Magnetic connector with optical signal path
Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.
1. A power and data adapter comprising:
a first port for receiving a first power supply;
a second port for a data connection; and
a third port for a second power supply, a ground, and an optical data signal;
a cable connected to the third port for the second power supply, the ground, and the optical data signal,
a connector insert connected to the cable and comprising:
a first pin and second pin for the second power supply,
a third pin and fourth pin for the ground; and
a fifth pin for the optical data signal, the fifth pin having a collector to improve the data signal,
wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pins are arranged in a single line.
2. The power and data adapter of claim 1 wherein the first power supply is an AC power supply received from a wall outlet.
3. The power and data adapter of claim 1 wherein the first power supply is a DC power supply received from a car outlet.
4. The power and data adapter of claim 1 wherein the data connection is a Universal Serial Bus connection.
5. The power and data adapter of claim 1 wherein the data connection is a Local Area Network connection.
6. The power and data adapter of claim 1 wherein the data connection is a Digital Visual Interface connection.
7. The power and data adapter of claim 1 further comprising:
first circuitry for converting data received at the data connection to the optical data signal.
8. The power and data adapter of claim 7 further comprising:
second circuitry for converting the first power supply to the second power supply.
9. A power and data adapter comprising:
a housing comprising:
a first power connector for receiving a first power supply;
a first data connector for a data connection; and
a first port for a second power supply, a ground, and an optical data signal;
a cable connected to the third port for the second power supply, the ground, and the optical data signal,
a connector insert connected to the cable and comprising:
a first pin and second pin for the second power supply,
a third pin and fourth pin for the ground; and
a fifth pin for the optical data signal, the fifth pin having a collector to improve the data signal,
wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pins are arranged in a single line.
10. The power and data adapter of claim 9 further comprising:
first circuitry in the housing for converting data received at the first data connector to the optical data signal.
11. The power and data adapter of claim 10 further comprising:
second circuitry in the housing for converting the first power supply to the second power supply.
12. The power and data adapter of claim 9 wherein the first power supply is an AC power supply received from a wall outlet.
13. The power and data adapter of claim 9 wherein the first power supply is a DC power supply received from a car outlet.