Patent Publication Number: US-2016232120-A1

Title: Reading apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) of Taiwan Patent Application No. 104201949, filed Feb. 6, 2015. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a reading apparatus, and in particular to a reading apparatus with different transmitting interfaces. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional reading apparatuses, are able to store different kinds of memory cards such as compact flash (CF) cards, multimedia cards (MMC), secure digital (SD) cards, Micro SD cards, memory stick micro (M2) cards, etc. By means of the reading apparatus, transferring a data signal stored in these memory cards to another electronic product, or alternatively, expanding the memory for an electronic product can be achieved. 
     However, there are many kinds of electronic products in which a variety of specifications for a transferring interface are provided. When there is a need for exchanging data between different electronic products, it will require different reading apparatuses with different transferring interfaces. The conventional reading apparatus always has only been equipped with one kind of transferring interface and thus costs extra money, space, and mind for preparing different reading apparatuses with different transferring interface specifications with respect to different every electronic products. Moreover, a manufacturer of a reading apparatus is required to manufacture a reading apparatus product which complies with the devices with the corresponding transferring interface specifications, and thus increases the price. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a reading apparatus that has different transferring interfaces. 
     Thus, the reading apparatus of the present invention is provided for plugging into a first electronic device which has a first interface connector, or for plugging into a second electronic device which has a second interface connector. 
     The reading apparatus of the present invention comprises a circuit board, a first interface-module, a second interface-module, a storing module, and a processor. 
     The first interface-module is provided on the circuit board, the first interface-module includes a housing and a plurality of pins provided in the housing, wherein the pins are electrically connected to the circuit board in correspondence with the first interface connector for transferring first interface signals. The pins comprise a plurality of first pins which are disposed on a top surface of the circuit board, and the plurality of first pins comprise a first positive-negative direction determining pin which is used to confirm whether the first interface-module is positively inserted or negatively inserted into the first interface receptacle. 
     The second interface-module is provided on a side of the circuit board opposite the first interface-module, the second interface-module including a plurality of conduction pads directly configured on one surface of the circuit board in correspondence with the second interface connector for transferring second interface signals. 
     The storing module is electrically connected with the circuit board for storing data. The storing module comprises a plurality of resilient pins fixed on the insulating frame and a memory card, wherein a preserved space for the memory card, is defined by the insulating frame and the resilient pins; and the resilient pins have a plurality of soldering portions respectively electrically connected to the circuit board, and a plurality of resilient arms, respectively provided at an opposite end of the soldering portions and electrically connected to the memory card. 
     The processor is electrically connected with the circuit board for converting signals read from the storing data to the first interface signals or the second interface signals; and converting the first interface signals or the second interface signals to signals writing into the storing data. 
     Preferably, the first interface-module is further provided with a first shell provided in at one side of the housing opposite to the circuit board, the pins are provided in the first shell, and the first shell has a mating slot for mating the first interface connector. 
     Preferably, the second interface-module further includes a second shell defining a receiving space, in which the conduction pads are disposed, and the receiving space has an opening. 
     Preferably, the first interface-module is further provided with a first shell at one side of the housing opposite the circuit board, the pins are provided in the first shell, the first housing has a mating slot provided for mating the first interface connector; the reading apparatus further comprises a body case which includes a surrounding wall and an end wall connected with the surrounding wall, wherein an inner space is defined by the surrounding wall and an end wall, and the inner space is fitted around the housing seat, a part of the circuit board, and a part of the second shell, and the end wall has a aperture provided for having the first shell therein. 
     Preferably, the storing module of the present invention is an System-in-Package (SIP) circuit unit. 
     Preferably, the storing module of the present invention includes a memory unit mounted on the circuit board. 
     Preferably, the reading apparatus of the present invention is adaptable to the first interface receptacle of the first electronic device and the second interface receptacle of the second electronic device. The processor of the reading device is configured to convert the first interface signal into the second interface signal and convert the second interface signal into the first interface signal. 
     Preferably, the first interface-module is designed to comply with USB C-type specifications, and the second interface-module is designed to comply with USB specifications. 
     Preferably, the pins comprise a plurality of second pins which are disposed on a bottom surface of the circuit board, and the plurality of second pins comprise a second positive-negative direction determining pin which is used to confirm whether the first interface-module is positively inserted or negatively inserted into the first interface receptacle. 
     The present invention has the following merits. By means of using the first interface-module to transfer first interface signals, using the second interface-module to transmit second interface signals, and utilizing the storing module for data storage, a processor can be for converting stored signals generated by the storing module to first interface signals or second interface signals, converting the first interface signals or the second interface signals to the stored signals, converting the first interface signals to the second interface signals, and converting the second interface signals to the first interface signals, so that the capability of data transmission between different interfaces can be achieved. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a reading apparatus that is plugged into a first electronic device, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a reading apparatus that is plugged into a second electronic device, according to the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view viewed from another direction corresponding to  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view corresponding to  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view corresponding to  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-VIII of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a body case according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective view of a storing module as an SIP circuit unit; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a memory unit of the reading apparatus that is directly mounted on a circuit board according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S) 
     To clarify the above objects and effect of the present invention, a more detailed description will be described by referring to the following embodiments and the drawings of the present invention. Similar elements will be referred to by using the same reference numeral. 
     As referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a reading apparatus of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided to plug to a first electronic device  1  which has a first interface connector  11  and/or plug to a second electronic device  2  which has a second interface connector  21 . In this embodiment, the first electronic device  1  is a handheld device, such as a smart phone. The first interface connector  11  is designed to comply, or is in compliance with, with the universal serial bus (USB) C-type specification, for example, a micro USB receptacle. The second electronic device  2  is a computer device (host), and the second interface connector  21  is designed to comply, or is in compliance with, with the USB specification. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Alternatively, the first electronic device  1  can be a device with receptacle(s) of USB C-type specification, and the second electronic device  2  can be a device with receptacle(s) of USB specification. In this embodiment, the reading apparatus includes a circuit board  3 , a first interface-module  4 , a second interface-module  5 , a storing module  6 , a processor  7 , and a body case  8 . 
     As referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , the circuit board  3  includes: a plurality of connecting pads  31  which are directly formed on the surface of the circuit board  3 , two retaining holes  32  that are spaced apart, two first holes  33  which are spaced apart and are provided opposite to the retaining holes  32 , two second holes  34  provided between the retaining holes  32  and the first holes  33 , and a plurality of soldering pads  35 . 
     The first interface-module  4  is provided on the circuit board  3  and includes: a housing  41 , a first shell  42  provided at a side of the housing  41  opposite to the circuit board  3 , two protrudes  43  respectively extended from the housing  41  toward the circuit board  3  and respectively connected to the retaining holes  32 , and a plurality of pins  44  provided in the first shell  42 . The pins  44  are electrically connected with the connecting pads  31  of the circuit board  3 . The first shell  42  has a mating slot  421  for mating the first interface connector  11 . The pins  44 , the first shell  42 , and the first interface connector  11  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) are corresponding with each other and are all in compliance with the USB C-type specification for transferring first interface signals (i.e., signals for performing USB C-type function). The pins  44  comprise a plurality of first pins  441  which are disposed on a top surface of the circuit board  3 , and the plurality of first pins  441  comprise a first positive-negative direction determining pin  4412  which is used to confirm whether the first interface-module  4  is positively inserted or negatively inserted into and the first interface receptacle  11 . Concerning cost, a portion of products might only dispose the plurality of first pin  441 . Additionally, in the present embodiment, the plurality of pins  44  further comprise a plurality of second pins  442  which are disposed on a bottom surface of the circuit board  3 . The plurality of second pins  442  comprise a second positive-negative direction determining pin  4422  which is used to confirm whether the first interface-module  4  is positively inserted or negatively inserted into and the first interface receptacle  11 . Generally, the second positive-negative direction determining pin  4422  is CC2 (configuration channel), which is a pin for determining positive-insertion or negative-insertion in USB C-type specification. 
     The second interface-module  5  is disposed on a side of the circuit board  3  opposite to the first interface-module  4 . The second interface-module  5  includes a second shell  51  for defining a receiving space  511 , a plurality of conduction pads  52  that are contained in the receiving space  511 , and a stopping member  53 . The conduction pads  52  are directly formed on the surface of the circuit board  3  relative to the second interface connector  21  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). Both the conduction pads  52  and the second interface connector  21  are in compliance with the USB specification for transferring second interface signals (i.e. USB signals.) The receiving space  511  has an opening  510  in communication with the outside of the receiving space  511 . 
     Specifically, the second shell  51  has two first cutouts  512  that are located at two opposite sides of the second shell  51 , two second cutouts  513  that are located at two opposite sides of the second shell  51 , a jointing plate  514 , a sealing plate  515  which is opposite the jointing plate  514 , two first protrusions  516  that are respectively extending from the jointing plate  514  toward the sealing plate  515 , and a second protrusion  517  which is extending away from the jointing plate  514  toward the sealing plate  515 . The stopping member  53  has two side walls  531 , a rear wall  532  that connects the two side walls  531 , two notches  533  respectively formed on the rear wall  532  for fastening the two first protrusions  516  respectively, and an edge  534  extending from the rear wall  532  toward the circuit board  3 . The side walls  531  and the edge  534  are provided on the circuit board  3  for enabling the pin of the second interface connector  21  (not shown) to push against the edge  534  for preventing the pins of the second interface  21  from plugging in too deep. 
     The storing module  6  is electrically connected to the circuit board  3  for storing data. The storing module  6  includes an insulating frame  61  provided on a side of the circuit board  3  opposite the conduction pads  52 , a plurality of resilient pins  62  that are fixed on the insulating frame  61 , a memory card  63 , and a card ejecting member  64 . A preserved space  65  is defined by the insulating frame  61  and the resilient pins  62  for receiving the memory card  63 . The memory card  63  has a plurality of pads  631 . In this embodiment, the memory card  63  is not limited to an SD card, but other types of memory cards also can be used. The resilient pins  62  have a plurality of soldering portions  621  respectively electrically connected to the soldering pads  35  of the circuit board  3 , and a plurality of resilient arms  622  which are respectively provided opposite to the soldering portions  621  and are electrically connected to the pads  631  of the memory card  63 . 
     Specifically, the insulating frame  61  includes: a body  611 , two first rods  612  that are respectively extending from the body  611  toward the circuit board  3  for jointing to the second holes  34  of the circuit board  3 , two second rods  613  that are respectively extending from the body  611  toward the circuit board  3  for jointing to the first holes  33  of the circuit board  3 , two first protrudes  614  that are respectively bulged from the two opposite sides of the body  611  for jointing to the first cutouts  512  of the second shell  51 , and two second rods  615  that are respectively extending from the two opposite sides of the body  611  for jointing to the second cutouts  513  of the second shell  51 . 
     The processor  7  is provided on the circuit board  3  for converting signals read from the storing data to the first interface signals or the second interface signals, and for converting the first interface signals or the second interface signals to signals writing into the storing data. 
     The body case  8  includes a surrounding wall  81  and an end wall  82  that is connected to one side of the surrounding wall  81 . The surrounding wall  81  and the end wall  82  define an inner space  83 . The inner space  83  is fitted around by the housing  41 , a part of the circuit board  3 , and a part of the second shell  51 . The end wall  82  comprises a through slot  821  for the first shell  42 . 
     The method of using the reading apparatus in this embodiment is described as follows. 
     As referring to  FIGS. 1, 3 , the memory card  63  can be plugged into the preserved space  65 , and then the mating slot  421  of the first interface-module  4  of the reading apparatus can be connected to the first interface connector  11  of the first electronic device  1 . By operating a software (not shown) of the first electronic device  1 , storing signals generated by the stored data on the memory card  63  can be converted to the first interface signals by the processor  7  and can be transferred to a storing unit (not shown) of the first electronic device  1 , and the first interface signals generated by the stored data on the first electronic device  1  can be transferred to the processor  7  to be converted to the stored signals, so that the data on the first electronic device  1  can be backup to the memory card  63 . 
     As referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , the opening  510  of the second interface-module  5  of the reading apparatus can be plugged into the second interface connector  21  of the second electronic device  2 . By operating a software (not shown) of the second electronic device  2 , storing signals generated by the stored data on the memory card  63  can be converted to the second interface signals by the processor  7  and can be transferred to a storing unit (not shown) of the second electronic device  2 , and the second interface signals generated by the second electronic device  2  can be transferred to the processor  7  to be converted to the stored signals, so that the data on the second electronic device  2  can be backup to the memory card  63 . 
     Alternatively, the reading apparatus of the present invention can be simultaneously connected to the first electronic device  1  and the second electronic device  2 . Specifically, the mating slot  421  of the first interface-module  4  can be plugged into the first interface connector  11  of the first electronic device  1 , and the opening  510  of the second interface-module  5  can be plugging into the second interface connector  21 . In other words, by operating a software (not illustrated in the drawings) of the second electronic device  2 , second interface signals generated by the data transmission can be transferred to the processor  7  to be converted to the first interface signals and be stored onto the storing unit of the first electronic device  1 . Preferably, by operating a software (not illustrated in the drawings) of the second electronic device  2 , a second interface signal generated by the data transmission can be transferred to the processor  7  to be converted to the storing signal, so that the data on the second electronic device  2  can be backup to the memory card  63 . In other words, the data on the second electronic device  2  can be transferred to both the first electronic device  1  and the reading apparatus. 
     Or, the first interface signals generated by the stored data on the first electronic device  1  can be transferred to the processor  7  to be converted to the second interface signals, and be stored on the storing unit of the second electronic device  2 . Preferably, by operating a software (not shown) of the first electronic device  1 , the first interface signals generated by the data transmission can be transferred to the processor  7  to be converted to the stored signal, so that the data on the first electronic device  1  can be backup to the memory card  63 . 
     In another embodiment, when the memory card  63  is not plugged into the plugging space  65  and the reading apparatus is simultaneously connected to both the first electronic device  1  and the second electric device  2 , the reading apparatus of the present invention only serves as a transferring medium between the first electronic device  1  and the second electronic device  2 . 
     Therefore, by using the reading apparatus of the present invention, the data transmission between the first electronic device  1  and the second electronic device  2  can be easier and has a more versatile way of transferring data. Additionally, the reading device of the present invention provides more convenience to reading device users in a way that the device does not take extra storage spaces. For the reading apparatus manufacturers, the reading apparatus of the present invention is capable of lowering their production cost in a way that they only need to manufacture the reader apparatus of the present invention, the data transmission between the first electronic device  1  and the electronic device  2  can be achieved. 
     In  FIGS. 9-11 , the reading apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, which is generally similar to that of the first preferred embodiment. The difference between the two reading apparatus is that the aspect of the storing module  6  in the second preferred embodiment is different from the tangible memory card  63  which is plugged into the opening  510 , as shown in the first preferred embodiment in  FIG. 3 . In other words, the storing module  6  in the second preferred embodiment is not provided with the insulating frame  61 , the resilient pins  62  and the preserved space  65 ; and the surrounding wall  81  of the body case  8  is a closed surrounding wall  81 . 
     As referring to  FIGS. 10, 12 , the storing module  6  is a SIP (System in Package) circuit unit. In other words, the circuit board  3 , the processor  7 , the conducting pads  52  and a storage chip are integrated within the circuit unit and are integrally packaged with above elements as a chip. Referring to  FIGS. 11, 13 , the third preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the second preferred embodiment. The difference between the two embodiments is the aspect of the storing module  6 . 
     As referring to  FIG. 12 , the storing module  6  in the third preferred embodiment includes a memory unit  66 . The memory unit  66  is a memory chip directly mounted on the circuit board  3  (Chip on Board, COB), and the wire bonding between the memory chip and the circuit board  3  is protected by a sealant. 
     Preferably, as referring to  FIGS. 12, 13 , in the second interface-module  5 , the second shell  51  of the second interface-module  5  has a blocking wall  518  which blocks a part of the opening  510  for preventing dirt and oxidization which may affect the function of the memory unit  66  and the circuit board  3 . 
     According to the above description of the reading apparatus of the present invention, upon the first interface-module  4  transfers first interface signals, the second interface-module  5  transfers second interface signals, and the storing module  6  transfers storing data, the processor  7  can convert a stored signal generated by the storing module  6  to the first interface signals or the second interface signals; the first interface signals or the second interface signals into the stored signals; the first interface signals into the second interface signals; and the second interface signals into the second interface signals, so that the purpose of transferring data among various interfaces can be achieved. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.