Systems and methods for determining the configuration of electronic connections

Abstract

Systems and methods for determining the configuration of a connection between two devices by measuring an electrical characteristic are provided. Using the measured electrical characteristic, a device is able to select an appropriate communication interface, such as serial, Universal Serial Bus (USB), FireWire, parallel, PS/2, etc., and configure itself appropriately. Systems and methods which determine the physical orientation of a connector with respect to another connector may also be provided alone or in combination with such systems and methods for selecting communication interfaces. The physical orientation of a connector can be determined by measuring an electrical characteristic and a device can then configure itself appropriately. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, device designs can decrease in size and cost as well as simplify operation for the end-user.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for determining the physical orientation of a first connector with respect to a second connector that is capable of coupling with the first connector in more than one physical orientation, the method comprising:
 physically coupling the first connector with the second connector to connect a plurality of lines through the connectors; 
 electrically coupling a first number of lines of the plurality of lines received through the second connector with detector circuitry, wherein the first number of lines is at least one, but less than all, of the plurality of lines received through the second connector; 
 measuring an electrical characteristic of at least one line in the first number of lines; 
 determining the physical orientation of the first connector with respect to the second connector based on the measured electrical characteristic; and 
 routing, based on the determined physical orientation, all of the lines received through the second connector to internal circuitry. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein electrically coupling the first number of lines comprises electrically coupling the first number of lines with only the detector circuitry. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first number of lines is at least two of the plurality of lines received through the second connector. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lines comprises an odd number of lines and the routing comprises routing one of the lines received through the second connector to the internal circuitry in a particular configuration regardless of the determined physical orientation. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of lines comprises a data line; 
 the plurality of lines comprises a power line; 
 the internal circuitry comprises a processor and a voltage regulator; and 
 the routing comprises:
 routing the data line to the processor; and 
 routing the power line to the voltage regulator. 
 
 
     
     
       6. A method for determining the physical orientation of a first connector with respect to a second connector that is capable of coupling with the first connector in more than one physical orientation, the method comprising:
 opening switch circuitry that is electrically coupled with the second connector; 
 electrically coupling a first line received through the second connector with detector circuitry, wherein the first line is one of a plurality of lines received from the first connector; 
 measuring an electrical characteristic of the first line; 
 determining the physical orientation of the first connector with respect to the second connector based on the measured electrical characteristic; and 
 configuring, based on the determined physical orientation, the switch circuitry to route the plurality of lines to internal circuitry. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 physically coupling the first connector with the second connector, wherein the plurality of lines is received when the first connector couples with the second connector. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein electrically coupling the first line comprises electrically coupling the first line with only the detector circuitry. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 electrically coupling the plurality of lines with the detector circuitry when electrically coupling the first line. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of lines comprises an odd number of lines and the configuring comprises configuring the switch circuitry to route one of the plurality of lines to the internal circuitry in a particular configuration regardless of the determined physical orientation. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 6 , wherein
 the plurality of lines comprises a data line; 
 the plurality of lines comprises a power line; 
 the internal circuitry comprises a processor and a voltage regulator; and 
 the routing comprises:
 routing the data line to the processor; and 
 routing the power line to the voltage regulator. 
 
 
     
     
       12. An apparatus comprising:
 a connector that couples the apparatus with another device; 
 a plurality of contacts disposed within the connector and that physically connects lines between the apparatus and the other device; 
 detector circuitry that: 
 measures an electrical characteristic of at least one contact of the plurality of contacts; 
 and generates a configuration signal based on the measured electrical characteristic; and 
 switch circuitry electrically coupled with the detector circuitry and the at least one contact and that: 
 disconnects the at least one contact from all circuitry except the detector circuitry; and 
 connects the at least one contact to circuitry other than the detector circuitry in one of a plurality of configurations based on the configuration signal generated by the detector circuitry. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a processor electrically coupled with the switch circuitry, wherein the switch circuitry connects the at least one contact to the processor in one of a plurality of configurations based on a configuration signal generated by the detector circuitry. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a voltage regulator electrically coupled with the switch circuitry, wherein the switch circuitry connects the at least one contact to the voltage regulator in one of a plurality of configurations based on a configuration signal generated by the detector circuitry. 
 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the switch circuitry connects all of the plurality of contacts to circuitry other than the detector circuitry in one of a plurality of configurations based on the configuration signal generated by the detector circuitry. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of contacts comprises an odd number of contacts and the switch circuitry connects one of the plurality of contacts to circuitry other than the detector circuitry in a particular configuration regardless of the measured electrical characteristic. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus comprising:
 a connector that couples the apparatus with another device; 
 a plurality of contacts disposed within the connector and that physically connects lines between the apparatus and another device; 
 detector circuitry that measures an electrical characteristic of a first contact of the plurality of contacts; 
 switch circuitry electrically coupled with the first contact and that: 
 disconnects the first contact from all circuitry except the detector circuitry; and 
 connects a second contact of the plurality of contacts to internal circuitry in one of at least two configurations; and 
 control circuitry electrically coupled with the detector circuitry and the switch circuitry and that interfaces the detector circuitry with the switch circuitry. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the switch circuitry disconnects the first contact from all circuitry except the detector circuitry; 
 the detector circuitry determines the physical orientation of the connector based on a measured electrical characteristic of the first contact; and 
 the control circuitry instructs the switch circuitry to connect the second contact to the internal circuitry in an appropriate configuration. 
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 internal circuitry electrically coupled with the switch circuitry, wherein the internal circuitry comprises a processor. 
 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 internal circuitry electrically coupled with the switch circuitry, wherein the internal circuitry comprises a voltage regulator. 
 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the switch circuitry connects all of the plurality of contacts to internal circuitry in one of at least two configurations. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein an odd number of contacts are disposed within the connector and the switch circuitry connects one of the contacts to the internal circuitry in a particular configuration regardless of the measured electrical characteristic. 
     
     
       23. A method for selecting a serial communication interface in an electronic device that includes a first connector and determining the physical orientation of the first connector with respect to a second connector that is capable of coupling with the first connector in more than one physical orientation, the method comprising:
 in response to the first connector being coupled with the second connector to connect a plurality of lines through the connectors, electrically coupling a first number of lines of the plurality of lines received through the second connector with detector circuitry in the electronic device, wherein the first number of lines is at least one, but less than all, of the plurality of lines received through the second connector;   monitoring a contact in the first connector that electrically couples a line in the first number of lines to the detector circuitry;   selecting a serial communication interface and determining the physical orientation of the first connector with respect to the second connector based on data received over the monitored contact; and   routing, based on the selected serial communication interface and determined physical orientation, lines in the plurality of lines received through the second connector to internal circuitry disposed in the electronic device,   wherein the determined orientation is one of a first orientation or a second orientation 180 degrees rotated from the first orientation.   
     
     
       24. The method of claim 23 wherein one of the selected serial communication interfaces includes a USB interface. 
     
     
       25. The method of claim 23 wherein the plurality of lines comprise at least one data line and one power line. 
     
     
       26. The method of claim 23 wherein a middle line from the first connector is routed to the same internal circuitry coupled to the second connector and has the same function regardless of the orientation. 
     
     
       27. The method of claim 23 wherein the first connector and the second connector are symmetrical. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 23 wherein, for a selected serial communication interface, a pair of lines in the plurality of lines carry the same two signals regardless of the orientation. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim 23 wherein a first number of lines comprises two lines. 
     
     
       30. The method of claim 23 wherein the routing comprises operating a plurality of switches to connect the plurality of lines to internal circuitry. 
     
     
       31. The method of claim 30 wherein each of the plurality of switches has more than one possible state. 
     
     
       32. The method of claim 30 wherein the plurality of switches are in an open state prior to determining the physical orientation. 
     
     
       33. The method of claim 30 wherein the routing step routes all of the plurality of lines in the plurality of lines received through the second connector to internal circuitry disposed in the electronic device based on the selected serial communication interface and determined physical orientation. 
     
     
       34. The method of claim 30 wherein the data received over the monitored contact is a measured electrical characteristic. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim 30 wherein the step configuring switch circuitry to route the plurality of lines routes all of the lines received through the second connector to internal circuitry disposed in the electronic device. 
     
     
       36. A method for determining the physical orientation of a first connector included in an electronic device with respect to a second connector that is capable of coupling with the first connector in more than one physical orientation, the method comprising:
 electrically isolating a plurality of contacts in the first connector from internal circuitry within the electronic device;   electrically coupling a first line received through the second connector with detector circuitry disposed within the electronic device via a first contact from the plurality of contacts in the first connector, wherein the first line is one of a plurality of lines received from the second connector;   monitoring the first contact to determine the physical orientation of the first connector with respect to the second connector; and   configuring, based on the determined physical orientation, switch circuitry to route at least some of the plurality of lines to the internal circuitry,   wherein the more than one physical orientation comprises a first orientation and a second orientation 180 degrees rotated from the first orientation.   
     
     
       37. The method of claim 36 wherein monitoring the first contact further comprises detecting an expected characteristic. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim 36 wherein the plurality of lines comprise at least one data line and one power line. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim 36 further comprising: in addition to monitoring the first contact, monitoring a second contact from the plurality of contacts in the first connector to determine the orientation. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 36 wherein the first connector and the second connector are symmetrical. 
     
     
       41. The method of claim 36 wherein at least one of the plurality of lines is associated with a same function regardless of the determined physical orientation. 
     
     
       42. The method of claim 34 wherein a pair of contacts from the plurality of contacts in the first connector is associated with the same two functions regardless of the determined physical orientation. 
     
     
       43. An electronic apparatus comprising:
 a connector configured to couple the electronic apparatus with another device;   a plurality of contacts disposed within the connector, the plurality of contacts configured to physically connect lines between the electronic apparatus and the other device;   detector circuitry that monitors a first contact from the plurality of contacts to identify a serial communication interface used by the other device; and   switch circuitry electrically coupled to second and third contacts in the plurality of contacts, the switch circuitry configured to connect the second and third contacts to circuitry other than the detector circuitry in one of a plurality of configurations according to the serial communication interface identified by the detector circuitry;   wherein the detector circuitry is configured to determine orientation of another connector of the other device coupled to the connector based on monitoring the at least one contact.   
     
     
       44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the detector circuitry is configured to generate a configuration signal based on the determined orientation. 
     
     
       45. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the connector and the other connector are symmetrical and the determined orientation is one of: a first orientation or a second orientation rotated 180 degrees from the first orientation. 
     
     
       46. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the switch circuitry is configured to:
 when a first serial communication interface is identified by the detector circuitry, connect the second and third contacts to circuitry associated with the first serial communication interface; and   when a second serial communication interface is identified by the detector circuitry, connect the second and third contacts to circuitry associated with the second serial communication interface.   
     
     
       47. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein at least one of the plurality of contacts is associated with a same function regardless of the determined orientation. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein a pair of lines coupled to the second and third contacts is associated with same two signals regardless of the determined orientation. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the lines comprise at least one data line and at least one power line. 
     
     
       50. An electronic apparatus comprising:
 a first connector configured to couple the electronic apparatus with another device;   a plurality of contacts disposed within the first connector, the plurality of contacts configured to physically connect lines between the electronic apparatus and the other device;   detector circuitry that monitors a first contact from the plurality of contacts;   switch circuitry electrically coupled with the first contact and configured to connect a second contact from the plurality of contacts to internal circuitry disposed in the electronic apparatus in one of at least two configurations; and   control circuitry electrically coupled with the detector circuitry and the switch circuitry to operate the switch circuitry in response to the detector circuitry,   wherein the first connector is operable to be connected to a second connector in one of two physical orientations.   
     
     
       51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the two physical orientations comprise a first orientation and a second orientation 180 degrees rotated from the first orientation. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the switch circuitry is configured to:
 connect the second contact from the plurality of contacts to internal circuitry in a first configuration in the first orientation; and   connect the second contact from the plurality of contacts to internal circuitry in a second configuration in the second orientation.   
     
     
       53. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the detector circuitry is configured to determine the physical orientation of the second connector with respect to the first connector based on monitoring of the first contact. 
     
     
       54. An electronic apparatus comprising:
 a first connector having a plurality of contacts configured to physically connect lines between the electronic apparatus and another electronic device via a second connector; and   electrical circuitry coupled to the first connector and configured to:   monitor a first contact from the plurality of contacts;   determine, based on monitoring the first contact, whether the electronic apparatus will communicate via second and third contacts from the plurality of contacts using at least either a first or a second serial communication interface; and   when it is determined that communication via the second and third contacts will be according to the first serial communication interface, connect the second and third contacts to circuitry associated with the first serial communication interface, and when it is determined that communication via the second and third contacts will be according to the second serial communication interface connect the second and third contacts to circuitry associated with the second serial communication interface,   wherein the second connector is operable to mate with the first connector in one of a first orientation or a second orientation 180 degrees rotated from the first orientation.   
     
     
       55. The electronic apparatus of claim 54 wherein the electrical circuitry is further configured to:
 determine, based on monitoring the first contact, whether the electronic apparatus will communicate via the second and third contacts using a third serial communication interface; and   when it is determined that communication via the second and third contacts will be according to the third serial communication interface, connect the second and third contacts to circuitry associated with the third serial communication interface.   
     
     
       56. The electronic apparatus of claim 54 wherein the electrical circuitry is further configured to determine the orientation of the second connector with respect to the first connector. 
     
     
       57. The electronic apparatus of claim 54 wherein at least two lines between the apparatus and the other electronic device are associated with a same function regardless of the orientation. 
     
     
       58. The electronic apparatus of claim 54 wherein the lines comprise at least one data line and a power line. 
     
     
       59. The electronic apparatus of claim 54 wherein the first connector and the second connector are symmetrical. 
     
     
       60. The electronic apparatus of claim 54 wherein the first connector is a receptacle connector. 
     
     
       61. The electronic apparatus of claim 54 wherein the second connector is a plug connector. 
     
     
       62. The electronic apparatus of claim 54 wherein the second connector comprises a conductive shell that is coupled to ground. 
     
     
       63. A method for enabling communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device where the first electronic device includes a first connector having a first plurality of contacts, the second electronic device includes a second connector having a second plurality of contacts, and the second electronic device includes circuitry configured to use a first serial interface via first and second contacts in the second plurality of contacts, the method comprising:
 electrically isolating the first plurality of contacts in the first connector from internal circuitry within the first electronic device;   in response to the first and second connectors being physically coupled together, electrically coupling at least one contact in the first plurality of contacts with circuitry disposed within the first electronic device to obtain information from the second electronic device;   determining, based on the obtained information, a serial communication interface used by the second electronic device over the first and second contacts of the second connector; and   electrically connecting circuitry associated with the first communication interface to first and second contacts in the first connector that are coupled to the first and second contacts in the second connector to enable communication between the first and second electronic devices using the first serial communication interface,   wherein the first connector and second connector can be physically coupled together in a first orientation and a second orientation, and wherein the determining step determines the orientation of the first connector with respect to the second connector.   
     
     
       64. The method for enabling communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device set forth in claim 63 wherein switching circuitry within the first electronic device coupled to the first and second contacts in the first connector is in an open state prior to the first and second connectors being physically coupled together and subsequently set to a state that connects the first and second contacts in the first connector to circuitry for the first serial communication interface during the electrically connecting step. 
     
     
       65. The method for enabling communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device set forth in claim 64 wherein the switching circuitry can be operated to connect the first and second contacts in the first connector to one of: (i) circuitry within the first electronic device associated with the first serial communication interface, (ii) circuitry within the first electronic device associated with a second serial communication interface different than the first serial communication interface, and (iii) circuitry within the first electronic device associated with a third serial communication interface different than the first and second serial communication interfaces. 
     
     
       66. The method for enabling communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device set forth in claim 64 wherein the obtained information is a measured electrical characteristic. 
     
     
       67. An electronic apparatus comprising:
 a first connector having a plurality of contacts including at least first and second contacts, the first connector being configured to physically connect lines between the electronic apparatus and a second connector associated with a second electronic device that can communicate via a serial communication interface over first and second contacts of the second connector that align with the first and second contacts of the first connector when the first and second connectors are coupled together;   first serial communication circuitry configured to allow the electronic apparatus to communicate with another device using a first serial communication interface;   second serial communication circuitry configured to allow the electronic apparatus to communicate with another device using a second serial communication interface different than the first serial communication interface;   circuitry coupled to the first connector and configured to:   (i) electrically isolate the plurality of contacts in the first connector from the first serial communication circuitry and from the second serial communication circuitry;   (ii) in response to the second connector being physically coupled to the first connector, electrically couple at least one contact in the plurality of contacts with additional circuitry disposed within the electronic apparatus to obtain information from the second electronic device;   (iii) determine, based on the obtained information, a serial communication interface used by the second electronic device over the first and second contacts of the second connector; and   (iv) if the second electronic device uses the first serial communication interface over the first and second contacts of the second connector, electrically connect the first serial communication circuitry to the first and second data contacts in the plurality of contacts in the first connector to enable communication between the electronic apparatus and the second electronic device using the first serial communication interface,   wherein the first connector and second connector can be physically coupled together in a first orientation and a second orientation, and wherein the circuitry coupled to the first connector is further configured to determine the orientation of the first connector with respect to the second connector.   
     
     
       68. The electronic apparatus set forth in claim 67 wherein the circuitry coupled to the first connector is further configured to, if the second electronic device uses the second serial communication interface over the first and second contacts of the second connector, electrically connect the second serial communication circuitry to the first and second contacts in the plurality of contacts in the first connector to enable communication between the electronic apparatus and the second electronic device using the second serial communication interface. 
     
     
       69. The electronic apparatus set forth in claim 68 wherein the circuitry coupled to the first connector includes switching circuitry coupled to the first and second contacts in the first connector that can be switched between a first state in which the first and second contacts in the first connector are in an open state, a second state in which the first and second contacts in the first connector are coupled to the first serial communication circuitry, and a third state in which the first and second contacts in the first connector are coupled to the second serial communication circuitry. 
     
     
       70. The electronic apparatus set forth in claim 69 further comprising:
 third serial communication circuitry configured to allow the electronic apparatus to communicate with another device using a third serial communication interface different than the first and second serial communication interfaces; and   wherein the switching circuitry coupled to the first and second contacts in the first connector can be further switched to a fourth state in which the first and second contacts in the first connector are coupled to the third serial communication circuitry.   
     
     
       71. The electronic apparatus set forth in claim 67 wherein the obtained information is a measured electrical characteristic. 
     
     
       72. The electronic apparatus set forth in claim 67 wherein the second orientation is rotated 180 degrees from the first orientation. 
     
     
       73. The electronic apparatus set forth in claim 67 wherein the plurality of contacts in the first connector further includes a third contact for power.