Apple is pursuing new technologies that would allow the company to combine multiple interfaces, such as USB and SD Card, into a single port, according to a U.S. patent application published Thursday and noted by AppleInsider.
The Apple patent application, filed December 23, 2011, is titled “Combined Input Port” and describes a unique port that can receive “different types of connectors, memory cards, or plugs.” The application’s images focus on the combination of a USB type A connector and SD Memory Card port, although its description also envisions the combination of many other port types, such as mini-USB and HDMI.
The combination of ports described by Apple’s patent application will allow the company to continue its quest for smaller and thinner products. While interfaces such as Thunderbolt allow users to expand port availability externally, the option to use native ports built in to a computer maximizes user convenience.
A reminder that this is only a patent application; it has not been approved by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. It lists Apple Reliability Engineer Changsoo Jang as inventor.
Images from USPTO Patent Application No. 20130166786.
