Patent Publication Number: US-7914310-B2

Title: Universal serial bus connector with antenna capabilities

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Today it is commonplace for electronic equipment, such as, for example, communication devices, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, personal computers, digital video recorders, digital camcorders, digital cameras, computer peripheral devices, etc. to include a Universal Serial Bus (USB). USB is a serial bus standard to interface devices through a standardized interface port to improve plug-and-play capabilities by allowing devices to be connected and disconnected without rebooting the computer. Other convenient features associated with USB ports include powering low-consumption devices without the need for an external power supply and allowing some devices to be used without requiring individual device drivers to be installed. 
     The implementation of USB is generally in the form of male and female USB connectors, which are commonly employed in electronic equipment. A conventional USB female connector includes four or five signal contacts depending on the type of USB connector. The signals generally provided on a conventional USB connector include +5 Volts, Ground, Data− and Data+. If a fifth connector is provided on the USB connector, the signal contact may be used by an attached device to indicate presence of another device. In some embodiments, the fifth connector is simply not connected or held at ground depending on the specific device. Female USB connectors are typically electrically connected to a motherboard. The signal contacts of the female connector engage with the male connector, thereby transmitting signals through the cable and the mother board for communication between the motherboard and the peripheral device. 
     Electronic equipment have become increasingly popular and offer a wide combination of features. For example, electronic equipment may function not only as a mobile telephone, but also provide from more wireless services. In the near future there will be a substantial demand for more wireless services. Examples of such services include wireless local area network (WLAN), GPS, and DVB-H. Each of these services generally requires different external antennas for best reception. The number of pins in a system connector for electronic equipment is limited. This is especially evident in mobile devices, which are constantly trending to smaller size and/or weight. As the size of mobile devices continues to decrease, there is less space available for additional system connectors. Accordingly, there is a limit on the number of pins that may fit within the system connector. 
     SUMMARY 
     One drawback associated with conventional USB connectors is that functionality is limited based on the limited number of signal contacts (e.g., four or five) that are available for use between a device and an accessory. The amount of electronic device space that a conventional USB connector is substantial and it is beneficial to include signal contacts within the same housing and the USB connectors and/or near the USB port. The limited functionality of conventional USB connectors is insufficient to support communications with complex electronic equipment, such as mobile telephones, computers and/or other peripheral devices that provide multiple wireless services. 
     In view of the aforementioned shortcomings associated with conventional USB connectors, there is a need in the art for electrical connectors that support conventional USB signals and has one or more compact coaxial connectors to enable advanced communications in support of the wireless services. Such electrical connectors will provide increased functionality and, at the same time, be fully backwards compatible with conventional USB connectors. 
     One aspect of the invention relates an electrical connector including: an interface housing adapted to be inserted into an associated receiving female connector on an associated electronic device; wherein the housing includes at least one wall that defines a port having a predetermined configuration; a first contact support member housed at least partially within the interface housing, wherein the first contact support member extends forwardly toward the port; a plurality of first contacts mounted on the first contact support member, wherein each of the plurality of first contacts is configured to electrically connect with the associated connector and a second housing coupled to the interface housing, wherein the second housing includes at least one compact coaxial connector that is adapted to be inserted into an associated receiving female coaxial connector to provide one or more external antennas to support one or more modes of communication on the associated electronic device. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the at least one of the compact coaxial connectors being a UFL connector. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to an elastic member housed at least partially within the second housing and coupled the at least one compact coaxial connector to allow the at least one compact coaxial connector to extend from and/or retract into the second housing. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the elastic member being a spring. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the plurality of first contacts include a contact for a data+signal contact, a data−signal contact, a ground signal contact and a +5 Volt signal contact. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the second housing includes one or more antenna circuits for supporting one or wireless services. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to one or more of the signals received from the plurality of first contacts are used to provide power and/or control to the at least one antenna circuits. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the port being configured to receive at least universal serial bus (USB) connector having a form factor consisting of at least one of a standard USB connector, a mini-USB connector or a micro-USB connector on the associated electronic device. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the plurality of first contacts and the at least one compact coaxial connector is configured to be insertably received a single connector. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the plurality of first contact are configured to be insertably received in a first associated connector housed in the mobile device and the at least one compact coaxial connector is configured to be inserted into one or more corresponding ports formed separately in the electronic device near the port for receiving the plurality of first contacts. 
     Another aspect of the invention further includes at least two compact coaxial connectors, wherein the at least two compact coaxial connectors are located on opposing sides of the port. 
     One aspect of the invention relates to an electrical connector including: a housing for receiving an associated connector; wherein the housing includes at least one wall that defines a first port having a predetermined configuration; a plurality of first contacts housed within the housing, wherein each of the plurality of first contacts is configured to receive an associated connector, wherein the associated connector at least partially enters the housing to make electrical connection with at least one of the plurality of first contacts; and at least one second port adjacent to the housing, wherein the at least one port is configured to receive a compact coaxial connector. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to at least one of the compact coaxial connectors being a UFL connector. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the first port being configured to be inserted into a universal serial bus (USB) connector having a form factor consisting of at least one of a standard USB connector, a mini-USB connector or a micro-USB connector. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the plurality of first contacts have at least one on each of the plurality of first contacts secured on a printed circuit board independently of one another. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the housing and the at least one second port being combined on a single connector. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to further including at least two second ports for receiving one or more compact coaxial connectors, wherein the at least two second ports are located on opposing sides of the housing. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the at least one second port is electrically coupled to communication circuitry having a predetermined configuration. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to the at least one second port being electrically coupled to detection circuitry that determines a communication mode supported by an accessory connected to the at least one port. 
     One aspect of the invention relates to a mobile telephone including: a housing; communication circuitry for receiving and/or transmitting telephone calls over a mobile telephony network housed within the housing; an electrical connector as described in claim  12  housed within at least a portion of the housing, wherein the first port is capable of receiving a universal serial bus connector and the second port is configured to receive a compact coaxial connector from the associated accessory; and control circuitry coupled to communication circuitry and the electrical connector to control operation of the communication circuitry and the electrical connector to perform one more functions. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and the related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described in the specification and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but several of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be suitably employed. 
     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     Although the invention is shown and described with respect to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the claims. 
     Also, although the various features are described and are illustrated in respective drawings/embodiments, it will be appreciated that features of a given drawing or embodiment may be used in one or more other drawings or embodiments of the invention. 
     It should be emphasized that the term “comprise/comprising” when used in 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.” 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Likewise, elements and features depicted in one drawing may be combined with elements and features depicted in additional drawings. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary electronic device and accessory device in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of the electronic device and accessory device illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front cross-sectional view of an exemplary female electrical connector in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary female electrical connector, shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is front cross-sectional view of an exemplary female electrical connector and one or more compact coaxial connectors housed near one another in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a functional block diagram in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front cross-sectional view of an exemplary male electrical connector in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary male electrical connector, shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a functional block diagram in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a side cross-sectional view of exemplary male and female electrical connectors electrically connected in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed to Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors that are suitable for use in a wide variety of electronic equipment (e.g., communication devices, mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, personal computers, digital video recorders, digital camcorders, digital cameras, computer peripheral devices, etc.). Aspects of the present invention are also directed to compact coaxial connectors (e.g., UFL connectors). Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale. 
     The interchangeable terms “electronic equipment” and “electronic device” include portable radio communication equipment, personal computers, digital video recorders, digital camcorders, digital cameras, computer peripheral devices, etc.). The term “portable radio communication equipment,” which hereinafter is referred to as a “mobile radio terminal,” includes all equipment such as mobile telephones, pagers, communicators, electronic organizers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart phones, portable communication apparatus, portable gaming devices, portable media devices (video and/or audio), and the like. 
     In the present application, embodiments of the invention are described primarily in the context of a mobile telephone. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not intended to be limited to the context of a mobile telephone and may relate to any type of electronic equipment. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronic device  10  and an accessory device  12  are shown. The electronic device  10  includes a female electrical connector  14  for receiving a male electrical connector  16  for coupling the electronic device  10  with the accessory device  12 . As described more fully below, the electronic connectors  12  and  14  are configured to include one or more compact coaxial connectors on a conventional Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector in order to provide one or more external antennas that support one or more wireless communication services of the electronic device  10 . 
     The connectors  12  and  14  generally include a plurality of first contacts, which are configured to communicate with conventional USB connectors. The connectors  12  and  14  also include at least one compact coaxial connector to provide one or more external antennas that support one or more wireless communication services for the electronic device. Generally, the first contacts are aligned together along a first contact plane that is substantially coplanar with the plane of insertion of the male connector  16  into the female connector  14 , as is conventional. The one or more compact coaxial connectors are also generally aligned together along the plane of insertion of the male connector  16  into the female connector  14 . As stated above, the one or more compact coaxial connectors provide one or more external antennas that support one or more communication functions of the electronic device  10 . For example, it may be desirable have an external antenna for any of the following wireless services, wireless local area network (WLAN), global positioning services (GPS), digital broadcasting video-handheld (DVB-H), satellite radio, conventional AM/FM radio, etc. 
     The electronic device  10  of the illustrated embodiment is a mobile telephone and will be referred to as the mobile telephone  10 . The mobile telephone  10  is shown as having a brick or block form factor, although other form factors, such as a “flip-open” form factor (e.g., a “clamshell” housing) or a slide-type form factor (e.g., a “slider” housing) also my be utilized. 
     The mobile telephone  10  may include a display  18 . The display  18  displays information to a user such as operating state, time, telephone numbers, contact information, various navigational menus, etc., which enable the user to utilize the various features of the mobile telephone  10 . The display  18  also may be used to visually display content received by the mobile telephone  10  and/or retrieved from a memory  20  ( FIG. 2 ) of the mobile telephone  10 . The display  18  may be used to present images, video and other graphics to the user, such as photographs, mobile television content and video associated with games. 
     A keypad  22  provides for a variety of user input operations. For example, the keypad  22  typically includes alphanumeric keys for allowing entry of alphanumeric information such as telephone numbers, phone lists, contact information, notes, etc. In addition, the keypad  22  typically includes special function keys such as a “call send” key for initiating or answering a call, and a “call end” key for ending or “hanging up” a call. Special function keys also may include menu navigation and select keys to facilitate navigating through a menu displayed on the display  18 . For instance, a pointing device and/or navigation keys may be present to accept directional inputs from a user. Special function keys may include audiovisual content playback keys to start, stop and pause playback, skip or repeat tracks, and so forth. Other keys associated with the mobile telephone  10  may include a volume key, an audio mute key, an on/off power key, a web browser launch key, a camera key, etc. Keys or key-like functionality also may be embodied as a touch screen associated with the display  18 . Also, the display  18  and keypad  22  may be used in conjunction with one another to implement soft key functionality. 
     The mobile telephone  10  includes call circuitry that enables the mobile telephone  10  to establish a call and/or exchange signals with a called/calling device, typically another mobile telephone or landline telephone. However, the called/calling device need not be another telephone, but may be some other device such as an Internet web server, content providing server, etc. Calls may take any suitable form. For example, the call could be a conventional call that is established over a cellular circuit-switched network or a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call that is established over a packet-switched capability of a cellular network or over an alternative packet-switched network, such as WiFi (e.g., a network based on the IEEE 802.11 standard), WiMax (e.g., a network based on the IEEE 802.16 standard), etc. 
     The mobile telephone  10  may be configured to transmit, receive and/or process data, such as text messages (e.g., a text message is commonly referred to by some as “an SMS,” which stands for short message service), instant messages, electronic mail messages, multimedia messages (e.g., a multimedia message is commonly referred to by some as “an MMS,” which stands for multimedia message service), image files, video files, audio files, ring tones, streaming audio, streaming video, data feeds (including podcasts) and so forth. Processing such data may include storing the data in the memory  20 , executing applications to allow user interaction with data, displaying video and/or image content associated with the data, outputting audio sounds associated with the data and so forth. 
     The accessory device  12  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be any desired accessory. For example, the accessory device  12  may be one or more external antennas that may be connected to the mobile telephone through the USB connector having one or more compact coaxial connectors. Other suitable accessory devices include a headset, a keypad, a speaker, a wireless adapter (e.g., IEEE 802.11 communication adapter, infrared adapter, radio frequency identification adapter, near field communication adapter, etc.), etc. to provide increased reception for wireless to enhance the wireless services provided by the mobile telephone  10 . 
     As stated above, aspects of the present invention relate to compact coaxial connectors. Such connectors are especially suitable for external antennas that may be connected to the mobile device  10  due to their small size and ability to be secured with a conventional interference fit. The accessory device  12  may include one or more external antennas. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the accessory device  12  is an external antenna that supports communications for at least two wireless communication services. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a cable  30  may be provided to couple the accessory device  12  to the mobile telephone  10 . As explained below, the cable  30  includes an electrical connector  16  that matingly engages with electrical connector  14  of the mobile telephone  10  to accomplish the functionality described herein. 
       FIG. 2  represents a functional block diagram of the mobile telephone  10  and the accessory device  12 . For the sake of brevity, generally conventional features of the mobile telephone  10  and the accessory device  12  will not be described in great detail herein. The mobile telephone  10  includes a primary control circuit  32  that is configured to carry out overall control of the functions and operations of the mobile telephone  10 . The control circuit  32  may include a processing device  34 , such as a CPU, microcontroller or microprocessor. The processing device  34  executes code stored in a memory (not shown) within the control circuit  32  and/or in a separate memory, such as the memory  20 , in order to carry out operation of the mobile telephone  10 . 
     The memory  20  may include a read only memory area that is implemented using nonvolatile memory  20   a , and a random access or system memory area that is implemented using volatile memory  20   b . As will be appreciated, nonvolatile memory tends not to lose data storage capability upon loss of power and is typically used to store data, application code, files and so forth. The nonvolatile memory  20   a  may be implemented with a flash memory, for example. As will be appreciated, volatile memory tends to lose data storage capability upon loss of power and is typically used to store data for access by the processing device  34  during the execution of logical routines. The volatile memory  20   b  may be a random access memory (RAM). Data may be exchanged between the nonvolatile memory  20   a  and the volatile memory  20   b  as is conventional. The nonvolatile memory  20   a  and the volatile memory  20   b  may be sized as is appropriate for the mobile telephone  10  or other electronic device in which the memory  20  is used. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mobile telephone  10  includes an antenna  36  coupled to a radio circuit  38 . The radio circuit  38  includes a radio frequency transmitter and receiver for transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna  36  as is conventional. The radio circuit  38  may be configured to operate in a mobile communications system and may be used to send and receive data and/or audiovisual content. Receiver types for interaction with a mobile radio network and/or broadcasting network include, but are not limited to, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, GPRS, WiFi, WiMax, DVB-H, ISDB-T, etc., as well as advanced versions of these standards. 
     The mobile telephone  10  further includes a sound signal processing circuit  40  for processing audio signals transmitted by and received from the radio circuit  38 . Coupled to the sound processing circuit  40  are a speaker  42  and a microphone  44  that enable a user to listen and speak via the mobile telephone  10  as is conventional. The radio circuit  38  and sound processing circuit  40  are each coupled to the control circuit  32  so as to carry out overall operation. Audio data may be passed from the control circuit  32  to the sound signal processing circuit  40  for playback to the user. The audio data may include, for example, audio data from an audio file stored by the memory  20  and retrieved by the control circuit  32 , or received audio data such as in the form of streaming audio data from a mobile radio service. The sound processing circuit  40  may include any appropriate buffers, decoders, amplifiers and so forth. 
     The display  18  may be coupled to the control circuit  32  by a video processing circuit  46  that converts video data to a video signal used to drive the display  18 . The video processing circuit  46  may include any appropriate buffers, decoders, video data processors and so forth. The video data may be generated by the control circuit  32 , retrieved from a video file that is stored in the memory  20 , derived from an incoming video data stream that is received by the radio circuit  38  or obtained by any other suitable method. 
     The mobile telephone  10  may also include one or more wireless adapters to perform one more corresponding wireless services. For example, the mobile telephone  10  may include a GPS adapter  48 , WLAN adapter  50 , DVB-H adapter  52  and/or satellite radio adapter  54 . One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that mobile telephone  10  may include any adapter suitable for wireless services on a mobile telephone and/or other electronic device  10 . Each of these wireless services may be connected through the electrical connector  14  to receive an external antenna (e.g., accessory device  12 ). 
     The mobile telephone  10  may further include one or more I/O interface(s)  56 . The I/O interface(s)  56  may be in the form of typical mobile telephone I/O interfaces and may include one or more electrical connectors. As is typical, the I/O interface(s)  56  may be used to couple the mobile telephone  10  to a battery charger to charge a battery of a power supply unit (PSU)  58  within the mobile telephone  10 . In addition, or in the alternative, the I/O interface(s)  56  may serve to connect the mobile telephone  10  to an accessory device  12  that has a wired interface with the mobile telephone  10 . Further, the I/O interface(s)  56  may serve to connect the mobile telephone  10  to an accessory device, a personal computer, computer peripheral and/or any other electronic device via a data cable  30  for the exchange of data (e.g., via the electrical connector  14 ) and/or through a wireless adapter (not shown) that may be connected to the electrical connector  14 . Additionally, the mobile telephone  10  may receive operating power via the I/O interface(s)  56  when connected to a vehicle power adapter or an electricity outlet power adapter. 
     The mobile telephone  10  also may include a system clock  60  for clocking the various components of the mobile telephone  10 , such as the control circuit  32 . The control circuit  32  may, in turn, carry out timing functions, such as timing the durations of calls, generating the content of time and date stamps, and so forth. 
     Referring now to the exemplary accessory device  12 , the accessory device  12  includes one or more antennas (e.g., antennas  62  and  64 ) that are configured to modulate signals for one or more predetermined wireless services. The antennas  62 ,  64  may be active and/or passive antennas. The antennas  62 ,  64  may be coupled directly to the I/O interface adapter  66 . Optionally, the antennas may be coupled to a control circuit  68  having a processing device  69  depending on the functionality of the accessory device  12 . The one or more antennas  62 ,  64  may are receive one or more signals from the plurality of first contacts (e.g. standard USB contacts received by the connector  16 , as described below. For example, an active antenna may require a power source. The current provided on a conventional USB connector may be used to power such active antenna. The input/output interface adapter  66  is generally coupled to a data cable  30  having electrical connector  16  attached on a free end for coupling to the mobile telephone  10  through electrical connector  14 . The input/output interface adapter  66  generally serves to connect the accessory device  12  with the mobile telephone  10 . 
     Moving now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an exemplary electrical connector  14  in accordance with aspects of the invention is shown. The electrical connector  14  includes a housing  70  for receiving an associated connector from an accessory device. The housing is generally formed from at least one wall that defines a port  72  having a predetermined configuration. The port  72  may take any desired form. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the port  72  may be a standard USB form, a mini-USB form and/or a micro-USB form. The housing  70  may include one more alignment guides that generally prevent a connector not having a predetermined shape to enter into the port  72 . In addition, the alignment guides ensure proper alignment of the associated connector with the electrical connector  14 . The housing  70  may be made of any desirable material. Conventional housing materials include, for example, metal, plastic and the like. 
     The electrical connector  14  includes a contact support member  74 , which is housed at least partially within the housing  70 . The contact support member  74  generally extends forwardly toward the opening of the port  72 . The contact support member  74  is generally made of an insulator material. Any insulator material may be used in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Exemplary insulator materials include rubber, plastic, etc. 
     The contact support member  74  has a plurality of first contacts  76  (e.g.,  76 A- 76 E) mounted on and/or formed in the contact support member  76 . Each of the plurality of first contacts  76  is configured to electrically connect with the associated connector along a plane substantially parallel to a plane of insertion associated with the associated connector into the port  72 . 
     The plurality of first contacts  76  is generally configured to accept conventional USB connectors (e.g., standard USB connectors, mini-USB connectors, micro-USB connectors, etc. As such, the signals generally provided on the plurality of first contacts  76  included, for example, +5 Volts on contact  76 A, Data minus on contact  76 B, Data plus on contact  76 C, and ground on contact  76 D. If a fifth contact (e.g., contact  76 E) is provided on the connector, the signal contact may be used by an attached device to indicate presence of another device (e.g., mobile telephone  10 ). In some embodiments, the fifth connector is simply not connected or held at ground depending on the device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the plurality of first contacts  76  are provided in a linear distribution having a substantially equidistant spacing between each of the contacts. One or ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the contacts may be configured and/or spaced in any desired configuration. Such configurations include, for example, non equidistant, offset, non-linear, etc. 
     The plurality of first contacts  76  generally extend outward from the contact support member  74  in order to engage corresponding contacts from an accessory device in order to establish signaling and/or communication paths between the mobile telephone  10  and the accessory device  12 . The contacts may have any desirable shape. For example, the contacts may be curved, hemispherical, pointed, rectangular, etc. 
     The housing  70  includes one or more compact coaxial connector ports  78  (e.g.,  78 A and  78 B). The one or more coaxial connector ports  78  are configured to electrically connect with associated connectors from an accessory device along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of insertion for the associated connector  16 . The compact coaxial connector ports  78  may be configured to accept any desired signal that is suitable to be transmitted through a coaxial cable. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the one or more coaxial connector ports  78  are generally positioned within the housing  70  and may be positioned on either side of the port  72 . Due to size limitations, it is desirable to position the coaxial connector ports  78  as close as possible to the port  72 . The coaxial connector ports may be positioned in any desired location within the housing  70 . 
     In another embodiment, the one or more coaxial connector ports  78  may be positioned near the housing  70  and, for example, may be positioned on either side of the housing  70 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Due to size limitations, it is desirable to position the coaxial connector ports  78  as close as possible to the housing  70 . Generally, the coaxial connector ports  78  will be positioned within two centimeters from the housing  70 . The coaxial connector ports may be positioned in any desired location. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , one end of the contacts associated with the plurality of first contacts  76  are typically configured on a printed circuit board  80  electrically independent of one another. The contacts associated with the compact coaxial connectors may be configured to connect to printed circuit board and/or directly to the wireless radio circuitry in which they will support. Alternatively, there may be optional detection circuitry  82  located between the one or more coaxial connectors  78  and the wireless radio circuitry. The detection circuitry  82  may determine what type of external antenna is connected and logically connect the associated accessory  12  with the appropriate wireless radio circuitry. The printed circuit board  80  may be coupled to the input/output interface  48  that is coupled to the control circuit  32  (also referred to as a controller), as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Due to the configuration of the electrical connector  14 , a conventional USB male connector may be matingly inserted into the port  72 . The conventional USB male connector will generally engage with the plurality of first contacts  76 . Since a conventional USB male connector generally does not have contacts that correspond to the one or more coaxial cable contacts, the conventional USB male connector will connect to the housing  70 , as is conventional. Therefore, the electrical connector  14  is fully compatible with conventional USB connectors. Hardware designers may take advantage of this functionality by designing one mode of operation when the electrical connector  14  is connected to conventional USB connectors, as well as, a second mode of operation (having enhanced functionality) for an accessory device that is configured to include one or more compact coaxial connectors for mating with the one or more compact coaxial connectors  78 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an exemplary male electrical connector  16  is illustrated. Electrical connector  16  insertably mates with electrical connector  14  to form a secure communication link between the mobile telephone  10  and the accessory device  12 . 
     The electrical connector  16  includes an interface housing  100  that is insertable into an associated connector  14  from an electronic device (e.g., mobile telephone  10 ). The interface housing  100  is generally formed from at least one wall that defines a port  102  having a predetermined configuration. The port  102  may take any desired form. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the port  102  may be a conventional USB port (e.g., USB-standard port, USB-mini port, USB-micro port, etc.). The port  102  is generally formed to be matingly inserted into a female connector (e.g., electrical connector  14 ). The interface housing  100  may include one more alignment guides that generally prevent a connector not having a predetermined shape to be inserted into a non-conforming female port. In addition, the alignment guides ensure proper alignment of the associated connector with the electrical connector  16  with a corresponding receiving port. The housing  100  may be made of any desirable material (e.g., metal, plastic etc.). 
     A contact support member  104  is housed at least partially within the interface housing  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The contact support member  104  generally extends forwardly toward the opening of the port  102 . The contact support member  104  is generally made of an insulator material. Any insulator material may be used in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Exemplary insulator materials include rubber, plastic, etc. 
     The contact support member  104  has a plurality of first contacts  106  (e.g.,  106 A- 106 E) mounted on and/or formed in the contact support member  104 . Each of the plurality of first contacts  104  is configured to electrically connect with the associated connector along a plane that is substantially parallel to an axis of insertion of the interface housing  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The plurality of first contacts  106  is generally configured to be inserted into a conventional female USB connectors (e.g., standard USB connectors, mini-USB connectors, micro-USB connectors, etc.) depending on the form size of the housing  100 . As such, the signals generally provided on the plurality of first contacts  106  include, for example, +5 Volts on contact  106 A, Data minus on contact  106 B, Data plus on contact  106 C, and ground on contact  106 D. If a fifth contact (e.g., contact  106 E) is provided on the connector, the signal contact may be used by an attached device to indicate presence of another device (e.g., mobile telephone  10 ). In some embodiments, the fifth connector is simply not connected or held at ground depending on the device. Additional contacts may be provided adjacent the plurality of first contacts  106 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the electrical connector  16  includes one or more compact coaxial connectors  108 . A second housing  112  coupled to the interface housing  100  includes at least one compact coaxial connector  108  that is adapted to be inserted into an associated receiving connector (e.g., compact coaxial connector  78 ) to provide one or more external antennas to support one or more modes of communication on the associated mobile device. Like the plurality of first contacts  106 , the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  are configured to electrically connect with the associated compact coaxial connector along a plane that is substantially parallel to an axis of insertion of the interface housing  100 . Thus, one electrical connector  16  may be used to connect the plurality of first contacts and the one or more compact coaxial connectors to the mobile telephone  10 . The single electrical connector  16  may be used to connect the plurality of first contacts and the one or more compact coaxial connectors to the mobile telephone  10  as long as there are corresponding ports in the mobile device  10 , regardless if the ports are in a single connector or combined in the housing of the mobile device and the port  72 . 
     As is conventional, the plurality of first contacts  106  are provided in a linear distribution having a substantially equidistant spacing between each of the contacts. One or ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the contacts may be configured and/or spaced in any desired configuration. Such configurations include, for example, non-equidistant, offset, non-linear, etc. The plurality of first contacts  106  generally extend outward from the contact support member  104  in order to engage corresponding contacts from a female connector, such as electrical connector  14  in order to establish signaling and/or communication paths between the mobile telephone  10  and the accessory device  12 . The contacts may have any desirable shape. For example, the contacts may be curved, hemispherical, pointed, rectangular, etc. 
     The electrical connector  16  includes a second housing  112  coupled to the interface housing  100 . The second housing  112  includes at least one compact coaxial connector  108  that is adapted to be inserted into an associated receiving connector  78  to provide one or more external antennas to support one or more modes of communication on the associated mobile device. The at least compact coaxial connector  108  is configured to be electrically connected with the associated connector  78  along a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of insertion of the interface housing into a corresponding electrical connector  14 . 
     The one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  may be configured to accept any desirable signal available within the mobile telephone  10  and transmit any desired signal from the accessory device  12  to the mobile telephone  10  (or other electronic devices). For example, one or more of the compact coaxial connectors  108  may receive additional power signals from electrical connector  14  to provide power to an active antenna. In addition, the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  may provide one or external antennas to support functionality of a particular accessory device. Thus, the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  may cooperate with one or more second contacts  78  on the mobile telephone to provide additional functionality to the mobile telephone  10 . Such functionality includes, for example, providing one or more external antennas in the accessory device  12  to enhance wireless communication services. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the plurality of first contacts  106  may be distributed on a face of the contact support member  104 , as is conventional. The one or more compact coaxial connectors may be secured in a second housing  112  coupled to the interface housing  100 . The second housing  112  includes at least one compact coaxial connector  108  that is adapted to be inserted into an associated receiving connector  78  to provide one or more external antennas to support one or more modes of communication on the associated mobile device, as discussed above. For example, the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  may be secured to the second housing  112  or any other structure contained within the electrical connector  16 . The plurality of first contacts  106  and the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  contacts are oriented substantially parallel to each other in order that they may be easily inserted by pushing into the female connector  14  and/or removed by pulling the male connector  16  out of the female connector  14 . Generally, the plurality of first contacts  106  are configured to make electrical contact with corresponding first contacts  76  in the electrical connector  14  when inserted in port  72 . Likewise, the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  are configured to make electrical contact with the one or more compact coaxial connectors  78  in the electrical connector  14  when the electrical connector  16  is inserted into port  72 , which requires compact coaxial connectors  108  to enter corresponding female compact coaxial connectors  78 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  (e.g.,  108 A- 108 B) are provided in a linear distribution on either side of the port  72 . One or ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  may be configured and/or spaced in any desired configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the contacts associated with the plurality of first contacts  106  and the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  generally have at least one end secured on a printed circuit board  110  electrically independent of one another. The printed circuit board  110  may be coupled to the accessory circuitry  113  that makes use and/or otherwise manipulates the signals received through the plurality of first contacts  106  and/or the second contacts  108  to provide the desired functionality of the accessory device  12 . In addition, the accessory circuitry  113  generally includes one or more antenna circuitry that may extend the transmission and/or reception coverage area of the accessory device  12  and/or one more wireless services available on the mobile telephone  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  may include an elastic member  114  (e.g., a spring, coil, etc.) coupled between compact coaxial connectors  108  and the second housing  112  and/or the printed circuit board  110 . The elastic member  114  exerts a force on the one or more compact coaxial connectors to urge contact with a corresponding compact coaxial connector  78  from an associated female connector (e.g., electrical connector  14 ) and/or a combination of the mobile device  10  and the electrical connector  14 . Also, the elastic member  114  allows for the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  to retreat within a socket  116  formed in the housing  112  when the electric connector  16  is inserted into a female connector that does not include corresponding compact coaxial contacts and/or ports to received the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108 . This allows the electrical connector  16  to be inserted into a conventional USB female connector (e.g., a standard USB connector, a mini-USB connector, a micro-USB connector, etc.) without the one or more compact coaxial connector contacts  108  interfering and/or otherwise hindering securement of the connectors. 
     When inserted into the conventional USB female connector, the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  will retreat into the housing  100  and not interfere with insertion of the electrical connector  16  into the conventional USB female connector. When inserted into the conventional USB female connector, the electrical connector  16  will generally engage with the conventional USB contacts of the USB female connector. This allows the electrical connector  16  to be fully compatible with conventional USB connectors. Hardware designers may be able to advantage of this by monitoring whether or not the one or more compact coaxial connectors  108  retreat into the housing. If the one or more compact coaxial connectors retreat into the housing, it is known that the electrical connector  16  was plugged in to a conventional USB connector, accordingly less functionality and/or capabilities of the accessory device  12  can be expected and/or less reception may be expected when the accessory device includes an antenna. Likewise, if the one or more compact coaxial connectors are extended, then the compact coaxial connectors are engaged in an enhanced electrical connector (e.g., electrical connector  14 ) and the accessory device  12  may make use of the full functionality and/or capabilities of the accessory device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , female electrical connector  14  is shown electrically engaged with male connector  16 . As shown, the first contacts  76  and  106  engage along a first contact plane that is substantially parallel with a plane of insertion. Second contacts  78  and  108  engage along a plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane and/or the plane of insertion. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary cable  30  is illustrated having a male electrical connector  16 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cable  30  may have two free ends that include identical connectors and/or connectors that have the same functionality, but different form factors (e.g., a standard USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, etc.). Generally the male  16  will include the one or more compact coaxial connectors attached on each free end of the cable  30 . 
     Specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the invention may have other applications in other environments. In fact, many embodiments and implementations are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. In addition, any recitation of “means for” is intended to evoke a means-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, any elements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for”, are not intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if the claim otherwise includes the word “means”. 
     Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of the described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.