Microsoft patents 3.5mm jack narrower than 3.5mm

Microsoft has obtained a patent to put a 3.5mm jack in a device that is narrower than 3.5mm. Only when users use the jack, turn off the jack to fit a headset. The invention is intended for thin housings.

The patent application, which was filed in 2016 but only recently came online, shows three methods, says WMPoweruser. One is a 3.5mm jack made of a flexible material on the top and bottom. When users try to insert a headset, the material expands to allow the headset to fit snugly. If not, the connector is narrower than 3.5mm.

Microsoft says it has made the invention because with some devices it is difficult to integrate the connection into the design due to the thin housing. A flexible, thin 3.5mm jack should limit the space required for that connection. Similar applications already exist for fold-out Ethernet connections for laptops and netbooks.

The space occupied by the analog audio connection is a hot topic, especially in the smartphone market. Apple dropped the connection from the iPhone 7 and then HTC, Lenovo and Google, among others, did the same. Many smartphone makers do integrate the connection for headsets, it turned out earlier this year.