• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
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  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    ADAPTER FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES. The present invention relates to an adapter for connecting an accessory to a portable electronic device that includes a first connector compatible with a portable electronic device connector and a second connector compatible with an accessory connector. The accessory and portable electronic device connectors are otherwise incompatible with each other. The adapter provides two levels of authentication. First, the adapter authenticates itself to the handheld electronic device. If this authentication is successful, then the adapter authenticates the accessory to the adapter.
    公开号:BR112014013012B1
    申请号:R112014013012-4
    申请日:2012-11-29
    公开日:2021-05-25
    发明作者:Jeffrey J. Terlizzi；Daniel J. Fritchman；Scott Krueger；Terry Tikalsky；Debra A. Sillman
    申请人:Apple Inc.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS
    [001] This application claims priority to US Patent Application Number 13,607,519, filed September 7, 2012 and US Patent Application Numbers 61/694,423, filed August 29, 2012, 61/565,910, filed on December 1, 2011 and 61/565,372, filed on November 30, 2011, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [002] Portable electronic devices, such as portable media players, have become ubiquitous in today's society. As these have proliferated, so have the number and types of hardware accessories that are designed to interface with these portable media players. These accessories vary in complexity, including, for example, simple speaker systems and complex car entertainment systems.
    [003] These accessories commonly communicate with a portable media player using a connector system. This connector system typically includes a plug connector on the accessory and a receptacle connector on the portable media player. A user plugs the accessory plug connector into the portable media player receptacle connector thereby forming physical and electrical connections between the contacts of each connector that allow data and power to be exchanged between the devices.
    [004] Users can have multiple different portable media players. For various reasons, these media players can have different size connectors. For example, media players can be made by different manufacturers. Also, media players can be made by the same manufacturer, but a newer media player may have a smaller, more advanced connector receptacle than an older media player made by the same company.
    [005] For these and other reasons, a user may encounter a situation where he has a portable media player but which is incompatible with certain accessories designed to operate with a different media player. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [006] The embodiments of the present invention provide circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide compatibility between incompatible accessories and electronic devices such as portable media players. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an adapter having a receptacle connector to match a plug connector attached to an accessory and a plug connector to match the receptacle connector on a portable media player. For convenience, the portable media player or other electronic device plugged into the adapter's plug connector is sometimes referred to here as the host.
    [007] A plug connector on an accessory may be incompatible with a receptacle connector on a portable media player in at least two modes. First, this incompatibility may be physical; the accessory plug connector may not fit the portable media player receptacle connector. Second, this incompatibility can be electrical; signals or power received or provided at the accessory plug connector may be electrically incompatible with the signals or power received or provided at the receptacle connector of the portable media player. In some cases the incompatibility is both physical and electrical.
    [008] Where the incompatibility is physical, an embodiment of the present invention provides an adapter having a connector receptacle to match a plug connector on an accessory and a plug connector to match a receptacle connector on a portable media player. One or more electrical connections can be made between the plug connector pins and the receptacle connector pins on the adapter. Where the incompatibility is electrical, an embodiment of the present invention provides for one or more conversion circuits placed in the adapter between the pins of the receptacle connector on the adapter. Where the incompatibility is both physical and electrical, both of these techniques can be employed by embodiments of the present invention.
    [009] Some portable media players include an authentication circuit that communicates with the authentication circuit on an accessory during a wedding event to authenticate the accessory. If the authentication process is successful, the portable media player and the accessory can exchange data and the accessory can be used whatever its intended function. If authentication fails, however, the portable media player disables communication with the accessory. Some embodiments of an adapter in accordance with the present invention include a circuit that performs two levels of authentication. On a first level, the adapter authenticates itself to the portable media player using a first authentication protocol that the portable media player uses to authenticate accessories designed to work with it. If the first authentication process completes successfully and the adapter is allowed to communicate with the portable media player, a second level of authentication can then occur where the adapter authenticates the accessory connected to the adapter according to a second authentication protocol that the accessory would normally employ when connecting to a host with which the accessory is designed to operate. In one embodiment, the circuit within the adapter may also adjust selected contacts of its receptacle connector to an open state and then connect the open contacts to an appropriate circuit after the first level of authentication is completed. Such a modality prevents an accessory plugged into the receptacle connector from recognizing that it is plugged into the adapter and potentially the host until after the first level of authentication is completed.
    [0010] A specific embodiment of the invention relates to an adapter that includes a 30-pin receptacle connector that has a pinout compatible with Apple iPod and iPhone devices and an eight-contact plug connector that includes a first pair of contacts data contacts designed for data transmission using a differential data protocol, such as USB 2.0, and a second pair of data contacts designed for data transmission using Apple-developed Mikeybus protocol or a UART protocol. The conversion circuit inside the adapter converts the signals and voltages received from an accessory device connected to the 30-pin receptacle connector into signals and voltages that can be transmitted over the eight-contact plug connector and processed by a portable media player or other host device connected to the eight-contact plug connector. The conversion circuit also converts the signals and voltages sent to the adapter by the host device through the eight-contact connector to signals and voltages that can be transmitted over the 30-pin receptacle connector and processed by the accessory. In a specific embodiment, the adapter includes a circuit that transmits data over the differential data contacts of the eight-contact connector using a Mikeybus communication protocol that bundles both digital audio and USB data together into a single data stream. The circuit extracts the digital audio data from the data stream and sends it to a digital-to-analog converter to be output over the left and right audio output contacts of the 30-pin connector. The circuit can also extract the USB data and transmit it over the USB differential data contacts of the 30-pin connector.
    [0011] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an adapter that has a first connector that can be used to match a plug connector on an accessory. The adapter also includes a second connector that can be used to match a receptacle connector on the handheld electronic device. As described above, the plug connector on the accessory is incompatible with the receptacle connector receptacle on the portable electronic device. The adapter may further include a conversion circuit adapted to convert the signals received from the accessory into a format that can be transmitted to and processed by the portable electronic device and convert the signals received from the portable electronic device to a format that can be transmitted to and processed by the portable electronic device. accessory. In addition, the adapter may also include an authentication circuit adapted to implement a first level of authentication that authenticates the adapter to the portable electronic device. If the first level of authentication is successful, the authentication circuit can then implement a second level of authentication that authenticates the accessory to the adapter.
    [0012] In one embodiment, the first adapter connector includes (i) a first contact configured to receive an accessory ID signal, (ii) a pair of contacts configured to carry a universal serial bus (USB) signal, (iii) a second contact configured to charge power to the handheld electronic device accessory, (iv) a third contact configured to carry an accessory detection signal to determine if the accessory is coupled to the adaptor, (v) a first set of differential data contacts, (vi) a second set of contacts configured to carry the audio signals, and (vii) a third set of contacts configured to carry the video signals.
    [0013] In a specific embodiment, the second connector of the adapter includes (i) a first contact configured to carry the identification signal to the portable electronic device, (ii) a first pair of data contacts configured to carry the data signals differentials, (iii) a second contact configured to carry a host power signal from the accessory to the portable electronic device, (iv) a third contact configured to carry accessory power from the portable electronic device to the accessory, and (v) a second pair of data contacts configured to carry the differential data signals, and (vi) a fourth contact coupled in a ground path.
    [0014] An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for operating an adapter. The method includes the adapter sending identification and authentication information to a host device to authenticate the adapter to the host device. The method further includes the adapter detecting the connection of an accessory device to the adapter and receiving identification and authentication information from the accessory. The method further includes the adapter authenticating the accessory and the adapter then enabling a power path between the accessory and the host device based on the authentication of the accessory.
    [0015] Another specific embodiment of the present invention provides an adapter to allow a connection between a portable electronic device and an accessory. The adapter includes a housing that has a first side and a second side. A first connector is disposed on the first side and a second connector is disposed on the second side. The adapter further includes an identification device that is disposed within the housing and coupled to the first connector and a power control device that is disposed within the housing and coupled to the first and second connectors. The adapter further includes an authentication circuit coupled to the first connector and the second connector. The adapter can detect the connection of a host device on the first connector and send the authentication and identification information to the host device to authenticate the adapter to the host device. Later, the adapter can detect the connection of an accessory to the second connector and receive authentication information from the accessory. Based on the information received, the adapter can authenticate the accessory and allow communication between the accessory and the host device when authenticating the accessory.
    [0016] In some embodiments, the first adapter connector may have between 4 and 16 contacts arranged in two rows so that a first row of contacts is disposed on an upper surface of a printed circuit board (PCB) and a second row of contacts is arranged on a lower surface of the PCB. In a specific modality, contacts are exposed to the environment. The first row and the second row can each have an equal number of contacts. For example, if the first connector has 16 contacts, then each of the first row and the second row can each have 8 contacts arranged so that each contact on the upper surface of the PCB has another contact located directly under it on the lower surface of the PCB.
    [0017] To better understand the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description and accompanying figures. It should be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present invention. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evident contrary to the description, where elements in different figures use identical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0018] Figure 1 illustrates an electronic system that is improved by incorporating an embodiment of the present invention;
    [0019] Figure 2 illustrates an electronic system that includes an adapter 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention that allows communication between an accessory 20 and a portable media player 30;
    [0020] Figure 3 illustrates a plug connector 100 that is included in an adapter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
    [0021] Figure 4A illustrates an exemplary pinout of the plug connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;
    [0022] Figure 4B illustrates an exemplary pinout of the plug connector according to another embodiment of the present invention;
    [0023] Figure 5 illustrates a receptacle connector 140 that is compatible with the plug connector illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B;
    [0024] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary 120 pinout of a 30-pin receptacle connector that is included in a portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
    [0025] Figure 7 illustrates an adapter in accordance with the present invention that includes the plug connector 100 of Figure 3 along with the 30-pin receptacle connector that has the pinout shown in Figure 6:
    [0026] Figure 8 is a schematic drawing of the converter circuit 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention;
    [0027] Figure 9 is a state diagram showing a mode of operation for adapter 40 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
    [0028] Figure 10 is a representative drawing of the conversion circuit when the adapter is operating in a first mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention;
    [0029] Figure 11 is a representative drawing of the conversion circuit when the adapter is operating in a second mode of operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
    [0030] Figure 12 is a representative drawing of the conversion circuit when the adapter is operating in a third mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [0031] Figure 1 illustrates an electronic system that is improved by incorporating an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in Figure 1 is a hardware accessory 20 that a user may want to connect to two different portable electronic devices 10 and 30 in order, for example, to extend the functionality of each of the devices 10 and 30. In this example, the electronic device portable 10 is a first portable media player that includes a receptacle connector 14 and a touch screen 16. Portable media player 10 can be an iPod, iPhone, or similar device designed and manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California, but it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to any specific type of electronic media player or other device.
    [0032] As shown in Figure 1, the accessory 20 is a clock radio. In other embodiments, the accessory may be an automotive radio, transmitter, cable, audio/video receiver, storage device, or other device. The accessory includes control buttons 24, such as volume, tuning, audio source, etc., For controlling the clock radio and a display 25 that can show the time and other information. Accessory 20 also includes a plug connector 22 that includes a plurality of contacts (not shown) that carry electrical signals for one or more of data, audio, video, control, and power functions. In one embodiment the plug connector 14 includes between 4 and 30 contacts but the present invention is not limited to any specific contact count or configuration.
    [0033] The receptacle connector 22 includes a cavity in which a plurality of pins or contacts (not shown) are positioned. Plug connector 14 and receptacle connector 22 are designed to mate with each other to physically and electrically couple the contacts in connector 14 with the contacts within connector 22 so that signals can be transmitted between the contacts. Thus, plug connector 14 and receptacle connector 22 can be said to be "compatible" with each other. When connectors 14 and 22 are paired, portable media player 10 can exchange information with clock radio 20 to allow, for example, clock radio to play music that is stored in media player 10.
    [0034] Various portable media players and other electronic devices may include receptacle connectors that are of a different shape, size or pin configuration than receptacle connector 14 in which case these other receptacle connectors may not be compatible with or they may be "incompatible" with plug connector 22. A connector insert on an accessory may not be compatible with a connector receptacle on a portable electronic device or portable media player because the connector insert is designed to match the products made by a first manufacturer, while the portable media player is instead made by a second manufacturer. Also, a portable media player manufacturer may change the design of a connector receptacle for some products, such as newer generation products. For example, a smaller connector can be incorporated into newer generation products to allow for the design of smaller portable media players. Also a connector with a different pinout can support new data communication protocols that could not be supported by an older preexisting connector.
    [0035] There are at least two types of incompatibility that can arise between a plug connector on an accessory and a receptacle connector on a host electronic device. First, the receptacle connector may be physically incompatible with the plug connector, that is, they may be of incompatible sizes and literally cannot be connected together in a mechanical sense. Figure 1 provides an example of connectors that are physically incompatible with each other. Specifically, a portable media player 30 is shown in Figure 1 which includes a receptacle connector 34 that is considerably smaller than the receptacle connector 14 incorporated into the media player 10. The plug connector 22 is too large to fit inside the connector 24 and so connectors 34 and 22 are "incompatible" connectors that cannot be matched to each other.
    [0036] As a second example of incompatible connectors, a plug connector on an accessory may not be compatible with a receptacle connector on a portable electronic device or portable media player because one or more signals or outputs from the power supply or the connector plug sockets or on the receptacle connector are incompatible with the inputs on the other end. This can occur at one or more signaling levels. For example, a physical layer used to transmit and receive signals may be incompatible between the accessory and the media player. Specifically, signal voltages and other physical parameters can be different. Also, a transport level, which specifies frequency and other parameters, can be different between devices. The packet structure layer, which defines how commands and data are formatted, and the logical levels of multiple packets, which define sequences of commands, can also vary between devices.
    [0037] Embodiments of the present invention provide adapters that allow communication between a portable media player and an accessory, wherein the receptacle connector on the portable media player and a plug connector on an accessory are incompatible in one or both of these modes . An example is shown in Figure 2 which illustrates an electronic system according to an embodiment of the invention.
    [0038] As shown in Figure 2, an adapter 40 in accordance with the present invention may be connected between the otherwise incompatible connectors 22 and 34 of the accessory 20 and the portable media player 30, respectively, to enable the accessory 20 and the portable media player 30 communicate with each other. Adapter 40 includes a receptacle connector 44 and a plug connector 42 formed in a housing 41. The receptacle connector 44 is configured to match and thus is compatible with the plug connector 22 on the fitting 20. The plug connector 42 is configured to match and is thus compatible with the receptacle connector 34 on the portable media player 30. The adapter 40 also includes a conversion circuit (not shown in Figure 2) that converts the signals and voltages received over the receptacle connector 44 of the accessory 20 into signals and voltages that can be transmitted by plug connector 42 and processed by portable media player 30. The conversion circuit also converts the signals and voltages sent to the adapter by portable media player 30 via plug connector 42 to signals and voltages that can be transmitted by receptacle connector 44 and processed by accessory 20.
    [0039] In a specific embodiment, the plug connector 42 is an eight-contact dual in-line orientation connector (plug ground contacts) as shown in Figure 3, which is a simplified perspective view of a plug connector 100 which can be used as the plug connector 42. As shown in Figure 3, the connector 100 includes a body 103 and a tab portion 104 that extends longitudinally away from the body 103 in a direction parallel to the length of the connector. Body 103 may be part of housing 41 of adapter 40 or may be a structural component of connector 100 that allows the connector to be secured in housing 41. Additionally, in some embodiments, adapter 40 may include a cable extending from the housing. 41 to the plug connector 42 providing more flexibility for the plug connector to be paired with a portable media device.
    The tab 104 is sized to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector, such as the receptacle connector 34 of the portable media player 30 shown in Figure 2, during a wedding event and includes a formed first contact region 106a. over a first main surface 104a and a second contact region 106b (not shown in Figure 3) formed on a second main surface 104b (also not shown) opposite surface 104a. Surfaces 104a, 104b extend from a distal end of the tab to a spine 109 which, when tab 104 is inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector, abuts a receptacle connector housing or host device in which the receptacle connector is. incorporated. Tab 104 also includes first and second opposing side surfaces 104c, 104d that extend between the first and second main surfaces 104a, 104b. In a specific embodiment, tab 104 is 6.6 mm wide, 1.5 mm thick, and has an insertion depth (the distance from tab tip 104 to spine 109) of 7.9 mm.
    [0041] The structure and shape of the tab 104 are defined by an earth ring 105 which may be made of stainless steel or other hard conductive material. Connector 100 includes retaining features 102a, 102b formed as curved pockets on the sides of ground ring 105 that function as ground contacts. The body 103 is shown in Figure 3 in transparent form (by dotted lines) so that certain components within the body are visible. As shown, within the body 103 a printed circuit board (PCB) 107 extends into the ground ring 105 between the contact regions 106a and 106b towards the tip farthest from the connector 100. One or more integrated circuits (ICs) ), such as Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chips 108a and 108b, may be operatively coupled to PCB 107 to provide information regarding connector 100 and adapter 40 and/or perform specific functions such as authentication, identification, contact configuration and regulation of current or energy.
    [0042] As an example, in one embodiment an ID module is incorporated within an IC operatively coupled to the contacts of connector 100. The ID module can be programmed with identification and configuration information about the connector and/or its associated accessory that can be communicated to a host device during a wedding event. As another example, an authentication module programmed to perform an authentication routine, for example a public key encryption routine, with the circuitry in the host device may be incorporated within an IC operatively coupled to connector 100. The ID module and the authentication module can be embedded within the same IC or within different ICs. As yet another example, in embodiments where adapter 40 allows an accessory to charge the host device connected to connector 42, a current regulator may be incorporated into one of ICs 108a or 108b. The current regulator can be operatively coupled to contacts that are capable of supplying power to charge a battery in the host device and regulate the current supplied over these contacts to ensure a constant current independent of the input voltage and even when the input voltage varies by a transient mode.
    [0043] Patch pads 110 may also be formed within body 103 near the end of PCB 107. Each patch pad may be connected to a contact or pair of contacts within regions 106a and 106b. Wires (not shown) can then be soldered onto the jumper pads to provide an electrical connection from the contacts to the circuit inside adapter 40. In some embodiments, however, the jumper pads are not necessary and instead all electrical connections between the contacts and components of connector 100 and other circuitry within adapter 40 are made via tracks on a PCB to which the circuits are coupled and/or by interconnections between multiple PCBs within adapter 40.
    [0044] As shown in Figure 3 eight external contacts 106(1)..106(8) are spaced along a single row in the contact region 106a. A similar set of eight contacts are spaced along a single row in contact region 106b. The two rows of contacts are directly opposite each other and each contact in the contact region 106a is electrically connected to a corresponding contact in the contact region 106b on the opposite side of the connector. The 106(1)..106(8) contacts can be used to carry a wide variety of signals including digital signals and analog signals as well as power and ground.
    [0045] Figure 4A presents a specific implementation of a pinout for the plug connector 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The pinout shown in 4A includes two contacts 106(4), 106(5) that are electrically coupled together to function as a single contact dedicated to carrying energy; an accessory ID contact 106(8); an accessory power contact 106(1); and four data contacts 106(2), 106(3), 106(6) and 106(7). Power contacts 106(4), 106(5) can be sized to handle any reasonable power requirement for a portable electronic device, and, for example, can be designed to charge between 3-20 Volts from an accessory to charge a host device connected to connector 100. Power contacts 106(4), 106(5) are positioned in the center of contact regions 106a, 106b to improve signal integrity by keeping power as far away from the sides of the ground ring as possible. 105.
    [0046] Attachment power contact 106(1) can be used for an attachment power signal that provides host power to an attachment. The accessory power signal is typically a lower voltage signal than the power in the signal received over contacts 106(4) and 106(5), for example, 3.3 volts compared to 5 volts or higher. The Accessory ID contact provides a communication channel that allows the host device to authenticate the accessory and allows the accessory to communicate information to the host device about the capability of the accessory as described in more detail below.
    [0047] Data contacts 106(2), 106(3), 106(6) and 106(7) can be used to allow communication between the host and the accessory using one or more of several different communication protocols . Data contacts 106(2) and 106(3) are positioned adjacent to and on one side of the power contacts, while data contacts 106(6) and 106(7) are positioned adjacent to the but on the other side of the power contacts. Accessory power and accessory ID contacts are located on each end of the connector. Data contacts can be high speed data contacts that operate at a rate that is two or three orders of magnitude faster than any signals sent over the accessory ID contact which makes the accessory ID signal essentially appear as a DC signal for high speed data lines. Thus, positioning the data contacts between the power contacts and the ID contact improves signal integrity by sandwiching the data contacts between the contacts designated for the DC signals or essentially DC signals.
    [0048] Figure 4B presents another specific implementation of a pinout for the plug connector 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.
    [0049] Connector 101 can also be a reversible connector just like connector 100. In other words, based on the orientation in which connector 101 is mated to a corresponding connector of a host device, any of the contacts on the surface 106a or 106b is in physical and electrical contact with contacts on the corresponding connector of the host device. As illustrated in Figure 4B, connector 101 may have eight contacts disposed on an upper surface of a PCB 150 and eight contacts disposed on a lower surface of the PCB 150.
    [0050] Connector 101 includes two contacts 112(1) and 114(4) which can function as accessory ID contacts to carry identification signals between the accessory and the portable electronic device. Contacts 112(1) and 114(4) are electrically connected together as illustrated in Figure 4B. Connector 101 may have four pairs of data contacts, (a) 112(2) and 112(3), (b) 112(6) and 112(7), (c) 114(2) and 114(3) , and (d) 114(6) and 114(7). In this particular embodiment, the opposing data contacts, eg 112(2) and 114(2), are electrically connected to each other via PCB 150 as illustrated in Figure 4B. Connector 101 may further include host power contacts 112(4) or 114(5) which may be electrically connected together. Host power contacts 112(4) or 114(5) can carry power to the host device that is mated to connector 101. For example, plug connector 101 can be part of a power supply system designed to provide power to the host device. In this case, any contact 112(4) or 114(5) can carry energy from the power supply to the host device, for example, to charge a battery in the host device.
    [0051] Connector 101 may further include accessory power contacts 112(5) and 114(8) that may be electrically connected to each other, for example via PCB 150. The accessory power contacts carry power from the device host for a connected accessory. For example, in some cases, an accessory plugged into the host device may not self-energize and may derive its power from the host device. In this case, the host device may supply power to the accessory over any of the accessory contacts, depending on the orientation of connector 101 with respect to a corresponding connector on the host device. Connector 101 may further include two ground contacts 112(8) and 114(1) electrically connected together. Ground contacts provide a ground path for connector 101.
    [0052] Similar to connector 100 of Figure 4A, the data contacts of connector 101 may be high-speed data contacts that operate at a rate that is two or three orders of magnitude faster than any signals sent over the contact. Accessory ID which makes the Accessory ID signal look essentially like a DC signal for high speed data lines. Thus, positioning the data contacts between the host power contacts and the accessory ID contact improves signal integrity by sandwiching the data contacts between contacts designated for DC signals or essentially DC signals.
    [0053] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a receptacle connector 140 with which the connector 100 can be coupled. Receptacle connector 140 may, for example, be included on portable media player 30 as connector 34. As shown in Figure 5, receptacle connector 140 includes eight contacts 146(1)...146(8) that are spaced apart at a single row. The contacts are positioned within a cavity 147 which is defined by a housing 142. Receptacle connector 140 also includes side retaining mechanisms 146a, 146b which mate with retaining features 102a, 102b in connector 100 to secure connector 100 within of cavity 147 once the connectors are mated. Receptacle connector 140 also includes two contacts 148(1) and 148(2) that are positioned slightly behind the signal contact row and can be used to detect when connector 100 is inserted into cavity 147 and detect when connector 100 exits cavity 147 when the connectors are uncoupled from each other.
    [0054] When tab 104 of connector 100 is fully inserted into cavity 147 of receptacle connector 140 during a match event between the plug and receptacle connectors, each of the contacts 106(1)..106(8) of a of the contact regions 106a or 106b is physically coupled to one of the contacts 146(1)..146(8) depending on the insertion orientation of the connector 100 with respect to the connector 140. Thus the contact 146(1) will be physically connected or to the contact 106(1) or 106(8) depending on the insertion orientation; data contacts 146(2), 146(3) will connect with either data contacts 106(2), 106(3) or data contacts 106(7), 106(6) depending on the insertion orientation, etc.
    [0055] Referring again to Figure 2, in a specific embodiment, receptacle connector 44 is a 30-pin connector compatible with Apple iPod and iPhone devices such as iPhone 3 and iPhone 4. Figure 6 shows a pinning 120 of receptacle connector 44 according to an embodiment.
    [0056] Reference is now made to Figure 7 which illustrates a system in accordance with the present invention in which an adapter 40 in accordance with the present invention can enable an accessory 20 that includes an Apple compatible 30-pin plug connector communicate with a portable media player 30 that includes a receptacle connector 140 as shown in Figure 5. Adapter 40 includes a plug connector 100 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 and a 30-pin receptacle connector 120 that has the pinout. 44 shown in Figure 6. Receptacle connector 120 is compatible with a plug connector 22 of an accessory 20, which is shown to be a docking station / clock radio, but can be any electronic accessory that includes a plug connector that can be mated to adapter 40. Plug connector 22 is physically incompatible with receptacle connector 140 (and thus receptacle connector 120 is also incompatible with plug connector 100). Adapter 40 allows accessory 20 to communicate with host 30.
    [0057] As shown in Figure 7, the adapter 40 also includes a conversion circuit 200 within the housing 204 that converts the signals and voltages transmitted between the accessory 20 and the host 30 into signals and voltages of which each of the accessory 20 and host 30 can process and operate. In one embodiment, conversion circuit 200 includes an audio/video converter 207, a data converter 208, and a power converter 209. Other modes include only one or two of the converters 207, 208, and 209 and include other types of converters in the total.
    [0058] The audio/video converter 207 can be a one-way converter (for example, it only converts video data and/or audio data sent from the host to a format that can be received and processed by the accessory, or it only converts data video and/or audio data sent from the accessory to a format that can be received and processed by the host) or a two-way converter (i.e., converts the video and/or audio data sent between the host and the accessory in both ways. directions). In a specific embodiment, the audio/video converter 207 is a one-way converter that converts digital audio and digital video data sent over USB data lines from connector 100 to analog audio and analog video signals. In another embodiment, converter 207 only converts audio data and adapter 200 does not support video data conversion between host 215 and accessory 220.
    [0059] Similarly, data converter 208 may be a one-way or two-way data converter. In one embodiment the data converter 208 is capable of translating the data signals received over a first communication protocol used by accessory 20 and connector 205 to either a USB protocol or a UART protocol used by connector 100 and host 30. In another In this embodiment, connectors 100 and 120 each support USB and UART communication protocols and data converter 208 passes the USB signals between the two connectors without conversion but converts the UART signals received from each of the host 30 and the accessory 20 to a format suitable for each other of host 30 and accessory 20. Data converter 208 may also process the control and ID signals received over connector 120 as may be required to communicate with the accessory. Power converter 209 can convert a first DC voltage received from accessory 20 over connector 120 to a second DC voltage that can be transmitted to host 30 over connector 100, and can convert a third DC voltage received from host 30 over connector. connector 100 for a fourth DC voltage provided to accessory 20 through connector 120.
    [0060] Connector 100 pinout includes a set of differential data contacts (eg USB 2.0 contacts) and a set of transmit/receive UART contacts or Mikeybus contacts as shown in Figure 4A or 4B. The ID contact is coupled to an ID module 108a that includes a memory that stores information to inform the host that two of the data contacts are dedicated for USB 2.0 communication while the other two data contacts are dedicated for signals. or UART or Mikeybus. A current regulator 108b is operatively coupled to the two centrally located power contacts 106(4), 106(5) to regulate current to the host when connector 120 is connected to an accessory or other charging device.
    [0061] In some embodiments, adapter 40 may include two levels of authentication. On a first level, adapter 40 authenticates itself to host 30 through its connection to the host via connector 100 and connector 140. In one embodiment this level of authentication may be performed by an authentication module 108c over a of the data contact sets (either USB or UART contacts) after the contacts on the host receptacle connector are configured, and in another modality this can be done by an authentication module connected to the ID contact as an initial part of the algorithm of establishing communication between the host and the adapter 40. After the adapter is authenticated and in communication with the host over the connector 100, a second level of authentication can occur where an authentication processor 201 in the adapter 40 authenticates the accessory 20 connected to this through connector 120 and connector 22 according to an authentication protocol that accessory 20 would normally employ when connecting to a host with which the accessory 20 was designed to operate. In some embodiments, a single authentication module can perform both the first and second levels of authentication.
    [0062] In a specific embodiment where adapter 40 in Figure 7 converts the digital video data received over connector 100 to analog video data sent over connector 120, the circuitry of adapter 40 is connected to contacts within connectors 100 and 120 as shown below in Table 1.

    [0063] In another embodiment where adapter 40 does not support video data conversion, the circuit-to-adapter circuit connections shown in Table 1 can be used as long as the contacts 21, 22, and 23 are left in an open state and not connected to the live circuit inside the adapter. Adapter 40 may also include a microcontroller (not shown in Figure 7) that can communicate with accessory 20 using a protocol that the accessory would normally use to communicate with a host device with which the accessory is compatible. For example, in one embodiment, adapter 40 includes a microcontroller that supports communication with accessory 20 using the iAP protocol employed by an Apple iPod or iPhone device. Part or all of the conversion circuit 200 may be part of the microcontroller or it may be a separate circuit. The microcontroller can also set the selected contacts of connector 120 (for example, contacts 13, 1820 and 30, which are used as iPod detection) to an open state so that the accessory does not recognize that it is connected to a host until after the adapter 40 authenticates itself to the host and host to configure its contacts to allow communication between the host and adapter 40. Once the host and adapter are operatively connected and in full communication with each other, adapter 40 can connect the pre-opened/floating contacts with the appropriate circuit so that the accessory recognizes that it has been plugged into the adapter and can respond to any authentication requests from adapter 40 to initiate and complete a communication connection between the adapter and the accessory and then finally the host to the accessory via the adapter 40.
    [0064] Figure 8 is a schematic drawing of the conversion circuit 220 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The conversion circuit 220 can be used in an adapter where one of the data contact pairs of connector 100 are USB contacts and the other of the data contact pairs are UART contacts. As shown in Figure 8, the conversion circuit 220 includes a USB multiplexer that can be set to operate in a USB crossover mode, an audio mode, or a USB bridge mode as discussed below.
    [0065] Figure 9 is a state diagram showing a mode of operation for an adapter that includes a conversion circuit as shown in Figure 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 9, after booting the adapter is always in one of three possible operating states: USB bypass mode, audio mode or USB bridge mode. An iAP command sent from the 30 can put the adapter into one of three modes. USB bridge mode is the default mode the adapter enters when in use. In USB bridge mode, the USB data lines on 30-pin connector 120 are directly connected to USB data lines on connector 100. While in this mode, no analog audio is provided by the adapter so that the digital converter stops Analog (DAC) can be turned off to save power. Also, as the USB lines pass directly through between connector 100 and connector 140, the conversion circuit 220 only needs to monitor the UART ports of each connector. When the adapter is plugged into the handheld electronic device, the adapter can draw power from the handheld electronic device and be in a powered 1502 state ready to authenticate itself to the handheld electronic device. Thereafter, the adapter can identify and authenticate itself to the handheld electronic device. As part of the authentication process or after the authentication process, the adapter can configure the virtual port connection with the handheld electronic device and be in a 1504 idle / ready state. In some embodiments, the adapter can automatically transition to a default state 506 when in idle/ready state 1504 for a predetermined amount of time. As described above, in some embodiments, the default state may be "bypass" mode. From the default 1506 state, the adapter can either enter the 1510 "bridge" mode state or the 1508 "analog audio" mode state after an accessory is plugged into the adapter. The change of state can be effected by the portable electronic device. Upon disconnecting the accessory from the adapter, the adapter returns to the default state 1506 and waits for the next mode switch message.
    [0066] Figure 10 is a representative drawing of the conversion circuit shown in Figure 8 when the adapter is operating in the USB bypass operation mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
    [0067] After adapter 1004 is connected to handheld electronic device 1002, adapter 1004 can send identification and authentication information to handheld electronic device 1002. Once authenticated, adapter is ready to receive accessory 1006 connected through port / connector 1104. Upon completion of the above-described identification and authentication process, the handheld electronic device may instruct the adapter to transition to bypass mode. In some embodiments, bypass mode may be the default mode in which the adapter is placed when connecting to the handheld electronic device.
    [0068] Since the accessory 1006 is connected to the connector 1104, the adapter 1004 can receive the accessory identification information from the accessory 1006, for example, through the ACC_Detect contact on the connector 1104. The adapter 1004 then authenticates the accessory 1006 with based on accessory identification information. Once accessory 1006 is authenticated, adapter 1004 can now transfer information between accessory 1006 and handheld electronic device 1002.
    [0069] In some embodiments, the first connector 1102 can be implemented as the plug connector 100 of Figure 3 and the second connector 1104 can be implemented with the connector 140 of Figure 5. Both connectors are or are formed within the housing of the adapter or attached to housing. Adapter 1004 also includes a first USB device 1108 and a second USB device 1110. The two USB devices allow the coupling of signals between connectors 1102 and 1104 in various modes of operation described below. A 1112 USB multiplexer assists in selectively activating multiple signal paths within the 1004 adapter.
    [0070] Controller 1114 may include, for example, a microprocessor or microcontroller that executes program code to perform various operations associated with adapter 1004. Controller 1114 controls the operation of adapter 1004 including, but not limited to, receiving instructions of a portable electronic device connected to change an adapter 1004 operating mode, selectively activating certain components/signal paths together with the USB 1112 multiplexer to put the adapter 1004 in the requested mode, and generally controlling the signal flow to the and of connectors 1102 and 1104.
    [0071] The logic circuit 1116 can include an ASIC that receives signals from the connector 1104, interprets the received signals and provides the information to the controller 1114, which can then perform an action based on the received information. Logic circuit 1116 may also receive inputs from controller 1114 and communicate information to an accessory connected via connector 1104.
    [0072] The 1004 adapter can also process the signals relating to USB, analog audio, UART, power, and message exchange associated with an accessory protocol between a portable electronic device via connector 1102 and an accessory connected via connector 1104 In addition, adapter 1004 can also process one or more of the signals, for example, as illustrated in Figure 4B and Figure 6.
    [0073] It will be appreciated that the system configurations and components for adapter 1004 described herein are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. The adapter may have other components not specifically described here. Furthermore, although the adapter is described herein with reference to specific blocks, it is to be understood that these blocks are defined for convenience of description and are not intended to imply a specific physical arrangement of component parts. Also, the blocks do not need to correspond to physically distinct components. Blocks can be configured to perform various operations, for example, programming a processor or providing an appropriate control circuit, and various blocks might or might not be reconfigurable depending on how the initial configuration is achieved. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed on a variety of devices including electronic devices implemented using any combination of circuitry and software.
    [0074] When an accessory is capable of consuming analog audio but does not use the USB to iAP transport, the portable electronic device can put the conversion circuit 220 into the audio-analog mode. In this mode all iAP messages are sent over the UART transport.
    [0075] Figure 11 is a representative drawing of an adapter 1004 that includes the conversion circuit shown in Figure 8 when the adapter is operating in the analog audio mode of operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, regarding the connection of accessory 1006 to adapter 1004, the portable electronic device may determine that accessory 1006, for example a speaker dock, supports an analog audio input. Based on this determination, portable electronic device 1002 instructs adapter 1004 to enable analog audio mode. In this mode, adapter 1004 enables USB device 1108 and plugs into portable electronic device 1002 via the audio pin of connector 1104 reconfiguring connections on USB Mux 1112. USB device 1108 acts as a USB audio sync device . Portable electronic device 1002 outputs digital audio to the adapter through a data pin of connector 1102. Adapter 1004 then converts the digital audio using the USB device 1108 and a digital to analog converter 1304 and outputs the analog audio over the line_out pin of connector 1104. Accessory 1006 can then receive analog audio and output the audio using, for example, its speakers. If accessory 1006 is also capable of providing a charging voltage to the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device may also instruct the adapter to enable a charging path through the USB signal in this mode. In order to provide a charging voltage for the portable electronic device 1002, the adapter 1004 enables the USB device 1110 and attaches it to the USB pin of the connector 1104. This allows the portable electronic device 1002 to receive a charging voltage over the VBUS line as illustrated in Figure 11.
    [0076] If an accessory is capable of consuming analog audio and uses the USP transport for iAP messages, the accessory may request to put the 220 conversion circuit into USB bridge mode. Both digital audio and accessory protocol (iAP) messages are sent over the USB lines. Circuit 220 includes two USB devices, a full speed device and a high speed device. A multiplexer allows these devices to be switched to connector 120 USB data lines as needed.
    [0077] Figure 12 is a representative drawing of the conversion circuit when the adapter is operating in the USB bridge operating mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. This mode can support a 1006 accessory that needs to communicate with the portable electronic device using an accessory protocol over the USB data line and also requests analog audio.
    [0078] Initially when accessory 1006 is connected to adapter 1004, the adapter may be in the "bypass" mode discussed above and accessory 1006 can communicate directly with portable electronic device 1002. As part of this communication, the portable electronic device may determine the type of accessory connected and its operating requirements. If handheld electronic device 1002 determines that accessory 1006 requests communication using the accessory protocol over the USB line and analog audio input, the handheld electronic device instructs the adapter to enable bridge mode. The portable electronic device then enters a host mode. In some embodiments, the adapter may disable connector 1104 (worse by unplugging the accessory) before going into bridge mode. After entering bridged mode, the adapter then re-enables connector 1104 so that the accessory can communicate with the handheld electronic device. In this mode, the USB device 1108 is coupled to the audio output of the portable electronic device via the USB Mux 1112. The USB device 1108 is also coupled to the USB device 1110 through the controller 1114. The USB device 1110 is coupled to the USB data line from connector 1104 via USB Mux 1112. USB device 1108 is also coupled to an audio input pin of connector 1104 via controller 1114 in order to process the audio data.
    [0079] In operation, the USB device 1108 can receive data from the portable media device through the connector 1102. The USB device 1108 cannot communicate directly with the USB device 1110. With this the controller 1114 receives data from the USB device 1108 and transfers the data to USB device 1110. In some modes, the two USB devices can operate using different protocols. For example, the 1108 USB device can be a full speed USB device while the 1110 USB device can be a high speed USB device. Alternatively, one of the USB devices can use protocol version 1.1 and the other USB device can use protocol version 2.0 or 3.0. In such cases, a direct data transfer between the two USB devices may not be possible. The 1114 controller acts as a "bridge" to properly convert received data to the proper format before sending it to the portable media device and/or accessory.
    [0080] In operation, the portable electronic device outputs digital audio data using a USB audio output pin of connector 1102. Digital audio data is processed by USB device 1108 and microcontroller 1114 and converted to analog audio. . Analog audio is then fed into the accessory via the audio input pin of connector 1104.
    [0081] If the 1006 accessory wishes to send any message to the portable electronic device, for example, to invoke some functionality of the portable electronic device or any other digital data, the message / data is output over the USB data pins of the 1104 connector The message/data is then processed by the 1110 USB device and sent to the 1114 controller. The 1114 controller acts as a bridge to transfer the message/data to the 1108 USB device. message / data to the portable electronic device 1002 over the same USB audio pin as connector 1102. If the portable electronic device wants to send the message / data to the accessory, then the same path in reverse can be followed. Thus, portable electronic device 1002 can output audio and other non-audio data using the same USB data lines and accessory 1006 can receive the non-analog audio messages/data over its USB lines and receive the audio data. analogs on your audio input line.
    [0082] A USB device can only communicate with a USB host. In bridged mode, both the accessory and the host device act as a USB host in order to communicate with the two USB devices 1110 and 1108 respectively. As described above, the two USB devices cannot communicate directly with each other. In bridge mode, the adapter effectively communicates data between the accessory and the host device, properly processing the data as needed.
    [0083] The above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. This is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described so as to better explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to better utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suitable for the specific use contemplated.
    权利要求:
    Claims (18)
    [0001]
    1. Adapter (40) for providing a communication path between a first electronic device (30) and an accessory device (20), the adapter comprising: a first connector (44) for mating with a plug connector on a device. accessory; a second connector (42) for mating a receptacle connector on the first electronic device, wherein the first connector is incompatible with the second connector; and a conversion circuit (200) adapted to convert the signals received from the accessory to a format that can be transmitted to and processed by the first electronic device and convert the signals received from the first electronic device to a format that can be transmitted to and processed by the first electronic device. accessory; and an authentication circuit (108c, 201) adapted to implement a first level of authentication that authenticates the adapter to the first electronic device; wherein the adapter is characterized by the fact that: the authentication circuit is further adapted to, if the first level of authentication is successful, implement a second level of authentication that authenticates the accessory device to the adapter.
    [0002]
    2. Adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises switching a circuit that sets at least some contacts of the first connector to an open state before the adapter authenticates itself to the first electronic device.
    [0003]
    3. Adapter according to claim 2, characterized in that after the adapter is authenticated to the first electronic device, the switching circuit connects at least some of the at least some contacts of the first connector to another circuit within the adapter.
    [0004]
    4. Adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that the first connector includes an accessory detection contact that is set to an open state by the switching circuit before the adapter authenticates itself to the first electronic device and it is then subsequently connected to another circuit when the adapter and the first electronic device are operatively coupled together.
    [0005]
    5. Adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an identification circuit configured to indicate a communication protocol used by the adapter on a first and second data contacts of the second connector to communicate with the electronic device .
    [0006]
    6. Adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the first connector has 30 contacts including a first contact configured to receive an accessory ID signal, a pair of contacts configured to carry a serial bus signal universal (USB), a second contact configured to charge power to the handheld electronic device accessory, a third contact configured to carry an accessory detection signal to determine if the accessory is attached to the adapter, and a pair of contacts configured to charge audio signals.
    [0007]
    7. Adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the second connector of the adapter comprises a first contact configured to carry the identification signal to the portable electronic device, a first pair of data contacts configured to carry the signals of differential data, a second contact configured to carry a host power signal from the accessory to the handheld electronic device, a third contact configured to carry accessory power from the handheld electronic device to the accessory, and a second pair of contacts data, and a fourth contact coupled to a ground path.
    [0008]
    8. Adapter according to claim 7, characterized in that in the second connector, the first pair of data contacts is arranged between the first contact and the second contact, and the second pair of data contacts is arranged between the third contact and fourth contact.
    [0009]
    9. Adapter according to claim 8, characterized in that the data transmission rate carried by each of the first and second pairs of data contacts is two or more orders of magnitude higher than the rate of transmission of information uploaded by the first contact.
    [0010]
    10. Adapter, according to claim 1, characterized in that the authentication circuit comprises: an identification device configured to provide the identification information of the adapter to the portable electronic device; and a power control device configured to control a power path between the accessory and the portable electronic device.
    [0011]
    11. Adapter according to claim 10, characterized in that each of the identification device and the power control device are implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC) chip.
    [0012]
    12. Adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the second connector is configured to match the receptacle connector on the first electronic device in either of two orientations rotated 180 degrees from each other, wherein the second connector includes a first set of eight external contacts spaced along a first row on a first side of the second connector and a second set of eight external contacts spaced along a second row on a second side of the second connector opposite the first side, and where each contact in the first set of contacts is mated to a contact in the second set of contacts.
    [0013]
    13. Adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that the first authentication level authenticates the adapter in the first electronic device according to a first authentication protocol and the second authentication level authenticates the accessory device in the adapter accordingly with a second authentication protocol used by the accessory.
    [0014]
    14. Method of using an adapter (40) to allow an accessory electronic device (20) having a first connector (44) to exchange data with a host electronic device (30) having a second connector (42) that is incompatible with the first connector, the method comprising the steps of: sending identification and authentication information from the adapter to the host device to allow the host to perform a first level of authentication that authenticates the adapter to the host device when matching a plug connector to the adapter on the second connector of the host device; request and receive identification and authentication information from the accessory electronic device connected to the adapter if the adapter is successfully authenticated by the host device, where the method is characterized by the fact that, if the adapter is successfully authenticated by the host device, perform a second level of authentication on the adapter to authenticate the accessory; and after the first and second levels of authentication are successfully completed, enabling a power path between the accessory device and the host device.
    [0015]
    15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the adapter comprises a first connector for mating with the host device and a second connector for mating with the accessory.
    [0016]
    16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the second connector includes 30 contacts and the first connector includes a first set of eight external contacts spaced along a first row on a first side of the first connector and a second set of eight external contacts spaced along a second row on a second side of the first connector opposite the first side.
    [0017]
    17. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that enabling the power path further comprises sending a signal to a power control device disposed within the adapter based on receiving the identification information from the accessory device.
    [0018]
    18. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the first authentication level authenticates the adapter in the first electronic device according to a first authentication protocol and the second authentication level authenticates the accessory device in the adapter accordingly with a second authentication protocol used by the accessory.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    BR112014013012B1|2021-05-25|adapter and method for using an adapter
    US8478913B2|2013-07-02|Adapter for electronic devices
    AU2013202683B2|2015-07-23|Connector adapter
    US9135188B2|2015-09-15|Multi-mode adapter
    TWI512484B|2015-12-11|Data structures for facilitating communication between a host device and an accessory
    JP5771752B2|2015-09-02|Technology for setting connector contacts
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    SG11201402202WA|2014-09-26|
    MX2014006495A|2014-08-21|
    US8762605B2|2014-06-24|
    CN203260854U|2013-10-30|
    US20130238823A1|2013-09-12|
    TW201333744A|2013-08-16|
    BR112014013012A2|2017-06-13|
    HK1184598A1|2014-01-24|
    JP2015507243A|2015-03-05|
    TWI482046B|2015-04-21|
    JP5718538B2|2015-05-13|
    RU2577248C1|2016-03-10|
    MY167166A|2018-08-13|
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    法律状态:
    2018-12-04| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2019-10-22| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-12-08| B06A| Notification to applicant to reply to the report for non-patentability or inadequacy of the application [chapter 6.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-04-06| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-05-25| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 29/11/2012, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US201161565372P| true| 2011-11-30|2011-11-30|
    US61/565,372|2011-11-30|
    US201161565910P| true| 2011-12-01|2011-12-01|
    US61/565,910|2011-12-01|
    US201261694423P| true| 2012-08-29|2012-08-29|
    US61/694,423|2012-08-29|
    US13/607,519|US8762605B2|2011-11-30|2012-09-07|Adapter for electronic devices|
    US13/607,519|2012-09-07|
    PCT/US2012/067118|WO2013082313A2|2011-11-30|2012-11-29|Adapter for electronic devices|
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