PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8478913-B2
Application Number: US-201213680000-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Adapter for electronic devices

Abstract:
An adapter for connecting an accessory to a portable electronic device includes a first connector compatible with a connector of the portable electronic device and a second connector compatible with a connector of the accessory. The connectors of the accessory and the portable electronic device are otherwise incompatible with each other. The adapter provides two levels of authentication. First, the adapter authenticates itself to the portable electronic device. If this first authentication is successful, then the adapter authenticates the accessory to the adapter.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adapter for providing a communication path between a portable electronic device and an accessory, the adapter comprising:
 a first connector to mate with a plug connector on a first device; 
 a second connector that is incompatible with the first connector, the second connector being configured to mate with a receptacle connector on a second device in either of two orientations rotated 180 degrees from each other, the second connector including a first set of eight external contacts spaced apart along a first row on a first side of the second connector and a second set of eight external contacts spaced apart along a second row on a second side of the second connector opposite the first side, the first set of contacts including first and second data contacts coupled to first and second data contacts, respectively, in the second set of contacts; and 
 conversion circuitry configured to convert signals received from the first device to a format that can be transmitted to and processed by the second device and to convert signals received from the second device to a format that can be transmitted to and processed by the first device; 
 identification circuitry configured to indicate a communication protocol used by the first and second data contacts to the second device; and 
 authentication circuitry configured to implement a first level of authentication that authenticates the adapter to the second device and, if the first level of authentication is successful, implement a second level of authentication that authenticates the first device to the adapter. 
 
     
     
       2. The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the first connector includes thirty contacts. 
     
     
       3. The adapter of  claim 2  wherein the thirty contacts of the first connector include an ID contact configured to receive an accessory ID signal, a pair of contacts configured to carry a universal serial bus (USB) signal, a power contact, a plurality of ground contacts, an accessory detect contact configured to carry an accessory detect signal, and a pair of analog audio contacts configured to carry left and right audio signals. 
     
     
       4. The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the each contact in the first set of eight contacts in the second connector is coupled to a contact in the second set of eight contacts in the second connector. 
     
     
       5. The adapter of  claim 4  wherein the first set of eight contacts further includes an ID contact configured to carry identification signal, third and fourth data contacts, and a power contact configured to carry a host power signal from the first device to the second device. 
     
     
       6. The adapter of  claim 5  further comprising a current regulator operatively coupled to the power contact in the first set of eight contacts to regulate current to the second device when the first connector is connected to a device that enables charging. 
     
     
       7. The adapter of  claim 4  wherein the first and second data contacts function as a first pair of high speed data contacts and the third and fourth data contacts function as a second pair of high speed data contacts and a rate of data carried by each of the first and second pairs of data contacts is two or more orders to magnitude higher than a rate at which information is transmitted over the ID contact in the first set of eight contacts. 
     
     
       8. The adapter of  claim 2  further comprising circuitry that sets at least some contacts in the thirty contacts of the first connector to an open state until after the adapter authenticates itself to the second device. 
     
     
       9. The adapter of  claim 1  wherein the authentication circuitry comprises:
 an identification device configured to provide identification information of the adapter to the portable electronic device; and 
 a power control device configured to control a power path between the accessory and the portable electronic device. 
 
     
     
       10. The adapter of  claim 9  wherein each of the identification device and the power control device are implement as a single integrated circuit (IC) chip. 
     
     
       11. An adapter for providing a communication path between a portable electronic device and an accessory, the adapter comprising:
 a first connector to mate with a plug connector on a first device, the first receptacle connector having thirty contacts including a first pair of USB differential data contacts, a first power contact and left and right audio contacts; 
 a second connector that is incompatible with the first connector, the second connector being configured to mate with a receptacle connector on a second device in either of two orientations rotated 180 degrees from each other, the second connector including a first set of eight external contacts spaced apart along a first row on a first side of the second connector and a second set of eight external contacts spaced apart along a second row on a second side of the second connector opposite the first side, wherein each contact in the first set of contacts is coupled to a contact in the second set of contacts and the first set of contacts includes a second pair of USB differential data contacts and a second power contact; 
 identification circuitry configured to indicate to the second device a communication protocol used by at least some contacts in the second connector; 
 authentication circuitry configured to implement a first level of authentication that authenticates the adapter to the second device and, if the first level of authentication is successful, implement a second level of authentication that authenticates the first device to the adapter; and 
 conversion circuitry configured to, if the first and second levels of authentication are successfully implemented: (i) convert audio signals received from the first device over the left and right audio contacts to a format that can be transmitted to and processed by the second device, convert audio signals received from the second device to a format that can be transmitted over the left and right audio contacts to and processed by the first device, (ii) exchange data between the first and second devices over the first and second pairs of USB differential data contacts, and (iii) enable a power path between the first and second devices. 
 
     
     
       12. The adapter of  claim 11  further comprising switching circuitry that sets at least some contacts in the thirty contacts of the first connector to an open state prior to the adapter authenticating itself to the second device. 
     
     
       13. The adapter of  claim 12  wherein after the adapter is authenticated to the second device, the switching circuitry connects at least some of the at least some contacts in the thirty contacts of the first connector to other circuitry within the adapter. 
     
     
       14. The adapter of  claim 13  wherein the thirty contacts of the first connector further includes a pair of receive and transmit contacts and an accessory detect contact each of which is set to an open state by the switching circuitry prior to the adapter authenticating itself to the second device and each of which is then subsequently connected to other circuitry upon the adapter and second device being operatively coupled to each other. 
     
     
       15. The adapter of  claim 11  further comprising a housing having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side; and wherein the first connector is disposed at the first side of the housing and the second connector is disposed at the second side of the housing. 
     
     
       16. A method of using an adapter to enable an accessory electronic device having a first connector to exchange data with a host electronic device having a second connector that is incompatible with the first connector, the method comprising:
 sending identification and authentication information from the adapter to the host device to enable the host to perform a first level of authentication that authenticates the adapter to host device upon mating a plug connector on the adapter to the second connector of the host device; 
 if the adapter is successfully authenticated by the host device, receiving identification and authentication information from the accessory and performing a second level of authentication at the adapter to authenticate an accessory electronic device connected to the adapter; and 
 after the first and second levels of authentication are successfully completed, enabling a power path between the accessory device and the host device. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  wherein:
 the receptacle connector on the adapter includes thirty pins; 
 the plug connector on the adapter is configured to mate with the receptacle connector on the accessory device in either of two orientations rotated 180 degrees from each other; and 
 the plug connector on the adapter includes a first set of eight external contacts spaced apart along a first row on a first side of the second connector and a second set of eight external contacts spaced apart along a second row on a second side of the second connector opposite the first side, the first set of contacts including first and second data contacts coupled to first and second data contacts, respectively, in the second set of contacts. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16  wherein after the first and second levels of authentication are successfully completed, the adapter enables data to be exchanged between the accessory device and the host device over the first and second data contacts. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein enabling the power path further comprises sending a signal to a power control device disposed within the adapter based on receiving the identification information from the accessory device. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 16  further setting an accessory detect contact in the thirty contacts of the first connector to an open state prior to the adapter authenticating itself to the second device and, after the adapter is authenticated to the second device, connecting the accessory detect contact to other circuitry within the adapter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/607,519, filed Sep. 7, 2012; which claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/565,910, filed Dec. 1, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable electronic devices, such as portable media players, have become ubiquitous in today&#39;s society. As they have proliferated, so have the number and types of hardware accessories that are designed to interact with these portable media players. These accessories range in complexity, including, for example, simple speaker systems and complex automotive entertainment systems. 
     These accessories commonly communicate with a portable media player using a connector system. This connector system typically includes a plug connector on the accessory and a receptacle connector on the portable media player. A user fits the plug connector of the accessory into the receptacle connector of the portable media player thereby forming physical and electrical connections between the contacts of each connector that allow data and power to be exchanged between the devices. 
     Users may have multiple different portable media players. For various reasons, these media players may have different sized connectors. For example, the media players may be made by different manufacturers. Also, the media players may be made by the same one manufacturer, but a newer media player may have a more advanced, smaller sized connector receptacle than an older media player manufactured by the same company. 
     For these and other reasons, a user may encounter a situation where she has a portable media players but that is incompatible with certain accessories designed to operate with a different media player. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide compatibility among incompatible accessories and electronic devices such as portable media players. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an adapter having a receptacle connector to mate with a plug connector attached to an accessory and a plug connector to mate with a receptacle connector on a portable media player. For convenience, the portable media player or other electronic device connected to the plug connector of the adapter is sometimes referred to herein as the host. 
     A plug connector on an accessory may be incompatible with a receptacle connector on a portable media player in at least two ways. First, this incompatibility may be physical; the plug connector of the accessory may not fit the receptacle connector of the portable media player. Second, this incompatibility may be electrical; signals or power received or provided at the plug connector of the accessory may be electrically incompatible with signals or power received or provided at the receptacle connector of the portable media player. In some instances the incompatibility is both physical and electrical. 
     Where the incompatibility is physical, an embodiment of the present invention provides an adapter having a connector receptacle to mate with a plug connector on an accessory and a plug connector to mate with a receptacle connector on a portable media player. One or more electrical connections may be made between pins of the plug connector and pins of the receptacle connector on the adapter. Where the incompatibility is electrical, an embodiment of the present invention provides one or more conversion circuits placed in the adapter between pins of the plug connector and pins of the receptacle connector on the adapter. Where the incompatibility is both physical and electrical, both these techniques may be employed by embodiments of the present invention. 
     Some portable media players include authentication circuitry that communicates with authentication circuitry in an accessory during a mating event to authenticate the accessory. If the authentication process is successful, the portable media player and accessory can exchange data and the accessory can be used to perform whatever function it was intended for. If the authentication fails, however, the portable media player disables communication with the accessory. Some embodiments of an adapter according to the present invention include circuitry that performs two levels of two levels of authentication. In a first level, the adapter authenticates itself to the portable media player using a first authentication protocol that the portable media player uses to authenticate accessories designed to operate with it. If the first authentication process is successfully completed and the adapter is permitted to communicate with the portable media player, a second level of authentication can then occur where the adapter authenticates the accessory connected to the adapter according to a second authentication protocol that the accessory would normally employ when connecting to a host that the accessory was designed to operate with. In one embodiment, the circuitry within the adapter can also set selected contacts of its receptacle connector to an open state and then connect the open contacts to appropriate circuitry after the first level of authentication is completed. Such an embodiment prevents an accessory connected to the receptacle connector from recognizing that it is connected to the adapter and potentially to the host until after the first level of authentication is completed. 
     One particular embodiment of the invention pertains to an adapter that includes a 30-pin receptacle connector that has a pinout compatible with Apple iPod and iPhone devices and an eight contact plug connector that includes a first pair of data contacts designated for the transmission of data using a differential data protocol, such as USB 2.0, and a second pair of data contacts designated for the transmission of data using either the Mikeybus protocol developed by Apple or a UART protocol. Conversion circuitry within the adapter converts signals and voltages received from an accessory device connected to the 30-pin receptacle connector into signals and voltages that can be transmitted over the eight contact plug connector and processed by a portable media player or other host device connected to the eight contact plug connector. The conversion circuitry also convert signals and voltages sent to the adapter by the host device via the eight contact connector to signals and voltages that can be transmitted over the 30-pin receptacle connector and processed by the accessory. In one particular embodiment the adapter includes circuitry that transmits data over the differential data contacts of the eight contact connector using a Mikeybus communication protocol that packs both digital audio and USB data together in a single data stream. The circuitry extracts the digital audio data from the data stream and sends it to a digital-to-analog converter to be output over left and right audio out contacts of the 30-pin connector. The circuitry can also extract the USB data and transmit it over the USB differential data contacts of the 30-pin connector. 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an adapter that has a first connector that can be used to mate with a plug connector on an accessory. The adapter also includes a second connector that can be used to mate with a receptacle connector on the portable electronic device. As described above, the plug connector on the accessory is incompatible with the receptacle connector receptacle on the portable electronic device. The adapter can further include conversion circuitry adapted to convert signals received from the accessory to a format that can be transmitted to and processed by the portable electronic device and to convert signals received from the portable electronic device to a format that can be transmitted to and processed by the accessory. Additionally, the adapter may also include authentication circuitry adapted to implement a first level of authentication that authenticates the adapter to the portable electronic device. If the first level of authentication is successful, the authentication circuitry may then implement a second level of authentication that authenticates the accessory to the adapter. 
     In one embodiment, the first connector of the adapter includes (i) a first contact configured to receive an accessory ID signal, (ii) a pair of contacts configured to carry a universal serial bus (USB) signal, (iii) a second contact configured to carry power to the accessory from the portable electronic device, (iv) a third contact configured to carry an accessory detect signal to determine whether the accessory is coupled to the adapter, (v) a first set of differential data contacts, (vi) a second set of contacts configured to carry audio signals, and (vii) a third set of contacts configured to carry video signals. 
     In a particular embodiment, the second connector of the adapter includes (i) a first contact configured to carry identification signal to the portable electronic device, (ii) a first pair of data contacts configured to carry differential data signals, (iii) a second contact configured to carry a host power signal from the accessory to the portable electronic device, (iv) a third contact configured to carry accessory power from the portable electronic device to the accessory, (v) a second pair of data contacts configured to carry differential data signals, and (vi) a fourth contact coupled to a ground path. 
     An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for operating an adapter. The method includes the adapter sending identification and authentication information to a host device for authenticating the adapter to the host device. The method further includes the adapter detecting connection of an accessory device to the adapter and receiving identification and authentication information from the accessory. The method further includes the adapter authenticating the accessory and the adapter then enables a power path between the accessory and the host device based authentication of the accessory. 
     Another particular embodiment of the present invention provided an adapter for enabling connection between a portable electronic device and an accessory. The adapter includes a housing that has a first side and a second side. A first connector is disposed at the first side and a second connector disposed at the second side. The adapter further includes an identification device that is disposed in the housing and coupled to the first connector and a power control device that is disposed in the housing and coupled to the first and the second connector. The adapter further includes authentication circuitry coupled to the first connector and the second connector. The adapter can detect connection of a host device to the first connector and send authentication and identification information to the host device to authenticate the adapter to the host device. Thereafter, the adapter can detect connection of an accessory to the second connector and receive authentication information from the accessory. Based on the received information, the adapter can authenticate the accessory and enable communication between the accessory and the host device upon authenticating the accessory. 
     In some embodiments, the first connector of the adapter may have between 4 and 16 contacts arranged in two rows such that a first row of contacts is disposed on a upper surface of a printed circuit board (PCB) and a second row of contacts is disposed on a lower surface of the PCB. In a particular embodiment, the contacts are exposed to the environment. The first row and the second row may each have equal number of contacts. For example, if the first connector has 16 contacts, then each of the first row and the second row may have 8 contacts each arranged such that each contact on the upper surface of the PCB has another contact located directly underneath it on the lower surface of the PCB. 
     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 an electronic system that is improved by the incorporation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an electronic system that includes an adapter  40  according to an embodiment of the present invention that allows communication between an accessory  20  and a portable media player  30 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a plug connector  100  that is included in an adapter according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary pinout of plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates an exemplary pinout of plug connector according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a receptacle connector  140  that is compatible with plug connector illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary pinout  120  of a 30-pin receptacle connector that is included in a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an adapter according to the present invention that includes plug connector  100  of  FIG. 3  along with the 30-pin receptacle connector having pinout shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing of conversion circuitry  200  according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a state diagram showing a mode of operation for adapter  40  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a representational drawing of conversion circuitry when the adapter is operating in a first mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a representational drawing of conversion circuitry when the adapter is operating in a second mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a representational drawing of conversion circuitry when the adapter is operating in a third mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic system that is improved by the incorporation of an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 1  is a hardware accessory  20  that a user may want to connect to two different portable electronic devices  10  and  30  in order to, for example, extend the functionality of each of devices  10  and  30 . In this example, portable electronic device  10  is a first portable media player that includes a receptacle connector  14  and a touchscreen  16 . Portable media player  10  may be an iPod, iPhone, or similar device designed and manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., but it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular type of portable electronic media player or other device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , accessory  20  is a clock radio. In other embodiments, the accessory may be an automotive radio, transmitter, cable, audio/video receiver, storage device, or other device. Accessory includes control buttons  24 , such as volume, tuning, audio source, etc., for controlling the clock radio and a display  25  that can display the time and other information. Accessory  20  also includes a plug connector  22  that includes a plurality of contacts (not shown) that carry electrical signals for one or more of data, audio, video, control functions and power. In one embodiment plug connector  22  includes between 4 and 30 contacts but the present invention is not limited to any particular contact count or configuration. 
     Receptacle connector  22  includes a cavity in which plurality of pins or contacts (not shown) are positioned. Plug connector  14  and receptacle connector  22  are designed to mate with each other to physically and electrically couple the contacts in connector  14  with the contacts within connector  22  so that signals can be transmitted between the contacts. Thus, plug connector  14  and receptacle connector  22  can be said to be “compatible” with each other. When the connectors  14  and  22  are mated, portable media player  10  can exchange information with clock radio  20  to enable, for example, the clock radio to play music that is stored on media player  10 . 
     Various portable media players and other electronic devices may include receptacle connectors that are a different shape, size or pin configuration than receptacle connector  14  in which case these other receptacle connectors may not be compatible with or may be “incompatible” with plug connector  22 . A connector insert on an accessory may not be compatible with a connector receptacle on a portable electronic device or portable media player because the connector insert is designed to mate with products made by a first manufacturer, while the portable media player is instead made by a second manufacturer. Also, a portable media player manufacturer may change the design of a connector receptacle for some products, such as newer generation products. For example, a smaller connector may be incorporated into newer generation products to enable the design of smaller portable media players. Also, a connector with a different pinout may support new data communication protocols that could not be supported by an older legacy connector. 
     There are at least two types of incompatibility that may arise between a plug connector on an accessory and a receptacle connector on a host electronic device. First, the receptacle connector may be physically incompatible with the plug connector, that is, they may have incompatible sizes and literally cannot be connected together in a mechanical sense.  FIG. 1  provides an example of connectors that are physically incompatible with each other. Specifically, a portable media player  30  is shown in  FIG. 1  that includes a receptacle connector  34  that is considerably smaller than receptacle connector  14  incorporated within media player  10 . Plug connector  22  is too large to fit within connector  24  and thus connectors  34  and  22  are “incompatible” connectors that cannot be mated with each other. 
     As a second example of incompatible connectors, a plug connector on an accessory may not be compatible with a receptacle connector on a portable electronic device or portable media player because one or more signals or power supply outputs on either the plug connector or receptacle connector are incompatible with inputs on the other end. This may occur at one or more levels of signaling. For example, a physical layer used to transmit and receive signals may be incompatible between the accessory and media player. Specifically, signal voltages and other physical parameters may be different. Also, a transport level, which specifies signal frequency and other parameters, may be different between the devices. The packet structure layer, which defines how commands and data are formatted, and the multi-packet logic levels, which define sequences of commands, may also vary among devices. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide adapters that allow communication between a portable media player and an accessory, wherein a receptacle connector on the portable media player and a plug connector on an accessory are incompatible in one or both of these ways. One example is shown in  FIG. 2  which illustrates an electronic system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  an adapter  40  according to the present invention can be connected between the otherwise incompatible connectors  22  and  34  of accessory  20  and portable media player  30 , respectively, to allow accessory  20  and portable media player  30  to communicate with each other. Adapter  40  includes a receptacle connector  44  and a plug connector  42  formed in a housing  41 . Receptacle connector  44  is configured to mate with and is thus compatible with plug connector  22  on accessory  20 . Plug connector  42  is configured to mate with and is thus compatible with receptacle connector  34  on portable media player  30 . Adapter  40  also includes conversion circuitry (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) that converts signals and voltages received over receptacle connector  44  from accessory  20  into signals and voltages that can be transmitted over plug connector  42  and processed by portable media player  30 . The conversion circuitry also converts signals and voltages sent to the adapter by portable media player  30  via plug connector  42  to signals and voltages that can be transmitted over receptacle connector  44  and processed by accessory  20 . 
     In one particular embodiment, plug connector  42  is an eight contact (plug ground contacts) in-line dual orientation connector as shown in  FIG. 3 , which is a simplified perspective view of a plug connector  100  that can be used as plug connector  42 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , connector  100  includes a body  103  and a tab portion  104  that extends longitudinally away from body  103  in a direction parallel to the length of the connector. Body  103  can be part of housing  41  of adapter  40  or can be a structural component of connector  100  that enables the connector to be attached to housing  41 . Additionally, in come embodiments, adapter  40  may include a cable that extends from housing  41  to plug connector  42  providing more flexibility for the plug connector to be mated with a portable media device. 
     Tab  104  is sized to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector, such as receptacle connector  34  of portable media player  30  shown in  FIG. 2 , during a mating event and includes a first contact region  106   a  formed on a first major surface  104   a  and a second contact region  106   b  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) formed at a second major surface  104   b  (also not shown) opposite surface  104   a . Surfaces  104   a ,  104   b  extend from a distal tip of the tab to a spine  109  that, when tab  104  is inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector, abuts a housing of the receptacle connector or host device the receptacle connector is incorporated in. Tab  104  also includes first and second opposing side surfaces  104   c ,  104   d  that extend between the first and second major surfaces  104   a ,  104   b . In one particular embodiment, tab  44  is 6.6 mm wide, 1.5 mm thick and has an insertion depth (the distance from the tip of tab  44  to spine  109 ) of 7.9 mm. 
     The structure and shape of tab  104  is defined by a ground ring  105  that can be made from stainless steel or another hard conductive material. Connector  100  includes retention features  102   a ,  102   b  formed as curved pockets in the sides of ground ring  105  that double as ground contacts. Body  103  is shown in  FIG. 3  in transparent form (via dotted lines) so that certain components inside the body are visible. As shown, within body  103  is a printed circuit board (PCB)  107  that extends into ground ring  105  between contact regions  106   a  and  106   b  towards the distal tip of connector  100 . One or more integrated circuits (ICs), such as Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chips  108   a  and  108   b , can be operatively coupled to PCB  107  to provide information regarding connector  100  and adapter  40  and/or to perform specific functions, such as authentication, identification, contact configuration and current or power regulation. 
     As an example, in one embodiment an ID module is embodied within an IC operatively coupled to the contacts of connector  100 . The ID module can be programmed with identification and configuration information about the connector and/or its associated accessory that can be communicated to a host device during a mating event. As another example, an authentication module programmed to perform an authentication routine, for example a public key encryption routine, with circuitry on the host device can be embodied within an IC operatively coupled to connector  100 . The ID module and authentication module can be embodied within the same IC or within different ICs. As still another example, in embodiments where adapter  40  enables an accessory to charge the host device connected to connector  42 , a current regulator can be embodied within one of IC&#39;s  108   a  or  108   b . The current regulator can be operatively coupled to contacts that are able to deliver power to charge a battery in the host device and regulate current delivered over those contacts to ensure a constant current regardless of input voltage and even when the input voltage varies in a transitory manner. 
     Bonding pads  110  can also be formed within body  103  near the end of PCB  107 . Each bonding pad can be connected to a contact or contact pair within regions  106   a  and  106   b . Wires (not shown) can then be soldered to the bonding pads to provide an electrical connection from the contacts to circuitry within adapter  40 . In some embodiments, however, bonding pads are not necessary and instead all electrical connections between the contacts and components of connector  100  and other circuitry within adapter  40  are made through traces on a PCB that the circuitry is coupled to and/or by interconnects between multiple PCBs within adapter  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  eight external contacts  106 ( 1 ) . . .  106 ( 8 ) are spaced apart along a single row in contact region  106   a . A similar set of eight contacts are spaced apart along a single row in contact region  106   b . The two rows of contacts are directly opposite each other and each contact in contact region  106   a  is electrically connected to a corresponding contact in contact region  106   b  on the opposite side of the connector. Contacts  106 ( 1 ) . . .  106 ( 8 ) can be used to carry a wide variety of signals including digital signals and analog signals as well as power and ground. 
       FIG. 4A  depicts one particular implementation of a pinout for plug connector  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The pinout shown in  FIG. 4A  includes two contacts  106 ( 4 ),  106 ( 5 ) that are electrically coupled together to function as a single contact dedicated to carrying power; an accessory ID contact  106 ( 8 ); an accessory power contact  106 ( 1 ); and four data contacts  106 ( 2 ),  106 ( 3 ),  106 ( 6 ) and  106 ( 7 ). Power contacts  106 ( 4 ),  106 ( 5 ) can be sized to handle any reasonable power requirement for a portable electronic device, and for example, can be designed to carry between 3-20 Volts from an accessory to charge a host device connected to connector  100 . Power contacts  106 ( 4 ),  106 ( 5 ) are positioned in the center of contact regions  106   a ,  106   b  to improve signal integrity by keeping power as far away as possible from the sides of ground ring  105 . 
     Accessory power contact  106 ( 1 ) can be used for an accessory power signal that provides power from the host to an accessory. The accessory power signal is typically a lower voltage signal than the power in signal received over contacts  106 ( 4 ) and  106 ( 5 ), for example, 3.3 volts as compared to 5 volts or higher. The accessory ID contact provides a communication channel that enables the host device to authenticate the accessory and enables the accessory to communicate information to the host device about the accessory&#39;s capabilities as described in more detail below. 
     Data contacts  106 ( 2 ),  106 ( 3 ),  106 ( 6 ) and  106 ( 7 ) can be used to enable communication between the host and accessory using one or more of several different communication protocols. Data contacts  106 ( 2 ) and  106 ( 3 ) are positioned adjacent to and on one side of the power contacts, while data contacts  106 ( 6 ) and  106 ( 7 ) are positioned adjacent to but on the other side of the power contacts. The accessory power and accessory ID contacts are positioned at each end of the connector. The data contacts can be high speed data contacts that operate at rate that is two or three orders of magnitude faster than any signals sent over the accessory ID contact which makes the accessory ID signal look essentially like a DC signal to the high speed data lines. Thus, positioning the data contacts between the power contacts and the ID contact improves signal integrity by sandwiching the data contacts between contacts designated for DC signals or essentially DC signals. 
       FIG. 4B  depicts another particular implementation of a pinout for plug connector  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     Connector  101  can be also a reversible connector just like connector  100 . In other words, based on the orientation in which connector  101  is mated with a corresponding connector of a host device, either the contacts on the surface  106   a  or  106   b  are in physical and electrical contact with the contacts in the corresponding connector of the host device. As illustrated in  FIG. 1E , connector  101  may have eight contacts arranged on an upper surface of a PCB  150  and eight contacts arranged on a lower surface of PCB  150 . 
     Connector  101  includes two contacts  112 ( 1 ) and  114 ( 4 ) that can function as accessory ID contacts to carry the identification signals between the accessory and the portable electronic device. Contacts  112 ( 1 ) and  114 ( 4 ) are electrically connected to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 1E . Connector  101  can have four pairs of data contacts, (a)  112 ( 2 ) and  112 ( 3 ), (b)  112 ( 6 ) and  112 ( 7 ), (c)  114 ( 2 ) and  114 ( 3 ), and (d)  114 ( 6 ) and  114 ( 7 ). In this particular embodiment, opposing data contacts, e.g.,  112 ( 2 ) and  114 ( 2 ), are electrically connected to each other via PCB  150  as illustrated in  FIG. 1E . Connector  101  may further include host power contacts  112 ( 4 ) or  114 ( 5 ) that may be electrically connected to each other. Host power contacts  112 ( 4 ) or  114 ( 5 ) can carry power to the host device that is mated with connector  101 . For example, plug connector  101  may be part of a power supply system designed to provide power to the host device. In this instance, either contact  112 ( 4 ) or  114 ( 5 ) may carry power from the power supply to the host device, e.g., to charge a battery in the host device. 
     Connector  101  may further include accessory power contacts  112 ( 5 ) and  114 ( 8 ) that may be electrically connected to each other, e.g., via PCB  150 . Accessory power contacts carry power from the host device to a connected accessory. For example, in some instances, an accessory connected to the host device may not be self-powered and may derive its power from the host device. In this instance, the host device can supply power to the accessory over either of the accessory contacts, depending on the orientation of connector  101  with respect to a corresponding connector of the host device. Connector  101  may further include two ground contacts  112 ( 8 ) and  114 ( 1 ) electrically connected to each other. The ground contacts provide a ground path for connector  101 . 
     Similar to connector  100  of  FIG. 4A , the data contacts of connector  101  can be high speed data contacts that operate at rate that is two or three orders of magnitude faster than any signals sent over the accessory ID contact which makes the accessory ID signal look essentially like a DC signal to the high speed data lines. Thus, positioning the data contacts between the host power contacts and the accessory ID contact improves signal integrity by sandwiching the data contacts between contacts designated for DC signals or essentially DC signals. 
       FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of a receptacle connector  140  that connector  100  can be coupled with. Receptacle connector  140  can, for example, be included in portable media player  30  as connector  34 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , receptacle connector  140  includes eight contacts  146 ( 1 ) . . .  146 ( 8 ) that are spaced apart in a single row. The contacts are positioned within a cavity  147  that is defined by a housing  142 . Receptacle connector  140  also includes side retention mechanisms  146   a ,  146   b  that engage with retention features  102   a ,  102   b  in connector  100  to secure connector  100  within cavity  147  once the connectors are mated. Receptacle connector  140  also includes two contacts  148 ( 1 ) and  148 ( 2 ) that are positioned slightly behind the row of signal contacts and can be used to detect when connector  100  is inserted within cavity  147  and detect when connector  100  exits cavity  147  when the connectors are disengaged from each other. 
     When tab  104  of connector  100  is fully inserted within cavity  147  of receptacle connector  140  during a mating event between the plug and receptacle connectors, each of contacts  106 ( 1 ) . . .  106 ( 8 ) from one of contact regions  106   a  or  106   b  are physically coupled to one of contacts  146 ( 1 ) . . .  146 ( 8 ) depending on the insertion orientation of connector  100  with respect to connector  140 . Thus, contact  146 ( 1 ) will be physically connected to either contact  106 ( 1 ) or  106 ( 8 ) depending on the insertion orientation; data contacts  146 ( 2 ),  146 ( 3 ) will connect with either data contacts  106 ( 2 ),  106 ( 3 ) or with data contacts  106 ( 7 ),  106 ( 6 ) depending on the insertion orientation, etc. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , in one particular embodiment, receptacle connector  44  is a 30-pin connector compatible with Apple iPod and iPhone devices, such as the iPhone  3  and iPhone  4 .  FIG. 6  depicts a pinout  120  of receptacle connector  44  according to one embodiment. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7  which illustrates a system according to the present invention in which an adapter  40  according to the present invention that can enable an accessory  20  that includes a 30-pin Apple compatible plug connector to communicate with a portable media player  30  that includes a receptacle connector  140  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Adapter  40  includes a plug connector  100  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and a 30-pin receptacle connector  120  having pinout  44  shown in  FIG. 6 . Receptacle connector  120  is compatible with a plug connector  22  of an accessory  20 , which is shown to be a docking station/clock radio but can be any electronic accessory that includes a plug connector that can be coupled to adapter  20 . Plug connector  22  is physically incompatible with receptacle connector  140  (and thus receptacle connector  120  is also incompatible with plug connector  100 ). Adapter  40  allows accessory  20  to communicate with host  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , adapter  40  also includes conversion circuitry  200  within housing  204  that converts signals and voltages transmitted between accessory  20  and host  30  into signals and voltages that each of accessory  20  and host  30  can process and operate from. In one embodiment, conversion circuitry  200  includes an audio/video converter  207 , a data converter  208  and a power converter  209 . Other embodiments include only one or two of converters  207 ,  208  and  209  or include other types of converters altogether. 
     Audio/video converter  207  can be a one-way converter (e.g., only converts video and/or audio data sent from the host to a format that can be received and processed by the accessory or only converts video and/or audio data sent from the accessory to a format that can be received and processed by the host) or a two-way converter (i.e., converts video and/or audio data sent between the host and the accessory in both directions). In one particular embodiment, audio/video converter  207  is a one-way converter that converts digital audio and digital video data sent over USB data lines of connector  100  into analog audio and analog video signals. In another embodiment converter  207  only converts audio data and adapter  200  does not support the conversion of video data between host  215  and accessory  220 . 
     Similarly, data converter  208  can be a one-way or two-way data converter. In one embodiment, data converter  208  is capable of translating data signals received over a first communication protocol used by accessory  20  and connector  205  to either a USB protocol or UART protocol used by connector  100  and host  30 . In another embodiment, connectors  100  and  120  each support USB and UART communication protocols and data converter  208  passes USB signals between the two connectors without conversion but converts the UART signals received from each of host  30  and accessory  20  to a format appropriate for the other of host  30  and accessory  20 . Data converter  208  can also process control and ID signals received over connector  120  as may be required to communicate with the accessory. Power converter  209  can convert a first DC voltage received from accessory  20  over connector  120  to a second DC voltage that can be transmitted to host  30  over connector  100 , and can convert a third DC voltage received from the host  30  over connector  100  to a fourth DC voltage provided to the accessory  20  through connector  120 . 
     The pinout of connector  100  includes one set of differential data contacts (e.g., USB 2.0 contacts) and one set of UART transmit/receive contacts or Mikeybus contacts as shown in  FIG. 4A  or  4 B. The ID contact is coupled to an ID module  108   a  that includes a memory that stores information to inform the host that two of the data contacts are dedicated for USB 2.0 communication while the other two data contacts are dedicated to either UART or Mikeybus signals. A current regulator  108   b  is operatively coupled to the two centrally located power contacts  106 ( 4 ),  106 ( 5 ) to regulate current to the host when connector  120  is connected to an accessory or other device that enables charging. 
     In some embodiments adapter  40  can include two levels of authentication. In a first level, adapter  40  authenticates itself to host  30  through its connection to the host via connector  100  and connector  140 . In one embodiment this level of authentication can be performed by an authentication module  108   c  over one of the sets of data contacts (either the USB or UART contacts) after the contacts in the host&#39;s receptacle connector are configured, and in another embodiment it can be done by an authentication module connected to the ID contact as an initial part of the handshaking algorithm between the host and adapter  40 . After the adapter is authenticated and in communication with the host over connector  100 , a second level of authentication can occur where an authentication processor  201  in adapter  40  authenticates accessory  20  connected to it via connector  120  and connector  22  according to an authentication protocol that accessory  20  would normally employ when connecting to a host that the accessory  20  was designed to operate with. In some embodiments a single authentication module can perform both the first and second levels of authentication. 
     In one particular embodiment where adapter  40  in  FIG. 7  converts digital video data received over connector  100  to analog video data out sent over connector  120 , the circuitry of adapter  40  is connected to contacts within connectors  100  and  120  as shown in Table 1 below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Connector 100 
                 Adapter 
                   
               
               
                 Contacts 
                 200 Circuitry 
                 Connector 120 Contacts 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 USB: 202(2), 202(3) 
                 Audio/Video 
                 Contacts 21, 22, 23, 27, 28 
               
               
                   
                 Converter 207 
               
               
                 USB: 202(2), 202(3); 
                 Data Converter 
                 Contacts 4, 6, 10, 18, 19, 20, 
               
               
                 UART: 202(6), 202(7) 
                 208 
                 24, 30 (used as iPod detect) 
               
               
                 Pwr: 202(4), 202(5); 
                 Power Converter 
                 Contacts 8, 13 
               
               
                 Acc_Pwr: 202(1) 
                 209 
               
               
                 GND: Ground ring 
                 Ground 
                 Contacts 1, 2, 15, 16, and 29 
               
               
                 via side contacts 
               
               
                 N/A 
                 No Connection 
                 Contacts 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 17, 25, 26 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In another embodiment where adapter  40  does not support the conversion of video data, the contact-to-adapter circuitry connections set forth in Table 1 can be used expect that contacts  21 ,  22 , and  23  are left in an open state and not connected to active circuitry within the adapter. Adapter  40  can also include a microcontroller (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) that can communicate with accessory  20  using a protocol that the accessory would normally use to communicate with a host device that the accessory is compatible with. For example, in one embodiment adapter  40  includes a microcontroller that supports communication with accessory  20  using the iAP protocol employed by an Apple iPod or iPhone device. Some or all of the conversion circuitry  200  can be part of the microcontroller or it can be separate circuitry. The microcontroller can also set selected contacts of connector  120  (e.g., contacts  13 ,  18 - 20  and  30 , which is used as iPod detect) to an open state so that the accessory does not recognize that it is connected to a host until after adapter  40  authenticates itself to the host and the host configures its contacts to allow communication between the host and adapter  40 . Once the host and adapter are operatively connected and in full communication with each other, adapter  40  can connect the previously open/floating contacts with appropriate circuitry so that the accessory recognizes it has been connected to the adapter and can respond to any authentication requests from adapter  40  to initiate and complete a communication link between the adapter and accessory and then ultimately the host to the accessory via adapter  40 . 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing of conversion circuitry  220  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Conversion circuitry  220  can be used in an adapter where one of the pairs of data contacts of connector  100  are USB contacts and the other of the pairs of data contacts are UART contacts. As shown in  FIG. 9 , conversion circuitry  220  includes a USB multiplexor that can be set to operate in a USB pass through mode, an audio mode or a USB bridge mode as discussed below. 
       FIG. 9  is a state diagram showing a mode of operation for an adapter that includes conversion circuitry as shown in  FIG. 8  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 9 , after initialization the adapter is always in one of three possible operating states: USB bypass mode, audio mode or USB bridge mode. An iAP command sent from accessory  30  can place the adapter in one of the three modes. USB bridge mode is the default mode that the adapter enters upon initialization. In USB bridge mode, the USB data lines on 30-pin connector  120  are directly connected to the USB data lines of connector  100 . While in this mode, no analog audio is provided by the adapter so the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) can be shut down to save power. Also, since the USB lines pass directly through between connector  100  and connector  140 , the conversion circuitry  220  need only monitor the UART ports of each connector. When the adapter is connected to the portable electronic device, the adapter may receive power from the portable electronic device and be in a powered on state  1502  ready to authenticate itself to the portable electronic device. Thereafter, the adapter can identify and authenticate itself to the portable electronic device. As part of the authentication process or following the authentication process, the adapter may set up the virtual port connection with the portable electronic device and be in an idle/ready state  1504 . In some embodiments, the adapter may automatically transition to a default state  1506  upon being in idle/ready state  1504  for a predetermined time. As described above, in some embodiments, the default state may be the “bypass” mode. From the default state  1506 , the adapter may either enter “bridge” mode state  1510  or the “analog audio” mode state  1508  after an accessory is connected to the adapter. The change of state can be effected by the portable electronic device. Upon disconnection of the accessory from the adapter, the adapter returns to default state  1506  and waits for the next mode change message. 
       FIG. 10  is a representational drawing of conversion circuitry shown in  FIG. 8  when the adapter is operating in the USB bypass mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     After adapter  1004  is connected to portable electronic device  1002 , adapter  1004  may send identification and authentication information to portable electronic device  1002 . Once authenticated, adapter is ready to receive accessory  1006  connected via port/connector  1104 . Upon completion of the identification and authentication process described above, the portable electronic device may instruct the adapter to transition to the bypass mode. In some embodiments, the bypass mode may be the default mode that the adapter is placed in upon connection with the portable electronic device. 
     Once accessory  1006  is connected to connector  1104 , adapter  1004  may receive accessory identification information from accessory  1006 , e.g., via the ACC_Detect contact in connector  1104 . Adapter  1004  then authenticates accessory  1006  based on the accessory identification information. Once accessory  1006  is authenticated, adapter  1004  can now relay information between accessory  1006  and portable electronic device  1002 . 
     In some embodiments, first connector  1102  can be implemented as plug connector  100  of  FIG. 3  and second connector  1104  can be implemented as connector  140  of  FIG. 5 . Both connectors are either formed in the housing of the adapter or attached to the housing. Adapter  1004  also includes a first USB device  1108  and a second USB device  1110 . The two USB devices enable coupling of signals between connector  1102  and  1104  in various modes of operation described below. A USB multiplexer  1112  aids in selective activation of various signal paths within adapter  1004 . 
     Controller  1114  can include, e.g., a microprocessor or microcontroller executing program code to perform various operations associated with adapter  1004 . Controller  1114  controls the operation of adapter  1004  including, but not limited to receiving instructions from a connected portable electronic device for changing an operation mode of adapter  1004 , selectively activating certain components/signal paths in conjunction with USB multiplexer  1112  to place adapter  1004  into the requested mode, and generally controlling the signal flow to and from connectors  1102  and  1104 . 
     Logic circuitry  1116  may include an ASIC that receives signals from connector  1104 , interprets the received signals and provides the information to controller  1114 , which can then perform an action based on the received information. Logic circuitry  1116  can also receive inputs from controller  1114  and communicate information to a connected accessory via connector  1104 . 
     Adapter  1004  may also process signals related to USB, analog audio, UART, power, and exchange of messages associated with an accessory protocol between a connected portable electronic device via connector  1102  and a connected accessory via connector  1104 . In addition, adapter  1004  may also process one or more of the signals, e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 6 . 
     It will be appreciated that the system configurations and components for adapter  1004  described herein are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. The adapter may have other components not specifically described herein. Further, while the adapter is described herein with reference to particular blocks, it is to be understood that these blocks are defined for convenience of description and are not intended to imply a particular physical arrangement of component parts. Further, the blocks need not correspond to physically distinct components. Blocks can be configured to perform various operations, e.g., by programming a processor or providing appropriate control circuitry, and various blocks might or might not be reconfigurable depending on how the initial configuration is obtained. Embodiments of the present invention can be realized in a variety of devices including electronic devices implemented using any combination of circuitry and software. 
     When an accessory is capable of consuming analog audio but does not use the USB transport for iAP, the portable electronic device can place conversion circuitry  220  in analog audio mode. In this mode all iAP messaging is sent over the UART transport. 
       FIG. 11  is a representational drawing of an adapter  1004  including the conversion circuitry shown in  FIG. 8  when the adapter is operating in the analog audio mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this instance, upon connection accessory  1006  to adapter  1004 , the portable electronic device may determine that accessory  1006 , e.g., a speaker dock, supports analog audio input. Based on this determination, portable electronic device  1002  instructs adapter  1004  to enable the analog audio mode. In this mode, adapter  1004  enables USB device  1108  and connects to portable electronic device  1002  via the audio pin of connector  1104  by reconfiguring the connections in USB Mux  1112 . USB device  1108  acts as a USB audio synchronization device. Portable electronic device  1002  outputs digital audio to the adapter via a data pin of connector  1102 . Adapter  1004  then converts the digital audio using USB device  1108  and a digital to analog converter  1304  and outputs the analog audio over the line out pin of connector  1104 . Accessory  1006  can then receive the analog audio and output the audio using, e.g., its speakers. If accessory  1006  is also able to provide charging voltage to the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device may also instruct the adapter to enable a charge path via the USB signal in this mode. In order to provide charging voltage to portable electronic device  1002 , adapter  1004  enables USB device  1110  and couples it to the USB pin of connector  1104 . This enables portable electronic device  1002  to receive charging voltage over the VBUS line as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
     If an accessory is capable of consuming analog audio and uses the USB transport for iAP messaging, the accessory can request to place conversion circuitry  220  in USB bridge mode. Both digital audio and accessory protocol (iAP) messages are sent over the USB lines. Circuitry  220  includes two USB devices, a full speed device and a high speed device. A multiplexor allows these devices to be switched to the USB data lines of connector  120  as needed. 
       FIG. 12  is a representational drawing of conversion circuitry when the adapter is operating in the USB bridge mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. This mode may support an accessory  1006  that needs to communicate with the portable electronic device using the accessory protocol over the USB data line and also requests analog audio. 
     Initially when accessory  1006  is connected to adapter  1004 , the adapter may be in the “bypass” mode discussed above and accessory  1006  can directly communicate with portable electronic device  1002 . As part of this communication, the portable electronic device can determine the type of accessory connected and its operating requirements. If portable electronic device  1002  determines that accessory  1006  requests communication using the accessory protocol over the USB line and analog audio input, the portable electronic device instructs the adapter to enable the bridge mode. The portable electronic device then enters a host mode. In some embodiments, the adapter may disable connector  1104  (thereby disconnecting the accessory) prior to entering the bridge mode. After entering the bridge mode, the adapter then re-enables connector  1104  so that the accessory can communicate with the portable electronic device. In this mode, USB device  1108  is coupled to the audio output of the portable electronic device via USB Mux  1112 . USB device  1108  is also coupled to USB device  1110  via controller  1114 . USB device  1110  is coupled to the USB data line of connector  1104  via USB Mux  1112 . USB device  1108  is also coupled to an audio input pin of connector  1104  via controller  1114  in order to process the audio data. 
     In operation, USB device  1108  may receive data from the portable media device via connector  1102 . USB device  1108  cannot communicate directly with USB device  1110 . Hence, controller  1114  receives the data from USB device  1108  and forwards the data to USB device  1110 . In some embodiments, the two USB devices may operate using different protocols. For example, USB device  1108  may be a full-speed USB device while USB device  1110  may be a high speed USB device. Alternatively, one of the USB devices may use version 1.1 protocol and the other USB device may use version 2.0 or 3.0 protocol. In such instances, direct data transfer between the two USB devices may not be possible. Controller  1114  acts as a “bridge” to properly convert the received data to the appropriate format before sending it to the portable media device and/or the accessory. 
     In operation, the portable electronic device outputs digital audio data using a USB audio output pin of connector  1102 . The digital audio data is processed by USB device  1108  and microcontroller  1114  and converted to analog audio. The analog audio is then input to the accessory via the audio input pin of connector  1104 . 
     If accessory  1006  wants to send any messages to the portable electronic device, e.g., for invoking some functionality of the portable electronic device or any other digital data, the message/data is output over the USB data pins of connector  1104 . The message/data is then processed by USB device  1110  and sent to controller  1114 . Controller  1114  acts as a bridge to transfer the message/data to USB device  1108 . USB device  1108  then communicates the message/data to portable electronic device  1002  over the same USB audio pin of connector  1102 . 
     If the portable electronic device wants to send message/data to the accessory, then the same path in reverse can be followed. Thus, portable electronic device  1002  can output audio and other non-audio data using the same USB data lines and accessory  1006  can receive the messages/non-analog audio data on its USB lines and receive analog audio data on its audio input line. 
     A USB device can only communicate with a USB host. In the bridge mode, both the accessory and the host device act as USB hosts in order to communicate with the two USB devices  1110  and  1108 , respectively. As described above, the two USB devices cannot directly communicate with each other. In the bridge mode, the adapter effectively communicates data between the accessory and the host device by properly processing the data as needed. 
     The above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20121116
Publication Date: 20130702
Grant Date: 20130702
Priority Date: 20111130
Inventors: TERLIZZI JEFFREY J.
FRITCHMAN DANIEL J.
KRUEGER SCOTT
TIKALSKY TERRY
SILLMAN DEBRA A.
NG TONY CHI WANG
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R31/065", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/44", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/44", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/85", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/85", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/85", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/646", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R31/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/44", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47435730