PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8904052-B2
Application Number: US-201113336033-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Combined input port

Abstract:
An input port for an electronic device for receiving different types of connectors, memory cards, or plugs. The input port includes an outer wall defining a receiving aperture, a substrate positioned within the receiving aperture. A first set of contacts is positioned on the substrate at a first depth into the receiving aperture and a second set of contacts is positioned on a first surface of the outer wall at a second depth into the receiving aperture. The first set of contacts is configured to communicate with a first connector and the second set of contacts is configured to communicate with a second connector.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An input port for an electronic device comprising:
 an outer wall defining a receiving aperture comprising:
 a first aperture portion having a first width; and 
 a second aperture portion having a second width, the first and second aperture portions adjacent one another; 
 
 a substrate positioned primarily within the first aperture portion and protruding from a back wall of the input port, the substrate separated from the outer wall by a fixed distance; 
 a first set of contacts positioned on the substrate at a first depth into the receiving aperture, the first set of contacts oriented to face an interior of the second aperture portion; and 
 a second set of contacts positioned on a first surface of the outer wall at a second depth into the second aperture portion, the second set of contacts oriented to face the interior of the second aperture portion and the first set of contacts; wherein 
 when a first connector is received around the substrate and within the first aperture portion at a first depth, the first set of contacts communicates with the first connector; and 
 when a second connector is received within the second aperture portion at a second depth, the second set of contacts communicates with the second connector. 
 
     
     
       2. The input port of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is a male universal serial bus connector and the second connector is a memory card. 
     
     
       3. The input port of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface is a bottom surface of the outer wall. 
     
     
       4. The input port of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall further comprises:
 a bottom wall; and 
 a top wall substantially parallel to the bottom wall and having a length shorter than a length of the bottom wall. 
 
     
     
       5. The input port of  claim 4 , wherein the substrate has a length substantially equal to the length of the top wall and the substrate is positioned beneath and substantially parallel to the top wall. 
     
     
       6. The input port of  claim 5 , wherein the first set of contacts is positioned on a bottom surface of the substrate facing away from the top wall. 
     
     
       7. The input port of  claim 4 , wherein a shoulder is positioned between the top wall and the bottom wall. 
     
     
       8. The input port of  claim 7 , wherein the first surface is an inner surface of the shoulder. 
     
     
       9. The input port of  claim 1 , wherein the first depth is shorter than the second depth. 
     
     
       10. An electronic device comprising:
 an enclosure; and 
 an input receptacle defined within the enclosure comprising:
 a substrate; 
 a bottom wall; 
 a top wall operably connected to the bottom wall; 
 a receiving aperture defined by the bottom wall and a first surface of the substrate, the receiving aperture comprising:
 a first aperture portion having a first width; and 
 a second aperture portion having a second width, the first and second aperture portions adjacent one another; 
 
 a first electrical contact extending from first surface of the substrate, oriented to face an interior of the first aperture portion; and 
 a second electrical contact extending from an inner surface of the bottom wall, oriented to face the interior of the second aperture portion and the first set of contacts; wherein 
 
 the first electrical contact is configured to transfer data and/or power to another device of a first device type received within the input receptacle; and 
 the second electrical contact is configured to transfer data and/or power to another device of a second device type received within the input receptacle. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein
 the first electrical contact is positioned at a first depth with respect to a front end of the input port; and 
 the second electrical contact is positioned at a second depth with respect to the front end of the input port; and 
 the first depth is shorter than the second depth. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the first electrical contact is configured to communicate with a universal serial bus connector or a micro universal serial bus connector. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the second electrical contact is configured to communicate with a memory card. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the substrate is positioned between the bottom wall and the top wall. 
     
     
       15. The input port of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall is integrally formed. 
     
     
       16. The input port of  claim 1 , further comprising a back wall integrally formed with the outer wall and defining a back end of the input port, wherein the substrate extends from the back wall. 
     
     
       17. The input port of  claim 16 , wherein the substrate has a length that is shorter than a length of the receiving aperture. 
     
     
       18. The input port of  claim 16 , wherein the substrate terminates prior to reaching one or more sidewalls of the outer wall. 
     
     
       19. The input port of  claim 16 , wherein the sidewall is anchored on a single end. 
     
     
       20. The input port of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving aperture is T-shaped.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, and more specifically to input ports for electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Computers and other electronic devices typically include one more input ports. The input ports receive a connector, examples of which are Universal Serial Bus (USB), mini-USB, high definition multi-media interface (HDMI), and an audio connector (e.g., tip ring sleeve). Each type of connector may require a separate input port, as the connectors may have different plug dimensions and/or electrical pin arrangements. To accommodate the different connectors, many electronic devices may include multiple different input ports spaced around an enclosure of the device. Additionally, some electronic devices may further include input ports to receive memory cards or other insertable connectors. These connectors or cards may also require separate ports to connect to the electronic devices. 
     Each of the various ports may require separate port around an enclosure for the electronic devices. The additional space may either require the electronic devices to be larger, or may cause the electronic device to only have one or two input ports, thus loosing additional connectivity. 
     SUMMARY 
     Examples of embodiments described herein may take the form of an input port for an electronic device for receiving different types of connectors, memory cards, plugs and the like. The input port includes an outer wall defining a receiving aperture, a substrate positioned within the receiving aperture. A first set of contacts is positioned on the substrate at a first depth into the receiving aperture and a second set of contacts is positioned on a first surface of the outer wall at a second depth into the receiving aperture. The first set of contacts is configured to communicate with a first connector and the second set of contacts is configured to communicate with a second connector. 
     Still other embodiments may take the form of an electronic device having an enclosure and an input receptacle defined within the enclosure. The input receptacle includes a substrate, a bottom wall, and a top wall operably connected to the bottom wall. Also, the input port includes a first electrical contact extending from a first surface of the substrate and a second electrical contact extending from an inner surface of the bottom wall. The first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are configured to transfer data and/or power to another device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an electronic device including an input port. 
         FIG. 1B  is an enlarged perspective view of the input port. 
         FIG. 2A  is a top perspective view of a USB plug configured to be received within the input port. 
         FIG. 2B  is a bottom perspective view of the USB plug. 
         FIG. 2C  is a front plan view of the USB plug. 
         FIG. 3A  is a top perspective view of a memory card configured to be received within the input port. 
         FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of the memory card. 
         FIG. 3C  is a bottom plan view of the memory card. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the input port removed from the electronic device. 
         FIG. 4B  is a front elevation view of the input port. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the input port with a top surface and an intermediate surface removed to clearly illustrate certain features. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the USB plug positioned over the memory card illustrating the varying contact positions of the USB plug and the memory card. 
         FIG. 7  is a simplified cross-section view of the input port taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the input port. 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of the input port. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of a fourth embodiment of the input port. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-section view of the input port of  FIG. 4A  with the USB plug received therein. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of the input port of  FIG. 4A  with the memory card received therein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments described herein may take the form of an input port or receptacle capable of receiving multiple types of plugs or connectors. As used herein, the terms “plug”, “connector”, and “electronic card” may refer generally to devices that may be inserted into an input port to transfer data to a device associated with the input port. Thus, the terms connector, plug, or card are intended to cover a broad spectrum of insertable devices and connectors. For example, the input port may receive a USB plug as well as a non-volatile memory card, such as a secure digital (SD) card. In some embodiments, the input port may have electrical contacts located at different depths for the different connectors, e.g., a first set of contacts for the USB plug and a second set of contacts for the memory card. In this manner, the correct contacts may be aligned with the correct connector, even though both connectors may be inserted into the same port. 
     As the combined input port allows for multiple input contacts for various connectors to be contained in a single input port, the combined input port may provide connectivity to multiple connectors, while only requiring the space on the device for a single input port. Thus, the input port may provide space savings to various electronic devices, as the enclosures for the respective electronic devices may only need to accommodate a single input port, while still providing connectivity to different types of connectors. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an electronic device  102  including the combined input port  104 . The electronic device  102  as illustrated in  FIG. 1A  is a computer, although it should be appreciated that  FIG. 1  is meant to be an example only and other electronic devices are envisioned. For example, the electronic device  102  may be a digital music player, smart phone, tablet computer, digital audio receiver, television, portable gaming device, and so on. With continued reference to  FIG. 1A , the electronic device  102  may include an enclosure  106  surrounding select components of the device  102 , such as a hard drive, processor, system bus, or the like. The enclosure  106  may define apertures  108  for providing communication to and from the input port  104 , other ports, and/or switches or buttons. 
     The input port  104  may be aligned with the aperture  108  defined within the enclosure  106 . In this manner, the input port  104  may be able be substantially uncovered so as to receive various connectors and/or plugs. The aperture  108  may be configured so as to generally trace the outer perimeter of the input port  104  and thus as the outer shape of the input port  104  may vary, as discussed in more detail below, the perimeter of the aperture  108  may also vary. 
     Connectors and Plugs for the Input Port 
     Some connector examples for connecting to the input port  104  will now be discussed.  FIG. 2A  is a top view of a USB plug  110 .  FIG. 2B  is a bottom plan view of the USB plug  110 .  FIG. 2C  is a front elevation view of the USB plug  110 . The USB plug  110  may be inserted into the input port  104  to provide a communication pathway to transfer data and/or power between the electronic device  102  and another device. For example, the USB plug  110  may be connected to another electronic device (e.g., smartphone, digital music player, and so on), memory (e.g., flash memory), or the like. It should be noted that although  FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a USB plug  110 , other variations of the USB plug may also be received within the input port  104 . For example, the USB plug  110  may be a USB2 or USB3 plug. In these embodiments, the plug may have substantially the same mechanical dimensions, but the electrical contacts may be differently arranged, or the plug may include additional electrical contacts to those illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2C . 
     The USB plug  110  may include a case  112  surrounding a substrate or contact support member  120 . The contact support member  120  may be in contact, or nearly in contact, with the case  112  on three sides, such that a top surface of the contact support member  120  may be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the top of the case  112 . The case  112  defines connection apertures  116  on both the top and bottom of the case  112 . The connection apertures  116  may help secure the USB plug  110  into the receiving port  104 . For example, the connection apertures  116  may receive springs, detents, or the like in the receiving port  104  to secure the USB plug  110  to the receiving port  104 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2C , the contact support member  120  may include one or more plug contacts  118  spaced apart from each other. In one embodiment, there may be four plug contacts  118  spaced on the substrate. One contact  118  may transfer power, two contacts may transfer data, and one contact  118  may be a ground. The types of plug contacts  118  may vary depending on the device and/or data that may be transferred. As will be discussed in more detail below, the USB plug  110  may be received within the input port  104 , and the contact support member  120  may align within the port  104  so that the contacts  118  may be in contact with corresponding contacts within the port  104 . 
     A second example connector for receipt in the input port  104  will now be discussed.  FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a memory card  130 .  FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of the memory card  130 .  FIG. 3C  is a bottom plan view of the memory card  130 . The memory card  130  may be a connector and memory storage combined into a single device. For example, the memory card  130  may include memory for storing data, and may also function as the plug or connector of the input port  104 . Thus, the member card  130  may be inserted into the input port  104  in order to transfer data to and from the memory card  130  and the electronic device  102 . In some embodiments, the memory card  130  may be a SD card, flash memory card, memory stick, multimedia card, and so on. Furthermore, although the memory card  130  may be self contained (in that it contains data and a mechanism for communicating with the electronic device  102 ), the memory card  130  may also be in communication with a second device, e.g. through a cable or the like. 
     In one example, the memory card  130  may be a SD card, as illustrated in  FIG. 3A-3C . The memory card  130  may include a body  132 , alignment features  134 ,  140 , electrical contacts  142 , an input switch  138 , and a switch groove  136 . The body  132  may substantially surround a memory element, such as a flash memory and the electrical contacts  142  provide communication to the element from outside the body  132 . 
     In some embodiments, the electrical contacts  142  may be positioned on a back side  146  of the memory card  130 . However, in other embodiments, the electrical contacts  142  may be positioned on a front side  144  of the memory card  130 . The electrical contacts  142  may be configured to transfer electronic data to and from corresponding contacts within the input port  104 , as will be discussed in more detail below. 
     The alignment features  134 ,  140  may assist in aligning the memory card  130  within the input port  104  and/or securing the memory card  130  within the input port  104 . For example, a first alignment feature  140  may form an angled transition from a side of the memory card  130  to the top of the memory card  130 . In other words, rather than having a pointed corner, the first alignment feature  140  may create an angled corner. The second alignment feature  134  may be a notch formed within a side of the body  132 . The second alignment feature  134  may interact with one or more corresponding features within the input port  104  so that the memory card  130  is inserted into the correct depth and/or held in place. For example, the input port  104  may include a retaining feature such a detent or spring to interact with the alignment feature  134  to assist in securing the memory card  130  within the input port  104 . 
     The input switch  138  may travel along a length of the switch grove  136  in transitioning the memory card  130  from a first state to a second state. For example, when the input switch  138  is in a first position, the memory card  130  may allow memory within the memory card  130  to be in a “read and write” state. When the input switch in a second position along the switch groove  136 , the memory card  130  may allow the memory to in a “read only” state. Thus, data stored within the memory card  130  may be selectively prevented from being deleted or changed. It should be noted that other examples of the memory card  130  are envisioned, and  FIGS. 3A-3C  are for illustrative purposes only. 
     The Input Port 
     The input port  104  or receptacle will now be discussed in further detail.  FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the input port  104  removed from the enclosure  106 .  FIG. 4B  is a front elevation view of the input port  104 . The input port  104  is sized to accommodate both the USB plug  110  and the memory card  130 . Additionally, as described above, the input port  104  is accessible through the enclosure  106  so the USB plug  110  and the memory card  130  may be directly inserted into the input port  104 . The input port  104  has an outer wall  150  or case defining a receiving aperture  152  for receiving the USB plug  110  as well as the memory card  130 . However, it should be noted that the disclosure herein may apply to substantially any input port sized and/or configured to accept different types of connectors, plugs, or the like in different segments of the port interior. Thus, the discussion of any embodiment is not meant to be limiting, and the scope of the disclosure is meant to be determined by the claims. 
     The outer wall  150  forms the outer perimeter of the input port  104 , as well as defining the shape of the receiving aperture  152 . In one embodiment, the outer wall  152  may have a bottom wall  166 , a top wall  168  and two sides  170 ,  171 . The two sides  170 ,  171  interconnect the bottom wall  166  and the top wall  168 . The two sides  170 ,  171  may have a stepped transition from the bottom wall  166  to the top wall  168 , such that a shoulder  160 ,  161  may connect a first extension  172  to a second extension  158 . In one embodiment, the second extension  158  is positioned inward from an end of the bottom wall  166  by a distance equal to the length L 1  of the shoulder  160 ,  161 . In this embodiment, the top wall  168  may have a reduced length compared to the bottom wall  166  and the length of the top wall  168  may be shorter than the bottom wall  166  by an amount approximately equal to two times the length of the shoulder  160 . In some embodiments, the top wall  168  may also terminate at a shorter depth than a depth of the bottom surface  166 . An intermediate surface  181  may extend behind and at least partially below the top surface  168 . The intermediate surface  181  may be at least partially parallel with a portion of the bottom surface  166 . 
     Also, and with respect to the front view of  FIG. 4B , it should be noted that each of the shoulders  160 ,  161  may have the same length L 1 , or may have varying lengths from each other, see, e.g.,  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In some embodiments, the length L 1  of the shoulders determines the location of the top wall  168  with respect to the bottom wall  166 . For example, if both shoulders  160 ,  161  have the same length L 1 , the top wall  168  may be substantially centered over the bottom wall  166 . However, if the shoulders  160 ,  161  have different lengths, the top wall  168  may be offset with respect to the bottom wall  166 . 
     Still with reference to  FIG. 4B , in embodiments where the top wall  168  may have a reduced length as compared to the bottom wall  166 , the input port  104  may have a stepped transition from the bottom surface towards the top surface. Thus, the receiving aperture  152  may also decrease in dimension as it transitions from the bottom wall  166  towards the top wall  168 . In these embodiments, the receiving aperture  152  may be wider at the bottom of the input port  104  and be better configured to receive the memory card  130 . Similarly, the receiving aperture  152  may be shorter towards the top surface  158  and be better configured to receive the USB plug  110 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, the bottom wall  166  may have a width approximately equal to a width of the memory card  130  and the top wall  168  may have a width approximately equal to a width of the USB plug  110 . (As one example, see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ). However, depending on the different plugs or connectors configured to be received within the input port  104  these dimensions may vary. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the input port  104  further includes a port substrate  154  positioned within the receiving aperture  152 . The port substrate  154  may be surrounded on three sides, with a front surface of the port substrate  154  exposed within the receiving aperture  152 . The top wall  168  may surround a top of the port substrate  154  and the two second extension  158  may surround each of the sides of the port substrate  154 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, the substrate  154  may be supported within the receiving aperture  152  by a back wall forming a back end of the top wall  168 . For example, the port substrate  154  may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the back wall into the receiving aperture  152 . The port substrate  154  may be positioned so that may be a space  156  surrounding the inner surface of the outer wall  150  and the port substrate  154 . As will be discussed in more detail below, the space  156  may receive the case  112  of the USB plug  110 . 
     Substrate contacts  164  may be spaced on a bottom surface  174  of the port substrate  154 . The substrate contacts  164  may be in electrical communication with various components of the computing device  100 , such as a processor, system bus, memory, and so on. Further, the substrate contacts  164  are also configured to communicate between the electrical contacts  116  of the USB plug  110  and/or memory card  130 . It should be noted that the location and/or number of substrate contacts  164  may vary depending on the type of connectors to be received within the input port  104 . For example, if the USB plug  110  is a USB2 or USB3 plug, there may be set of substrate contacts  164  positioned on the substrate  154  farther from the back wall than the substrate contacts  164  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The port substrate  154  may also include retention members (not shown) positioned on the bottom surface  174  in order to interact with the features on the USB plug  110 . 
     The input port  104  also includes surface contacts  162  positioned on an inner surface of the bottom wall  166  and facing inwards towards the port substrate  154 . In some embodiments, the surface contacts  162  are configured to be in communication with the electrical contacts  142  on the memory card  130 . In these embodiments, the surface contacts  142  may be positioned so as to communicate between the components of the computing device  100  and the memory card  130 . For example, as described above with respect to the substrate contacts  164 , the surface contacts  162  may communicate with a processor, system bus, and so on of the computing device  100 . 
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the input port  104  with the top wall  168 , shoulders  160 ,  161 , and intermediate wall  181  removed for clarity. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the surface contacts  162  may be positioned deeper within the input port  104  than the substrate contacts  164 . For example, a front of the substrate contacts  164  may be positioned at a depth D 1  from a front end  176  of the input port  104 , and a front of the surface contacts  162  may be positioned at a depth D 2  from the front end  176 . The depth D 1  may be less than the depth D 2 , such that the surface contacts  162  maybe positioned towards or approximately at a back end  178  of the input port  104 . 
     The differing depths D 1 , D 2  of the surface contacts  162  compared to the substrate contacts  164  allows the surface contacts  162  to be aligned, but positioned deeper than the USB plug  110  contacts  118 A-C, when the USB plug  110  is inserted into the input port  104 . This may prevent the surface contacts  162  and the substrate contacts  164  from interfering with each other, as well as preventing the USB plug  110  contacts  118  and/or the memory card  130  contacts from mating with the incorrect set of contacts. The contacts  162 ,  164  may have different voltages, data transfer rates, or the like. Either sets of contacts  162 ,  164  may work with the appropriate input, and may potentially damage other inputs. Accordingly, by differing the position of the contacts  162 ,  164  the chance that the contacts  162 ,  164  may align with and/or communicate with the wrong type of input is reduced. 
     In some instances the memory card  130  may be wider than the USB plug  110 .  FIG. 6  is a top elevation view of the USB plug  110  positioned over the memory card  130 . As can been seen in  FIG. 6 , in some examples, the contacts  142  of the memory card  130  may be positioned deeper in the input port  104  than the USB plug  110 . For example, the memory card  130  and the USB plug  110  may be inserted into the port  104  and align with the front edge  176  as shown as dashed line  180  in  FIG. 6 . The USB plug  110  may align within the input port  104  so that its contact length C 1  may substantially overlay the substrate contacts  164 . Similarly, the memory card  130  may be positioned within the input port  104  so that its contact length C 2  may overlay the surface contacts  162 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the input port  104 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the varying depths of the contacts  162 ,  164 , allow the contacts to be spaced apart from each other within the receiving aperture  152 , and as described above, allow for the contacts on the USB plug  110  and the memory card  130 , which may have different characteristics, to be positioned in different locations of the input port  104 . 
     As briefly described above, in some embodiments, the shoulders  160 ,  161  of the outer wall  150  may have different lengths from each other.  FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the input port  104  with the shoulders  160 ,  161  having different lengths. The first shoulder  160  may have a length L 2  whereas the second shoulder  161  may have a length L 3 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the length L 1  may be shorter than the length L 2 , such that the substrate  154  may be positioned closer to a first edge  184  of the input port  104  than a second edge  186 . In other words, the substrate  154  and/or the top wall  168  may be positioned off-center with respect to the bottom wall  166 . 
     In other embodiments, the first shoulder  160  may be eliminated, such that the first edge  184  of the input port  104  may be substantially vertical.  FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of the input port  104  where the first edge  184  is substantially vertical. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the first edge  184  transitions from the bottom wall  166  to the top wall  168  in a substantially straight manner, such that the first edge  184  may be perpendicular to both the top wall  168  and the bottom wall  166 . In this embodiment, the second shoulder  161  may have a length L 4 , which may be longer than the shoulder lengths in the other embodiments. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the contacts  162 ,  164  may be positioned in other locations within the input port  104 .  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the input port  104 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the surface contacts  164  may be positioned on an inner surface  188  of the second shoulder  161 . In this embodiment, the surface contacts  164  may be positioned at the same depth D 2  as in  FIG. 4B  but on an opposite surface. Accordingly, the memory card  130  may be inserted into the receiving aperture  152  at substantially the same depth, but may be inserted in the opposite manner as it may be inserted in  FIG. 4B . This is because the surface contacts  162  may not be above the bottom wall  166  and therefore the electrical contacts  142  on the memory card  130  may need to be in contact with the surface contacts  162 . 
     Insertion of the USB plug  110  and the memory card  130  into the input port  104  will now be discussed in more detail.  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the input port  104  with the USB plug  110  received therein. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the USB plug  110  may be inserted so that substantially the entire case  112  may be received within the input port  104 . As the USB plug  110  is inserted, the case  112  may be positioned on both sides of the substrate  154 , so that the case  112  is adjacent to an inner surface of the top wall  168  and is positioned within a middle portion of the receiving aperture  152 . The contact support member  120  of the USB plug  110  may be aligned with the substrate  154  of the input port  104 , and the substrate contacts  164  may be in contact with the contacts  118  of the USB plug  110 . In this manner, the contacts  118 ,  164  may transfer data and/or power between an external device connected to the USB plug  110  and the computing device  100 . 
     The memory card  130  may also be inserted into the receiving aperture  152 , but may align differently than the USB plug  110 .  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the input port  104  with the memory card  130  received therein. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the memory card  130  may be inserted so as to extend substantially the entire depth of the input port  104 . The port substrate  154  and the shoulders  160 ,  161  may form an upper edge to securing guide and/or retain the memory card  130  within the input port  104 . The memory card  130  may be received beneath the substrate  154 , and as the body  132  of the memory card  130  is rather thin as compared with the USB plug  110 , it may not substantially contact the substrate contacts  164  when positioned within the receiving aperture  152 . As the memory card  130  is inserted, the electrical contacts  142  on the memory card  130  may be in contact with the surface contacts  162  on the bottom wall  166 . The memory card  130  may be substantially adjacent with the shoulder  161  and a back side of the input port  104  when its received therein. Also, although not shown in  FIG. 12 , the input port  104  may include one more detents or retraining features to interact with the alignment feature  134  to secure the memory card  130  within the input port  104 . 
     CONCLUSION 
     The foregoing description has broad application. For example, while examples disclosed herein may focus on an input port for receiving a USB plug and a SD card, it should be appreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may equally apply to connectors and plugs. Similarly, although the input port may be discussed with respect to a computer, the devices and techniques disclosed herein are equally applicable to any type of device including an external connector for transferring data and/or power. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be an example and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these examples.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20111223
Publication Date: 20141202
Grant Date: 20141202
Priority Date: 20111223
Inventors: JANG CHANGSOO
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R2201/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 48655693