Computer system with an interconnecting receptacle suitable for different external connectors

摘要

An interconnecting receptacle for a computer system is described. The interconnecting receptacle includes a case mounted on a housing of the computer system for receiving an external connector and a plurality of metallic contacts located inside the case for electrically connecting circuitry of the computer system inside the housing to the external connector. The external connector can be one of (1) a first type of connector that includes a first number of electrical connectors and (2) a second type of connector that includes a second number of electrical connectors. When the external connector is the first type of connector and is inserted inside the case, a first set of the plurality of metallic contacts are used to connect to the first number of electrical connectors of the external connector. When the external connector is the second type of connector and is inserted inside the case, a second set of the plurality of metallic contacts are used to connect to the second number of electrical connectors of the external connector such that the interconnecting receptacle can be connected to both the first and second types of connectors. A computer system that includes an integrated circuit card and an interconnecting receptacle is also described. The interconnecting receptacle electrically connects the integrated circuit card to an external connector such that when the integrated circuit card is changed, the interconnecting receptacle does not need to be changed.