Abstract:
A system includes a first electrical device including a conductive structure, and a second electrical device including an opening and a conductor provided in the opening. The conductor contacts the conductive structure of the first electrical device to electrically interconnect the first electrical device to the second electrical device.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     Implementations described herein relate generally to devices and, more particularly, to circuit connectors.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Printed circuit boards (PCBs) (which may be referred to as printing wiring boards (PWBs) or etched wiring board assemblies) may be used in computers, communications devices (e.g., pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), telephones, etc.), televisions, cameras, and/or many other devices. In a typical PCB, many electrical components may be attached to the top and/or bottom surfaces of the PCB. PCBs may be used to mechanically support and electrically connect the many electrical components using conductive pathways, or traces, which may be etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate.  
         [0005]     Flexible circuits (which may be referred to as flexible printed circuits (FPCs)) may also be used in the devices described above in connection with PCBs. Flexible circuits may be formed by depositing electrical components on flexible substrates (e.g., thin, flexible plastic or metal foil substrates). In the simplest case, a flexible circuit may be made using the same or similar electrical components used for rigid PCBs, but the substrate may be made flexible instead of rigid. Flexible circuits may be used as connectors in devices where flexibility, space savings, or production constraints limit the serviceability of rigid PCBs. Flexible circuits may be ideal for highly compact products because they may be shaped as desired. Flexible circuits may be effective in preventing incorrect wiring and may reduce wiring costs.  
         [0006]     Many devices may incorporate a combination of PCBs and/or flexible circuits. A flexible circuit may interconnect with a PCB(s) in such devices. Electrical interconnects may be used in the majority of all electronic packages, and usually more than once. Electrical interconnects may have the greatest single impact on the ease of assembly and disassembly of an electronic device. For example, the need to produce several million units of a given cellular product (e.g., cellular phone) design per year may necessitate cost-effective and reliable solutions for electrical interconnects.  
         [0007]     Currently, PCBs may electrically interconnect to flexible circuits using low insertion force (LIF) or zero insertion force (ZIF) connectors. However, pressure may deform the securing arms of the electrical contacts of a ZIF connector, and/or may displace the electrical contacts. When this happens, the ZIF connector may not provide reliable electrical connection between the flexible circuit and the PCB.  
         [0008]     PCBs may also electrically interconnect to flexible circuits using surface mount, pin board to board (BTB) connectors. While BTB connectors may offer certain benefits, they are very unforgiving of tolerance, especially in the (XY) plane of a PCB.  
         [0009]     Another type of electrical interconnect may be a ball grid array (BGA). In a BGA, balls of solder may cover (or partially cover) a portion of a PCB in a grid pattern. A flexible circuit may include contacts or pads arranged to match the grid pattern of the BGA. The arrangement may be heated, causing the solder balls to melt. Surface tension may cause the molten solder to hold the PCB in alignment with the flexible circuit, while the solder cools and solidifies. Unfortunately, the solder balls in BGAs may not flex sufficiently, so that bending and thermal expansion of the PCB may be transmitted directly to the flexible circuit. This may cause solder joints to fracture under high thermal or mechanical stress. Another disadvantage of BGAs may be the difficulty in locating soldering faults once soldering is complete.  
         [0010]     A further type of electrical interconnect may be a pin grid array (PGA). A PGA may be similar to a BGA, but pins (instead of balls of solder) may cover (or partially cover) a portion of a PCB in a grid pattern. The pins may be used to conduct electrical signals from a circuit (e.g., a flexible circuit) to a PCB to which the circuit may be connected, e.g., via soldering. PGAs may be produced with more and more pins, and with decreasing spacing between the pins, which may cause difficulties for the soldering process. As the pins get closer together, the danger of accidentally bridging adjacent pins with solder may grow.  
         [0011]     Another significant disadvantage of LIF, ZIF, and BTB connectors, and BGA and PGA soldering is that such electrical interconnects may be expensive. This may be a distinct disadvantage in today&#39;s world of high volume, low cost electrical devices.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0012]     According to one aspect, a device may include a printed circuit board including a ball, and a flexible circuit including an opening and a conductor provided in the opening. The conductor may contact the ball of the rigid electrical device to electrically interconnect the rigid electrical device to the flexible electrical device. The contact between the conductor and the ball may impart a restraining force to prevent the rigid electrical device from disconnecting from the flexible electrical device.  
         [0013]     According to another aspect, a device may include a printed circuit board including a pin, and a flexible circuit including a slit and a conductor provided in the slit. The conductor may contact the pin of the rigid electrical device to electrically interconnect the rigid electrical device to the flexible electrical device. The contact between the conductor and the pin may impart a restraining force to prevent the rigid electrical device from disconnecting from the flexible electrical device.  
         [0014]     According to yet another aspect, a system may include a first electrical device including a conductive structure, and a second electrical device including an opening and a conductor provided in the opening. The conductor may contact the conductive structure of the first electrical device to electrically interconnect the first electrical device to the second electrical device.  
         [0015]     Additionally, the conductor of the second electrical device may surround the conductive structure of the first electrical device.  
         [0016]     Additionally, the conductive structure may comprise a ball.  
         [0017]     Additionally, the conductor may be circular in shape and may have an inner diameter smaller than a width of the ball.  
         [0018]     Additionally, the ball may be spherical in shape and may have a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the conductor.  
         [0019]     Additionally, the conductor may be pliable to retain the conductor in contact with the conductive structure and prevent the first electrical device from electrically disconnecting from the second electrical device.  
         [0020]     Additionally, the first electrical device may comprise a printed circuit board.  
         [0021]     Additionally, the second electrical device may comprise a flexible circuit.  
         [0022]     Additionally, the first electrical device may comprise a rigid electrical device and the second electrical device may comprise a flexible electrical device.  
         [0023]     Additionally, the first electrical device may comprise a flexible electrical device and the second electrical device may comprise a rigid electrical device.  
         [0024]     Additionally, the first electrical device may comprise a first rigid electrical device and the second electrical device may comprise a second rigid electrical device.  
         [0025]     Additionally, the first electrical device may comprise a first flexible electrical device and the second electrical device may comprise a second flexible electrical device.  
         [0026]     Additionally, the opening of the second electrical device may comprise a slit and the conductive structure of the first electrical device may comprise a pin.  
         [0027]     Additionally, the conductor may be rectangular in shape and may have an incision dividing the conductor.  
         [0028]     Additionally, the pin may have a width larger than a width of the incision dividing the conductor.  
         [0029]     According to a further aspect, a system may include means for providing a rigid support for at least a conductive structure, and means for providing a flexible support for at least a conductor provided in an opening of the flexible support. The conductor may contact the conductive structure of the rigid support to electrically interconnect the rigid support to the flexible support, and may impart a restraining force on the conductive structure to prevent the flexible support from disconnecting from the rigid support.  
         [0030]     According to still another aspect, a method may include aligning an opening and a conductor provided in the opening of a first electrical device with a conductive structure of a second electrical device, moving the first electrical device toward the second electrical device, and electrically interconnecting the second electrical device to the first electrical device by contacting the conductor of the first electrical device with the conductive structure of the second electrical device.  
         [0031]     Additionally, the conductive structure of the second electrical device may comprise a ball.  
         [0032]     Additionally the opening of the first electrical device may comprise a slit and the conductive structure of the second electrical device may comprise a pin. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0033]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, explain the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a partial side elevational view, in partial cross-section, of an exemplary system for electrically interconnecting a flexible electrical device to a ball grid array of a rigid electrical device, according to an implementation consistent with principles of the invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a partial side elevational view, in partial cross-section, of an exemplary system for electrically interconnecting a flexible electrical device to a pin grid array of a rigid electrical device, according to an implementation consistent with principles of the invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the exemplary rigid electrical device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 3B  is a partial side elevational view of the exemplary rigid electrical device of  FIGS. 1 and 3 A;  
         [0038]      FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the exemplary rigid electrical device of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 4B  is a partial side elevational view of the exemplary rigid electrical device of  FIGS. 2 and 4 A;  
         [0040]      FIG. 5A  is a partial top plan view of the exemplary flexible electrical device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 5B  is a partial top plan view of the exemplary flexible electrical device of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 6A  is a partial side elevational view, in partial cross section, of the exemplary system of  FIG. 1  and further showing the force being exerted upon the flexible electrical device, according to an implementation consistent with principles of the invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 6B  is a partial side elevational view, in partial cross section, of the exemplary system of  FIG. 1  and further showing the force being exerted upon the flexible electrical device upon removal, according to implementations consistent with principles of the invention;  
         [0044]      FIG. 7A  is a partial side elevational view, in partial cross section, of the exemplary system of  FIG. 2  and further showing the force being exerted upon the flexible electrical device, according to an implementation consistent with principles of the invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 7B  is a partial side elevational view, in partial cross section, of the exemplary system of  FIG. 2  and further showing the force being exerted upon the flexible electrical device upon removal, according to implementations consistent with principles of the invention;  
         [0046]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart of an exemplary process according to an implementation consistent with principles of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0047]     The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention.  
         [0048]     Implementations consistent with principles of the invention may relate to systems and methods for electrically interconnecting a flexible circuit to a PCB which may be provided in a device. The PCB may include a BGA and/or a PGA, and the flexible circuit may include openings and/or slits for receiving the BGA and/or PGA to electrically interconnect the flexible circuit to the PCB. The systems and methods may provide a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to electrically interconnect the flexible circuit to the PCB. In case of device repair and/or modification, the systems and methods may provide an easy way to disconnect the flexible circuit from the PCB.  
         [0049]     The description to follow will describe a device. As used herein, a “device” may include a radiotelephone; a personal communications system (PCS) terminal that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing, a facsimile, and data communications capabilities; a personal digital assistant (PDA) that can include a radiotelephone, pager, Internet/intranet access, web browser, organizer, calendar, a Doppler receiver, and/or global positioning system (GPS) receiver; a laptop; a GPS device; a personal computer; a television; an MP3 player (e.g., an iPod); a printer; a facsimile machine; a pager; and any other device capable of utilizing one or more flexible circuits and/or one ore more PCBs.  
         [0050]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary diagram illustrating concepts consistent with principles of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , an interconnection system  100  of a device may include a printed circuit board (PCB)  110  that may have a variety of electrical components (e.g., a ball or bump  120  of a ball grid array), and a flexible circuit  130  that may have a variety of electrical components (e.g., a conductor  150  provided in an opening  140 ). Opening  140  and conductor  150  may be sized smaller than the width (e.g., the diameter) of ball  120  to retain conductor  150  in contact with ball  120  and prevent flexible circuit  130  from being disconnected from PCB  110 . The contact between conductor  150  and ball  120  may electrically interconnect flexible circuit  130  to PCB  110 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary diagram illustrating concepts consistent with principles of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , an interconnection system  200  of a device may include a PCB  210  that may have a variety of electrical components (e.g., a pin  220  of a pin grid array), and a flexible circuit  230  that may have a variety of electrical components (e.g., a conductor  250  provided in slit  240 ). Slit  240  and conductor  250  may be sized smaller than the width (e.g., the diameter) of pin  220  to retain conductor  250  in contact with pin  220  and prevent flexible circuit  230  from being disconnected from PCB  210 . The contact between conductor  250  and pin  220  may electrically interconnect flexible circuit  230  to PCB  210 .  
       Exemplary Printed Circuit Boards  
       [0052]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are top plan and partial side elevational views, respectively, of the exemplary rigid electrical device (e.g., PCB  110 ) of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , PCB  110  may include one or more balls  120  arranged in a ball grid array (BGA)  310 . Although  FIG. 3A  shows sixteen balls  120  arranged in pattern, in one implementation consistent with principles of the invention, more or fewer balls  120  may be provided on PCB  110  (e.g., a single ball  120  may be provided), and balls  120  may be arranged in a variety patterns (e.g., circular, square, rectangular, etc.) and/or may not be arranged in a pattern (e.g., balls  120  may be randomly located). In another implementation, the pattern of balls  120  may depend upon the desired electrical interconnection. For example, specific electrical components of PCB  110  may be electrically connected to corresponding balls  120  in order to electrically connect these components to, e.g., flexible circuit  130 .  
         [0053]     Balls  120  may be a variety of sizes and shapes depending upon the size of PCB  110 . For example, in one implementation, balls  120  may be spherical, cubical, etc. Balls  120  may be made from a variety of materials, including any of the conductive materials used to make existing BGA balls. For example, in one implementation, balls  120  may include lead-based solder alloys, tin-based solder alloys, etc. The environmental conditions of system  100  may also be a factor in the material choice of balls  120 . For example, if system  100  is provided in an environment with excessive heat and/or components of system  100  (e.g., PCB  110 ) generate excessive heat, then some materials may not be suitable for balls  120  due to possible melting. Balls  120  may be connected to PCB  110  in a variety of ways. For example, in one implementation, balls  120  may be made semi-liquid by heating, and may attach to PCB  110  upon cooling. In another implementation, balls  120  may be connected to PCB  110  using adhesives, glue, solder, and/or similar connection mechanisms  320  (as shown in  FIG. 3B ).  
         [0054]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are top plan and partial side elevational views, respectively, of the exemplary rigid electrical device (e.g., PCB  210 ) of  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , PCB  210  may include one or more pins  220  arranged in a pin grid array (PGA)  410 . Although  FIG. 4A  shows seventy pins  220  arranged in pattern, in one implementation consistent with principles of the invention, more or fewer pins  220  may be provided on PCB  210  (e.g., a single pin  220  may be provided), and pins  220  may be arranged in a variety patterns (e.g., circular, square, rectangular, etc.) and/or may not be arranged in a pattern (e.g., pins  220  may be randomly located). In another implementation, the pattern of pins  220  may depend upon the desired electrical interconnection. For example, specific electrical components of PCB  210  may be electrically connected to corresponding pins  220  in order to electrically connect these components to, e.g., flexible circuit  230 .  
         [0055]     Pins  220  may be a variety of sizes and shapes depending upon the size of PCB  110 . For example, in one implementation, pins  220  may have a circular, square, etc. cross section. Pins  220  may be made from a variety of materials, including any of the conductive materials used to make existing PGA pins. For example, in one implementation, pins  220  may include copper-based alloys, iron-based alloys, chromium-based alloys, etc. The environmental conditions of system  200  may also be a factor in the material choice of pin  220 . For example, if system  200  is provided in an environment with excessive heat and/or components of system  200  (e.g., PCB  210 ) generate excessive heat, then some materials may not be suitable for pins  220  due to possible melting. Pins  220  may be connected to PCB  210  in a variety of ways. For example, in one implementation, pins  220  may be connected to PCB  210  using adhesives, glue, solder, and/or similar connection mechanisms.  
         [0056]     PCBs  110  and  210  may be a variety of sizes and shapes depending upon their use in a device, and/or the size of the device. For example, in one implementation, PCBs  110  and  210  may be smaller in size if they are provided in a cellular phone, than if they are provided in a big screen television. PCBs  110  and  210  may be made from a variety of materials, including any of the materials used to make existing PCBs. For example, in one implementation, PCBs  110  and  210  may include conductive pathways, or traces, which may be etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. PCBs  110  and  210  may include a variety of electrical components depending upon their use in a device. For example, PCBs  110  and  210  may include contacts, traces, capacitors, resistors, inductors, varistors, diodes, transistors, oscillators, resonators, relays, etc.  
         [0057]     Although  FIGS. 1-4B  show what is termed a “printed circuit board,” in one implementation consistent with principles of the invention, PCBs  110  and  210  may be replaced with any rigid electronics based substrate (i.e., a rigid electrical device), e.g., rigid-flex circuits, semiconductor packages, multichip modules, micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), ceramic circuits, etc.  
         [0058]     Although not shown in the Figures, in an implementation consistent with principles of the invention, PCB  110  may include any combination of balls  120  and pins  220 . In another implementation, PCB  210  may include any combination of pins  220  and balls  120 .  
       Exemplary Flexible Circuits  
       [0059]      FIG. 5A  is a top plan view of the exemplary flexible electrical device (e.g., flexible circuit  130 ) of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , flexible circuit  130  may include one or more openings  140  arranged in an array  510 . Openings  140  may be provided in flexible circuit  130  using existing techniques, e.g., stamping, pressing, cutting, etc. Each opening  140  may include conductor  150  that may electrically connect to an electrical component of flexible circuit  130 . Openings  140  and conductors  150  may be arranged in a pattern to match the pattern of a BGA (e.g., BGA  310  shown in  FIG. 3A ) of PCB  110 . Although  FIG. 5A  shows sixteen openings  140  and conductors  150  arranged in a pattern, in one implementation consistent with principles of the invention, more or fewer openings  140  and conductors  150  may be provided on flexible circuit  130  (e.g., a single opening  140  and conductor  150  may be provided). Openings  140  and conductors  150  may be arranged in a variety patterns (e.g., circular, square, rectangular, etc.) and/or may not be arranged in a pattern (e.g., openings  140  and conductors  150  may be randomly located). In another implementation, the pattern of openings  140  and conductors  150  may depend upon the desired electrical interconnection. For example, specific electrical components of flexible circuit  130  may be electrically connected to corresponding conductors  150  in order to electrically connect these components to, e.g., PCB  110 .  
         [0060]     Conductors  150  may be a variety of sizes and shapes depending upon the sizes and shapes of balls  120 . For example, in one implementation, each conductor  150  may be shaped (e.g., circular) to receive a corresponding ball  120 , but may have an inner diameter that may be smaller than a diameter of ball  120  to maintain contact with ball  120  and electrically interconnect conductor  150  to ball  120 . Conductors  150  may be made from a variety of materials, including any of the materials used to make existing conductors in flexible circuits. For example, in one implementation, conductors  150  may include any conductive (e.g., metal-based) material that may be pliable enough to receive balls  120  and still maintain contact with balls  120 . The environmental conditions of system  100  may also be a factor in the material choice of conductors  150 . For example, if system  100  is provided in an environment with excessive heat and/or components of system  100  (e.g., PCB  110 ) generate excessive heat, then some materials may not be suitable for conductors  150  due to possible melting. Conductors  150  may connect to components of flexible circuit  130  in a variety of ways. For example, in one implementation, conductors  150  may connect to components of flexible circuit  130  via conductive pathways, or traces, which may be provided in flexible circuit  130 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 5B  is a top plan view of the exemplary flexible electrical device (e.g., flexible circuit  230 ) of  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , flexible circuit  230  may include one or more slits  240  arranged in an array  520 . Slits  240  may be provided in flexible circuit  230  using existing techniques, e.g., stamping, pressing, cutting, etc. Each slit  240  may include conductor  250  that may electrically connect to an electrical component of flexible circuit  230 . Slits  240  and conductors  250  may be arranged in a pattern to match the pattern of a PGA (e.g., PGA  410  shown in  FIG. 4A ) of PCB  210 . Although  FIG. 5B  shows seventy slits  240  and conductors  250  arranged in a pattern, in one implementation consistent with principles of the invention, more or fewer slits  240  and conductors  250  may be provided on flexible circuit  230  (e.g., a single slit  240  and conductor  250  may be provided). Slits  240  and conductors  250  may be arranged in a variety patterns (e.g., circular, square, rectangular, etc.) and/or may not be arranged in a pattern (e.g., slits  240  and conductors  250  may be randomly located). In another implementation, the pattern of slits  240  and conductors  250  may depend upon the desired electrical interconnection. For example, specific electrical components of flexible circuit  230  may be electrically connected to corresponding conductors  250  in order to electrically connect these components to, e.g., PCB  210 .  
         [0062]     Conductors  250  may be a variety of sizes and shapes depending upon the sizes and shapes of pins  220 . For example, in one implementation, each conductor  250  may be shaped (e.g., two rectangles divided in two by an incision  730 , as shown in  FIG. 7A ) to receive a corresponding pin  220 , but may completely enclose a corresponding slit  240  to maintain contact with pin  220  and electrically interconnect conductor  250  to pin  220 . Conductors  250  may be made from a variety of materials, including any of the materials used to make existing conductors in flexible circuits. For example, in one implementation, conductors  250  may include any conductive (e.g., metal-based) material that may be pliable enough to receive pins  220  and still maintain contact with pins  220 . The environmental conditions of system  200  may also be a factor in the material choice of conductors  250 . For example, if system  200  is provided in an environment with excessive heat and/or components of system  200  (e.g., PCB  210 ) generate excessive heat, then some materials may not be suitable for conductors  250  due to possible melting. Conductors  250  may connect to components of flexible circuit  230  in a variety of ways. For example, in one implementation, conductors  250  may connect to components of flexible circuit  230  via conductive pathways, or traces, which may be provided in flexible circuit  230 .  
         [0063]     Flexible circuits  130  and  230  may be a variety of sizes and shapes depending upon their use in a device, and/or the size of the device. For example, in one implementation, flexible circuits  130  and  230  may be smaller in size if they are provided in a cellular phone, than if they are provided in a big screen television. Flexible circuits  130  and  230  may be made from a variety of materials, including any of the materials used to make existing flexible circuits. For example, in one implementation, flexible circuits  130  and  230  may be formed by depositing electrical components on flexible substrates (e.g., thin, flexible plastic or metal foil substrates). Flexible circuits  130  and  230  may include a variety of electrical components depending upon their use in the device. For example, flexible circuits  130  and  230  may include the same or similar electrical components used for PCBs, as described above (e.g., contacts, traces, capacitors, resistors, inductors, varistors, diodes, transistors, oscillators, resonators, relays, etc.). Flexible circuits  130  and  230  may be single-sided flexible circuits, double-sided flexible circuits, multilayer flexible circuits, rigid flexible circuits, and/or other similar circuits.  
         [0064]     Although  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  5 A, and  5 B shows what is termed a “flexible circuit,” in one implementation consistent with principles of the invention, flexible circuits  130  and  230  may be replaced with any flexible substrate capable of containing electrical components (i.e., a flexible electrical device), and/or any type of flexible electronics, e.g., a ribbon cable.  
         [0065]     Although not shown in the Figures, in an implementation consistent with principles of the invention, flexible circuit  130  may include a combination of openings  140  and slits  240 . In another implementation, flexible circuit  230  may include a combination of slits  240  and openings  140 . The combination of openings  140  and slits  240  in flexible circuits  130  and  230  may depend upon the combination of balls  120  and pins  220 , as described above, on PCBs  110  and  210 .  
       Exemplary Processes  
       [0066]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are partial side elevational views of the exemplary system  100  of  FIG. 1 , and further show how to assemble and disassemble system  100 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , openings  140  and conductors  150  of flexible circuit  130  may be aligned with balls  120  of PCB  110 . A downward force  610  may be exerted upon flexible circuit  130  to move flexible circuit  130  toward PCB  110 . Conductors  150  may flex around balls  120  so that flexible circuit  130  may be connected to PCB  110 . Since conductors  150  may be pliable and sized smaller than balls  120 , conductors  150  may firmly hold conductors  150  and balls  120  in contact, as shown in  FIG. 6B . When conductors  150  and balls  120  engage each other, they may electrically interconnect flexible circuit  130  to PCB  110 . Conductors  150  and balls  120  may remain together due to a restraining force imparted by conductors  150  on balls  120 .  
         [0067]     As further shown in  FIG. 6B , an upward force  620  may be exerted upon flexible circuit  130  to move flexible circuit  130  away from PCB  110 , which may permit flexible circuit  130  to be electrically uncoupled from PCB  110 . The pliable conductors  150  may flex around balls  120  so that flexible circuit  130  may be disconnected from PCB  110 .  
         [0068]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are partial side elevational views of the exemplary system  200  of  FIG. 2 , and further show how to assemble and disassemble system  200 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , slits  240  and conductors  250  of flexible circuit  230  may be aligned with pins  220  of PCB  210 . A downward force  710  may be exerted upon flexible circuit  230  to move flexible circuit  230  toward PCB  210 . Conductors  250  may flex around pins  220  (e.g., via incisions  730  provided in conductors  250 ) so that flexible circuit  230  may be connected to PCB  210 . Since conductors  250  may be pliable and may contain incisions  730  through which pins  220  may extend, conductors  250  may firmly hold conductors  250  and pins  220  in contact, as shown in  FIG. 7B . When conductors  250  and pins  220  engage each other, they may electrically interconnect flexible circuit  230  to PCB  210 . Conductors  250  and pins  220  may remain together due to a restraining force imparted by conductors  250  on pins  220 .  
         [0069]     As further shown in  FIG. 7B , an upward force  720  may be exerted upon flexible circuit  230  to move flexible circuit  230  away from PCB  210 , which may permit flexible circuit  230  to be electrically uncoupled from PCB  210 . The pliable conductors  250  may flex around pins  220  so that flexible circuit  230  may be disconnected from PCB  210 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart of an exemplary process  800  according to implementations consistent with principles of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 8 , process  800  may include aligning openings and/or slits of a flexible circuit with a BGA and/or a PGA provided on a PCB (block  810 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 6A , openings  140  and conductors  150  of flexible circuit  130  may be aligned with balls  120  of PCB  110 . In another implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 7A , slits  240  and conductors  250  of flexible circuit  230  may be aligned with pins  220  of PCB  210 .  
         [0071]     As further shown in  FIG. 8 , process  800  may include moving the flexible circuit towards the PCB (block  820 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 6A , downward force  610  may be exerted upon flexible circuit  130  to move flexible circuit  130  toward PCB  110 . In another implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 7A , downward force  710  may be exerted upon flexible circuit  230  to move flexible circuit  230  toward PCB  210 .  
         [0072]     Process  800  may include electrically interconnecting the flexible circuit to the PCB via conductors provided in the openings and/or slits of the flexible circuit and the BGA and/or PGA of the PCB (block  830 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIGS. 6A and 6B , conductors  150  may flex around balls  120  so that flexible circuit  130  may be connected to PCB  110 . Conductors  150  may firmly hold conductors  150  and balls  120  in contact, as shown in  FIG. 6B . When conductors  150  and balls  120  engage each other, they may electrically interconnect flexible circuit  130  to PCB  110 . In another implementation described above in connection with  FIGS. 7A and 7B , conductors  250  may flex around pins  220  (via incisions  730  provided in conductors  250 ) so that flexible circuit  230  may be connected to PCB  210 . Conductors  250  may firmly hold conductors  250  and pins  220  in contact, as shown in  FIG. 7B . When conductors  250  and pins  220  engage each other, they may electrically interconnect flexible circuit  230  to PCB  210 .  
       CONCLUSION  
       [0073]     Implementations consistent with principles of the invention may relate to systems and methods for electrically interconnecting a flexible electrical device (e.g., flexible circuit  130 ) to a rigid electrical device (e.g., PCB  100 ) which may be provided in a variety of devices. The rigid electrical device may include a BGA and/or a PGA, and the flexible electrical device may include openings and/or slits for receiving the BGA and/or PGA to electrically interconnect the flexible electrical device to the rigid electrical device. The systems and methods may provide a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to electrically interconnect the flexible electrical device to the rigid electrical device. In case of device repair and/or modification, the systems and methods may provide an easy way to disconnect the flexible electrical device from the rigid electrical device. The systems and methods may provide an electrical interconnection system that may have a low profile, which may be beneficial as devices continue to decrease in size.  
         [0074]     The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. For example, while series of acts have been described with regard to  FIGS. 6A-8 , the order of the acts may be modified in other implementations consistent with principles of the invention. Further, non-dependent acts may be performed in parallel. Furthermore, although the Figures show the interconnection of a flexible electrical device (e.g., flexible circuit  130 ) and a rigid electrical device (e.g., PCB  110 ), the interconnection mechanism (e.g., BGA and/or PGA interconnection) may be used to electrically interconnect a flexible electrical device to another flexible electrical device and/or to electrically interconnect a rigid electrical device to another rigid electrical device, according to implementations consistent with principles of the invention.  
         [0075]     It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in the this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.  
         [0076]     No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.