Abstract:
A data card connector ( 43 ) is disclosed which comprises a housing defining an aperture for receiving a data card with contacts, electrical connectors ( 14 ) for engaging the data card contacts to couple the data card contacts to an electronic device, and a cover ( 12 ) moveable between an open position and a closed position. The data card connector further comprises an indicator ( 19,20 ) for indicating when the cover is in the closed position. When the cover is in this closed position, the contacts of the data card are connected to the electronic device and electric connection between the data card and the electronic device may be affects.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a 371 of PCT/IB99/01766, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a connector for a data card, in particular to a data card connector for transferring data between a communication device and a data card. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Data cards take various forms and those used, for example, in cellular phones, may include passive memory cards (i.e., especially a ROM) or an active processor card. An example of the latter is a smart card, which includes a memory as an integrated circuit, commonly referred to as a “chip”, in which information is stored. The smart card may contain a subscriber identity module (SIM). Also, in addition to the subscriber identity information, such as a subscriber identifying telephone number, and personal identification number (PIN), the smart card may store for example, call charge information (i.e., a charge meter), a telephone number index, or false pin entries. 
     SIM cards are currently available in two sizes. The functionality of the SIM is the same for each, it is essentially that the physical dimensions are different. One is a credit card size SIM, and the other is a plug in SIM about 15 mm by 20 mm. 
     Other active processor cards include expansion cards which typically provide a communication device with additional functions, such as a modem function, or provide a driver for an external device. 
     Traditional data card holders are placed inside communication devices like mobile phones. Usually the battery pack powering the phone electronics has to be removed and the SIM card can be inserted by the user into a SIM card reader compartment which is closed by a cover or any other holding mechanism. After insertion of the card the battery pack is put in place and the users activates the power key of the phone. Now a microprocessor starts reading out information from the SIM card and asks the user for example for entering his PIN number if this application is activated. After the user has entered the correct PIN number the phone registers to the cellular network with the phone number read out from the SIM card and a phone calls can be established. 
     Other kinds of mobile phones, namely those phones which are mainly used in cars today and therefore now referred as to car phones, comprise usually a fixed unit installed at any convenient place in the car, e.g., in the boot and a handset comprising usually a keyboard and a display for operating the car phone and a loudspeaker and a microphone for communication. 
     The handset can for example be stored in a handset holder within the armrest besides the driver or at the dashboard of the car when it is not to be used. The car phone could be further equipped with devices for handsfree operation of the car phone and handsfree communication. 
     In early times the car phones usually provided a compartment for the SIM card in the fixed unit, but as this is fixed, e.g., installed in the boot of the car, it is inconvenient for the user to insert the card. As an alternative the SIM card compartment could be positioned inside the handset holder or within the handset itself. In the latter case usually a credit card sized SIM card is slidably engaged into the card holder of the handset. 
     However, because of the sliding movement of the card relative to the contacts of the card holder this way, there is a risk that the contacts, possibly even the contact pads on the card, may be damaged. 
     A variety of patent applications are published (e.g., GB 2 250 846) disclosing data card holders wherein the SIM card is inserted into a card receiving cover which is hingedly mounted on the main body of the communication device and on closing the cover the SIM card is pressed into the holder compartment and thereby the contacts of the SIM card are coupled to the contacts within the card holder. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,609 to Braun et al. describes a way in which a SIM card may be shielded during use. This is achieved by using a conductive SIM card holder, and electrically grounding the conductive holder. 
     Handheld mobile phones where the battery pack is usually removed before the SIM card can be inserted are powered off during this procedure. Car phones with a handset comprising a SIM card reader are not necessarily powered of as the car phone is connected to the car battery all the time. This could lead to an undefined condition of the car phone electronics, especially while the SIM card is slidably engaged to the card reader because not all contacts of the SIM card might be coupled to the SIM card reader contacts during insertion or, even worse, the SIM card contacts are coupled to the wrong SIM card reader contacts during insertion of the SIM card which may also damage the SIM card. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention there is provided a data card connector comprising: a housing defining an aperture for receiving a data card; and electrical connectors for coupling a data card and a cover movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the data card connector further comprises an indicator for indicating whether the cover is in the open position or in the closed position. 
     By this indicator it is secured that the contacts between the data card and the data card connector are closed before any data contact from other electronics, e.g., electronics to read out the data card, is made to the data card before the cover is in the closed position. Furthermore the power supply for the data card can for example be turned on after it is indicated that the cover is in the closed position. Any damages to the data card because of unsecure electrical contact to the data card during the insertion of the data card is prohibited. 
     The indicator is preferably a switch. The switch can for example be in the closed position when the cover is closed or in the opened position when the cover is open. 
     Preferably the switch comprises electrical contact elements in the cover and the aperture for receiving the data card. When the cover is opened the contacts in the aperture and in the cover are not connected with each other and the switch is open. After the cover is closed the contacts have contact with each other and the switch is closed and indicated the cover closed position. 
     The construction of the switch preferably comprises a contact plate at the inner surface which is directed towards the aperture and the aperture comprises two contact springs directed towards the cover and when the cover is in the closed position the contact plate connects the contact springs for indicating the cover closed position. 
     Further the indicator indicates the cover position to a control unit and the control unit establishes a data connection to the electrical connectors upon cover-closed indication. This control unit could be a microprocessor that reads out a subscriber identifying telephone number and/or the personal identification number (PIN). 
     The data connection between the data card and the control unit is established when the data card is inserted and the cover-closed position is indicated. 
     Furthermore the control unit generates a data-card-missing signal after the data connection to the electrical connectors is established and no data card is inserted and the cover-closed position is indicated. 
     The cover of the data card is preferably slidably engageable with the housing to close off the aperture. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention the cover applies a force to the data card which presses the data card into the aperture and this way the data card contacts against the electrical connectors during the sliding engagement from the cover open to the cover closed position. 
     Preferably the cover comprises at least one guiding rail applying the force for pressing down the data card. 
     The longitudinal movement of the data card is limited by stops when the cover is sliding from the cover open position to the cover closed position and when the cover is in the closed position. 
     Preferably the data card contacts are coupled to the electrical connectors during the sliding engagement from the cover open to the closed position before the indication means indicate the cover closed position. 
     According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an interface for a communication device comprising a data card connector for the transfer of data between the card and the device. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a communication device comprising such an interface. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, of which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a handset belonging to a communication device comprising a data card connector according to an embodiment of the invention 
     FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of the handset of FIG. 1 with the inventive data card connector with the cover in a closed position 
     FIG. 3 shows the back view of the handset with the data card connector with the cover in the opened position 
     FIG. 4 shows a plug-in SIM card 
     FIGS. 5 a - 5   e  show detailed and enlarged perspective views of the back of the handset with the cover of the data card connector in different positions 
     FIGS. 6 a - 6   d  show section views along line A—A of the handset with the cover in different positions 
     FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  show section view along line B—B of the handset with the cover in an opened and in a closed position 
     FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the communication device with a schematic view of the data card connector according to the invention 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a handset  1  of a communication device, like a car telephone, with a front cover  2 , a back cover  3 , a display  4 , on/off key  5 , a field with three control keys  6  and a numerical keypad  7 . The handset is connected to the other electronic parts of a mobile telephone such as is shown in FIG.  8 . 
     The backside of the handset  1  of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG.  2  and FIG. 3, and in more detail in FIGS. 5 a  to  5   e.    
     FIG. 2 shows the backside of the handset with the data card connector  43  in a closed position, i.e., the cover  12  of the data card connector  43  is closed. Furthermore openings  9  for a loudspeaker, an opening for a microphone  10  and notches  11  for holding the telephone in a holding mechanism are illustrated. 
     The cover  12  of the data card connector  43  is opened by sliding the cover  12  into the direction of the arrow  12   a  which is printed on the cover. The sliding is simplified for the user by the grip lines  12   b  on the cover  12 . The handset  1  with the cover  12  in the closed position is shown in FIG.  2 . Within the data card connector  43  a contact field  14  with six electrical contacts  13  and a hole  18  for connecting the front cover  2  and the back cover  3  with a screw is illustrated. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a Plug-In SIM card  15  as it can be inserted into the aperture of the data card connector  43  of the handset  1 . The SIM card  5  comprises a contact field  16  with six electrical contacts  17 . Within the SIM card  15  a microprocessor unit and a memory is integrated which contains for example user identification information and phone book entries. The contents of the memory can be read out by the phone electronics when the SIM card  15  is inserted into the data card connector  43  of the handset. In order to take care that the user always puts the SIM card  15  into the data card connector  43  in the right orientation, the SIM card  15  comprises an edge  31  which fits with the edge  30  within the data card connector  43 . 
     FIGS. 5 a - 5   e  show the backside of the handset  1  in an enlarged view compared to FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 5 a , the data card connector  43  cover  12  is in the closed position as in FIG.  2 . The lines A—A and B—B refer to the section views of FIG. 6 (A—A) and FIG. 7 (B—B). 
     FIG. 5 b  shows the data card connector  43  in the opened position with an inserted SIM card  15 . The SIM card is lifted up by the electrical contacts  13  by a few millimeters and can be easily removed by the user. A detailed perspective view of the opened data card connector  43  with the SIM card  15  removed is shown in FIG. 5 c.    
     In FIG. 5 d , the cover  12  of the data card connector  43  is removed from the handset  1  and the backside of the cover is shown. During normal operation the removal of the cover  12  is prevented by catches  23   a  and  23   b . During normal operation, i.e., the cover  12  is slid between its opened and closed position, the catches  23   a ,  24   a  and  24   b  are shifted within the notches  22 . In the cover-closed position the catches  24   b  keep the cover in the closed position in conjunction with notch  23   b . When the cover is in the opened position, the notches  23   a  and  24   b  keep the cover in the opened position and avoid that the cover can be removed totally from the handset. 
     FIG. 5 d  further illustrates stops  26  for the SIM card  15 . The stops  26  mark the right end position when the SIM card  15  is inserted. 
     When the cover is in the closed position, the stop  25  is pressed against the right side of the catches  23   b . The cover comprises two leads  32  at its right and left end, which slide in the guides  33  of the back cover  3  of the handset  1 . 
     Two guides  21 , placed at the inner side of the cover  12  press down the plugin SIM Card  15  against the SIM card reader contacts  14  when a SIM card  15  is inserted and the cover  12  is in the closed position. 
     As it can be seen in FIG. 5 c  in connection with FIG. 5 d  and  5   a , a switch, consisting of the two electrical contacts  19  and a metal plate  20  is below cover  12  when the cover  12  is in the closed position. When the cover  12  is in the open position, the metal plate  20  is not in contact with the two electrical contacts  19 . When the cover is in the closed position, the metal plate  20  connects the electrical contacts  19  with each other and this way the switch is closed. 
     This function is better explained with reference to the drawings of FIGS. 6 and 7. 
     FIG. 5 e  presents a slightly different construction of the data card connector  43  as it is presented in FIG. 5 b . In addition to the construction presented in the FIGS. 5 a  to  5   d , the connector  43  comprises an elastic plastic part  36  with a projection  35  at the left end. The projection  35  presses down an inserted Plug-in S 1 M card when the cover  12  is in the opened position. The SIM card  15  can only be taken out from the connector  43  when the user shifts the elastic plastic part  36  together with the projection  35  into the direction of the arrow. This way the SIM card  15  is released and can be removed. After the SIM card is removed the elastic part  36  moves back into its initial state. 
     For inserting a SIM card  15 , the card is simply pressed down and the projection  35  moves automatically into the direction of the arrow and gives the way free for the SIM card  15 . When the SIM card  15  is in the final position the projection  35  keeps the card in this position. 
     The FIGS. 6 a  to  6   d  give a detailed overview about the function of the data card connector  43  during the insertion of a SIM card into the data card connector  43 . 
     FIG. 6 a  shows a cross section view (A—A) of FIG. 5 a  of the handset  1 . The cover  12  is in the open position and no SIM card is inserted into the data card connector  43 . 
     FIG. 6 b  shows the first step of the insertion of a SIM card  15 . The user first presses the card with the right side against the stops  26  with a force in the direction of arrow (a). In the next step the user shifts the cover  12  into direction (b). This way the SIM card  15  is pressed down onto the SIM card reader contacts  14  by the guides  21  as shown in FIG. 6 c . In FIG. 6 c  the cover  12  is half way closed and the SIM card  15  is pressed onto the contacts  14 . The electrical contacts  19  are not connected with the metal plate  20  at this stage. 
     In FIG. 6 d , the cover is in the closed position and the contacts  19  are connected with the metal plate  20 , this way the switch comprising the contacts  19  and the metal plate  20  is closed. It is indicated that the cover is in the closed position and the SIM card  15  is in contact with the SIM card reader contacts  14 . The stop  25  prevents that the cover  12  can be shifted further to the left by the user. 
     FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  show a second section view (B—B) of the data card connector  43 . In FIG. 7 a , the data card connector  43  is in the opened position. The cover  12  with the guides  21  and leads  33 , which is in the background at this stage, is drawn with dashed lines. In addition to FIG. 6 a , printed circuit board  27  is shown where the SIM card reader contacts  14  are placed on. 
     In FIG. 7 b , a SIM card  15  is inserted into the data card connector  43  and the cover  12  is in the closed position. The electrical contacts  14  are in contact with the contact fields  17  of the SIM card  15  and the electrical contacts  19  are connected through metal plate  20 . 
     FIG. 8 finally shows the electrical function of the data card connector  43  working together with the phone electronics  34 ′. As shown in FIG. 1, the handset  1  is connected with the phone electronics by a connector  8 . The phone electronics  34  basically comprise a control unit  36 , which could be a microprocessor for example, connected with a memory  37 , e.g., a RAM and/or ROM. To facilitate the radio frequency connection to a cellular telephone network, a radio frequency transceiver  38  is used together with an external antenna  39 , which can be, placed somewhere outside the car when the phone is used in a car. A battery  35 , e.g., the car battery, powers the electronics. The phone electronics  34  further comprise an audio driver  40 , a display driver  41  and a keyboard driver  42  for exchanging signals with the handset  1  through connector  8 . The connection to the handset  1  to the phone electronics is known to a person skilled in the art and therefore not further illustrated in FIG.  8 . 
     The basic elements of the data card connector  43  illustrated in FIG. 8 are the SIM card contact field  13  comprising the SIM card contacts  14  and the switch  44  comprising the contacts  19  and the metal plate  20 . The SIM card contact field  13  is connected to the control unit  36  by the data bus  28  and the switch  44  is connected to the control unit  36  by the lines  29 . The data bus  28  and the lines  29  are part of the connector &amp; between handset  1  and phone electronics  34  which is schematically illustrated with a dashed oval. 
     When the cover  12  of the data card connector  43  is closed the switch  44  is also closed and this state is indicated to the microprocessor  36 . The microprocessor now starts to read out the SIM Card  15 , which is now connected with the SIM contact field  13 . For reading out the SIM card  15 , it is necessary first to supply a voltage to the electrical contacts which is used for powering the electronic parts within the SIM card  15 . This is done by the microprocessor after it has received the signal from switch  44  that the cover is closed. 
     When the cover  12  is closed but no SIM card  15  is inserted, the microprocessor also powers one of the SIM card reader contacts and tries to read out the SIM card contents but notices immediately that no card is inserted. At this stage the microprocessor might initiate a message to the user through display driver  41  and display  4  that a SIM card is missing and should be inserted into the handset before the communication device can be used. 
     This way it is also prevented that any of the SIM card contacts  14  is powered before the cover  12  is in the closed position irrespective if a SIM card is inserted or not. Therefore, any metal parts causing a short circuit between the SIM card contacts when the cover  12  is in the opened position can not damage the communication device. Furthermore the SIM card  15  can not be damaged electronically by any wrong insertion or during the closing procedure because the final electrical contact to the power supply and to the microprocessor is not established until the switch  44  is closed. 
     In view of the foregoing description, it would be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the data card connector could be a part of any other construction of a communication device, for example a handheld cellular mobile phone. Furthermore, the cover  12  of the data card connector  43  could be pivotally linked to the housing of the telephone.