A new Microsoft patent application points to a possible future magnetics based USB Type-C connector to make connecting a snap on future Surface devices that could jazz up their Surface line of hardware. Whether Microsoft will license their technology to Wintel OEMs is unknown at this time.

Microsoft's patent states that "in some implementations, the latch mechanisms may include a USB-C connection." Instead of forcing a connector into a device Microsoft wants to provide users with a "magnetic experience" that will allow the two parts to snap together "even when they are a relatively large distance away, without any external force; and/or may allow the two to detach under a wider range of external forces (without any damage to the system).

Microsoft's patent FIG. 1 below is an isometric separated view of a computing device #100 (Surface Tablet) and a magnetic plug #130 (e.g., a magnetic protrusion). The computing device may include a magnetic receptacle #110 and a magnetic plug.

The magnetic receptacle may include one or more receptacle magnets #120 and is shown with two receptacle magnets. The receptacle magnets are shown on the left and right side of the magnetic receptacle. This may be due to the overall thickness of the computing device.

In implementations where the thickness of the computing device allows for it, one or more receptacle magnets may be placed above and/or below the magnetic receptacle. In general, the magnets may be placed on the left, right, top, bottom, behind or in any combination.

As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic receptacle may be a magnetic USB-C receptacle and the magnetic plug may be a magnetic USB-C plug. In other implementations, the magnetic receptacle and magnetic plug may be another type of magnetic receptacle.

Microsoft filed for this patent with the U.S. Patent Office back in May 2018. It was made public earlier this month.



