PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9013888-B2
Application Number: US-201213631597-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems and methods for ejecting removable entities from electronic devices

Abstract:
Systems and methods for ejecting removable entities from electronic devices are provided. A removable entity ejection system may include a driver that may be controllable by software (e.g., via a control unit that may be configured to send electrical signals to the driver). The driver may include a driving component that may apply a force directly, or indirectly, to one or more removable entities to eject the one or more removable entities from an electronic device. When the force is applied indirectly, one or more interfacing components may receive the applied force and may transfer the received force to the one or more removable entities to cause ejection thereof.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising: a housing; and a driver comprising: a driving unit; and a driving component protruding from a first portion of the driving unit in a first direction, wherein the driving unit is configured to displace the driving component with respect to the first portion in the first direction to at least partially eject at least one removable entity from the housing; and the first direction is orthogonal to a direction in which the at least one removable entity at least partially ejects from the housing. 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising control circuitry configured to:
 detect a user instruction to at least partially eject the at least one removable entity from the housing; and 
 output an ejection signal to the driving unit in response to the detection of the user instruction. 
 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the driving unit is configured to:
 receive the outputted ejection signal; and 
 displace the driving component with respect to the first portion in the first direction based on the receipt of the outputted ejection signal. 
 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the driver is configured to directly apply a first force to the at least one removable entity based on the displacement of the driving component. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the driver is configured to indirectly apply a first force to the at least one removable entity based on the displacement of the driving component. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the driving component protrudes from the first portion at a first position; and 
 the driving unit is configured to:
 displace the driving component with respect to the first portion in the first direction to a second position; and 
 after the displacement of the driving component to the second position, revert the displacement of the driving component from the second position to the first position. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction is the same as a direction in which the at least one removable entity at least partially ejects from the housing. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a first movable component and a second movable component, wherein:
 when the driving unit displaces the driving component with respect to the first portion in the first direction, the driving component is configured to apply a first force to a force receiving portion of the first movable component to displace the first movable component; 
 a force applying portion of the first movable component is configured to apply a second force to a force receiving portion of the second movable component to displace the second movable component in response to the application of the first force; and 
 a force applying portion of the second movable component is configured to apply a third force to at least a portion of the at least one removable entity to at least partially eject the at least one removable entity from the housing in response to the application of the second force. 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the force receiving portion of the first movable component comprises a recess configured to receive the driving component; 
 the force applying portion of the first movable component comprises a pushing portion configured to push the force receiving portion of the second movable component; 
 the force receiving portion of the second movable component comprises a first side of an ejection portion of the second moveable component that is configured to receive the pushing portion; and 
 the force applying portion of the second movable component comprises a second side of the ejection portion that is configured to contact the at least a portion of the at least one removable entity. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the force receiving portion of the first movable component comprises a frame configured to receive the driving component; 
 the force applying portion of the first movable component comprises an opening that forms a path configured to movably guide the force receiving portion of the second movable component; 
 the force receiving portion of the second movable component comprises a notch that extends from an ejection portion of the second movable component and that is configured to traverse within the opening; and 
 the force applying portion of the second movable component comprises the ejection portion and is configured to contact the at least a portion of the at least one removable entity. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the opening comprises a pie shape. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the opening comprises at least two curved sides. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 at least one of the housing and the at least one removable entity comprises a hole for insertion of an instrument to apply a fourth force to another force receiving portion of the second movable component; and 
 another force applying portion of the second movable component is configured to apply a fifth force to the at least a portion of the at least one removable entity to at least partially eject the at least one removable entity from the housing in response to the application of the fourth force. 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one removable entity comprises:
 a first removable entity; and 
 a second removable entity that resides on at least a portion of the first removable entity. 
 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first removable entity comprises a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) card tray; and 
 the second removable entity comprises a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) card. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a display configured to display at least one option for at least partially ejecting the at least one removable entity from the housing; and 
 an input component configured to receive a user selection of the displayed at least one option. 
 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the driving unit is configured to displace the driving component with respect to the first portion in the first direction in response to the receipt of the user selection. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the driver comprises one of a rotary motor, a servomotor, and a linear motor. 
     
     
       19. A method for ejecting at least one removable entity from an electronic device using a driver that comprises a driving unit and a driving component protruding from a first portion of the driving unit in a first direction, the method comprising: receiving with the electronic device a user instruction to eject the at least one removable entity from the electronic device; and in response to the receiving, actuating with the electronic device the driving unit to displace the driving component in the first direction with respect to the first portion to at least partially eject the at least one removable entity from the electronic device, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19  further comprising, prior to the receiving, displaying with the electronic device at least one option for ejecting the at least one removable entity from the electronic device. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the receiving comprises receiving a user selection of the displayed at least one option. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the actuating comprises sending at least one control signal to the driving unit. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least partially ejecting comprises one of directly and indirectly applying a force to a portion of the at least one removable entity based on the displacement of the driving component. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the at least partially ejecting comprises indirectly applying the force by applying the force to at least one interfacing component that interfaces the driving component with the portion of the at least one removable entity.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This can relate to systems and methods for ejecting removable entities, and more particularly, to systems and methods for ejecting removable entities from electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Many devices these days include one or more removable entities, such as a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) card, that store information used (e.g., by a wireless network operator) to identify a subscriber of the device. Such devices include mobile telephones, tablet devices, computers, and other electronic devices. Oftentimes, an owner of a device may desire to eject a removable entity from the device (e.g., when sending the device in for repairs or traveling to a foreign country that supports the storage medium, but not the device). However, typical devices employ removable entity ejection systems that require the user to perform a manual action (e.g., inserting an ejection tool into the device), which may be disadvantageous. For example, during a manual ejection procedure, the user may damage the removable entity or even the device. Further, because the removable entity may store identification information pertaining to the owner of the device, the removable entity may be subject to theft by anyone with physical access to the device. That is, in addition to, or in lieu of, stealing the device, a thief may access personal information stored in the removable entity, even if the device&#39;s user interface is locked or inaccessible (e.g., by password protection). Accordingly, there is a need to improve current removable entity ejection system designs for ejecting storage media from electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems and methods for ejecting removable entities from electronic devices are provided. An electronic device may include a removable entity retention system for retaining and/or coupling to one or more removable entities. The electronic device may also include a removable entity ejection system for ejecting the one or more removable entities from the removable entity retention system. 
     The removable entity retention system may include an aperture (e.g., configured as part of a housing of the electronic device) for passing the one or more removable entities into and out of the electronic device. The retention system may also include one or more retention support structures for holding or coupling to portions of the one or more removable entities when the one or more removable entities are at least partially passed into the electronic device. 
     The removable entity ejection system may include a driver that may apply a force to the one or more removable entities to eject the one or more removable entities from the retention system of the electronic device. In particular, the driver may include a driving component and a driving unit that may be configured to direct displacement of the driving component to apply the force to the one or more removable entities. The removable entity ejection system may be manually and/or electrically controllable (e.g., via control circuitry that may be configured to send electrical signals to the removable entity ejection system). The driver may include any type of suitable driver that may have an electrically controllable driving unit for directing displacement of the driving component, such as a rotary motor, a servomotor, a linear motor, or any suitable type of motor or actuator. The removable entity ejection system may also include one or more ejection arms and/or guide members. These ejection arms and/or guide members may individually, or in combination, interface the driving component with at least one removable entity that may be retained by the removable entity retention system. The ejection arms and/or guide members may be configured to move (e.g., due to the force being applied by the driving component or a force being manually applied by a user) so as to eject the at least one removable entity. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic device may be provided. The electronic device may include a housing and a driver. The driver may include a driving unit and a driving component protruding from a first portion of the driving unit in a first direction. The driving unit may be configured to displace the driving component with respect to the first portion in the first direction to at least partially eject at least one removable entity from the housing. 
     In some embodiments, a method for ejecting at least one removable entity from an electronic device using a driver that includes a driving unit and a driving component protruding from a first portion of the driving unit in a first direction may be provided. The method may include receiving with the electronic device a user instruction to eject the at least one removable entity from the electronic device. In response to the receiving, the method may also include actuating with the electronic device the driving unit to displace the driving component with respect to the first portion in the first direction to at least partially eject the at least one removable entity from the electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a plan view of a first removable entity supporting a second removable entity, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the first removable entity and the second removable entity of  FIG. 3A , taken from line IIIB-IIIB of  FIG. 3A , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a plan view of a driver for use in a removable entity ejection system, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the driver of  FIG. 4A , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a plan view of an ejection arm for use in a removable entity ejection system, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the ejection arm of  FIG. 5A , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a plan view of a removable entity ejection system, in a first state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a plan view of the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 6A , in a second state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 6A , in the first state of  FIG. 6A , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 6B , in the second state of  FIG. 6B , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a plan view of an alternative removable entity ejection system, in a first state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a plan view of the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 7A , in a second state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 7A , in the first state of  FIG. 7A , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 7B , in the second state of  FIG. 7B , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a plan view of another alternative removable entity ejection system, in a first state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8B  is a plan view of the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 8A , in a second state, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 8A , in the first state of  FIG. 8A , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8D  is a perspective view of the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 8B , in the second state of  FIG. 8B , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8E  is a plan view of an alternative guiding member that may be a part of the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 8A , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  presenting a display screen that includes an option for ejecting a removable entity, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 10  shows a flowchart of an illustrative method of ejecting at least one removable entity from the electronic device of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  9 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device  100 , in accordance with some embodiments. Electronic device  100  may be any portable, mobile, or hand-held electronic device. Alternatively, electronic device  100  may not be portable at all, but may instead be generally stationary. Electronic device  100  can include, but is not limited to, a music player (e.g., an iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), video player, still image player, game player, other media player, music recorder, movie or video camera or recorder, still camera, other media recorder, radio, medical equipment, domestic appliance, transportation vehicle instrument, musical instrument, calculator, cellular telephone (e.g., an iPhone™ available by Apple Inc.), other wireless communication device, personal digital assistant, remote control, pager, computer (e.g., a desktop, laptop, tablet, server, etc.), monitor, television, stereo equipment, set up box, set-top box, boom box, modem, router, printer, and combinations thereof. 
     Electronic device  100  may include a processor or control circuitry  102 , memory  104 , communications circuitry  106 , power supply  108 , input component  110 , and output component  112 . Electronic device  100  may also include a bus  103  that may provide one or more wired or wireless communication links or paths for transferring data and/or power to, from, or between various other components of device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more components of electronic device  100  may be combined or omitted. Moreover, electronic device  100  may include other components not combined or included in  FIG. 1 . For example, electronic device  100  may include motion-sensing circuitry, a compass, positioning circuitry, or several instances of the components shown in  FIG. 1 . For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the components is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Processor  102  of device  100  may include any processing circuitry operative to control the operations and performance of one or more components of electronic device  100 . For example, processor  102  may be used to run operating system applications, firmware applications, media playback applications, media editing applications, or any other application. In some embodiments, processor  102  may receive input signals from input component  110  and/or drive output signals through output component  112 . 
     Processor  102  may load a user interface program (e.g., a program stored in memory  104  or another device or server) to determine how instructions or data received via input component  110  may manipulate the way in which information is stored and/or provided to the user via output component  112 . Electronic device  100  (e.g., processor  102 , memory  104 , or any other components available to device  100 ) may be configured to process graphical data at various resolutions, frequencies, intensities, and various other characteristics as may be appropriate for the capabilities and resources of device  100 . 
     Memory  104  may include one or more storage mediums, including for example, a hard-drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as read-only memory (“ROM”), semi-permanent memory such as random access memory (“RAM”), any other suitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Memory  104  may include cache memory, which may be one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data for electronic device applications. Memory  104  may store media data (e.g., music and image files), software (e.g., for implementing functions on device  100 ), firmware, preference information (e.g., media playback preferences), lifestyle information (e.g., food preferences), exercise information (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoring equipment), transaction information (e.g., information such as credit card information), wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable device  100  to establish a wireless connection), subscription information (e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media that a user may subscribe to), contact information (e.g., telephone numbers and e-mail addresses), calendar information, any other suitable data, or any combination thereof. 
     Communications circuitry  106  may be provided to allow device  100  to communicate with one or more other electronic devices or servers using any suitable communications protocol. For example, communications circuitry  106  may support Wi-Fi (e.g., an 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth™, high frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (“TCP/IP”) (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), BitTorrent™, file transfer protocol (“FTP”), real-time transport protocol (“RTP”), real-time streaming protocol (“RTSP”), secure shell protocol (“SSH”), any other communications protocol, or any combination thereof. Communications circuitry  106  may also include circuitry that can enable device  100  to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a host computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device, either wirelessly or via a wired connection. 
     Power supply  108  may provide power to one or more of the components of device  100 . In some embodiments, power supply  108  can be coupled to a power grid (e.g., when device  100  is not used as a portable device, but as a desktop computer). In some embodiments, power supply  108  can include one or more batteries for providing power (e.g., when device  100  is used as a portable device, such as a cellular telephone). As another example, power supply  108  can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells). 
     One or more input components  110  may be provided to permit a user to interact or interface with device  100 . For example, input component  110  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, a touch pad, dial, click wheel, scroll wheel, touch screen, one or more buttons (e.g., a keyboard), mouse, joy stick, track ball, microphone, camera, proximity sensor, light detector, motion sensors, and combinations thereof. Each input component  110  can be configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating device  100 . Electronic device  100  may also include one or more output components  112  that may present information (e.g., graphical, audible, and/or tactile information) to a user of device  100 . Output component  112  of electronic device  100  may take various forms, including, but not limited to, audio speakers, headphones, audio line-outs, visual displays, antennas, infrared ports, rumblers, vibrators, or combinations thereof. 
     For example, output component  112  of electronic device  100  may include a display. Such a display may include any suitable type of display or interface for presenting visual data to a user. In some embodiments, such a display may include a display embedded in device  100  or coupled to device  100  (e.g., a removable display). Such a display may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a light emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (“SED”), a carbon nanotube display, a nanocrystal display, any other suitable type of display, or combination thereof. Alternatively, such a display can include a movable display or a projecting system for providing a display of content on a surface remote from electronic device  100 , such as, for example, a video projector, a head-up display, or a three-dimensional (e.g., holographic) display. As another example, such a display may include a digital or mechanical viewfinder, such as a viewfinder of the type found in compact digital cameras, reflex cameras, or any other suitable still or video camera. 
     In some embodiments, such a display may include display driver circuitry, circuitry for driving display drivers, or both. Such a display can be operative to display content (e.g., media playback information, application screens for applications implemented on electronic device  100 , information regarding ongoing communications operations, information regarding incoming communications requests, device operation screens, etc.) that may be under the direction of processor  102 . Such a display can be associated with any suitable characteristic dimensions defining the size and shape of the display. For example, the display can be rectangular or have any other polygonal shape, or alternatively can be defined by a curved or other non-polygonal shape (e.g., a circular display). Such a display can have one or more primary orientations for which an interface can be displayed, or can instead or in addition be operative to display an interface along any orientation selected by a user. 
     It should be noted that one or more input components and one or more output components may sometimes be referred to collectively herein as an input/output (“I/O”) component or I/O interface. For example, input component  110  and output component  112  may sometimes be a single I/O component  114 , such as a touch screen, that may receive input information through a user&#39;s touch of a display screen and that may also provide visual information to a user via that same display screen. 
     Electronic device  100  may also be provided with a housing  101  that may at least partially enclose one or more of the components of device  100  for protection from debris and other degrading forces external to device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more of the components may be provided within its own housing (e.g., input component  110  may be an independent keyboard or mouse within its own housing that may wirelessly or through a wire communicate with processor  102 , which may be provided within its own housing). 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of electronic device  100 , in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2 , housing  101  may at least partially enclose I/O component  114 . Moreover, housing  101  may include a retention aperture  120  (e.g., which may be configured as part of a removable entity retention system of device  100  for retaining one or more removable entities (not shown)) through a portion of housing  101  for passing at least one removable entity (e.g., a tray, a SIM card, etc.) into device  100 . The at least one removable entity may be included as part of memory of device  100  (e.g., memory  104  of  FIG. 1 ). Housing  101  may also include an ejection tool hole  122  (e.g., which may be configured as part of a removable entity ejection system of device  100  for ejecting one or more removable entities) through a portion of housing  101  for passing at least one ejection tool (e.g., a paper clip) into device  100 . It should be appreciated that, although  FIG. 2  may show retention aperture  120  and ejection tool hole  122  situating on a specific portion of housing  101  (e.g., on surface side  101   a  of housing  101 ), each of retention aperture  120  and ejection tool hole  122  may reside on any suitable portion of housing  101 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a plan view of a first removable entity  320  supporting a second removable entity  350 , in accordance with some embodiments. Retention support  170  may, in conjunction with retention aperture  120 , form at least a part of the removable entity retention system of device  100 . First removable entity  320  (e.g., a SIM card tray) may be configured to support second removable entity  350  (e.g., a SIM card), and may include a head  322  and a body  324 . Second removable entity  350  may fit within an inner boundary of body  324  and may reside on various support portions of body  324  (not shown). When first removable entity  320  is fully inserted into device  100  (e.g., by passing through retention aperture  120 ), surface  322   a  of head  322  may align with surface side  101   a  of housing  101 . In some embodiments, instead of housing  101  including ejection tool hole  122 , first removable entity  320  may include such a hole. Body  324  may include any number of suitable openings for allowing access to electrical contacts (not shown) that may be included on a face of second removable entity  350 . Such electrical contacts may provide connectivity between second removable entity  350  and any electronic and/or electrical components of an electronic device situated near or beneath first removable entity  320  and second removable entity  350  when first removable entity  320  and second removable entity  350  are fully inserted into device  100  (e.g., through retention aperture  120 ). Retention support  170  may support first removable entity  320  via retention support members  170   a  and various other support structures (not shown) of retention support  170 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a side view of first removable entity  320  and second removable entity  350 , taken from line IIIB-IIIB of  FIG. 3A , in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 3B , retention support  170  may support first removable entity  320  (e.g., via support surface  170   b  and retention support members  170   a ). Second removable entity  350  may, in turn, reside on suitable support portions of first removable entity  320 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a plan view of a driver  440  for use in a removable entity ejection system, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of driver  440 , in accordance with some embodiments. Driver  440  may include a driving unit  442  and a driving component  444 . In some embodiments, driving unit  442  may be coupled to a power source (e.g., power supply  108 ) and a controller (e.g., controller  102 ) of device  100 . For example, the controller may control the coupling of the power source to driving unit  442  in response to a user instruction (e.g., via I/O interface  114 ) to eject a removable entity. In other embodiments, driving unit  442  may simply be coupled to the controller, where signals sent from the controller to driving unit  442  may be sufficient to operate driving unit  442  (e.g., to direct driving component  444  to move with respect to driving unit  442 ). 
     In some embodiments, driving component  444  may be directed to move in any direction with respect to driving unit  442  (e.g., in the X-axis as shown). In other embodiments, driving component  444  may be directed to move in any direction in the Y-axis or in any other suitable direction of any other axis with respect to driving unit  442 . When driving component  444  moves in a particular direction, driver  440  may be in an actuated state. When driving component  444  moves in an opposite direction, driver  440  may be in a non-actuated state. The position of driving component  444  shown in  FIGS. 4A  and/or  4 B may represent any of the actuated state and the non-actuated state of driver  440 . Further, as indicated above, it should be appreciated that driver  440  may be in the form of any type of motor or actuator that may include at least one moving member or driving component that can be electrically controlled to move with respect to another component of an electronic device (e.g., with respect to a driving unit). 
       FIG. 5A  is a plan view of an ejection arm  560  for use in a removable entity ejection system, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of ejection arm  560 , in accordance with some embodiments. Ejection arm  560  may include an end portion  562 , a coupling portion  564 , and a contact portion  566 . Coupling portion  564  may be coupled to any suitable component within device  100  such that coupling portion  564  may act as a pivot for ejection arm  560 . In this manner, ejection arm  560  may be capable of rotating in the clockwise direction of arrow CW (or the counter-clockwise direction of arrow CCW) about coupling portion  564 . Coupling portion  564  may include any suitable features (e.g., a screw, a clip, solder, and any other securing component) for coupling ejection arm  560  to device  100 . Contact portion  566  may be configured to couple with or exert an ejection force on, either directly or indirectly, one or more removable entities during ejection thereof. For example, contact portion  566  may be configured to exert an ejection force on a suitable portion of body  324  of first removable entity  320 . End portion  562  may be configured to receive an ejection force (e.g., from a tool inserted into device  100  via ejection tool hole  122 ) that may cause ejection arm  560  to rotate in any suitable direction such that contact portion  566  may exert an ejection force on the one or more removable entities. In some embodiments, housing  101  may not include ejection tool hole  122  for insertion of a tool. In these embodiments, ejection arm  560  may not include end portion  562 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , end portion  562  and contact portion  566  and may each protrude from a structural frame of ejection arm  560 , and may protrude in similar or in different proportions. In some embodiments, the extent of each protrusion may be set arbitrarily or may be based on spacing requirements within device  100 . 
       FIG. 6A  is a plan view of a removable entity ejection system, in a first state, in accordance with some embodiments. The removable entity ejection system may include driver  440  and ejection arm  560 , and may be configured to eject first removable entity  320  from device  100 . For example, the removable entity retention system of device  100  (e.g., retention aperture  120  and retention support  170 ) may retain first removable entity  320  as shown in  FIG. 6A . Retention support  170  may include an opening  172  that may allow driving component  444  of driver  440  to move therethrough during actuation. In the first state (i.e., a non-actuated state) shown in  FIG. 6A , driving component  444  may be initially (e.g., in a non-actuated state) contacting at least a portion of body  324  of first removable entity  320 , or may initially be in proximity to, but not contacting, body  324  prior to actuation of driver  440 . Prior to actuation of driver  440 , first removable entity  320  may be in an inserted and/or functional state with respect to an electronic component of the electronic device that may communicate with second removable entity  350  (not shown in  FIG. 6A , but that may reside on first removable entity  320 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , ejection arm  560  of the removable entity ejection system (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 6A ) may or may not have any effect with regard to ejecting first removable entity  320  during actuation of driver  440 . For example, ejection arm  560  may be an alternative mechanism to driver  440  for ejecting first removable entity  320  from retention support  170  and out of retention aperture  120 . That is, instead of ejecting first removable entity  320  using driver  440 , ejection tool hole  122  of housing  101  of device  100  may receive an ejection tool (not shown) in the direction of arrow I for ejecting first removable entity  320 . As a result, the ejection tool may contact and move or displace end portion  562  of ejection arm  560  in a clockwise direction CW with respect to coupling portion  564 . Consequently, contact portion  566  may similarly move such that a surface of contact portion  566  may contact a suitable portion of first removable entity  320  (e.g., head  322 ) and apply an ejection force in the direction of arrow E on. 
       FIG. 6B  is a plan view of the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 6A , in a second state, in accordance with some embodiments. Upon actuation of driving unit  442  of driver  440 , driving component  444  may move in the direction of arrow E and may contact at least a portion of body  324  of first removable entity  320 . The force of this contact may be predefined so as to be sufficient to move or displace first removable entity  320  to eject out of retention aperture  120  in the direction of arrow E. For example, the force may be predefined so as to move or display first removable entity  320  from housing  101  by a distance d. 
       FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 6A , in the first state of  FIG. 6A , in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, driver  440  may be in a non-actuated state and first removable entity  320  may be in an inserted state (e.g., prior to ejection thereof). This can be compared with  FIG. 6A , where first removable entity  320  may be fully inserted (e.g., through retention aperture  120 ) and/or supported by retention support  170 , prior to ejection thereof. As shown in  FIG. 6C , a driver stand  648  may also raise driver  440  such that driving component  444  may align with a suitable portion of body  324  of first removable entity  320  to cause ejection thereof. 
       FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 6B , in the second state of  FIG. 6B , in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, driver  440  may be in an actuated state and first removable entity  320  may be in an ejected state (e.g., ejected from a portion of retention support  170  by distance d). 
       FIG. 7A  is a plan view of an alternative removable entity ejection system, in a first state, in accordance with some embodiments. This alternative removable entity ejection system may also include driver  440  and ejection arm  560 , but may also include pushing arm  780 . Similar to the removable entity ejection system of  FIGS. 6A-6D , the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 7A  may also be configured to eject first removable entity  320  which may be inserted through and/or supported by the removable entity retention system of device  100  (e.g., retention aperture  120  and retention support  170 ). Pushing arm  780  may include a coupling portion  782 , a contact portion  784 , and a dimple portion  786 . Coupling portion  782  may be coupled to any suitable component within device  100  in a manner that may allow coupling portion  782  to act as a pivot for arm  780 . Thus, pushing arm  780  may be capable of rotating in the direction of clockwise arrow CW or counter-clockwise arrow CCW. Coupling portion  782  may include any suitable mechanism (e.g., a screw, a clip, solder, and/or any other securing component) for securing pushing arm  780  to device  100 . Dimple portion  786  may include a recess for receiving a portion of driving component  444  (e.g., a tip of driving component  444 ). As shown in  FIG. 7A , driver  440  may be in a non-actuated state that may be similar to the non-actuated state of  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 7B  is a plan view of the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 7A , in a second state, in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 7B , driver  440  may be in an actuated state that may be similar to the actuated state of  FIG. 7B . In particular, upon actuation of driver  440 , driving component  444  may move in the direction of arrow E to exert a force on the recess of dimple portion  786 . In response to receiving this force, dimple portion  786  may move or displace in a downward or clockwise direction of arrow CW about coupling portion  782 . Consequently, contact portion  784  may also move in the clockwise direction of arrow CW, and may be impart a corresponding force on a surface of contact portion  566  of ejection arm  560 . That is, contact portion  784  (which may align with contact portion  566 ) may impart the corresponding force in the direction of arrow CW on the surface of contact portion  566  to move or displace arm  560  in the clockwise direction of arrow CW. Contact portion  566  of ejection arm  560  may also be configured to align with at least a portion of first removable entity  320  (e.g., head  322 ). In response to receiving this corresponding force, a different surface of contact portion  566  may contact first removable entity  320  to impart an ejection force in the direction of arrow CW to move or displace first removable entity  320  in the direction of arrow E out from retention aperture  120 . 
       FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 7A , in the first state of  FIG. 7A , in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, driver  440  may be in a non-actuated state and first removable entity  320  may be in an inserted state (e.g., prior to ejection thereof). This can be compared with  FIG. 7A , where first removable entity  320  may be fully inserted (e.g., into retention aperture  120 ) and/or supported by retention support  170 , prior to ejection thereof. As shown in  FIG. 7C , a driver stand  648  may also raise driver  440  such that driving component  444  may align with dimple portion  768 . 
       FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 7B , in the second state of  FIG. 7B , in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, driver  440  may be in an actuated state and first removable entity  320  may be in an ejected state (e.g., ejected from a portion of retention support  170  by distance d). 
       FIG. 8A  is a plan view of another alternative removable entity ejection system, in a first state, in accordance with some embodiments. Similar to the removable entity ejection systems of  FIGS. 6A and 7A , the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 8A  may also include driver  440  and ejection arm  560 , but may also include a guiding member  890 . The combination of driver  440 , ejection arm  560 , and guiding member  890  may orchestrate ejection of first removable entity  320  from device  100 . Guiding member  890  may include a curved opening  892 , and may be configured to move or displace in any suitable direction in the X-axis within device  100 . In particular, guiding member  890  may move or displace along one or more paths (not shown) that may be a part of one or more structures within housing  101 . As shown in  FIG. 8A , ejection arm  560  may include an extra notch  568  that may fit within curved opening  892 . Notch  568  (and thus contact portion  566 ) may move or displace in the clockwise direction of arrow CW about coupling portion  564  when guiding member  590  moves or displaces substantially in the −X direction. For example, guiding member  890  may move or displace in the −X direction upon actuation of driver  440 . As shown in  FIG. 8A , driver  440  may be in a non-actuated state that may be similar to the non-actuated states of  FIGS. 6A and 7A . 
       FIG. 8B  is a plan view of the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 8A , in a second state, in accordance with some embodiments. Upon actuation of driver  440 , driving component  444  may move or displace in the −X direction with respect to driving unit  442  and may contact and exert a force on a portion of guiding member  890 . In response to this force, guiding member  890  may move or displace in the −X direction and may guide notch  568  (and thus contact portion  566 ) to move or displace in the clockwise direction of arrow CW within curved opening  892 . Consequently, contact portion  566  may exert an ejection force in the direction of arrow E on first removable entity  320  to eject from device  100  in the direction of arrow E. 
       FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 8A , in the first state of  FIG. 8A , in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, driver  440  may be in a non-actuated state and first removable entity  320  may be in an inserted state (e.g., prior to ejection thereof). This can be compared with  FIG. 8A , where first removable entity  320  may be fully inserted (e.g., into retention aperture  120 ) and/or supported by retention support  170 , prior to ejection thereof. As shown in  FIG. 8C , a platform may also raise driver  440  such that driving component  444  may align with a suitable portion of guiding member  890 . 
       FIG. 8D  is a perspective view of the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 8B , in the second state of  FIG. 8B , in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, driver  440  may be in an actuated state and first removable entity  320  may be in an ejected state (e.g., ejected from a portion of retention support  170  by distance d). 
       FIG. 8E  is a plan view of an alternative guiding member that may be a part of the alternative removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 8A , in accordance with some embodiments. Because curved opening  892  of guiding member  890  may not suitably align with notch  568 , in some embodiments, guiding member  870  may be employed instead of guiding member  890 . Guiding member  870  may be similar to guiding member  890 , but may include a smaller curved opening  872  that may more closely align with notch  568 . In this manner, notch  568  may move or displace in a more controlled manner in response to movement or displacement of guiding member  870 . 
     In some embodiments, after first removable entity  320  is ejected from device  100 , one, some, or all of pushing arm  780 , guiding member  890 , ejection arm  560 , and driving component  444  may revert to their respective initial positions shown in  FIGS. 7A and 8A . As an example, after first removable entity  320  is ejected from device  100 , driving unit  442  may control driving component  444  to displace back to its initial position (e.g., the initial position of driving component  444 , as shown in  FIG. 7A ). As another example, guiding member  890  may be coupled to driving component  444 . In this example, after first removable entity  320  is ejected from device  100 , driving unit  442  may control driving component  444  to displace back to its initial position (e.g., the initial position of driving component  444 , as shown in  FIG. 8A ), which may, in turn, displace guiding member  890  back to its initial position (e.g., the initial position of guiding member  890 , as shown in  FIG. 8A ). In this manner, when first removable entity  320  is inserted (e.g., manually by a user) back into device  100  through retention aperture  120 , one, some, or all of pushing arm  780 , guiding member  890 , ejection arm  560 , and driver  440  may be prepared for a subsequent ejection of first removable entity  320 . In other embodiments, one, some, or all of pushing arm  780 , guiding member  890 , ejection arm  560 , and driving component  444  may remain in their respective ejection positions shown in  FIGS. 7B  and  8 B (e.g., after actuation of driver  440 ) until first removable entity  320  is inserted back into the device. As an example, after first removable entity  320  is ejected from device  100 , when first removable entity  320  is subsequently inserted (e.g., by a user) back into device  100 , head  322  of first removable entity  320  may interact with contact portion  566  of ejection arm  560  and displace ejection arm  560  back to its initial position (e.g., the initial position of ejection arm  560 , as shown in  FIG. 7A ). Contact portion  566  may, in turn, interact with contact portion  784  of pushing arm  780  and displace pushing arm  780  back to its initial position (e.g., the initial position of pushing arm  780 , as shown in  FIG. 7A ). 
     In some embodiments, similar to the removable entity ejection system of  FIG. 6A , the removable entity ejection systems of  FIGS. 7A-7D  and  8 A- 8 D may eject first removable entity  320  without the use of driver  440  and pushing arm  780  (or guiding member  890 ). For example, ejection arm  560  may be an alternative mechanism to driver  440  and pushing arm  780  (or guiding member  890 ) for ejecting first removable entity  320  from retention support  170  and out of retention aperture  120 . That is, instead of ejecting first removable entity  320  using driver  440 , ejection tool hole  122  of housing  101  of device  100  may receive an ejection tool (not shown) in the direction of arrow I for ejecting first removable entity  320 . As a result, the ejection tool may contact and move or displace end portion  562  of ejection arm  560  in a clockwise direction CW with respect to coupling portion  564 . Consequently, contact portion  566  may similarly move such that a surface of contact portion  566  may contact a suitable portion of first removable entity  320  (e.g., head  322 ) and apply an ejection force in the direction of arrow E. In this manner, even if driver  440  or pushing arm  780  (or guiding member  890 ) malfunctions, or is otherwise impeded from movement, first removable entity  320  may still be manually ejectable by a user. 
     It should be appreciated that the removable entity ejection systems of  FIGS. 7A-7D  and  8 A- 8 D may each employ ejection arm  560  during manual and electrically-controlled ejections of first removable entity  320 . Thus, even if one or more of driver  440 , pushing arm  780 , and guide member  890  malfunctions, first removable entity  320  may still be ejectable by manual ejection (e.g., by inserting an ejection tool into ejection tool hole  122  to apply a force to end portion  562  of ejection arm  560 ). 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of electronic device  100  presenting a display screen that includes an option for ejecting a removable entity, in accordance with some embodiments. I/O interface  114  (e.g., a touch screen) may display a display screen  914  that includes an option  922  for ejecting first removable entity  320  and/or second removable entity  350  from device  100 . When a user selects option  922  (e.g., by touching an area of I/O interface  114  where option  922  may be displayed), processor  102  may send a control signal to driver  440 . In response to receiving the control signal, driver  440  may direct driving component  444  to move or displace to eject first removable entity  320  and/or second removable entity  350  from device  100 . It should be appreciated that any of the removable entity ejection systems described with respect to  FIGS. 6-8  may be employed to eject first removable entity  320  and/or second removable entity  350  from device  100 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a flowchart of an illustrative method of ejecting at least one removable entity from electronic device  100  using driver  440  that includes driving unit  442  and driving component  444  protruding from a first portion of driving unit  442  in a first direction, in accordance with some embodiments. Process  1000  may begin at step  1002 . 
     At step  1004 , the process may include receiving with the electronic device a user instruction to eject the at least one removable entity from the electronic device. For example, the process may include receiving with I/O interface  114  a user selection of option  922  to eject first removable entity  320 , second removable entity  350 , or both, from device  100 . 
     At step  1006 , in response to the receiving, the process may include actuating with the electronic device the driving unit to displace the driving component with respect to the first portion in the first direction to at least partially eject the at least one removable entity from the electronic device. For example, the process may include, in response to receiving the user selection of option  922 , actuating driver  440  via one or more control signals to displace driving component  444  with respect to the first portion in the −Y-direction to at least partially eject first removable entity  320 , second removable entity  350 , or both, from device  100 . 
     It should be appreciated that step  1006  may include actuating driver  440  of any one of the removable entity ejection systems of  FIGS. 6-8 . For example, the actuation of driver  440  may cause driving unit  442  to direct driving component  444  to displace from a first position to a second position, as described above with respect to  FIGS. 6-8 . The displacement of driving component  444  may (i) exert a corresponding force directly onto first removable entity  320  (as described above with respect to  FIGS. 6A-6D ), (ii) exert a corresponding force on pushing arm  780 , and consequently on ejection arm  560  (as described above with respect to  FIGS. 7A-7D ), or (iii) exert a corresponding force on guiding member  890 , and consequently on ejection arm  560  (as described above with respect to  FIGS. 8A-8D ) to at least partially eject first removable entity  320  from device  100 . 
     It should be understood that the steps shown in  FIG. 10  are merely illustrative. Any of the steps may be removed, modified, or combined, and any additional steps may be added, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, device  100  may be configured to directly receive (e.g., through aperture  120 ) and support (e.g., via retention support  170  or the like) second removable entity  350  (e.g., a SIM card) without the need for first removable entity  320  (e.g., a SIM card tray). For example, second removable entity  350  may be shaped with some or all of the features of first removable entity  320 . For example, second removable entity  350  can include one or more of a head that may be shaped similarly to head  322  of first removable entity  320 , and a body that may be shaped similarly to body  324  of first removable entity  320 , such that second removable entity  350  may be inserted into and ejected from device  100  in the same way that first removable entity  320  may be inserted into and ejected from device  100 . In these embodiments, each of the removable entity ejection systems described with respect to  FIGS. 6-8  may be configured to eject second removable entity  350  without interfacing with first removable entity  320 . For example, in the removable entity ejection system of  FIGS. 6A-6D , driving component  444  may exert a force directly onto a portion of second removable entity  350  when driver  440  is actuated. As another example, in the removable entity ejection systems of  FIGS. 7A-7D  and  8 A- 8 D, contact portion  566  of ejection arm  560  may exert a force directly onto a portion of second removable entity  350  when driver  440  is actuated. That is, any force that first removable entity  320  may receive to eject first removable entity  320  from device  100 , as described above with respect to  FIGS. 6-8 , may similarly be received by second removable entity  350  to eject second removable entity  350  from device  100 . 
     While there have been described systems and methods for ejecting removable entities from electronic devices, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. It is also to be understood that various directional and orientational terms such as “up and “down,” “front” and “back,” “top” and “bottom,” “left” and “right,” “length” and “width,” and the like are used herein only for convenience, and that no fixed or absolute directional or orientational limitations are intended by the use of these words. For example, the devices of this invention can have any desired orientation. If reoriented, different directional or orientational terms may need to be used in their description, but that will not alter their fundamental nature as within the scope and spirit of this invention. Moreover, an electronic device constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention may be of any suitable three-dimensional shape, including, but not limited to, a sphere, cone, octahedron, or combination thereof, rather than a hexahedron, as illustrated by  FIGS. 1-10 . 
     Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120928
Publication Date: 20150421
Grant Date: 20150421
Priority Date: 20120928
Inventors: TRZASKOS PIOTR S.
KAO SIMON
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06K13/0806", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49002", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/026", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1658", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/026", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K13/0806", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1658", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50384991