PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8878484-B2
Application Number: US-201213730667-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Methods, systems and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry

Abstract:
Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An accessory comprising:
 a power pin operable to provide a voltage to a host device; 
 a data pin operable to receive an instruction from the host device; and 
 power limiting circuitry configured to implement: 
 a bypass mode of operation in which current and voltage may pass through the power limiting circuitry from a power source to the power pin substantially unaltered, and 
 a power limiting mode of operation in which an impedance of the power limiting circuitry is increased compared to when operating in the bypass mode of operation so as to reduce a first voltage received from the power source to a second voltage provided at the power pin; 
 wherein the power limiting circuitry switches from the bypass mode of operation to the power limiting mode of operation in response to receiving an instruction comprising a plurality of bits from the host device over the data pin. 
 
     
     
       2. The accessory of  claim 1  wherein the power limiting circuitry includes identification circuitry and impedance altering circuitry, the impedance altering circuitry being arranged between the power source and the power pin and being configured to operate in the bypass mode of operation and the power limiting mode of operation, the identification circuitry being coupled to the impedance altering circuitry and the data pin. 
     
     
       3. The accessory of  claim 2  wherein the identification circuitry is operable to instruct the impedance altering circuitry to operate in the power limiting mode of operation so as to disable a power path between the power source and the host device via the power pin in response to receiving power from the host device over the data pin. 
     
     
       4. The accessory of  claim 3  wherein the identification circuitry is further operable to:
 read a request for an accessory identifier received from the host device over the data pin while the power limiting circuitry is in the power limiting mode of operation; 
 determine whether the request for the accessory identifier is valid; and 
 instruct the impedance altering circuitry to switch its mode of operation from the power limiting mode of operation to the bypass mode of operation so as to enable the power path between the power source and the host device via the data pin in response to determining that the request for the accessory identifier is valid. 
 
     
     
       5. The accessory of  claim 2  wherein the identification circuitry is operable to:
 receive an instruction from the host device over the data pin; 
 determine whether the instruction is an instruction to alter an impedance of a power path between the power source and the host device; and 
 cause the impedance altering circuitry to operate in one of the bypass mode of operation or the power limiting mode of operation so as to alter the impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device via the power pin in response to determining that the instruction is an instruction to alter the impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device. 
 
     
     
       6. The accessory of  claim 1  wherein the power limiting circuitry operates in the bypass mode of operation in response to the accessory establishing a physical connection with the host device. 
     
     
       7. The accessory of  claim 6  wherein the power limiting circuitry operates in the bypass mode of operation until receiving a voltage from the host device over the data pin, and the power limiting circuitry switches its mode of operation from the bypass mode of operation to the power limiting mode of operation in response to receiving a positive voltage from the host device over the data pin. 
     
     
       8. The accessory of  claim 1  wherein the power limiting circuitry, when in the power limiting mode of operation, has a voltage/current characteristic such that the power limiting circuitry outputs a positive voltage an amount of current passing through the power limiting circuitry is less than a threshold amount of current and outputs approximately zero voltage when the amount of current passing through the power limiting circuitry meets or exceeds the threshold amount of current. 
     
     
       9. The accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first row of pins arranged laterally with respect to one another, wherein the first row of pins includes: 
 a first identification bus pin; 
 a first pair of data communication pins arranged beside the first identification bus pin; 
 a first electronic device power pin arranged beside the first pair of data pins; 
 a second identification bus pin arranged beside the first electronic device power pin; 
 a second pair of data communication pins arranged beside the second identification bus pin; and 
 a first electronic device ground pin arranged beside the second pair of data pins. 
 
     
     
       10. The accessory of  claim 9 , wherein the first electronic device power pin corresponds to the power pin operable to provide a voltage to a host device, is coupled to the power source, and is operable to provide a voltage from the power source to the host device. 
     
     
       11. The accessory of  claim 10 , wherein the first identification bus pin corresponds to the data pin operable to receive an instruction from the host device, the power limiting circuitry includes identification circuitry and impedance altering circuitry, the impedance altering circuitry is arranged between the power source and the first electronic device power pin and is configured to operate in the bypass mode of operation and the power limiting mode of operation, and the identification circuitry is coupled to the impedance altering circuitry and the first identification bus pin. 
     
     
       12. The accessory of  claim 11 , wherein the identification circuitry is operable to receive a request for an accessory identifier from the host device over the first identification bus pin while the impedance altering circuitry is in the power limiting mode of operation, determine whether the request for an accessory identifier is valid, and in response to determining that the request for an accessory identifier is valid, communicate an accessory identifier to the host device over the first identification bus pin and instruct the impedance altering circuitry to switch its mode of operation from the power limiting mode of operation to the bypass mode of operation so as to reduce a first voltage received from the power source to a second voltage provided at the first electronic device power pin in response to determining that the request for the accessory identifier received from the host device over the first identification bus pin while the impedance altering circuitry is in the power limiting mode of operation is valid. 
     
     
       13. The accessory of  claim 11 , wherein the identification circuitry is operable to receive an instruction from the host device over the first identification bus pin, determine whether the instruction is an instruction to alter an impedance of a power path between the power source and the host device, and cause the impedance altering circuitry to operate in one of the bypass mode of operation or the power limiting mode of operation so as to alter the impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device via the first electronic device power pin in response to determining that the instruction is an instruction to alter the impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device. 
     
     
       14. The accessory of  claim 11 , further comprising a power supply operable to receive power from the host device over the first identification bus pin simultaneously with receiving an instruction from the host device over the first identification bus pin. 
     
     
       15. The accessory of  claim 9 , further comprising communication circuitry operable to communicate with the host device over the first pair of data communication pins and/or the second pair of data communication pins, the communication circuitry being operable to communicate using a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of: universal serial bus (USB), universal asynchronous reception/transmission (UART), and joint test action group (JTAG). 
     
     
       16. The accessory of  claim 9 , further comprising a second row of pins arranged laterally with respect to one another and opposite the first row of pins, the second row of pins including:
 a second electronic device ground pin arranged opposite the first identification bus pin; 
 a third pair of data communication pins arranged opposite the first pair of data pins; 
 a third identification bus pin arranged opposite the first electronic device power pin; 
 a second electronic device power pin arranged opposite the second identification bus pin; 
 a fourth pair of data communication pins arranged opposite the second pair of data pins; and 
 a fourth identification bus pin arranged opposite the first electronic device ground pin. 
 
     
     
       17. The accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the first row of pins and the second row of pins are electronically coupled to one another, wherein the electronic coupling includes the first pair of data communication pins being electrically coupled to the third pair of data communication pins, and the second pair of data communication pins being electrically coupled to the fourth pair of data communication pins. 
     
     
       18. The accessory of  claim 16 , wherein the first identification bus pin corresponds to the data pin operable to receive an instruction from the host device, the third identification bus pin is coupled to the first identification bus pin such that the third identification bus pin is also operable to receive the instruction from the host device, the power limiting circuitry includes identification circuitry and impedance altering circuitry, the impedance altering circuitry is arranged between the power source and each of the first electronic device power pin and the second electronic device power pin and is configured to operate in the bypass mode of operation and the power limiting mode of operation, and the identification circuitry is coupled to the impedance altering circuitry and each of the first identification bus pin and the third identification bus pin. 
     
     
       19. The accessory of  claim 18 , wherein the identification circuitry is operable to receive an instruction from the host device over the first identification bus pin and the third identification bus pin, determine whether the instruction is an instruction to alter an impedance of a power path between the power source and the host device, and cause the impedance altering circuitry to operate in one of the bypass mode of operation or the power limiting mode of operation so as to alter the impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device via the first electronic device power pin and the second electronic device power pin in response to determining that the instruction is an instruction to alter the impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device. 
     
     
       20. The accessory of  claim 1 , wherein in the power limiting mode of operation, the impedance of the power limiting circuitry is increased only when an amount of current passing through the power limiting circuitry exceeds a threshold amount of current. 
     
     
       21. The accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising circuitry operable to determine whether the accessory is mated with the host device, wherein the power limiting circuitry is configured to operate in the bypass mode of operation when it is determined that the accessory is initially mated with the host device. 
     
     
       22. The accessory of  claim 21 , wherein the power limiting circuitry is configured to determine whether power is received from the host device via the data pin, and is configured to operate in the power limiting mode of operation when it is determined that power is received from the host device via the data pin.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/607,473 filed on Sep. 7, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/635,652, filed Apr. 19, 2012, and entitled “METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER AN ACCESSORY INCLUDES PARTICULAR CIRCUITRY,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
     This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/690,955, filed Sep. 7, 2012, and entitled “METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING AN ACCESSORY FOR USE WITH A HOST DEVICE,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to host devices and accessories. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to techniques for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry as well as techniques that enable a power path between a power source and a host device. 
     Cables are one type of accessory that are often used to connect a host device, such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a mobile computer, etc. to a power source. The cable may then operate to transfer power from the power source to the host device so as to charge the host device, provide operating power to the host device, and the like. Other types of accessories, such as docking stations, similarly operate to transfer power from a power source to the host device by way of connecting the host device to the accessory. This may be done, for example, by connecting a connector of the host device to a connector of the accessory. 
     As a result of their power transferring functionality, such cables and other accessories inherently provide a risk of injury to users by, for example, electric shock. Such risks may increase due to particular connector designs (e.g., where the cable or other accessories have a connector with exposed leads for connecting to the host device), due to increased voltages and currents which may be desired to, e.g., increase a charging speed of the host device, and/or due to sub-par quality of manufacturing of the accessories. Such cables and accessories may similarly provide a risk of damage to devices connected thereto. In many instances, these risks also exist due to cables or other accessories maintaining a voltage potential even after being disconnected from the host device. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide systems, methods, and apparatus that reduce the likelihood of electrical shock resulting from use of such accessories. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to host devices and accessories and methods of operating host devices and accessories. In particular some embodiments of the present invention are directed to determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry, such as power limiting circuitry, and operating a host device based on whether the accessory includes the particular circuitry. Some embodiments are also directed to establishing power paths between power sources and host devices. 
     In accordance with some of the methods described herein, a host device may be operable to determine whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. This may be done by measuring, at a host device coupled to an accessory, a first voltage received from the accessory via a power pin provided in the host device. The host device may then send an instruction to the accessory to alter an impedance, at the accessory, of a power path between a power source and the host device, and then measure a second voltage received from the accessory via the power pin provided in the host device. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage. 
     In accordance with other embodiments for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry, a method includes measuring, at a host device coupled to an accessory, a first voltage received from the accessory via a power pin provided in the host device. The host device may then sink current from a power source via the accessory, and measure a second voltage received from the accessory via the power pin provided in the host device. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage. 
     In addition to the methods of operating host devices and appliances described herein, embodiments are also directed to host devices. Host devices according to various embodiments may include a number of elements, such as power pins, data pins, and control circuitry. For example, a power pin may be operable to receive a voltage from an accessory. A data pin may be operable to communicate various instructions to the accessory. The control circuitry may be operable to perform a variety of functions, such as measuring voltages received via the power pin, sending instructions to the accessory via the data pin instructing the accessory to alter an impedance, at the accessory, of a power path between a power source and the host device, and sinking current from the power source via the accessory. The control circuitry may also be operable to determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the measured voltages. 
     In addition to the embodiments directed to various methods and to host devices, embodiments are also directed to accessories. Accessories according to various embodiments may include a number of elements, such as power pins, data pins, and power limiting circuitry. The power pin may be operable to provide a voltage to a host device. The data pin may be operable to receive various instructions communicated from the host device. The power limiting circuitry may be operable to alter an impedance of a power path between a power source and the host device in response to receiving an instruction from the host device, and reduce the voltage provided to the host device from the power source when a threshold amount of current is drawn through the power limiting circuitry. 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of embodiments of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings. Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and detailed description that follows. However, the scope of the invention will be fully apparent from the recitations of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of a system for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic of power limiting circuitry according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic of impedance altering circuitry according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a graph illustrating a voltage/current characteristic of power limiting circuitry operating in a bypass mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a graph illustrating a voltage/current characteristic of power limiting circuitry operating in a power limiting mode according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a graph illustrating a voltage/current characteristic of power limiting circuitry operating in a power limiting mode according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic of control circuitry in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic of power control circuitry in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a flowchart of a process for operating a host device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is a flowchart of a process for a host device to establish a connection with an accessory according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8C  is a flowchart of a process for a host device to establish a connection with an accessory according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8D  is a flowchart of a process for determining whether an accessory includes power limiting circuitry according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A  is a flowchart of a process for operating an accessory according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a flowchart of a process for an accessory to establish a connection with a host device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9C  is a flowchart of a process for an accessory to respond to instructions provided by a host device according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a system for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates a system for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11A  illustrates a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a simplified, cross-sectional view of the plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional view of the plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11D  is a cross-sectional schematic view of a single-sided plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11E  is a pin-out of a plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11F  is a pin-out of a plug connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates a receptacle connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a receptacle connector having sixteen signal contacts and four connection detection contacts according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12D  is a cross-sectional view of a receptacle connector having eight signal contacts and two connection detection contacts according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 12E and 12F  are diagrams illustrating a pinout arrangement of a receptacle connector according to two different embodiments of the invention configured to mate with plug connectors  700  and  701 , respectively, as shown in  FIGS. 11E and 11F . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 12F . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only as embodiments of the invention extend beyond these limited embodiments. 
     Systems, apparatus, and methods described herein are generally related to controlling host devices and accessories, and in some cases determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry such as power limiting circuitry. 
     “Accessory” should be broadly construed to include any one or more of a variety of electronic components, such as a cable, a docking station, an alarm clock, a radio, a speaker set, a charging station, etc. In general, an accessory can be any device that is operable to be used with a host device. In some embodiments, the accessory may include hardware and/or software operable to influence a power path between the host device (e.g., an iPhone™) and a power source. In some cases, the power source may be included in the accessory (e.g., when the accessory is a charging station), and in other cases the power source may be external to the accessory (e.g., when the accessory is a cable). Accordingly, the accessory may actively provide power or passively transfer power supplied from an external power source. 
     In some embodiments, a host device may determine whether an accessory includes particular circuitry such as power limiting circuitry and then perform various operations based on the result of such a determination. For example, the host device may refuse to charge via the accessory if the accessory does not include power limiting circuitry. In such cases, the use of accessories which may increase risks of harm to users and damage to host devices may advantageously be reduced. 
     Whether an accessory includes particular circuitry may be determined using any one or more of the techniques disclosed herein. In general, methods for determining whether the accessory includes particular circuitry may be based on the host device selectively measuring an electrical characteristic, such as an impedance, of the accessory. In one particular embodiment, this characteristic may be measured by first measuring a property of the accessory, then sending an instruction to the accessory for the accessory to change one or more of its properties (e.g., increase its impedance), and then measuring the property of the accessory once again to see whether the accessory understood the instruction and includes the proper circuitry for changing its properties. In some embodiments, the host device may include a current sink to force a certain current to be drawn through the accessory, whereby the host device may then determine whether the accessory includes the particular circuitry as the current sink will place the accessory into a known state (if it includes the particular circuitry). 
     Once it is determined whether an accessory includes the particular circuitry, the host device may perform additional operations. In some embodiments, power consumption by the host device from the power source may be controlled based on this determination. For example, if it is determined that the accessory includes power limiting circuitry having certain characteristics, the host device may receive power from the power source via the accessory, perhaps for operating internal circuitry of the host device and/or charging an internal battery of the host device. On the other hand, if it is determined that the accessory does not include the power limiting circuitry, the host device may refuse to receive power from the power source via the accessory. In this fashion, the host device may only charge and/or operate with accessories determined to include power limiting circuitry so as to advantageously reduce the likelihood of consumer use of accessories that may not satisfy desired specifications. 
     Also described herein are techniques for establishing a connection between a host device and an accessory. Such techniques may be used to, for example, facilitate communication between the host device and the accessory and/or establish a power path between a power source and the host device via the accessory. In one embodiment, the host device may send requests for an accessory identifier on a first data pin of the host device and if a valid accessory identifier is not received in response thereto the host device may try sending such requests again on a second data pin different from the first data pin. On the other hand, if a valid accessory identifier is received, the host device may begin to receive power from a power source via the accessory. In some cases, while the host device may begin to receive power after receiving a valid accessory identifier, the host device may then either continue or discontinue receiving such power after determining whether the accessory includes power limiting circuitry. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  is a schematic of a system  100  for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, system  100  includes a host device  110 , an accessory  120 , and a power source  130 . 
     Host device  110  may be any suitable electronic device that is operable to perform the functionality discussed herein, and may include one or more hardware and or software components operable to perform such functionality. For example, host device  110  may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld or portable device (e.g., iPhone™, Blackberry™, etc.), a notebook, a personal computer, a note pad, a tablet computer, a media player (e.g., a music player or video player), a camera, a game player, a laptop computer, a netbook, a booklet, or other electronic device configured for wired or wireless communication. 
     Host device  110  includes control circuitry  111  and a connector  112 , where control circuitry  111  is electrically coupled to connector  112  and operable to perform some or all of the operations discussed herein with reference to host device  110 . Host device  110  may include additional components (not shown), such as a tangible computer-readable storage medium, power source (e.g., a battery), etc., such that host device  110  may be operable to perform one or more of the functions discussed herein either in hardware and/or via instructions stored on the storage medium executed by control circuitry  111 . Connector  112  includes one or more pins electrically coupled to control circuitry  111 , such as a power pin  113 , a data pin  114 , and one or more additional data pins  115 . In some embodiments, power pin  113  may be electrically and/or mechanically coupled to control circuitry  111  so as to communicate a voltage or other power to control circuitry  111  provided by accessory  120 . Data pin  114  may also be electrically and/or mechanically coupled to control circuitry  111  so as to facilitate data communication between control circuitry  111  and accessory  120 . The one or more additional data pins  115  may also be electrically and/or mechanically coupled to control circuitry  111  so as to facilitate data communication between control circuitry  111  and accessory  120 . In some embodiments, data pin  114  may be arranged to couple to power limiting circuitry  121  of accessory  120 , while the one or more additional data pins  115  may be arranged to also couple to power limiting circuitry  121  or different circuitry of accessory  120 . 
     Accessory  120  may be any suitable electronic device that is operable to perform the functionality discussed herein, and may include one or more hardware and or software components operable to perform such functionality. For example, accessory  120  may be a cable, an alarm clock, a radio, a speaker set, a docking station, an input device such as a keyboard, a musical instrument such as a digital piano, a battery, a charging station, an image/video projection unit, or other device operable to source power to the host device or transfer power to the host device provided by a power source external to the accessory. 
     Accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121  and a connector  122 . Accessory  120  may include additional components (not shown), such as a tangible computer-readable storage medium, power source, etc., such that accessory  120  may be operable to perform one or more of the functions discussed herein either in hardware and/or via instructions stored on the storage medium executed by a processor. Connector  122  includes one or more pins electrically coupled to power limiting circuitry  121 , such as a power pin  123  and a data pin  124 . In some embodiments, power pin  123  may be electrically and/or mechanically coupled to power limiting circuitry  121  so as to communicate a voltage or other power from power limiting circuitry  121  to power pin  113  upon engagement of connector  122  with connector  112 . Data pin  124  may also be electrically and/or mechanically coupled to power limiting circuitry  121  so as to establish data communication between power limiting circuitry  121  of accessory  120  and control circuitry  111  of host device  110  upon engagement of connector  122  with connector  112 . 
     Power source  130  may be any type of device operable to source power, voltage, and/or current, such as a battery, an AC/DC converter, an AC electrical outlet, a power supply, etc. Power source  130  may be internal or external to accessory  120 . In  FIG. 1 , power source  130  is depicted as being external to accessory  120 . In any case, power source  130  is provided such that power limiting circuitry  121  is disposed in a power path between power source  130  and host device  110 . For example, power limiting circuitry  121  may be electrically and/or mechanically disposed between power source  130  and power pin  123  of connector  122 . 
     Host device  110  and accessory  120  may be operable to perform a variety of functions as discussed herein. In one embodiment, host device  110  may be operable to establish a connection with accessory  120 , determine whether accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121 , and then based on the outcome of that determination perform various actions. For example, upon establishing a connection with accessory  120 , host device  110  may receive power from power source  130  via accessory  120 . Then, upon determining whether accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121 , host device  110  may decide to either continue receiving power from power source  130  or discontinue receiving power from power source  130 . In such a fashion, host device  110  may be controlled based on whether or not accessory  120  includes specific circuitry having specific properties. 
     To establish a connection with accessory  120 , in one particular embodiment, upon physically engaging host device  110  and accessory  120  by coupling connector  122  with connector  112 , control circuitry  111  may send a request for an accessory identifier to accessory  120  via data pin  114 . Control circuitry  111  may then monitor data pin  114  to determine whether a valid accessory identifier is received from accessory  120 . If not, control circuitry  111  may re-send the request. In some embodiments, the request may be re-sent on another data pin (such as one of additional data pins  115 ). For example, connector  112  and connector  122  may have multiple connection orientations whereby they may be physically connected with one another in more than one orientation. In some cases, in a first orientation data pin  114  may be in contact with data pin  124 . In a second orientation, data pin  114  may not be in contact with data pin  124 , but another data pin such as an additional data pin  115  may be in contact with data pin  124 . 
     At accessory  120 , power limiting circuitry  121  may monitor data pin  124  for power and/or requests. For example, in one embodiment, power may be communicated from host device  110  to accessory  120  via data pin  124 . This power may be used for accessory  120  to operate in the event accessory  120  cannot acquire operating power from other sources such as power source  130  or does not have an internal power source. If power is not received, then power limiting circuitry  121  may continue to monitor data pin  124 . However, if power is received, then power limiting circuitry  121  may disable a power path between power source  130  and host device  110 . In some cases, the power path may be disabled by default, and thus further disabling may be omitted. Once the power path is disabled, power limiting circuitry  121  may receive and read the request for an accessory identifier. If the request is valid, then power limiting circuitry  121  may send an accessory identifier to host device  110  via data pin  124 , and enable (or re-enable) the power path between power source  130  and host device  110 . Otherwise, power limiting circuitry  121  may continue to monitor data pin  124 . 
     Once a connection has been established between host device  110  and accessory  120 , the power path between power source  130  and host device  110  may be enabled. In some embodiments, this may allow host device  110  to acquire an operating charge, such as when the host device  110  does not have sufficient power to operate a main processor to execute software provided in the host device  110  (e.g., it has a dead battery). In other embodiments, host device  110  may have sufficient power to operate such software, in which case it may choose to continue operating using its own power or begin to operate using power supplied via the newly enabled power path. In any case, once host device  110  is provided with operating power, host device  110  may determine whether accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121 . To do this, control circuitry  111  may measure a first voltage received from accessory  120  via, for example, power pin  113 . This first voltage sets a baseline for comparison. Control circuitry  111  may then send an instruction to the accessory to alter its impedance (e.g., alter the impedance, at the accessory, of a power path between power source  130  and host device  110 ) and/or sink current from power source  130  via accessory  120 . The instruction may be sent via data pin  114 , while current may be sinked via power pin  113 . Once control circuitry  111  performs one or both of these functions, control circuitry  111  may then measure a second voltage received from accessory  120  via power pin  113 . The first voltage may then be compared with the second voltage to determine whether accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121 . If the first voltage is greater than or less than the second voltage, control circuitry  111  may determine that accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121 . Otherwise, control circuitry  111  may determine that accessory  120  does not include power limiting circuitry  121 . 
     If accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121 , accessory  120  may understand and respond to the instructions sent by control circuitry  111 . For example, power limiting circuitry  121  may receive an instruction, via data pin  124 , for accessory  120  to alter an impedance of the power path between power source  130  and host device  110 . In response to receiving this instruction, power limiting circuitry  121  may alter the power path impedance. 
     In some embodiments, power limiting circuitry  121  may comprise a number of different circuits operable to perform different functions. For example, turning to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  is a schematic of power limiting circuitry according to an embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with an embodiment, power limiting circuitry  121  includes both impedance altering circuitry  121   a  and identification circuitry  121   b . Impedance altering circuitry  121   a  may be disposed in the power path between power source  130  and host device  110 , whereas identification circuitry  121   b  may be disposed between impedance altering circuitry  121   a  and data pin  124 . 
     Identification circuitry  121   b , which may be implemented at least partially in hardware or software as a processor or other type of logic, may be operable to receive power and data from host device  110  via data pin  124  and respond to the received data. For example, identification circuitry  121   b  may have stored therein an accessory identifier, and may be operable to communicate the accessory identifier to host device  110  in response to receiving a request for the accessory identifier. Identification circuitry  121   b  may also be operable to send instructions to impedance altering circuitry  121   a  instructing impedance altering circuitry  121   a  to alter an impedance of the power path between power source  130  and host device  110 . 
     Impedance altering circuitry  121   a , which may be implemented at least partially in hardware or software as a processor or other type of logic, may be operable to alter an impedance of the power path between power source  130  and host device  110 . This may be in response to an instruction from identification circuitry  121   b  or, in some embodiments, in response to an instruction sent directly from host device  110 . There are various ways that impedance altering circuitry  121   a  may alter the impedance of the power path, as further described herein. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  is a schematic of impedance altering circuitry  121   a  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Impedance altering circuitry  121   a  according to this embodiment includes a resistive element  2  coupled in parallel with a switch  4  where both are arranged in a power path between points A and B. Resistive element  2  may provide any suitable resistance for measurably altering an impedance characteristic of power limiting circuitry  121   a . For example, resistive element  600  may have a resistance of 1 Ohm, 2 Ohm&#39;s, 3 Ohm&#39;s, 100 Ohm&#39;s, 200 Ohm&#39;s, 300 Ohm&#39;s, 1 kOhm, 2 kOhm&#39;s, 3 kOhm&#39;s, 1 MOhm, 2 MOhm&#39;s, 3 MOhm&#39;s, be in a range from 1 to 3 Ohm&#39;s, 100 Ohm&#39;s to 300 Ohm&#39;s, 1 kOhm to 3 kOhm, 1 MOhm to 3 MOhm&#39;s, or less than 1 Ohm or greater than 3 MOhm&#39;s. Resistive element  2  includes a first end  5  that may be coupled to power source  130 , and a second end  6  that may be coupled to power pin  123  of connector  122 , such that resistive element  2  is disposed in a power path between power source  130  and host device  110 . 
     Switch  4  may be any suitable switching element that allows current provided from power source  130  to selectively bypass resistive element  2 . For example, switch  4  may be a MOSFET, JFET, or other type of transistor or other semiconductor device operable to switch electronic signals and power. Switch  4  is coupled in parallel to resistive element  2  and includes a first terminal  7  (e.g., a source) coupled to first end  5  of resistive element  2 , a second terminal  8  (e.g., a drain) coupled to second end  6  of resistive element  2 , and a third terminal  9  (e.g., a gate) for controlling the operation of switch  4 . In some embodiments, first terminal  7  is coupled to power source  130 , second terminal  8  is coupled to power pin  123 , and third terminal  9  is coupled to data pin  124  of connector  122 . Switch  4 , when in an OFF state, has a resistance significantly higher than the resistance of resistive element  2 . When in an ON state, switch  4  has a resistance that is significantly lower than the resistance of resistive element  2 . 
     As mentioned, power limiting circuitry  121  (e.g., impedance altering circuitry  121   a ) may operate to alter an impedance of a power path between power source  130  and host device  110 . In some embodiments, power limiting circuitry  121  may operate in different modes, such as in a bypass mode and a power limiting mode. Such modes may be entered in response to instructions from host device  110  and, in some embodiments, power limiting circuitry  121  may operate in some modes (e.g., the power limiting mode) by default. Operating by default in power limiting mode may advantageously reduce user risk to exposed voltage potentials, such as when connector  122  of accessory  120  is not connected to connector  112  of host device  110 . 
     Turning briefly to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  is a graph illustrating a voltage/current characteristic  200  of power limiting circuitry  121  (e.g., impedance altering circuitry  121   a ) operating in a bypass mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. While operating in the bypass mode, impedance altering circuitry  121   a  may operate to allow current and voltage to pass through impedance altering circuitry  121   a  substantially unaltered. Accordingly, any current and voltage supplied to impedance altering circuitry  121   a  from power source  130  will similarly be supplied to host device  110 . For example, power source  130  may supply 5V to impedance altering circuitry  121   a . In the bypass mode, impedance altering circuitry  121   a  may provide the 5V to power pin  123  of connector  122 . In some embodiments, a perfect bypass may be not achieved, and thus impedance altering circuitry  121   a  may have a nominal affect on the power passing therethrough while in bypass mode such as causing a small voltage drop (e.g., a drop of 0.5V, 0.25V, or 0.1V, or in a range from 0.1V to 0.5V, or greater than 0.5V, or less than 0.1V), reduction in current, change in phase, etc. 
     In one embodiment, the bypass mode may result from switch  4  ( FIG. 3 ) being operated in an ON state. As a result of the relatively low resistance of switch  4  as compared to resistive element  2 , current provided from power source  130  may pass through impedance altering circuitry  121   a  substantially unaltered. Accordingly, a voltage at point A will be substantially similar to that supplied at point B even as an increased amount of current passes through impedance altering circuitry  121   a.    
     Power limiting circuitry  121  (e.g., impedance altering circuitry  121   a ) may also operate in a power limiting mode. Turning briefly to  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5A  is a graph illustrating a voltage/current characteristic  300  of power limiting circuitry  121  (e.g., impedance altering circuitry  121   a ) operating in a power limiting mode according to a first embodiment of the present invention. While in the power limiting mode of operation, impedance altering circuitry  121   a  may operate to limit an amount of power passed therethrough from power source  130  to host device  110 . For example, impedance altering circuitry  121   a  may limit the amount of voltage provided to host device  110  and, in some cases, impose greater limits on the amount of voltage provided to host device  110  in response to an increasing amount of current being drawn through current limiting circuitry  321 . 
     In one embodiment, this voltage/current characteristic of impedance altering circuitry  121   a  for the power limiting mode may be achieved by placing switch  4  ( FIG. 3 ) into an OFF state. As a result of the relatively high resistance of switch  4  as compared to resistive element  2 , current provided from power source  130  may pass through resistive element  2 . Since resistive element  2  has a resistance that is greater than a nominal amount such as 0 Ohms, a voltage at point A will decrease compared to that supplied at point B as an increased amount of current passes through impedance altering circuitry  121   a.    
     It should be recognized that a power limiting mode is not limited to the voltage/current characteristic discussed with reference to  FIG. 5A . For example,  FIG. 5B  is a graph illustrating a voltage/current characteristic  310  of power limiting circuitry  121  (e.g., impedance altering circuitry  121   a ) operating in a power limiting mode according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment, while operating in the power limiting mode, impedance altering circuitry  121   a  may operate to reduce a voltage provided by power source  130  if a certain amount of current is drawn through impedance altering circuitry  121   a . For example, the voltage may be reduced by a certain amount, such as 1V, 2V, or 3V, in a range from 1V to 3V, by an amount less than 1V or greater than 3V, or the voltage may be reduced to a certain voltage (e.g., 0V, −1V, +1V, −2V, +2V, etc.). In one embodiment and as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the voltage may be reduced to approximately 0V in the event that at least a threshold amount of current, I_threshold, is drawn through impedance altering circuitry  121   a.    
     Switching between the bypass and power limiting modes of operation may result in a predictable change in one or more electrical characteristics of accessory  120 . For example, where power limiting circuitry  121  is operable to switch between the bypass and power limiting modes of operation and at least an amount of current equal to or greater than I_threshold ( FIG. 5A  or  5 B) is drawn through power limiting circuitry  121 , host device  110  may operate to measure the changes in the electrical characteristics of accessory  120  as a result of the mode switching. In the event the changes in the electrical characteristics resulting from the mode switching satisfy some predetermined threshold, host device  110  may determine that accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121  and may thus determine whether accessory  120  includes particular circuitry. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, host device  110  may send an instruction to accessory  120  to change operation modes from a bypass mode of operation to a power limiting mode of operation and, if host device  110  detects that accessory  120  successfully changed modes as instructed, host device  110  may determine that accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121 . In another embodiment, host device  110  may force an amount of current to be drawn from power limiting circuitry  121  that is greater than or equal to I_threshold via, for example, a current sink located in host device  110 . If host device  110  detects that accessory  120  has some electrical characteristic associated with the drawn amount of current (e.g., 0 V), host device  110  may determine that accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121 . In yet another embodiment, host device  110  may both send an instruction to accessory  120  to change modes of operation and draw an amount of current from power limiting circuitry  121  that is greater than or equal to I_threshold. 
     Turning our attention now to host device  110 , control circuitry  111  may include a number of components operable to perform the functionality discussed herein with reference to host device  110 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic of control circuitry  111  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, control circuitry  111  includes a processor  10 , a current sink  12  (which may or may not be included in processor  10 ), a charge control switch  20 , power control circuitry  40 , and a battery  50 . Control charge control switch  20  to activate and deactivate charging of battery  50  or other internal circuitry from a power source  130  in response to commands from processor  10 , while power control circuitry  40  may operate to protect battery  50  or other internal circuitry from excess voltages passed through charge control switch  20 . 
     Processor  10  may be any suitable computer processor operable to perform the functions described herein, where processor  10  may be operable to perform various functions discussed with reference to control circuitry  111  such as measuring voltages, comparing voltages, sending instructions and receiving responses thereto, etc. Charge control switch  20  may be a MOSFET, JFET, or other type of transistor or other semiconductor device operable to switch electronic signals and power. Charge control switch  20  includes a first terminal  21  (e.g., a source) coupled to current sink  12  and power pin  113 , a second terminal  22  (e.g., a drain) coupled to power control circuitry  40 , and a third terminal  23  (e.g., a gate) coupled to processor  10 . Processor  10  may be operable to change a state of charge control switch  20  via third terminal  23 , such as by placing charge control switch  20  into an ON state or an OFF state. When in the ON state, charge control switch  20  may be operable to connect power control circuitry  40  to power pin  113  ( FIG. 1 ), and when in the OFF state, charge control switch  20  may be operable to disconnect power control circuitry  40  from power pin  113 . Accordingly, processor  10  may operate to activate or deactivate charging of battery  50  or other internal circuitry from power source  130  by enabling or disabling charge control switch  20 . In some embodiments, power control circuitry  40  may be operable to prevent excess voltage from power source  130  from being provided to battery  50  or other internal circuitry. 
     Turning briefly to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  is a schematic of power control circuitry  40  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Power control circuitry  40  includes an overvoltage protection switch  42  and a processor  44 . Overvoltage protection switch  42  may be a MOSFET, JFET, or other type of transistor or other semiconductor device operable to switch electronic signals and power. Overvoltage protection switch  42  includes a first terminal  42   a  (e.g., a source) coupled to second terminal  22  of charge control switch  20 , a second terminal  42   b  (e.g., a drain) coupled to other internal circuitry of host device  110  operable to store a charge provided via accessory  120  (e.g., battery  50 ), and a third terminal  42   c  (e.g., a gate) coupled to processor  44 . 
     Processor  44  may be operable to receive information indicating a voltage at first terminal  42   a  of overvoltage protection switch  42 . In some embodiments, processor  44  may include analog-to-digital functionality operable to convert an analog voltage read at first terminal  42   a  to a digital value. Processor  44  may also be coupled to third terminal  42   c  of overvoltage protection switch  42  and operable to change a state of overvoltage protection switch  42  via third terminal  42   c , such as by placing overvoltage protection switch  42  into an ON state or an OFF state. When in the ON state, overvoltage protection switch  42  may be operable to connect other circuitry that is internal to host device  110  (e.g., battery  50 ) to second terminal  22  of charge control switch  20 , and when in the OFF state, overvoltage protection switch  42  may be operable to disconnect the other internal circuitry from second terminal  22 . In operation, processor  44  may place overvoltage protection switch  42  into the OFF state when a voltage at first terminal  42   a  exceeds a predetermined value, and otherwise place overvoltage protection switch into the ON state. 
     Further, power control circuitry  40  (e.g., processor  44 ) may be coupled to processor  10  via a power line  30  that is operable to provide a voltage from power control circuitry  40  to processor  10  so as to power processor  10 . In some embodiments, power line  30  may be operable to provide a voltage to processor  10  from an internal charge storage element (e.g., battery  50 ) of host device  110  regardless of whether host device  110  receives power from power source  130 . 
     System  100  in certain embodiments may be a system for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that such a system could operate equally well with more or, in some instances, fewer components than are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Similarly, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the schematics illustrated in and discussed with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  6 , and  7  could operate equally well with more or, in some cases, fewer components, and that the characteristics depicted in and discussed with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 5B  are merely example voltage/current characteristics. Thus, the depictions in  FIGS. 1 through 7  should be taken as being illustrative in nature, and not limiting to the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 8A  is a flowchart of a process  400  for operating a host device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Process  400  can be performed by any suitable electronic device such as host device  110  ( FIG. 1 ), but is equally applicable to other electronic devices described herein. 
     At block  410 , the host device (e.g., host device  110 ) establishes a connection with an accessory (e.g., accessory  120 ). In establishing a connection with the accessory, the host device and the accessory may initially be physically coupled to one another. For example, connector  112  may mate with connector  122 . In some embodiments, the host device and accessory may not physically couple to one another, but may wirelessly couple to one another. For example, each device may include wireless circuitry operable to communicate over wireless networks (e.g., WLAN, IEEE 802.11, etc.), wireless sensor networks (e.g., Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.), short-range point-to-point communication link (e.g., IrDA, RFID, NFC, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, establishing a connection may include the host device providing power to the accessory. For example, host device  110  may provide power to accessory  120  over the same data pin used to communicate with accessory  120 , where such power may be provided simultaneously with communicating with accessory  120 . This may be done to provide accessory  120  with operating power in the event accessory  120  does not have a power source or does not acquire operating power from a power source remote from accessory  120 . 
     In at least one embodiment, establishing a connection with the accessory includes detecting a mechanical connection with the accessory. For example, the host device may monitor a pin in a connector of the host device, such as power pin  113  and/or data pin  114 , for a change of impedance, voltage, or other electrical characteristic. Some specific techniques for detecting connection with an accessory are disclosed in commonly-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/607,550, titled “TECHNIQUES FOR CONFIGURING CONTACTS OF A CONNECTOR”, filed on Sep. 7, 2012, the full disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. Once the mechanical connection is detected, the host device may then continue to perform other handshaking operations, such as those discussed with reference to  FIG. 8C . 
     At block  420 , the host device determines whether the accessory includes particular circuitry (e.g., power limiting circuitry  121 ). In determining whether the accessory includes particular circuitry, the host device may determine whether the accessory includes that particular physical circuitry having certain characteristics and/or software modules that perform the functionality of the power limiting circuitry. Some particular embodiments for determining whether the accessory includes particular circuitry are further discussed with reference to  FIG. 8D . 
     If at block  420 , the host device determines that the accessory includes the particular circuitry (e.g., power limiting circuitry), the host device performs action “A” at block  430 . Action “A” may be one or more of a variety of actions. For example, the host device may begin to accept power from a power source via the accessory (by, e.g., closing charge control switch  20  in  FIG. 6 , or otherwise coupling power pin  113  to internal charge circuitry). For another example, in the event the host device is already receiving power from the power source via the accessory, the host device may continue to accept power from the power source via the accessory. For yet another example, the host device may communicate information to the user of the host device (via, e.g., a display, audio, or other output unit of the device) or to another computing device (via, e.g., a wired or wireless network connection) indicating that the accessory includes the particular circuitry or otherwise indicating that the accessory is authorized for use with the host device. In some embodiments, one of more of these actions may be performed simultaneously. 
     On the other hand, if at block  420  the host device determines that the accessory does not include the particular circuitry, the host device performs action “B” at block  440  which is different than action “A”. Action “B” may be one or more of a variety of actions. For example, the host device may refuse to accept power from a power source via the accessory (by, e.g., opening charge control switch  20  in  FIG. 6 , or otherwise decoupling power pin  113  from internal charge circuitry). For another example, in the event the host device is already receiving power from the power source via the accessory, the host device may then stop accepting power from the power source via the accessory. For yet another example, the host device may communicate information to the user of the host device (via, e.g., a display, audio, or other output unit of the device) or to another computing device (via, e.g., a wired or wireless network connection) indicating that the accessory does not include the particular circuitry or otherwise indicating that the accessory is not authorized for use with the host device. In some embodiments, one of more of these actions may be performed simultaneously. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8B ,  FIG. 8B  is a flowchart of a process  410  for a host device to establish a connection with an accessory according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Process  410  can be performed by any suitable electronic device such as host device  110  ( FIG. 1 ), but is equally applicable to other electronic devices and accessories described herein. In accordance with some embodiments, process  410  may facilitate or assist in facilitating the establishment of a communication link and/or a power path between a host device and an accessory. This may include sending information from the host device to the accessory on a data pin and, if no response or an unacceptable response is received, re-sending the information on the same data pin. In at least one embodiment, once an acceptable response is received from the accessory, the host device may begin charging or otherwise receiving power provided from a power source via the accessory. 
     At block  411 , the host device sends a request for an accessory identifier to the accessory. The request may be a request for the accessory to send an identifier identifying the device. The accessory identifier may identify one or more suitable characteristics of the accessory. For example, the accessory identifier may include a product name and/or number associated with the accessory, a name and/or number identifying the manufacturer of the accessory, a serial number or other identifier uniquely identifying a particular accessory, a MAC address, IP address, or other network-based identifier associated with the accessory, etc. For another example, the accessory identifier may identify whether the accessory is operable to communicate using one or more of a plurality of communication protocols, such as USB, UART, JTAG, etc., whether the accessory is operable to receive charging power from the host device, etc. In one particular example, the accessory identifier may include pin configuration information that instructs the host device as to which function (e.g., receive charging/operating power, communicate using USB, communicate using ART, etc.) the host device should implement for one or more of its pins of connector  112 . Some accessory identifiers are described in the context of response sequences for responding to a request for pin configuration and accessory capability information in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/607,426, titled “DATA STRUCTURES FOR FACILITATING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A HOST DEVICE AND AN ACCESSORY”, filed Sep. 7, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
     In some embodiments, the request for an accessory identifier may include information about the host device. For example, the request may include a host identifier, where the host identifier may identify one or more suitable characteristics of the host. For example, like the accessory identifier, the host identifier may include a product name and/or number associated with the host device, a name and/or number identifying the manufacturer of the host device, a serial number or other identifier uniquely identifying a particular host device, a MAC address, IP address, or other network-based identifier associated with the host device, etc. 
     In at least one embodiment, the request for an accessory identifier may be communicated using one or more of a variety of error detection and, in some embodiments, error correction, techniques. Error detection techniques which may be used include the use of repetition codes, parity bits, checksums, cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs), cryptographic hash functions, error-correcting codes, etc. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the request for an accessory identifier includes error detection information suitable for use in such error detection/correction techniques. For example, the request may include one or more parity bits, checksums, CRC check values, hash function outputs, etc. In some embodiments, the error detection information may be sent separate from the request. 
     The request may be sent via any suitable mechanism. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , control circuitry  111  may generate and send the request via a data pin such as data pin  114 . The request may be sent to any suitable recipient. For example, again with reference to  FIG. 1 , the host device may send the request to accessory  120 . Further, the request may be sent at any suitable time. For example, the host device may be operable to detect a mechanical, electrical, wireless, or other connection with the accessory and, in response to detecting such a connection, send the request via the data pin. 
     At block  412 , the host device monitors the data pin on which it sent the request for an accessory identifier. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , where host device  110  sends a request for an accessory identifier via data pin  114 , the host device may then monitor data pin  114 . Monitoring may be performed by a processor or other circuitry and/or software in the host device, such as by control circuitry  111 . In some embodiments, the host device may monitor other data pins or other communication means (e.g., wireless communication circuitry). 
     At block  413 , the host device determines whether the requested accessory identifier is received. In some embodiments, the host device may determine whether the requested accessory identifier is received on the same pin which the request was sent out on. For example, host device  110  may determine whether the requested accessory identifier is received via data pin  114 . In other embodiments, the host device may determine whether the request accessory identifier is received on a different pin or by some other communication means (e.g., wireless). 
     If at block  413  the host device determines that the requested accessory identifier is not received (e.g., due to a timeout), processing may return to block  411  where another request for an accessory identifier is sent. For example, one or more subsequent requests for accessory identifiers may be sent on data pin  114 . In some embodiments, the host device my stop sending requests after a certain number of requests have been sent, after a certain time period has elapsed, or in response to some other condition being satisfied. In other embodiments, the host device may continuously send such requests until a satisfactory response is received. 
     If at block  413  the host device determines that the requested accessory identifier is received, processing may continue to block  415  where the host device may read the accessory identifier. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , control circuitry  111  may read the accessory identifier received on data pin  114  or another data pin (not shown). In some embodiments, the received accessory identifier may be stored by the host device. 
     In some embodiments, the host device may use a timer when determining whether an accessory identifier has been received. If the timer has expired before an accessory identifier has been received, then the host device may re-send the request. For example, the host device may initiate a timer after sending the request for an accessory identifier as discussed with reference to block  411 . The determination as to whether an accessory identifier has been received, as discussed with reference to block  413 , may then be made once the timer has expired. The timer may set to have any suitable duration. For example, the timer may expire after 1 ms, 2 ms, 3 ms, or at a time in the range of 1 ms to 3 ms, or at a time less than 1 ms or greater than 3 ms. 
     At block  416  the host device determines whether the received accessory identifier is valid. Determining the validity of the received accessory identifier may include one or more of a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the accessory identifier may be communicated using one or more of a variety of error detection and, in some embodiments, error correction, techniques, similar to those discussed above with reference to the request for an accessory identifier. Accordingly, determining the validity of the received accessory identifier may include performing error detection on the accessory identifier. In some embodiments, this may include using error detection information, such as parity bits, checksums, CRC check values, hash function outputs, etc., communicated with or separate from the accessory identifier. In the event the host device does not detect any errors in the received accessory identifier, the host device may determine that the received accessory identifier is valid. In contrast, in the event the host device detects one or more errors in the received accessory identifier, the host device may determine that the received accessory identifier is not valid. In some embodiments, in the event the host device detects one or more errors in the received accessory identifier, the host device may attempt to correct those errors and subsequently determine that the received accessory identifier is not valid only if it is unable to correct at least one of those errors. 
     In another embodiment, the received accessory identifier may be compared to a list of authorized accessory identifiers. For example, the host device may have stored therein, or be operable to access from a location remote from the host device, a database including the list of authorized accessory identifiers, where the accessory identifiers provided on the list have been authorized to operate with the host device. By comparing the received accessory identifier to the list of authorized accessory identifiers, the host device may check to see if the received accessory identifier matches one or more of the accessory identifiers provided on the list. In the event of a match, the host device may determine that the received accessory identifier is valid. In contrast, in the event the received accessory identifier does not match any of the accessory identifiers provided on the list, the host device may determine that the received accessory identifier is not valid. 
     In some embodiments, the accessory identifier may also include control information. The control information may provide one or more parameters to configure the host device to communicate or provide power to the accessory. For example, the control information may instruct the host device to configure itself for USB, UART, or other types of communication with the accessory. In one embodiment and with reference to  FIG. 1 , connector  112  may include additional pins for communicating with accessory  120  or an electronic device other than accessory  120 , such as additional data pins  115 . Additional data pins  115  may each be selectively configured to communicate over a number of different communication protocols, such as USB, UART, JTAG, etc. The control information may then instruct the host device to use a particular communication protocol (e.g., one of USB, UART, JTAG, etc.) to communicate over a particular pin (e.g., one of additional data pins  115 ). As a result, control circuitry  111  may subsequently communicate data to components of accessory  120  (which may include power limiting circuitry  121  or be separate from power limiting circuitry  121 ) using a communication protocol selected by the accessory  120  over a particular pin selected by accessory  120 . 
     If the host device determines that the received accessory identifier is not valid, processing may return to block  411 , where the host device may send another request for an accessory identifier as previously described. In contrast, if the host device determines that the received accessory identifier is valid, processing may continue with block  417 . 
     At block  417 , the host device at least temporarily receives power from the power source via the accessory. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , host device  110  may receive power from power source  130  via accessory  120 . In one embodiment, host device  110  may receive power from power source  130  that is communicated to power pin  123  of accessory  120  via power limiting circuitry  121 , where host device  110  receives the power by power pin  113  of host device  110 . For example, in one embodiment, processor  10  ( FIG. 6 ) may communicate a signal to third terminal  23  ( FIG. 6 ) to place charge control switch  20  ( FIG. 3 ) into an ON state such that power from power pin  113  may be communicated to charge circuitry or other internal circuitry of host device  110 . 
     In one embodiment, as a result of placing charge control switch  20  into an ON state, power from power pin  113  may be communicated to power control circuitry  40  ( FIG. 6 ). Power control circuitry  40  may then operate to communicate the power to other circuitry of the host device  110  (e.g., battery  50 ) if the power is less than some predetermined maximum. For example, if the voltage at first terminal  42   a  ( FIG. 7 ) is less than or equal to a predetermined maximum voltage. 
     The power received by the host device may be used in any suitable fashion. For example, the host device may use the received power to operate internal circuitry of the host device, and/or to charge an internal battery (e.g., battery  50 ) of the host device. In this fashion, the host device may only charge and/or operate with accessories providing a valid accessory identifier. It should be recognized, however, that the power received by the host device at this point may only be temporarily accepted and used by the host device. With reference to  FIG. 8A , processing then continues to block  420 , where the host device may then determine whether the accessory includes power limiting circuitry. In some embodiments, if it is determined that the accessory does not include power limiting circuitry, the host device may stop accepting power received from the accessory. Accordingly, the power received at block  417  may only be temporarily accepted or otherwise used by the host device. 
       FIG. 8C  is a flowchart of a process  410  for a host device to establish a connection with an accessory according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The operations illustrated in the process of  FIG. 8C  are the same as those illustrated and discussed with reference to  FIG. 8B , where blocks  411 A to  417 A are substantially the same as the respectively numbered blocks  411  to  417 . However, in this embodiment, the host device may switch data pins and send subsequent requests for an accessory identifier on a different data pin. Such a process may be particularly advantageously in embodiments where the connectors are multi-orientation connectors, whereby they may mate together in multiple orientations. However, such a process may also be used in embodiments where the connectors are single-orientation connectors. 
     As mentioned, blocks  411 A to  417 A depicted in  FIG. 8C  are substantially the same as the corresponding blocks  411  to  417  depicted in  FIG. 8B , and thus further description is omitted. In this embodiment, however, at block  413 A, in response to the host device determining that the requested identifier is not received, processing continues to block  414 A. Similarly, at block  416 A, in response to the host device determining that the received accessory identifier is not valid, processing continues to block  414 A. 
     At block  414 A, the host device switches data pins from the data pin by which the request for an accessory identifier was communicated to a different data pin. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , where host device  110  initially sends a request for an accessory identifier via data pin  114 , in the event that the host device determines that the requested accessory identifier is not subsequently received, the host device may then switch data pins from data pin  114  to another data pin (e.g., one of additional data pins  115 ) provided in connector  112 . Upon switching from data pin  114  to another data pin, processing may then return to block  411 A, where the host device sends the request for an accessory identifier on the other data pin rather than data pin  114 . 
     In some embodiments, when switching between data pins, the host device may cycle through available pins in any suitable sequence. In some embodiments, the host device may include more than two data pins. The host device may then use all or a subset of those pins to communicate requests for accessory identifiers. For example, the host device may cycle through all of the pins and communicate the request on all of the pins, or the host device may cycle through only a subset of the pins and communicate the request on only the subset of pins. Upon communicating the request on all or only the subset of pins, the host device may then again communicate the request on all or only the subset of pins. The host device may continue to send requests until a satisfactory response is received. In some embodiments, the host device may include only two data pins. In such a case, the host device may alternate between the two data pins such that requests are communicated on each of the pins in a cyclical manner. 
     In some embodiments and as described with reference to  FIG. 8C , the host device may use a timer when determining whether an accessory identifier has been received at block  413 A. In this case, if the timer has expired before an accessory identifier has been received, then processing may continue to block  414 A, where the host device may switch data pins and then re-send the request. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8D ,  FIG. 8D  is a flowchart of a process  420  for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry (e.g., power limiting circuitry) according to some embodiments of the present invention. Process  420  can be performed by any suitable electronic device such as host device  110  ( FIG. 1 ), but is equally applicable to other electronic devices and accessories described herein. In accordance with some embodiments, process  420  may facilitate or assist in facilitating the establishment or maintenance of a power path between a host device and an accessory. This may include sending instructions from the host device to the accessory, and/or sinking current from the power source via the accessory. Electrical characteristics of the accessory (e.g., a voltage received from the accessory) may be measured before and after such operations are performed, and those electrical characteristics may be compared with one another to determine whether the accessory includes the particular circuitry. 
     At block  421 , a host device (e.g., host device  110  of  FIG. 1 ) measures a first electrical characteristic of an accessory, such as a first voltage received from an accessory (e.g., accessory  120  of  FIG. 1 ). For example, the host device may measure a voltage provided at a power pin of a connector of the host device (e.g., power pin  113 ). The voltage measured at the power pin may, by way of connection to the accessory, correspond to a voltage provided by a power source (e.g., power source  130 ) subject to alteration by power limiting circuitry (e.g., power limiting circuitry  121 ). According to one embodiment, the power limiting circuitry may by default operate in a bypass mode such as that discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 . Accordingly, the first voltage may be relatively high, such as that shown in the voltage/current characteristic illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     At block  422 , the host device sends an instruction to the accessory to alter an impedance (or other electrical characteristic of the accessory), at the accessory, of a power path between a power source (e.g., power source  130 ) and a host device (e.g., host device  110 ). For example, host device  110  may communicate an instruction via data pin  114  to power limiting circuitry  121 . The instruction may instruct the power limiting circuitry to switch between modes of operation, such as switching from a bypass mode (such as that discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 ) to a power limiting mode (such as one of those discussed with reference to  FIGS. 5A  and  5 B). In one particular embodiment, the instruction may be communicated to identification circuitry  121   b  which, after determining that the instruction is valid, instructs the impedance altering circuitry  121   a  to alter the impedance of the power path. To do so, identification circuitry  121   b  may control third terminal  9  so as to change switch  4  between an ON state and an OFF state. By changing an impedance of power limiting circuitry  121 , an impedance of the power path between power source  130  and host device  110  may effectively be altered. 
     At block  423 , the host device sinks current from the power source via the accessory. For example, host device  110  may include a current sink  12  ( FIG. 6 ) coupled to power pin  113 , which sinks current from power source  130  via power pin  113  of host device  110 , power pin  123  of accessory  120 , and power limiting circuitry  121 . By sinking current from the power source, the host device may force the power limiting circuitry to operate in a particular mode or in a particular region with reference to its operating characteristics. For example, with reference to  FIG. 5B , the host device may draw an amount of current through the power limiting circuitry greater than 1 threshold so as to cause the power limiting circuitry to reduce a voltage provided at a power pin (e.g., power pin  123 ) to approximately 0 V. For another example, with reference to  FIG. 5A , the host device may draw an amount of current through the power limiting circuitry greater than I_threshold so as to cause the power limiting circuitry to provide a voltage at a power pin (e.g., power pin  123 ) that is less than or equal to V_limit. 
     By both drawing current from the power source via the accessory and sending the instruction to the accessory to alter its impedance, the accessory is effectively forced to operate in a particular operating mode and at a particular operating region. For example, with reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 A, and  5 B, the instruction to enter into a power limiting mode should ensure that the accessory has voltage/current characteristics such as one of those shown in either  FIG. 5A  or  5 B. Then, by forcing an amount of current through the accessory that is at least equal to I_threshold, the voltage output by the accessory should be forced to be approximately V_limit or 0V. Accordingly, by providing such an instruction and forcing such an amount of current through the accessory, the host device can determine whether the accessory includes not only the circuitry necessary to interpret the instruction sent from the host device but also the circuitry necessary to change an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device. 
     At block  424 , the host device measures a second voltage received from the accessory. The second voltage measurement may be made in a manner similar to that of the first voltage measurement. For example, host device  110  may again measure a voltage provided at power pin  113 . 
     At block  425 , the host device determines whether the accessory includes the particular circuitry (e.g., power limiting circuitry  121 ) based on the relationship between the first voltage (or other electrical characteristic) measured at block  421  and the second voltage (or other electrical characteristic) measured at block  424 . In one embodiment, the host device does this by determining whether the first voltage is greater than the second voltage. If it is determined that the first voltage is greater than the second voltage, then processing continues to block  426  where the host device determines that the accessory includes the particular circuitry. If it is determined that the first voltage is not greater than the second voltage, then processing continues to block  427  where the host device determines that the accessory does not include the particular circuitry. 
     For example, with reference to  FIG. 4 , the first voltage may be measured while power limiting circuitry  121  operates in bypass mode and is thus relatively high. Turning to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the second voltage may then be measured to be relatively low as long as an amount of current equal to or greater than I_threshold is drawn through power limiting circuitry  121 . By measuring a difference in voltage, and/or by determining that the second voltage is approximately equal to some value (e.g., V_limit or 0V), host device  110  may determine that accessory  120  includes power limiting circuitry  121 . In some embodiments, block  423 , that is the sinking of current by the host device from the power source, may ensure that at least an amount of current equal to I_threshold is drawn through the power limiting circuitry. In other embodiments, such a current sink may be excluded as the power source may provide such current in any event. 
     It should be apparent that accessories without power limiting circuitry may not change an electrical characteristic in response to one or more of the operations performed at blocks  422  and  423 . For example, an accessory that does not include power limiting circuitry may pass power from the power source to the host device unaltered, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In such cases, both a first and second measured voltage would be approximately the same, and thus the host device may determine that the accessory does not include the power limiting circuitry. 
     It should also be recognized that embodiments of the invention are not limited to measuring and comparing voltages received from an accessory. Rather, other electrical characteristics of the accessory and/or a power path between a power source and a host device via the accessory may be measured and compared. For example, the host device may measure and compare impedances, voltages, currents, voltage/current magnitudes, voltage/current phases, etc. 
     Further, one of ordinary skill would recognize that embodiments may not be limited to determining whether the first voltage is greater than the second voltage as discussed with reference to block  425 , but in some cases at block  425  the host device may alternatively determine whether the first voltage is less than the second voltage and, if so, conclude that the accessory includes power limiting circuitry. For example, prior to measuring the first voltage, current may be sinked from the power source. Then, after measuring the first voltage, the current sink may be removed, and the second voltage measured thereafter. For another example, at block  422 , instead of instructing the accessory to switch from a bypass mode to a power limiting mode, the host device may instruct the accessory to switch from a power limiting mode to a bypass mode. 
     It should be appreciated that the specific operations illustrated in  FIGS. 8A to 8D  provide particular methods that may be executed by a host device, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. While the operations illustrated in  FIGS. 8A to 8D  are often discussed with reference to  FIG. 1 , it should be appreciated that the operations may be performed by other types of host devices and accessories. Further, other sequences of operations may also be performed according to alternative embodiments. For example, alternative embodiments of the present invention may perform the operations outlined above in a different order. Moreover, the individual operations illustrated in  FIGS. 8A to 8D  may include multiple sub-operations that may be performed in various sequences as appropriate to the individual operations. 
     Further, additional operations may be added depending on the particular applications. For example, before block  421  of measuring a first voltage received from the accessory, the host device may communicate an instruction to the accessory to operate in a particular mode of operation, such as a bypass mode. Moreover, existing operations may be removed depending on the particular applications. For example, block  422  or block  423  may be omitted. Where block  422  is omitted, the current sink may force the power limiting circuitry to operate in different regions of a mode of operation, where the different regions have measurable differences in electrical characteristics. Where block  423  is omitted, the instruction from the host device to the accessory may cause the power limiting circuitry to operate in different modes of operation having measurable differences in electrical characteristics. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that the power limiting circuitry may operate to alter not only a voltage provided at a power pin (e.g., power pin  123 ) as discussed above, but could similarly alter other electrical characteristics of the accessory and/or the power path provided between the power source and the host device. 
     As mentioned, various functionality of the host device may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In one particular embodiment, the functionality of the host device that operates the processes depicted in and discussed with reference to  FIGS. 8B and 8C  may be implemented in hardware, whereas that of  FIG. 8D  may be implemented in software. In such an embodiment, the hardware circuitry that performs the operations discussed with reference to  FIGS. 8B and 8C  may be operable to execute using no or only a very small amount of power. As a result of these operations being performed, the host device may then, at least temporarily, receive power from the accessory. Once the host device begins to receive full operating power via the accessory, the host device may boot up its operating system, and subsequently perform the operations discussed with reference to  FIG. 8D  for determining whether or not to continue receiving power via the accessory. 
       FIG. 9A  is a flowchart of a process  500  for operating an accessory, such as accessory  120 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Process  500  can be performed by any suitable electronic device such as accessory  120  ( FIG. 1 ), but is equally applicable to other accessories described herein. 
     At block  510 , the accessory (e.g., accessory  120 ) establishes a connection with a host device (e.g., host device  110 ). In establishing a connection with the host device, the accessory and the host device may engage in a handshaking protocol so as to facilitate communication between the devices. In some embodiments, establishing a connection may include the accessory receiving power from the host device, and in some cases, may also or alternatively include the accessory communicating power to the host device from a power source. Some particular embodiments for establishing a connection with a host device are discussed with reference to  FIG. 9B . 
     At block  520 , the accessory (e.g., accessory  120 ) responds to instructions provided by the host device (e.g., host device  110 ). In responding to instructions, the accessory may communicate information back to the host device and/or, in some embodiments, may alter a power path between a power source and the host device. Some particular embodiments for responding to instructions provided by the host device are discussed with reference to  FIG. 9C . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9B ,  FIG. 9B  is a flowchart of a process for an accessory (e.g., accessory  120 ) to establish a connection with a host device (e.g., host device  110 ) according to some embodiments of the present invention. At block  511 , the accessory monitors a data pin of the accessory. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , accessory  120  may monitor data pin  124 . Monitoring may be performed by a processor or other circuitry and/or software in the accessory, such as by power limiting circuitry  121 . In monitoring the data pin, the accessory may monitor the data pin for information received from the host device, such as a power signal and/or a request for an accessory identifier. For example, in one embodiment, identification circuitry  121   b  ( FIG. 2 ) may monitor data pin  124  for changes in logic levels. 
     At block  512 , the accessory determines whether it received power from the host device. In some embodiments, the accessory may receive power from the host device. The accessory may receive any suitable amount of power, such as an amount of power sufficient for the accessory to operate at least for a certain period of time. The power may be communicated from the host device to the accessory using one or more techniques. For example, the host device may wirelessly communicate power to the accessory using electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic radiation, electrical conduction, etc. In some embodiments, the power may be communicated from the host device to the accessory by wire. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , host device  110  may communicate power to accessory  120  via a pin of connector  122 . The line which the host device communicates power to the accessory may be the same or different than a line which the host device uses to communicate information to the accessory. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , host device  110  may communicate both power and information to accessory via data pin  114 . For another example, host device  110  may communicate information to accessory  120  via data pin  114 , and power to accessory  120  via a pin other than data pin  114 . In at least one embodiment, host device  110  may communicate power to accessory  120  by maintaining the voltage at a data pin at a high state. Upon connecting host device  110  to accessory  120 , identification circuitry  121   b  or other internal circuitry may then determine that power is received from the host by identifying a high voltage level at data pin  124 . 
     In the event the accessory does not detect any received power from the host device, the accessory may continue to monitor the data pin as discussed with reference to block  511 . In contrast, in the event the accessory detects power received from the host device, processing may continue with block  513 . 
     At block  513 , the accessory disables a power path between a power source and the host device. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , accessory  120  may disable a power path from power source  130  to host device  110 . The accessory may disable the power path using one or more of a variety of techniques. In one embodiment, the accessory may increase an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , power limiting circuitry  121  may increase an impedance of the power path between power source  130  and host device  110 . 
     In some embodiments, power limiting circuitry  121  includes identification circuitry  121   b  and impedance altering circuitry  121   a  as discussed with reference to  FIG. 3 , where the impedance altering circuitry  121   a  may be operable in a bypass mode and a power limiting mode, as previously described. To disable the power path, identification circuitry  121   b  may communicate an instruction to impedance altering circuitry  121   a  to switch from the bypass mode to the power limiting mode. 
     At block  514 , the accessory determines whether a request for an accessory identifier is received. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , power limiting circuitry  121  may determine whether a request for an accessory identifier is received via data pin  114 . If the accessory determines that a request for an accessory identifier is not received, processing may continue with block  511 , where the accessory continues to monitor the data pin. If, on the other hand, the accessory determines that a request for an accessory identifier is received, processing may continue with block  515 . 
     At block  515 , the accessory reads the request for an accessory identifier. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , power limiting circuitry  121  may read the request for an accessory identifier on data pin  124 . In some embodiments, the received request may be stored by the accessory. 
     At block  516 , the accessory determines whether the request for an accessory identifier is valid. Determining the validity of the received request may include one or more of a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the request for an accessory identifier may be communicated using one or more of a variety of error detection and, in some embodiments, error correction, techniques, as described above with respect to  FIG. 8C . Accordingly, determining the validity of the received request may include performing error detection on the request. In some embodiments, this may include using error detection information, such as parity bits, checksums, CRC check values, hash function outputs, etc., communicated with or separate from the request. In the event the accessory does not detect any errors in the received request, the accessory may determine that the received request is valid. In contrast, in the event the accessory detects one or more errors in the received request, the accessory may determine that the received request is not valid. In some embodiments, in the event the accessory detects one or more errors in the received request, the accessory may attempt to correct those errors and subsequently determine that the received request is not valid only if it is unable to correct at least one of those errors. 
     In another embodiment, at least portions of the received request for an accessory identifier may be compared to a list of authorized host identifiers. For example, the request for an accessory identifier may include a host identifier as previously described with reference to  FIG. 8C . The accessory may have stored therein, or be operable to access from a location remote from the accessory, a database including the list of authorized host identifiers, where the host identifiers provided on the list have been authorized to operate with the accessory. By comparing the received host identifier included in the request (or in some embodiments, received separate from the request) to the list of authorized host identifiers, the accessory may check to see if the received host identifier matches one or more of the host identifiers provided on the list. In the event of a match, the accessory may determine that the received request for an accessory identifier is valid. In contrast, in the event the received host identifier does not match any of the host identifiers provided on the list, the accessory may determine that the received request for an accessory identifier is not valid. 
     If the accessory determines that the received request is not valid, processing may continue with block  511 , where the accessory operates to monitor the data pin. In contrast, if the accessory determines that the received request is valid, processing may continue with block  517 . 
     At block  517 , the accessory sends its accessory identifier to the host device. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , accessory  120  may send the accessory identifier to host device  110  via data pin  124 . In some embodiments, the accessory identifier may be stored in accessory  120 . In other embodiments, the accessory identifier may be acquired by accessory  120  from a source remote from accessory  120 . 
     At block  518 , the accessory enables a power path between the power source and the host device. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , accessory  120  enables the power path from power source  130  to host device  110 . The accessory may enable the power path using one or more of a variety of techniques. In one embodiment, the accessory may decrease an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , power limiting circuitry  121  may decrease an impedance of the power path between power source  130  and host device  110 . 
     In some embodiments, power limiting circuitry  121  includes identification circuitry  121   b  and impedance altering circuitry  121   a  as discussed with reference to  FIG. 2 , where the impedance altering circuitry  121   a  may be operable in a bypass mode and a power limiting mode, as previously described. To enable the power path, identification circuitry  121   b  may communicate an instruction to impedance altering circuitry  121   a  to switch from the power limiting mode to the bypass mode. 
     The accessory enabling a power path at block  518  should be distinguished from the host receiving power at block  417  ( FIG. 8B ) and receiving power as performing action “A” at block  430  ( FIG. 8A ). The accessory may provide a voltage at a power pin of the host device, however whether that voltage is consumed or otherwise used by the host device is a different matter. The accessory enabling a power path refers to whether the accessory allows a voltage provided by a power source to pass through to the host device substantially unaltered, or whether the accessory suppresses, reduces, or otherwise alters that voltage. In contrast, regardless of whether the accessory actually enables such a power path, the host device may decide whether or not to accept or otherwise consume power supplied to a power pin (or other pin). At block  417 , the host device may receive the power at least temporarily, for example to charge the host device or provide the host device with sufficient power to operate in the event the host device does not otherwise have access to power sufficient to operate (e.g., it has a dead battery). The host devices determination to receive supplied power may then change based on a subsequent determination of whether the accessory includes power limiting circuitry. If it does include such circuitry, the host device may then continue to receive the supplied power. Otherwise, it may then refuse to receive the supplied power. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9C ,  FIG. 9C  is a flowchart of a process  520  for an accessory to respond to instructions provided by a host device according to some embodiments of the present invention. Process  520  can be performed by any suitable electronic device such as accessory  120  ( FIG. 1 ), but is equally applicable to other electronic devices and accessories described herein. In accordance with some embodiments, process  520  may facilitate or assist in facilitating the establishment of a power path between a host device and an accessory. This may include receiving instructions from the host device and responding to those instructions by altering an impedance of a power path between a power source and the host device. 
     At block  521 , the accessory (e.g., accessory  120 ) receives an instruction from the host device (e.g., host device  110 ). For example, the power limiting circuitry (e.g., power limiting circuitry  121 ) in the accessory may receive an instruction communicated from the host device via one or more data pins (e.g., data pin  114  and data pin  124 ). The instruction may be communicated using any suitable communication protocol. 
     At block  522 , the accessory determines whether the instruction is an instruction to alter a power path impedance, such as an impedance of a power path between the power source and the host device. If it is determined that the instruction is not an instruction to alter a power path impedance, processing may return to the beginning of operations so that the accessory waits to receive another instruction from the host device. If it is determined that the instruction is an instruction to alter a power path impedance, processing may continue with block  523 . 
     In one embodiment and with reference to  FIG. 3 , the instruction may be an instruction to cause switch  4  to enter into either an ON state or an OFF state. For example, the instruction may cause switch  4  to enter into an OFF state so that impedance altering circuitry  121   a  ( FIG. 2 ) has a voltage/current characteristic similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 5A . Alternatively, the instruction may cause switch  4  to enter into an ON state so that impedance altering circuitry  121   a  has a voltage/current characteristic similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     At block  523 , the power limiting circuitry alters an impedance, at the accessory, of a power path between the power source and the host device. For example, with reference to  FIG. 5B , in response to receiving an instruction to enter a power limiting mode, accessory  120  may alter its impedance such that a voltage provided at power pin  123  is approximately 0V when at least a threshold amount of current (I_threshold) is drawn through impedance altering circuitry  121   a . In another example, with reference to  FIG. 5A , in response to receiving an instruction to enter a power limiting mode, accessory  120  may alter its impedance such that a voltage provided at power pin  123  is decreased compared to a voltage provided by power source  130  with an increasing an amount of current. In yet another example, in response to receiving an instruction to enter into a bypass mode, accessory  120  may alter its impedance such that a voltage provided by power source  130  is approximately equal to a voltage provided at power pin  123  for any given current such as that depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
     It should be appreciated that the specific operations illustrated in  FIGS. 9A to 9C  provide particular methods that may be executed by an accessory, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. While the operations illustrated in  FIGS. 9A to 9C  are often discussed with reference to  FIG. 1 , it should be appreciated that the operations may be performed by other host devices and accessories described herein. Further, other sequences of operations may also be performed according to alternative embodiments. For example, alternative embodiments of the present invention may perform the operations outlined above in a different order. Moreover, the individual operations illustrated in  FIGS. 9A to 9C  may include multiple sub-operations that may be performed in various sequences as appropriate to the individual operations. Furthermore, additional operations may be added or existing operations removed depending on the particular applications. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize and appreciate many variations, modifications, and alternatives. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that power limiting circuitry  121  may operate to alter not only an impedance of a power path as discussed above, but could similarly alter other electrical characteristics of accessory  120  and/or the power path provided between power source  130  and host device  110 . 
       FIG. 10A  a system  600  for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry according to a first embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, system  600  includes a host device  610  (e.g., host device  110  of  FIG. 1 ), a computing system  620  (e.g., power source  130  of  FIG. 1 ), and an accessory  630  (e.g., accessory  120  of  FIG. 1 ). Host device  610  is electrically coupleable to computing system  620  via accessory  630 . 
     Host device  610  may be any suitable electronic device that is operable to determine whether accessory  630  includes particular circuitry, and may include one or more hardware and or software components operable to facilitate determining whether accessory  630  includes particular circuitry. For example, host device  610  may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld or portable device (e.g., iPhone™, Blackberry™, etc.), a notebook, a personal computer, a note pad, a tablet computer, a media player (e.g., a music player or video player), a camera, a game player, a laptop computer, a netbook, a booklet, or other electronic device configured for wired or wireless communication. Host device  610  may include any suitable components typically found in such electronic devices necessary to perform the operations discussed herein. For example, host device  610  may include a user interface  611  that may be operable to display information to the user or receive inputs from the user (e.g., a touchscreen), a speaker  612  for providing an audio output to a user, a microphone  613  for receiving audio inputs from a user, one or more buttons  614  for controlling the operation of host device  610  via a user input, a connector  615  such as a plug connector or a receptacle connector for mechanically and electrically coupling host device  610  to other electronic components such as accessory  630 , where connector  615  may include one or more pins or conductive contacts for establishing electrical and/or optical communication with corresponding pins or contacts of a connector coupled to connector  615 . Host device  610  may also include other suitable components typically found in such systems for performing the operations discussed herein, such as a processor (not shown), a tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium (not shown), and the like, all operably coupled to one another such that the processor may execute instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium so as to cause host device  610  to perform one or more of the operations discussed herein. 
     Accessory  630  may be any suitable electronic element operable to establish a power path between host device  610  and a power source (such as one provided in computing system  620 , one provided via a power socket in a wall, one provided as a battery, etc.), and/or operable to establish a communication path between host device  610  and another electronic computing device such as computing system  620 . 
     Accessory  630  according to this embodiment is a cable that includes one or more conductive wires disposed therein, where the wires may be individually insulated and, in some embodiments, the group of conductive wires may be bundled by an insulating sheath. The wires of accessory  630  may be operable to carry voltage and current between host device  610  and other devices and/or power supplies, such as computing system  620 . In some embodiments, accessory  630  may additionally or alternatively include optical conductors such as optical fibers operable to communicate light or other electromagnetic waves between host device  610  and computing system  620 . 
     Accessory  630  may include a first connector  631  which may be any suitable connector, such as a plug connector or a receptacle connector, that includes one or more pins or conductive contacts for mechanically, electrically, and/or optically coupling the wires and/or optical conductors of accessory  630  to host device  610  so as to establish a power path and/or a communication path between host device  610  and other devices and/or power sources, such as computing system  620 . For example, first connector  631  may be a 30-pin connector such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,660, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes, a dual-orientation connector such as any of those described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/556,692, filed Nov. 7, 2011, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/565,372, filed Nov. 30, 2011, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/694,423, titled “DUAL ORIENTATION ELECTRONIC CONNECTOR”, filed Aug. 29, 2012, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/357,200, titled “CONNECTORS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, filed Sep. 7, 2012, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes, an RS232 serial connector, a USB connector, an S-video connector, a VGA connector, an SDI connector, etc. First connector  631  may be sized and shaped to mechanically engage with connector  615  of host device  610 , and connector  615  of host device  610  may be sized and shaped to mechanically engage with first connector  631 . 
     Accessory  630  may also include a second connector  632  which may be any suitable connector, such as a plug connector or a receptacle connector, that includes one or more pins or conductive contacts for mechanically, electrically, and/or optically coupling the wires and/or optical conductors of accessory  630  to computing system  620  so as to establish a power path and/or a communication path between computing system  620  and host device  610 . For example, second connector  632  may be a 30-pin connector such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,660, a dual-orientation connector such as any of those described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/556,692, filed Nov. 7, 2011, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/565,372, filed Nov. 30, 2011, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/694,423, titled “DUAL ORIENTATION ELECTRONIC CONNECTOR”, filed Aug. 29, 2012, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/357,200, titled “CONNECTORS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, filed Sep. 7, 2012, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes, an RS232 serial connector, a USB connector, an S-video connector, a VGA connector, an SDI connector, etc. Second connector  632  may be the same or different than first connector  631 . 
     Accessory  630  may further include power path control circuitry  633  (e.g., power limiting circuitry  121 ) which may be any suitable hardware and/or software for controlling a power path and/or communication path between first connector  631  and second connector  632 . Since power path control circuitry  633  is operable to control a power path and/or communication path between first connector  631  and second connector  632 , power path control circuitry  633  may also be operable to control a power path and/or communication path between devices that may be mechanically, electrically, and/or optically coupled to the connectors of accessory  630 , such as host device  610  and computing system  620 . Power path control circuitry  633  may control the power path between host device  610  and computing system  620  in any one or more of a number of fashions. For example, power path control circuitry  633  may be operable to selectively alter a characteristic of the power path, such as an electrical impedance, a voltage capacity, a current capacity, and the like of accessory  630 . Additionally or alternatively, power path control circuitry  633  may impose power limits, voltage limits, and/or current limits on power, voltage, and/or current, respectively, supplied from computing system  620 . In some embodiments, power path control circuitry  633  may impose limits on amplitude, frequency, phase, and/or other characteristics of a signal, such as an electrical signal and/or an optical signal, communicated from computing system  620 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10A , power path control circuitry  633  may be provided entirely as part of first connector  631 . However, the location of power path control circuitry  633  is not so limited. For example, in some embodiments, power path control circuitry  633  may be located entirely between first connector  631  and second connector  632 , entirely within second connector  632 , or have portions that are located in one or more of first connector  631 , second connector  632 , and between first connector  631  and second connector  632 . 
     Computing system  620  may be any suitable electronic component(s) for providing power to and/or communicating with host device  610  via accessory  630 . In one embodiment, computing system  620  includes various components for both providing power to host device  610  and establishing communications with host device  610 . For example, computing system  620  may include a display  621  for displaying information to a user, a user interface for receiving inputs from the user including a keyboard  622  and a mouse  623 , and a housing  624  that is configured to house various electronic components for enabling computing system  620  to provide power to and/or communicate with host device  610 . In some embodiments, housing  624  may include a processor (not shown), a tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium (not shown), and the like, all operably coupled to one another such that the processor may execute instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium so as to cause computing system  620  to perform one or more of the operations discussed herein. Housing  624  may also include a connector  625  such as a plug connector or a receptacle connector for mechanically and electrically coupling computing system  620  to other electronic components such as host device  610 . In some embodiments, connector  625  may include one or more pins or conductive contacts for establishing electrical and/or optical communication with corresponding pins or contacts of a second connector  632  of accessory  630 . Connector  625  may be sized and shaped to mechanically engage with second connector  632  of accessory  630 , and second connector  632  may be sized and shaped to mechanically engage with connector  625 . 
     Computing system  620  may include a power source such as a battery (not shown) for providing power to host device  610  via a power path established between the power source and connector  625 . In some embodiments, computing system  620  may receive power from a power source external to computing system  620 , such as from an external battery, power generator, and/or wall socket/electrical outlet. In some embodiments, computing system  620  may include power conversion circuitry (not shown) for converting AC power supplied from an external source to DC power consumed by computing system  620  and/or communicated to host device  610  via connector  625 . 
     It should be recognized that embodiments are not limited to requiring host device  610  to be coupled to a computing system  620 . Rather, in some embodiments, host device  610  may be coupled to any suitable electronic component via accessory  630  so as to establish a power path and/or communication path between host device  610  and a power source. For example, instead of being coupled to computing system  620 , host device  610  may be coupled to a power source via an electrical socket such as those provided in a wall, to a battery, to an AC/DC converter which itself is coupled to an electrical socket, etc. 
       FIG. 10B  illustrates a system  650  for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, system  650  includes host device  610  as discussed with reference to  FIG. 10A , and accessory  660 . Host device  610  may be electrically and mechanically coupleable to accessory  660 . 
     Accessory  660 , like accessory  630 , may be any suitable electronic device operable to establish a power path between host device  610  and a power source (such as one provided in accessory  660 , and/or one provided external to accessory  660  but to which accessory  660  is electrically coupled), and/or operable to establish a communication path between host device  610  and electronic components (such as electronic components of accessory  660  and/or electronic components external to accessory  660 ). For example, accessory  660  may be an alarm clock, a radio, a speaker set, a docking station, an input device such as a keyboard, a musical instrument such as a digital piano, a battery, a charging station, an image/video projection unit, etc. Accessory  660  may include components typically found in such electronic devices for performing the operations discussed herein. For example, accessory  660  may include a user interface  661  that may be operable to display information (e.g., a current time) to a user and/or receive information (e.g., via a touchscreen), speakers  662  for providing an audio output to a user, a connector  663  (e.g., a receptacle connector or a plug connector) for mechanically, electrically, and/or optically coupling accessory  660  to other electronic components such as host device  610 , etc., where connector  663  may include one or more pins or conductive contacts for establishing electrical and/or optical communication with corresponding pins or contacts of a connector coupled to receptacle connector  663 , such as connector  615  of host device  610 . 
     Accessory  660  may include a power source such as a battery (not shown) for providing power to host device  610  via a power path established between the power source and connector  615 . In some embodiments, accessory  660  may also or alternatively receive power from a power source external to accessory  660 , such as from an external battery, power generator, and/or wall socket/electrical outlet. In at least one embodiment, accessory  660  may also include power conversion circuitry (not shown) for converting AC power supplied from an external source to DC power consumed by accessory  660  and/or communicated to host device  610  via connector  663 . 
     Accessory  660  may also include power path control circuitry  664  which may be any suitable hardware and/or software for controlling a power path and/or communication path between a power source and connector  663 . Since power path control circuitry  664  is operable to control a power path and/or communication path between a power source and receptacle connector  663 , power path control circuitry  664  may also be operable to control a power path and/or communication path between devices that may be mechanically, electrically, and/or optically coupled to receptacle connector  663  of accessory  660 , such as host device  610 . Power path control circuitry  664  may control the power path between the power source and host device  610  in any one or more of a number of fashions. In one embodiment, power path control circuitry  664  may operate similar to power path control circuitry  633 . For example, power path control circuitry  664  may be operable to alter a characteristic of the power path, such as electrical impedance, voltage capacity, current capacity, and the like of accessory  660 . Additionally or alternatively, power path control circuitry  664  may impose power limits, voltage limits, and/or current limits on power, voltage, and/or current supplied from the power source and/or other components of accessory  660 . In some embodiments, power path control circuitry  664  may impose limits on amplitude, frequency, phase, and/or other characteristics of a signal, such as an electrical signal and/or an optical signal, communicated from the power source and/or other components of accessory  660 . 
     Systems  600  and  650  in certain embodiments are systems for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry such as power limiting circuitry. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that such systems could operate equally well with fewer or a greater number of components than are illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . Further, those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the systems could operate equally well where the components of the systems, such as host device  610  and accessory  630 / 660 , have fewer or a greater number of components than are illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . Thus, the depiction of systems  600  and  650  in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  should be taken as being illustrative in nature, and not limiting to the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates a plug connector  700  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Plug connector  700  is an example of a plug connector used herein to explain various embodiments of the present invention. Plug connector  700  may correspond, for example, to connector  112  and/or connector  122  ( FIG. 1 ), and may be operatively mated to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations 180 degrees rotated from each other. One skilled in the art will realize that many other forms and types of connectors other than plug connector  700  can be used and that techniques described herein will apply to any plug connector that has the characteristics of plug connector  100 . 
     Plug connector  700  includes a body  702  and a tab portion  704 . A cable  706  is attached to body  702  and tab portion  704  and extends away from body  702  in a direction parallel to the length of the connector  700 . Tab  704  is sized to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector during a mating event and includes a first contact region  708   a  formed on a first major surface  710   a  and a second contact region  708 C (not shown in  FIG. 11A ) formed at a second major surface  710   b  opposite surface  710   a . A plurality of contacts  712  can be formed in each of contact regions  708   a  and  708 C such that, when tab  704  is inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector, contacts  712  in regions  708   a  and/or  708 C are electrically coupled to corresponding contacts in the receptacle connector. In some embodiments, contacts  712  are self-cleaning wiping contacts that, after initially coming into contact with a receptacle connector contact during a mating event, slide further past the receptacle connector contact with a wiping motion before reaching a final, desired contact position. 
       FIG. 11B  illustrates a simplified, cross-sectional view of plug connector  700 . The front view illustrates a cap  720 . Cap  720  can be made from a metal or other conductive material and can extend from the distal tip of connector  700  along the side of the connector towards body  702  either fully or partially surrounding contacts  712  formed in contact regions  708   a  and  708 C in the X and Y directions. In some embodiments, cap  720  can be grounded in order to minimize interference that may otherwise occur on contacts  712  of connector  700  and can thus be referred to as a ground ring. Contacts  712   (1) - 712   (N)  can be positioned within contact region  708   a  and additional contacts  714   (1) - 714   (N)  can be positioned within region  708 C on the opposing surface of tab  704 . In some embodiments, N can be between 2 and 8. 
       FIG. 11C  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of contacts  712 ,  714  and positioning of the contacts. Contacts  712 ,  714  can be mounted on either side of a PCB  750 . In some embodiments, contacts  712 ,  714  are part of a reversible or dual orientation unpolarized plug connector that can be mated with a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations. In other embodiments, contacts  712 ,  714  are part of a polarized plug connector that can be mated with a corresponding receptacle connector in only a single orientation. Contacts  712 ,  714  can be made from a copper, nickel, brass, a metal alloy or any other appropriate conductive material. In some embodiments, spacing may be consistent between each of the contacts on the front and back sides and between the contacts and the edges of the connector providing 180 degree symmetry so that plug connector  700  can be inserted into and electrically mated with a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations. When connector  700  is properly engaged with a receptacle connector, each of contacts  712   (1) - 712   (N)  (and/or  714   (1) - 714   (N)  is in electrical connection with a corresponding contact of the receptacle connector. 
     It should be recognized that embodiments are not limited to a plug connector including contacts mounted on opposite sides. Rather, in some embodiments, contacts may be mounted on only one side of the plug connector.  FIG. 11D  illustrates an embodiment where contacts  714   (1) - 714   (N)  are mounted on only one side of PCB  150 . In such a case, when connector  700  is properly engaged with a receptacle connector, each of contacts  714   (1) - 714   (N)  are in electrical connection with a corresponding contact of the receptacle connector. 
       FIG. 11E  illustrates a pin-out configuration for connector  700  according to one particular embodiment of the present invention as described in connection with  FIG. 11C  above. 
     The pin-out shown in  FIG. 11E  includes four contacts  712 ( 4 ),  712 ( 5 ),  714 ( 4 ), and  714 ( 5 ) that are electrically coupled together to function as a single contact dedicated to carrying power to a connected host device. Connector  700  may also include accessory ID contacts  712 ( 8 ) and  714 ( 8 ); accessory power contacts  712 ( 1 ) and  714 ( 1 ); and eight data contacts arranged in four pairs. The four pairs of data contacts may be (a)  712 ( 2 ) and  712 ( 3 ), (b)  712 ( 6 ) and  712 ( 7 ), (c)  714 ( 2 ) and  714 ( 3 ), and (d)  714 ( 6 ) and  714 ( 7 ). Host power contacts  712 ( 4 ),  712 ( 5 )  112 ( 5 ),  714 ( 4 ), and  714 ( 5 ) carry power from an accessory associated with connector  700  to a portable electronic device that is coupled to the accessory via connector  700 . The host power contacts can be sized to handle any reasonable power requirement for an electronic device or host device, and for example, can be designed to carry between 3-20 Volts from an accessory to charge the portable electronic device connected to connector  700 . In this embodiment, host power contacts  712 ( 4 ),  712 ( 5 ),  714 ( 4 ), and  714 ( 5 ) are positioned in the center of contact regions  708   a ,  708   b  to improve signal integrity by keeping power as far away as possible from the sides of ground ring  705 . 
     Accessory power contacts  712 ( 1 ) and  714 ( 1 ) can be used for an accessory power signal that provides power from the electronic device (i.e. the host device) to an accessory. The accessory power signal is typically a lower voltage signal than the host power in signal received over host power contacts  712 ( 4 ) and  712 ( 5 ), for example, 3.3 volts as compared to 5 volts or higher. The accessory ID contacts provide a communication channel that enables the host device to authenticate the accessory and enable the accessory to communicate information to the host device about the accessory&#39;s capabilities as described in more detail below. 
     The four pairs of data contacts (a)  712 ( 2 ) and  712 ( 3 ), (b)  712 ( 6 ) and  712 ( 7 ), (c)  714 ( 2 ) and  714 ( 3 ), and (d)  714 ( 6 ) and  714 ( 7 ) may be used to enable communication between the host and accessory using one or more of several different communication protocols. For example, data contacts  712 ( 2 ) and  712 ( 3 ) are positioned adjacent to and on one side of the power contacts, while data contacts  712 ( 6 ) and  712 ( 7 ) are positioned adjacent to but on the other side of the power contacts. A similar arrangement of contacts can be seen for contacts  714  on the other surface of the PCB. The accessory power and accessory ID contacts are positioned at each end of the connector. The data contacts can be high speed data contacts that operate at a rate that is two or three orders of magnitude faster than any signals sent over the accessory ID contact which makes the accessory ID signal look essentially like a DC signal to the high speed data lines. Thus, positioning the data contacts between the power contacts and the ID contact improves signal integrity by sandwiching the data contacts between contacts designated for DC signals or essentially DC signals. 
       FIG. 11F  illustrates a pin-out configuration for a connector  701  according to another particular embodiment of the present invention. 
     Connector  701  is also a reversible connector just like connector  700 . In other words, based on the orientation in which connector  701  is mated with a corresponding connector of a host device, either the contacts on the surface  708   a  or  708   b  are in physical and electrical contact with the contacts in the corresponding connector of the host device. As illustrated in  FIG. 11F , connector  701  may have eight contacts arranged on an upper surface  750   a  of a PCB  750  and eight contacts arranged on a lower surface  750   b  of PCB  750 . 
     Connector  701  includes two contacts  712 ( 1 ) and  714 ( 4 ) that can function as accessory ID contacts to carry the identification signals between the accessory and the portable electronic device. Contacts  712 ( 1 ) and  714 ( 4 ) are electrically connected to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 11F . Connector  701  can have four pairs of data contacts, (a)  712 ( 2 ) and  712 ( 3 ), (b)  712 ( 6 ) and  712 ( 7 ), (c)  714 ( 2 ) and  714 ( 3 ), and (d)  714 ( 6 ) and  714 ( 7 ). In this particular embodiment, opposing data contacts, e.g.,  712 ( 2 ) and  714 ( 2 ), are electrically connected to each other via PCB  750  as illustrated in  FIG. 11E . Connector  701  may further include host power contacts  712 ( 4 ) and/or  714 ( 5 ) that may be electrically connected to each other. Host power contacts  712 ( 4 ) and  714 ( 5 ) can carry power to the host device that is mated with connector  701 . For example, plug connector  701  may be part of a power supply system designed to provide power to the host device. In this instance, either contact  712 ( 4 ) or  714 ( 5 ) may carry power from the power supply to the host device, e.g., to charge a battery in the host device. 
     Connector  701  may further include accessory power contacts  712 ( 5 ) and  714 ( 8 ) that may be electrically connected to each other, e.g., via PCB  750 . Accessory power contacts carry power from the host device to a connected accessory. For example, in some instances, an accessory connected to the host device may not be self-powered and may derive its power from the host device. In this instance, the host device can supply power to the accessory over either of the accessory contacts, depending on the orientation of connector  701  with respect to a corresponding connector of the host device. Connector  701  may further include two ground contacts  712 ( 8 ) and  714 ( 1 ) electrically connected to each other. The ground contacts provide a ground path for connector  701 . 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates a receptacle connector  800  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Receptacle connector  800  is an example of a receptacle connector used herein to explain various embodiments of the present invention. Receptacle connector  800  may correspond, for example, to connector  112  and/or connector  122  ( FIG. 1 ), and in some embodiments is used to match plug connector  700 . One skilled in the art will realize that many other forms and types of connectors other than receptacle connector  800  can be used. 
     Receptacle connector  800  includes a housing  802  that defines a cavity  804  and houses N contacts  806   (1) - 806   (N)  within the cavity. In operation, a connector plug, such as plug connector  700  (or connector  701 ) can be inserted into cavity  804  to electrically couple the contacts  712   (1) - 712   (N)  and/or  714   (1) - 714   (N)  to respective contacts  806   (1) - 806   (N) . Each of the receptacle contacts  806   (1) - 806   (N)  electrically connects its respective plug contact to circuitry associated with the electrical device in which receptacle connector  800  is housed. For example, receptacle connector  800  can be part of a portable media device (e.g., host device  110 ) and electronic circuitry associated with the media device is electrically connected to receptacle  800  by soldering tips of contacts  806   (1) - 806   (N)  that extend outside housing  802  to a multilayer board such as a printed circuit board (PCB) within the portable media device. Note that receptacle connector  800  is designed to be mated with a dual orientation, reversible plug connector and includes contacts on just a single side so the receptacle connector (and the electronic device the receptacle connector is part of) can be made thinner. In other embodiments, connector  800  may have contacts on each side while connector  700  may only have contacts on a single side or on both sides. 
       FIG. 12B  illustrates a cross section view of receptacle connector  800  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, in some embodiments, additional contacts  808   (1)  and  808   (2)  are located at either ends of contacts  806   (1) - 806   (N) . Contacts  808   (1)  and  808   (2)  may be used to detect whether the plug connector is fully inserted into cavity  804  or inserted to a point where contacts  712  (or  714 ) of plug connector  700  (or connector  701 ) are physically coupled to contacts  806  of receptacle connector  800 . In some embodiments, contacts  808   (1)  and  808   (2)  can also be used to detect whether the plug connector has been disconnected from the receptacle connector. In some embodiments, contacts  808  can make contact with cap  720  of plug connector  700  when the plug connector is inserted beyond a certain distance within cavity  804 . In some embodiments, contacts  808  are placed such that they will make contact with the ground ring of plug connector only when contacts  712  make a solid physical connection with contacts  806 . In some embodiments, when contacts  808  connect to the ground ring of the plug connector, a signal may be generated indicating the connection. 
     In some embodiments, receptacle connector  800  may have contacts both on the top side and the bottom side of cavity  804 .  FIG. 12C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a receptacle connector  850  that includes contacts  806   (1) - 806   (N)  on the top and contacts  806   (1) - 806   (N)  on the bottom. In some embodiments, a plug connector with electrically isolated contacts on the top and the bottom side may use the receptacle connector  850  of  FIG. 12C . 
     In some embodiments, receptacle connector  850  may have contacts  806   (1)-(N)  only on a single side inside cavity  804  as described above. In a particular embodiment, receptacle connector may have eight (8) contacts  806   (1) - 806   (8)  as illustrated in  FIG. 12D . Some or all of these contacts may be configured to perform one of several functions depending on the signals available on a plug connector. Plug connector  700  (or connector  701 ) may be associated with any one of several accessories (e.g., accessory  120 ) that may be designed to work with a host device (e.g., host device  110 ) that is associated with receptacle connector  850 . For example, plug connector  700  (or connector  701 ) may be associated with an audio only accessory in which case the signals available on the contacts, e.g.,  706   (1) - 706   (N) , of the plug connector may include audio and related signals. In other instances, where plug connector  700  (or connector  701 ) is associated with a more complex accessory such as video accessory, the contacts of plug connector may carry audio, video, and related signals. Thus, in order to enable receptacle connector  850  to be operable with various different types of signal, contacts  806   (1)-(8)  of receptacle connector  850  can be made configurable based on the signals available from a plug connector  700 ( or  connector  701 ). In at least one embodiment, one or more contacts of plug connector  700  may be operable to send or receive power from a power source as already described herein, and one or more contacts of plug connector  700  may be operable to communicate information and/or various requests (and in some cases, simultaneously with power via the same pin) as already described herein. Similarly, one or more contacts of receptacle connector  800  may be operable to send or receive power from a power source as already described herein, and one or more contacts of receptacle connector  800  may be operable to communicate information and/or various requests (and in some cases, simultaneously with power via the same pin) as already described herein. 
     In the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12D , receptacle connector  850  has eight contacts  806   (1)-(8)  in addition to two connection detection contacts  808   (1)  and  808   (2) . The operation of the connection detection contacts  808   (1)  and  808   (2)  is described above in relation to  FIG. 12B . Some or all of contacts  806   (1)-(8)  have an associated switch that can configure the contact to carry one of many possible signals. However, for ease of explanation only one switch  820  coupled to contact  806   (8)  is illustrated in  FIG. 12D . It is to be noted that some or all of the other contacts  806   (1) - 806   (8)  may each have a similar switch  820  coupled to it. As illustrated in  FIG. 12D , switch  820  can be used to configure contact  806   (8)  to carry any one of signals S 1 -S N  depending on the configuration of the plug connector. 
     In a particular embodiment, contact  806   (1)  may be an identification bus pins (ACC 1) and can be configured to communicate a command operable to cause an accessory to perform a function and provide a response to a host device unique to the command. The command may be any one or more of a variety of commands, including a request to identify a connector pin and select one of a plurality of communication protocols for communicating over the identified connector pin, a request to set a state of the accessory, and a request to get a state of the accessory. Contact  806   (1)  may also or alternatively be configured to communicate power from the host device to the accessory (e.g., Acc Pwr). For example, contact  806   (1)  may be coupled to a positive (or negative) voltage source within the host device so as to generate a voltage differential with another pin (such as a ground pin which may be, e.g., contact  806   (8) .)) In a particular embodiment, contact  806   (1)  may correspond to data pin  114  and can be configured to carry one of (a) accessory identification signals, (b) accessory power, (c) host device identification signals, and (d) requests for identification signals. In other words, signals S 1 -S N  can any be selected from these signals for contact  806   (1)  by its corresponding switch  820 . 
     In a particular embodiment, contacts  806   (2)  and  806   (3)  may correspond to additional data pins  115  and can each be configured to carry one of a variety of signals, such as (a) USB differential data signals, (b) non-USB differential data signal, (c) UART transmit signal, (d) UART receive signal, (e) digital debug input/output signals, (f) a debug clock signal, (g) audio signals, (h) video signals, etc. 
     In a particular embodiment, contact  806   (4)  may carry incoming power (e.g., a positive voltage relative to another contact such as a ground pin) to the host device (e.g., from a power source in or coupled to the accessory) with which receptacle connector  800  is associated. Contact  806   (5)  may also function as an identification bus pin (ACC_ID) similar to contact  806   (1)  described above. Contact  806   (5)  may also or alternatively be configured to communicate power from the host device to the accessory (e.g., Acc_Pwr), depending on the orientation of a connected plug connector  700  (or connector  701 ) with respect to receptacle connector  800 . 
     In a particular embodiment, contacts  806   (6)  and  806   (7)  may form a second pair of data pins (DP2/DN2) and can each be configured to carry one of (a) USB differential data signals, (b) Non-USB differential data signal, (c) UART transmit signal, (d) UART receive signal, (e) digital debug input/output signals, (f) a debug clock signal, (g) audio signals, (h) video signals, etc. 
     In a particular embodiment, contact  806   (8)  may be a ground pin or otherwise provided at a voltage potential lower than contacts  806   (1) ,  806   (4) , and  806   (5)  so as to provide a voltage potential for power being provided to or from the host device. 
     In some embodiments, tab  704  has a 180 degree symmetrical, double orientation design which enables plug connector  700  (or connector  701 ) to be inserted into receptacle  800  in both a first orientation and a second orientation. Connector  700  (or connector  701 ) can be mated with connector  800  where contacts  712  of connector  700  can couple with contacts  806  of connector  800 . We can refer to this as the first orientation for purposes of explanation. Details of several particular embodiments of connector  700  (or connector  701 ) are described in a commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/607,366 titled “DUAL-ORIENTATION ELECTRONIC CONNECTOR”, filed on Sep. 7, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. 
     In some embodiments, connector  700  (or connector  701 ) can be mated with connector  800  in a second orientation. In the second orientation, contacts  714  of connector  700  are coupled with contacts  806  of connector  800 . The second orientation may be 180 degrees rotated from the first orientation. However, these are not the only possible orientations. For example, if connector  700  (or connector  701 ) is a square connector with a corresponding square connector  800 , then connector  700  (or connector  701 ) can be mated with connector  800  in one of four possible orientations. Thus, one skilled in the art will realize that more than two orientations for the connectors may be possible. 
       FIGS. 12E and 12F  illustrate pin-out configuration for a receptacle connector according to two different embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, receptacle connector  800  has a pin-out as shown in  FIG. 12E  that matches the pin-out of connector  700  in  FIG. 11E  and in another embodiment receptacle connector  800  has a pin-out as shown in  FIG. 12F  that matches pin-out of connector  701  of  FIG. 11F . In each of  FIGS. 12E and 12F , the ACC1 and ACC2 pins are configured to mate with either the accessory power (ACC_PWR) or accessory ID (ACC_ID) pins of the plug connector depending on the insertion orientation of plug connector, the pair of Data A contacts is configured to mate with either the pair of Data  1  contacts or the pair of Data  2  contacts of the plug connector, and the P_IN (power in) pin or pins are configured to mate with the Host Power contact or contacts of the plug connector. Additionally, in the pin-out of  FIG. 12F , the GND contact is configured to mate with the GND contact in the plug connector. 
     Connectors  700  and  800  in certain embodiments are reversible connectors with exposed electrical contacts with a number of components. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that such connectors could operate equally well with fewer or a greater number of components than are illustrated in  FIGS. 11A to 12F . Thus, the depiction of connectors  700  and  800  in  FIGS. 11A to 12F  should be taken as being illustrative in nature, and not limiting to the scope of the disclosure. 
     Various embodiments of systems, methods, and apparatus for determining the whether an accessory includes particular circuitry have been described. While these embodiments have been described in the context of  FIGS. 1 to 12F , many modifications and variations are possible. The above description is therefore for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting. Also, references to top or bottom, or front and back of the various structures described above are relative and are used interchangeably depending on the point of reference. Similarly, dimensions and sizes provided throughout the above description are for illustrative purposes only and the inventive concepts described herein can be applied to structures with different dimensions. Accordingly, the scope and breadth of the present invention should not be limited by the specific embodiments described above and should instead be determined by the following claims and their full extend of equivalents.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20121228
Publication Date: 20141104
Grant Date: 20141104
Priority Date: 20120419
Inventors: MULLINS SCOTT
KOSUT ALEXEI
TERLIZZI JEFFREY J.
RICH ZACHARY C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H02J7/00034", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00045", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/81", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0274", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0274", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02H9/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02H3/20", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J4/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00045", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/81", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R19/0084", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0031", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0031", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R31/28", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00034", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01N27/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J4/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02H9/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R31/28", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02H3/20", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01N27/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01R19/0084", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/266", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00308", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47846672