Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing surfaces and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. A retainer is positioned at an entrance end of the tab and is overmolded on a portion of a carrier. The carrier has a first portion positioned within the tab, a second portion extending through the retainer and a third portion extending out of the retainer at an angle with respect to the longitudinal plane of the tab. The carrier has a plurality of conductors formed thereon and extending from the first portion to the third portion.

Abstract: A dual orientation plug connector having a tab portion with first and second opposing exterior surfaces that are substantially identical, parallel and opposite each other. Each exterior surface may have a plurality of electrical contacts. A substantially u-shaped metallic band surrounds a portion of the periphery of the plug connector. A contact assembly having an upper contact carrier, intermediate conductive plate and lower contact carrier may be disposed within the tab portion of the plug connector. A circuit assembly may be disposed within a body portion of the plug connector and electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical contacts.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an electromagnetic induction-power transfer system. The system may include a charging apparatus including a housing that defines an interface surface. An accessory or induction-power consuming apparatus may be positioned proximate to the interface surface. The housing of the charging apparatus may include a power source and a power-transferring coil coupled to the power source and positioned below the interface surface. A thermal mass may be positioned within the housing and spaced apart from the interface surface. The housing may include a thermal path that is configured to conduct heat from the interface surface to the thermal mass.

Abstract: A first electronic device connects with an second electronic device. The first electronic device may include a first connection surface and an inductive power transfer receiving coil and a first magnetic element positioned adjacent to the first connection surface. The second electronic device may similarly include a second connection surface and an inductive power transfer transmitting coil and second magnetic element positioned adjacent to the second connection surface. In the aligned position, alignment between the electronic devices may be maintained by magnetic elements and the inductive power coils may be configured to exchange power. The magnetic elements and/or the inductive power coils may include a shield that is configured to minimize or reduce eddy currents caused in the magnetic elements by the inductive power coils.

Abstract: A first and second electronic device each including a connection surface and a magnetic element. The first and second devices may be in contact along the respective connection surfaces. The magnetic elements may be configured to align the first and second devices by moving either or both of the first and second devices relative to each other to achieve an aligned position. The magnetic element may also be operative to resist disconnection of first and second electronic devices when in the aligned position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to connector plugs and jacks and in particular to an audio connector plug and jack that can be used in place of the a standard low profile plug and electronic devices using low profile plug receptacles. The connector plug has a reduced plug length and thickness, an intuitive insertion orientation and a smooth, consistent feel when inserted and extracted from its corresponding receptacle connector. A portion or all of the plug connector may include a flexible material that allows the connector to bend with respect to an insertion axis along which the plug connector is designed to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector. A corresponding connector jack may be configured to receive the reduced length and thickness connector plug.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to connectors such as audio connectors and in particular to flexible audio connectors that can be used in place of standard audio connectors currently used. A portion or all of the plug connector may comprise a flexible material that allows the connector to bend with respect to an insertion axis and prevent the connector from breaking when inserted or extracted improperly. A method of assembly is provided and may be used for assembling embodiments of the plug connector. The connector is configured to mate with a corresponding receptacle connector along an insertion axis.

Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. Each individual contact in the first plurality of contacts is electrically connected within the tab or body to a corresponding contact in the second plurality of contacts. In some embodiments contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are directly opposite each other are coupled together. In some other embodiments, contacts in the first and second pluralities of contacts that are in a cater cornered relationship with each other are coupled together.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a handheld device may have a rectangular housing with a rectangular periphery. A conductive peripheral housing member may run along the rectangular periphery and may surround the rectangular housing. Radio-frequency transceiver circuitry within the electronic device may be coupled to antenna structures for transmitting and receiving radio-frequency signals. The conductive peripheral housing member may form part of the antenna structures. A gap in the conductive peripheral housing member may be filled with dielectric. The conductive peripheral housing member may be configured to form a recess. The recess may have the shape of a rectangle, oval, diamond, or other shape that overlaps and is bisected by the gap. The recess may also have the shape of a groove that extends around the entire periphery of the housing. The dielectric in the recess may include one or more different materials such as clear and opaque polymers.

Abstract: Connector inserts and receptacles that provide a clear response to a user when a connector insert is properly inserted into a connector receptacle. One example may provide a connector system that provides a tactile response to a user when a connector insert is properly inserted into a connector receptacle. In other examples, the response provided to the user may be audible as well. The insertion of the connector insert into the connector receptacle may follow a force profile that includes an insertion profile defined by a substantially monotonically increasing resistance force from the beginning of insertion until an insertion peak is reached, followed by a click-through event leading to a final mating position.

Abstract: Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks, and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided.

Abstract: An improved method is employed to produce a plug connector having a defined breaking strength. The plug connector is receivable in a receptacle connector disposed in an electronic device. The plug connector has an inner enclosure bonded to a tab of the connector. The bonds are designed to break at a torque that is less than the breaking strength of the tab of the connector and/or the receptacle connector. The designed breaking strength protects the receptacle connector and/or the electronic device from damage when a force is applied to the plug connector.

Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab 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 insertion orientations.

Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab 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 insertion orientations.

Abstract: A stackable connector interface with magnetic retention for electronic devices and accessories can allow power and data to be transferred between one or more stacked connectors. Each interconnected stackable connector may include one or more magnetic elements, which magnetic elements may have poles arranged to facilitate mating with other stackable connectors. The magnetic elements may also provide a magnetic retention force that holds mated connectors in contact with each other. The connectors can also include connection detection circuitry for determining whether the connectors are mated with other connectors, thereby allowing the connectors to prevent live contacts from being exposed at an unmated surface of the connectors. In addition to connection detection circuitry, routing circuitry may also be included to determine how signals should be transferred between the interconnected stackable connectors and/or corresponding devices.

Abstract: An inductive charging interface with magnetic retention can be used for charging electronic devices and accessories. For example, a magnetic core of an inductive charging configuration may be divided into two magnetic elements, one element can be housed within a receptacle or receiving connector of housing of an electric device and the other element can be housed within a plug or transmission connector. The poles of the two elements of the magnetic core may create a magnetic field to retain the plug connector in an aligned, mated position with the receptacle connector of the electronic device in addition to directing magnetic flux to flow in a circular path around and between the two elements of the magnetic core, thereby inducing a current for charging the internal battery of a device.

Abstract: A plug connector with external contacts is provided. The connector has one pair of contacts for transmitting data and one pair of contacts for receiving data. All data transmitted and received using the plug connector is serialized/de-serialized to enable data transmission at a very high rate. A corresponding receptacle connector has configurable contacts that are configured based on the orientation of the plug connector with respect to the receptacle connector. The receptacle connector may be included in a host device and has associated circuitry to detect orientation of the plug connector and to configure the contacts of the receptacle connector.

Abstract: A dual orientation plug connector having a tab portion with first and second opposing exterior surfaces that are substantially identical, parallel and opposite each other. Each exterior surface may have a plurality of electrical contacts. A substantially u-shaped metallic band surrounds a portion of the periphery of the plug connector. A contact assembly having an upper contact carrier, intermediate conductive plate and lower contact carrier may be disposed within the tab portion of the plug connector. A circuit assembly may be disposed within a body portion of the plug connector and electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical contacts.

Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing surfaces and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. A retainer is positioned at an entrance end of the tab and is overmolded on a portion of a carrier. The carrier has a first portion positioned within the tab, a second portion extending through the retainer and a third portion extending out of the retainer at an angle with respect to the longitudinal plane of the tab. The carrier has a plurality of conductors formed thereon and extending from the first portion to the third portion.

Abstract: Connector systems that carry electrical signals and optical signals in a single connector are provided. A male electro-optical connector can have an electrical insert portion that fits into a receptacle of a female electro-optical connector to provide a structural connection. The optical interface can be advantageously near a front of the connectors for easy maintenance. Optical connectors with a relatively large diameter for the optical interface are also provided. Optical connectors can include a collector for receiving optical signals at a large opening and providing signals to a photodiode at a small opening of the collector. Such optical connectors with a large diameter for an optical interface can advantageously provide reduced alignment tolerances. Adapters, cable adapters, docking stations, and other apparatus can also be provided.