Techniques for configuring contacts of a connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9293876-B2
Application number	US-201213607550-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 7, 2012
Priority date	Nov 7, 2011
Publication date	Mar 22, 2016
Grant date	Mar 22, 2016

Abstract

Systems and methods for configuring contacts of a first connector includes detecting mating of a second connector with the first connector and in response to the detection, sending a command over one of the contacts and waiting for a response to the command. If a valid response to the command is received, the system determines the orientation of the second connector. The response also includes configuration information for contacts in the second connector. The system then configures some of the other contacts of the first connector based on the determined orientation and configuration information of the contacts of the second connector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device comprising:
a plurality of different types of communication circuitry including at least a first type of communication circuitry configured to enable the electronic device to communicate with another electronic device using a first communication protocol and a second type of communication circuitry configured to enable the electronic device to communicate with another electronic device using a second communication protocol different than the first communication protocol; and
a first connector having a plurality of contacts including a first contact and at least one data contact;
switching circuitry operatively coupled between the plurality of different types of communication circuitry and the at least one data contact; and
control circuitry operatively coupled to the switching circuitry and configured to:
detect when a second connector associated with a second electronic device is mated with the first connector,
in response to the detection, send a command comprising a plurality of bits to the second electronic device over the first contact in the plurality of contacts requesting contact configuration information, and
if a response to the command including the requested contact configuration information is received over the first contact, control the switching circuitry to connect the data contact to one of the plurality of different types of communication circuitry based on information in the response.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising detection circuitry configured to:
in response to detecting mating of the second connector, switch the first contact from an open state to be connected with the control circuitry thereby enabling the control circuitry to send the command over the first contact.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein if no response is received over the first contact, the control circuitry is further configured to send the command over a second contact in the plurality of contacts.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the response to the command including the requested contact configuration information is in the form of a data structure that includes a command response field and a payload field, where the command response field defines a response to commands communicated to the second electronic device by the electronic device and the payload field includes a pin selection field enables the first electronic device to identify a communication protocol from the plurality of communication protocols and identify one or more contacts in the plurality of contacts over which the identified communication protocol is to be used.

5. The electronic device of claim 4 wherein and the payload field further includes an accessory capability field defining one or more capabilities of the second electronic device.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein to detect when the second connector is mated with the first connector, the control circuitry is further configured to
monitor a connection detection contact in the plurality of contacts; and
determine that the second connector is mated with the first connector when it detects a logic low on the connection detection contact.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the first connector is a receptacle connector and the second connector is a plug connector.

8. The electronic device of claim 7 wherein the detect step detects when the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle connector.

9. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the first connector comprises:
a housing that forms a cavity configured to receive the second connector; and
wherein the plurality of contacts are arranged as a single row on an anterior surface of the cavity.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 further comprises first and second retention latches disposed on opposite sides of the housing.

11. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of contacts includes first and second pairs of differential data contacts and wherein, based on information in the response, the control circuitry controls the switching circuitry to connect the first pair of differential data contacts to the first type of communication circuitry within the plurality of different types of communication circuitry and controls the switching circuitry to connect the second pair of differential data contacts to the second type of communication circuitry within the plurality of different types of communication circuitry.

12. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the first connector comprises:
a housing that forms a cavity configured to receive the second connector; and
wherein the plurality of contacts are arranged in a first row and a second row along a top anterior surface of the cavity and a bottom anterior surface of the cavity, respectively.

13. The electronic device of claim 12 wherein the first row and the second row each has equal number of contacts arranged therein.

14. A method of configuring a receptacle connector having a housing that defines an interior cavity into which a plug connector can be inserted in either a first orientation or a second orientation rotated 180 degrees from the first orientation and a first plurality of electrical contacts positioned along a first interior surface of the interior cavity, the plug connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts, the method comprising:
detecting, by a first device coupled to the receptacle connector, insertion of the plug connector into the interior cavity, wherein each contact in the second plurality of electrical contacts is in physical contact with a corresponding contact in the first plurality of electrical contacts;
sending, by the first device, via the receptacle connector, a signal over a first contact from the first plurality of electrical contacts;
monitoring, by the first device, the first contact to determine if a response is received for the signal;
if the response is not received over the first contact, sending, by the first device, via the receptacle connector, a signal over a second contact of the first plurality of electrical contacts;
monitoring, by the first device, a second contact to determine if a response is received for the signal;
determining, by the first device, whether the plug connector is inserted in the first orientation or the second orientation based on whether the response is received over the first contact or the second contact;
receiving, by the first device, configuration information for the second plurality of contacts of the plug connector;
setting, by the first device, internal connections to at least some of the first plurality of electrical contacts according to a first mapping when the plug connector is inserted into the interior cavity in the first orientation and setting internal connections to the at least some of the first plurality of electrical contacts according to a second mapping when the plug connector is inserted into the interior cavity in the second orientation.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the signal comprises a request and the response comprises a response to the request.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the request is for sending identification information associated with an accessory coupled to the plug connector.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein detecting insertion of the plug connector into the interior cavity further comprises:
electrically coupling at least one contact from the first plurality of electrical contacts to a ground contact of the plug connector;
receiving, by the first device, an indication indica

Assignees

• Terlizzi Jeffrey J
• Mullins Scott
• Kosut Alexei
• Minoo Jahan
• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Terlizzi Jeffrey J
• Mullins Scott
• Kosut Alexei
• Minoo Jahan

Classifications

• G06F3/00

  Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements · CPC title

• H01R27/00

  Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts ({for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35}; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90) · CPC title

• H01R13/665 Primary

  with built-in electronic circuit (H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence) · CPC title

• Y10T307/826

  Cross-Sectional Technologies · mapped topic

• H01R13/641

  by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement · CPC title