Abstract:
An expandable cellular phone includes system for allowing the cellular phone to physically mate with, and electronically link to, an independently functional auxiliary module. The system includes a contact face on a backside of the device to mate to a corresponding back face of the auxiliary module. The back face of the expandable cellular phone includes at least one electrical contact at a location mirroring a location of a mating electrical contact on the corresponding face of the auxiliary module. Moreover, at least two locating points are provided on the back sides if both devices, with each locating point on one device including a locating pin, and each corresponding locating point on the other device including a receptacle for the locating pin.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is related generally to mobile device configuration, and, more particularly, to a layout and connection system and method for a portable cellular device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The seemingly endless quest to lighten the average cell phone finally reached a stable lower limit in 2000, with the average cellular phone, then and now, coming in at about 4 ounces. That weight is about one tenth of the weight of the first commercial cellular phone. 
         [0003]    The search for the optimal phone thickness took slightly longer, with cellular phones losing more than half of their thickness in the last decade alone. Considerations such as durability and hand feel would indicate that the industry has arrived at the ideal thickness (slightly under 10 mm) just within the past few years. 
         [0004]    Nonetheless, as cellular phones continue to displace more traditional devices for productivity and entertainment, the number of features and functions demanded by users has grown enormously. As an example, even the television has been somewhat displaced by the cellular phone. Fully 75% of juveniles watch short content on a portable device, and 50% of them even watch full-length programming on their devices. The latter figure represents an increase of almost 25% in just one year. 
         [0005]    With functions like video entertainment, audio entertainment, photography, scheduling and gaming migrating to the mobile platform, it has become increasingly difficult for manufacturers to keep the weight and size of cellular devices within the ideal limits arrived at in the last decade. 
         [0006]    While modularity offers the hope of a solution, modular designs have generally increased the size and weight of the device. As such, modular designs have had only limited appeal to end users. Compounding the size and weight issues, the various modules in a typical modular design have no use other than as part of a combined device. That is, they have limited or no functionality when apart. 
         [0007]    While the present disclosure is directed to a system that can eliminate some of the shortcomings noted in this Background section, it should be appreciated that any such benefit is not a limitation on the scope of the disclosed principles, nor of the attached claims, except to the extent expressly noted in the claims. Additionally, the discussion of technology in this Background section is reflective of the inventors&#39; own observations, considerations, and thoughts, and is in no way intended to accurately catalog or comprehensively summarize the prior art. As such, the inventors expressly disclaim this section as admitted or assumed prior art with respect to the discussed details. Moreover, the identification herein of a desirable course of action reflects the inventors&#39; own observations and ideas, and should not be assumed to indicate an art-recognized desirability. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    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: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic of an example device with respect to which embodiments of the presently disclosed principles may be implemented; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a simplified side view schematic of a portable electronic device or module in accordance with an implementation of the disclosed principles; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a simplified back view of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 2  within which embodiments of the disclosed principles may be implemented; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a simplified back view schematic of a second portable electronic device configured to mate with and interoperate with the device of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view showing certain components of a magnetic alignment system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view showing certain components of a spring-loaded contact system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Before presenting a detailed discussion of embodiments of the disclosed principles, an overview of certain embodiments is given to aid the reader in understanding the later discussion. In an embodiment of the disclosed principles, a modular portable electronic device configuration is provided having low weight and size and allowing substantially extended functionality without overly increasing device size or weight. In this embodiment, the primary device or first module has a front surface and a back surface, and contains a battery and a printed circuit board (PCB). It may also include functional components other than those for cellular communication, e.g., a camera, a flash LED, a speaker, a microphone, a memory card reader, an LED, a button, a vibrator, and short range wireless connectivity. 
         [0016]    A second device also includes a battery and a main PCB, and may include a display, touchscreen, and cellular connectivity for example. It may also include other components, e.g., a front camera, a rear camera, a flash LED, a speaker, a microphone, buttons, a vibrator, and short range wireless connectivity. In an embodiment, the second device includes components such as ferrous plates, alignment holes, and contact pads to mate with corresponding magnets, pins, and spring contacts on the first device. 
         [0017]    Both devices are independently functional but, when mated, form a more powerful, more functional cellular device. For example, the first device alone may be able to function as a short range wireless speaker system or a portable digital camera while the second device alone may be able to fully function as a cellular phone or other portable device. Together, the first and second devices create a cellular phone with better battery life, better audio performance, additional cameras, and a new physical appearance. 
         [0018]    The mating components on the devices include, for example, magnets, pins, and spring contacts on or protruding from a surface of the first device and an array of contact pads, ferrous steel discs and alignment holes on a surface of the second device. When the devices are faced to one another and the contacting face of the first device is properly aligned to the contacting face of the second device, the array of spring contacts make contact with the array of contact pads, the magnets are attracted to the ferrous discs, and the alignment pins drop into the alignment holes. 
         [0019]    The magnets in the array are strong enough to counteract the contact force exerted by the array of contact pins from the first device making contact with the array of contact pads or pucks on the second device. In an embodiment, the array of magnets is grounded to the first device and the array of steel discs is grounded to the second device, such that when the two devices are magnetically attached to one another, there is a ground path between the devices through the magnets and steel discs. 
         [0020]    With this overview in mind, and 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 with respect to one or more of the stand-alone modules discussed herein. 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 or module within which embodiments of the disclosed principles may be implemented, it will be appreciated that other device types may be used, including but not limited to tablet computers and other portable devices. 
         [0021]    The schematic diagram of  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary set of components  110  forming part of an environment within which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. 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. 
         [0022]    In the illustrated embodiment, the set of components  110  include a display screen  120 , applications (e.g., programs)  130 , a processor  140 , a memory  150 , one or more input components  160  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. 
         [0023]    The processor  140  can be any of a microprocessor, microcomputer, application-specific integrated circuit, or the like. 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). 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). 
         [0024]    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 an 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 . 
         [0025]    Further with respect to the applications, these typically utilize the operating system to provide more specific functionality, such as file system service and handling of protected and unprotected data stored in the memory  150 . Although many applications may provide standard or required functionality of a user device, in other cases applications provide optional or specialized functionality, and may be supplied by third party vendors or a device manufacturer. 
         [0026]    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. 
         [0027]    Although not shown, the set of components  110  may include software and hardware networking components to allow communications to and from a device. Such networking components will typically provide wireless networking functionality, although wired networking may additionally or alternatively be supported. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, a power supply  190 , such as a battery or fuel cell, may be included for providing power to the set of components  110 . 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. 
         [0029]    In an embodiment, the set of components  110  are programmed such that the processor  140  and memory  150  interact with the other components to perform a variety of 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). 
         [0030]    In a further embodiment of the disclosed principles, the illustrated set of components  110  includes one or more additional hardware groups  180 . These additional hardware groups  180  include hardware supporting additional, with the software for such functions being included in the applications  130  and/or memory  150 . Examples of such other functions include still or video camera, rear camera, flash LED, speaker, microphone, buttons, a phone vibrator, short range wireless connectivity, and so on. 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , this figure presents a simplified side view schematic of a portable electronic device or module  200  in accordance with an implementation of the disclosed principles. In the illustrated example, the device  200  includes a housing  201 , within which are located a battery  203 ), as well as a PCB  205 . The PCB  205  may be a single-sided or double-sided board, and may host a number of circuit components such as a processor  207 , and one or more memory integrated circuits (ICs)  209 , including RAM  211  and ROM  213  ICs or circuits. 
         [0032]    For connecting to a second device or module, the illustrated device  200  includes an array of contacts  215 . The contacts are electrically connected to convey data, commands, or other electrical information or signals to or from the PCB  205 , which, through its printed leads, communicates information and signals to and from the appropriate components on the board  205 . 
         [0033]    Continuing,  FIG. 3  is a simplified back view of the portable electronic device  200  of  FIG. 2 . The device  200  includes, in this view, the housing  201  and the array of contacts  215 . In addition, a hole  301  is shown through the housing  201  in this view. 
         [0034]    Further with respect to the modular nature of the system formed by the device  200  and another device, the back of the device  200  includes a number of magnet assemblies  303 , comprising a ring magnet  305 , an outer ferrous shroud  306  surrounding the magnet, and an alignment pin  307  in the central opening of the ring magnet. The alignment pin  307  may be fabricated as part of the outer ferrous shroud  306  or they may be separate pieces. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows a simplified back view schematic of a second portable electronic device  400  comprising the set of components  110  from  FIG. 1  and configured to mate with and interoperate with the device  200  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Although not illustrated, it will be appreciated that the second portable electronic device  400  includes, internally, a power source such as a battery, and a PCB. Appropriate ICs and electrical components or circuit elements are mounted on or in association with the PCB to support independent operation of the second portable electronic device  400 , as well as interoperation with the first device  200 . 
         [0036]    In this regard, the functions of the second device  400  may, but need not, overlap those of the first device  200 . For example, both devices  200 ,  400  may include a first function, such as a camera, while only the second device  400  includes the necessary hardware and software to support a second function, e.g., short range wireless connectivity. However, in an embodiment, the combined device may use the capabilities and power source of either device  200 ,  400  when the devices  200 ,  400  are connected. 
         [0037]    To facilitate interconnection, the back surface  403  of the housing  401  of the second portable electronic device  400  includes an array of contact pucks  405  configured and positioned to mate in a one-to-one fashion with the array of contacts  215  located on the back of the first device  200  when the first device housing  201  and the second device housing  401  are mated with the housing edges substantially aligned. 
         [0038]    In order to attach the first  200  and second  400  devices, the back surface  403  of the housing  401  of the second device  400  includes a number of ferrous discs  407 , with each ferrous disc  407  having an alignment hole  409  therein. For linked operation, the back surfaces  309 ,  403  of the first  200  and second  400  devices respectively are roughly aligned and then placed in contact. As the devices  200 ,  400  are placed into contact, the alignment pins  307  of the first device  200  enter the alignment holes  409  in the second device  400 . In this configuration, each contact  215  of the first device  200  is in electrical contact with a corresponding contact puck  405  of the second device  400 . 
         [0039]    Moreover, in this configuration, each ferrous ring  407  of the second device is magnetically linked to a corresponding magnet assembly  303  of the first device  200 . As noted above, the cumulative magnetic force thus created in an embodiment is sufficient to overcome spring-loading that may be used in the contacts  215  to assure contact with the contact pucks  405  of the second device  400 . 
         [0040]    Although any suitable alignment mechanism may be used,  FIGS. 5  shows the components of an example magnetic alignment system. A portion of the back  309  of the first device  110  is shown adjacent a portion of the back  403  of the second device  400 . As noted with respect to  FIG. 3 , the back  309  of the first device  110  includes a plurality of magnet assemblies  303 , comprising a ring magnet  305 , an outer ferrous shroud  306  surrounding the magnet, and an alignment pin  307  in the central opening of the ring magnet. The entire magnet assembly  303  is retained in the back surface of the first device  200  using a flange  308  protruding from the shroud  306 . 
         [0041]    As noted with respect to  FIG. 4 , a plurality of ferrous discs  407  are retained in the back surface  403  of the second device  400 . Each ferrous disc  407  includes an alignment hole  409  for receiving the alignment pin  307  of the ring magnets  303  on the back surface  309  of the first device  110 . 
         [0042]    Using an alignment and retaining mechanism such as that described by reference to  FIG. 5 , the contacts and contact pucks shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  can be accurately mated as well. Turning to  FIG. 6 , a more detailed view of the described contact system is shown. In particular,  FIG. 6  is a more detailed cross-sectional view of two contacts  215  and two mating contact pucks  405 , with additional detail regarding mounting as well. 
         [0043]    The back surface  309  of the first device includes a contact assembly having an electrically insulting retainer block  601 , which may comprise plastic, resin, ceramic or other suitable material. The retainer block  601  retains the contacts  215  in a sliding relationship thereto, such that the contacts are free to slide between stops in a direction perpendicular to the back surface  309 . A contact spring  603  biases each contact  215  outward of the back surface  309 . The contact springs  603  are connected to circuitry on the first device PCB  605 . 
         [0044]    Similarly, the back surface  403  of the second device  400  includes an insulating contact puck retainer  607 , which may be overmolded of plastic, which surrounds each contact puck  405  and insulates it from the backing  507 , which may be metal. The contact pucks  405  receive the corresponding contacts  215  of the first device  110 . Each contact puck  405  is connected to circuitry on the second device PCB  609 . In this way, when the first device  200  and the second device  400  are mated, as defined by the alignment pins  307  and corresponding ferrous discs  407 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , the contacts  215  of the first device  200  are mated with the corresponding contact pucks  405  of the second device  400 . 
         [0045]    It will be appreciated that a modular portable cellular device layout and connection system have been disclosed 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