According to one embodiment, a controller may include a user interface that is operable to receive input from a user to control an electronic system to which the controller may be coupled either directly or indirectly. The user interface may comprise an interface housing to which the user interface is coupled, the interface housing having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion of which may contain the user interface. A controller housing may be coupled to the rear portion of the interface housing, the controller housing having a smaller perimeter than the interface housing. The controller housing may be comprised of at least one sidewall and a rear wall. At least one magnet may be coupled to the controller housing. The magnet(s) may be operable to hold the controller in position using magnetic force when the controller housing is inserted into a mounting receptacle.

According to one embodiment, a controller may include a user interface that is operable to receive input from a user to control an electronic system to which the controller may be coupled either directly or indirectly. The user interface may comprise an interface housing to which the user interface is coupled, the interface housing having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion of which may contain the user interface. A controller housing may be coupled to the rear portion of the interface housing, the controller housing having a smaller perimeter than the interface housing. The controller housing may be comprised of at least one sidewall and a rear wall. At least one magnet may be coupled to the controller housing. The magnet(s) may be operable to hold the controller in position using magnetic force when the controller housing is inserted into a mounting receptacle.

Functional modules of a modular system include two or more ferrous conductors, each conductor having a separate magnet associated therewith that is electrically isolated from other conductors and magnets. Circuitry within functional modules is electrically connected to the ferrous conductors. The ferrous conductors of the functional modules are configured to be magnetically attracted to, contact, and receive power from ferrous conductors of a power delivery module.

An automatic retractable connecting cable and an associated plug are disclosed which the retractable connecting cable has a first connector and a second connector mounted respectively at two ends of a cable and a coupler. The coupler is configured for retaining the first connector and the second connector which makes the first connector, the second connector and the cable connected in a pile. plug comprises a movable plug and an adapter. The movable plug as a plug pattern formed on a side of the movable plug, and a first interface is formed on another side of the movable plug. The plug pattern is configured for operatively coupled to a socket of a mobile device. The adapter is connected to the connecting cable, and comprises a second interface. The second interface is configured to connect the first interface, wherein the second interface is rotatable relatively to the first interface.

This application relates to magnetically actuated electrical connectors. The electrical connectors includes movable magnetic elements that move in response to an externally applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, the electrical connectors includes recessed contacts that move from a recessed position to an engaged position in response to an externally applied magnetic field associated with an electronic device to which the connector is designed to be coupled. In some embodiments, the external magnetic field has a particular polarity pattern configured to draw contacts associated with a matching polarity pattern out of the recessed position.

This application relates to magnetically actuated electrical connectors. The electrical connectors includes movable magnetic elements that move in response to an externally applied magnetic field. In some embodiments, the electrical connectors includes recessed contacts that move from a recessed position to an engaged position in response to an externally applied magnetic field associated with an electronic device to which the connector is designed to be coupled. In some embodiments, the external magnetic field has a particular polarity pattern configured to draw contacts associated with a matching polarity pattern out of the recessed position.

A threadless magnetic lightbulb and socket system includes a lightbulb base having a neck with a threadless exterior surface and a socket having a receptacle with a threadless interior surface configured to receive the neck. A first magnet is positioned at a tip of the lightbulb base and a second magnet is positioned in the receptacle of the socket such that the first magnet and the second magnet are configured to attract each other to magnetically retain the lightbulb within the socket. A threadless magnetic lightbulb includes a lightbulb base having a neck with a threadless exterior surface and a magnet positioned at a tip of the lightbulb base. A threadless magnetic socket includes a socket having a receptacle with a threadless interior surface configured to receive a lightbulb base and a magnet positioned in the receptacle of the socket.

A building element for a modular device includes a male connector comprising M first magnets, a first ground terminal, a first detection terminal, a first power terminal, and a first signal terminal; and a female connector comprising M second magnets that are magnetically attractable to the first magnets, N second ground terminals, O second detection terminals, P second power terminals, and a second signal terminal. When the male connector of one building element is mechanically connected to the female connector of another building element, the first ground terminal, the first detection terminal, the first power terminal and the first signal terminal of the male connector of the one of two building elements respectively come into contact with one of the second ground terminals, one of the second detection terminals, one of the second power terminals, and the second signal terminal of the other one of the two building elements.

A magnetic connector has a plug core disposed around a plug contact set and a receptacle core disposed around a receptacle contact set. The plug core defines a generally elongated circular plug core edge. The receptacle core defines a generally elongated concentric-circular receptacle core edge. The receptacle core edge defines an air gap, and the plug core defines an anchor configured to insert into the air gap. A coil is disposed around the receptacle core, and the coil, the plug core and the air gap define a magnetic circuit. The coil is electrically energized so as to form a magnetic field within an air gap, lock the anchor within the air gap and lock the plug contact set to the receptacle contact set accordingly.

A magnetic connector has a plug core disposed around a plug contact set and a receptacle core disposed around a receptacle contact set. The plug core defines a generally elongated circular plug core edge. The receptacle core defines a generally elongated concentric-circular receptacle core edge. The receptacle core edge defines an air gap, and the plug core defines an anchor configured to insert into the air gap. A coil is disposed around the receptacle core, and the coil, the plug core and the air gap define a magnetic circuit. The coil is electrically energized so as to form a magnetic field within an air gap, lock the anchor within the air gap and lock the plug contact set to the receptacle contact set accordingly.