Abstract:
A modular device system includes a base portable electronic communication device and an add-on module. A multi-pin connector array on the base portable electronic communication device includes multiple connectors supporting one or more data speeds and other functionality. The array is configured and located to electrically connect to a mating array on the add-on module when the add-on module is mated to the base portable electronic communication device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/348,121, filed on Jun. 9, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is related generally to mobile communication devices, and, more particularly, to a system and method for interconnecting devices in a modular portable device system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In keeping with an embodiment of the disclosed principles, a modular device system is provided having a base portable electronic communication device with a multi-pin connector array, the connector array having multiple pins supporting multiple data speeds between and including low speed data and high speed data, wherein the multi-pin connector array is configured and located to electrically connect to a mating array on a module device when the module device is mated to the base portable electronic communication device. The base portable electronic communication device further includes out-of-band hardware RFR for SPI. In an alternative embodiment, the base portable electronic communication device includes support for in-band ACK/NACK for SPI. 
         [0004]    Other features and aspects of embodiments of the disclosed principles will be appreciated from the detailed disclosure taken in conjunction with the included figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    While the appended claims set forth the features of the present techniques with particularity, these techniques, together with their objects and advantages, may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic of an example configuration of device components with respect to which embodiments of the presently disclosed principles may be implemented; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a view of a first device, e.g., a mobile phone, tablet or other processor-based device, and a second device, e.g., an add-on module providing additional functionality or capabilities, showing the back of the first device and the front of the second device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a phone and module in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing interconnection pin groupings in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram showing a 2-pin interconnection pin grouping in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing a 3-pin interconnection pin grouping in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing a 5-pin interconnection pin grouping in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing a  7 -pin interconnection pin grouping in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram showing an alternative 7-pin interconnection pin grouping in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram showing a 9-pin interconnection pin grouping in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a schematic circuit diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles showing out-of-band hardware RFR for SPI; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a timing diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles pertaining to in-band ACK/NACK for SPI; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is another timing diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles pertaining to in-band ACK/NACK for SPI. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Turning now to a more detailed discussion in conjunction with the attached figures, the techniques of the present disclosure are illustrated as being implemented in a suitable computing environment. The following device description is based on embodiments and examples of the disclosed principles and should not be taken as limiting the claims with regard to alternative embodiments that are not explicitly described herein. Thus, for example, while FIG.  1  illustrates an example mobile device within which embodiments of the disclosed principles may be implemented, it will be appreciated that other device types may be used. 
         [0020]    The schematic diagram of  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary component group  110  forming part of an environment within which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. In particular, the component group  110  includes exemplary components that may be employed in a device corresponding to the first device or phone, and the second device. It will be appreciated that additional or alternative components may be used in a given implementation depending upon user preference, component availability, price point, and other considerations. 
         [0021]    In the illustrated embodiment, the components  110  include a display screen  120 , applications (e.g., programs)  130 , a processor  140 , a memory  150 , one or more input components  160  (user input receiver) such as speech and text input facilities, and one or more output components  170  such as text and audible output facilities, e.g., one or more speakers. In an embodiment, the input components  160  include a physical or virtual keyboard maintained or displayed on a surface of the device. In various embodiments motion sensors, proximity sensors, camera/IR sensors and other types of sensors may be used to collect certain types of input information such as user presence, user gestures and so on. 
         [0022]    The processor  140  may be any of a microprocessor, microcomputer, application-specific integrated circuit, and like structures. For example, the processor  140  can be implemented by one or more microprocessors or controllers from any desired family or manufacturer. Similarly, the memory  150  may reside on the same integrated circuit as the processor  140 . Additionally or alternatively, the memory  150  may be accessed via a network, e.g., via cloud-based storage. The memory  150  may include a random access memory (i.e., Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRM) or any other type of random access memory device or system). Additionally or alternatively, the memory  150  may include a read only memory (i.e., a hard drive, flash memory or any other desired type of memory device). 
         [0023]    The information that is stored by the memory  150  can include program code associated with one or more operating systems or applications as well as informational data, e.g., program parameters, process data, etc. The operating system and applications are typically implemented via executable instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., memory  150 ) to control basic functions of the electronic device. Such functions may include, for example, interaction among various internal components and storage and retrieval of applications and data to and from the memory  150 . 
         [0024]    Further with respect to the applications  130 , these typically utilize the operating system to provide more specific functionality, such as file system services and handling of protected and unprotected data stored in the memory  150 . Although some applications may provide standard or required functionality of the user device  110 , in other cases applications provide optional or specialized functionality, and may be supplied by third party vendors or the device manufacturer. 
         [0025]    Finally, with respect to informational data, e.g., program parameters and process data, this non-executable information can be referenced, manipulated, or written by the operating system or an application. Such informational data can include, for example, data that are preprogrammed into the device during manufacture, data that are created by the device or added by the user, or any of a variety of types of information that are uploaded to, downloaded from, or otherwise accessed at servers or other devices with which the device is in communication during its ongoing operation. The device  110  also includes a camera module  180 , which is linked to a device camera. 
         [0026]    In an embodiment, a power supply  190 , such as a battery or fuel cell, is included for providing power to the device  110  and its components. All or some of the internal components communicate with one another by way of one or more shared or dedicated internal communication links  195 , such as an internal bus. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, the device  110  is programmed such that the processor  140  and memory  150  interact with the other components of the device  110  to perform certain functions. The processor  140  may include or implement various modules and execute programs for initiating different activities such as launching an application, transferring data, and toggling through various graphical user interface objects (e.g., toggling through various display icons that are linked to executable applications). 
         [0028]    Applications and software reside on a tangible non-transitory medium, e.g., RAM, ROM or flash memory, as computer-readable instructions. The device  110 , via its processor  140 , runs the applications and software by retrieving and executing the appropriate computer-readable instructions. 
         [0029]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , this figure illustrates a simplified view of the phone  200  and the module  201 , showing the back  203  of the phone  200  and the mating front  205  of the module  201  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles. In the illustrated example, each device  200 ,  201  includes a connector array  207 ,  209 . Although each connector array  207 ,  209  is shown as a  16 -pin connector array, it will be appreciated that other numbers of pins may be used. Although not detailed in the figure, one of the connector arrays  207 ,  209  will typically include spring-loaded male pins while the other  207 ,  209  will typically include corresponding female sockets or contacts. The phone  200  also includes one or more antennas  231 ,  233 . 
         [0030]    In the illustrated embodiment, an alignment socket  211  is included within the connector array  207  on the phone  200 , for mating with a matching alignment pin  215  on the module  201 . A second alignment point is provided by a camera protrusion  219  on the phone  200 , which is configured and located to fit with a mating circular opening  221  in the module  201 . In an embodiment, the camera protrusion  219  contains the main camera of the device  200  as well as one or more flash LEDs. In an embodiment, the camera protrusion  219  also includes a laser range-finder for faster focus of the main camera. 
         [0031]    As noted above, although other camera protrusion shapes are usable and are contemplated herein, a circular shape will be used for the sake of example. Depending upon tolerances in a given implementation, a non-circular camera protrusion may provide a degree of rotational alignment as well and may limit or eliminate the need for other alignment features. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, a set of magnets  223 ,  225 ,  227 ,  229  is embedded in the front of the module  201 . These magnets  223 ,  225 ,  227 ,  229  may be retained on an inner surface of this cosmetic sheet. These magnets may be encased in a steel shroud such that the magnetic field is focused to one side of the magnet assembly rather than extending to both sides. In an embodiment, these magnets  223 ,  225 ,  227 ,  229  attract the steel surface of the back  203  of the phone  200  so as to hold the devices  200 ,  201  together once the devices  200 ,  201  are in close proximity. The magnets  223 ,  225 ,  227 ,  229  may be of ceramic, neodymium or other type. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the phone  200  and the module  201  in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles. As briefly shown in the side view of  FIG. 3 , when the phone  200  and the module  201  are docked together, the camera protrusion  219  fits into the mating opening  221  in the module  201 . In addition, the contact array  207  of the phone  200  mates with the contact array  209  of the module  201  in this configuration. 
         [0034]    Ideally the combined device acts as one, using the connections provided by the mating contact arrays  207 ,  209 . In particular, the contact arrays  207 ,  209  are used in various embodiments to exchange data, commands, power, control signals and so on. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a schematic map of the individual connectors of the connector arrays  207 ,  209  in an embodiment of the disclosed principles. The connectors include B+ ( 401 ), GND (x 2 ) ( 403 ,  405 ), VBUS ( 407 ), CC ( 409 ), SPI CS N  12 C SDA ( 411 ), SPI CLK  12 C SCL ( 413 ), MPHY TXp ( 415 ), MPHY TXm ( 417 ), MPHY RXp ( 419 ), MPHY RXm ( 421 ), USB Dp ( 423 ), USB Dm ( 425 ), SPI MISO ( 427 ), SPI MOSI ( 429 ) and myDP CWIRE ( 431 ). Though not necessarily to scale, the alignment socket  211  is shown as well in  FIG. 4  in order to convey the directionality of the elements. 
         [0036]    The connectors MPHY TXp ( 415 ), MPHY TXm ( 417 ), MPHY RXp ( 419 ) and MPHY RXm ( 421 ) are used to transfer High Speed Data/Digital Audio between the phone and the module when appropriate. The USB Dp ( 423 ) and USB Dm ( 425 ) connectors are used for USB 2 . 0 , while the myDP CWIRE ( 431 ) connector provides Mobility Display Port data. The SPI CS N  12 C SDA ( 411 ), SPI CLK  12 C SCL ( 413 ), SPI MISO ( 427 ) and SPI MOSI ( 429 ) connectors serve Low Speed Data exchanges, while the B+( 401 ) and CC ( 409 ) connectors provide power and command/control respectively. Finally, the VBUS ( 407 ) connector provides charging, via the exchange of current at appropriate voltage between the phone and module. 
         [0037]    Not all systems need to include all connectors, so it is useful to consider what capabilities are enabled by various connector groupings. A two-pin module may have only the B+ ( 401 ) and CC ( 409 ) connectors, as shown in the group  501  in  FIG. 5 . Such a system would be able to provide a one-wire comm bus, phone-powered module, operating at variable data rates using a protocol such as Greybus. 
         [0038]    Similarly, a three-pin module may have the B+ ( 401 ) and CC ( 409 ) connectors, as well as the VBUS ( 407 ) connector, as shown in the group  601  in  FIG. 6 . In addition to the capabilities provided by a two-pin interface, such a system would also be able to provide for a self-powered module and charging between the devices. A five-pin connector group  701  as shown in  FIG. 7  would be able to provide, in addition to the capabilities of a three-pin interface, I 2 C communications and a  400 kbps data rate for Greybus communications or the like. 
         [0039]    Continuing, a seven-pin interface including the SPI MISO ( 427 ) and SPI MOSI ( 429 ) connectors, as shown in the group  801  in  FIG. 8 , would add additional capabilities including SPI communications and data rates of  20 Mbps. Alternatively, a seven-pin interface including the USB Dp ( 423 ) and USB Dm ( 425 ) connectors, as shown in the group  901  in  FIG. 9 , would add additional capabilities including USB 2 . 0  communications and data rates of  480  Mbps. 
         [0040]    A nine-pin interface might include both the SPI MISO ( 427 ) and SPI MOSI ( 429 ) connectors and the USB Dp ( 423 ) and USB Dm ( 425 ) connectors, as shown in the group  1001  of  FIG. 10 . This interface would add additional capabilities including SPI and USB2.0 communications as well as data rates of  20 Mbps and  480  Mbps. A ten-pin interface that further includes the myDP CWIRE ( 431 ) connector would additionally provide myDP communications as well as display and embedded audio capabilities. 
         [0041]    Finally, a  14 -pin interface that includes all pins except the ground pins ( 403 ,  405 ) would support full capabilities including 1-wire, I2C, SPI, USB2.0, USB3.1, myDP, Unipro and I2S communications, phone-powered and self-powered module operation, charging, Greybus, raw audio, embedded audio, display and camera capabilities, and data rates of 400 kbps, 20 Mbps, 480 Mbps and 5 Gbps. 
         [0042]    The module and base device architectures with respect to the connector array may be as shown in  FIG. 11 . In particular,  FIG. 11  is a schematic circuit diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles showing out-of-band hardware RFR for SPI. Of note is the “SOF” input to PLD “Hyde Signal.”  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate various communication timing scenarios in keeping with embodiments of the disclosed principles with respect to in-band ACK/NACK for SPI. 
         [0043]    It will be appreciated that a system and method for improved connectivity in a modular system have been described herein. However, in view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the present disclosure may be applied, it should be recognized that the embodiments described herein with respect to the drawing figures are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the claims. Therefore, the techniques as described herein contemplate all such embodiments as may come within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.