PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9791634-B2
Application Number: US-201414326431-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Magnetic connector with optical signal path

Abstract:
Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector system comprising:
 a first connector comprising: 
 a ferromagnetic attraction plate forming a raised guide having a first opening forming a recess; 
 a first pin to provide an electrical connection for a first power supply voltage; 
 a second pin to provide an electrical connection for a second power supply voltage, where the first pin and the second pin are located in the recess; 
 a third pin to transmit optical data, the third pin located in a second opening in a first corner of the ferromagnetic attraction plate; 
 a fourth pin to transmit optical data, the fourth pin located in a third opening in a second corner of the ferromagnetic attraction plate, the second corner diagonally opposite the first corner; 
 a fifth pin to receive optical data, the fifth pin located in a fourth opening in a third corner of the ferromagnetic attraction plate; and 
 a sixth pin to receive optical data, the sixth pin located in a fifth opening in a fourth corner of the ferromagnetic attraction plate, the fourth corner diagonally opposite the third corner. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector system of  claim 1  wherein the first power supply voltage is a positive supply voltage and the second power supply voltage is a ground. 
     
     
       3. The connector system of  claim 1  further comprising a fourth pin to provide an electrical connection for the first power supply voltage and a fifth pin to provide an electrical connection for the second power supply voltage. 
     
     
       4. The connector system of  claim 1  further comprising a shield for the third pin to improve an optical connection. 
     
     
       5. The connector system of  claim 1  further comprising a lens for the third pin to improve an optical connection. 
     
     
       6. The connector system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second connector to couple with the first connector, the second connector comprising: 
 a first pin to provide the electrical connection for the first power supply voltage; 
 a second pin to provide the electrical connection for the second power supply voltage; and 
 a third pin to provide an optical connection for optical data. 
 
     
     
       7. The connector system of  claim 6  wherein the second connector comprises a magnet, where the magnet is attracted to the attraction plate such that the second connector is magnetically held to the first connector when the second connector and first connector are coupled. 
     
     
       8. The connector system of  claim 7  wherein the second connector comprises a plurality of magnets having opposing polarities relative to each other, such that when the first connector is brought in close proximity to the second connector, magnetic field lines travel through the attraction plate of the first connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the second connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the second connector, thereby increasing magnetic attraction between the first connector and the second connector. 
     
     
       9. The connector system of  claim 1  wherein the first connector is a connector insert. 
     
     
       10. The connector system of  claim 1  where the first pin and the second pin are located on a bottom surface of the recess. 
     
     
       11. The connector system of  claim 1  wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth pins are arranged so that a second connector may be mated to the first connector in two different orientations. 
     
     
       12. A connector system comprising:
 a first connector comprising: 
 a raised guide surrounded by a recess; 
 a first pin to provide an electrical connection for a first power supply voltage; 
 a second pin to provide an electrical connection for a second power supply voltage, where the first pin and the second pin are located on the raised guide; 
 a third pin to transmit optical data, the third pin located in the recess; 
 a fourth pin to transmit optical data, the fourth pin located in the recess; 
 a fifth pin to receive optical data, the fifth pin located in the recess; 
 a sixth pin to receive optical data, the sixth pin located in the recess, where the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth pins are arranged to be symmetrical about a major axis and minor axis of the first connector; and 
 a magnet to be magnetically attracted to a magnetic element in a second connector such that the second connector is magnetically held to the first connector when the second connector and first connector are coupled. 
 
     
     
       13. The connector system of  claim 12  wherein the first power supply voltage is a positive supply voltage and the second power supply voltage is a ground. 
     
     
       14. The connector system of  claim 12  further comprising a fourth pin to provide an electrical connection for the first power supply voltage and a fifth pin to provide an electrical connection for the second power supply voltage. 
     
     
       15. The connector system of  claim 12  further comprising a shield for the third pin to improve an optical connection. 
     
     
       16. The connector system of  claim 12  further comprising a lens for the third pin to improve an optical connection. 
     
     
       17. The connector system of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a second connector to couple with the first connector, the second connector comprising: 
 a first pin to provide the electrical connection for the first power supply voltage; 
 a second pin to provide the electrical connection for the second power supply voltage; and 
 a third pin to provide an optical connection for optical data. 
 
     
     
       18. The connector system of  claim 17  wherein the magnetic element of the second connector comprises an attraction plate comprising a ferro-magnetic material, where the magnet is attracted to the attraction plate such that the second connector is magnetically held to the first connector when the second connector and first connector are coupled. 
     
     
       19. The connector system of  claim 18  wherein the first connector comprises a plurality of magnets having opposing polarities relative to each other, such that when the first connector is brought in close proximity to the second connector, magnetic field lines travel through the attraction plate of the second connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector, thereby increasing magnetic attraction between the first connector and the second connector. 
     
     
       20. The connector system of  claim 17  wherein the magnetic element of the second connector comprises a second magnet, where the magnet of the first connector is attracted to the second magnet such that the second connector is magnetically held to the first connector when the second connector and first connector are coupled. 
     
     
       21. The connector system of  claim 12  wherein the first connector is a connector receptacle. 
     
     
       22. The connector system of  claim 12  where the first pin and the second pin are located on a top surface of the raised guide. 
     
     
       23. The connector system of  claim 12  wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth pins are arranged so that the second connector may be mated to the first connector in two different orientations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/621,024, filed Sep. 15, 2012, which is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/910,141, filed Oct. 22, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,702,316, which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/241,036, filed Sep. 30, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,841,776, which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Mobile computing devices have become very popular the past several years. Users have chosen these devices not only for their portability, they have chosen them to be replacements for their traditional computers as well. These mobile devices thus fill two niches, as on-the-go computing and as desktop replacements. As a desktop replacement, there are two needs that these portable computers must satisfy. 
     The first of these needs is the ability to function the length of a workday. Unfortunately, this exceeds current battery capacity; thus the laptop needs to be plugged in to a power source for at least a portion of the day. The second need to be satisfied is the ability to transfer data over a physical connection. 
     Presently, satisfying these two needs requires at least two connections to the mobile device; one for power and one for data transmission. But including two (or more) connectors increases cost and consumes space, typically along the side of the mobile device. It also requires the user to make two separate connections, thus limiting the usefulness and desirability of the mobile computing format. 
     These two connections also require the use of two cables. This in turn clutters a user&#39;s workspace, further degrading the mobile computing experience. Another way that a user&#39;s experience can quickly become unpleasant is when the user trips or otherwise becomes entangled with one of these cables, thereby pulling the laptop to the ground. 
     Thus, what is needed are circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a power and data transfer system that can supply both power and data to a laptop or other mobile computing device using a single connection. To reduce the clutter caused by multiple cables, it is further desirable to have a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to the mobile computing device using a single cable. It is also desirable to have a connector system that can connect this single cable to the mobile computing device. To avoid the consequence of laptops being pulled to the ground when a cable is tripped over, it is desirable that the connector system easily disengages when the cable is pulled away from the mobile computing device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide circuits, apparatus, and methods for power and data transfer systems that can supply both power and data to mobile computing or other types of devices using a single connection. Further embodiments of the present invention also provide power and data adapters that can provide data and power to mobile computing or other types of devices using a single cable. Further embodiments of the present invention provide connector systems for connecting fiber-optic and power cables to mobile computing or other types of devices. Further embodiments of the present invention provide connector systems with connector inserts that easily disengage from connector receptacles. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a connector system that provides both power and data. In various embodiments of the present invention, data is provided using fiber-optic connections. These connections may include one, two, four, or other numbers of fiber-optic cables. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, four fiber-optic cables are used, where two cables are used for data transmission and two are used for data reception. In this specific embodiment of the present invention, the four fiber-optic cables are arranged such that the connection between a connector insert and a connector receptacle can be made in two ways along one axis of symmetry. That is, the connector insert can be inserted into the connector receptacle either right side up, or upside down, and the data connection is made using the four fiber-optic cables. This exemplary embodiment of the present invention also employs two, four, or more contacts for power transmission. A specific embodiment of the present invention provides four such contacts, two for a power supply voltage and two for ground connections. This allows relatively high currents to be provided to the mobile device, enabling rapid battery recharging. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a connector system that employs one or more magnets to engage a connector insert with a connector receptacle. These one or more magnets may be attracted to an attraction plate in the connector receptacle, where the attraction plate is formed using a magnet or a ferromagnetic material. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the connector receptacle may include four magnets arranged with alternating polarities. Magnetic field lines originating in a first magnet in the connector receptacle may travel through an attraction plate in the connector insert and terminate in a second magnet in the connector receptacle, where the first and second magnets have opposite polarities. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a power and data adapter capable of providing power and data over a single cable to a mobile computing or other type of device. In various embodiments of the present invention, this power and data adapter may receive power from a wall, car, or other type outlet. The power and data adapter may directly connect to the outlet, or it may connect to the outlet via a power cord or cable. A specific embodiment of the present invention plugs directly into a wall outlet. In this case, the power and data adapter may also include circuitry for converting AC power to DC power suitable for being provided to the mobile computing or other type of device. 
     The power and data adapter may translate data between the mobile computing or other type of device and one or more other devices. These one or more other devices may communicate using one or more protocols. The power and data adapter may thus translate or convert data using these one or more protocols to optical data to be provided to the mobile computing or other type of device. The power and data adapter may also translate or convert optical data from the computing or other type of device to data consistent with one or more of these protocols to be provided to one or more other devices. The data may be provided by the power and data adapter to the connector system and received by the power and data adapter from the connector system using one or more fiber-optic cables. The power and data adapter may provide and receive data to and from other devices using fiber-optic cables, or other types of wired or wireless connections such as Local Area Networking (LAN), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), DisplayPort, IEEE 802.11a, b, g, or other types of connections. 
     Other devices may communicate with each other through the power and data adapter. For example, two or more USB devices may communicate with each other via a corresponding number of USB connectors on the power and data adapter. The power and data adapter may also include circuitry for translating among these wired and wireless protocols and one or more protocols suitable for fiber-optic communications. The power and data adapter may communicate with the mobile computing or other type of device over a single cable that includes conductors for the DC power and one or more fiber-optic cables. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention prevents power from being applied at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the power and data adapter provides a small amount of current between power and ground pins of the connector insert. A resulting voltage is then sense. If the voltage is in a predetermined range, power is applied to the insert&#39;s power pins. In another embodiment of the present invention, an identification or other signal is provided by the connector insert. If a proper response is received, power is applied to the insert&#39;s power pins. Further embodiments may require that such an identification signal be periodically provided. When the identification is not received for a period of time, power is removed from the connector insert. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a power and data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates circuitry for a power and data adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another power and data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another power and data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A-5E  illustrate front views of connector inserts and connector receptacles according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate transmit and receive circuitry employed by connector systems according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of a connector insert and connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of a connector insert and connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of another connector insert and connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates electrical pin and fiber-optical line positions of a connector insert according to embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a power and data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates another power and data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a method of applying power to a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates circuitry in a power and data adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate the operation of the circuitry in  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIGS. 17A-17D  illustrate front views of connector inserts and connector receptacles according to embodiments of the present invention 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a power and data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure includes a power and data adapter  110  and a connector system including a connector receptacle  132  and a connector insert  120  coupled to the power and data adapter  110  via cable  124 . This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes only and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     The power and data adapter  110  receives a first power supply voltage and provides either the first power supply voltage or a second power supply voltage to the connector insert  120  via the fiber-optic and DC power cable  124 . In this specific example, the power and data adapter  110  receives power at power terminals  112 . The power terminals  112  may be arranged to receive AC power from a conventional wall socket or other appropriate source. In other embodiments of the present invention, the power and data adapter  110  may receive power from a car outlet or other source. 
     The power and data adapter  110  may receive and provide data using one or more data connections. In this specific example, the data connections include a USB  114 , Ethernet or RJ 45  115 , DVI connector  116 , and optical connection  118 . The optical connection can be an optical connection such as a Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format (S/PDIF), optical Ethernet, Fiber Optic Service (FIOS), 100 or 1000baseFL, or other fiber optic connection. Data received at the data connections is converted to optical data by the power and data adapter  110  and provided to the connector insert  120  via the fiber-optic and DC power cable  124 . Data received at the connector insert  120  is received by the power and data adapter  110 , again via the fiber-optic and DC power cable  124 . The power and data adapter  110  can then convert this data and provide it on the appropriate connector. 
     The power and data adapter  110  provides DC power and fiber-optic data to the connector insert  120  using the fiber-optic and DC power cable  124 . In various embodiments of the present invention, the fiber-optic and DC power cable  124  may be connected to the power and data adapter  110  using a connector system such as the connector insert  120  and connector receptacle  132 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the fiber-optic and DC power cable  124  can be hardwired to the power and data adapter  110 . 
     The connector system includes the connector insert  120  and the connector receptacle  132 . The connector insert  120  further includes a connector insert or housing  122 , which may be held by a user when the connector insert  120  is inserted into the connector receptacle  132 . In this specific example, the connector receptacle  132  is located in a laptop  130 , though in other embodiments of the present invention, the connector receptacle  132  may be located in other types of mobile or other electronic devices. For example, the connector receptacle  132  may be located in a portable media player, display, cell phone, desktop computer, or other mobile or non-mobile computing or other type of device. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the power and data adapter  110  is capable of determining one or more characteristics of a computer, such as the laptop  130  that it is connected to. These characteristics can be determined by the power and data adapter sensing a voltage at the connector receptacle  132 , by reading data stored on the computer, by receiving data from the computer, or in other ways. The characteristics can be power supply requirements, the type of data or format needed by the computer, or other characteristics. After determining these characteristics, the power and data adapter  110  then configures itself to provide the required power and data. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, a laptop  130  or other computer is capable of determining one or more characteristics of a power and data adapter, such as the power and data adapter  110 . These characteristics can be determined by the laptop sensing a voltage at the connector insert  120 , by reading data stored on the power and data adapter  110 , by receiving data from the power and data adapter  110 , or in other ways. The characteristics can be power supply capabilities, the type of data or format that can be provided by the power and data adapter  110 , or other characteristics. After determining these characteristics, the computer can configure itself to make use of the available power and data. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates circuitry for a power and data adapter, such as the power and data adapter  110  in  FIG. 1  or other power and data adapters consistent with embodiments of the present invention. In this example, a transformer and rectifier  210  receive power from power connection  220 . In this example, the power connection  220  may be power prongs configured to be inserted into a conventional wall socket or outlet. The AC power received at the power connection  220  is converted by the transformer and rectifier  210  and provided to a DC power supply circuit  215 , which generates regulated DC power supplies that can be provided to a connector insert and to the remaining power and data adapter circuitry. 
     This example further includes a number of data ports, including USB data ports  230  and  232 , local area network port  240 , DVI port  250 , and optical port  255 . In various embodiments of the present invention, fewer, more, and other types of data ports may be included. These ports may be wired electronic data ports, fiber-optic data ports, wireless data ports, or other types of data ports. Data may be received and transmitted at one or more of these ports. Data received at these ports may be translated by translation circuitry  270  into fiber-optic data and provided by the fiber-optic interface  260  to the connector insert. Similarly, data received from the connector insert by the fiber-optic interface  260  can be translated by the translation circuitry  270  and provided to the appropriate data port. In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more of these data ports may communicate with each other. For example, USB data ports  230  and  232  may communicate with each other via hub  234 . In this way, the power and data adapter  110  acts as a USB hub, where data can be transferred from one USB port to another or from one USB port to a connector insert via fiber-optic interface  260  and translation circuitry  270 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, it is desirable if the power and data adapter does not need to be plugged directly into a wall outlet or other power supply source. In such an example, the power and data adapter may have its own power cable. This allows the power and data adapter to be remotely located from its power source. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another power and data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This example includes a power and data adapter  310  and a connector system including a connector insert  320  and connector receptacle  332 , where the connector insert  320  and power and data adapter  310  are coupled via DC power and fiber-optic cable  324 . 
     In this example, a power cable  350  powers the power and data adapter  310 . The power cable  350  includes a power connection  352 , which may include prongs adapted to be inserted into a wall socket. A power transformer  354  may convert AC power received at the power connection  352  to DC power for use by the power and data adapter  310 . The DC power provided by the power transformer  354  may also be provided to the connector insert  320 , though in other embodiments of the present invention, a DC-to-DC converter is used to provide a second DC voltage to the connector insert  320 . 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, it is desirable that the DC power be provided to a connector insert separately from the fiber-optic data. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another power and data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This example includes a data adapter  410  and a connector system including a connector insert  420  and connector receptacle  432 , where the connector insert  420  and data adapter  410  are coupled together over a fiber-optic cable  424 . A separate DC power cable  450  provides DC power to the connector insert  420 . The DC power cable  450  has a power connection  450 , which may include prongs adapted to fit into a wall outlet. Also included is a power transformer  454 , which converts AC power received at the power connection  452  to DC power, which can be provided to the connector insert  420 . 
     Connector systems according to embodiments of the present invention include a connector insert and a connector receptacle that are capable of transferring a power supply, for example, a power supply including a supply voltage and a ground, and a fiber-optic data signal. Various embodiments of the present invention are arranged such that the connector insert is magnetically held in contact with the connector receptacle. These embodiments of the present invention provide a connector insert that is easily disengaged from its receptacle when a cable connected to the connector insert is pulled. Raised guides and corresponding recesses on the insert and receptacle can be used to align the connector insert to the connector receptacle. These raised guides and recesses may have one or more sloped or tapered edges to facilitate insertion and extraction. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIGS. 5A-5E  illustrate front views of a connector insert  510  and a connector receptacle  560  according to an embodiment of the present invention. While this connector insert  510  and connector receptacle  560  are well suited for use with a power and data adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention, they may be used in other situations not including such a power and data adapter. In  FIG. 5A , a single fiber-optic line  530  is used to transfer optical data from the connector insert  510  to the connector receptacle  560 . In this example, the connector insert  510  includes a number of pins  520  on each side of the fiber-optic line  530 . In other embodiments, pins  520  and one or more fiber-optic lines  530  may have various configurations. In this example, four pins  520  are shown. Two of these pins may be used to provide a positive power supply, while two pins may be used for ground. In other embodiments of the present invention, other power supplies may be provided. The pins  520  and fiber-optic line  530  are located in a recess  535 , which is surrounded by a raised guide  550 . An insert housing  540  may be employed to protect the raised guide  550 . 
     The connector insert  510  inserts into the connector receptacle  560 . The connector receptacle  560  includes a corresponding number of contacts  570  and a fiber-optic line  580 . The contacts  570  and fiber-optic line  580  may be on a raised guide  595 . A recess  590  may surround the raised guide  595 . The recess may be located in a housing  585 , which may be a separate entity or may be a portion of a device such as a laptop computer. 
     When the connector insert  510  is mated with the connector receptacle  560 , the raised guide  550  fits into the recess  590 . Similarly, the raised guide  595  fits into the recess  535 . This arrangement provides alignment between the connector insert  510  and connector receptacle  560 . Also, the connector insert  510  is easily disengaged when a cable connected to the connector insert  510  pulled away from the connector receptacle  560 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the connector insert  510  and connector receptacle  560  are magnetically attracted to each other. This may be accomplished by placing one or more magnets in either the connector insert  510  or connector receptacle  560 . In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more magnets may be located in either connector insert  510  or connector receptacle  560 . In a specific embodiment of the present invention, four magnets are placed in either connector insert  510  or connector receptacle  560 . These magnets further may have alternating polarities. In embodiments of the present invention, the connector inset  510  or connector receptacle  560  may include an attraction plate. For example, raised guide  550  may be used as an attraction plate. This attraction plate may be made using a magnet or ferromagnetic material. In this way, field lines originating in one magnet may travel through the attraction plate to a second magnet having an opposite polarity. This may increase the magnetic attraction between the connector insert  510  and connector receptacle  560 . Further details, for example details pertaining to these magnets, attraction plates, and alignment and disengagement features can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,526, which is incorporated by reference. 
     In this example, the connector insert  510  may be inserted into the connector receptacle  560  either right side up or upside down relative to horizontal line “A.” Also in this example, only one fiber-optic line is used. In various embodiments of the present invention, data communication is only one way. In such a situation, no more than one fiber-optic line is needed. In other embodiments of the present invention, bidirectional or full-duplex communication is desired. In these situations, either one fiber-optic line may be multiplexed between transmit and receive channels, or other fiber-optic lines may be included. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates front views of a connector insert and connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector insert  510  in this example includes two fiber-optic lines  530 . In this example, one fiber-optic line is used for transmitting and a second is used for receiving. This allows full-duplex communication without having to multiplex signals. Unfortunately, in this configuration, the connector insert  510  can only be placed in the connector receptacle  560  in the right side up orientation. If the connector insert  510  is inserted into the connector receptacle  560  in an upside down position, the fiber-optic transmit channel of the connector insert  510  will be in communication with the transmit channel of the connector receptacle  560 . Accordingly, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the TX and RX fiber optic lines  530  or  560  can be multiplexed, that is, they can be reversed if an upside down insertion is detected. The multiplexing can take place in either the connector insert  510  or the connector receptacle  560 . This multiplexing may be performed optically or electrically. To enable upside down insertions and full-duplex communication without the need to multiplex transmit and receive lines, an embodiment of the present invention employs four fiber-optic cables. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 5C  illustrates front views of a connector insert and a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector insert  510  in this example includes four fiber-optic lines  530 . In this example, two lines are used for transmitting and two are used for receiving. The two transmitting and two receiving fiber-optic lines may each be implemented as one split fiber-optic cable. That is, each may be implemented as one fiber-optic cable whose end is split. This allows full-duplex communication without having to multiplex transmit and receive signals. Since the four fiber-optic lines are rotationally symmetrical, the connector insert  510  may be inserted into the connector receptacle  560  in either the right-side up or upside down positions. 
       FIG. 5D  illustrates front views of a connector insert and a connector receptacle according to another embodiment of the present invention. The connector insert  510  in this example includes four fiber-optic lines  530 . As before, two lines are used for transmitting and two are used for receiving. An additional pin, which may be a signal or a power pin, is placed in the center of the four fiber optic lines. This allows backward compatibility with currently available connectors and receptacles that are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,526, which is incorporated by reference. Again, since the four fiber-optic lines are rotationally symmetrical the connector insert  510  may be inserted into the connector receptacle  560  in either the right-side up or upside down positions. The additional pin show may be included in the other examples above, and in other connector systems according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5E  illustrates front views of a connector insert and a connector receptacle according to another embodiment of the present invention. The connector insert  510  in this example includes two fiber-optic lines  530 . These lines may be multiplexed to provide full-duplex operation. These lines may be split from a single line. This line may be used to provide unidirectional communication. 
       FIGS. 6A-6D  illustrate transmit and receive circuitry employed by connector systems according to embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 6A , only one fiber-optic cable is used, such as in the example shown in  FIG. 5A . In this case, data provided by transmitter  610  and received by receiver  620  may be multiplexed over a fiber-optic multiplexer  630 . That is, when transmitter  610  transmits data, transmitter  610  may provide data to the fiber-optic multiplexer  630 , which may provide it over the fiber-optic line. Data received over the fiber-optic line may be multiplexed by the fiber-optic multiplexer  630  and may be provided to the receiver  620 . In  FIG. 6B , two fiber-optic cables are used, such as in the example of  FIG. 5B . In this case, the transmitter  610  and receiver  620  each have their own fiber-optic cable, so no multiplexing is required. In  FIG. 6C , the transmitter  610  and receiver  620  each have two fiber-optic cables. Accordingly, a fiber-optic cable from the transmitter  610  is split. Similarly, the fiber-optic cable to the receiver  620  is split. In  FIG. 6D , a multiplexer or switch  640  may be included. In this way, each of two pins may be either receive or transmit pins. 
     Accordingly, in  FIG. 5A , where each connector has one fiber-optic pin, a unidirectional communication path may be provided. For example, data may always flow from the connector insert to a device through its connector receptacle. In other embodiments, the multiplexing circuitry of  FIG. 6A  may be utilized to provide a half-duplex bidirectional communication path. In  FIGS. 5B and 5E , where two fiber-optic pins are used, two circuits shown in  FIG. 6A  may be used. This may provide a high level of configuration. For example, two transmit paths may be used to increase data transfer rates. In other embodiments, the circuitry of  FIG. 6B  may be used, but the connector insert may not be reversible. This may be rectified by using a switch  640 , as shown in  FIG. 6D . In  FIGS. 5C and 5D , where four fiber-optic pins are used, the circuitry of  FIG. 6C  may be used. In other embodiments, other circuits, such as  6 A or  6 D may be used to provide greater flexibility. In various embodiments of the present invention, the multiplexers and switches  630  and  640  may be implemented using micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) switches or other appropriate circuit or apparatus. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of a connector insert  710  and connector receptacle  760  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector insert  710  includes a number of pins  720  and a fiber-optic line  730 . A raised guide  750  surrounds the pins  720  and fiber-optic line  730 . When the connector insert  710  is mated with the connector receptacle  760 , the raised guide  750  is arranged to fit into the recess  790  in the connector receptacle  760 . Similarly, the raised guide  795  on the connector receptacle  760  fits in the recess  735  of the connector insert  710 . The pins  720  are arranged to contact the contacts  770  and make electrical connections. In order to ensure proper contact, the pins  720  may be biased, for example by a spring. The fiber-optic line  730  comes in close proximity with the fiber-optic line  780  in the connector receptacle  760  in order to form a fiber-optic connection. In this example, the fiber-optic connection reliability is enhanced by the use of lenses  732  and  782 . In other embodiments of the present invention, lenses are not used, rather the close proximity of the fiber-optic lines is relied upon. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, a fiber-optic line in the connector insert transfers data with a fiber-optic line in the connector receptacle. Successful transfers of data rely on the fiber-optic lines being in close proximity. This transfer can be aided by the use of a lens as shown above. 
     Again, to improve reliability, lenses may be used to focus light provided and received by the fiber-optic lines. In other embodiments of the present invention, other devices such as collectors may be used. These collectors may be rounded, flat, or other shaped mirrors or reflectors to gather light provided by a fiber-optic line. Examples of these techniques are shown in the following figures. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate side views of a connector insert and connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 8 , lenses  832  and  882  are used to improve the fiber-optic signal between fiber-optic lines  830  and  880 . These lenses focus light emitted and received by their corresponding fiber-optic line for improved reception In  FIG. 9 , collectors  936  and  986  are used to gather light received by their corresponding fiber-optic line to improve the signal reliability between fiber-optic lines  930  and  980 . 
     In the above examples, only one fiber-optic line is shown for simplicity. In other embodiments of the present invention, two, three, four, or more fiber-optic lines may be used. Also in the above examples, the connector insert and connector receptacle each have five locations, where four locations are electrical connections and one location is for an optical data connection. Another embodiment of the present invention, other arrangements are possible. In some of these arrangements, two pins are used for power, while two are used for ground. Various arrangements that may be employed by an embodiment of the present invention are shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates electrical pin and fiber-optical line positions of a connector insert according to embodiment of the present invention. In some of these examples, two pins are used for power, while two are used for ground. Often, the central location is used for optical data. This allows a connector insert to be inserted in one of two ways along a central line of symmetry, as discussed above. In other examples, two of the five locations may be used for optical data lines. In still other embodiments of the present invention, either more or fewer than five locations may be used. 
     It can be undesirable for connector insert pins to be supplied with power when the connector insert is not inserted into a connector receptacle. In such a case, inadvertent currents may flow between pins of the connector insert when the connector insert comes in contact with a conductor of some sort, such as a paper clip. Having power applied to the connector insert when the connector insert is not located in the connector receptacle is particularly undesirable when there are magnets located in the connector insert, since these magnets may attract conductive materials. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention determine whether a connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle before applying power to the connector insert. Examples of this are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a power and data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power and data adapter  1110  in this example does not apply power to a connector insert until the connector insert is seated in a connector receptacle. In this example, a power connection is made to a wall outlet or sockets using power terminals  1112 . The power and data adapter  1110  determines that connector insert  1120  is not seated in the connector receptacle  1132 . Accordingly, the power and data adapter  1110  does not provide power to the connector insert  1120 . At some point, the connector insert  1120  is inserted into the connector receptacle  1132 . Afterwards, the power and data adapter  1110  determines that the connector insert  1120  is located in the connector receptacle  1132 . The power and data adapter  1110  then applies power to the connector insert  1120 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates another power and data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power and data adapter  1210  in this system does not apply power to a connector insert until it is seated in a connector receptacle. In this example, the connector insert  1220  is inserted into the connector receptacle  1232 . After this, a power connection for the power and data adapter  1210  is made to a wall socket, for example, using power terminals  1212 . The power and data adapter  1210  determines that the connector insert  1220  is inserted into the connector receptacle  1232 . Accordingly, the power and data adapter  1210  applies power to the connector insert  1220 . A flowchart outlining this is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a method of applying power to a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In act  1310 , power is received from a wall socket. In act  1320 , it is determined whether a connector insert has been inserted into a connector receptacle. If it is not, power is not applied to the connector insert in act  1330 . If the power and data adapter determines that the connector insert has been inserted into a connector receptacle, power is applied to the connector insert in act  1340 . In act  1350 , it is determined whether the connector insert has been removed. If it has not been removed, power continues to be applied to the connector insert in act  1340 . If the connector insert has been removed, then power is not applied to the connector insert in act  1330 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, a determination that the connector insert has been inserted into a connector receptacle may be made by providing a sense current between the power and ground pins of the connector insert. If a voltage in a specific range is measured, power can then be applied to the connector insert. Optionally at this time, the device attached to the connector receptacle can receive, provide, or trade identification information with a power and data adapter. Example circuitry that may be employed by a power and data adapter to accomplish this is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates circuitry in a power and data adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power and data adapter  1410  includes a power connection  1412 , that may be, for example, prongs that are arranged to be inserted into a wall outlet. The prongs may rotate between two positions: a first position extended from the power and data adapter such that they may be inserted into a wall outlet, and a second position where they are not extended to save space. The power and data adapter  1410  further includes a transformer and rectifier circuit  1420  to convert the AC power received to the power connection to DC power that is provided to the power switch  1430 . The power switch  1430  determines whether power should be applied to the power lines  1432  in the DC power and data cable  1440 . Initially, the low current output and voltage sense circuit  1450  provides a small current between power and ground pins of a connector insert (not shown.) If a resulting voltage in the proper range is detected, power switch  1430  applies power between the power line  1442  and ground line  1444 . Following that, device identification can be received, provided, or traded over the optical data lines  1446  using the device identification interface circuitry  1460 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate the operation of the circuitry in  FIG. 14 . In act  1510 , power is received at a power connection from a wall socket or other source. A low current is provided at an insert in act  1520 . For example, a low current may be provided between the power and ground pins of a connector insert. In act  1530 , a resulting voltage is measure, and it is determined whether the resulting voltage is in a specific range. If it is not in the specific range, then power is not switched to the connector insert in act  1540 . If a correct voltage is sensed, full power may be switched to the connector insert in act  1550 . 
     In act  1620 , identification data may be sent by the power and data adapter. In act  1630 , it is determined whether proper identification data is returned. If it is not, power is removed from the connector insert in act  1640 . At this point, a low current is again provided in act  1520 . If a proper identification is received in act  1630 , then power is maintained in the connector insert in act  1650 . This identification data can be checked periodically in act  1660 . If the data is received, power is maintained in act  1650 . Once the data is no longer periodically received, the power is removed from the connector insert in act  1640 , and again a low current is provided in act  1520 . 
     Again, connector systems according to embodiments of the present invention may include a connector insert and a connector receptacle that are capable of transferring a power supply, for example, a power supply including a supply voltage and a ground, and one or more fiber-optic data signals. As before, various embodiments of the present invention may be arranged such that the connector insert is magnetically held in contact with the connector receptacle. These embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector insert that is easily disengaged from its receptacle when a cable connected to the connector insert is pulled. Raised guides and corresponding recesses on the insert and receptacle can be used to align the connector insert to the connector receptacle. These raised guides and recesses may have one or more sloped or tapered edges to facilitate insertion and extraction. Fiber-optic connections may be formed using pins placed on these raised guides and corresponding recesses. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIGS. 17A-17D  illustrate front views of connector insert  1710  and connector receptacle  1760  according to an embodiment of the present invention. While this connector insert  1710  and connector receptacle  1760  are well suited for use with a power and data adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as those shown above, they may be used in other situations not including such a power and data adapter. In  FIG. 17A , fiber-optic pins  1730  may be used to transfer optical data between the connector insert  1710  and the connector receptacle  1760 . These fiber-optic pins may be the same or similar as the other fiber-optic pins in the other examples. In this example, the connector insert  1710  may include a number of pins  1720  in a recess  1735 . These pins may be the same or similar as the pins in the other examples. In various embodiments, pins  1720  may have various configurations. In this example, five pins  1720  are shown. Two of these pins may be used to provide a positive power supply, two pins may be used for ground, and an a fifth may be used as a signal or connection detect pin. In other embodiments of the present invention, other power supplies or signals may be provided. The pins  1720  may be located in recess  1735 , which is surrounded by a raised guide  1750 . Recess  1720 , raised guide  1750 , and the other features of these connectors, may be at least substantially similar to corresponding features in the other examples. 
     Fiber optic pins  1730  may be located in openings on raised guide  1750 . In this example, four fiber-optic pins  1730  may be included. These pins may be located in corners of the raised guide  1750  for mechanical stability or other reasons. In other embodiments of the present invention, the fiber-optic pines  1730  may be located at the top and sides of raised guide  1750 . An insert housing  1740  may be employed to protect the raised guide  1750 . The electrical pins and fiber optic pins may have a profile as shown in  FIGS. 7-9  and the other examples shown above. 
     The connector insert  1710  may be inserted into the connector receptacle  1760 . The connector receptacle  1760  may include a corresponding number of contacts  1770  and fiber-optic pins  1780 . The contacts  1770  may be on a raised guide  1795 . A recess  1790  may surround the raised guide  1795 . The fiber-optic pins  1780  may be located in recess  1790 . In this example, four fiber-optic pins  1780  may be included. The fiber-optic pins  1780  may be located in corners of the recess to simplify manufacturing or for other reasons. The fiber-optic pins  1780  may be located at the tops and sides of recess  1790  in other embodiments. The recess may be located in a housing  1785 , which may be a portion of a device such as a laptop computer. 
     When the connector insert  1710  is mated with the connector receptacle  1760 , the raised guide  1750  may fit into the recess  1790 . Similarly, the raised guide  1795  may fit into the recess  1735 . This arrangement may provide alignment between the connector insert  1710  and connector receptacle  1760 . Also, the connector insert  1710  may be easily disengaged when a cable connected to the connector insert  1710  pulled away from the connector receptacle  1760 . In this and the other examples, this alignment may align corresponding pins and contacts in the connectors to form electrical and optical connections. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the connector insert  1710  and connector receptacle  1760  may be magnetically attracted to each other. This may be accomplished by placing one or more magnets in either the connector insert  1710  or connector receptacle  1760 . In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more magnets are located in the connector insert  1710 , connector receptacle  1760 , or both. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, four magnets may be placed in the connector insert  1710 , connector receptacle  1760 , or both. These magnets may have alternating polarities. In this specific embodiment of the present invention, the connector insert  1710  or connector receptacle  1760  may include an attraction plate instead of magnets. This attraction plate may be implemented as raised guide  1750  on connector insert  1710 . In other embodiments, an attraction plate may be located behind recess  1790 . This attraction plate may be made using a magnet or ferromagnetic material. In this way, field lines originating in a magnet may travel through the attraction plate to a second magnet having an opposite polarity. This may increase the magnetic attraction between the connector insert  1710  and connector receptacle  1760 . Further details, for example details pertaining to these magnets, attraction plates, and alignment and disengagement features can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,526, which is incorporated by reference. 
     In these examples, connector inserts, such as connector insert  1710 , may be inserted into connector receptacles, such as connector receptacle  1760 , either right side up or upside down relative to horizontal line “A.” That is, the connector insert  1710  may be referred to as being rotatable. Also, in this and other embodiments of the present invention, data communication may be unidirectional or bidirectional. In a unidirectional application, no more than one fiber-optic line may be needed. This one fiber-optic line may be split into two or more pins that are provided at a connection surface. In other embodiments of the present invention, half-duplex bidirectional or full-duplex communication may be desired. In these situations, multiple pins for either or both transmit and receive paths may be provided, or transmit and receive paths may be multiplexed. For example, two fiber optic pins may be employed for each transmit and receive path. This redundancy may allow a connection to be made regardless of connector orientation. In other embodiments of the present invention, fiber-optic lines may each connect to a single pin and transmit and receive paths may be multiplexed. In other embodiments, a combination of these techniques may be used. 
     More specifically, either unidirectional or half-duplex bidirectional communication, along with the ability insert the connector insert in a connector receptacle in either of two orientations, may be desired. In various embodiments of the present invention, such as  FIGS. 17B-17D , two fiber-optic pins may be placed on raised guide  1750  and in recess  1790 , or elsewhere, as in  FIGS. 5B and 5E . In each connector, these two pins may connect to a split fiber-optic line. This may be used to provide unidirectional communication since one path is formed by the one fiber-optic line. A multiplexer may be used to provide half-duplex bidirectional communication. In these embodiments, the insert may be rotatable as well. For example, the connectors in  FIGS. 5B, 5E, and 17B-17D  are symmetrical and the connector insert may be inserted in either orientation in the connector receptacle. In other embodiments of the present invention, the two pins may be multiplexed or configurable and used for full duplex communication. This may be accomplished using the circuitry in  FIGS. 6A  (two such circuits) or  6 D above, or other appropriate circuits. In still other embodiments of the present invention, the ability to rotate the connector insert may be sacrificed. This may allow the two fiber-optic pins to be dedicated to receive and transmit functions, thereby permitting full-duplex communication. This may be accomplished using the circuitry of  FIG. 6B , or other similar circuitry. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, such as  FIG. 17A , four fiber-optic pins may be placed in both raised guide  1750  and recess  1790 , or elsewhere, as in  FIGS. 5C and 5D . In each connector, two transmit pins may connect to a split fiber-optic line. Similarly, two receive pins may connect to a split fiber-optic line. For example, the circuitry in  FIG. 6C , or other appropriate circuitry, may be used. This redundancy may allow transmit and receive paths to be formed regardless of the orientation of insertion of connector insert into connector receptacle. This may allow full-duplex communication without the need for multiplexers. In other embodiments of the present invention, the four fiber-optic paths may be multiplexed or configurable to be either transmit or receive paths. This may allow multiple data paths in either or both directions. This may be accomplished using the circuitry of  FIGS. 6A  (four such circuits) or  6 D (two such circuits), or other appropriate circuitry. 
     Again, in  FIG. 17A , four fiber-optic pins are included. These four pins may be dedicated transmit and receive pins as shown. The two receive pins may be connected to a single fiber-optic line that is split. Similarly, the two transmit pins may be connected to a single fiber-optic line that is split. Again, this redundancy may allow transmit and receive paths to be connected regardless of the orientation of insertion of connector insert  1710  into connector receptacle  1760 . Again, in other embodiments of the present invention, the four fiber-optic paths may be configurable to be either transmit or receive paths. This may allow multiple data paths in either or both directions. 
     Again, in other embodiments of the present invention, other numbers of fiber-optic pins, such as two pins, may be used. Also, these fiber-optic pins may be located in different positions on raised guide  1750  and recess  1790 . Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 17B  illustrates front views of a connector insert and connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector insert  1710  in this example may include two fiber-optic pins  1730 . In this example, one fiber-optic pin may be used for transmitting and a second may be used for receiving. Again, such a configuration may allow full-duplex communication without the need to multiplex signals. Unfortunately, in this configuration, the connector insert  1710  can only be placed in the connector receptacle  1760  in one orientation. If the connector insert  1710  is inserted into the connector receptacle  1760  in an opposing position, the fiber-optic transmit channel of the connector insert  1710  would be in communication with the transmit channel of the connector receptacle  1760 . Accordingly, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, transmit and receive paths may be multiplexed, that is, they can be reversed if an upside down insertion is detected. The multiplexing can take place in either the connector insert  1710  or the connector receptacle  1760 . This multiplexing may be performed optically or electrically. Again, to enable upside down insertions and full-duplex communication without the need to multiplex transmit and receive pins, an embodiment of the present invention may employ four fiber-optic pins, as shown above. 
     In this example, the two fiber-optic pins are shown in opposing corners of the connectors. These may be located in different positions. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 17C  illustrates front views of a connector insert and connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, fiber-optic pins  1730  and  1780  are located on the connector&#39;s major line of symmetry “A.” 
       FIG. 17D  illustrates front views of a connector insert and connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, fiber-optic pins  1730  and  1780  are located on the connector&#39;s minor line of symmetry “B.” 
     The above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20140708
Publication Date: 20171017
Grant Date: 20171017
Priority Date: 20080930
Inventors: DIFONZO JOHN C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/6616", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3886", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/26", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3817", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6675", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6675", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6675", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6616", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/26", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3886", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3817", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3817", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3886", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6616", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 52132883