Patent Abstract:
An electrical device has a socket formed as a continuous integral portion of an outer case housing. Conductors connect an interior of the socket to circuits within the device, and may be integrally molded with the outer case housing. Separate case housings may be assembled together to form the socket. A resulting socket has a lower profile and a reduced impact to a height requirement within the case, and has a relatively greater strength attributable to the inherent robustness of the case.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The present disclosure generally relates to electrical connectors with mating connecting portions, and more particularly to low profile connectors for small electronic devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Audio and other devices requiring a connection to an external device, such as headphones, employ connectors which receive a plug. When the plug is inserted into the connector, an electrical connection is formed between the inserted plug and a circuit within the device. 
         [0003]    More particularly, such connectors include a connector housing which physically supports an inserted portion of the plug. The connector housing in turn, generally is connected to a circuit board disposed within the device, and possibly to other structures within the device or the device housing. Forces transmitted to a plug inserted into the connector are transferred first to the connector housing, and then to the circuit board to which the connector housing is attached, and possibly to other structures within the device. 
         [0004]    The size, especially the thickness, of handheld electronic devices continues to shrink. However, accommodating connectors and plugs in handheld devices is a challenge within a thinner profile. Often times these connectors face a side of the device that has a very thin profile making integration of a connector, for example a stereo headset connector, increasingly difficult. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various examples and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present disclosure, in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a front of a handheld electronic device with connectors located on a side; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an expanded view of a connector in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a partial bottom view of the connector in an opening formed in a housing of the handheld electronic device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a connector sleeve disposed within the opening formed in the housing of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the connector sleeve of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is an exploded side view of a connector assembly with a partial circular opening; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is an expanded view of the connector in  FIG. 7  prior to placement within a housing; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is an expanded view of the connector in  FIG. 7  after placement within a housing; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is an exploded side view of another example of a connector assembly with electrical connectors coupled to a connector sleeve into a partial circular opening ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is an exploded side view of another example of a connector assembly with electrical connectors coupled to the housing; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is an exploded side view of another example of a connector assembly with electrical connectors coupled to a connector sleeve inside a full circular opening; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is an exploded side view of another example of a connector assembly with a connector sleeve inside a full circular opening and electrical contacts coupled to a printed circuit board; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a top front perspective view of another example of a connector assembly with a multipart sleeve disposed within the opening formed in the housing; 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is an example flow diagram of fabrication steps for the connector assembly; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a block diagram illustrating a detailed view of a handheld electronic device with a connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    As required, detailed examples are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed examples are merely examples and that the systems and methods described below can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present subject matter in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the concepts. 
         [0023]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as “connected”, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a front of an apparatus  102 , such as a handheld electronic device, with an audio connector  100  located on a side  102 .  FIG. 2  is a side view of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 3  is an expanded view of the connector in  FIG. 2 . Other electronic devices which may advantageously employ a connector  100  include, but are not limited to, cell, radio, or other wireless phone; wired phones, music players, game devices, handheld computers, tablet computers, ebook readers, portable computers; laptop computers, and peripheral devices 
         [0025]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a user  194  grasping apparatus  102 , which as illustrated, is a thin handheld electronic device. In this example the handheld device shown is slightly thicker than a  3 . 5  mm audio connector. Audio connector  100  is positioned along a side surface of apparatus  102 . Apparatus  102  has two connectors  100 ,  190  positioned along one side of apparatus  102 , however any number of connectors may be positioned anywhere upon case  118 . Two mating cases  118 ,  198  are illustrated; however, a single upper case  118  or any number of case portions may be joined to form a complete case. In the example shown, case  118  is provided with a connector  100 . An upper case  118  forms connector aperture  152 , and a lower case  198  forms connector aperture  192 . Line  196  represents a joining mating surface of upper case  118  and lower case  198 , and may form a smooth surface, or may form a relief, as dictated by a desired or practical physical appearance of apparatus  102 . 
         [0026]    With respect to connector  100 , it may be seen that an overall thickness of apparatus  102  is close in size to a diameter or height of aperture  152 , which is possible due to the formation of aperture  152  from case material  116 . With respect to connector  190 , it may be seen that aperture  192  has relatively less height than aperture  152 ; however, an internal structure of connector  190  may require more height than a height of aperture  192 . 
         [0027]    In other examples, as may be seen in  FIG. 3 , the connector aperture  152  is formed within the upper case  118 , and a the lower case  198  may be provided to extend to surround an opening  110  into aperture  152 , or additional strength or protection, or for design or aesthetic purposes. 
         [0028]    In this example, a connector  100  enables a thinner associated apparatus  102 , such as a handheld electronic device because the case  118  itself forms part of the connector as further described below. Connector  100  has a configuration of a headphone connector; however, many varieties of multimedia, data, power, antenna, network connector, outlet or may advantageously be formed in accordance with other examples described herein. A reduction is enabled in the overall size and footprint of a plug or connector  100 , while maintaining the requisite strength and reliability when used within apparatus  102 . Moreover, equivalent or improved reliability is enabled. 
         [0029]    A further advantage is an improvement in tolerance stackup, or the potentially cumulative variation of multiple parts. As a location of connector  100  is closely coupled with housing  116  of apparatus  102 , an orientation of a connector in at least two directional dimensions is reliably established. Further, a reduction of a total parts count is enabled. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , shown is a partial bottom view of the connector in an opening formed in a housing of the apparatus  102 , such as the handheld electronic device discussed above. 
         [0031]    In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , stereo headset connector  100 , for example a a 2.5 or 3.5 mm connector, includes a thin-walled sleeve  104  for receiving a mating 2.5 or 3.5 mm male connector, not shown. Sleeve  104  is thin-walled in that the wall thickness is too thin, using typical prior art materials, to adequately support the manipulations and pressures to which the connector would normally be subjected during typical use, particularly over an extended period of time. 
         [0032]    The example of sleeve  104  illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6  includes non-conductive material. Example materials include polymers, for example polyamide, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride, but may also include, for example, epoxy, phenolic plastics, and ceramics. Sleeve  104  may be made with any insulating material generally considered suitable for the intended connection type. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 4 , conductors  106  are positioned with interior contact portions  108  at locations disposed in an interior  110  of sleeve  104 , each conductor operative to form a current carrying connection with an appropriate portion of a mating plug, for example a mating male connector, inserted within sleeve  104 . Conductors  106  communicate electrical current from interior contact portions  108  to exterior contact portions  112 , located about the exterior of sleeve  104 . One or more passages  142  are provided within sleeve  104  through which conductors  106  may pass. 
         [0034]    Further, in one example, sleeve  104  is press-fit into an opening, socket, or aperture  114  formed, in this example, as a substantially continuous cylindrical extension of the case material  116 . In this manner, case material  116  imparts additional rigidity to sleeve  104 , whereby the assembled aperture  114  and sleeve  104 , act together to form a connector  100  that is sufficiently strong and reliable for an intended use. The aperture  114  as a cylindrical extension to housing or case material  116  forms at least a portion of the case  118 . As such, the aperture  114  formed as cylindrical extension to the case material  116  is designed to be sufficiently thick or rugged to withstand the maximum amount of impact and pressure, or are intended to be, applied to apparatus  102  during use. By inserting at least a portion of sleeve  104  within the aperture  114  formed as cylindrical extension to the case material  116 , sleeve  104  leverages this additional inherent strength, while reducing a required bulk of a suitably strong connector. 
         [0035]    If a gap exists between sleeve  104  and aperture  114 , as in a slip fit, case  118  and/or sleeve  104  would be required to bend before a reinforcement of sleeve  104  by case  118  may take place. Accordingly, a press-fit provides strong support between sleeve  104  and an aperture  114  formed as cylindrical extension to the case material  116  of case  118 . A press-fit, also known as an interference or friction fit, is a close conforming engagement of sleeve  104  and the aperture  114  formed in the case material  116 , whereby the parts are held in relative assembled position by a friction between them. Sleeve  104  undergoes pressure during and after insertion within aperture  104 , and may reduce in diameter or peripheral dimension during positioning. As such, case  118  directly imparts physical strength and support within the cylindrical extension to sleeve  104 , without requiring significant bending of sleeve  104  before supporting contact with case  118  is achieved. It should be understood that a press-fit may be accomplished with non-tubular shapes, and as such, it is not required that sleeve  104  be tubular or rounded. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a connector sleeve disposed within the opening or aperture  114  formed as cylindrical extension to the in the housing  116  of  FIG. 4 . An opening  120  is provided within aperture  114 , in one example, operative to admit passage of exterior contact portions  112  through case material  118  as shown. In this manner, sleeve  104  may be assembled into case  118  or case material  116 , and thereafter an electrical contact may be formed between conductors  106  and circuit conductors  122  associated with other portions of apparatus  102 . 
         [0037]    As may be seen in  FIG. 4 , some of the conductors  106  may have a resilient contact  124  operative to bias exterior contact portions  112  in a direction of circuit conductors  122 , which may, for example, be positioned upon an electronic circuit board, for example a electrical circuit board or printed circuit board (PCB)  126 . In this manner, PCB  126  may be positioned in a specified location within case  118 , and the correct electrical connections are formed between connector  100  and PCB  126 , the connections aligned by respective alignments of connector  100  and PCB  126 , with case  118 . 
         [0038]    Conductors  106  may be fabricated, for example, using brass, phosphor bronze, gold flash, gold, aluminum, steel, or any other conductive material, of suitable thickness for desired reliability, resiliency, and or current carrying capacity. 
         [0039]    In one example, PCB  126  is slid or otherwise positioned into a retaining location within housing  116 , causing the resilient contact  124  to press upon designated contact locations  122  upon PCB  126 . Other examples of resilient contact  124  are further described below in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . Resilient contact  124  may be formed by any known means, including a resilient pad biasing a contact in a direction extending away from sleeve  104 ; a resilient bent or curved portion of metal, for example a bent wire, band, spring, or strip; or, a spring backed blade or pad. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the connector sleeve  104  of  FIG. 5 . The sleeve  104 , in this example, has a blade shaped conductor  106 . The conductor  106  may be resiliently mounted to sleeve  104  as described, or may be relatively rigidly fixed to sleeve  104 . 
         [0041]    Conductors  106  in further designs may further operate to add rigidity to a mounted position of sleeve  104  within housing  116 , and may additionally operate to guide sleeve  104  into a position within housing  116 , or to guide a path of circuit conductors  122 , and to thereby aid in aligning sleeve  104  and a circuit element associated with circuit conductors  122 . 
         [0042]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , shown is an exploded side view of a connector assembly with a partial circular opening. Housing  116  is fabricated to form a press-fit or snap-fit support structure  702  to sleeve  104 . A snap-fit connection herein is a form of press-fit connection where the sleeve  104  is inserted into the opening  120  along support structure  702 . Housing  116  may be fabricated using any suitable known means, including for example molding, injection molding, insert injection molding, rotational molding, slush molding, casting, thermoforming, forming, extrusion encapsulation, lamination, wet or dry layup, extrusion, additive or ablative fabrication, drilling, milling, stamping, or combination thereof. Case material  116  may additionally be formed using a combination of fabrication steps. 
         [0043]    Case material  116 , case portions  118  and  198 , or other connector  100  member, may be fabricated, for example, with a polymer, a metal, a synthetic material, or a composite material. More particularly, examples include plastic; aluminum; steel; magnesium; metal alloy; composite; alloy of polycarbonate resins; Thermocomp DX06313 polycarbonate glass (Thermocomp is a registered trademark of Sabic Innovative Plastics IP, B.V., Netherlands); polyarylamide with filler; IXEF 1622, a polyarylamide with glass filler (IXEF is a registered trademark of Solvay Corp., Belgium); a synthetic resin, or combination thereof. 
         [0044]    An exemplary wall thickness of case  118  is 0.4 mm, although any thickness may be used, for example 0.01 to 10 mm, although the examples are not limited to any particular thickness. 
         [0045]    In  FIGS. 7-9 , snap fit support structure  702  is formed to extend along a substantial portion of the length of sleeve  104 , although support structure  702  may extend to a length longer than sleeve  104 , may be substantially shorter than sleeve  104 , or may be disposed intermittently along sleeve  104 . Snap fit connection is generally of a length sufficient to impart adequate holding and support of sleeve  104  to, for example, provide resistance to bending, or maintenance of alignment of separate parts, for an intended application of connector  100 . 
         [0046]    A stop indent or stop feature  134  may be provided to prevent sleeve  104  from being displaced in a direction along a longitudinal axis of sleeve  104 , cooperative with a mating stop member  138 . In  FIG. 7 , stop feature  134  is a recess or opening, and mating stop member  138  is a protrusion, although a protrusion may be formed on sleeve  104 , and a mating recess formed in case material  116 . Stop feature  134  and mating stop member  138  may be formed anywhere along the length of sleeve  104 , or a stop member may be positioned at an end of sleeve  104 , operative to interfere with movement of an end of sleeve  104  in a longitudinal direction. In an alternative example, stop feature  134  and or mating stop member  138  are not provided. In such designs, as other techniques are used to prevent a movement of sleeve  104  within snap-fit support structure  702 . For example, friction between sleeve  104  and snap-fit support structure  702  may be sufficient, particularly if, in one example, mating surfaces of sleeve  104  and snap-fit structure  702  are roughened, or knurled. Alternatively, an adhesive may be used between mating surfaces of sleeve  104  and snap-fit structure  702 . Other techniques include one or more straps, hooks, fasteners, screws, pins or a combination thereof. 
         [0047]    Alternatively, or in addition to the foregoing, as may be seen in the example of  FIG. 7 , circuit conductors  122  may operate to prevent movement of sleeve  104 , and particularly movement along a longitudinal axis of sleeve  104 . In one example, contact portions  108  extend through snap-fit holder apertures  140  in snap-fit structure  702 , and sleeve contact apertures  142  in sleeve  104 , and thus operate in a similar manner to stop feature  134  and mating stop member  138 , and may alone provide adequate longitudinal fixation, or may contribute to the fixation of the press-fit between sleeve  104  and snap-fit structure  702 . 
         [0048]    Snap-fit structure  702  is formed with a partial cylindrical structure  120  extending an entire length of an opening into a shaped chamber  704 , although may be provided to extend only a portion of the length of shaped chamber  704 . The aperture is sufficiently large, and the case material  116  sufficiently resilient, that sleeve  104  may be forced upwards into chamber  704 , bending case material  116  apart in order to admit sleeve  104 . Once sleeve  104  is seated within chamber  704 , case material  116  may return to a former position, whereby sleeve  104  is advantageously secured within chamber  704  in close fitting conformity with housing or case material  116 . When case material  116  returns to a former position, a snapping sound may be to be emitted, so that an assembly worker may hear an auditory confirmation of a suitable positioning of sleeve  104 . In this example, the sleeve  104  may have thickness to enable a press-fit without deforming while being supported by chamber  704  to provide the requisite strength and reliability during use. 
         [0049]    Turning now to  FIG. 8 , shown is an expanded view of the connector in  FIG. 7  prior to placement within a housing and  FIG. 9  is an expanded view of the connector in  FIG. 7  after placement within a housing. The sleeve  104  is positioned within chamber  704 , and an alternative manner of forming snap-fit structure  702 , in which connector  702  extends laterally from case material  116 . It should thus be understood that connector  702  may be oriented in any of a variety of ways, with respect to a remainder of case  118 , provided sufficient material  116  joins snap-fit structure  702  to case  118  for imparting a required strength to connector  100 . 
         [0050]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , shown is an exploded side view of another example of a connector assembly with electrical connectors coupled to a connector sleeve into a partial circular opening. One or more resilient contacts  124  are initially associated with sleeve  104 . By positioning contact portions  108  into  142 , the assembled sleeve  104  and contact  124  are subsequently inserted into snap-fit structure  702 . Alternatively, shown in  FIG. 11  is an exploded side view of another example of a connector assembly with electrical connectors coupled to the housing. Resilient contacts  124  are initially inserted into chamber  704 , and sleeve  104  is subsequently inserted into chamber  704 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . In either event, it may not be necessary to include snap-fit structure apertures  740 , if resilient contacts  124  are sufficiently thin, or if there is sufficient clearance within chamber  704 . Sleeve  104  may be press-fit or snap-fit within snap-fit structure  702  prior to assembly of PCB  126  into case  118  which mates with case material  116 , or simultaneously therewith. In each case, connectors  106  form required electrical connections with conductors  122  after assembly as described below. 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 11 , two types of PCB conductors are illustrated: resilient contact locations  130 , and pinching contact locations  132 ; however, any combination of non-resilient conductor  122 , resilient contact location  130 , or pinching contact location  132  may be used. Further, any type of conductor  106  or  122 , as described herein, may be positioned on snap-fit structure  702 , sleeve  104 , or PCB  126 , as meets requirements of an intended application, or as benefits the convenience or cost of manufacturing. 
         [0052]    In another example,  FIG. 12  is an exploded side view of a connector assembly with electrical connectors coupled to the housing. In this example, sleeve  104  is eliminated, and a suitably shaped connection aperture  152  is formed within case material  116  of case  118 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 12-13 , connection aperture  152  is formed as a complete tube, although a circumference which is partially complete, but sufficient to retain an inserted mating connector portion, may alternatively be provided. While a tubular aperture is illustrated, it should be understood that connection aperture  152  may have any shape that is operative to mateably retain a mating connector portion. 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 12 , conductors  106  and exterior contact portions  112  extend from case material  116 . More particularly, housing or case  118  forms a substantial portion of an exterior surface of the apparatus, and extends to form the aperture. In one example, case material  116  continuously forms, as a monolithic or unitary piece, a substantial portion of an exterior surface of apparatus  102  and aperture  152 , where aperture  152  extends from an exterior of case  118  towards an interior formed by case  118 . In this manner, the strength and rigidity of case  118  is attributed to aperture  152 . As such, a mechanical force imparted to an inserted connector during use of apparatus  102  is transferred to case  118 , which is sufficiently strong to maintain integrity of aperture  152 , and to reduce or prevent damage to apparatus  102 . 
         [0054]    Conductors  106  may be connected to case  118  by being partially embedded within case material  116 , or may be attached thereto by any suitable means, including for example, adhesive, pins, screws, resilient pressure of conductors  106  within connection aperture  152 , or a conforming fit, or molded within a recess within connection aperture  152 , for example by insert injection molding. Snap-fit holder apertures  140  may be eliminated if conductors  106  are molded within case material  116 , or if conductors  106  pass through connection aperture  152 . In each example, conductors  106  are supported along at least a portion of their length by case material  116 . 
         [0055]    Alternatively, as may be seen in  FIG. 13 , shown is an exploded side view of another example of a connector assembly with a connector sleeve inside a full circular opening and electrical contacts  108  coupled to a PCB  126 . The contact portions  108  enter connection aperture  152 , where they may contact a mating connector portion inserted within connection aperture  152 . In this example, conductors are advantageously correctly positioned as a result of assembling PCB  126  or other structure supporting conductors  106 , when the supporting structure is aligned and assembled into case  118 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 14  is a top front perspective view of another example of a connector assembly with a multipart sleeve  1402  disposed within the aperture  152  in case  118 . Separate multipart sections  1402  may be insulated from each other in accordance with the requirements of the application of connector  100 . Insulation may be accomplished, for example, by spacing  1404  between sections  1402 , by providing one or more insulating rings  1406 , by insulating protrusions, projections  1408  in case material  116  or a combination thereof. The one or more sections  1402  may be assembled within case material  116  during manufacturing of case  118 , for example by insert injection molding, by being press-fit, adhered within a bore or connection aperture  152  in case material  116 , or a combination thereof. Conductors  106  may be formed in case material  116  by insert injection molding, may be molded within material  116 , or incorporated by any of the manufacturing methods described herein. 
         [0057]    One or more electrostatic discharge (ESD) shields  1412  may be positioned relative to any of the examples of connector  100 , to reduce a potential for interference from, or to, a signal passing through connector  100 . 
         [0058]    Turning now to  FIG. 15 , shown is a flow diagram of example for fabricating the connector assembly. The process begins in step  1602  and immediately proceeds to step  1604 , in which a mold is filled with a material to form an exterior housing of an apparatus. The mold includes an aperture extending from the interior of the apparatus to the exterior of the apparatus. The aperture is dimensioned to receive an insertable portion of the electrical connector. The house is designed to withstand mechanical stress imparted to the insertable portion of the housing. Next, in step  1606 , an electrical conductor is inserted into the aperture. In one example, the electrical conductor has a length extending from a position communicating with the interior of the apparatus to a position away from the interior of the apparatus. The electrical conductor is supported along at least a portion of its length by the aperture in the material. The conductor forms an electrical connection with an insertable portion of the electrical connector. In an optional step,  1608 , at least one conductive sleeve is pushed into the aperture to form a press-fit connection between the aperture and the sleeve. The fabrication process ends in step  1610 . 
         [0059]    Turning now to  FIG. 16 , shown is a block diagram of a handheld electronic device and associated components  1600  that may house connector  100 . In this example, a handheld electronic device  1652  is a wireless two-way communication device with voice and data communication capabilities. Such electronic devices communicate with a wireless voice or data network  1650  using a suitable wireless communications protocol. Wireless voice communications are performed using either an analog or digital wireless communication channel. Data communications allow the electronic device  1652  to communicate with other computer systems via the Internet. Examples of electronic devices that are able to incorporate the above described systems and methods include, for example, a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appliance or a data communication device that may or may not include telephony capabilities. 
         [0060]    The illustrated electronic device  1652  is an example electronic device that includes two-way wireless communications functions. Such electronic devices incorporate communication subsystem elements such as a wireless transmitter  1610 , a wireless receiver  1612 , and associated components such as one or more antenna elements  1614  and  1616 . A digital signal processor (DSP)  1608  performs processing to extract data from received wireless signals and to generate signals to be transmitted. The particular design of the communication subsystem is dependent upon the communication network and associated wireless communications protocols with which the device is intended to operate. 
         [0061]    The electronic device  1652  includes a microprocessor  1602  that controls the overall operation of the electronic device  1652 . The microprocessor  1602  interacts with the above described communications subsystem elements and also interacts with other device subsystems such as flash memory  1606 , random access memory (RAM)  1604 , auxiliary input/output (I/O) device  1638 , data port  1628 , display  1634 , keyboard  1636 , speaker  1632 , microphone  1630 , a short-range communications subsystem  1620 , a power subsystem  1622 , and any other device subsystems. 
         [0062]    A battery  1624  is connected to a power subsystem  1622  to provide power to the circuits of the electronic device  1652 . The power subsystem  1622  includes power distribution circuitry for providing power to the electronic device  1652  and also contains battery charging circuitry to manage recharging the battery  1624 . The power subsystem  1622  includes a battery monitoring circuit that is operable to provide a status of one or more battery status indicators, such as remaining capacity, temperature, voltage, electrical current consumption, and the like, to various components of the electronic device  1652 . 
         [0063]    The data port  1628  of one example is a receptacle connector  104  or a connector to which an electrical and optical data communications circuit connector  1600  engages and mates, as described above. The data port  1628  is able to support data communications between the electronic device  1652  and other devices through various modes of data communications, such as high speed data transfers over an optical communications circuits or over electrical data communications circuits such as a USB connection incorporated into the data port  1628  of some examples. Data port  1628  is able to support communications with, for example, an external computer or other device. 
         [0064]    Data communication through data port  1628  enables a user to set preferences through the external device or through a software application and extends the capabilities of the device by enabling information or software exchange through direct connections between the electronic device  1652  and external data sources rather then via a wireless data communication network. In addition to data communication, the data port  1628  provides power to the power subsystem  1622  to charge the battery  1624  or to supply power to the electronic circuits, such as microprocessor  1602 , of the electronic device  1652 . 
         [0065]    Operating system software used by the microprocessor  1602  is stored in flash memory  1606 . Further examples are able to use a battery backed-up RAM or other non-volatile storage data elements to store operating systems, other executable programs, or both. The operating system software, device application software, or parts thereof, are able to be temporarily loaded into volatile data storage such as RAM  1604 . Data received via wireless communication signals or through wired communications are also able to be stored to RAM  1604 . 
         [0066]    The microprocessor  1602 , in addition to its operating system functions, is able to execute software applications on the electronic device  1652 . A specified set of applications that control basic device operations, including at least data and voice communication applications, is able to be installed on the electronic device  1652  during manufacture. Examples of applications that are able to be loaded onto the device may be a personal information manager (PIM) application having the ability to organize and manage data items relating to the device user, such as, but not limited to, e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. 
         [0067]    Further applications may also be loaded onto the electronic device  1652  through, for example, the wireless network  1650 , an auxiliary I/O device  1638 , data port  1628 , short-range communications subsystem  1620 , or any combination of these interfaces. Such applications are then able to be installed by a user in the RAM  1604  or a non-volatile store for execution by the microprocessor  1602 . 
         [0068]    In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message or web page download is processed by the communication subsystem, including wireless receiver  1612  and wireless transmitter  1610 , and communicated data is provided the microprocessor  1602 , which is able to further process the received data for output to the display  1634 , or alternatively, to an auxiliary I/O device  1638  or the data port  1628 . A user of the electronic device  1652  may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using the keyboard  1636 , which is able to include a complete alphanumeric keyboard or a telephone-type keypad, in conjunction with the display  1634  and possibly an auxiliary I/O device  1638 . Such composed items are then able to be transmitted over a communication network through the communication subsystem. 
         [0069]    For voice communications, overall operation of the electronic device  1652  is substantially similar, except that received signals are generally provided to a speaker  1632  and signals for transmission are generally produced by a microphone  1630 . Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on the electronic device  1652 . Although voice or audio signal output is generally accomplished primarily through the speaker  1632 , the display  1634  may also be used to provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information, for example. 
         [0070]    Depending on conditions or statuses of the electronic device  1652 , one or more particular functions associated with a subsystem circuit may be disabled, or an entire subsystem circuit may be disabled. For example, if the battery temperature is low, then voice functions may be disabled, but data communications, such as e-mail, may still be enabled over the communication subsystem. 
         [0071]    A short-range communications subsystem  1620  provides for data communication between the electronic device  1652  and different systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-range communications subsystem  1620  includes an infrared device and associated circuits and components or a Radio Frequency based communication module such as one supporting Bluetooth® communications, to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices, including the data file transfer communications described above. 
         [0072]    A media reader  1660  is able to be connected to an auxiliary I/O device  1638  to allow, for example, loading computer readable program code of a computer program product into the electronic device  1652  for storage into flash memory  1606 . One example of a media reader  1660  is an optical drive such as a CD/DVD drive, which may be used to store data to and read data from a computer readable medium or storage product such as computer readable storage media  1662 . Examples of suitable computer readable storage media include optical storage media such as a CD or DVD, magnetic media, or any other suitable data storage device. Media reader  1660  is alternatively able to be connected to the electronic device through the data port  1628  or computer readable program code is alternatively able to be provided to the electronic device  1652  through the wireless network  1650 . The auxiliary I/O device  1638  in one example includes connector  100 . 
       NON-LIMITING EXAMPLES 
       [0073]    Although specific examples of the subject matter have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter. The scope of the disclosure is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific examples, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and examples within the scope of the present disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8