Unified connector for multiple interfaces
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsWilliam P. Cornelius, Paul A. Baker, William O. Ferry, Min Chul Kim, Nathan N. Ng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may reduce the number of connector receptacles that are needed on an electronic device. One example may provide a unified connector and circuitry that may be capable of communicating with more than one interface.
Claims20
A method of determining an orientation of a connector insert in a connector receptacle, the method comprising:
- determining whether a first pin in the connector receptacle is grounded, and if it is, then
- determining that the connector insert is inserted in the connector receptacle in a first orientation and providing a first voltage on a second pin of the connector receptacle, and
- if the first pin in the connector receptacle is not grounded, then
- determining whether the second pin in the connector receptacle is grounded, and if it is, then
- determining that the connector insert is inserted in the connector receptacle in a second orientation and providing the first voltage on the first pin of the connector receptacle.
A method of determining an orientation of a connector insert of a cable assembly in a connector receptacle of an electronic device, the method comprising:
- with the electronic device, determining whether a first pin in the connector receptacle is grounded;
- when the electronic device determines that the first pin in the connector receptacle is grounded, then providing a first voltage on a second pin of the connector receptacle;
- and
- when the electronic device determines that the first pin in the connector receptacle is not grounded;
- then
- with the electronic device, determining whether the second pin in the connector receptacle is grounded;
- and
- when the electronic device determines that the first pin in the connector receptacle is grounded, then providing the first voltage on the first pin of the connector receptacle.
A connector receptacle circuit to determine an orientation of a connector insert in a connector receptacle, the connector receptacle circuit to:
- determine whether a first pin in the connector receptacle is grounded;
- responsive to determining that the first pin in the connector receptacle is grounded, provide a first voltage on a second pin of the connector receptacle, and
- responsive to determining that the first pin in the connector receptacle is not grounded, then
- determine whether the second pin in the connector receptacle is grounded;
- and
- responsive to determining that the second pin in the connector receptacle is grounded, provide the first voltage on the first pin of the connector receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.