Patent Summary

Apple introduces us to a system that includes a plurality of ports and a proximity detection circuit to detect a position of a connector relative to at least one of the ports adapted to receive the connector. The system further includes a signal generator configured to provide at least one user-detectable signal representing a position parameter of the connector relative to the selected port. In some examples, the system also includes an orientation detection mechanism configured to detect an orientation of the connector relative to the port, which orientation may be communicated by the user-detectable signal.

The system may use either that same sensor or another one to determine what type of connector is present, and to identify one or more available ports that are compatible with the type of connector. In an example, the computing system uses a magnetometer, a Hall Effect sensor, or another sensor adapted to measure a magnetic field to detect a field strength and orientation related to a magnet embedded within the external connector. The embedded magnet is an electromagnet or a bar magnet, for example. In another example, the computing system uses a radio frequency identifier (RFID) reader and a corresponding RFID tag embedded in the connector to detect a connector type. In some examples, the RFID reader uses strength and orientation information related to the RFID signal to determine the position and/or orientation of the connector. In yet another example, both magnetic fields and radio frequency communications are used. In some examples, the RFID sensing system will be used to identify the proximity of a connector, and then another sensing system, such as the indicated magnetic-based system will be used to provide position and orientation information.

In some examples, the user-detectable signal includes illumination of selected light emitting diodes (LEDs), presentation of audio signals, presentation of visual information (such as a graphical depiction), tactile signals, or any combination thereof to assist the user.

Mac Mini Example

Apple's patent uses the Mac Mini as the target device for this presentation. The Mac Mini is seen below as device 102 connecting to a Cinema Display noted as device 100.

The Mac Mini includes circuitry to identify a connector such as a USB flash memory device noted as number 135 including the connector, noted as 134. The Mac Mini provides a number of differing ports such as an Ethernet port (116), a FireWire port, a DisplayPort (120), a Mini-DVI port (122) and so forth.

To a newbie or average consumer, connecting devices together can be a confusing and frustrating task. Apple wants to remove that frustration by making it easier to mate connectors to ports. I've added a number of arrows and notes to Apple's FIG. 1 shown below to help you better decipher the system's methodologies.

Ideas to Simplify Connectivity

Via a Camera/Presentation: One of the ideas is to first connect a future Mac Mini to a display. Once that's accomplished, Apple is considering adding a camera lens to the back of the Mac Mini (or other future device), shown in FIG 1A as # 136, just above the first USB ports. The idea, believe it or not, is to show a connector that you wish to connect and can't figure out and the camera will capture the image of the connector and initiate a presentation video that you see above playing on the display. It would walk the consumer through how to connect that particular connector to the port and in which orientation.

Magnetic Field Sensing: The Mac Mini could also include one or more sensors to detect the proximity of an external device, such as USB flash drive 135, before it's coupled to one of the plurality of USB ports (124) on the Mac Mini. In this example, the Mac Mini could determine a relative position and preferably also orientation of the connection to be made.

In one example, the Mac Mini includes a radio frequency identifier (RFID) transceiver and one or more associated antennas (not depicted) to communicate with an RFID tag embedded in an external device, in this example, RFID tag 164 within external device 135.

In this example, the external device/USB flash drive, also includes a magnet 160 arranged in a known orientation relative to the external device connector 134; and the Mac Mini includes a magnetic field sensing device 162, such as, for example, a magnetometer or a Hall effect sensor, to detect a magnetic field generated by the external device magnet. In other examples, the magnetic field could be either temporarily or continuously generated in the Mac Mini, and external device might include a structure configured to influence the magnetic field to enable detection of the external device.

Simple LED Sensing: In some examples, it may be useful to provide LEDs, noted as patent point # 126, with distinct colors and/or shapes dependent upon the type of port with which a particular LED is associated. Additionally, multiple LEDs, for example of different colors, might be used proximate a port, such that approaching the port with the correct external device and/or the correct orientation of the device could be used to actuate the different LEDs to provide a color coded signal of the attempted connection process to the user.

Audible Indicators: In another particular example, instead of or in addition to the visual representations, it may be desirable to provide an audible indicator related to at least one of the position and orientation of connector 134 relative to USB port 129.

In one example, the audible indicator includes a beeping noise having one or more of a variable frequency, amplitude, or pitch, which will vary based on the proximity of the external device relative to the USB port. As an alternative, the audible indicator may include spoken instructions related to the orientation and position of the connector relative to the USB port, such as spoken instructions to turn or otherwise change a current trajectory and/or position of the external device (and thus connector 134) relative to the USB port. For example, the spoken instructions will correspond to text-based instructions within user interface, such as an audible instruction to "Rotate the external device clockwise by 90 degrees."

Vibrations via Haptics: In still another example, external device 135 includes light emitting diode (LED) 184 and a haptic actuator 186. The LED will be used to provide visual feedback to a user. For example, The LED may be turned on and off to indicate proximity and/or orientation relative to the port. For example, frequency of illumination or brightness of the LED will be varied as external the device is moved closer to the port. In an alternative example, the LED flashes on and remains illuminated when a correct orientation of the relative external device is achieved and maintained relative to the port.

Overview of a New Intelligent Connector System

Apple's patent FIG. 2 below depicts system 200, illustrated in block form, including a proximity detector and one or more sensors to identify a connector, to detect an orientation of the connector relative to a selected port, and to provide at least one user detectable indicator related to at least one of a position and orientation of the connector.

An RFID Interrogator System

Apple's patent FIG. 3 depicts a RFID interrogator system 300, illustrated in block diagram form. The RFID interrogator system will preferably be used with a host system, for example, as part of the one or more sensor systems 248, in this example to serve as the proximity detector 252 of the computing device of FIG. 2. The RFID interrogator system will interface with other circuitry of a host system through host interface 314.

The RFID interrogator system includes an antenna 308 coupled to interrogator circuitry 306, which includes transceiver circuitry. The Interrogator circuitry is coupled to a control circuit 310, such as a microcontroller. In an alternative embodiment, in place of a dedicated microcontroller as pictured, the processor of a host system (processor 212 of FIG. 2) may be utilized to provide the control functionality. The control circuit is coupled to the host interface, which can be coupled to a host system via a communications link (serial, USB, or otherwise) to communicate with the host system.

You could find more information about this RFID interrogator system and other aspects of this patent under application 20110012727 which was originally filed in Q3 2009. The engineers given credit for Apple's patent includes Aleksandar Pance, David Simon, Michael Sinclair and Bret Bilbrey.

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