Single USB type-C connector with data port mode and console port mode

A port assembly comprising:

• a receptacle of an electrical connector having a plurality of contacts configured for connection with a plurality of corresponding pins of a compatible plug;
• and
• circuitry connected to the plurality of contacts, the circuitry including
• a master unit configured to one or more of transfer data to and supply power to the compatible plug when the compatible plug is inserted into the receptacle in a first orientation,
• a slave unit configured to one or more of transfer data from and receive power from the compatible plug when the compatible plug is inserted into the receptacle in a second orientation, inverted relative to the first orientation, and
• a switching circuit configured to detect orientation using orientation detection signals received via one or more pins of the receptacle, wherein the master unit and the slave unit are connected to orientation-specific contacts of the receptacle, the master unit being hard-wired to contacts engaged in the first orientation and the slave unit being hard-wired to different contacts engaged in the second orientation, without data-path multiplexing.

An electronic device comprising:

• a housing;
• a connector arranged in the housing to enable connection with a plug of a corresponding connector, the connector including a receptacle having a plurality of contacts configured for connection with a plurality of corresponding pins of the plug;
• and
• circuitry including
• a master unit configured to one or more of transfer data to and supply power to the plug when the plug is inserted into the receptacle in a first orientation,
• a slave unit configured to one or more of transfer data from and receive power from the plug when the plug is inserted into the receptacle in a second orientation, inverted relative to the first orientation;
• and
• a switching circuit configured to detect orientation using orientation detection signals received via one or more pins of the receptacle, wherein the master unit and the slave unit are directly connected to orientation-specific contacts of the receptacle, the master unit being hard-wired to contacts engaged in the first orientation and the slave unit being hard-wired to different contacts engaged in the second orientation, without data-path multiplexing.