PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9300083-B2
Application Number: US-201414500556-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Stackable magnetically-retained connector interface

Abstract:
A stackable connector interface with magnetic retention for electronic devices and accessories can allow power and data to be transferred between one or more stacked connectors. Each interconnected stackable connector may include one or more magnetic elements, which magnetic elements may have poles arranged to facilitate mating with other stackable connectors. The magnetic elements may also provide a magnetic retention force that holds mated connectors in contact with each other. The connectors can also include connection detection circuitry for determining whether the connectors are mated with other connectors, thereby allowing the connectors to prevent live contacts from being exposed at an unmated surface of the connectors. In addition to connection detection circuitry, routing circuitry may also be included to determine how signals should be transferred between the interconnected stackable connectors and/or corresponding devices.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector of a first device suitable for electrically coupling the first device to a second device, comprising:
 a body having a first connector, contacts positioned on the first connector, and a first magnet having poles arranged to align and mate the first connector with a second magnet of a corresponding second connector of the second device; 
 a cable extending from the body, the cable including one or more wires; 
 connection detection circuitry configured to determine whether the first connector is mated with the second connector and to distinguish between two or more orientations of the first connector with respect to the second connector; and 
 routing circuitry coupled to the connection detection circuitry and the one or more wires, the routing circuitry configured to route a first signal between the one or more wires and the contacts when a first orientation is detected and a second signal different than the first signal between the one or more wires and the contacts when a second orientation is detected by the connection detection circuitry. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector set forth in  claim 1  wherein the first signal changes an operating state of the second device to a first state and the second signal changes the operating state of the second device to a second state different than the first state. 
     
     
       3. The connector set forth in  claim 1  wherein rotating the body from the first orientation to the second orientation sends a third signal between the one or more wires and the contacts in response to the connection detection circuitry detecting the rotation. 
     
     
       4. The connector set forth in  claim 1  wherein the connection detection circuitry includes one or more of the following: a Hall Effect sensor, a resistance sensor and a rotary encoder. 
     
     
       5. The connector set forth in  claim 1  wherein a portion of the cable that extends away from the body is coupled to the first device. 
     
     
       6. The connector set forth in  claim 3  wherein the third signal causes the second device to change the volume of device speakers of the second device. 
     
     
       7. The connector set forth in  claim 1  wherein the contacts are first contacts; wherein the body further includes a third connector, second contacts positioned on the third connector and a third magnet having poles arranged to align and mate the third connector to a corresponding fourth connector; wherein the connection detection circuitry is further configured to determine whether the third connector is mated with the fourth connector; and wherein the routing circuitry is further configured to route a third signal between the one or more wires and the second contacts when the connection detection circuitry detects the third connector is mated with the fourth connector. 
     
     
       8. The connector set forth in  claim 7  wherein the routing circuitry is further configured to route fourth signals between the first and second contacts when the connection detection circuitry detects the first and third connectors are mated with the second and fourth connectors, respectively. 
     
     
       9. The connector set forth in  claim 8  wherein the fourth signals originate from the second connector or the fourth connector; and wherein the routing circuitry further includes a microcontroller configured to determine the fourth signals. 
     
     
       10. A stackable connector comprising:
 a body comprising first and second connectors, first contacts positioned on the first connector, second contacts positioned on the second connector, a first magnet having poles arranged to align and mate the first connector to a third magnet of a corresponding third connector, and a second magnet having poles arranged to align and mate the second connector to a fourth magnet of a corresponding fourth connector; 
 a cable extending from the body, the cable including one or more wires; 
 connection detection circuitry configured to determine whether the first and second connectors are mated with the third and fourth connectors, respectively and determine an orientation of the body with respect to the third and fourth connectors; and 
 routing circuitry coupled to the connection detection circuitry and the one or more wires of the cable, the routing circuitry configured to route signals between the one or more wires and the first and second contacts in accordance with the determined orientation of the body with respect to the third and fourth connectors. 
 
     
     
       11. The stackable connector set forth in  claim 10  wherein the determined orientation is an angular orientation of the body with respect to the third connector and the fourth connector. 
     
     
       12. The stackable connector set forth in  claim 10 ,
 wherein the routing circuitry further includes a microcontroller and wherein when the third and fourth connectors are mated with the first and second connectors the microcontoller determines how to distribute signals between the third and fourth connectors. 
 
     
     
       13. The stackable connector set forth in  claim 10  wherein the connection detection circuitry comprises a magnetic field sensor and wherein the connection detection circuitry determines an orientation of the body with respect to the third and fourth connectors at least in part by measuring magnetic fields emitted by the third and fourth magnets. 
     
     
       14. The stackable connector set forth in  claim 13 , wherein when the determined orientation is a first orientation the routing circuitry sends a control signal to a first device associated with the third connector and when the determined orientation is a second orientation different than the first orientation the routing circuitry sends the control signal to a second device associated with the fourth connector.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/884,730, filed Sep. 30, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to input/output electrical connectors, and in particular connectors for handheld electronic devices. 
     Many electronic devices include electrical connectors that receive and provide power and data. These electrical connectors are typically receptacle connectors and are designed to receive a single male plug connector extending from a cable, thereby forming one or more conductive paths for signals. The cable may also be attached to a power adapter, accessories, devices or another connector (e.g., a plug or receptacle connector), thereby allowing signals to be exchanged via the cable and the connectors. 
     As electronic devices continue to become smaller, device enclosures have increasingly limited internal space while still including a large number of internal components, some of which relate to external components. This limited space within the device enclosures creates a number of challenges. For example, the device may only include one or two external connectors and corresponding internal components even though it may be desirable for the device to concurrently receive input and/or provide output via more external connectors. 
     Wireless signal transfer to electronic devices can address some of the above challenges. However, wired connections may still be required or preferred for the exchanging of signals in certain situations. For example, wired power charging and/or data exchanging may be quicker than their wireless counterparts, and thus preferable for quick charging or exchanging large amounts of data. 
     Current electronic devices, portable and otherwise, may suffer from some or all of these deficiencies or from similar deficiencies. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments of the invention pertain to stackable connectors that improve upon some or all of the above described deficiencies. For example, a stackable connector interface with magnetic retention for electronic devices and accessories may allow power and data to be transferred between one or more stacked connectors and an electronic device. More specifically, this configuration may allow a base device, peripheral devices, other base devices and/or a host power cable to interconnect via this stackable connector interface. The host device may include a receptacle connector, the peripheral and/or other base devices and power cables may include plug and/or receptacle connectors and the host power cable may include a plug connector. 
     Each interconnected stackable connector may include one or more magnetic elements on one or more sides of the connector body, which magnetic elements may have poles arranged to govern and facilitate mating with magnetic elements of other connectors. For example, the magnetic elements may govern which connectors may be connected using magnetic repulsion to indicate that connectors should not be mated and magnetic attraction to indicate that connectors can be connected. In addition, the magnetic elements may facilitate blind mating as various connectors may only need to be brought proximate each other for magnetic forces to align, orient and bring into contact corresponding connectors. The magnetic elements may also provide a magnetic retention force that holds or retains mated connectors in contact with each other. 
     The connectors can also include connection detection circuitry for determining whether the connectors are mated with other connectors, thereby allowing the connectors to prevent live contacts from being exposed at unmated connectors. Thus, the connection detection circuitry may prevent contact shorting that may cause harm to users, devices and/or connectors. In addition to connection detection circuitry, routing circuitry may also be included to determine how signals should be transferred between the interconnected stackable connectors. 
     Thus, embodiments of the present invention may allow one external connector of a device to concurrently connect with multiple connectors of peripheral devices, main devices, power adapters, and others. This may help to conserve limited internal device space as well as external surfaces of portable and even non-portable devices by only requiring or better utilizing one external connector without sacrificing functionality. 
     According to one embodiment, a stackable connector is provided. The stackable connector can include a body having a first connector, contacts positioned on the first connector, and a first magnet having poles arranged to align and mate the first connector with a corresponding second connector. A cable can extend from the body and include one or more wires. The stackable connector can also include connection detection circuitry configured to determine whether the first connector is mated with the second connector and routing circuitry coupled to the connection detection circuitry and the one or more wires. The routing circuitry can be configured to route signals between the one or more wires and the contacts when the connection detection circuitry detects the first connector is mated with the second connector. 
     According to another embodiment, a stackable connector is provided. The stackable connector can include a body having first and second connectors, first contacts positioned on the first connector, second contacts positioned on the second connector, a first magnet having poles arranged to align and mate the first connector to a corresponding third connector, and a second magnet having poles arranged to align and mate the second connector to a corresponding fourth connector. The stackable connector can also include a cable extending from the body. The cable can include one or more wires. The stackable connector can also include connection detection circuitry configured to determine whether the first and second connectors are mated with the third and fourth connectors, respectively, and routing circuitry coupled to the connection detection circuitry and the one or more wires of the cable. The routing circuitry can be configured to: (1) route first signals between the one or more wires and the first contacts when the connection detection circuitry detects the first connector is mated with the third connector; (2) route second signals between the one or more wires and the second contacts when the connection detection circuitry detects the second connector is mated with the fourth connector; and (3) route third signals between the first contacts and the second contacts when the connection detection circuitry detects the first connector and second connector are mated with the third connector and the fourth connector, respectively 
     According to yet another embodiment, the invention pertains to a method for forming an electrical connection between stackable connectors. A first plug connector of a first cable assembly can be mated with a first receptacle connector of a second cable assembly. The first plug connector can be coupled to a first cable of the first cable assembly. The first receptacle connector can be coupled to a second cable of the second cable assembly. First signals can be provided to routing circuitry of the second cable assembly by the first cable via the first plug connector. Second signals can be provided to the routing circuitry of the second cable assembly by the second cable. Third signals can be routed to a second plug connector of the second cable assembly using the routing circuitry. The third signals can include one or more signals of the first and second signals. The second plug connector can be mated with a second receptacle of an electronic device. The third signals can be received at the second receptacle via the second plug connector. The third signals can be processed by the electronic device. 
     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. 1A  depicts an illustrative rendering of one particular electronic device; 
         FIG. 1B  is a simplified perspective view of a plug connector that can be mated with a corresponding primary receptacle connector of the device of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are simplified perspective views of a connector body including a stackable connector that can be mated with a corresponding receptacle connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate unmated and mated stackable connectors, respectively, of a base device, a first peripheral, a second peripheral and a third peripheral, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are simplified perspective views of two orientations of a connector body that includes first and second stackable connectors that can be mated with corresponding connectors, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a simplified perspective view of a device including a stackable receptacle connector that can be mated with a corresponding connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5B and 5C  show back views of a device and a partially transparent corresponding plug connector mated with a receptacle connector of the device in two different orientations, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  are conceptual diagrams illustrating how signals are routed between a device and two or more peripherals or between two peripherals, according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate electronic systems including routing circuitry for routing signals between a device, a first peripheral and a second peripheral; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates steps of a method for forming an electrical connection between stackable connectors; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate unmated and mated stackable connectors, respectively, of a base device, a first peripheral, a second peripheral and a third peripheral, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are simplified perspective views of a connector body including a stackable connector that can be mated with a corresponding connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are simplified perspective views of a body including first and second stackable connectors that can be mated with corresponding connectors, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13A  is a simplified perspective view of a device including a stackable receptacle connector  1302  that can be mated with a corresponding connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 13B and 13C  show a back view of a device and partially transparent body including a corresponding plug connector mated with a receptacle connector of the device in a number of different orientations, according to embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 14A-14D  illustrate various combinations of device and/or peripheral(s) mated using stackable connectors of various sizes, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known details have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a stackable, magnetically-retained connector interface for interconnecting multiple main devices, peripheral devices, power sources and other devices and transferring signals (e.g., power and data) therebetween. Magnets may be included to ensure connectors are properly mated with and retain connection with appropriate connectors. The interface may also include circuitry for managing the transferring of signals between stacked connectors. Accordingly, one stackable connector on a device may communicate with multiple connectors and replace the function of and need for multiple traditional connectors on a device. 
     The detailed description includes two subsections: (I) a traditional wired connector interface and (II) stackable, magnetically-retained connector interfaces according to the present invention. The first subsection provides a description of a traditional wired connector interface that may be improved upon by the present invention. The second subsection provides a description of (A) a two-contact, stackable, magnetically-retained connector interface and (B) a three-contact, stackable, magnetically-retained connector interface. 
     I. A Traditional Wired Connector Interface 
       FIG. 1A  depicts an illustrative rendering of one particular electronic device  10 . Device  10  includes a touch screen display  20  as both an input and an output component housed within a device housing  30 . Device  10  also includes a primary receptacle connector  35  and an audio plug receptacle  40  within device housing  30 . Each of the receptacle connectors  35  and  40  can be positioned within housing  30  such that the cavity of the receptacle connector into which a corresponding plug connector is inserted can be located at an exterior surface of the device housing. The cavity can open to an exterior side surface of device  10 . For simplicity, various internal components, such as the control circuitry, graphics circuitry, bus, memory, storage device and other components are not shown in  FIG. 1A . 
       FIG. 1B  is a simplified perspective view of plug connector  100  that can be mated with a corresponding primary receptacle connector  35  of device  10  (shown in  FIG. 1A ). As shown in  FIG. 1B , plug connector  100  includes a body  42  and a tab or insertion end  44  that extends longitudinally away from body  42  in a direction parallel to the length of the connector. A cable  43  is attached to body  42  at an end opposite of insertion end  44 . 
     Insertion end  44  is sized to be inserted into corresponding receptacle connector  35  during a mating event and may include contacts (not shown) formed on a first major surface  44   a  and a second major surface  44   b  (not shown) opposite surface  44   a . Surfaces  44   a ,  44   b  extend from a distal tip or end of the insertion end to body  42 . When insertion end  44  is inserted into corresponding receptacle connector  35 , surfaces  44   a ,  44   b  abut a housing of receptacle connector  35  or device  10 . Insertion end  44  also includes first and second opposing side surfaces  44   c ,  44   d  (not shown) that extend between the first and second major surfaces  44   a ,  44   b . The contacts of connector  100  (not shown) can be used to carry a wide variety of signals including digital signals and analog signals as well as power and ground. 
     As illustrated and described above with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , traditional wired connector interfaces can include numerous complex features on the receptacle connector side to accommodate wired charging, e.g., receptacle connector cavities, accommodations for exposed connector contacts, retention features, complex geometries and materials chosen to protect the connectors against accidental breakage. Devices may even include multiple receptacle connectors such as receptacle connector  35  and audio jack  40  that may require a significant amount of space within and at the exterior of an electronic device, e.g., device  10 . However, a stackable, magnetically-retained connector interface may, for example, leverage a single receptacle connector on a device to provide signals to a device that would traditionally require several of the plug/receptacle interfaces shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Accordingly, the present invention may, among other things, provide space savings and added functionality as compared to traditional wired interfaces. 
     II. Stackable, Magnetically-Retained Connector Interfaces 
     As mentioned above, this subsection provides a description of (A) a two-contact stackable, magnetically-retained connector interface and (B) a three-contact, stackable, magnetically-retained connector interface. The following figures illustrate examples corresponding to the descriptions provided in this subsection. 
     A. A Two-Contact, Stackable, Magnetically-Retained Connector Interface 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are simplified perspective views of a connector body  200  including a stackable plug connector  202  that can be mated with a corresponding receptacle connector (e.g., connector  316 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ), according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , body  200  looks similar to an Apple MagSafe connector and includes a back surface  204 , a front surface  206  and a side surface  208  extending between front and back surfaces  206 ,  204 . A cable  210  extends from side surface  208  and may be coupled with a peripheral (e.g., earphones or a power adapter charger), a device (e.g., device  300 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ), or another connector body (e.g., stackable connector bodies  314 ,  318  and  321 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ). Cable  210  may include a number of wires coupled to internal components (e.g., routing circuitry, as further described below) of body  200  and accessories, main devices, connectors, and other devices to which cable  210  may also be coupled. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , a plug connector  202  may protrude from front surface  206  and include a recessed mating surface  212  for contacting a corresponding mating surface of stackable receptacle connector (e.g., connectors  316  and  319 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ) during mating. Mating surface  212  includes first and second contacts  214   a ,  214   b  for transmitting signals (e.g., power and/or data) to corresponding, mated connectors. As shown in  FIG. 2B , contacts  214   a ,  214   b  are oriented in a plane that is either the same as or parallel to the plane in which mating surface  212  is oriented. Plug connector  202  may be mated with a corresponding connector (e.g., receptacle connector  316 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ) about an insertion axis (e.g., insertion axis  324 ) that is perpendicular to the plane in which contacts  214   a ,  214   b  and/or mating surface  212  are oriented. 
     Contacts  214   a ,  214   b  may be pogo or otherwise deflecting contacts, flat termination surfaces or protruding terminals.  FIG. 2B  also shows magnets  216   a - 216   d  adjacent to mating surface  212 . Magnets  216   a - 216   d  may have poles arranged to generate a magnetic field that attracts a corresponding receptacle connector and orients, aligns and/or mates plug connector  202  therewith. For example, magnets  216   b  and  216   c  may be of the same polarity and have a polarity opposite to that of the polarity of magnets  216   a  and  216   d . To provide this polarity, magnets  216   a - 216   d  may be permanent magnets, horseshoe magnets, ferromagnetic materials capable of magnetic attraction, rare-earth magnets, materials capable of substantially maintaining plug connector  202  and a corresponding receptacle connector in a mated position using magnetic forces or any combination thereof. Magnets  216   a - 216   d  may not only help to mate connectors but also to retain connectors in a mated position. 
     As will be further discussed below, signals may be provided at contacts  214   a ,  214   b  when connection detection circuitry determines plug connector  202  is mated with a corresponding connector and routed using routing or switching circuitry. The connection detection circuitry may prevent live contacts from being exposed and potentially causing contact shorting that harms users, devices and/or connectors. The routing circuitry may determine how signals should be transferred between the interconnected cables, devices, accessories and other stackable connectors. 
     Although body  200  is shown and described as including one plug connector (i.e., plug connector  202 ), embodiments of the invention may also include other types of connectors on body  200 . For example, plug connector  202  could be replaced with a receptacle connector or a connector with a flush mating surface indeterminable as a plug or receptacle connector based on physical appearance. Additionally, instead of using magnets to retain mating contact with connector  202 , an interference fit may be used to retain connectors in a mated position with connector  202 . 
     As mentioned above, plug connector  202  of connector body  204  may mate with corresponding receptacle connector of devices and cable assemblies; the following figures illustrate examples of these corresponding receptacle connectors and how they mate with stackable plug connectors of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate unmated and mated stackable connectors, respectively, of base device  300 , a first peripheral  302  (e.g., earphones), a second peripheral  304  (e.g., a power adapter charger) and a third peripheral  305  (e.g., an external battery), according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3A , base device  300  includes a stackable receptacle connector  306  positioned within and disposed at an exterior surface (e.g., a side surface) of device housing  308 . Receptacle connector  306  will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIG. 5A . Although not shown in  FIG. 3A , a front-side of device  300  may include a touch screen display, a speaker and a multipurpose button housed within device housing  308  that may be made from a metallic or a polymer material. For simplicity, various internal components, such as the control circuitry, graphics circuitry, bus, memory, storage device and other components are not shown in  FIG. 3A or 3B . 
       FIG. 3A  also shows that second peripheral  304  includes a cable  310  extending to body  314  (e.g., body  204 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). Second peripheral  304  may mate with first peripheral  302  via a stackable receptacle connector  316  of body  318  that is connected to second peripheral  302  via cable  322 . More specifically, receptacle connector  316  may mate along insertion axis  324  with a stackable plug connector (e.g., stackable plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) of body  314 . Optionally, a third peripheral  305  may be connected with both first and second peripherals  302  and  304  via stackable receptacle connector  319  and a stackable plug connector (e.g., stackable plug connector  404 , as shown in  FIG. 4A ) of body  321  via cable  323 . Once in the mated position, signals (e.g., power and/or data) may be exchanged between second peripheral  304  and first peripheral  302 , or, optionally, between first peripheral  302 , second peripheral  304  and third peripheral  305 . Embodiments of stackable plug and receptacle connectors and associated bodies are discussed in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4A and 4B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , first peripheral  302  may also mate with device  300 , while mated (or unmated) with third peripheral  305  and/or second peripheral  304 . For example, a stackable plug connector (shown in  FIG. 4A ), opposite receptacle connector  316  on body  318 , may mate along insertion axis  326  with receptacle connector  306 . Upon mating, signals (e.g., power and/or data) may be exchanged between first peripheral  302  and device  300 . Furthermore, if first peripheral  302  is also mated with third peripheral  305  and/or second peripheral  304  while mated with device  300 , signals may be exchanged between any of device  300 , first peripheral  302 , and third peripheral  305  and/or second peripheral  304 . The process of transferring signals between device  300 , first peripheral  302 , third peripheral  305  and/or second peripheral  304 , and combinations thereof is described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
     Although device  300  is shown and described as one particular electronic media device, embodiments of the invention are suitable for use with a multiplicity of electronic devices. For example, any device that receives or transmits audio, video or data signals may be used with the invention. In some instances, embodiments of the invention are particularly well suited for use with portable electronic media devices because of their potentially small form factor. As used herein, an electronic media device includes any device with at least one electronic component that may be used to present human-perceivable media. Such devices may include, for example, portable music players (e.g., MP3 devices and Apple&#39;s iPod devices), portable video players (e.g., portable DVD players), cellular telephones (e.g., smart telephones such as Apple&#39;s iPhone devices), wearable devices such as smartwatches, video cameras, digital still cameras, projection systems (e.g., holographic projection systems), gaming systems, PDAs, desktop computers, as well as tablet (e.g., Apple&#39;s iPad devices), laptop or other mobile computers. Some of these devices may be configured to provide audio, video or other data or sensory output. 
     In one embodiment, the stackable connectors of device  300 , first peripheral  302 , second peripheral  304  and third peripheral  305  can be modular elements of the primary physical connector interface for an ecosystem of products that includes both host electronic devices and accessory devices. Examples of host devices include smart phones, portable media players, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers and other computing devices. An accessory or peripheral device can be any piece of hardware that connects to and communicates with or otherwise expands the functionality of the host. Many different types of accessory devices can be specifically designed or adapted to provide signals (e.g., power and/or data) to a receptacle connector (e.g., receptacle connector  306 ) in order to provide additional functionality to the host (e.g., device  300 ). 
     Additionally, any of device  300 , first peripheral  302 , second peripheral  304  and third peripheral  305  may be replaced with any other device or accessory described herein. For example, two or more accessories and one device may be connected by stackable connectors or two or more devices and one accessory may be connected. Alternatively, two or more devices and/or two or more accessories may be connected in a stackable connector configuration. Cable assemblies that are not coupled to devices or accessories may also be interconnected via stackable connectors and include non-stackable connectors. For example, a cable assembly may include a cable extending between a traditional connector and a connector body including one or more a stackable connectors. The traditional connector may be connected to a device or an accessory or even replaced with another stackable connector, thereby allowing one cable assembly to connect to two stacks of stackable connectors. 
     Body  314 , body  308  and variations of body  314  and body  308  can be included with each accessory device that is part of the ecosystem to enable the host to provide signals to accessories when directly mated or indirectly mated via a stack of stackable connectors using a stackable receptacle connector. Examples of accessory or peripheral devices include docking stations, chargers, an external power source such as an external battery, cable adapters, clock radios, game controllers, audio equipment, headsets or earphones, video equipment and adapters, keyboards, medical sensor devices such as heart rate monitors and blood pressure monitors, point of sale (POS) terminals, as well as numerous other hardware devices that can connect to and exchange data with the host device. Various wireless communication protocols may be used to communicate data between the host device and the accessory. 
     It will also be appreciated that the device  300 , first peripheral  302 , second peripheral  304  and third peripheral  305  described above are illustrative and that various modifications are possible. For example, stackable connectors described herein as being plug connectors could be receptacle connectors and vice versa. Alternatively, plug and receptacle connectors may be replaced with flush surfaces such that all plug and receptacle stackable connectors have no physical difference in appearance. The number of stackable connectors (e.g., plug and receptacle connectors) included with device  300 , first peripheral  302 , second peripheral  304  and third peripheral  305  may be varied. For example, body  314  of second peripheral  304  may include two stackable connectors (plug and/or receptacle connectors) instead of a single receptacle connector as described above. Additionally, host devices and/or accessories may also include more than two stackable connectors. For example, device  300  may include three or four stackable connectors and may concurrently connect with a number of peripheral devices or accessories, host devices and combinations thereof. Stackable connectors according to the present invention may include optical elements instead of or in addition to electrical contacts for sending and/or receiving optical signals and converting signals between optical and electrical signals. For example, stackable connectors may include an optical transmitter, an optical receiver and/or an optical transceiver for communicating using electromagnetic signals (e.g., infrared data communication). Further examples and discussion of optical elements for connectors can be found in commonly owned and co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/688,727, filed Nov. 29, 2012, and titled “Hybrid Optical Connector,” the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
     As mentioned above, more details are provided herein regarding bodies  318  and  321  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) of first peripheral  302  and third peripheral  305 , respectively; the following figures illustrate other embodiments of bodies  318  and  321 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are simplified perspective views of two orientations of a connector body  400  that includes stackable connectors that can be mated with corresponding connectors (e.g., plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B , and receptacle connector  306 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ), according to an embodiment of the present invention. Body  400  may look like an Apple Lightning connector and share similarities with body  200  (shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). Both the front and back surfaces  406 ,  408  of body  400  include stackable connectors, whereas body  200  only includes one stackable connector (e.g., plug connector  202 ) on its front surface  206 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , back surface  408  includes a plug connector  404 . Plug connector  404  may be similar to plug connector  202  (shown in  FIG. 2B ) and variations thereof. Accordingly, the description above concerning and related to plug connector  202  and variations thereof may apply to plug connector  404  and is not repeated here in the interest of brevity. 
     Turning back to body  400 ,  FIGS. 4A and 4B  also show a side surface  410  extending between front and back surfaces  406 ,  408 . A cable  412  extends from side surface  410  and may be coupled with an accessory (e.g., first peripheral  302 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ), a device (e.g., device  300 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ), another accessory (e.g., second peripheral  304 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ) or another connector body (e.g., a stackable connector body or the body of connector  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1B ). Cable  412  may include a number of wires coupled to internal components of body  400  (e.g., routing circuitry, as further described below with reference to  FIGS. 6A-8 ) and accessories, main devices, connectors, or other devices to which cable  412  may also be coupled. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , front surface  406  includes a rim  413  defining receptacle connector  402 , which is sized and shaped to receive a protruding plug connector (e.g., plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ). Receptacle connector  402  includes a protruding mating surface  414  that may contact a corresponding mating surface (e.g., mating surface  212 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) of another stackable connector (e.g., plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) when mated with other stackable connectors. Mating surface  414  includes first and second contacts  416   a ,  416   b  for transmitting signals (e.g., power and/or data) to corresponding, mated connectors. As shown in  FIG. 4B , contacts  416   a ,  416   b  are oriented in a plane that is either the same as or parallel to the plane in which mating surface  414  is oriented. Receptacle connector  402  may be mated with a corresponding connector (e.g., plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) about an insertion axis (e.g., insertion axis  324 ) that is perpendicular to the plane in which contacts  416   a ,  416   b  and/or mating surface  414  are oriented. 
     Contacts  416   a ,  416   b  may be flat termination surfaces or they may be pogo or otherwise deflecting contacts or protruding terminals.  FIG. 4B  also shows magnets  418   a - 418   d  adjacent to mating surface  414 . Magnets  418   a - 418   d  may have poles arranged to generate a magnetic field to orient, align and/or mate a corresponding plug connector with receptacle connector  402  therewith. For example, magnets  418   b  and  418   c  may be of the same polarity and have a polarity opposite to that of the polarity of magnets  418   a  and  418   d . To provide this polarity, magnets  418   a - 418   d  may be permanent magnets, horseshoe magnets, ferromagnetic materials capable of magnetic attraction, rare-earth magnets, materials capable of substantially maintaining receptacle connector  402  and a corresponding plug connector in a mated position using magnetic forces or any combination thereof. Magnets  418   a - 418   d  may not only help to mate connectors but also to retain connectors in a mated position. 
     As will be further discussed below, signals may be provided at contacts  416   a ,  416   b  when connection detection circuitry (e.g., as discussed below following the description of  FIGS. 6A-8 ) determines receptacle connector  402  is mated with a corresponding connector and routed using routing or switching circuitry (e.g., as discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 6A-8 ). The connection detection circuitry may prevent live contacts from being exposed and potentially causing contact shorting that harms users, devices and/or other connectors. The routing circuitry may also be included to determine how signals should be transferred between the interconnected cable, devices, accessories, other connectors and other stackable connectors. 
     Although body  400  is shown and described as including two specific connectors (i.e., plug connector  404  and receptacle connector  402 ), embodiments of the invention may also include other types of connectors on body  400 . For example, plug connector  404  could be replaced with a receptacle connector or a connector with a flush mating surface indeterminable as a plug or receptacle connector based on physical appearance. Additionally, instead of using magnets to retain mating contact between plug connector  404  and receptacle connector  402 , an interference fit may be used to retain connectors in a mated position. 
     As mentioned above, more details are provided herein regarding receptacle connector  306  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) of device  300  (shown in  FIG. 3A ); the following figures illustrate examples of receptacle connector  206 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a simplified perspective view of a device  500  (e.g., device  300 ) including a stackable receptacle connector  502  that can be mated with a corresponding connector (e.g., plug connector  404 , as shown in  FIG. 4A  or plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ), according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device  500  may be the same as or similar to device  300  (shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) and variations thereof. Accordingly, the description above concerning and related to device  300  and variations thereof may apply to device  500  and is not repeated here in the interest of brevity. Stackable receptacle connector  502  may be similar to receptacle connector  402  (shown in  FIG. 4B ) except that it is located on a back surface  504  of a device housing  506  whereas receptacle connector  402  is located on the back surface of a body  400  (shown in  FIG. 4B ). Device  500  may also include a number of wires coupled to receptacle connector  502  to provide and receive signals (e.g., data and/or power). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , back surface  504  includes a rim  508  defining receptacle connector  502 , which is sized and shaped to receive a protruding plug connector (e.g., plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ). Receptacle connector  502  includes a protruding mating surface  510  that may contact a corresponding mating surface (e.g., mating surface  212 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) of another stackable connector (e.g., plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) when mated with the other stackable connector. Mating surface  510  includes first and second contacts  512   a ,  512   b  for transmitting signals (e.g., power and/or data) to corresponding, mated connectors. As shown in  FIG. 5 , contacts  512   a ,  512   b  are oriented in a plane that is either the same as or parallel to the plane in which mating surface  510  is oriented. Receptacle connector  502  may be mated with a corresponding connector (e.g., plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) about an insertion axis (e.g., insertion axis  326 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ) that is perpendicular to the plane in which contacts  512   a ,  512   b  and/or mating surface  510  are oriented. 
     Contacts  512   a ,  512   b  may be flat termination surfaces or they may be pogo or otherwise deflecting contacts or protruding terminals. As will be further discussed below, signals may be provided at contacts  512   a ,  512   b  when connection detection circuitry (e.g., as discussed with reference to  FIGS. 6A-8 ) determines plug connector  502  is mated with a corresponding connector and routed using routing or switching circuitry. 
       FIG. 5A  also shows magnets  514   a - 514   d  adjacent to mating surface  510 . Magnets  514   a - 514   d  may have poles arranged to generate a magnetic field to orient, align and/or mate a corresponding plug connector with receptacle connector  502 . For example, magnets  514   b  and  514   c  may be of the same polarity and opposite to that of the polarity of magnets  514   a  and  514   d . To provide this polarity, magnets  514   a - 514   d  may be permanent magnets, horseshoe magnets, ferromagnetic materials capable of magnetic attraction, rare-earth magnets, materials capable of substantially maintaining receptacle connector  402  and corresponding plug connector in a mated position using magnetic forces or any combination thereof. Magnets  514   a - 514   d  may not only help to mate connectors but also retain connectors in a mated position. 
     Although device  500  is shown and described herein as including one specific connector (i.e., receptacle connector  502 ), device  500  can also include one or more different types of connectors in addition to or instead of the connector shown in  FIG. 5A . For example, receptacle connector  502  could be replaced with a plug connector (e.g., plug connector  404 , as shown in  FIG. 4A ) or a different type of stackable connector with a flush mating surface indeterminable as a plug or receptacle connector based on physical appearance. Additionally, instead of using magnets to retain mating contact with receptacle connector  502 , an interference fit may be used to retain connectors in a mated position with receptacle connector  502 . Additionally, although device  500  is shown in  FIG. 5A  and described above as having a receptacle connector  502  located in a specific location and oriented in a specific orientation, receptacle connector  502  may also be located in a multiplicity different locations and oriented in a multiplicity different orientations. For example, receptacle connector  502  could be located in a corner location on a back side of device  500  and may be rotated 90 degrees with respect to the orientation of receptacle connector  502  shown in  FIG. 5A . 
     Receptacle connector  502  may also be included on docking station or an adapter. For example, a docking station may include a receptacle  502  as well as a plug connector (e.g., plug connector  404 , as shown in  FIG. 4A ). A device, e.g., device  500 , may be connected with the plug connector of the docking station and receptacle connector of the docking station may be used to mate with other stackable connectors. The docking station may provide additional features to a device (e.g., device  500 ) or simply allow for hands-free viewing of the display of a device. Receptacle connector  502  may also be included with other docking stations and provide backwards compatibility for a device that does not include a stackable receptacle connector. 
     For example, a docking station may include a stackable receptacle connector (e.g., receptacle connector  502 ) that is incompatible with a plug connector included on the docking station, but the plug connector may be compatible with a receptacle connector of a device. The device may be mated with the plug connector of the docking station and other stackable connectors may be mated with the receptacle connector of the docking station. Conversion circuitry may be included in the docking station to convert signals received at the stackable receptacle connector to a format that can be transmitted by the plug connector of the docking station and to convert signals received from the plug connector of the docking station to a format that can be transmitted by the stackable receptacle connector of the docking station. Similarly, an adapter may include a stackable receptacle connector that is incompatible with its plug connector, but the plug connector may be compatible with a device. Further examples and discussion of conversion circuitry can be found in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,478,913, filed Nov. 16, 2012, and titled “Adapter for Electronic Devices,” the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
     Stackable receptacle connector  502  may mate with corresponding plug connectors according to the orientations shown in  FIG. 3B . However, receptacle connector  502  of device  500 , and other stackable receptacle connectors discussed herein, may also mate with corresponding plug connectors that are oriented in a number of different orientations with respect to receptacle connector  502 , as shown in illustrative examples in the following figures. 
       FIGS. 5B and 5C  show back views of device  545  and a partially transparent body  550  including plug connector  552  (e.g., plug connector  404 , as shown in  FIG. 4A  or plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) mated with a receptacle connector of device  545  in two different orientations, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5C , a plug connector  552  may be mated with a (e.g., receptacle connector  502 , as shown in  FIG. 5A ) of device  545  in either of two orientations. Connection detection circuitry, as discussed further below, may sense the orientation of plug connector  552  with respect to the receptacle connector of device  545  and adjust the routing of signals to the contacts of these connectors accordingly. A magnetic force may orient, align, mate and retain plug connector  552  in a mated position with receptacle connector  552  in either of two orientations because the poles of the magnets of plug connector  552  are arranged in the same pattern with respect to the receptacle connector of device  545  in both of the two orientations shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5C . 
     Plug connector  552  may be similar to plug connector  202  (shown in  FIG. 2B ) and variations thereof. Accordingly, the description above related to plug connector  202  and variations thereof may also be applied to plug connector  552  and thus is not repeated here in its entirety in the interest of brevity. As shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5C , stackable connector body  550  is partially transparent, allowing a back view of plug connector  552  to be seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Body  550  is coupled to a cable  560  and includes protruding plug connector  552 . A mating surface  562  includes first and second contacts  564   a ,  564   b  for transmitting signals (e.g., power and/or data) to corresponding, mated connectors. Magnets  566   a - 566   d  are adjacent to mating surface  562  and have poles arranged to generate a magnetic field that attracts a corresponding receptacle connector and orients, aligns and/or mates plug connector  550  therewith. As discussed further below, body  550  may include connection detection circuitry and routing circuitry for determining when connectors are mated, the orientation of mated connectors, and how to route signals between mated connectors. 
     When plug connector  552  is mated with the receptacle connector of device  545  in either of two orientations shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5C , magnets  566   a - 566   d  are positioned opposite the magnets of receptacle connector of device  545  that have opposite polarities. For example, in  FIG. 5B , the polarity of magnets  566   a ,  566   b ,  566   c  and  566   d  may be opposite that of opposing magnets  514   b ,  514   a ,  514   d  and  514   c , respectively. Similarly, in  FIG. 5C , the polarity of magnets  566   a ,  566   b ,  566   c  and  566   d  may be opposite that of opposing magnets  514   c ,  514   d ,  514   a  and  514   b , respectively. As such, the poles of plug connector  552  are arranged to generate a magnetic field that attracts the corresponding receptacle connector of device  545  and orients, aligns and/or mates plug connector  552  therewith. 
     Although device  545  is shown and described as having magnets with specific sizes, locations and arrangements, device  545  may include magnets having a multiplicity of different sizes, locations and arrangements. For example, more magnets could be included and magnets could be circular shaped and/or positioned on side surfaces around the perimeter of the receptacle connector of device  545 . Similarly, plug connector  552  and other plug connectors described herein may also be varied in a manner different from the variations listed above with reference to the receptacle connector of device  545 . For example, plug connector  552  may only include one magnet sized to fill the receptacle of the receptacle connector of device  545  when mated with the receptacle connector of device  545 . 
     As mentioned above, more details are provided herein concerning routing circuitry that may be included in the present invention to determine how signals should be transferred between stackable connectors of cable assemblies, main devices, accessory devices; the following figures illustrate examples of routing circuitry that could be included in embodiments of the present invention. Connection detection circuitry for preventing live contacts from being exposed at unmated connectors is also discussed below. 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  are conceptual diagrams illustrating how signals are routed between a device and two or more peripherals or between two peripherals, according to embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 6A  illustrates how data and power can be routed between two or three peripherals and a host device using stackable connectors, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6B  illustrates how data and power can be routed between two peripherals using stackable connectors, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates interfaces of an electrical system that can use a repeater system including a microcontroller for routing signals between device  600 , a first peripheral  602  (e.g., an accessory) and a second peripheral  604  (e.g., a power adapter charger). 
     Turning to  FIG. 6A , a stackable connector of a second peripheral  604  may mate with a device  600  via a stackable connector of device  600  and data and/or power may be exchanged therebetween. The other stackable connector of second peripheral  604  may mate with first peripheral  602 , while mated (or unmated) with device  600 , and data and/or power may be exchanged therebetween. Optionally, stackable connectors of third peripheral  605  may be mated with corresponding stackable connectors of first and second peripherals  602  and  604 , while second peripheral  604  is mated (or unmated) with the stackable connector of device  600 , and data and/or power may be exchanged therebetween. 
     Signals (e.g., power and/or data) can be exchanged between first peripheral  602 , second peripheral  604 , third peripheral  605  and device  600  in a number of different ways, depending, e.g., on the peripheral type, the device type and the objective of the mating event. For example, power and/or data may be bypassed through a stackable connector and routed to the peripheral or device of another stackable connector. In a specific example where earphones, a power adapter and a smart phone are connected by stackable connectors, power may be routed from the power adapter to the device without any power being routed to the earphone while data is routed from the device to the earphones without any data being routed to the power adapter; this may be accomplished regardless of the order in which the stackable connectors of the peripherals and the device are connected. The means by which signals can be routed between device  600 , first peripheral  602 , second peripheral  604  and/or third peripheral  605  are discussed below with reference to  FIG. 6C  as well as  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 6B , a stackable connector of first peripheral  602  may mate with a stackable connector of second peripheral  604  and data and/or power may be exchanged therebetween. Once mated, signals (e.g., power and/or data) can be exchanged between first peripheral  602  and second peripheral  604  in a number of different ways, depending, e.g., on the peripheral types and the objective of the mating event. In a specific example where a power adapter and an external battery are connected by stackable connectors in the configuration of  FIG. 6B , power may be routed from the power adapter to the external battery without any power being routed to the power adapter, while data (e.g., data concerning charge state) is routed to the power adapter without any data being routed to the external battery. The means by which signals can be routed between stackable connectors of the first and second peripherals  602 ,  604  are discussed below with reference to  FIG. 6C  as well as  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 6C , device  600 , first peripheral  602  and second peripheral  604  may be interconnected using stackable connectors. More specifically, device  600  may include a stackable connector  606  that mates with first stackable connector  608  of first peripheral  602 . First peripheral  602  includes a second stackable connector  610  that mates with a stackable connector  612  of second peripheral  604 . Stackable connector  606  of device  600  includes one contact coupled to a power communication chip  614  and one contact coupled to ground. As shown in  FIG. 6C , these contacts are coupled to corresponding contacts of a first stackable connector  608  of first peripheral  602 , including one contact coupled to a power communication chip  616  and one contact coupled to ground. Stackable connector  612  of second peripheral  604  includes one contact coupled to a power communication chip  618  and one contact coupled to ground. As shown in  FIG. 6C , the contacts of stackable connector  612  are coupled to corresponding contacts of a second stackable connector  610  of first peripheral  602 , including one contact coupled to a power communication chip  620  and one contact coupled to ground. One or more of power communication chips  614 ,  616 ,  618  and  620  may be addressable. 
     In order to facilitate and control the transfer of signals between device  600 , first peripheral  602  and second peripheral  604 , power communication chips  616 ,  620  are each coupled to microcontroller  622 . Microcontroller  622  may communicate with power communication chips  616 ,  620  to determine the signals that they are providing and/or receiving and then route signals therebetween accordingly. For example, where second peripheral  604  is providing power to second stackable connector  610 , microcontroller  622  may determine to route some power to operate first peripheral  602  and device  600  or all the power to device  600 . In addition, where device  600  also provides data (e.g., data related generating music at earbuds or a charge state of device  600 ) to first peripheral  602 , microcontroller  622  may determine to route some data (e.g., music data) to first peripheral  602  and other data (e.g., charge state data) to second peripheral  604 . Thus, based on the types of devices connected to first peripheral  602 , microcontroller  622  may determine an appropriate signal routing scheme and route signals accordingly. 
     Although the electrical system is shown as including one microcontroller  622 , additional microcontrollers (e.g., microcontroller  622 ) may be included in this electrical system to provide additional functionality or to obviate the need for microcontroller  622 . Furthermore, where additional or fewer and/or other devices are interconnected using this stackable connector interface, additional microcontrollers may be required in order to properly route signals between devices, as signals may be provided in any direction between devices connected using the stackable connector interface of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate electronic systems including routing circuitry for routing signals between a device, a first peripheral and a second peripheral.  FIG. 7  illustrates the interfaces for a multi-drop electrical system for routing signals between a device  700 , a first peripheral  702  (e.g., an accessory) and a second peripheral  704  (e.g., power adapter charger).  FIG. 8  illustrates the interfaces for a coil-based repeater electrical system for routing signals between a device  800 , a first peripheral  802  (e.g., an accessory) and a second peripheral  804  (e.g., a power adapter charger). 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , a device  700 , a first peripheral  702  and a second peripheral  704  may be interconnected using stackable connectors and exchange signals therebetween using a multi-drop electrical system for routing signals. More specifically, device  700  may include a stackable connector  706  that mates with first stackable connector  708  of first peripheral  702 . First peripheral  702  includes a second stackable connector  710  that mates with a stackable connector  712  of second peripheral  704 . Stackable connector  706  of device  700  includes one contact coupled to a power communication chip  714  and one contact coupled to ground. As shown in  FIG. 7 , these contacts of stackable connector  706  are coupled to corresponding contacts of a first stackable connector  708  of first peripheral  702 , including one contact coupled to a contact of a second stackable connector  710  and a power communication chip  716  and one contact coupled to ground. Stackable connector  712  of second peripheral  704  includes one contact coupled to a power communication chip  718  and one contact coupled to ground. As shown in  FIG. 6C , the ground contact of stackable connector  712  may be coupled to a common ground contact of a first and second stackable connector  708  and  710 , of first peripheral  702 . One or more of power communication chips  614 ,  616 ,  618  and  620  may be addressable. 
     In this configuration signals are routed along a direct communication path between second peripheral  704  and device  700  via first and second connectors of first peripheral  702 . Power communication chip  716  may also merge its signals along this communication path. For example, where second peripheral  604  is providing power to second stackable connector  610 , power may be routed directly to device  600 , but may also be dropped at power communication chip  716  to provide power to first peripheral  702 . Data from device  700  may also be dropped in this configuration at first peripheral  702  and second peripheral  704 . 
     Similar to the electrical system of  FIG. 6C , additional devices may be interconnected to the electrical system of  FIG. 7 . Where additional or fewer devices are interconnected using this stackable connector interface, signals provided from multiple sources may be dropped at multiple devices along the stackable connector interface. 
     Turning to  FIG. 8 , a device  800 , a first peripheral  802  and a second peripheral  804  may be interconnected using stackable connectors and exchange signals therebetween using a coil-based repeater electrical system for routing signals. More specifically, device  800  may include a stackable connector  806  that mates with first stackable connector  808  of first peripheral  802 . First peripheral  802  includes a second stackable connector  810  that mates with a stackable connector  812  of second peripheral  804 . Induction can be used to transfer signals between stackable connectors and each stackable connector  806 ,  808 ,  810  and  812  houses components to facilitate inductive charging, including inductive charging coils (e.g., transmission or receiving coils), as shown in  FIG. 8 . More specifically, stackable connectors  806 ,  808 ,  810  and  812  include inductive charging coils  814 ,  816 ,  818  and  820 , respectively. Inductive charging coils  816  and  820  may be inductive transmission coils that induce a current in inductive charging coils  814  and  818 , respectively, which are receiving coils. In this manner, second peripheral  804  may provide power to first peripheral  802 , which power may be passed in whole or in part to device  800 . 
     Magnetic polarity may be used to properly mate stackable connectors such that connectors including inductive transmission coils are mated with connectors including inductive receiving coils. For example, magnets (e.g., magnets  216   a - 216   d ) may be included that have poles arranged to generate a magnetic field that attracts connectors having the proper inductive transmission or receiving coils. As such, if two stackable connectors that include inductive transmission coils are brought in proximity, a magnetic force may repel the connectors from each other, indicating that the connectors have not been properly aligned to enable inductive charging to occur. 
     In some embodiments, the inductive outlined above may be Qi or PMA Inductive charging and transition-minimized differential signaling (TDM) and/or radio frequency (RF) data communication may also be used in the electrical charging scheme of  FIGS. 6A-8 . A microcontroller (e.g., microcontroller  622 ) could also be used to manage the data flow in these embodiments. As mentioned previously, each of the devices, accessory devices, and other devices discussed with regard to any embodiments may be interchangeable with other main devices, accessory devices and other devices, including the devices described with references to  FIGS. 6A-9 . 
     In addition to routing circuitry, connection detection circuitry may also be used to manage the flow of signals between stackable connectors. This connection detection circuitry may determine when signals should be provided at contacts of stackable connectors (e.g., when connectors are mated) and which signals should be provided at each contact of stackable connectors (e.g., depending on the orientation in which a connector is mated with another). Sensors such as Hall Effect sensors, resistance sensors and rotational encoders may provide inputs for connection detection circuitry. Examples and discussion of sensing electrical and/or magnetic characteristics of contacts and/or connectors to determine plug connector type, connections and orientation can be found in the following commonly owned United States patents and patent application: U.S. Pat. No. 7,589,536, filed Jan. 5, 2007, titled Systems and Methods for Determining the Configuration of Electronic Connections; U.S. Pat. No. 7,863,906, filed Jul. 2, 2009, titled Systems and Methods for Determining the Configuration of Electronic Connections; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/455,115, filed Apr. 24, 2012, titled Universal Connector; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/442,651, filed Apr. 9, 2012, titled A Receptacle Connector with Circuitry for Determining the Configuration of a Corresponding Plug Connector Mated Therewith which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. 
     In some embodiments, a rotary encoder may be included with stackable connectors that provides inputs to devices or accessories based on changes in detected magnetic fields or sensed electrical characteristics. For example, as the orientation of a stackable plug connector mated with a stackable receptacle connector changes, the encoder may provide a command (e.g., change device volume, change the song playing on the device or change the picture displayed on a device). As another example, orienting a mated plug connector (e.g., plug connector  550 , as shown in  FIG. 5B ) as shown in  FIG. 5B , may turn on a device (e.g., device  545 , as shown in  FIG. 5B ), while orienting the mated plug connector as shown in  FIG. 5A  may turn off the device. 
     The following figure further illustrates ways in which the routing circuiting and connection detection circuitry described above may be used to control the flow of signals between mated stackable connectors coupled to main devices and accessories. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates steps of a method  900  for forming an electrical connection between stackable connectors. Method  900  may be used to route signals provided between main devices and accessories interconnected via a stackable connector interface. 
     At a step  905 , a first stackable plug connector (e.g., plug connector  202 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) of a first cable assembly (e.g., the cable assembly portion of second peripheral  304 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ) may be mated with a first stackable receptacle connector (e.g., receptacle connector  402 , as shown in  FIG. 4B ) of a second cable assembly (e.g., the cable assembly portion of first peripheral  302 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ). The first plug connector may protrude from a front surface of a connector body (e.g., body  200 , as shown in  FIG. 2B ) and be coupled to a first cable (e.g., cable  210 , as shown in  FIG. 2A ) via the body. The first receptacle connector may be formed at a back surface of a connector body (e.g., body  400 ) and coupled to a cable (e.g., cable  412 , as shown in  FIG. 4B ) via the body. In the mated position, the contacts of the first and second connector bodies may be in contact with each other and magnets may provide a magnetic attraction force to orient, align, mate and retain the connectors in the mated position (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 3B ). 
     At a step  910 , first signals may be provided to routing circuitry (e.g., the routing circuitry described with reference to  FIGS. 6A-8  or variations thereof) of the second cable assembly. These signals may originate from a device or connector attached to the cable of the first cable assembly and travel across one or more of wires of the cable to the first plug connector. The first signals may be provided to contacts of the first plug connector when connection detection circuitry (e.g., the connection detection circuitry referenced and described above) detects that the first plug connector is mated with the first receptacle connector. The first signals provided to the first plug connector may be received by contacts of the first receptacle connector when it is mated with the first plug connector. The first receptacle connector may be coupled to routing circuitry housed in the connector body that forms the receptacle of first receptacle connector, thereby allowing the first signals to be provided to the routing circuitry (e.g., a microcontroller and other routing elements). 
     At a step  915 , second signals may be provided to routing circuitry (e.g., the routing circuitry described with reference to  FIGS. 6A-8  or variations thereof) of the second cable assembly. These signals may originate from a device or connector attached to the cable of the second cable assembly and travel across one or more wires of the cable to the routing circuitry. The second signals may be provided to the routing circuitry when connection detection circuitry (e.g., the connection detection circuitry referenced and described above) detects that the first plug connector is mated with the first receptacle connector or when a second stackable plug connector of the second cable assembly is mated with a second stackable receptacle connector of a device. As such, the routing circuitry can route the first and second signals, which routing may be based upon a number of predetermined factors and/or the content of the signals received. For example, the routing circuitry may always route signals received from a power adapter cable to any main devices interconnected with the second cable assembly via stackable connectors, while signals may be routing from a device to earphones when the routing circuitry determines that data for generating sound at earbuds is included in the signals. 
     At a step  920 , the routing circuitry routes third signals to the second plug connector of the second cable assembly. These signals may be provided at the contacts of the second plug connector. The third signals may include one or more signals of the first and second signals. For example, the first cable assembly may provide power to the device and the second cable assembly may provide data indicating that it is capable of receiving data for generating music at headphones. Once again, connection detection circuitry may be coupled to the routing circuitry to determine when this mating has occurred and only provide signals or only allow the routing circuitry to provide the signals when the second plug connector is mated with the second receptacle connector. 
     Although the direction of signal flow described above is unidirectional, bidirectional data may be provided between any devices connected using the stackable connector interface. For example, data and power may flow both ways between accessories, even if only two accessories are connected by stackable connectors. Data and power may also flow both ways between each of a device and two accessories. As yet another example, data and power may flow both ways between each of two accessories, a device and a power adapter charger. Many other signal flow schemes may be achieved by implementing routing circuitry in one or more cable assemblies of various types. 
     At a step  925 , the second plug connector of the second cable assembly may be mated with a second receptacle connector of an electronic device, thereby allowing signals to be communicated between contacts of the second plug connector and the second receptacle connector. 
     At a step  930 , the third signals may be received at the second receptacle, which signals were provided by the second plug connector. Again, the signals may be provided to the second receptacle connector via the contact established between the contacts of the second plug connector and the second receptacle connector. 
     At a step  935 , the third signals may be processed by the electronic device. For example, power may be used by charging circuitry to charge an internal battery of the device. As another example, data may be interpreted as commands and/or requests for the device to perform actions, e.g., provide music data to earphones or speakers. 
     As with other connector bodies including stackable connectors described herein, first and second plug connectors and first and second receptacle connectors may be interchanged in other embodiments, as with the devices connected to the first and second cable assemblies. Alternatively, another connector body having stackable or other connectors may be connected to the cable assembly instead of a device. Furthermore, additional cable assemblies like the second cable assembly may be connected using method  900  by replacing the device with another cable assembly, foregoing step  935  and repeating steps  915 - 935  for the additional cable assembly and a device or just steps  915 - 930  for an additional cable assembly that is not connected to a device. 
     While the figures and description above were directed to stackable plug connector having two contacts or no contacts, some embodiments of the present invention may include more than two contacts and have different form factors. The following figures illustrate examples of stackable connectors having three contacts. 
     B. A Three Contact, Stackable, Magnetically-Retained Connector Interface 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate unmated and mated stackable connectors, respectively, of base device  1000 , a first peripheral  1002  (e.g., earphones), a second peripheral  1004  (e.g., power adapter charger) and a third peripheral  1005  (e.g., an external battery), according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 10A , base device  1000  includes a stackable receptacle connector  1006  positioned within and disposed at an exterior surface (e.g., a back surface) of the housing of device  1000 . Receptacle connector  1006  will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIG. 5 . Device  1000  may be the same as or similar to device  300  (shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) and variations thereof, except that it includes a different stackable receptacle connector than device  300 . Accordingly, the description above concerning and related to device  300  and variations thereof may apply to device  1000  and is not repeated here in the interest of brevity. 
       FIG. 10A  also shows that second peripheral  1004  includes a cable  1010  extending to a connector body  1014 . Second peripheral  1004  may mate with first peripheral  1002  via a stackable receptacle connector  1016  of body  1018  that is connected to second peripheral  1004  via cable  1022 . More specifically, receptacle connector  1016  may mate along insertion axis  1024  with a stackable plug connector (e.g., stackable plug connector  1102 , as shown in  FIG. 10B ) of body  1014 . Once in the mated position, signals (e.g., power and/or data) may be exchanged between second peripheral  1004  and first peripheral  1002 , or, optionally, between first, second and third peripherals  1002 ,  1004 ,  1005 . Embodiments of connector stackable plug and receptacle connectors and associated bodies will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to  FIGS. 11A-12B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10B , first peripheral  1002  may also mate with device  1000 , while mated (or unmated) with third peripheral  1105  and/or second peripheral  1004 . As shown in  FIG. 10B , first peripheral  1002  may be mated with device  1000 . More specifically, a stackable plug connector (e.g., stackable plug connector  1102 , as shown in  FIG. 12A ) opposite receptacle connector  1016  on body  1018 , may mate along insertion axis  1026  with receptacle connector  1006 . Upon mating, signals (e.g., power and/or data) may be exchanged between first peripheral  1002  and device  1000 . Furthermore, if first peripheral  1002  is also mated with third peripheral  305  and/or second peripheral  1004  while mated with device  1000 , signals may be exchanged between any of device  1000 , first peripheral  1002 , and third peripheral  1005  and/or second peripheral  1004 . The process of transferring signals between device  1000 , first peripheral  1002  and second peripheral  1004  may be the same as or similar to the process for device  300 , first peripheral  302  and second peripheral  304  and variations thereof, as outlined in above in  FIG. 9 . Accordingly, the description above concerning method  900  and variations thereof may be applied to device  1000 , first peripheral  1002 , third peripheral  1005  and/or second peripheral  1004  and variations thereof and is not repeated here in the interest of brevity. 
     In one embodiment, the stackable connectors of device  1000 , first peripheral  1002 , second peripheral  1004  and third peripheral  1005  can be modular elements of the primary physical connector interface for an ecosystem of products that includes both host electronic devices and accessory devices. Examples of host devices include smart phones, portable media players, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers and other computing devices. An accessory or peripheral device can be any piece of hardware that connects to and communicates with or otherwise expands the functionality of the host. Many different types of accessory devices can be specifically designed or adapted to provide signals (e.g., power and/or data) to a receptacle connector (e.g., receptacle connector  1006 ) in order to provide additional functionality for the host (e.g., device  1000 ). 
     Additionally, any of device  1000 , first peripheral  1002 , second peripheral  1004  and third peripheral  1005  may be replaced with any other device or accessory described herein. For example, two or more accessories and one device may be connected by stackable connectors or two or more devices and one accessory may be connected. Alternatively, two or more devices and/or two or accessories may be connected in a stackable connector configuration. As yet another example, cable assemblies that are not coupled to devices or accessories may include stackable connectors as well as other connectors. For example, a cable assembly may include a cable extending between a traditional connector and a connector body including one or more a stackable connectors. The traditional connector may be connected to a device or an accessory or even replaced with another stackable connector, thereby allowing one cable assembly to connect to two stacks of stackable connectors. 
     Body  1014 , body  1008  and variations of body  1014  and body  1008  can be incorporated into each accessory device that is part of the ecosystem to enable the host to provide signals to accessories when directly mated or mated via a stack of stackable connectors with a corresponding receptacle connector of the host device. Examples of accessory or peripheral devices include docking stations, chargers, an external power source such as an external battery, cable adapters, clock radios, game controllers, audio equipment, headsets or earphones, video equipment and adapters, keyboards, medical sensors such as heart rate monitors and blood pressure monitors, point of sale (POS) terminals, as well as numerous other hardware devices that can connect to and exchange data with the host device. Various wireless communication protocols may be used to communicate data between the host device and the accessory. 
     It will also be appreciated that the device  1000 , first peripheral  1002 , second peripheral  1004  and third peripheral  1005  described above are illustrative and that various modifications are possible. For example, stackable connectors described above as being plug connectors could be receptacle connectors and vice versa. Alternatively, plug and receptacle connectors may be replaced with flush surfaces such that all plug and receptacle stackable connectors have no physical difference in appearance. The number of stackable connectors (e.g., plug and receptacle connectors) included with device  1000 , first peripheral  1002 , second peripheral  1004  and third peripheral  1005  may also be varied. For example, body  1014  of second peripheral  1004  may include two stackable connectors (plug and/or receptacle connectors) instead of a single receptacle connector as described above. Additionally, host devices and/or accessories may also include more than two stackable connectors. For example, device  1000  may include three or four stackable connectors and may concurrently connect via stackable connectors with a number of peripheral devices or accessories, host devices and combinations thereof. 
     As mentioned above, more details are provided herein regarding connector body  1014  of second peripheral  1004 ; the following figures illustrate examples of body  1014 . 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  are simplified perspective views of a connector body  1000  (e.g., body  314 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) including a stackable connector  1102  that can be mated with a corresponding connector (e.g., connector  1016  shown in  FIG. 10A ), according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , body  1100  includes a back surface  1104 , plug connector  1102  positioned opposite back surface  1104  and a side surface  1108  extending between back surface  1104  and plug connector  1102 . A cable  1110  extends from side surface  1108  and may also be coupled with a peripheral (e.g., earphones or a power adapter charger), a device (e.g., device  300 , as shown in  FIG. 3A ), or another connector body (e.g., stackable connector bodies  1014 ,  1018  and  1021 , as shown in  FIG. 10A . Cable  1110  may include a number of wires coupled to internal components (e.g., routing circuitry, as further described below) of body  1100  and accessories, main devices, connectors, and other devices to which cable  1110  may also be coupled. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11B , a plug connector  1102  includes first and second magnetic elements  1116   a ,  1116   b  that may define a mating surface that corresponds to a mating surface of a stackable receptacle connector (e.g., connectors  1016  and  1019 , as shown in  FIG. 10A ). First, second and third contacts  1114   a - 1114   c  may protrude from second magnetic element  1116   b  and may transmit signals (e.g., power and/or data) to corresponding, mated connectors. As shown in  FIG. 11B , contacts  1114   a - 1114   c  are oriented in a plane that is either the same as or parallel to the plane in which first and second magnetic elements  1116   a ,  1116   b  are oriented. Plug connector  1102  may be mated with a corresponding connector (e.g., receptacle connector  1016 , as shown in  FIG. 10A ) about an insertion axis (e.g., insertion axis  1024 ) that is perpendicular to the planes in which contacts  1114   a - 1114   c  and/or magnetic elements  1116   a ,  1116   b  are oriented. 
     Contacts  1114   a - 1114   c  may be pogo or otherwise deflecting contacts, flat termination surfaces or protruding terminals. For example, contacts  1114   b  may be a power/data pogo pin and contacts  1114   a  and  1114   c  may be stamped from a single piece of material and serve as ground contacts. Magnetic element  1116   a  may be a ring magnet having a single polarity or multiple polarities and magnetic element  1116   b  may be ferrous material. Thus, magnetic elements  1116   a ,  1116   b  may have poles arranged to generate a magnetic field that attracts a corresponding receptacle connector and orients, aligns and/or mates plug connector  1102  therewith. Magnetic elements  1116   a ,  1116   b  may also be permanent magnets, horseshoe magnets, ferromagnetic materials capable of magnetic attraction, rare-earth magnets, materials capable of substantially maintaining plug connector  1102  and a corresponding receptacle connector in a mated position using magnetic forces or any combination thereof. Magnetic elements  1116   a ,  1116   b  may not only help to mate connectors but also to retain stackable connectors in a mated position. 
     Signals may be provided at contacts  1114   a - 1114   c  when connection detection circuitry determines plug connector  1102  is mated with a corresponding connector and routed using routing or switching circuitry. The connection detection circuitry may prevent live contacts from being exposed and potentially causing contact shorting that harms users, devices and/or connectors. The routing circuitry may also be included to determine how signals should be transferred between the interconnected cable, devices, accessories, other connectors and other stackable connectors. Accordingly, the same or similar routing circuitry and connection detection circuitry and variations thereof may be included in plug body  1100 . Accordingly, the description above concerning method  900  and variations thereof may apply to body connector  1100  and is not repeated here in the interest of brevity. Body connector  1110  may also include a printed circuit in addition to or instead of the connection detection circuitry and the routing circuitry discussed herein. 
     Although body  1100  is shown and described as including one plug connector (i.e., plug connector  1102 ), embodiments of the invention may also include other types of connectors on body  1100 . For example, plug connector  1102  could be replaced with a receptacle connector or a connector with a flush mating surface indeterminable as a plug or receptacle connector based on physical appearance. Additionally, instead of using magnets to retain mating contact with connector  1102 , an interference fit may be used to retain connectors in a mated position with connector  1102 . 
     As mentioned above, more details are provided herein regarding bodies  1018  and  1021  (shown in  FIG. 10A ) of first peripheral  1002  and third peripheral  1005 ; the following figures illustrate examples of bodies  1018  and  1021 . 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are simplified perspective views of a body  1200  including first and second stackable connectors  1202 ,  1204  that can be mated with corresponding connectors (e.g., plug connector  1102 , as shown in  FIG. 11B  and receptacle connector  1006 , as shown in  FIG. 10A ), according to an embodiment of the present invention. Body  1200  may be similar to body  1100  (shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B ) except that both front and back sides of body  1200  include stackable connectors, whereas body  1100  only includes one stackable connector (e.g., plug connector  1102 ) on its front surface. As shown in  FIG. 12A , connector body  1200  includes a plug connector  1204 . Plug connector  1204  may be the same as or similar to plug connector  1102  (shown in  FIG. 11B ) and variations thereof. Accordingly, the description above concerning and related to plug connector  2202  and variations thereof may apply to plug connector  1204  and is not repeated here in the interest of brevity. 
     Turning back to body  1200 ,  FIGS. 12A and 12B  also show a side surface  1210  extending between stackable plug and receptacle connectors  1204 ,  1202 . A cable  1212  extends from side surface  1210  and may also be coupled with an accessory (e.g., earphones or a power adapter charger), a device (e.g., device  1000 , as shown in  FIG. 10A ), or another connector body (e.g., a stackable connector body or the body of connector  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1B ). Cable  1212  may include a number of wires coupled to internal components (e.g., routing circuitry, as further described above with reference to  FIGS. 6A-8 ) of body  1200  and accessories, main devices, connectors, or any more devices to which cable  1212  may also be coupled. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12B , front surface receptacle connector  1202  includes a rim  1214  defining the receptacle of receptacle connector  1202 , which is sized and shaped to receive a protruding plug connector (e.g., plug connector  1102 , as shown in  FIG. 11B ). Receptacle connector  1202  includes circular and ring contacts  1216   a ,  1216   b  for transmitting signals (e.g., power and/or data) to corresponding, mated connectors. Circular contacts  1216   a  may connect with a single contact (e.g., contacts  1114   b , shown in  FIG. 11B ), while different portions of ring contact  1216   b  may connect with multiple contacts (e.g., contacts  1114   a ,  1114   c ). As shown in  FIG. 12B , ring contacts  1216   a ,  1216   b  are oriented in a plane and receptacle connector  1202  may be mated with a corresponding connector (e.g., plug connector  1102 , as shown in  FIG. 11B ) about an insertion axis (e.g., insertion axis  1024 ) that is perpendicular to the plane in which contacts  1216   a ,  1216   b  are oriented. 
     Contacts  1216   a ,  1216   b  may be flat termination surfaces as shown in  FIG. 12B  or they may also be pogo or otherwise deflecting contacts or protruding terminals. Magnets  1218   a ,  1218   b  may have poles arranged to generate a magnetic field to orient, align and/or mate a corresponding plug connector with receptacle connector  1202 . For example, the polarity of magnets  1218   a  and  1218   b  may be opposite to that of corresponding magnets  1116   a ,  1116   b  of plug connector  1102 . To provide this polarity, magnets  1218   a ,  1218   b  may be permanent magnets, horseshoe magnets, ferromagnetic materials capable of magnetic attraction, rare-earth magnets, materials capable of substantially maintaining receptacle connector  402  and a corresponding plug connector in a mated position using magnetic forces or any combination thereof. Magnets  1218   a ,  1218   b  may not only help to mate connectors but also to retain connectors in a mated position. 
     As further discussed above, signals may be provided at contacts  1216   a ,  1216   b  when connection detection circuitry (e.g., as discussed above following the description of  FIGS. 6A-8 ) determines plug connector  1102  is mated with a corresponding connector and routed using routing or switching circuitry (e.g., as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 6A-8 ). The connection detection circuitry may prevent live contacts from being exposed and potentially causing contact shorting that harms users, devices and/or other connectors. The routing circuitry may also be included to determine how signals should be transferred between the interconnected cable, devices, accessories, other connectors and other stackable connectors. 
     Although connector body  1200  is shown and described as including two connectors (i.e., plug connector  1204  and receptacle connector  1202 ), embodiments of the invention may also include other types of connectors on body  1200 . For example, plug connector  1204  could be replaced with a receptacle connector or a connector with a flush mating surface indeterminable as a plug or receptacle connector based on physical appearance. Additionally, instead of using magnets to retain mating contact between plug connector  1204  and receptacle connector  1202 , an interference fit may be used to retain the stackable connectors in a mated position. 
     As mentioned above, more details are provided herein regarding receptacle connector  1006  (shown in  FIG. 10A ) of device  1000  (shown in  FIG. 10A ); the following figures illustrate examples of receptacle connector  1106 . 
       FIG. 13A  is a simplified perspective view of a device  1300  (e.g., device  1000 , shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) including a stackable receptacle connector  1302  that can be mated with a corresponding connector (e.g., plug connector  1204 , as shown in  FIG. 12A  or plug connector  1102 , as shown in  FIG. 11B ), according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device  1300  may be the same as or similar to device  300  (shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) and variations thereof. Accordingly, the description above concerning and related to device  300  and variations thereof may apply to device  1300  and is not repeated here in the interest of brevity. Stackable receptacle connector  1302  may be similar to receptacle connector  1202  (shown in  FIG. 12B ) except that it is located on a back surface  1304  of a device housing  1306  whereas receptacle connector  1202  is located on the back surface of a body  1200  (shown in  FIG. 12B ). Device  1300  may also include a number of wires coupled to receptacle connector  1302  to provide and receive signals (e.g., data and/or power). 
     As shown in  FIG. 13A , back surface  1304  includes a rim  1308  defining a receptacle of a receptacle connector  1302 , which is sized and shaped to receive a protruding plug connector (e.g., plug connector  1204 , as shown in  FIG. 12A ). Receptacle connector  1302  includes circular and ring contacts  1312   a ,  1312   b  for transmitting signals (e.g., power and/or data) to corresponding, mated connectors. Circular contact  1312   a  may connect with a single contact (e.g., contacts  1114   b , shown in  FIG. 11B ), while different portions of ring  1316   b  may connect with multiple contacts (e.g., contacts  1114   a ,  1114   c ). As shown in  FIG. 13B , contact rings  1312   a ,  1312   b  are oriented in a plane and receptacle connector  1302  may be mated with a corresponding connector (e.g., plug connector  1102 , as shown in  FIG. 11B ) about an insertion axis (e.g., insertion axis  1026 ) that is perpendicular to the plane in which contacts  1312   a ,  1312   b  are oriented. As further discussed above, signals may be provided at contacts  1312   a ,  1312   b  when connection detection circuitry (e.g., as discussed with reference to  FIGS. 6A-8 ) determines a plug connector is mated with corresponding receptacle connector  1302  and according to routing provided by routing or switching circuitry. 
     Magnets  1314   a ,  1314   b  may have poles arranged to generate a magnetic field to orient, align and/or mate a corresponding plug connector with receptacle connector  1302 . For example, the polarity of magnets  1314   a  and  1314   b  may be opposite to that of corresponding magnets  1116   a ,  1116   b  of plug connector  1102 . To provide this polarity, magnets  1314   a ,  1314   b  may be permanent magnets, horseshoe magnets, ferromagnetic materials capable of magnetic attraction, rare-earth magnets, materials capable of substantially maintaining receptacle connector  402  and a corresponding plug connector in a mated position using magnetic forces or any combination thereof. Magnets  1314   a ,  1314   b  may not only help to mate connectors but also retain connectors in a mated position. 
     As further discussed above, signals may be provided at contacts  1312   a ,  1312   b  when connection detection circuitry (e.g., as discussed above following the description of  FIG. 8 ) determines plug connector  1302  is mated with a corresponding connector and routed using or switching circuitry (e.g., as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 6A-8 ). The connection detection circuitry may prevent live contacts from being exposed and potentially causing contact shorting that harms users, devices and/or connectors. The routing circuitry may also be included to determine how signals should be transferred between the interconnected cable, devices, accessories, other connectors and other stackable connectors. 
     Although connector body  1300  is shown and described as including only one connector (i.e., receptacle connector  1302 ), embodiments of the invention may also include other types of connectors on body  1300 . For example, receptacle connector  1302  could be replaced with a plug connector. Additionally, instead of using magnets to retain mating contact between receptacle connector  1302  and a corresponding plug connector, an interference fit may be used to retain the stackable connectors in a mated position. 
     Receptacle connector  1302  may also be included on a docking station or an adapter, instead or in addition to a device (e.g., device  1300 ). For example, a docking station may include a receptacle  1302  as well as a plug connector (e.g., plug connector  1204 , as shown in  FIG. 12A ). A device, e.g., device  1000 , may be connected with the plug connector of the docking station and the receptacle connector (e.g., receptacle connector  1302 ) may be used to mate with other stackable connectors. The docking station may provide additional features to a device (e.g., device  1000 ) or simply allow for hands-free viewing of a display of a device. Receptacle connector  1302  may also be included with other docking stations and may provide backwards compatibility for a device that does not include a stackable receptacle connector. 
     For example, a docking station may include a stackable receptacle connector (e.g., receptacle connector  1302 ) that is incompatible with a plug connector included on the docking station, but the plug connector may be compatible with a receptacle connector of a device. The device may be mated with the plug connector of the docking station and other stackable connectors may be mated with the receptacle connector of the docking station. Conversion circuitry may be included in the docking station to convert signals received at the stackable receptacle connector to a format that can be transmitted by the plug connector of the docking station and to convert signals received from the plug connector to a format that can be transmitted by the stackable receptacle connector of the docking station. Similarly, an adapter may include a stackable receptacle connector that is incompatible with its plug connector, but the plug connector may be compatible with the device. Further examples and discussion of conversion circuitry can be found in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,478,913, filed Nov. 16, 2012, and titled Adapter for Electronic Devices, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
     Stackable receptacle connector  1302  may mate with corresponding plug connectors according to the orientations shown in  FIG. 3B . However, receptacle connector  1302  of device  1300 , and other stackable receptacle connectors discussed herein, may also mate with corresponding plug connectors that are oriented in multiple orientations with respect to receptacle connector  1302 , as shown in illustrative examples in the following figures. 
       FIGS. 13B and 13C  show a back view of device  1300  and partially transparent body including a corresponding plug connector (e.g., plug connector  1102 , as shown in  FIG. 11B  or plug connector  1204 , as shown in  FIG. 12A ) mated with receptacle connector  1302  of device  1300  in a number of different orientations, according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 13B and 13C , plug connectors  1350  and  1355  may be mated with receptacle connector  1302  (shown in  FIG. 13A ) of device  1300  in a specific orientation. Plug connectors  1350  and  1355  may be the same as or similar to plug connectors  1102  and  1204  (shown in  FIGS. 11B and 12A ) and variations thereof, except that the magnetic ring element of plug connectors  1350 ,  1355  has a specific polarity. Accordingly, the descriptions above concerning and related to plug connector  1102  and  1204  and variations thereof may apply to plug connectors  1350  and  1355  and are not repeated here in their entirety in the interest of brevity. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13B , the body of stackable connector  1350  is partially transparent, allowing a back view of plug connector  1350  to be seen in  FIG. 13B  and showing the singular polarity of a magnetic ring element of plug connector  1350 . The singular polarity of plug connector  1350  allows a magnetic field to be generated and maintained between plug connector  1350  and receptacle connector  1302  even if plug connector  1350  is rotated about its insertion axis to an infinite number of orientations as long as an embodiment of receptacle connector  1302  includes a singular polarity that is opposite the polarity of plug connector  1350 . For example, if the polarity of plug connector  1350  and receptacle connector  1302  are singular and opposite, plug connector  1350  may be rotated to the orientations represented by plug connectors  1350   a - 1350   d  and still be magnetically attracted to corresponding receptacle connector  1302  and oriented, aligned and/or mated therewith. Connection detection circuitry, as discussed further above, may sense the orientation of plug connector  1350  with respect to receptacle connector  1302  (shown in  FIG. 13A ) and adjust the routing of signals to the mated contacts of these connectors accordingly, if necessary. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13C , the body of a stackable connector  1355  is partially transparent, allowing a back view of plug connector  1355  to be seen in  FIG. 13C , while showing the arrangement of poles of a magnetic ring element of plug connector  1355 . As shown in  FIG. 13C , plug connector  1350  includes eight equally sized magnetic elements with alternating polarities. In embodiments where receptacle connector  1302  also includes eight equally sized magnetic elements with alternating polarities, a magnetic field may be generated between plug connector  1355  and receptacle connector  1302  even if plug connector  1350  is rotated about its insertion axis to four different orientations, e.g., the additional orientations represented by plug connectors  1355   a - 1350   c  drawn with dashed lines. Again, connection detection circuitry, as discussed further above, may sense the orientation of plug connector  1355  with respect to receptacle connector  1302  (shown in  FIG. 13A ) and adjust the routing of signals to the mated contacts of these connectors accordingly, if necessary. 
     As mentioned above, a rotary encoder used in combination with sensors such as Hall Effect sensors and resistance sensors may be included in stackable connector bodies to provide inputs to devices or accessories based on changes in detected magnetic fields or electrical characteristics. For example, the rotary encoder may be configured such that moving plug connector  1350  from plug connector orientation  1350   a  to plug connector orientation  1350   d  provides an input to electronic device  1300  including instructions to increase the volume of the device&#39;s speakers. Alternatively, the rotary encoder may be configured such that moving plug connector  1355  from plug connector orientation  1355   a  to plug connector orientation  1350   c  provides an input to electronic device  1300  including instructions to skip the next three songs queued to play on the device. The rotary encoder may be configured in a number of other ways to provide input to device  1300  based on the orientation or change in orientation of a connected stackable connector 
     Although device  1300  is shown and described as having magnets with specific sizes, locations and arrangements, device  1300  may include magnets having a multiplicity of different sizes, location and arrangements. For example, more magnets could be included and magnets could be circular shaped and/or positioned on side surfaces around the perimeter of receptacle connector  1302 . Similarly, the magnets of plug connector  1350  and other plug connectors described herein may also be varied in a manner different from the variations listed above with reference to various stackable connector examples contained herein. 
     As mentioned above, the bodies and other elements associated with stackable connectors may be varied in a number of different ways and may be used to mate numerous combinations of device(s) and/or peripheral(s); the following figures illustrate examples of these variations and combinations. 
       FIGS. 14A-14D  illustrate various combinations of device and/or peripheral(s) mated using stackable connectors of various sizes, according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 14A , a device  1400  and a peripheral  1405  are mated using stackable connectors, including stackable connector  1410  and a stackable connector (not visible) of device  1400 . These stackable connectors may incorporate any of the elements of previously described stackable connectors (e.g., contacts, plug/receptacle type interface and magnets) while being shaped as shown in  FIG. 14A . Device  1400  may be any of the devices listed herein and peripheral  1405  may be an external speaker, a health monitor, a car power adapter or any other peripheral listed herein. For example, peripheral  1405  may be an external speaker and device  1400  may be a smartphone. In this example, data (e.g., data related to playing music at speakers) may be routed from device  1400  to peripheral  1405  via stackable connector  1410  and the stackable connector of device  1400  when these stackable connectors are mated. Although a cable is shown connecting peripheral  1405  and stackable connector  1410 , the stackable connector may also be disposed directly on peripheral. 
       FIG. 14B  illustrates a connection formed between two peripherals—peripherals  1405   a  and  1415 —using stackable connectors  1410   a  and  1420 . These stackable connectors may also incorporate any of the elements of previously described stackable connectors (e.g., contacts, plug/receptacle type interface and magnets) while being shaped as shown in  FIG. 14B . Peripherals  1405   a  and  1415  may be any of the peripherals listed herein. For example, peripheral  1405   a  may be an external speaker (e.g., a variation of peripheral  1405 ) and peripheral  1415  may be a power adapter. In this example, data (e.g., data related to playing music at speakers) may be wirelessly received by peripheral  1405   a  from a device (e.g., device  1400 ), while power may be received by peripheral  1405   a  via stackable connectors  1410   a  and  1420  when they are mated as shown in  FIG. 14B . As with peripheral  1405 , stackable connectors  1410   a  and  1420  may be disposed directly on peripherals  1405   a  and  1415 , respectively. 
       FIG. 14C  illustrates a connection formed between three peripherals—peripherals  1405   b ,  1415   a  and  1425 —using stackable connectors  1410   b ,  1420   a  and  1430 . These stackable connectors may also incorporate any of the elements of previously described stackable connectors (e.g., contacts, plug/receptacle type interface and magnets) while being shaped as shown in  FIG. 14C . Peripherals  1405   b ,  1415   a  and  1425  may be any of the peripherals listed herein. For example, peripheral  1405   b  may be an external speaker (e.g., a variation of peripheral  1405 ), peripheral  1415   a  may be a power adapter (e.g., a variation of peripheral  1415 ) and peripheral  1425  may be a health monitor. In this example, data (e.g., data obtained by peripheral  1425 ) may be routed from stackable connector  1430  to stackable connector  1410   b  via stackable connector  1420   a , while power may be received by peripheral  1405   b  and  1425  via the connection established between stackable connectors  1410   b ,  1420   a  and  1430  when mated as shown in  FIG. 14C . As with peripherals  1405   a  and  1415 , stackable connectors  1410   b ,  1420   a  and  1430  may be disposed directly on peripherals  1405   b ,  1415   a  and  1425 , respectively. 
       FIG. 14D  illustrates a connection formed between two peripherals—peripherals  1415   b  and  1425   a —using stackable connectors  1420   b  and  1430   a . These stackable connectors may also incorporate any of the elements of previously described stackable connectors (e.g., contacts, plug/receptacle type interface and magnets) while being shaped as shown in  FIG. 14D . Peripherals  1415   b  and  1425   a  may be any of the peripherals listed herein. For example, peripheral  1415   b  may be a power adapter (e.g., a variation of peripheral  1415   a ) and peripheral  1425   a  may be a health monitor (e.g., a variation of peripheral  1425 ). In this example, data (e.g., commands related to charging and/or charge state data) may be routed from stackable connector  1430   a  to stackable connector  1420   b , while power may be received by peripheral  1425   a  via the connection established between stackable connectors  1420   b  and  1430   a  when mated as shown in  FIG. 14C  and when peripheral  1425   a  sends a request change command to the peripheral  1415   b  via stackable connector  1420   b . As with peripherals  1405   b ,  1415   a  and  1425 , stackable connectors  1420   b  and  1430   a  may be disposed directly on peripherals  1415   b  and  1425   a , respectively. 
     Also, while a number of specific embodiments were disclosed with specific features, a person of skill in the art will recognize instances where the features of a number of different embodiments can be combined with the features of another embodiment. In addition, some specific embodiments of the invention set forth above were illustrated with connectors including two or three contacts. A person of skill in the art will readily appreciate that stackable connectors may include a number of different types and numbers of contacts that communicate a number of different types of signals. Also, those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the inventions described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20140929
Publication Date: 20160329
Grant Date: 20160329
Priority Date: 20130930
Inventors: BOSSCHER NATHAN P.
JOL ERIC S.
GOLKO ALBERT J.
TERLIZZI JEFFREY J.
MINOO JAHAN C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/665", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R25/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F7/0247", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R31/065", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/7031", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/90", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/16", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/16", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6633", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R29/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F2038/143", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/514", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/631", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R25/006", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/90", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6683", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6616", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/66", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F2038/143", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/665", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/514", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6683", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/665", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/16", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R29/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/514", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R25/006", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6616", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/7031", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6683", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B5/79", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B5/79", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B5/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B5/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 52740590