Abstract:
A system for mobile communications includes a protocol module and a radio component. The radio component includes a socket for electrically connecting to the protocol module and the protocol module is replaceable. The protocol module operates to provide functionality to the system according to at least one communications technology. The communications technologies can include any of CDMA, TDMA, GSM, or others. The protocol module can be replaced, for example, a protocol module for CDMA communications can be used where CDMA communications are possible and a separate protocol module for GSM communications can be used where GSM communications are possible. Because the protocol module is replaceable, any communications protocols and technologies, current and future, are viable for operations of the radio component, merely by replaced with an appropriate protocol module for the particular communications protocols and technologies at the location.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to wireless telephones and similar communications devices and, more particularly, relates to modular protocol units for radio frequency communications systems, such as cellular telephone and similar wireless communications devices, operable according to various and varied protocols and communications technologies of such systems, including GSM, CDMA and TDMA. 
     A variety of technologies and protocols are in use in mobile communications, such as in cellular and other wireless communications systems. The technologies typically vary according to geographic locale. In the U.S, for example, mobile communications typically operate according to a multiplexing protocol, such as Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA) or more predominantly at present, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA). In Europe and other parts of the world, mobile communications systems typically operate according to Global System for Mobile communication (GSM). 
     Over time, other protocols and technologies have been employed in radio frequency (RF) communications, including those in mobile communications systems. Future and modified technologies and protocols in mobile communications systems can be expected. Because of these frequent modifications and progressions in mobile communications systems technologies and protocols, equipment and functionality of devices, systems and methods for particular technologies and protocols become quickly outdated and obsolete. 
     In virtually all mobile technology systems, certain elements of devices and methods in the systems remain relatively constant; whereas, other elements of devices and methods tend to be replaced and changed. For example, all mobile devices require antenna and radio equipment. However, mobile devices differ in the equipment required to conform to the applicable technologies and protocols employed in the relevant mobile communications system environment, including, for example, each device must have appropriate features, functionality, and equipment necessary to operate according to the applicable protocols (e.g., either CDMA, GSM or other). 
     Certain efforts in the industry have been directed to attempting to incorporate multiple operational elements to conform to more than one of the applicable protocols (e.g., certain devices may operate in both CDMA and GSM systems). However, such devices are typically more costly and cumbersome. In any event, the devices do not contemplate new or changed protocols that may become prevalent in the future. Also, the devices do not necessarily incorporate vehicles for operations in all of the possible mobile communications systems that are presently in operation in various locales. 
     It would be a significant improvement and advance in the technology and art to provide for operations of mobile devices in multiple communications systems, irrespective of particular protocols and technologies. Moreover, it would be a significant improvement and advance to remedy the obsolescence that is typical in the devices. The present invention solves the problems exhibited by the conventional technology, including by allowing update and modification of conventional elements of mobile devices to conform to pluralities of and new and future technologies and protocols, such as through interchangeable modular systems for the mobile communications devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the invention is a system for mobile communications. The system includes a protocol module and a radio component. The radio component includes a socket for electrically connecting to the protocol module and the protocol module is replaceable. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is a mobile communications device. The device includes a self-contained, modular unit for operating the mobile communications device in accordance with a communications protocol and a radio connected to the modular unit for transmitting and receiving communications. 
     Yet another embodiment of the invention is a protocol module. The module is for use with a communications device that has a radio. The module includes at least one connector for electrically connecting the protocol module to the radio. The protocol module provides particular functionality to enable the radio to operate in at least one communications system. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is a method of mobile communications. The method includes selecting a communications protocol for a mobile communications device via a module of the device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front, perspective view of a mobile communications device, including a radio component and a protocol module, such as a module providing either GSM, CDMA or other communications technologies operations and functions, according to certain embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a back, perspective view of the mobile communications device of  FIG. 1 , showing the protocol module in place in a socket of the radio component, according to certain embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a protocol module, for providing particular communications technology and protocol functionality, according to certain embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a circuit board of a protocol module, which circuit board provides functional elements and components required for operations according to particular communications technology and protocols, such as, for example, CDMA or GSM, according to certain embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a circuit board of a radio component, which circuit board provides radio functional elements and components for wireless or similar radio frequency (RF) transmissions and receptions, and which circuit board also provides connection elements via a socket for connecting a protocol module shown in the Figure to the circuit board, according to certain embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded, perspective view of internal elements of a protocol module, substantially like that of  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , for providing particular functions according to at least one communications system technology and protocol (e.g., either CDMA or GSM), according to certain embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the unionized internal elements of the protocol module of  FIG. 6 , according to certain embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded, side view of the internal elements of the unit of  FIG. 7  of the protocol module of  FIG. 6 , including a housing enclosure for the unit, according to certain embodiments of the invention; 
         FIGS. 9   a - c  illustrate, respectively, a front, partial cross-section at A-A′, and full cross-section at B-B′, of an antenna connector of the protocol module, wherein the antenna connector is attached to the printed circuit board and enables connection of the protocol module&#39;s antenna circuitry and elements to the radio component&#39;s antenna circuitry and elements, according to certain embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an individual circuit board of an alternative protocol module, a circuit board of a radio component for use and connectivity with the alternative protocol module, and exploded and utilization of internal elements of the alternative protocol module and encasement thereof in a housing, according to certain embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mobile communications device  100  includes a radio component  102  and a protocol module  104 . The radio component  102  includes substantially conventional radio elements for transmission and reception of wireless signals, as well as display, user-input elements (e.g, keyboard with numbers/alpha-numeric keys and transmit/receive and off/on buttons), power and similar components. The radio component  102  also includes encasing of circuitry providing the foregoing conventional functional elements and an external antenna. The radio component  102  is substantially a conventional mobile communications device, but without any particular protocol logic and circuitry for any specific type of communications technology (e.g., CDMA or GSM). As will be detailed, however, the radio component  102 , on a back side thereof (not shown in detail in  FIG. 1 ), includes a suitable socket for the protocol module. 
     The protocol module  104  is a self-contained modular unit that is locatable in the socket on the back of the radio component  102 . The protocol module  104 , when located in the socket of the radio component  102 , provides appropriate protocol functionality (e.g., for CDMA, GSM or another mobile communications system technology), to enable operations of the mobile communications device  100  in transmitting and receiving communications over the applicable communications system in accordance with the system technology and protocols. The protocol module  104  includes logic circuitry for operations of the device  100  according to an applicable communications technology and protocol, based on the particular protocol module  104  then being used in the device  100 . For example, one embodiment of the protocol module  104  can operate according to CDMA technology, whereas a separate other embodiment of the protocol module  104  can operate according to GSM technology. The particular logic circuitry of the protocol module  104  dictates the compatibility and use for the particular communications technology then available via the locally or otherwise situated mobile communications system. Of course, the protocol module  104  can embody logic circuitry for any other communications technology, now or in the future available or desired. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a back-side of the mobile communications device  100  of  FIG. 1  includes the protocol module  104  located in the socket of the radio component  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary embodiment of the protocol module  100 , illustrated in simplified view for purposes of discussion, includes a housing  302 . The housing  302  is connected to a circuit board  304 , and encased the circuit board  304 . The housing  302  is plastic or some other non-conductive and protective material, primarily for shielding the rest of the protocol module  100  from external effects. The circuit board  304 , as previously mentioned, is formed with logic and other circuitry suitable to provide functionality and operations according to a particular communications technology protocol (e.g., either CDMA or GSM). The circuit board  304  also includes electrical connections for communicative electrical connections of the circuit board  304  to the radio component  102  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) via the socket of the radio component  102 . As hereinafter further discussed, the circuit board  304  includes cut-outs or other access therethrough or therearound, so that the circuit board  304  can electrically connect to the radio component  102  for providing the particular protocol functionality to the device  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the circuit board  304  of the protocol module  104  of  FIG. 3  includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  402 , having appropriate logic circuitry to perform operations for the device  100  according to a particular communications technology (e.g., either CDMA or GSM). The PCB  402  also incorporates various elements for connectivity and grounding, corresponding to similar elements and connections of the radio component  102 . Particularly, the PCB  402  includes an electrical connector  404  suitable for connection to corresponding features of the radio component  102 , for example, the connector  404  is a  60  or  100  pin connector. The PCB  402  also includes one or more protruding ground probes  406 . The ground probes  406 , and their facilitation, are hereafter described in further detail, however, generally the ground probes  406  provide grounding connectivity for the PCB  402 . The PCB  402  also includes an attached antenna connection  408 , providing for electrical contact with an antenna of the radio component  102  and dual grounds thereof. The antenna connection  408  has special features and design, and is later described more fully. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the device  100  is shown in exploded functional view, to illustrate the back of a circuit board  502  of the radio component  102  and socket for acceptance of the protocol module  104 . The circuit board  502  of the radio component  102  includes features corresponding to the electrical elements of the PCB  402  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the protocol module  104 . For example, the circuit board  502  has a connector  504 , corresponding to the pin connector  404  of the PCB  402 . The circuit board  502  also has ground connections  506  that can contact the ground probes  406  of the PCB  402  when the protocol module  104  is located in the socket of the radio component  102 . Antenna contacts  508  are included in the circuit board  502 , in location for correspondence and contact with the antenna connections  408  (attached to the PCB  402 ) when the protocol module  104  is in the socket of the radio component  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , exploded views of internals of the protocol module  104  show the protocol module  104  without the housing  302  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The internals include the PCB  402 . Atop the PCB  402  is fixed a shield  602 . The shield  602  is a metal or other material that protects the underlying PCB  402 , however, the shield  602  only selectively, if at all, contacts the PCB  402  and circuitry thereof. Atop the shield  602  is fixed a ground plate  604 . The ground plate  604  is a highly conductive metal, such as copper. The ground plate  306  is selectively electrically connected to the PCB  402  to provide electrical grounding for the PCB  402 . The PCB  402  includes shielding points  606  attached to the ground probes  406  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the PCB  402 . The shielding points  606  are formable thin metal strips. To consolidate the PCB  402 , with the shield  602  thereatop, and the ground plate  604  thereatop the shield  602 , each is placed over the PCB  402 , and then the shielding points  606  are wrapped around the ground plate  604  to secure the pieces together. The shielding points  606  can be soldered or otherwise affixed to the ground probes  406 , and also to the ground plate  604  as so wrapped therearound. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the internals of the protocol module  304  (as contained within the housing  302 , although the housing  302  is not shown in  FIG. 7 ) are consolidated as a unit. As so consolidated, the PCB  402  has the shield  602  protecting the circuitry of the PCB  402 , and the ground plate  604  is atop the shield  602  and connects, via the shielding points  606 , to the ground probes  406  of the PCB  402 . The shield  602  is sized to expose the connector  404  and the antenna connections  408  of the PCB  402 . The ground plate  604  is sized to also leave the connector  404  and the antenna connections  408  so exposed. The connector  404  and the antenna connections  408  remaining so exposed, are connectable to corresponding electrical elements of the radio component  102  at the socket for locating the protocol module  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the housing  302  is two parts, and snaps in place around the unit formed of the PCB  402 , the shield  602 , and the ground plate  604 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9   a - c , the antenna connections  408  are attached to the PCB  402  and are formed of a molded case  902 . The molded case  902  is formed of a conductive plastic material. The molded case  902  is attached to the PCB  402  at appropriate circuitry for antenna functions of the PCB  402 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9   a , the molded case  902  includes three probe slots  904 . The molded case  902  is snappably connected to the PCB  402 , for correspondence of the probe slots with applicable antenna circuitry of the radio component  102  when the protocol module  104  is placed in the socket of the radio component  104 . One of the probe slots  904  is connectable to an antenna circuit of the PCB  402 . The other two probe slots  904  are each connectable to an antenna ground circuit of the PCB  402 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9   b , each of the probe slots  904  is formed with a central large cylinder  904   a . The central large cylinder  904   a  is of suitable size to accept and retain a metal probe, as hereinafter described. The probe slots  904  are each formed with a posterior smallest cylinder  904   b  and an upper small cylinder  904   c , to present a passage completely through the case  902 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9   c , each of the probe slots  904  holds a radio frequency (RF) probe  908 . The RF probe  908  has a central cylindrical portion  910  of slightly smaller outer diameter than the diameter of the central large cylinder  904   a . The posterior cylindrical portion  912  of the RF probe  908  is of slightly smaller outer diameter than the diameter of the posterior smallest cylinder  904   b . An upper cylindrical portion  914  of the RF probe  908  is of slightly smaller outer diameter than the diameter of the upper small cylinder  904   c . The RF probe  908  at the central cylindrical portion  910  includes a ridge  916 . The RF probe  908  at the posterior smallest cylinder  904   b  and the upper small cylinder  904   c  each extend outwardly from within the probe slots. Because of the shape of the probe slots  904 , and the corresponding features of the RF probe  908  retained therein, the RF probe  908  is engageable, when the protocol module  104  is located in the socket of the radio component  102 , to connect and keep constant contact with corresponding electrical antenna features of both the radio component  102  and the PCB  402  of the protocol module  104 . The ridge  916  serves to restrict movement of the RF probe  908  within the molded case  902 , in order to maintain electrical connectivity, via the RF probe  908 , between the antenna connections  408  of the protocol module  104  and the appropriate corresponding antenna contacts  508  of the circuitry of the radio component  102 . The RF probes  908  can be fixed with springs or other mechanisms (not shown in the Figures) to ensure fixed electrical contact between the antenna connections  408  and the antenna contacts  408 , as applicable. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an alternative arrangement  1000  of a protocol module and radio component includes a PCB  1002  of the protocol module and a circuit board  1012  of the radio component. The PCB  1002  has a centrally fixed connector  1004 , such as a  100  pin connector. Additionally, the PCB  1002  includes ground probes  1006 . The PCB  1002 , as with the PCB  304  of  FIG. 4 , includes circuitry and functional elements for operations according to a particular communications system protocol (e.g., either CDMA or GSM). The circuit board  1012  provides a socket for the protocol module having the PCB  1002 , for example, including a centrally located connector  1014  corresponding to the connector  1004  of the PCB  1002 . The circuit board  1012  also includes circuitry and functional elements for connecting the radio component to the PCB  1002  for operations as an entire, complete mobile communications device (like that of  FIG. 1 ) according to the protocols particular for the protocol module implementation (e.g., either CDMA or GSM). 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 10 , the PCB  1002  has a shield (shown as  1008  in the Figure), substantially as previously described with respect to the PCB  304 . Atop the shield of the PCB  304  are located dual ground plates  1024 . The dual ground plates  1024  are separated atop the shield of the PCB  304 , in order to allow access to the connector  1004 . The PCB  1002  also includes shielding points  1010  affixed to the ground probes  1006  of the PCB  1002 , and these shielding points  1010  are wrapped over the respective ones of the dual ground plates  1024  and secured, all substantially as previously discussed. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 10 , the PCB  1002  with shield  1008 , has the dual ground plates  1024  in place atop the shield  1008 , together with the shielding points  1010  wrapped and fixed to the respective ground plates  1024 . A two-piece housing  1030  encases the PCB  1002 , shield  1008  and ground plates  1024  unit, and the housing  1030  snaps together to form the complete protocol module. 
     Numerous variations, additions and alternatives are possible for the protocol module and the radio component. Locations of features of each can be different or changed. Moreover, added features, including other and further electrical connectors and connections, are possible in keeping with similar concepts. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate many of the possible alternatives. In every event in the embodiments, however, an independent protocol module that is removable, insertable and replaceable in the radio component provides new and different operations of the mobile communications device for purposes of implementing in the device all past, present and future communications system protocols and technologies. 
     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms comprises, “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.