Apple's US patent 7,841,776: Magnetic connector with optical signal path

The abstract of Apple's '776 patent states:

Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.

The first claim:

A power and data transfer system comprising: a power and data adapter comprising:
a first port for receiving a first power supply;
a second port for a data connection; and
a third port for providing a second power supply voltage, a ground, and
an optical data signal; a connector insert comprising: a first pin to provide an electrical connection for the second power supply voltage; a second pin to provide an electrical connection for the ground; and a third pin to provide an optical connection for the optical data signal; and a cable having a first conductor for the first power supply, a second conductor for the ground, and a fiber-optic cable for the optical data signal.

First inventor is John C. DiFonzo.

Here's the background section:

Mobile computing devices have become very popular the past several years. Users have chosen these devices not only for their portability, they have chosen them to be replacements for their traditional computers as well. These mobile devices thus fill two niches, as on-the-go computing and as desktop replacements. As a desktop replacement, there are two needs that these portable computers must satisfy.

The first of these needs is the ability to function the length of a workday. Unfortunately, this exceeds current battery capacity; thus the laptop needs to be plugged in to a power source for at least a portion of the day. The second need to be satisfied is the ability to transfer data over a physical connection.

Presently, satisfying these two needs requires at least two connections to the mobile device; one for power and one for data transmission. But including two (or more) connectors increases cost and consumes space, typically along the side of the mobile device. It also requires the user to make two separate connections, thus limiting the usefulness and desirability of the mobile computing format.

These two connections also require the use of two cables. This in turn clutters a user's workspace, further degrading the mobile computing experience. Another way that a user's experience can quickly become unpleasant is when the user trips or otherwise becomes entangled with one of these cables, thereby pulling the laptop to the ground.

Thus, what is needed are circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a power and data transfer system that can supply both power and data to a laptop or other mobile computing device using a single connection. To reduce the clutter caused by multiple cables, it is further desirable to have a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to the mobile computing device using a single cable. It is also desirable to have a connector system that can connect this single cable to the mobile computing device. To avoid the consequence of laptops being pulled to the ground when a cable is tripped over, it is desirable that the connector system easily disengages when the cable is pulled away from the mobile computing device.