Apple's Smart Connector, recently introduced on the iPad Pro, could be getting an update to support multiple connections at once. A U.S. patent published today shows a magnetic interface similar to the Smart Connector that can support more than one peripheral at a time by stacking plugs, AppleInsider reports.

The proposed connector format is designed for extreme adaptability, according to the patent description. It can accommodate a wide range of inputs and outputs that go beyond peripherals like the Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro (above), which is currently the only Apple device compatible with the Smart Connector.

One possibility is the ability to charge a device while simultaneously providing data signals to a peripheral like headphones or a keyboard. Power could flow through one cable while another handles music for headphones.

The connector described in the patent is also designed to provide an alternative to wireless charging, which suffers from slow recharging rates. By accommodating multiple cables, the proposed connector could fill the role of wireless data and power protocols without having to add a bunch of extra ports to tiny iOS devices of the future or limiting them to slow wireless connections.

In addition, because the connector can determine which devices are plugged into it, it could route power from one plugged-in device, such as an AC adapter or external battery, to charge another, such as a wireless keyboard.

Patents don't always turn into products, of course, and this one describes what appears to be a revision to the still brand-new Smart Connector. So if it does hit the market, it probably won't be any time soon. In the meantime, the Smart Connector handles peripheral connections with aplomb, as PCMag recently found in its review.