External contact plug connector

A plug connector comprising:

• a substantially flat body having first and second major opposing sides and third and fourth opposing sides connecting the first and second major sides, the third and fourth sides being substantially thinner than the first and second sides;
• and
• a plurality of contacts carried by the substantially flat body at its distal end;
• wherein the distal end of the body is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations.

A receptacle connector configured to receive a corresponding plug connector, the receptacle connector comprising:

• a housing;
• an insertion cavity formed within the housing;
• a plurality of spring contacts that extend into the cavity;
• a detent having first and second projections, each having a circular cross-section, projecting into the insertion cavity, the first and second projections designed to engage with notches on a corresponding plug connector to secure the plug connector within the receptacle connector.

A receptacle connector configured to receive a corresponding plug connector, the receptacle connector comprising:

• a housing;
• an insertion cavity formed within the housing, the insertion cavity having first and second opposing interior surfaces;
• a plurality of contacts that extend into the cavity from the first interior surface and no contacts on the second interior surface;
• circuitry adapted to detect an insertion orientation of a plug connector in conjunction with a mating event and switch signals on the plurality of contacts to match the signal on the plug connector based on the insertion orientation of the plug connector.