Jack, reproducing apparatus and data communication system

Claim 2

A jack comprising: an opening for selectively accommodating either a first plug or a second plug, said first plug including a first headphone plug and a first connector, said first connector having a plurality of first electrode terminals for performing data communication based on a first data communication standard, said second plug including a second headphone plug and a second connector, said second connector having a plurality of second electrode terminals for effecting data communication based on a second data communication standard; a plurality of first contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of first electrode terminals of said first plug when said first plug is inserted into said opening; and a plurality of second contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of second electrode terminals of said second plug when said second plug is inserted into said opening.

Claim 3

A jack according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of first or second contacts is used to transmit, receive or exchange power.

Claim 4

A jack according to claim 1 , further comprises a second opening for accommodating an audio signal plug for inputting or outputting audio signals.

Claim 5

A jack according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of first contacts are positioned opposite to said plurality of second contacts inside said opening.

Claim 6

A jack according to claim 1 , wherein said first data communication standard is pursuant to IEEE 1394.

Claim 7

A jack according to claim 1 , wherein said second data communication standard involves extracting a clock signal from a data line.

Claim 8

A reproducing apparatus comprising: a jack comprising: an opening for selectively accommodating either a first plug or a second plug, said first plug having a plurality of first electrode terminals for performing data communication based on a first data communication standard, said second plug having a plurality of second electrode terminals for effecting data communication based on a second data communication standard; a plurality of first contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of first electrode terminals of said first plug when said first plug is inserted into said opening; and a plurality of second contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of second electrode terminals of said second plug when said second plug is inserted into said opening; reproducing means for reproducing information from a storage medium; first data converting means for converting the information from said reproducing means in accordance with said first data communication standard; and second data converting means for converting information regarding to operating status of said reproducing means in accordance with said second data communication standard.

Claim 9

A reproducing apparatus comprising: a jack comprising: an opening for selectively accommodating either a first plug or a second plug, said first plug having a plurality of first electrode terminals for performing data communication based on a first data communication standard, said second plug having a plurality of second electrode terminals for effecting data communication based on a second data communication standard; a plurality of first contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of first electrode terminals of said first plug when said first plug is inserted into said opening; and a plurality of second contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of second electrode terminals of said second plug when said second plug is inserted into said opening; reproducing means for reproducing information from a storage medium; first data converting means for converting the information from said reproducing means in accordance with said first data communication standard; and second data converting means for converting information regarding to operating status of said reproducing means in accordance with said second data communication standard.

Claim 10

A reproducing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of said plurality of first or second contacts of said jack is used to transmit, receive, or exchange power.

Claim 11

A reproducing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said jack further comprises a second opening for accommodating an audio signal plug for inputting or outputting audio signals.

Claim 12

A reproducing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said plurality of first contacts are positioned opposite to said plurality of second contacts inside said opening.

Claim 13

A reproducing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said first data communication standard is pursuant to IEEE 1394.

Claim 14

A reproducing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said second data communication standard involves extracting a clock signal from a data line.

Claim 15

A data communication system comprising: either a first plug or a second plug, said first plug including a first headphone plug and a first connector, said first connector having a plurality of electrode terminals for performing data communication based on a first data communication standard, said second plug including a second headphone plug and a second connector, said second connector having a plurality of electrode terminals for effecting data communication based on a second data communication standard; and a jack comprising: an opening for selectively accommodating said first or said second plug; a plurality of first contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of first electrode terminals of said first plug when said first plug is inserted into said opening; and a plurality of second contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of second electrode terminals of said second plug when said second plug is inserted into said opening.

Claim 16

A data communication system comprising: either a first plug or a second plug, said first plug including a first headphone plug and a first connector, said first connector having a plurality of electrode terminals for performing data communication based on a first data communication standard, said second plug including a second headphone plug and a second connector, said second connector having a plurality of electrode terminals for effecting data communication based on a second data communication standard; and a jack comprising: an opening for selectively accommodating said first or said second plug; a plurality of first contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of first electrode terminals of said first plug when said first plug is inserted into said opening; and a plurality of second contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of second electrode terminals of said second plug when said second plug is inserted into said opening.

Claim 17

A data communication system according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of said plurality of first or second contacts of said jack is used to transmit, receive, or exchange power.

Claim 18

A data communication system according to claim 13 , wherein said jack further comprises a second opening for accommodating an audio signal plug for inputting or outputting audio signals.

Claim 19

A data communication system according to claim 13 , wherein said plurality of first contacts are positioned opposite to said plurality of second contacts inside said opening.

Claim 20

A data communication system according to claim 13 , wherein said first data communication standard is pursuant to IEEE 1394.

Claim 21

A data communication system according to claim 13 , wherein said second data communication standard involves extracting a clock signal from a data line.

Claim 22

A jack comprising: an opening for selectively accommodating either a first plug or a second plug, said first plug having a plurality of first electrode terminals for performing data communication based on a first data communication standard, said second plug having a plurality of second electrode terminals for effecting data communication based on a second data communication standard, the shape of the second plug being substantially similar to the shape of the first plug; a plurality of first contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of first electrode terminals of said first plug when said first plug is inserted into said opening; and a plurality of second contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of second electrode terminals of said second plug when said second plug is inserted into said opening.

Claim 23

A jack comprising: an opening for selectively accommodating either a first plug or a second plug, said first plug having a plurality of first electrode terminals for performing data communication based on a first data communication standard, said second plug having a plurality of second electrode terminals for effecting data communication based on a second data communication standard, the shape of the second plug being substantially similar to the shape of the first plug; a plurality of first contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of first electrode terminals of said first plug when said first plug is inserted into said opening; and a plurality of second contacts for coming into contact with said plurality of second electrode terminals of said second plug when said second plug is inserted into said opening.

Claim 24

A jack according to claim 19 , wherein said first data communication standard is pursuant to a USB format.

Claim 25

A jack according to claim 1 , wherein said first data communication standard is pursuant to a USB format.

Claim 26

A jack according to claim 8 , wherein said first data communication standard is pursuant to a USB format.

Claim 27

A jack according to claim 13 , wherein said first data communication standard is pursuant to a USB format.