Apple patent suggests MagSafe connector that supports data
Apple recently filed a patent for a product described as "Magnetic Connector with Optical Signal Path." The patent filing describes a MagSafe-style cable that would provide both data and power to a device. The power cable would connect magnetically and contain additional internal pins allowing for the transmission of data as well as audio and video signals. Downstream, the cable would include the appropriate adapters for each device you want to connect. This patent sounds very similar to HDBaseT, a cabling system proposed by Samsung Electronics, Sony Pictures Entertainment, LG Electronics and Valens Semiconductor. This technology uses an RJ-45 cable to transmit data via a 100BaseT connection, HD video, audio and power. The specification was finalized in June 2010, and products using this technology may debut in 2011.
Another similar competing technology, LightPeak, is being developed by Intel. The optical cable technology would be a single cable replacement for SCSI, SATA, USB, FireWire, PCI Express and possibly power and display connections as well. Apple is reportedly interested in this technology and was rumored, at one point, to be incorporating it into its MacBook Pro lineup.
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Apple recently filed a patent for a product described as "Magnetic Connector with Optical Signal Path." The patent filing describes a...
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Excellent move! This was my first thought when I read about light peak, integrate it into the magsafe connector. In the other end, a box with connectors for USB/DisplayPort/FireWire/...
February 19 2011 at 6:08 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHere is a similar story
As the headline states, a recent Apple patent shows a system where data and power share a MagSafe adapter. It would look and magnetically connect just like the current MagSafe, but two cables would exit the adapter with a a fiber optic line for data and the standard power cord. Internally there would be an additional “pin†for the fiber line.
Didn't HP have something like this for one of their premium ultraportable lines a year or two ago? I think it was an Ethernet jack in the power supply brick or something like that. Would be really cool to have a 'dock brick' that had connections for say Audio/Ethernet/USB/MDP built in. But, I am not an Engineer (IANAE?), so there's probably some technical reason that wouldn’t work.
February 17 2011 at 5:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyApple should make the power adapter magnetic on both ends. Now the wire just breaks from the bricks end.
February 17 2011 at 4:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm worried that if I'm in the middle of transferring data and pull the magnetic power chord away that the data connection will break and I lose the transfer!
February 17 2011 at 3:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyFrom an Engadget article, Apple developed of the concept of LightPeak and brought it to Intel to develop it.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/26/exclusive-apple-dictated-light-peak-creation-to-intel-could-be/
This was (somewhat...) my point: Apple is involved in the Lightpeak, why would they develop a competing technology.
The "problem" with using Lightpeak for external stuff (like an USB replacement) is that the optical fiber cannot supply power. This kind of patent fixes that.
True, that engadget article does point to Apple's involvement in LightPeak, but it is a rumor from "an extremely reliable source" not a confirmation from Apple.
Thus far, Intel has stated publicly it is is working on LightPeak and it remains Intel's project until someone else comes forward publicly as a partner.
Maybe this adds Airplay support to power adapters?
February 17 2011 at 2:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhy "competing" technology regarding Lightpeak? Can't this simply be Lightpeak in combination with Magsafe, solving the problem with power and data and putting it in a nice connector?
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