Abstract:
A connector system for a miniaturized form factor card allows a communications system for mobile information devices having an applications processor and user interface components. A receiving frame is provided in the mobile information device for an insertable miniaturized form factor card incorporating means for RF transmission and reception and a wireless modem. A connector moiety on the card is received in a mating moiety in the receiving frame. The applications processor and the user interface components in the mobile information device are interconnected to digital functions of the wireless modem and means for RF transmission and reception through the connector.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is co-pending with United States application Ser. No. 11/308,221 filed on Mar. 13, 2006 entitled MINIATURIZED FORM FACTOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS CARD FOR GENERIC MOBILE INFORMATION DEVICES and having the same assignee as the present application. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to the field of operating platforms for mobile phones and personal data systems and more particularly to a connector system to be employed with generic mobile information devices for a wireless communications card with a miniaturized form factor which is insertable into the mobile information devices to accommodate desired wireless communication functions. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    Current design time-to-market for mobile phone and personal information devices is extended due to current design philosophy and practice. Turn-around time for a typical complete handset design is about 9 months. Currently terminal vendors need to spend significant amount of resources on basic wireless communication functions and cannot concentrate on truly value-added design works, such as industrial design and software applications. It is also difficult to develop multiple models with significant differences based on a common printed circuit board (PCB) platform. Traditional wireless devices using discrete solution have difficulty supporting multiple band or modes such as GSM, CDMA, 3G. Discrete chipset solutions consume at least three times more PCB space. There are significant financial and technical barriers of entry for new companies without significant resources, or established companies without wireless expertise. 
         [0006]    Currently there are some vendors selling modules that can provide wireless communication functions in a particular wireless technology. However these modules are large in size with proprietary interfaces. These modules require significant amount of vendor integration. Alternatively, certain prior art systems are simply modularizing wireless modem functions. Prior art systems for removable cartridges providing communications elements such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,947 to Tom provide some flexibility in applications design; however, such systems were bulky and lacked packaging and connector innovations required for practical application of such systems. 
         [0007]    U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/308,221 filed on Mar. 13, 2006 entitled MINIATURIZED FORM FACTOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS CARD FOR GENERIC MOBILE INFORMATION DEVICES, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth, provides a system that can save RF tuning, debugging and certification thereby reducing design lead time significantly. This system provides the ability to integrate hardware, software, utilities and drivers which will allow true plug and play functionality for end users or mobile information device design houses. The desired functional capability is provided through an insertable card to eliminate the requirement for a separate CPU or applications processor in the mobile information device and additionally, provides a complete modem solution that will support multi-mode and multi-band. 
         [0008]    To enhance the space savings and weight reduction to permit more compact portable devices and flexible designs and integrate chipset and passive components into a common module it is desirable that the system be provided with integral connector systems having standard interfaces and indexing for mating to PC boards within the mobile information device platforms and to properly index and mate the miniaturized form factor card. It is desirable that the connector in such a common module be employed to reduce the total number of solder joints, thus increasing the reliability of the final product. It is desirable to provide a connector system- to simplify the currently complex design work for wireless enabled device into much simpler product integration and to provide capability for wireless communications card to be installable in generic mobile information devices by an end user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides a connector arrangement for a wireless communications card for mobile information devices with user interface components. A receiving frame is mounted on a printed circuit board in the mobile information device to receive insertable miniaturized form factor card incorporating means for RF transmission and reception and a wireless modem. An indexing connector moiety is present on the card which is received in a mating moiety in the receiving frame. The applications processor, the user interface components, or both in the mobile information device are interconnected to digital functions of the wireless modem and means for RF transmission and reception through the connector. Additionally, the connector elements include mounting and indexing means for the frame to the PC board and protection means for the mating connector moiety when the card is not installed. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a miniaturized form factor card employing a connector according to the present invention and an exemplary mobile information device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   a  is a top view of a miniaturized form factor card employing a connector according to the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   b  is a side view of the card of  FIG. 2   a;    
           [0014]      FIG. 2   c  is a bottom view of the card of  FIG. 2   a  showing connection elements of a first moiety of the connector incorporated in the card; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   a  is a top view of a frame and second moiety of the connector employed in an exemplary embodiment of a connector system according to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   b  is a side section view of the frame and second moiety along line  3   b - 3   b  in  FIG. 3   a;    
           [0017]      FIG. 4   a  is a side partial section view of a first embodiment of the frame and second moiety of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  demonstrating positioning of a card for insertion with a hinged cover in the open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4   b  is a side partial section view of the frame of  FIG. 4   a  with the card inserted and the cover rotating to a closed position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4   c  is a side partial section view of the frame of  FIG. 4   a  with the cover in the closed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5   a  is a side partial section view of an alternative embodiment of the connector system frame adapted for insertion of the card into a capture ledge for rotation into position within the frame; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5   b  is a side partial section view of the frame of  FIG. 5   a  with the card rotated into a seated position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5   c  is a side partial section view of the frame of  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  with a sliding latch securing the card in the installed position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6   a  is a side partial section view of the connector system frame and cover as shown in  FIG. 4   a  with the cover in the open position and demonstrating a connector protection element; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6   b  is a side partial section view of the connector system frame and cover of  FIG. 6   a  with the cover in the closed position placing the connector protection element into engagement with the connector moiety; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7   a  is a side partial section view of the connector system frame and cover as shown in  FIG. 6   a  with the cover in the open position and further demonstrating a card shimming element; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7   b  is a side partial section view of the connector system frame and cover of  FIG. 7   a  with the cover being rotated to the closed position placing the connector protection element into engagement with the connector moiety; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a top view of an embodiment of the connector system frame and second connector moiety incorporating placement indices for the connector moiety; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9   a  is a top view of an embodiment of the connector system frame and second connector moiety incorporating attachment pads for the frame to a mobile information device printed circuit board and indexing pins for orientation of the frame; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9   b  is a side section view of the frame of  FIG. 9   a;    
           [0030]      FIG. 10   a  is a top view of an embodiment of the connector system frame and second connector moiety incorporating attachment pads for the frame to a mobile information device printed circuit board and an indexing blade for orientation of the frame; and, 
           [0031]      FIG. 10   b  is a side section view of the frame of  FIG. 10   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]      FIG. 1  demonstrates one embodiment of a miniaturized form factor card  10  employed with a connector system according to the invention. The card is shown exploded from the mobile information device and the mounting frame  20  on the printed circuit board  12  in which the card is to be installed. Battery  11  and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)  13  elements are also shown for reference. For the drawing, a mobile phone is shown as the mobile information device (MID). In an exemplary embodiment, the form factor of the card is comparable to a secure digital (SD) card having a substantially rectangular dimensional plan form of about 24 by 32 mm with a thickness of about 2-3 mm. The card includes the necessary communications elements for a wireless communications system such as Personal HandyPhone System (PHS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), WiMax, wireless LAN, Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H) or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), including single or multiband. 
         [0033]    Two exemplary embodiments of the card for applications support a modem in the card only or provide a “handset core” application supporting all the peripherals of the MID. A reduced pin count on the connector is employed in exemplary embodiments of the modem only functionality while a connector accommodating all communications functions is employed in the exemplary embodiment of a handset com. In the modem only mode, the operations related to the LCD and keypad are accomplished by the processor in the MID. 
         [0034]    MIDs operable with the card employ the standard matrix arrangement to allow interoperability and interchangeability of cards to obtain desired communications functionality. For example, one MID employs a CDMA capable card or a GSM capable card as desired with the user merely exchanging the card. 
         [0035]    For MIDs employing applications processors with higher level capability requiring Modem only functionality in the miniature form factor card, keypad communication directly with the card is not required and communications between the MID and the card are accomplished in an exemplary embodiment using a standard AT command structure (as defined by Hayes and also known as Attention Code). The applications processor in the MID communicates predetermined commands for wireless communications functionality to the card. 
         [0036]    The connector system according to the present invention provides indexing arrangements for simplified installation such that mobile interface device designers can provide a common platform for multiple systems without custom design of the communication electronics. The installation could be accomplished by the end user in certain operational scenarios. A first embodiment of a connector system as contemplated by the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   c . Card  10  incorporates a first connector moiety  18  which incorporates a plurality of conductive pads  19  received on a mating moiety  38  within a frame  40  shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  mounted to PCB  12  in the handset. For the embodiment shown, a printed circuit board  24  carries an electronics module  26 . A top cover  28  is employed for the electronic components of the card mounted to a first side of the PCB while a bottom cover  29  protects electronic components mounted on a second side of the PCB. A second connector moiety, which for the embodiment shown is a first elastomeric connector  22  for digital signals and a second elastomeric connector  23  for RF signals, is contained within the frame to receive the mating elements of the first connector moiety. The pads of the first moiety for the embodiment shown include elongated pads  25  for the RF signal connector elements. An exemplary elastomeric connector is a STAX™ connector produced by Tyco Electronics. For the digital signals connector  22 , a STAX™ model LD connector is employed in exemplary embodiments. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c , the card is installed in the mobile device, for a first embodiment of the connector system, by insertion vertically within frame  40  which receives the external edges  46  of the card. The connector arrangement and location provides an initial indexing for connection orientation of the card in the frame. Shaped indexing elements in the case of the card are employed in certain embodiments to assure proper orientation or facilitate viewing of the proper orientation during installation when the connectors may be obscured and assure insertion only in a compatible mobile information device as described in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/308,221 previously referenced. Opposing side edges  48  of the frame (as best seen in  FIG. 2   c ) provide proper alignment of the card within the frame for engagement of the connector moieties. 
         [0038]    For the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c , the frame incorporates a cover  30  which is mounted to an end  32  of the frame by a hinge  34 . After insertion of the card, the hinge is rotated about the hinge point over the card to secure the card within the frame. Placement of the cover hinge adjacent the connector moieties allows leverage to be applied through the cover to firmly seat the connector moieties and assure secure engagement of the connector moieties. 
         [0039]    A second embodiment of the frame element of the connector system is shown in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c . The frame incorporates a capture ledge  36  extending along at least a portion of one end  32  of the frame adjacent the connector moiety. An edge  38  of the card, is inserted under the capture ledge and the card is rotated downward into position within the frame. Leverage of the card itself as the rotational arm provides for seating the connector moieties. With the card rotated into position as shown in  FIG. 5   b , a sliding latch  40  mounted to an opposite end  42  of the frame engages a second edge  44  of the card to secure the card in position. The capture ledge and sliding latch retain the card in position in the frame with engagement of the connector moieties. 
         [0040]    In certain applications, the mobile information device may be used without the miniaturized form factor card installed. For these devices and for shipping of devices prior to installation of a card, protection of the connector moiety within the frame against oxidation is desirable.  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  demonstrate an embodiment of the inventive connector system which employs a cellular urethane pad  46  mounted to the hinged cover to engage the connector moiety upper surface  48  with the cover in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 6   b . For exemplary embodiments, a Poron® cellular urethane produced by Rogers Corporation (0.94 mm thick Poron® pad having part number 4701-30-25037-04-P) is employed. The flexible urethane pad conforms to the surface of the connector providing physical protection against damage and an effective seal from atmospheric oxygen to prevent oxidation of the connector surfaces and conductive elements. The high flexibility of the urethane pad allows the insertion of the miniaturized form factor card with greater compression of the pad. Location of the compressed pad over the connector moieties when connected further assures that the connector elements will remain in firm engagement. 
         [0041]    Alternative embodiments of the miniaturized form factor card having different functional capability as defined in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/308,221 will have varying thickness of the electronics module. To accommodate cards with varying thickness with secure physical and electrical engagement within the frame, a compression pad  50  is incorporated on the hinged cover as shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b . For exemplary embodiments, the compression pad also employs Poron® cellular urethane foam. Upon insertion of the card into the frame, rotation of the cover brings the compression pad into contact with an upper surface  52  of the card. The range of variable compression of the pad based on the thickness of the card assures intimate engagement of the cover and card to maintain the card within the frame. 
         [0042]    Accurate placement of the second moiety of the connector within the frame is accomplished using connector holders  54  as shown in  FIG. 8 . For this embodiment, the connector holders are rigid slats received within slots  56  in the opposite sides  58  and  60  of the frame. The elastomeric connector is restrained between the slats and the frame sides to be positioned for engagement of the connecting pads on the miniaturized form factor card and mating pads on the printed circuit board of the mobile information device. 
         [0043]    Additionally, accurate placement of the connector system frame onto the PCB of the mobile information device is required. As shown in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  for an exemplary embodiment, indexing pins  62  extend from bottom corners  64  of the frame to be received in holes  66  in the MID PCB  12 . Wings  68  extend from the frame for solder attachment to mating pads on the MID PCB to secure the frame to the PCB. In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b , vertical wings  70  extend from the frame to be received in slots  72  in the MID PCB for indexing. 
         [0044]    Rigidity of the frame for accurate positioning and engagement of the frame to the MID PCB and for insertion of the miniaturized form factor card into the frame with intimate mating of the connector moieties is accomplished using a resin matrix material with glass or carbon fiber. For exemplary embodiments Poly Phenylene Oxide (PPO) with a fiber loading of 50% has been employed. Alternate embodiments use a metal frame with an exemplary material being SUS301 Stainless Steel. For metal frame elements, the wings described previously are integrally formed into the frame in certain embodiments. 
         [0045]    Having now described the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications are within the scope and intent of the present invention as defined in the following claims.