Apple filed a new patent that redesigns the connector jack and plug with a new flat surface which can be used to replace the standard low profile plug and the low profile plug receptacles of electronic devices.
The patent, which Apple labeled as a Headset D-Shaped Connector, has just been granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
There are actually 22 patent claims made by Apple which are all related to connector plugs and jacks. One patent in particular pertains to an audio connector plug and jack wherein the design bears a reduced plug length and thickness, which is then paired with a corresponding jack that can be configured in order to accommodate the connector plug's reduced length and thickness.
As stated under the brief summary part of the patent filing:
"The present invention provides an improved audio plug connector having a reduced plug length and thickness, an intuitive insertion orientation and a smooth, consistent feel when inserted and extracted from its corresponding receptacle connector. In some embodiments, a portion or all of the plug connector may include a flexible material that allows the connector to bend with respect to an insertion axis along which the plug connector is designed to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector."
Apple also described the space saving feature of the D-shaped connector implementation as shown in one of the figures indicated in the patent filing. With this feature, it is possible for a D-shaped connector to be used in electronic devices that are slimmer or at least those who have additional internal components that are made to work compatibly with the D-shaped connector's reduced thickness.
In essence, the new connector is still a standard 3.5 millimeter jack cut crosswise to reduce the size in half. With the use of an adapter, the revised connector can still fit in standard 3.5 millimeter jacks found in most devices.
The new patent, which carries the patent number 9,142,925, also claims that the improved D-shaped connector still carries the same functionality of a modern 3.5 millimeter TRRS (Tip, Ring 1, Ring 2, Sleeve) connector albeit this time, it is built with a trim profile that makes it absolutely suitable to be used in extremely thin devices.
It remains to be seen if Apple will indeed come up with devices that will be incorporated with the new D-shaped connector. When that happens, consumers can expect to see future Apple devices to be much slimmer and more portable.
