PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10579096-B1
Application Number: US-201916416783-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Contact design for external accessories

Abstract:
The described embodiments relate generally to contact designs for electrically coupling electronic devices and electronic accessories. Some embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic device including a housing, one or more magnets configured to align and removably couple the electronic accessory to the electronic device, and a contact area disposed at an external surface of the housing, the contact area including two or more spaced apart contacts. Each of the contacts includes a conductive contact surface positioned at the external surface of the housing, the contact surface configured to directly contact a corresponding contact of the electronic accessory when the electronic device is coupled to the electronic accessory, and an electrically-conductive via extending from the contact surface through the outer surface of housing.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing; 
 electronic circuitry disposed within the housing; 
 one or more magnets configured to align and removably couple the electronic accessory to the electronic device; and 
 a contact area disposed at an external surface of the housing, the contact area including two or more spaced apart contacts, wherein each of the contacts is electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry and comprises:
 a conductive contact surface positioned at the external surface of the housing, the contact surface configured to directly contact a corresponding contact of the electronic accessory when the electronic device is coupled to the electronic accessory; and 
 an electrically-conductive via extending from the contact surface through the outer surface of housing. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of identical contacts areas distributed across the external surface of the housing, each of the contact areas including a plurality of spaced apart contacts arranged in a pattern with each contact in the plurality of contacts being electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry and including a conductive contact surface positioned at the external surface of the housing and an electrically-conductive via extending from the contact surface through the outer surface of housing. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the two or more contacts comprise at least one negative contact and at least one positive contact. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising two or more contact areas spaced apart from each other, each having two or more spaced apart contacts disposed on the external surface of the housing such that the electronic accessory may be coupled to the electronic device at the two or more contact areas spaced apart from each other. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein data and power are configured to be alternately transferred via the two or more spaced apart contacts. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein conductive contact surfaces of the two or more spaced apart contacts are deposited over the external surface of the housing such that they are essentially flush with the external surface. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 6  wherein the one or more intermediary layers comprise an adhesive for coupling the contact surface of the contacts to the outer surface of the housing. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a circuit board within the housing and wherein the contacts are electrically coupled to processing circuitry disposed on the circuit board. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein a first contact of the two or more contacts extends concentrically in a ring configuration around a second contact of the two or more contacts, the second contact being a point contact disposed in a center of the first contact. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the first contact comprises multiple contacts extending concentrically in the ring configuration. 
     
     
       11. An electronic accessory device comprising:
 a housing including an upper surface, a lower surface, and one or more side surfaces extending along an outer periphery of the housing between the upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface including a rigid footing portion having a bottom surface aligned in a first plane; 
 at least one electronic component positioned within the housing; 
 first and second electrical contacts electrically coupled to the at least one electronic component and spaced apart along the lower surface, each of the first and second contacts including a conformable contact surface that extends away from the housing beyond the first plane; and 
 one or more magnets positioned along the bottom surface. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic accessory of  claim 11  wherein the contacts are electrically coupled to processing circuitry disposed on a circuit board within the housing. 
     
     
       13. The electronic accessory of  claim 11  wherein the conformable contact surface comprises a compliant conductive material comprises wire mesh. 
     
     
       14. The electronic accessory of  claim 11  wherein the first and second electrical contacts comprise at least one negative contact and at least one positive contact. 
     
     
       15. The electronic accessory of  claim 11  wherein polarities of the two or more spaced apart contacts are selectively switchable. 
     
     
       16. The electronic accessory of  claim 11  wherein the one or more magnets are configured to align and couple the electronic accessory to a second electronic device. 
     
     
       17. The electronic accessory of  claim 11  wherein a first contact of the two or more contacts extends concentrically around a second contact of the two or more contacts in a ring configuration, the second contact being a point contact disposed at a center of the ring configuration. 
     
     
       18. The electronic accessory of  claim 11  wherein multiple contacts of the two or more contacts extend concentrically around a second contact of the two or more contacts in a ring configuration, the second contact being a point contact disposed at a center of the ring configuration. 
     
     
       19. The electronic accessory of  claim 11  wherein the conformable contact surface of the first and second concentric contacts are bonded to conductive rings. 
     
     
       20. A system comprising:
 a first electronic device and a second electronic device, the first electronic device comprising:
 a first device housing; 
 a contact area disposed at an external surface of the first device housing, the contact area including two or more spaced apart contacts, each of the contacts comprising: a conductive contact surface positioned at the external surface of the device housing, the contact surface configured to directly contact a corresponding contact of the electronic accessory when the electronic device is coupled to the electronic accessory; and an electrically-conductive via extending from the contact surface through the outer surface of device housing; and 
 a first magnetic component disposed adjacent to or within the contat area; and 
 
 the second electronic device comprising:
 a second device housing including an upper surface, a lower surface, and one or more side surfaces extending along an outer periphery of the second device housing between the upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface including a rigid footing portion having a bottom surface aligned in a first plane;
 at least one electronic component positioned within the second device housing; 
 first and second electrical contacts electrically coupled to the at least one electronic component and spaced apart along the lower surface, each of the first and second contacts including a conformable contact surface that extends away from the second device housing beyond the first plane; and 
 a second magnetic component positioned along the bottom surface in an arrangement aligned with the first magnetic component of the first electronic device, wherein during a mating event, the first and second magnetic components cooperate to facilitate alignment of the second electronic device to the first electronic device and impart a sufficient normal force such that the compliant first and second electrical contacts of the second device deform and are pushed into the contacts of the first device creating a strong and secure electrical connection to the two or more spaced apart contacts in the contact area of the first electronic device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/734,113, filed Sep. 20, 2018, entitled “CONTACT DESIGN FOR EXTERNAL ACCESSORIES.” The disclosure of this application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to contact designs for electrically coupling a first electronic device with a second electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The number of types of electronic devices that are commercially available has increased tremendously the past few years and the rate of introduction of new devices shows no signs of abating. Electronic devices, such as tablet computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, desktop computers, all-in-one computers, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, portable media players, navigation systems, displays and others, have become ubiquitous. External electronic accessories or peripherals for such devices including cameras, keyboards, storage devices, mice, lights, and batteries to name a few, have become prevalent as well. 
     Power and/or data may be provided from one electronic device or electronic accessory to another over cables that can include one or more wire conductors. A connector insert that includes one or more electrical contacts can be located at each end of such cables and can be inserted into a corresponding connector receptacle in the communicating electronic devices. In other systems, electrical contacts on the devices or accessories can come into direct contact with each other without the need for intervening cables and/or a connector insert and receptacle. 
     In systems where electrical contacts on two electronic devices come into direct contact with each other without a connector plug/receptacle arrangement, it can be difficult to generate and maintain enough normal force to ensure a good electrical connection between contacts in the two devices. To provide a sufficient normal force, electrical contacts can sometimes have a certain depth and/or consume a relatively large volume of space in the electronic device. The loss of this space may mean that the electronic device is either larger or includes a reduced set of functionality than may otherwise be desirable. Additionally, such contacts may conspicuous or might otherwise detract from the aesthetic appearance of the device. 
     Connector systems in general may inadvertently provide paths for the ingress of moisture, liquids, or other fluids. These connector systems may also provide pathways whereby external dust or particulate matter may reach an interior of an electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to connector systems that enable two different electronic devices to be electrically connected to each other such that electrical contacts in each device are appropriately aligned and provided with sufficient normal force to provide a strong electrical connection while consuming a minimal amount of volume within the devices. Connector systems according to embodiments of the disclosure can be inconspicuous and aesthetically pleasing while preventing or greatly limiting the ingress of fluid or debris into an electronic device. 
     According to some embodiments a connector system of the disclosure includes a first set of contacts on a first device and a second set of contacts on a second device that can be aligned with and coupled to the first set of contacts. The contacts on the first device can be formed at or over an external surface of the first device without requiring a cavity or other type of opening typically associated with a receptacle connector. The contacts on the second device can also be positioned at an exterior surface of the second device and can include a contact surface that is compliant and slightly proud (i.e., extends slightly beyond) a housing surface of the second device. One or both of the first device and second device can include one or more magnetic elements, such as magnets or magnetic components, that facilitate alignment of the two devices during a mating event and impart a sufficient normal force such that the compliant and slightly proud contacts of the second device are pushed into the contacts of the first device creating a strong and secure electrical connection between them. 
     In some embodiments the first device can include multiple sets of similarly arranged contacts distributed across one or more external surfaces of the device such that a second device can be electrically connected to the first device at multiple different locations. For example, at any one of the different multiple contact sets. Additionally, each set of the multiple contacts can be arranged in a symmetrical fashion that enables the second device to be electrically connected to each set in more than one orientation as described herein. 
     In some embodiments the second device can include at least two contacts, a positive contact and a negative contact, for receiving power from the first device. In some embodiments the contacts can be arranged in a bullseye design that enables the second device to be electrically connected to and receive power from the first device regardless of its rotational orientation in the connected position. In other embodiments the contacts of the second device can be arranged in a symmetrical manner that allows the second device to be attached and electrically coupled to the first device in two, four or more different orientations as described herein. 
     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  is a simplified plan view of a back surface of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a simplified illustration of a contact pattern that can be included on a second electronic device according to some embodiments of the disclosure that can be mated with the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a simplified illustration of the contact pattern shown in  FIG. 2A  aligned with contacts of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified cross-sectional view of an external contact according to some embodiments of the disclosure that can be representative of external contacts  120  of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a simplified bottom perspective view of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the disclosure having contacts that can be mated with contacts  120  of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a simplified top perspective view of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a simplified cut-away perspective view of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified cross-sectional view of the electronic device shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C  adjacent to a portion of an electronic device having external contacts as described with respect to  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified cross-sectional view of the electronic devices shown in  FIG. 5  in a mated position; 
         FIG. 7A  is a simplified perspective view of a back surface of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7B  is a simplified perspective view of a back surface of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a simplified plan view of a back surface of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a simplified illustration of a contact pattern that can be included on a second electronic device according to some embodiments of the disclosure that can be mated with the electronic device shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIGS. 10A-10E  illustrate various configurations of contacts of an electronic system according to embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate additional configurations of contacts of an electronic system according to embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a connector system that consumes a minimal amount of space (e.g., volume) within an electronic device while being inconspicuous and preventing or greatly limiting the ingress of fluid or debris into the device. The connector system can include a first set of contacts on a first device and a second set of contacts on a second device that can be aligned with and coupled to the first set of contacts. The contacts on the first device can be formed at or over an external surface of the first device without requiring a cavity or other type of opening typically associated with a receptacle connector. The contacts on the second device can also be positioned at an exterior surface of the second device and can include a contact surface that is compliant and slightly proud (i.e., extends slightly beyond) a housing surface of the second device. One or both of the first device and second device can include one or more magnetic elements, such as magnets or magnetic components, that facilitate alignment of the two devices during a mating event and impart a sufficient normal force to that the compliant and slightly proud contacts of the second device are pushed into the contacts of the first device creating a strong and secure electrical connection between them. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosure pertain to electronic devices that can include electrical contacts as described herein and arranged in patterns as described herein. In some embodiments an electronic device can include multiple sets of similarly arranged contacts distributed across one or more external surfaces of the device such that a second device can be electrically connected to the electronic device at multiple different locations. For example, at any one of the different multiple contact sets. Additionally, each set of the multiple contacts can be arranged in a symmetrical fashion that enables the second device to be electrically connected to each set in more than one orientation as described herein. 
     In some embodiments an electronic device can include at least two contacts, a positive contact and a negative contact, for receiving power from a first device. In some embodiments the contacts can be arranged in a bullseye design that enables the electronic device to be electrically connected to and receive power from the first device regardless of its rotational orientation in the connected position. In other embodiments the contacts of the electronic device can be arranged in a symmetrical manner that allows the electronic device to be attached and electrically coupled to the first device in two, four or more different orientations as described herein. 
     In order to better appreciate and understand embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to  FIGS. 1 and 2A  below.  FIG. 1  is a simplified plan view of a back surface of a first electronic device  100  and  FIG. 2A  is a simplified illustration of a contact pattern  200  that can be included on a second electronic device and mated with (i.e., electrically and mechanically connected to) first device  100 . In some embodiments electronic device can be considered a host device while contact pattern  200  can be part of an accessory device. Examples of host devices include, but are not limited to tablet computers, laptop computers, netbook computers, desktop computers, all-in-one computers and smart phones. Examples of accessory devices include, but are not limited to cameras or camera lenses, input devices, storage devices, and power supplies (e.g., a rechargeable battery pack). 
     Electronic device  100  includes a housing  110  (e.g., a frame, shell, enclosure) including one or more sides or walls. For example, housing  110  can include a back wall  114  opposite a cover glass (not shown) at a front surface of the device and four sidewalls  112  that extend between back wall  114  and the cover glass such that housing  110  forms an enclosure within which various electronic components of device  100  can be contained. Housing  110  can be monolithically formed or constructed with separate components. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , electronic device  100  can include a contact arrangement  120  that includes multiple external electrical contacts that enable electronic device  100  to share power, data or both with a second electronic device, such as an electronic accessory (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), via corresponding contacts of the accessory. According to embodiments of the disclosure, contacts  120  can be formed at an external surface  116  of electronic device  100 . In  FIG. 1 , external surface  116  is a back surface of device  100  that is part of back wall  114  but embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to having contacts  120  on the back surface and in other embodiments, contacts  120  can disposed on a front or side surface of device  100 . Additionally, electronic device  100  presented in  FIG. 1  includes five contacts  120 , embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any particular number of contacts and some embodiments include fewer or more than five contacts. For embodiments that provide power from electronic device  100  to an accessory device, contacts  120  include at least two contacts. A first positive polarity contact and a second, negative polarity contact. In some embodiments data can be transferred through the same two contacts by alternating data and power over the contacts. 
     In some embodiments contacts  120  can be arranged in a symmetrical design that enables an accessory device to be electrically connected to electronic device  100  through contacts  120  in more than one orientation. For example, in  FIG. 1  contacts  120  include a single, central contact  122  and four outer contacts  124  spaced apart from contact  122  at equal distances and positioned radially around the central contact at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees. In some embodiments, central contact  122  and outer contacts  124  can have opposite polarities. For example, central contact  122  can have a positive polarity and each of contacts  124  can have a negative polarity. 
     As contacts  122 ,  124  are external contacts, some embodiments of the disclosure can include one or more passive sensors (e.g., Hall effect sensors) that detect when an accessory or other device is properly mated with electronic device  100  enabling electronic device. Such embodiments can keep contacts  122 ,  124  in an open state and initiate power and/or data transfer between the contacts and another device only after the passive sensors indicate the devices are properly attached thus preventing any potential short circuiting that can otherwise be caused by a conductive component in a device spanning and electrically connecting contact  122  to one of contacts  124 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2A , which is a simplified illustration of a contact pattern  200  that can be included on a second electronic device that can be mated with (i.e., electrically and mechanically connected to) first device  100 . Contact pattern  200  is a bullseye design that includes a central contact  202  and an annular contact  204  that is a continuous ring contact extending circumferentially around center contact  202 . Annular contact  204  is concentric with contact  202  and separated from contact  202  by an electrical insulator  208  (e.g., plastic or a similarly suitable material). Similar to contacts  122 ,  124 , central contact  202  and annular contact  204  can have opposite polarities. For example, on some embodiments, central contact  202  can have a positive polarity while annular ring contact  204  can have a negative polarity. In some embodiments the polarity of contacts  202 ,  204  can be switched (i.e, set to either positive or negative polarity by circuitry within the electronic device that contact pattern  200  is part of) based on the polarity of contacts of the electronic device (e.g., device  100 ) contacts  202 ,  204  are coupled to. In other embodiments, the polarity of contacts  202 ,  204  can be pre-determined or pre-set. 
     When an accessory device having contact pattern  200  is mated with electronic device  100 , central contact  202  is positioned, sized and shaped to electrically couple to central contact  122  and annular contact  204  is positioned, sized and shaped to electrically couple to each of the outer contacts  124  as shown in  FIG. 2B . The arrangement of contacts  122 ,  124  and contacts  202 ,  204  enables the accessory to be operatively coupled to electronic device  100  irrespective of the rotational orientation of the accessory device. 
     To facilitate alignment and proper mating of contact pattern  200  to contacts  120 , electronic device  100  can include one or more magnetic elements  126  and contact pattern  200  can include one or more magnetic elements  206 . At least one of magnetic elements  126  and  206  includes a magnet that can be attracted to a second magnet or a magnetic component (e.g., a metal plate) in the other set of magnetic elements to secure the accessory device and electronic device together in a mated position as discussed in more detail below such that contact  122  is electrically coupled to contact  202  and each of contacts  124  is electrically coupled to annular contact  204 . In some embodiments the magnetic elements  126  and  206  are arranged to form a clocking pattern (e.g., by positioning the magnetic elements in a certain pattern) that assists or forces an electronic device having contact pattern  200  to be coupled to electronic device  100  in a specific rotational orientation. For example, in some embodiments an accessory device having contact pattern  200  can be a camera accessory for which it is desirable that the lens or mirror of the camera be oriented in a specific relationship relative the electronic device  100 . In other embodiments, magnetic elements  126  and  206  do not provide a clocking feature and instead are primarily used for aligning and self-centering the two devices. 
     As stated above, each of the contacts  120  consumes a minimal amount of space (e.g., volume) within electronic device  100  and can be located at an external surface of device  100 , such as back surface  116 . Thus, device  100  does not include an opening or cavity in which contacts  120  are disposed which could otherwise be a point of ingress of fluid or debris into the electronic device.  FIG. 3  is a simplified cross-sectional view of an external contact  300  according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Contact  300  can be representative of each of external contacts  120  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , contact  300  includes an electrically conductive contact surface  302  that is formed over an exterior surface  312  of an electronic device. Exterior surface  312  can be representative of surface  116  shown in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, electrically conductive contact surface  302  can be formed with a physical vapor deposition (PVD) or similar processes (e.g., electroless plating) that enables the contact surface  302  to be sufficiently thin (e.g., 1000 nm or less in some embodiments and 2000 or less in some embodiments) such that it is essentially flush with adjacent portions of exterior surface  312  and the entirety of the exterior surface  312  is perceived as a continuous or substantially continuous smooth surface where any step or elevation difference between the contact surface  302  and the surrounding portions of exterior surface  312  cannot be detected when a user&#39;s finger is run across the exterior surface  312  and over the contact surface  302 . Additionally, in some embodiments contact surface  302  can be chosen to have a color that is similar to that of exterior surface  312  so that the contact  300  blends in with the outer surface of the external device the contact is part of. 
     Contact  300  further includes a via  304  extending through a wall  310 , which can be representative of a wall of housing  110 , such as back wall  114 . Via  304  can be laser cut or drilled through wall  310  or otherwise suitably formed therein. The via can be filled with a metal or other conductive material to electrically connect contact surface  302  to circuitry (e.g., one or more discrete electrical components, such as resistors, capacitors, transistors; one or more integrated circuits; electrical ground and/or other electrical components, such as a battery, sensor, etc.) within the housing of the electronic device that wall  310  is part of enabling power and/or data to be transferred between the electronic device that includes contact  300  and another electronic device, such as an accessory device. For example, in some embodiments, a flex board or similar circuit board (not shown) can be disposed within the housing, and via  304  can be electrically connected to a bonding pad and/or trace formed on the circuit board. In other embodiments, electric traces can be formed directly on the inner surface of wall  310  (i.e., within the housing of the device that includes contact  300 ) and the via can connect directly to one or more of such traces. 
     In some embodiments contact surface  302  can be formed directly on external surface  312  of wall  310 . In other embodiments, an adhesion layer  306  can first be formed at surface  312  and then contact surface  302  can be formed over the adhesion layer  306 . As an example, in some embodiments wall  310  can be part of a cosmetic glass component that forms a back surface of an electronic device, such as a tablet computer or smart phone. Certain metals that are appropriate for contacts surface  302  may not adhere well to glass surface  312 . For example, in some embodiments contact surface  302  can be a thin layer (e.g., 1000 nm) of aluminum titanium nitride (AlTiN). To improve adhesion of the AlTiN to surface  312 , a thin electrically conductive layer (e.g., 100 nm) of titanium (Ti) can be form in the contact area first using a PVD or similar process. The titanium adhesion layer  306  exhibits strong adhesion to glass and the AlTiN contact surface  302  exhibits strong adhesion to the titanium layer. 
     Generally, wall  310  is part of a housing of an electronic device that is constructed out of one or more electrically insulating materials (e.g., glass, plastic, or suitable composite). In some embodiments, however, wall  310  can be constructed of one or more electrically conductive materials (e.g., conductive carbon fiber or aluminum or other suitable material). In such embodiments, the via  18  can include one or more thin dielectric insulation layers that are deposited within and conform to the sidewalls of the hole after the hole is laser etched, drilled or otherwise formed through wall  310 . A conductive metal layer can then be deposited within the hole filling the via such that the one or more dielectric layers separate and electrically isolate the metal via from wall  310 . 
     Since contacts  120  are disposed at an external surface  116  of device  100  and are generally flush with the external surface  116 , some embodiments of the disclosure pertain to an accessory device that includes multiple compliant contacts arranged at an exterior surface of the accessory device in a contact pattern, such as contact pattern  200  shown in  FIG. 2 , that corresponds with the contact pattern provided on device  100 .  FIG. 4A  is a bottom perspective view of an accessory device  400  that includes such compliant contacts, while  FIGS. 4B and 4C  are simplified top and cut-away perspective views of accessory electronic device  400 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , accessory device  400  includes a central contact  402  surrounded by an annular ring contact  404 . Contacts  402  and  404  can be representative of contacts  202  and  204  that are part of contact pattern  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . Contacts  402 ,  404  may include a compliant wire mesh or other material that is attached or coupled to respective rings  402   a ,  404   a  that can be made from stainless steel or another conductive material and that extend coaxially around the wire mesh portion of each of contacts  402 ,  404 . 
     Each of contacts  402  and  404  can be sized, shaped and positioned on accessory device  400  to electrically couple to contacts  122  and  124 , respectively of electronic device  100 . In some embodiments contacts  402 ,  404  can have surface areas relatively larger than corresponding contacts  122 ,  124  of electronic device  100 . In other embodiments, corresponding contacts  122 ,  124  of electronic device  100  can have a relatively larger surface area than contacts  402 ,  404 . Increasing the size or surface area of contacts of one of the mating devices relative to the other, helps ensure sufficient contact or a good electrical connection and having smaller and reduced surface area contacts on electronic device  100  can reduce or minimize the amount of surface area, depth, and volume that the contacts require in device  100 . 
     Accessory device  400  can further include a housing  410  having a bottom surface ridge  412  that extends around a perimeter of the device surrounding contacts  402 ,  404  and defines an outermost portion of housing  410  that can come into physical contact with an accessory device during a mating event as described below with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In some embodiments, housing  410  is a rigid housing and can be made of metal, plastic or another suitable material. As shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , accessory device  400  can further include a top surface  416  and sidewall  418 . As such, housing  410  defines an interior cavity  420  in which electronic components of accessory  400  are housed. While accessory device can be any of many different types of devices as mentioned above, in some embodiments, accessory device  400  is a camera that includes a lens (not shown) at surface  416 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4A , each of contacts  402 ,  404  can extend in the Z direction beyond a lower surface  414  (e.g., the surface defined by rings  402   a ,  404   a  and insulator  408 ) of housing  410  and slightly beyond ridge  412  such that contacts  402 ,  404  can be referred to as proud contacts. Contacts  402 ,  404  are also compliant or flexible such that, when pressed against another surface such as contacts  122 ,  124  of electronic device  100 , they flex toward surface  410 . 
     Accessory device  400  can further include a magnetic element  406  that can facilitate alignment and proper mating of contacts  402 ,  404  to contacts  122 ,  124  of electronic device  100 . In some embodiments magnetic element  406  can be a ring magnet positioned between contacts  402  and  404  and separated from the contacts by insulator  408 . In some embodiments magnetic element  406  can be disposed beneath surface  414  and enclosed within insulator  408 . In other embodiments, an external surface of magnetic element  406  can be part of lower surface  414  of accessory device  400 . 
     In a mating operation, magnetic element  406  cooperates with magnetic element  126  of device  100  to impart a sufficient normal force between device  400  and device  100  that compliant contacts  402 ,  404  are pushed into contacts  122 ,  124  of device  100  creating a strong and secure electrical connection between the contacts as discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified cross-sectional view of accessory device  400  positioned above and a portion of a host electronic device  500 . Host electronic device  500  can be representative of electronic device  100  and include external contacts  522 ,  524  each of which can be similar to contact  300  described above and include a contact surface  526  and a via  528  formed between the top  516  and bottom  518  surfaces of a wall  510  (e.g., a glass wall) of device  500 . In  FIG. 5 , accessory device  400  is positioned directly opposite an exterior surface  516  of host electronic device  500  in an unmated position. That is, contacts  402 ,  404  of accessory device  400  are spaced apart from and not in physical or electrical contact with contacts  522 ,  524  of device  500 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , electronic accessory can also include one or more electrical insulators  408  enclosing, positioned between, or extending above contacts  402  and/or  404  to insulate the contacts from each other and from other electronic components of electronic accessory  400 . Each of contacts  402  and  404  extends slightly below lower surface  414  and a lower surface of ridge  412 , which can define a distal most bottom portion of housing  410  as indicated by plane X. Thus, contacts  402 ,  404  can be the first portion of accessory device  400  that contacts electronic device  500  when the two devices are moved together in a mated position. Contacts  402 ,  404  can be made of an electrically-conductive compliant or substantially compliant (e.g., resilient, deformable, elastic, or pliable) material. For example, in some embodiments contacts  402 ,  404  include a conductive woven wire mesh  430  that extends along a bottom exterior portion of the contacts into housing  410  and is coupled to metal ring  402   a  or  404   a  (e.g., a stainless steel ring). 
     Contacts  402 ,  404  can also include a compliant base portion  432  disposed under mesh  430  in the area at which contacts  402 ,  404  that enables wire mesh  430  to flex or deform under force (e.g., force applied by the attraction of magnetic element  406  to a corresponding magnetic element (not shown) in electronic device  500 ) into the direction of housing  410  until bottom surface  414  or ridge  412  comes into physical contact with device  500 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when accessory device  400  is moved toward and in contact with electronic device  500 , contacts  402 ,  404  deform in the Z direction (become compressed towards housing  410 ) until the bottom surface of accessory  400  (e.g., the distal end of ridge  412 ) contacts external surface  516  of device  500 . 
     The design of contacts  402 ,  404  enables the contacts to form a strong electrical connection to the contacts  522 ,  524  of electronic device  500  when accessory  400  is attached to electronic device  500 . For example, an outer surface  516  of electronic device  500  and/or the contact area  526  of each of contacts  522 ,  524  can sometimes be non-uniform (e.g., curved, non-planar, or have raised or recessed portions) due to design, manufacturing tolerances, or debris. The deformable, compliant nature of contacts  402 ,  404  combined with their proud or protruding relationship with respect to the bottom surface  412 ,  414  of housing  410  ensures sufficient contact or good electrical connection between contacts  402 ,  404  and contacts  522 ,  524  when a sufficient normal force is applied between accessory device  400  and electronic accessory  500 . 
     Wire mesh  430  can be coupled to circuitry on a circuit board  440  also disposed within housing  410 . Thus, when contacts  402 ,  404  are coupled to contacts  522 ,  524 , power and/or data from electronic device  500  can be transferred to accessory  400 . 
     As discussed above, electronic accessory  400  can include one or more alignment elements  406  (e.g., one or more magnets) that cooperate with one or more alignment elements (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) on electronic device  500  and allow accessory  400  to be removably coupled (e.g., engaged or secured) to device  500 . Alignment elements  406  can be self-centering for centering (e.g., x- and y-axis position) electronic accessory  400  on electronic device  500  such that corresponding contacts of each device are in proper alignment and contact with each other at a desired attachment location on the outer surface of electronic device  500 . In some embodiments, alignment elements  406  can also cooperate with alignment elements of device  500  to ensure that accessory device  400  is mated with device  500  in a specific clocking or rotational orientation. In some embodiments, alignment elements  406  can be positioned adjacent or between the contacts  402 ,  404  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In other embodiments, the alignment elements can be positioned above either or both contacts  402 ,  404  or outside of contacts  404 . Further, alignment elements  406  can be completely enclosed or partially enclosed by electrical insulators  408 . 
     In some embodiments, an electronic device according to the disclosure can include multiple distinct sets or arrangements of contacts  120  (e.g., zones) each of which includes multiple contacts in itself.  FIG. 7A  is a simplified rear perspective view of an electronic device  700  that includes multiple distinct arrangements of contacts according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Device  700  can be similar to device  100  except that, instead of a single set of external contacts  120 , device  700  includes multiple sets of contacts  720  arranged in three separate rows and three separate columns. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 7A , electronic device includes nine separate contact arrangements  720 . Each set of contacts  720  can provide a different attachment location or attachment zone for an accessory device, such as accessory device  400 , and can allow multiple different accessory devices to be simultaneously coupled to device  700  across an outer surface of the device, such as back surface  716 . Further, in some embodiments, larger electronic accessory devices (e.g., a keyboard) may attached to multiple (e.g., two or more) ones of contact sets  720 . The multiple sets of contacts  720  can be arranged in various patterns with the pattern depicted in  FIG. 7  representing one non-limiting example. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any specific number of contact arrangements, however, and fewer or more than nine contact arrangements can be included in an electronic device according to other embodiments. For example,  FIG. 7B  is a simplified rear perspective view of an electronic device  750  that includes multiple distinct contact arrangements  752  according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Specifically, electronic device  750  includes thirty-five separate contact arrangements  752 ( 1 ) . . .  752 ( 35 ) arranged in a two-dimensional array of seven rows and five columns across an entirety of a back surface  756  of the device allowing accessory devices to be connected to device  750  at any one of the thirty-five contact arrangements. For illustrative purposes, two accessory devices  760  and  770  (each of which can include a contact pattern  1050  as shown in  FIG. 10A  below) are shown in  FIG. 7B  connected to contact arrangements at positions  752 ( 7 ) and  752 ( 18 ), respectively. Each contact arrangement  752  can share one or more contacts from an adjacent arrangement and device  750  can include switching circuitry that sets the circuitry within device  750  as appropriate based on which set or sets of contacts one or more accessory devices are coupled to. For example, contact  754  is shared between contact arrangements  752 ( 1 ) and  752 ( 2 ). Additionally, while in some embodiments the multiple contact sets  720  can be distributed across a surface of electronic device  700  in a two-dimensional array as shown in both  FIGS. 7A and 7B , in other embodiments the multiple contact sets can be distributed in a one-dimensional array or in a pattern that does not include linearly arranged rows and columns. 
     In some embodiments, each set of contacts  720  can be similar to contact arrangement  120 . Thus, for example, each set of contacts  720  can include a single positive polarity contact surrounded by multiple negative polarity contacts (e.g., four negative polarity contacts spaced 90 degrees apart around the positive polarity contact). In other embodiments, a single negative contact may be surrounded by multiple positive polarity contacts. Embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any particular contact arrangement, however, and other embodiments can include various contact arrangements (as either a single set of contacts  120  or one of multiple sets of contacts  720  on an electronic device) as described below in conjunction with  FIGS. 8-11B . 
       FIG. 8  is a simplified plan view of a back surface of a first electronic device  800  according to some embodiments of the disclosure and  FIG. 9  is a simplified illustration of a contact pattern  900  that can be included on a second electronic device and mated with (i.e., electrically and mechanically connected to) first device  800 . Electronic device  800  can be similar to, and include all the same components as electronic device  100  except that device  800  includes a contact arrangement  820  along a back surface  816  that does not include a center contact. Instead, contact arrangement  820  can include four outer contacts positioned radially along the perimeter of an imaginary circle around a central point at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees. In some embodiments, two of the four contacts (e.g., contacts  822 ) on opposing sides of the circle can have a first polarity central contact  122  while the other two contacts (e.g., contacts  824 ) can have an opposite polarity. For example, contacts  822  can have a positive polarity while contacts  824  can have a negative polarity. Each of contacts  822 ,  824  can be an external contact, such as contacts  300 , described above with respect to  FIG. 3 . Additionally, while electronic device  800  includes four contacts in contact arrangement  820 , embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any particular number of contacts and some embodiments include fewer or more than four contacts in a similar annular arrangement with the contacts evenly spaced along a perimeter of the imaginary circle. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , contact pattern  900  (shown enlarged as compared to contact arrangement  820 ) can be included on a second electronic device that can be mated with first device  800 . Contact pattern  900  includes four contacts including two opposing contacts  902  having a first polarity and two opposing contacts  904  having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. 
     Contact pattern  900  corresponds to contact arrangement  800  such that each individual contact in pattern  900  is sized and positioned to electrically couple to a contact in contact arrangement  800  when device  800  is mated with a device having contacts arranged according to contact pattern  900 . Additionally, contacts  902 ,  904  can be compliant, deformable mesh contacts similar to contact  402  described above with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
     In some embodiments the polarity of contacts  902 ,  904  is predetermined such that contact pattern  900  can be coupled to electronic device  800  in one of two orientations that are rotated 180 degrees from each other. In other embodiments the polarity of contacts  902 ,  904  can be switched (i.e, set to either positive or negative polarity by circuitry within the electronic device that contact pattern  900  is part of) based on the polarity of contacts of the electronic device (e.g., device  800 ) contacts  902 ,  904  are coupled to thus enabling contact pattern  900  to be coupled to electronic device  800  in any one of four separate orientations. 
     To facilitate alignment and proper mating of contact pattern  900  to contacts  820 , electronic device  800  can include one or more magnetic elements (not shown in  FIG. 8 ) and contact pattern  900  can include one or more magnetic elements  906 . The two sets of magnetic elements can cooperate together similar to those described with respect to  FIGS. 1, 2A  and other figures to secure the accessory device and electronic device together in a mated position with sufficient normal force between the two devices as to create a strong electrical connection between the corresponding contact pairs. 
     Additional configurations and embodiments of contact arrangements according to the disclosure are presented in  FIGS. 10A-10E . Shown in each of these figures is an electronic device  1000  and a contact pattern  1050  for an electronic accessory (not shown) that differ in each figure based on contact arrangements depicted in the figures. In each such embodiment shown, electronic device  1000  can include one or more features, in whole or in part, as described above with respect to electronic devices  100  and  500  and an electronic accessory having contact pattern  1050  can include one or more features, in whole or in part, as described above with respect to accessory device  400 . For example, the electronic accessory device can include a magnet  1060  or  1065  or other coupling mechanism for engaging and securing the contacts in contact pattern  1050  to corresponding contacts of electronic device  1000 . In some embodiments, magnet  1060  or  1065  can be positioned and aligned to perform a rotational clocking function that cooperates with a magnet (not shown) in the electronic accessory to ensure that the electronic accessory is coupled to electronic device  1000  in a specific orientation. 
     Similar to electronic accessory  400 , an electronic accessory having contact pattern  1050  can have one or more compliant or substantially compliant positive polarity contacts  1052  and negative polarity contacts  1054  also spaced apart 90 or 180 degrees along a periphery of an imaginary circle. In the illustrated embodiments, contacts within contact pattern  1050  are spaced apart 90 degrees ( FIG. 10A ) or 180 degrees ( FIGS. 10B-10E ) and can alternate between positive and negative polarity. 
     Electronic device  1000  can include one or more positive polarity contacts  1002  and one or more negative polarity contacts  1004  in each contact arrangement disposed at an external surface of device  1000 . Contacts  1002  and  1004  are sized and positioned to electrically couple to contacts  1052 ,  1054  when an accessory device having contact pattern  1050  is mated with electronic device  1000 . Further, the electronic device  1000  can include multiple or redundant same polarity contacts  1002   a ,  1002   b  at each location (e.g., two, three, four, five, six or more redundant contacts). While illustrated as discrete or multiple spaced apart dot or point contacts  1002 , the contacts  1002  of electronic device  1000  can also extend across portions of or substantially the entire outer surface of the electronic device  610  in a continuous or substantially continuous manner (e.g., in space apart parallel lines). Further, in other embodiments, contacts of the electronic device or electronic accessory may be spaced apart by other oblique or non-oblique angles. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  depict yet additional contact configurations or embodiments according to the disclosure. In contrast to the symmetrical contact arrangements discussed above with respect to electronic devices  100 ,  800  and  1000 , in some embodiments contact arrangements for one or more sets of external contacts formed at an exterior surface of an electronic can have a patterned, non-geometric shape. For example, in some embodiments, one the externals contacts, similar to contact  300 , can be arranged in a pattern such as a company logo or one or more letters or numbers. One particular example is illustrated in  FIG. 11A  where an arrangement of external contacts be included on an electronic device  100  instead of contact arrangement  120  discussed above. The arrangement of external contacts includes a central contact  1102  having a first polarity (e.g., a positive polarity) and an outer contact  1104  having a second, opposite polarity (e.g., a negative polarity) arranged in a pattern according to the Apple logo. Central contact  1102  represents the body of the apple and outer contact  1104  represents the stem or leaf of the apple. Also shown in  FIG. 11A  is a bullseye contact pattern that can be similar to contact pattern  200  discussed above and included on an accessory device. The bullseye contact pattern includes an inner deformable, compliant contact  1122  (e.g., a wire mesh contact) that aligns with central contact  1102  and an outer deformable, compliant contact  1124  (e.g., another wire mesh contact) that aligns to couple with outer contact  1104 . The contact system  1100  can also include other components, such as alignment elements, as discussed in the various contact arrangements discussed above. 
     In another embodiment depicted in  FIG. 11B , a contact system  1150  includes a first contact arrangement that can be disposed at an exterior surface of an electronic device, such as device  100 , and that includes a central contact  1152  having a first polarity (e.g., a positive polarity) and an outer contact  1154  having a second, opposite polarity (e.g., a negative polarity) arranged in a pattern. Contacts  1152  and  1154  are arranged according to the Apple logo similar to contacts  1102  and  1104  discussed in  FIG. 11A  but differ in that the contact surface of each contact (e.g., the portion corresponding to contact surface  302 ) is patterned according to an outline of the Apple logo instead of a completely filled in logo. As shown, central contact  1152  represents the body of the apple and outer contact  1154  represents the stem or leaf of the apple. Also shown in  FIG. 11B  is a modified bullseye contact pattern including an inner deformable, compliant ring contact  1162  and an outer deformable, compliant ring contact  1164 , which can be part of an accessory device, such as device  400 . 
     While  FIGS. 11A and 11B  are representative of particular patterns that one or more contact systems according to embodiments of the disclosure can take the shape of, embodiments are not limited to any particular pattern and can be arranged in a variety of different logos, patterns (geometric and non-geometric), etc. Additionally, while certain specific devices were described as electronic device  100  herein, device  100  can include any device that receives or transmits audio, video or other types of data signals or that delivers power to another device. For example, electronic device  100  can include any portable music player (e.g., MP3 device and Apple&#39;s iPod device), portable video player (e.g., portable DVD players), cellular telephone (e.g., smart telephones such as Apple&#39;s iPhone devices), video camera, digital still camera, projection system (e.g., holographic projection systems), gaming system, PDA, as well as tablet (e.g., Apple&#39;s iPad devices), desktop, laptop or other mobile computer, storage device, portable media player, navigation system, or monitor. 
     Similarly, electronic accessory  400  can be an variety of different electronic devices, accessories, or peripherals configured to operate in conjunction with to share data, power, or both with the electronic device  100  via corresponding electrical contacts when the electronic accessory is in direct, physical contact with the electronic device. As examples, electronic accessory  400  can be a camera, camera accessory, lens, speaker, keyboard, mouse, light, battery, stylus, monitor, drone, storage device, or headset. The electronic accessories may include various components including circuit boards, processors, power sources, storage devices, buttons, displays, wireless communication devices requiring the power or data transfer from the electronic device via the corresponding contacts. Certain electronic accessories include specialized or particular components. For example, a camera may include a lens, imager, processor, and memory that may be coupled to the electronic device to share data, power, or both via the contacts. Further, as described above, more than one of these electronic accessories may be coupled to the electronic device if there are multiple or a plurality of sets of contacts for attachment. For simplicity, various internal components, such as the control circuitry, graphics circuitry, bus circuitry, memory devices, storage devices, power sources, sensors, and other components of electronic device  100  or electronic accessory  400  are not shown in the figures or discussed herein. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the invention. Further, while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims. 
     References throughout the foregoing description to features, advantages, or similar language do not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, it is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. Additionally, spatially relative terms, such as “bottom or “top” and the like may be used to describe an element and/or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as a “bottom” surface may then be oriented “above” other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190520
Publication Date: 20200303
Grant Date: 20200303
Priority Date: 20180920
Inventors: EMGIN, SENEM E.
OW, FLORENCE W.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/38", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6456", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2103/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1601", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R31/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R31/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1601", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 69645591