USB modem devices with a flip antenna and a retractable USB connector

A Universal Serial Bus (USB) modem device includes a body member and a flip member. The flip member includes an antenna element and is rotatably coupled to the body member for movement about a hinge axis between a closed position and an open position. A USB connector is movably mounted in the body member for movement between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body member. A linkage mechanism in the body member couples the flip member and the USB connector so that movement of the flip member between the open position and the closed position moves the USB connector between the extended position and the retracted position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and, more particularly, to mobile terminals.

To provide wireless communications capability to an electronic device, such as a personal computer, not including such a capability, a modem may be coupled to the electronic device. Both internal modems, installed to an internal bus of the electronic device, and external modem devices are available. External interfaces to the electronic device may include, for example, a universal serial bus (USB).

Currently, USB dongle moderns are gaining acceptance for mobile computing applications with laptop computers and the like. There is a desire to produce the smallest (most compact) product for such applications. However, the incorporation of several antenna systems (including main—cellular, diversity, global positioning system (GPS), and/or wireless local area network (WLAN) applications) may greatly impact the overall size of the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a Universal Serial Bus (USB) modem device including a body member and a flip member. The flip member includes an antenna element and is rotatably coupled to the body member for movement about a hinge axis between a closed position and an open position. A USB connector is movably mounted in the body member for movement between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the body member. A linkage mechanism in the body member couples the flip member and the USB connector so that movement of the flip member between the open position and the closed position moves the USB connector between the extended position and the retracted position.

In some embodiments, the USB modem device includes a circuit board positioned in the body member, a modem circuit on the circuit board and a Radio Frequency connection operatively coupling the antenna to the modem circuitry. The USB connector may be fixedly connected to the circuit board and the circuit board and the USB connector may move together linearly between the extended position and the retracted position. The antenna element may be a loop antenna, a linear antenna and/or the like.

In other embodiments, the RF connection is a direct connection including a contact on the flip member operatively coupled to the antenna and an associated contact on the body member operatively coupled to the modem circuit. The contact on the flip member and the associated contact on the body member may be in contact only in the open position or in contact in both the open and closed positions.

In further embodiments, a first antenna and a second antenna are included in the flip member. The flip member includes a first and second aim. The first arm extends from the hinge axis proximate a first side of the body member to an end thereof displaced from the hinge axis. The first arm includes the first antenna. The second arm extends from the hinge axis proximate a second side of the body member to an end thereof displaced from the hinge axis, opposite the first side. The second aim includes the second antenna. A connecting member extends between the end of the first arm and the end of the second arm. In the closed position, the connecting member is positioned adjacent an end of the body member extending between the first and second side of the body member and covers a USB connector opening in the end of the body member through which the USB connector extends in the extended position. The contact on the flip member may be a first contact operatively coupled to the first antenna and a second contact coupled to the second antenna and the associated contact may be a first associated contact on the first side of the body member and a second associated contact on the second side of the body member.

In other embodiments, the body member further includes a memory card slot in the end of the body member proximate the USB connector opening. The connecting member covers the memory card slot in the closed position. The circuit board further includes a memory card circuit configured to operatively engage a memory card inserted in the memory card slot.

In further embodiments, the linkage mechanism includes a metal shaft extending along the hinge axis to which the flip member is fixedly coupled. The RF connection is a direct connection including a contact on the flip member operatively coupled to the antenna that contacts the metal shaft in both the open position and the closed position. The contact on the flip member may be a spring contact.

In other embodiments, the RF connection is a capacitive coupling including a first electrode on the flip member operatively coupled to the antenna and a second electrode on the body member operatively coupled to the modem circuit. The first and second electrode are capacitively coupled without direct contact therebetween in the open position. The first electrode and the second electrode may be centrally located proximate the hinge axis and the first and second electrode may be capacitively coupled without direct contact therebetween in the closed position and the open position. The first electrode and the second electrode may also be positioned at locations offset from the hinge axis and be capacitively coupled without direct contact therebetween only in the open position.

In further embodiments, the RF connection is an inductive coupling including a first coil on the flip member operatively coupled to the antenna and a second coil on the body member operatively coupled to the modem circuit. The first and second electrode are inductively coupled without direct contact therebetween in the open position. The first coil and the second coil may be centrally located proximate the hinge axis and may be capacitively coupled without direct contact therebetween in the closed position and the open position.

In other embodiments, the body member further includes a memory card slot in the end of the body member proximate the USB connector opening. The connecting member covers the memory card slot in the closed position. The circuit board further includes a memory card circuit configured to operatively engage a memory card inserted in the memory card slot. The circuit board may be a first circuit board and a separate second circuit board. The USB connector may be connected to the first circuit board and the modem circuit may be on the first circuit board. The memory card circuit may be on the second circuit board. The first circuit board may be electrically connected to the second circuit board.

In yet further embodiments, the linkage mechanism is a rack and gear mechanism that translates rotational movement of the flip member between the open and closed position to linear movement of the USB connector between the extended and retracted position. The rack and gear mechanism may include a gear coupled to the flip member for rotation therewith about the hinge axis and a sliding member. The sliding member includes a rack member thereon. The rack member engages the gear. The sliding member is coupled to the USB connector for linear movement therewith when rotation of the gear linearly drives the rack member.

In other embodiments, the rack and gear mechanism includes a first gear coupled to the first arm proximate the first side of the body member for rotation therewith about the hinge axis and a second gear coupled to the second arm proximate the second side of the body member for rotation therewith about the hinge axis. The sliding member includes a first and second rack member thereon. The first rack member engages the first gear and the second rack member engages the second gear. The sliding member is coupled to the USB connector for linear movement therewith when rotation of the first gear linearly drives the first rack member and rotation of the second gear linearly drives the second rack member.

In yet further embodiments, methods for configuring an electronic device for wireless communication are provided. A handheld USB modem device includes a flip member including an antenna element and a USB connector linked thereto for linear movement to an extended position responsive to rotation of the flip member to an open position is provided. The flip member covers an opening through which the USB connector linearly travels in a closed position of the flip member. The flip member is rotated to the open position to uncover the opening and extend the USB connector to the extended position. The extended USB connector is inserted into a USB port of the electronic device to activate the USB modem device and configure the electronic device for wireless communication through the USB modem device. Rotating the flip member may also electronically couple the antenna element to a modem circuit of the USB modem device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a unique combination of flip antenna assembly (also referred to herein as a “flip member”) with an integrated sliding USB mechanism that may allow for an extremely compact mechanical size of the product.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a device including a flip antenna assembly with an integrated, retractable USB connector. Some embodiments of such a modem device (dongle) with a retractable USB connector and flip antenna will be further described with reference toFIGS. 1A through 12C. Note, there are several methods to achieve the mechanical sliding action of the USB contact, with one option (using a rack and gear mechanism) being described with reference to the figures. However, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the use of a rack and gear mechanism for coupling the movable antenna to the body of the modem device so as to move the USB connector between the extended (open) and retracted (closed) positions thereof. Similarly, there are several methods to implement antenna/RF connections with several general concepts presented (including direct connections, inductive connections, and capacitive connections) in the figures. Thus, such connections may include offset contacts, center contacts, capacitive coupling and/or inductive coupling. However, the present invention is not limited to the connection types illustrated for descriptive purposes in the figures.

FIGS. 1A through 1Cillustrate side views of a USB modem device according to some embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 1Aillustrates the USB connector stowed in a closed (retracted) position.FIG. 1Cillustrates the USB connector rotated to the open/engaged position with the antenna element engaged (operatively coupled) to internal circuitry in the USB modem device.FIG. 1Billustrates the USB connector in an intermediate position.

As seen inFIG. 1A, the USB modem device100includes a body member110and a flip member120. The flip member120is rotatably coupled to the body member110for rotational movement about a hinge axis122between a closed position, seen inFIG. 1A, and an open position, seen inFIG. 1C. Also shown in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1A through 1C, is a cover112on the body member110.FIG. 1Billustrates the flip member120in transition between the closed position ofFIG. 1Aand the open position ofFIG. 1C.

As seen inFIG. 1C, movement of the flip member120to the open position linearly extends a USB connector130in a direction132. As such, the USB connector130is extended from inside the body member110to its extended position as seen inFIG. 1C, where it may be plugged into a USB port of an electronic device or the like to provide wireless communications capabilities to the electronic device. As will be further described herein, movement of the flip member120to the open position ofFIG. 1Cmay further operatively couple the antenna element or elements in the flip member120to modem circuitry inside the body member110.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of a USB modem device according to some embodiments of the present invention with the flip cover/antenna assembly in a closed (stowed) position covering a USB port and SIM/memory card slot in an end of the body of the USB modem device. The flip cover/antenna assembly (“flip member”) is shown rotatably coupled to the body about a pivot point.FIG. 3is a perspective view of the USB modem device ofFIG. 2in the open position with the antenna element engaged and the USB connector in the extended position. The SIM/memory card slot is shown inFIG. 3above the USB connector in the same end of the body of the USB modem device.

As shown for the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 and 3the USB modem device200includes a body member210, a flip member220and a USB connector230. A cover212is also shown positioned on the body member210. The flip member220is rotatably coupled to the body member210for movement about a hinge axis222between a closed position, shown inFIG. 2, and an open position, shown inFIG. 3. The hinge axis222extends along a width of the body member210from a First side210aof the body member210to a second side210bof the body member210. As will be described further later herein, it will be understood that the flip member220includes an antenna element or elements that are operatively coupled to modem circuitry inside the body member210, at least in the open position ofFIG. 3, so as to allow wireless communications by an electronic device when the USB modem device200is operatively coupled to the electronic device using the USB connector230.

As with the embodiments ofFIGS. 1A through 1C, the flip member220is coupled to the USB connector230through a linkage mechanism in the body member210so that rotational movement of the flip member220from the closed position ofFIG. 2to the open position ofFIG. 3linearly extends the USB connector230from a retracted position in the body member220to an extended position as seen inFIG. 3. More particularly, the USB connector230extends through an opening218in an end210cof the body member210. The opening218in the end210cis covered by the flip member220in the closed position of the flip member as shown inFIG. 2.

Also shown inFIG. 3is a memory card slot258in the end210cof the body member210. Memory card slot258extends along the end210cproximate the USB connector230and is also covered by the flip member220in the closed position as seen inFIG. 2. A memory card, such as a SIM, may be inserted in the memory card slot258and may be used to add additional memory for various purposes to the various circuitry contained in the body member210or to enable operation of circuitry requiring such an additional inserted memory card device.

As seen in the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 and 3, the flip member220includes a first arm226and a second arm224. The first arm226extends from the hinge axis222proximate the first side210aof the body member210. The second arm224extends from the hinge axis222proximate the second side210bof the body member. Ends of the first and second arms226,224displaced from the hinge axis222are joined by a connecting member228extending between the arms224,226. The connecting member228in the closed position ofFIG. 2is positioned adjacent the end210cof the body member210to cover the USB connector opening218and the memory card slot258as discussed above.

FIGS. 4 and 5are perspective views of the USB modem device200ofFIG. 3with the cover212removed to show a linkage mechanism, shown as a rack and gear mechanism240, configured to translate the rotational movement of the flip member220from the closed position ofFIG. 4to the open position ofFIG. 5to the linear movement extending the USB connector230from the retracted position ofFIG. 4to the extended position ofFIG. 5. InFIGS. 4 and 5, the USB connector230is shown coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB)239that moves linearly with the USB connector230. However, the PCB239, which may include modem circuitry and/or the like, may also be maintained in a fixed position rather than moving with the USB connector230. It will be understood that a second PCB239′ may be provided above the PCB239illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, to which a SIM/memory card inserted in the memory card slot258is connected. The second circuit board239′ may, for example, include a memory card circuit thereon that is operatively coupled to a memory card inserted in the memory card slot218. The two PCBs239,239′ may be operatively coupled, for example, by a flexible film connector, a cable and/or the like. The second PCB239′ may be fixedly connected, for example, to the body member210with the first PCB239moving relative thereto when the USB connector230is retracted/extended.

FIG. 6is a perspective view illustrating the rack and gear mechanism240of the USB modem device200ofFIGS. 3-5according to some embodiments of the present invention. As seen in the embodiments ofFIGS. 4-6, the USB connector230is fixedly connected to the circuit board239and the circuit board239and USB connector230move linearly in a direction232(FIG. 6) between the extended position of the USB connector230shown inFIG. 5and the retracted position of the USB connector230shown inFIG. 4. The USB connector230and PCB239are mounted to a sliding member244that is driven by gears242a,242bthat rotate about the hinge axis222.

In the embodiments as seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, the PCB239is placed into the sliding member244and retained by respective clips248a,248b. The rack and gear assembly240and the PCB239are positioned in the body210in a cavity211. The gears242a,242bare coupled to the flip assembly220for rotation therewith about the hinge axis222. While such an arrangement is shown by the positioning of the gears242a,242bon the hinge axis222, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to such a direct linkage configuration.

As best seen inFIG. 6, the sliding member244includes a first and second rack member246a,246bthereon. The racks246a,246bengage corresponding gears242a,242b, respectively. Thus, as the PCB239with the USB connector230fixed thereon is mounted to the sliding member244, the sliding member244is coupled to the USB connector230for linear movement therewith when rotation of the gears242a,242bdrives the corresponding rack members246a,246b. As such, the linkage mechanism240translates rotation of the flip member220between the closed and open positions to a desired linear advancement of the USB connector230between the retracted and the extended positions.

While a first and second gear (pinion) and corresponding unitary sliding member including first and second rack members are shown in the embodiments ofFIG. 6, it will be understood a single gear and rack member may be provided in some embodiments, although the dual gear approach ofFIG. 6may be less prone to binding during operation.

Also shown in the rack and gear mechanism240ofFIG. 6is a metal shaft245extending between gears242aand242b. As will be described later herein, the metal shaft245may serve as part of an RF connection with a contact on the flip assembly220that is operatively coupled to an antenna therein and such a direct contact may be maintained in electrical contact in both open and closed positions of the flip member220. For example, the contact on the flip assembly may be a spring contact engaging the metal shaft245.

FIGS. 7A to 12Cillustrate antenna RF connection configurations according to various embodiments of the present invention.FIGS. 7A-7Cillustrate direct contacts with centrally (proximate the pivot point/hinge axis) located contacts. A pair of linear antenna elements are shown in the flip cover/antenna assembly each extending from a center contact aligned with the binge axis on respective sides of the body of the USB modem device. While linear antenna elements are shown inFIGS. 7A-7Cfor purposes of explaining some embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that other types of antennas, such as loop antennas, monopole antennas and/or the like may be used in some embodiments of the present invention and may operate in a USB modem device generally as described herein with reference to linear antenna elements.FIG. 7Ais a side view,FIG. 7Bis a perspective view with the flip cover/antenna assembly in the closed (stowed) position andFIG. 7Cis a perspective view with the flip cover/antenna assembly in the engaged (open) position and the USB connector in the extended position. The direct contact may be, for example, a hard contact with a metallic shaft and/or a spring contact or the like and the RF connection may be provided on one or both sides of the hinge axis as will be described further below.

As seen inFIGS. 7A through 7C, the USB modem device300includes a body member310and a flip member320. A cover312is provided on the body member310. The flip member320is pivotally connected to the body member310for rotational movement about a hinge axis322. A direct RF connection contact364is schematically shown in the embodiments ofFIGS. 7A through 7Cthat is centrally located proximate the hinge axis322. The contact364provides an RF connection operatively coupling an antenna360positioned in a first aim326of the flip member320to modem circuitry in the body member310. The antenna360is shown as a linear antenna in the embodiments ofFIGS. 7A through 7Cand a second linear antenna362is shown that extends in the second arm324of the flip member320. It will be understood that the linear antennas360,362are schematically illustrated inFIGS. 7A through 7Cand, in some embodiments, they may be embedded within the flip member320and not visible to a user of the USB modem device300. Furthermore, while illustrated as linear antennas, the present invention is not limited to the use of linear antennas included in the flip member320. Furthermore, while a pair of antennas360,362are shown that may be coupled to respective contacts forming RF connections on opposite sides of the body member310, in some embodiments a single antenna on a more than two antennas may be provided in the flip member320.

As also seen inFIGS. 7B and 7C, the linear antennas360,362may include segments extending into a connecting member328that connects the first and second arms326,324of the flip member320at ends thereof displaced from the hinge axis322. As seen inFIG. 7C, the USB modem device300also includes a USB connector330that moves through an opening318in the body member310between extended and retracted positions and a memory card slot358proximate thereto, which features may generally operate in the same manner as was described with reference to liked numbered elements (230,330, etc) described previously and such similar features will not be further described herein.

It will also be understood that the RF connection direct contact364may include a contact on the flip member320operatively coupled to the antenna360and an associated contact on the body member310that is operatively coupled to a modem circuit in the body member310. For the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 7A through 7C, the respective contacts may be in contact with each other providing an electrical connection in both the closed and open positions ofFIGS. 7B and 7Cbut, in other embodiments, an electrical connection is only provided in the open position as will be described with reference to various offset contact embodiments shown inFIGS. 10A through 12C.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bare perspective views illustrating capacitive coupling according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiments ofFIGS. 8A-8B, the RF connection may be made via a pair of arbitrarily shaped metallic pads using capacitive coupling (no metallic contacts between two pads). The pads can be centered on or offset from the hinge axis. Capacitive coupling may be provided on one or both sides of the hinge axis.

As shown in the embodiments ofFIGS. 8A and 8B, the USB modem device400includes a body member410, a flip member420and a USB connector430that may operate substantially as described previously with reference to like numbered elements in the embodiments ofFIGS. 2 through 6. Similarly, the body member410is shown as including an opening418in an end thereof through which the USB connector430extends and a memory card slot458proximate thereto. The flip member420is shown as including first and second arm424,426with a connecting member428extending therebetween. A linear antenna element460is also shown schematically inFIG. 8B. It will be understood that additional antenna elements or antennas other than linear antennas may be used in various embodiments of the present invention.

The embodiments ofFIGS. 8A and 8Bdiffer from the embodiments ofFIGS. 7A through 7Cin the use of capacitive coupling of the antenna element460to modem circuitry in the body member410. As schematically shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, the capacitive coupling RF connection includes a first electrode472on the flip assembly420that is operatively coupled to the antenna460and a second electrode470on the body member410that is operatively coupled to the modem circuit within the body member410(not shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B). The electrodes470,472are capacitively coupled without direct contact therebetween. While shown as offset inFIGS. 8A and 8B, the electrodes470,472may be centrally located to provide an RF connection in both the open and closed positions or may be offset to provide capacitive coupling only in the open position of the flip member420shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B. In addition, while only a single pair of electrodes470,472are shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, a similarly arranged pair of associated electrodes may be provided on an opposite side of the body member and different arm of the flip member420to provide capacitive coupling at multiple points. Each of the capacitive couplings may, in some embodiments, be associated with different antenna elements included in the flip member420.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bare perspective views illustrating inductive coupling according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiments ofFIGS. 9A-9B, the RF connection may be made via a pair of metallic coils (arbitrary number of turns) using inductive coupling (no metallic contacts between two coils). The coils can be centered or offset to the hinge axis. Inductive coupling may be provided on one or both sides of hinge axis.

A USB modem device500includes a body member510, a flip member520and a USB connector530that may operate substantially as described with respect to like numbered elements with reference toFIGS. 2-6. Similarly, an opening518is shown in an end of the body member510through which the USB connector travels linearly and a memory card slot558in shown in the end proximate the USB connector530. Similarly, the illustrated flip member520includes first and second arms524,526with a connecting member528extending therebetween.

The embodiments ofFIGS. 9A and 9Bdiffer from the previously described embodiments in that the antenna element560is shown as a loop antenna inFIG. 9B. In addition, the RF connection providing inductive coupling between the antenna element560and modem circuitry (not shown) in the body member510includes a first coil582on the flip member520and a second coil580on the body member510that is operatively coupled to the modem circuit. The first and second electrodes582,580are inductively coupled without direct contact therebetween at least in the open position shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B. As shown in the embodiments ofFIGS. 9A and 9B, the coils580,582are centrally located proximate the hinge axis522and may be capacitively coupled without direct contact therebetween in both the closed and open positions of the flip member520. However, it will be understood that offset coils may be used that are only inductively coupled in the open position of the flip member520shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B.

FIGS. 10A-10C,11A-11C and12A-12C illustrate offset contacts according to some embodiments of the present invention.FIGS. 10A and 10Care side views, with the flip cover/antenna assembly not shown inFIG. 10Cto illustrate the contact points.FIG. 10Bis a perspective view illustrating two linear antennas in the flip cover/antenna assembly and the flip cover/antenna assembly in the closed (stowed) position.FIG. 11A-11Care top views of the contact arrangement ofFIGS. 10A-10C. The flip cover/antenna assembly is shown in the closed (stowed) position inFIGS. 11A and 11Band the open (engaged) position inFIG. 1C.FIGS. 12A-12Care side views of the USB modem device ofFIGS. 10A-10Cand11A-11C. The flip cover/antenna assembly is shown in the closed (stowed) position inFIG. 12A, rotated to the open (engaged) position with the USB connector in the extended position inFIG. 12Cand an intermediate position inFIG. 12B.

As shown in the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-12C, the USB modem device600includes a body member610, a flip member620and a USB connector630. A cover612is shown on the body member610. The flip member620is shown as including first and second arms624,626and a connecting member628extending between ends of the arms624,626. As these features of the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-12Cmay operate generally as described with reference to the like numbered elements ofFIGS. 2-6, they need not be described further herein.

The illustrations ofFIGS. 10A-12Cshow an offset contact arrangement to a first linear antenna660aand a second linear antenna660beach of which is located in the first arm626of the flip member620. Respective contact portions661aand661bare shown on the linear antennas660a,660b. It will be understood that the illustration of the linear antenna660a,660bis schematic in nature for purposes of illustrating the offset contact arrangements. Also shown in the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-12Care respective offset RF connection contacts664aand664b. As seen inFIG. 11B, a corresponding pair of offset contacts668a,668bmay be included on an opposite side of the body member610for connection to antenna elements in the arm624of the flip member620. As the operation of the contacts668b,668ain connection with one or more antennas, such as the antenna element662ain the arm624, may proceed substantially as will be described with reference to the contacts664aand664b, the contact668a,668bneed not be further discussed herein.

As shown for the embodiments ofFIGS. 10A-12C, an RF connection between the linear antenna660aand660band corresponding modem circuitry in the body member610is not provided in the closed position of the flip member620but only in the open position of the flip member620illustrated inFIGS. 11C and 12C. As best seen by reference toFIGS. 10C and 12C, in the open position illustrated for the flip member620inFIG. 12C, the respective contact portions661aaligns with and forms a connection with the contact664ain the body member610and the contact661bassociated with the antenna660baligns with and forms a connection with the contact664bin the body member610. Thus, the lower linear antenna element660binFIG. 10Bwould engage the offset contact point664bofFIG. 10Cthat is closer to the hinge axis, while the upper linear antenna660awould engage the offset contact point664afurther from the hinge axis when the flip member620is in the open position ofFIG. 12C. As such, an arrangement may be provided in which the RF connection is engaged only in the open position. The engaged connection may be a direct connection, capacitive connection or inductive coupling as described previously herein.

A method for configuring an electronic device for a wireless communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the flowchart illustration ofFIG. 13. For the embodiments illustrated inFIG. 13, operations begin at block1300by providing a hand-held USB modem device including a flip member with an antenna element. The hand-held USB modem device further includes a USB connector linked to the flip member for linear movement to an extended position response to rotation of the flip member to an open position. The flip member covers an opening through which the USB connector linearly travels in a closed position of the flip member.

The flip member is rotated to the open position to uncover the opening and extend the USB connector to its extended position (block1310). The extended USB connector is inserted into a USB port of the electronic device to activate the USB modem device and configure the electronic device for wireless communication through the USB modem device (block1320). As was described previously, rotation of the flip member at block1310may further electronically couple the antenna element to a modem circuit of the USB modem device in some embodiments of the present invention where the antenna element is only coupled in the open position.