Abstract:
Described is a peripheral device locking arrangement. The device comprises an attachment arrangement including a receiving assembly and a first locking mechanism, and a second locking mechanism coupled to the attachment arrangement. The receiving assembly detachably receives a peripheral device. The first locking mechanism locks the peripheral device in the receiving assembly. When the second locking mechanism is in a locked position, the second locking mechanism prevents removal of the peripheral device from the receiving assembly. The peripheral device is removable from the receiving assembly only when (i) the first locking mechanism is released and (ii) the second locking mechanism in is an unlocked position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a locking arrangement for maintaining a connection between a peripheral device and a host device. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Extended functionality may be provided to a mobile computing unit (MU) through the use of a peripheral device. For example, a memory card may increase storage capacity of the MU. The peripheral device is typically coupled to the MU via a connector which is readily accessible by a user, allowing the peripheral device to be easily attached to and removed from the MU. However, if the MU is dropped, shaken, etc., the peripheral device may come loose from the connector, terminating an electrical connection with the MU and any data exchange therewith which may result in loss and/or corruption of data. Thus, there is a need for a mechanism to ensure that the peripheral device remains coupled to the MU when used, carried, dropped, shaken, etc. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a peripheral device locking arrangement. The device comprises an attachment arrangement including a receiving assembly and a first locking mechanism, and a second locking mechanism coupled to the attachment arrangement. The receiving assembly detachably receives a peripheral device. The first locking mechanism locks the peripheral device in the receiving assembly. When the second locking mechanism is in a locked position, the second locking mechanism prevents removal of the peripheral device from the receiving assembly. The peripheral device is removable from the receiving assembly only when (i) the first locking mechanism is released and (ii) the second locking mechanism in is an unlocked position. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present invention; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of an attachment arrangement on a host device according to the present invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a peripheral device locking arrangement according to the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary embodiment of a peripheral device locking arrangement according to the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for removing a peripheral device from a peripheral device locking arrangement and an attachment arrangement of a host device according to the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary embodiment of a peripheral device coupled to a host device according to the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  shows an exemplary embodiment of an attachment arrangement in an unlocked position according to the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  shows an exemplary embodiment of a memory card removed from a host device according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]    The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The present invention describes a peripheral device locking arrangement for a host device. According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the locking arrangement maintains a physical coupling between the peripheral device and the host device even when the host device experiences a shock event, i.e., any force which may cause the peripheral device to lost/shift from its intended physical and/or electrical connection with the host device. The shock event includes, but is not limited to, shaking, drops, transport, inadvertent removal attempts, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the locking arrangement is useful for a single motion insertion. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a system  5  according to the present invention which includes a host device and a peripheral device physically coupled thereto. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the host device is a mobile computing unit (MU)  10  which may be, for example, a laser-/imager-based scanner, an RFID reader, a mobile phone, a PDA, a digital camera, a digital media player, a tablet computer, a laptop, etc., and the peripheral device is a memory card  15  which may be, for example, a secure digital (SD) card, a micro/mini SD card, a flash card, a compact flash (CF) card, a network interface card (NIC), a memory stick, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card, integrated circuit (IC) card, etc. While the exemplary embodiment is described with reference to the MU  10  and the memory card  15 , those of skill in the art will understand that the peripheral device locking arrangement according to the present invention may be utilized with any host computing (e.g., PC, game console, etc.) and any peripheral device coupleable thereto (e.g., keypad, touch screen, mouse, keyboard, display screen, magnetic stripe reader, etc.). 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of an attachment arrangement of the MU  10  for receiving the memory card  15 . The attachment arrangement includes a receiving assembly (e.g., a card slot  20 ) which may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) or any other part of a stack assembly in the MU  10 . The card slot  20  includes an opening  25  which receives the memory card  15  and electrical connectors which interface with corresponding electrical connectors on the memory card  15 , allowing a processor of the MU  10  to read/write data on the memory card  15 . 
         [0015]    The card slot  20  may use utilize a locking mechanism (e.g., a conventional push-pull mechanism) to retain the memory card  15  therein. Using the push-pull mechanism, for example, the memory card  15  is inserted into the card slot  20  and engaged by a latch (or other mechanism) to retaining the memory card  15  within the card slot  20 . Typically, a portion of the memory card  15  (e.g., a lagging edge) remains exposed from the card slot  20  when the memory card  15  is inserted therein. To remove the memory card  15 , the memory card  15  is pushed further into the card slot  20  until the latch disengages, and the memory card  15  is ejected from the card slot  20  (typically by a spring). Other exemplary embodiments of the locking mechanism utilized by the card slot  20  include, but are not limited to, a frictional fit, a snap fit, a magnetic coupling, etc. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a locking arrangement  30  according to the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the locking arrangement  30  is an overlay which is mounted over the card slot  20 . Preferably, the locking arrangement  30  has a substantially similar shape as the card slot  20  and has a low profile (thin) so that a stack height in the MU  10  is not significantly altered when it is mounted on the card slot  20 . The locking arrangement  30  may be manufactured as a single piece item from, for example, metal, plastic or any combination thereof. 
         [0017]    The locking arrangement  30  generally includes a body portion  35  and an arm  40 . The body portion  35  may be mounted on the card slot  20  using, for example, adhesive, double-sided tape, welding, mechanical means, etc. The body portion  35  may also be coupled to the PCB underlying the card slot  20  using similar coupling means. The body portion  35  may cover substantially all or a selected portion of the card slot  20 . The more surface area of the card slot  20  that is covered by the body portion  35 , the more force which will be required to move the arm  40  relative thereto, as will be described further below. That is, the body portion  35  may provide stability and leverage for the arm  40 . 
         [0018]    The arm  40  may be formed by, for example, creating a channel  45  in the body portion  35 . The channel  45  separates the arm  40  from the body portion  35  allowing the arm  40  to flex relative thereto. That is, the arm  40  may bend/flex while the body portion  35  remains attached to the card slot  20 . Thus, it is preferable that any adhesive, double-sided tape, etc. which is used to secure the body portion  35  to the card slot  25  is not used on the arm  40 , allowing the arm  40  to be lifted from an outer surface of the card slot  20 . As understood by those of skill in the art, the flexibility of the arm  40  relative to the body portion  35  may be varied by increasing/decreasing a depth with which the channel  45  is formed into the body portion  35 . For example, a shallow depth of the channel  45  would limit a height which may be achieved by bending the arm  40  away from the outer surface of card slot  20 . 
         [0019]    In the exemplary embodiment, the arm  40  extends along an axis substantially parallel with and offset from a longitudinal axis of the body portion  35 . However, those of skill in the art will understand that the arm  40  may be formed along the longitudinal axis of the body portion  35 . The arm  40  includes a latch  50  for retaining the memory card  15  within the card slot  20 . The latch  50  may be formed from a portion of the arm  40  which extends a predetermined distance past the opening  25  of the card slot  20  and includes a retaining member  55  for engaging a portion of the memory card  15  when it is received in the card slot  20 . In the exemplary embodiment show in  FIG. 3 , the latch  50  is shown as an L-shaped member with a first leg being integral with the arm  40  and a second leg (e.g., the retaining member  55 ) being formed substantially perpendicular to the first leg by, for example, bending a portion of the first leg. 
         [0020]    The retaining member  55  only engages a portion (e.g., the lagging edge) of the memory card  15 . However, those of skill in the art will understand that the arm  40 , the latch  50  and/or the retaining member  55  may have various dimensions to engage a selected portion of the memory card  15 . For example, the arm  40  and the latch  50  may be formed so that the retaining member  55  engages the entire lagging edge of the memory card  15 , or there may be embodiments with more than one arm  40 , latch  50  and/or retaining member  55  which are independently movable or chain-linked to move simultaneously. In addition, while  FIG. 3  shows the arm  40  in contact with the outer surface of the card slot  20 , in other exemplary embodiments the arm  40  may be positioned on a side surface of the card slot  20 . In yet another exemplary embodiment, the locking arrangement  30  may simply include the arm  40  and/or the arm  40  may be formed integrally with the card slot  20 . 
         [0021]    The arm  40  may further include a handle  60  coupled to the latch  50  allowing a user to disengage the retaining member  55  from the memory card  15 . The handle  60  may be offset from the opening  25  of the card slot  20  so that the handle  60  does not obstruct access to the card slot  20 . In the exemplary embodiment, the handle  60  is an L-shaped member with a first leg attached to the retaining member  55  and a second leg extending (in a direction opposite the card slot  20 ) a predetermined distance substantially perpendicularly from the first leg so that a user may easily manipulate the arm  40  by interfacing with the handle  60 . The second leg of the handle  60  may be folded over or otherwise formed (e.g., rounded interface, include a bumper/cover, etc.) so that a sharp edge is not presented to the user. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary embodiment of the retaining member  55  engaging the memory card  15 . The handle  60  is coupled to a lateral portion of the retaining member  55  providing a clearance area which allows the memory card  15  to be removed from the card slot  20  after it has been disengaged from the retaining member  55  as described below. The size/shape of the retaining member  55  and clearance area may be variable to vary a surface contacting percentage between the lagging edge of the memory card  15  and the retaining member  55  of the latch  50 . 
         [0023]    In the exemplary embodiments, the arm  40  is biased to a locked position in which the retaining member  55  is positioned over a portion of the opening  25  of the card slot  20 . However, in other exemplary embodiments, the retaining member  55  may require a user to move the retaining member  55  between the locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, the arm  40  contacts the outer surface of the card slot  20  along an entire length of the arm  40  up to the latch  50 , which extends past the card slot  20 . Thus, to insert the memory card  15  into the card slot  20 , a leading edge of the memory card  15  may be inserted into the opening  25  while angling the memory card  15  to prevent contact with the retaining member  55 . As the memory card  15  is inserted into the card slot  20 , the memory card  15  (or the user) may displace the retaining member  55 , allowing the memory card  15  to be received within the card slot  20 . Displacing the retaining member  55  causes the arm  40  to flex away from the outer surface of the card slot  20  into an unlocked position. When the lagging edge of the memory card  15  has passed the retaining member  55 , the bias of the arm  40  causes the retaining member  55  to snap over the lagging edge of the memory card  15  back into the locked position, thereby preventing removal from the card slot  20 . 
         [0024]      FIGS. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of a method  100  for removing the memory card  15  from the card slot  20 , and the steps of the method are schematically shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . In step  105 , the memory card  15  is secured within the card slot  20  and the retaining member  55  engages the lagging edge of the memory card  15 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . In step  110 , the handle  60  is used to flex the arm  40  into the unlocked position, disengaging the retaining member  55  from the lagging edge of the memory card  15 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . In step  115 , the memory card  15  may be pulled or slid from the card slot  20 . However, the card slot  20  may also utilize the conventional push-pull mechanism. Thus, the user may push the lagging edge of the memory card  15  further into the card slot  20  to disengage the push-pull mechanism and have the memory card  15  ejected from the card slot  20 . Because user is maintaining the arm  40  in the unlocked position and the latch  50  includes the clearance area between the handle  60  and the retaining member  55 , the memory card  15  may be removed from the card slot  20 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . In step  120 , the arm  40  returns to the locked position when the user stops applying force to the handle  60 . 
         [0025]    From the above description, those of skill in the art will understand that the present invention may prevent dislodging of a peripheral device when the host device it is coupled to experiences a shock event. Maintaining a physical and electrical coupling during the shock event ensures an integrity of data exchange between the peripheral device and the host device. Thus, the present invention may increase ruggedness of the host device and improve user satisfaction therewith. 
         [0026]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.