Protection circuitry for reversible connectors

A method of protecting internal device components that are coupled by protection circuitry to a connector that is operable to receive a mating connector in first and second orientations, comprising:

• with the connector, receiving the mating connector;
• monitoring the connector port with connector orientation detection circuitry;
• using the connector orientation detection circuitry to direct a first branch of the protection circuitry to block current flow in response to detecting that the mating connector is in the first orientation;
• and
• using the connector orientation detection circuitry to direct a second branch of the protection circuitry to block current flow in response to detecting that the mating connector is in the second orientation.

Protection circuitry coupled between a connector in an electronic device and internal device components in the electronic device, wherein the connector has at least first and second contacts and a ground contact, wherein the connector is configured to mate with a mating connector having third and fourth contacts and a mating ground contact in a first orientation in which the first contact is connected to the third contact, the second contact is connected to the fourth contact, and the ground contact is connected to the mating ground contact and a second orientation in which the first contact is connected to the fourth contact, the second contact is connected to the third contact, and the ground contact is connected to the mating ground contact, comprising:

• a power supply node and a ground node configured to supply power to the internal device components, wherein the ground node is coupled to the ground contact;
• a first protection circuit branch coupled between the power supply node and the first contact;
• a second protection circuit branch coupled between the power supply node and the second contact;
• and
• connector orientation detection circuitry coupled to the first and second contacts and configured to detect whether the mating connector has the first orientation or the second orientation, wherein the connector orientation detection circuitry provides control signals to the first and second circuit branches,
• wherein the first and second protection circuit branches each include a corresponding over-voltage protection circuit.

Protection circuitry coupled between a connector in an electronic device and internal device components in the electronic device, wherein the connector has at least first and second contacts and a ground contact, wherein the connector is configured to mate with a mating connector having third and fourth contacts and a mating ground contact in a first orientation in which the first contact is connected to the third contact, the second contact is connected to the fourth contact, and the ground contact is connected to the mating ground contact and a second orientation in which the first contact is connected to the fourth contact, the second contact is connected to the third contact, and the ground contact is connected to the mating ground contact, comprising:

• a power supply node and a ground node configured to supply power to the internal device components, wherein the ground node is coupled to the ground contact;
• a first protection circuit branch coupled between the power supply node and the first contact;
• a second protection circuit branch coupled between the power supply node and the second contact;
• and
• connector orientation detection circuitry coupled to the first and second contacts and configured to detect whether the mating connector has the first orientation or the second orientation, wherein the connector orientation detection circuitry provides control signals to the first and second circuit branches,
• wherein the connector orientation detection circuitry is configured to:
• generate control signals that direct the first protection circuit branch to block current flow through the first connector in response to detection of the mating connector in the first orientation;
• and
• generate control signals that direct the second protection circuit branch to block current flow through the second connector in response to detection of the mating connector in the second orientation.