Microsoft has the patent for a thinner, re-designed USB-C connector

Microsoft logoIt is a slow process, but USB-C is gradually becoming more and more popular -- although it's a long way from ubiquity yet. Ready to rock the boat a little, it has emerged that Microsoft holds a patent for a redesigned USB-C connector.

The patent is not brand new, but Microsoft's May 2017 filing for an "Ultra-Thin USB-C Connector" has just come to light. Another patent filing from April 2017 describes a new "USB-C Plug Receptacle". While the redesign is hardly going to set the world on fire, it's the sort of thing we could well expect to see in a refresh Surface lineup.

The patents were first spotted by Windows Latest which notes that by making the USB-C port thinner, Microsoft would be able to trim some bulk from its devices. While Microsoft is yet to say anything official about any new Surface device, there are rumors aplenty that there are new devices in the pipeline, it's entirely possible that this USB-C connector redesign could see the light of day when they launch.

The patent describes how the redesigned connector would look:

A USB-C connector includes a plug tip and a cable. The USB-C connector includes a single, seamless, continuous, thin housing protecting a wire termination and contacts within the housing. The housing has a uniform thickness along the entire length of the housing. The housing may provide strain relief to the cable and an aesthetically pleasing USB-C connector. The connector may include an overmold residing inside the housing and over the wire termination and contacts.

Microsoft has the patent for a thinner, re-designed USB-C connector

The earlier patent shows how the housing a fixing of the USB-C port could be resigned to make it -- and therefore devices including such a port -- thinner:

The housing includes first and second sidewalls and may include first and second support members. The housing may be directly attached to the chassis of a computing device and may secure a USB-C plug. The tongue assembly includes a mid-plate. The tongue assembly and mid-plate may reside between the first and second sidewalls of the housing.

But while many people would be happy at the idea of a thinner port and more svelte connectors, the question is, will they be happy at the introduction of yet another type of cable to carry around? Although Microsoft's redesigned port would be compatible with existing USB-C cables, the thinner design would be rather spoiled by plugging in the current chunkier versions, after all.

Source: Betanews

Tags: Microsoft, USB

Comments
Add comment

Your name:
Sign in with:
or
Your comment:


Enter code:

E-mail (not required)
E-mail will not be disclosed to the third party


Last news

 
Galaxy Note10 really is built around a 6.7-inch display
 
You may still be able to download your content
 
Facebook, Messenger and Instagram are all going away
 
Minimize apps to a floating, always-on-top bubble
 
Japan Display has been providing LCDs for the iPhone XR, the only LCD model in Apple’s 2018 line-up
 
The 2001 operating system has reached its lowest share level
 
The entire TSMC 5nm design infrastructure is available now from TSMC
 
The smartphone uses a Snapdragon 660 processor running Android 9 Pie
The Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) Review
The evolution of the successful smartphone, now with a waterproof body and USB Type-C
February 7, 2017 / 2
Samsung Galaxy TabPro S - a tablet with the Windows-keyboard
The first Windows-tablet with the 12-inch display Super AMOLED
June 7, 2016 /
Keyboards for iOS
Ten iOS keyboards review
July 18, 2015 /
Samsung E1200 Mobile Phone Review
A cheap phone with a good screen
March 8, 2015 / 4
Creative Sound Blaster Z sound card review
Good sound for those who are not satisfied with the onboard solution
September 25, 2014 / 2
Samsung Galaxy Gear: Smartwatch at High Price
The first smartwatch from Samsung - almost a smartphone with a small body
December 19, 2013 /
 
 

News Archive

 
 
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930




Poll

Do you use microSD card with your phone?
or leave your own version in comments (16)