable for optical communication. In another embodiment, optical connector  305  has two separate active optical components, one for transmitting and one for receiving. 
     An electrical conductor  325  can travel from a control circuitry  330 , which can control the performance of device  300  and can include a processor, to connector  305 . Electrical conductor  325 , which can include more than one conductor, can carry electrical signals to be converted by active optical component  320 , or receive electrical signals that result from optical signals being converted to electrical signals by active optical component  320 . Thus, in one aspect, electronic device  300  (e.g., through control circuitry  330 ) can receive electrical signals in a same manner as for a purely electrical connector. Accordingly, some internal components of electronic device  300  can be built the same for electrical or optical connectors. 
     Optical connector  305  can receive signals from traditional optical connector  315  of device  310 . Optical connector  315  can include a passive optical device  335  that can receive optical signals or carry optical signals to active optical component  320  or to a lens device of connector  305  that is optically coupled with active optical component  320 . This passive optical device  335  is passive in that the optical signals are not converted to/from electrical form, but stay in optical form while being carried. Optical connector  315  also includes an active optical device  340  that is optically coupled with the passive optical device  335  and can convert optical signals to/from electrical form in order to communicate with optical connector  305 . 
     In an embodiment where device  300  includes a single active optical component (e.g., active optical component  320 ), the active optical component can be a transceiver. In this embodiment, different optical frequencies (e.g., wavelength of 850 nm in one direction and 1350 nm in the other) can be used. Filters or other mechanisms can be used to reduce optical cross talk, e.g., by blocking light from the transmitting component to the receiving component. 
     While the figures and description above are directed to an optical connector having an active optical component  320  that could be an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, or even optical transceiver, the following figures illustrate examples of optical connectors that specifically include an active optical component that is an optical receiver—female optical connectors—or an active optical component  320  that is an optical transmitter—male optical connectors. 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an electronic device  400  with a housing  402  and a display  404  partially cut away to reveal a simplified, partial section view  406  of a female optical connector  408 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4B  is an enlarged view of the simplified, partial section view  406  of female optical connector  408  of  FIG. 4A . Note that the elements of  FIGS. 4A-4B  are not drawn to any particular scale or even the same scale. Female optical connector  408  can be similar to optical connector  205  (shown in  FIG. 2A ), except that optical connector  408  is specifically a female connector. Accordingly, the description above related to device  200  (shown in  FIG. 2A ) and the external features of optical connector  205  (shown in  FIG. 2A ) and variations thereof may also be applied to device  400  and female optical connector  408  and thus are not repeated here in their entirety in the interest of brevity. For example, like optical connector  205 , female optical connector  408  also includes openings—openings  410 —that form an optical channel for carrying optical signals. 
     As shown in section view  406  at  FIG. 4B , openings  410  includes individual openings  412   a ,  412   b ,  412   c  (not all individual openings of openings  410  are shown in  FIG. 4B ) for receiving optical signals from a corresponding optical connector (e.g., optical connector  235  or even optical connector  205 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C ). Again, the description of openings  221  and variations thereof may apply to openings  412   a ,  412   b ,  412   c  and are not repeated here in their entirety in the interest of brevity. Some or all of openings  410  can also be partially or wholly filled, e.g., using insert molding, with a passive optical component for carrying optical signals. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4B , openings  412   a ,  412   b ,  412   c  can be filled with passive optical components  414   a ,  414   b ,  414   c , respectively, which can be made from, e.g., optical fiber such as glass or plastic fiber. Alternatively, a thin film or a coating can be used to cover openings  410  to simply prevent ingress of debris at openings  410 . However, in some embodiments, the individual openings of openings  410  are not filled with any kind of passive optical component. 
     Female optical connector  408  can include receiving lens device  418  that receives optical signals from a corresponding optical connector via openings  410 . Lens device  418  can include a lens that is attached to or part of a collector (e.g. a parabolic concentrator), which collects the light received via openings  410  and provides the light to a photodiode  420  or another optical receiver. This collector can have a large opening that faces openings  410  and a small opening that faces photodiode  420 . In this manner, the light of optical signals can be delivered to an active area of photodiode  420  through the small opening, which can allow photodiode  420  to be small, thus reducing its capacitance. Thus, light can be collected at a larger diameter and delivered at a smaller diameter. As such, more light can be provided to photodiode  420  than if the diameter of lens device  418  was constant about its length. 
     As mentioned above, device  400  and/or optical connector  408  can include magnetic elements or other mechanical elements to reduce misalignment between optical connector  408  and corresponding optical connectors, but some misalignment can still occur. Accordingly, the surface area of the lens of lens device  418  may be sized to be at least as large, if not significantly larger, than as the surface area spanned by openings  410  (e.g., 0.1 mm 2  or 2.0 mm 2 ), thereby accommodating for some misalignment between optical connector  408  and a corresponding connector. 
     Photodiode  420  can create electrical signals from the optical signals received from corresponding optical connectors via openings  410  and lens device  418 . That is, the electrical signals can be modified with other electronics and provided to internal circuitry of device  400  (e.g., control circuitry  330 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ) via an electrical conductor  422  (e.g., a wire or pins). For example, a photodiode IC and EE components (not shown, but can be part of photodiode  420 ) can receive the electrical signals and modify them to conform to specifications of electronic device  400 . 
     In one embodiment, the lens of lens device  418  can have a rounded, convex shape to provide some focusing of the light from openings  410  toward its lens so that the light does not escape. In another embodiment, lens device  418  can include a receiving lens and collector formed from a single piece of material (e.g. an integral piece of glass). In yet another embodiment, the receiving lens can be a separate piece from the collector. For example, the receiving lens could be made of sapphire, glass, clear ceramics, or harder material to prevent scratching, whereas the collector could be made of plastic. 
     Although device  400  is shown and described as including openings  410  that have a constant diameter from an outer surface of housing wall  402   a  to an inner surface of housing wall  402   a , embodiments of the present invention can include openings  410  that are wider at the outer surface of housing wall  402   a  and narrower at the inner surface of housing wall  402   a . For example, instead of the cylindrical cavity of openings  410 , as shown in  FIG. 4B , openings  410  could include a cavity that looks similar to a cone or even a rectangular prism where openings  410  are rectangular. In addition, openings  410  could include individual openings that have differently shaped cavities. For example, some of the cavities of these individual openings could be shaped like a pyramid, while others can be shaped like a cylinder. To form these cavities, openings  410 , which extend through housing wall  402   a , can be laser cut, machined, or formed when housing  402  is formed (e.g., by molding or otherwise). The walls of housing  402 , e.g., housing wall  402   a  can be about 0.1 mm thick (e.g., 0.3 mm thick or 0.4 mm thick) or other suitable thicknesses can be thinner at the optical connector interface region, as shown in  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an electronic device  500  with a housing  502  and a display  504  partially cut away to reveal a simplified, partial section view  506  of a female optical connector  508 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5B  is an enlarged view of the simplified, partial section view  506  of female optical connector  508  of  FIG. 5A . Note that the elements of  FIGS. 5A-5B  are not drawn to any particular scale or even the same scale. Male optical connector  508  can be similar to optical connector  408  (shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), except that optical connector  408  is male optical connector instead of female connector. Accordingly, the description above related to common features in device  400  (shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) and optical connector  408  (shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) and variations thereof can also be applied to device  500  and male optical connector  508  and thus are not repeated here in their entirety in the interest of brevity. 
     As shown in section view  506  at  FIG. 5B , openings  510  form an optical channel for carrying optical signals and include individual openings  512   a ,  512   b ,  512   c  (note: not all individual openings of openings  510  are shown in  FIG. 5B ) for receiving optical signals from a corresponding optical connector (e.g., optical connector  408 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ). Again, the description of openings  412   a ,  412   b ,  412   c  and variations thereof can apply to openings  512   a .  512   b ,  512   c  and are not repeated here in their entirety in the interest of brevity. Some or all of openings  510  can also be partially or wholly filled, e.g., using insert molding, with passive optical components for carrying optical signals. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5B , openings  512   a ,  512   b ,  512   c  can be filled with passive optical components  514   a ,  514   b ,  514   c , respectively, which can be made from, e.g., optical fiber such as glass or plastic fiber. Alternatively, a thin film or a coating may be used to cover openings  510  to simply prevent the ingress of debris. However, in some embodiments, the individual openings of openings  510  are not filled with any kind of passive optical component. 
     Male optical connector  508  can include a laser device  516  (e.g., a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VACSEL)) or another optical transmitter to transmit light (e.g., infrared light) through transmission lens  518 . For example, laser device  516  can transmit light when it receives electrical signals from internal circuitry of device  500  (e.g., control circuitry  330 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ) via electrical conductors  520 . Optical connector  508  can also include laser IC and EE components (not shown) that can convert electrical signals received via electrical conductors  520  to signals that drive an optical transmitter (e.g. laser device  516 ). This light can be used to send optical signals to transmission lens  518 , and transmission lens  518  can then provide the optical signals to a corresponding optical connector via openings  510 . Transmission lens  518  can include a barrel shaped tube with a lens (e.g. a curved lens), which can provide light in a generally parallel direction. The back of transmission lens  518  can be in contact with laser device  516 . Alternatively, an air gap can exist between laser device  516  and transmission lens  518 . 
     As mentioned above, optical connectors according to the present invention, such as optical connector  205  (shown in  FIG. 2A ), can employ a number of methods to determine when to send and/or receive optical signals or to attempt to establish a communication link with another device and when to remain in a powered off state. Examples of such methods are further discussed with reference to the following figure. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates steps of a method  600  for initiating optical communication between a connector of an electronic device and a corresponding connector of another electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Method  600  can conserve battery power for electronic devices according to the present invention. 
     At a step  605 , an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2A ) or an optical connector (e.g., optical connector  205 , as shown in  FIG. 2A ) can detect an event. For example, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2A ) can detect a mating event such as a corresponding connector (e.g., connector  235 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) being physically coupled or brought within proximity to an electronic device&#39;s optical connector (e.g., optical connector  205 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ). The electronic device can detect this mating event using one or more sensors (e.g., the sensors discussed and referenced above with reference to  FIGS. 2A-2C ). 
     As another example, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2A ) can detect a wake event such as when the device wakes from a sleep state in response to, e.g., a wake input (e.g., an input received at touch screen display  225 , which operates as both an input and an output component) received at the device. In yet another example, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2A ) can detect a specific input (e.g., received at touch screen display  225 ) corresponding to a command to activate or provide power to its optical connector (e.g., optical connector  205 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ). 
     Alternatively, instead of detecting an external event such as mating, wake or input events, an electronic device can activate or provide power to its optical connector in response to an event occurring internal to the electronic device. For example, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2A ) can detect a determination event such as when the device determines that a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds, 5 minutes, or 2 hours) has passed since the device&#39;s optical connector (e.g., optical connector  205 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) has been powered on or that a specific preprogramed command (e.g., an alarm clock notification command or a gyroscope-based movement determination response command) has been executed on the device. 
     At a step  610 , an active optical component (e.g., active optical component  320 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ) can be activated when an event (e.g., the event(s) detected at step  605 ) is detected by an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  300 ) or by an optical connector (e.g., connector  305 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ) at step  605 . This activation can include providing power (e.g., by the electronic device) to the optical connector when the optical connector is not currently powered on; changing the operational state (e.g., by the electronic device or the optical connector) of the optical connector to higher power consumption state; or simply directing power (e.g., by the optical connector) already being provided to the optical connector to its active optical component. 
     At a step  615 , an active optical component (e.g., active optical component  320 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ) can transmit and/or receive optical signals. These optical signals can be used to communicate with a corresponding connector (e.g., optical connector  315 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ) that is proximate or physically coupled to a device&#39;s optical connector. This active optical component can be an optical transceiver (e.g., as discussed above with reference to active optical component  320 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ), a photodiode (e.g., photodiode  420 , as shown in  FIG. 4B ) or a laser (e.g., laser device  516 , as shown in  FIG. 5B ). This optical connector can include perforations or openings (e.g., openings  220 , as shown in  FIG. 2A ; openings  410 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B ; and openings  510 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B ) sized such that they are not visible or not easily visible with the naked human eye and so small that no single opening of these openings is large enough for carrying optical signals that can be used to communicate with corresponding optical connectors. 
     Optionally, at a step  620 , the active optical component that was activated at step  615  can be deactivated. The electronic device of the optical connector can deactivate this active optical component when, e.g., the electronic device returns to a sleep mode, a period of time has passed since last communicating with a corresponding connector, sensors detect that a corresponding connector has been decoupled, a specific input corresponding to a command to deactivate the active optical component is received, or simply when the electronic device powers off. 
     Also, while a number of specific embodiments were disclosed with specific features, a person of skill in the art will recognize instances where the features of a number of different embodiments can be combined with the features of another embodiment. In addition, some specific embodiments of the invention set forth above were illustrated with portable electronic devices. A person of skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments of the present invention can be implemented with desktop computers and other non-portable electronic devices. In addition, optical connectors discussed herein could also include power contacts (e.g., flush electrical contacts disposed located at the connector&#39;s mating region) or inductive charging elements. Also, those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the inventions described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150115
Publication Date: 20160927
Grant Date: 20160927
Priority Date: 20140930
Inventors: QIAN AMY
WRIGHT DEREK W.
RAFF JOHN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G02B6/4292", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4295", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4206", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/801", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4292", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4295", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4206", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/801", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 55584180