WO2013127080A1

WO2013127080A1 - Card reader

Info

Publication number: WO2013127080A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/071804
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hongji ZHANG; Xuewu ZHAO; Shiqing YANG; Chong CHEN
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation
Priority date: 2012-02-29
Filing date: 2012-02-29
Publication date: 2013-09-06

Abstract

A card reader including electrical contacts; a first SIM card receiving area comprising a first retainer configured to retain a first SIM card against the electrical contacts; and a second different SIM card receiving area on a movable cover. The movable cover has a second retainer configured to retain a second SIM card against the electrical contacts when the movable cover is closed to a position over the contacts. The first and second SIM cards are different sizes, and the first and second retainers are configured to respectively retain the different size SIM cards.

Description

CARD READER

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

[0001] The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments relate generally to an electronic module reader and, more particularly, to a reader which can accept modules having different physical sizes.

Brief Description of Prior Developments

[0002] SIM cards are know, such as micro SIM cards and mini SIM cards, which have different physical sizes.

SUMMARY

[0003] The following summary is merely intended to be exemplary. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0004] In accordance with one aspect, an example apparatus is provided comprising a housing having a first section and a second section pivotably connected to the first section; a first electronic module retainer; a first electronic module retainer; and contacts. The first electronic module retainer is on the first section, where the first electronic module retainer is configured to retain a first electronic module to the first section in a first retained position. The second electronic module retainer is on the second section, where the second electronic module retainer is configured to retain a second electronic module to the second section in a second retained position. The contacts are on the first section configured to contact first contact pads on a major planar surface of the first electronic module when the first electronic module is in the first retained position and, alternatively, contact second contact pads on a major planar surface of the second electronic module when the second electronic module is in the second retained position and the second section is in a closed position on the first section.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect, an example card reader is provided including electrical contacts; a first SIM card receiving area comprising a first retainer configured to retain a first SIM card against the electrical contacts; and a second different SIM card receiving area on a movable cover. The movable cover has a second retainer configured to retain a second SIM card against the electrical contacts when the movable cover is closed to a position over the contacts. The first and second SIM cards are different sizes, and the first and second retainers are configured to respectively retain the different size SIM cards.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect, an example method comprises providing a first electronic module receiving area comprising a first electronic module retainer and electrical contacts configured to contact first contact pads on a major planar side of a first electronic module when the first electronic module is in the first electronic module receiving area; and providing a second electronic module receiving area comprising a second electronic module retainer, where the second electronic module receiving area is on a movable cover configured to cover the first electronic module receiving area, where, when located in the second electronic module receiving area, second contact pads on a major planar side of a second electronic module contact the electrical contacts when the cover is closed over the first electronic module receiving area, such that the electrical contacts are located to alternatively contact the first contact pads of the first electronic module or the second contact pads of the second electronic module.

[ 0007 ] In accordance with another aspect, an example method comprises inserting a first electronic module in a card reader where electrical contacts of the card reader contact first contact pads on a major planar side of the first electronic module, and where a first retainer retains the first electronic module in a first retained position; and alternatively inserting a second electronic module in a cover of the card reader and closing the cover, where the electrical contacts of the card reader contact second contact pads on a major planar surface of the second electronic module, and where a second retainer on the cover retains the second electronic module in a second retained position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008 ] The foregoing aspects and other features are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[ 0009 ] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment ;

[ 0010 ] Fig. 2 is a perspective view as in Fig. 1 of the apparatus with a rear battery cover removed; [0011] Fig. 3 is a perspective view as in Fig. 2 with the battery removed;

[0012] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the card reader shown in Fig. 3 with the cover open; [0013] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the card reader shown in Fig. 4 showing insertion of a second, larger size electronic module;

[0014] Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating two different card receiving areas of the card reader shown in Figs. 3-5;

[0015] Fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating connection of a first smaller size electronic module to contacts of the card reader;

[0016] Fig. 8 is a plan view similar to Fig. 7 illustrating connection of a second larger electronic module to the contacts of the card reader;

[0017] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating one example method; and

[0018] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an apparatus 10 incorporating features of an example embodiment. In this example the apparatus 10 is a hand-held portable apparatus comprising various features including a telephone application, Internet browser application, camera application, video recorder application, music player and recorder application, email application, navigation application, gaming application, and/or any other suitable electronic device application. The apparatus may be any suitable portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone, computer, laptop, PDA, etc. for example.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows the back side of the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10, in this example embodiment, comprises a housing 12, a touch screen display at the front side which functions as both a display and a user input, and electronic circuitry 13 including a printed wiring board 15 having at least some of the electronic circuitry thereon. The electronic circuitry can include, for example, a receiver 16, a transmitter 18, and a controller 20. The controller 20 may include at least one processor 22, at least one memory 24, and software. A rechargeable battery 26 {see Fig. 2} is also provided.

[0021] In this example the housing 12 includes a removable back cover 28. The cover 28 covers the battery compartment which houses the battery 26. Fig. 2 shows the cover 28 having been removed. In this example the cover 28 can be removed by first pressing in as indicated by arrows 30 and then pulling up as indicated by arrow 32 As seen in Fig. 2, the battery 26 can then be removed by pulling up as indicated by arrow 34. Referring also to Fig. 3, with the battery 26 removed a SIM card reader 36 is now accessible by a user through the battery compartment. In an alternate embodiment the card reader could be located at a different location.

[0022] Referring also to Figs. 4 and 5, the card reader 36 comprises a first section 38, a second section 40 and electrical contacts 42 at the first section 38. The second section 40 is a cover which is pivotably connected to the first section 38. However, in an alternate example embodiment the cover could be slidably connected, or otherwise movably connected, to the first section. Fig. 3 shows the cover 40 in a closed position over the first section 38. Fig. 4 shows the cover 40 in an open position.

[0023] Referring also to Fig. 6, the first section 38 has a first area 44 configured to hold a first electronic module 46, such as a micro SIM (subscriber identity module) (3FF) for example. The cover 40 has a second area 48 configured to hold a second electronic module 50, such as a mini SIM (subscriber identity module) (2FF) for example. Fig. 6 shows the card reader 36 with both the modules 46, 48. However, this is for illustration purposes only. In actual use the card reader 36 would use only one of the modules 46 or 48; located in the first area or second area respectively. In other words, if the first module 46 is mounted in the first area 44, the second module 50 would not be located in the second area 48. Likewise, if the second module 50 is mounted in the second area 48, the first module 46 would not be located in the first area 44. [0024] The first section 38, in addition to the contacts 42 extending into the first area 44, also comprises a first retainer 52. The first retainer 52 is configured to properly locate the first module 46 in the first area 44 such that the contacts 42 properly align and contact the contact pads on the first module 46. In this example the first retainer comprises four springs 54, 56 which project into the first area 44. As seen with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, the springs 54, 56 are located to contact the side perimeter edges of the first module 46 to at least partially retain the first module 46 in the first area 44. This aligns the contact pads 58 on the downward facing ma or side of the first module 46 with the contacts 42. Once the first module is positioned in the first area 44 with the first retainer, the cover 40 can be closed to keep the first module 46 locked in place.

[ 0025 ] Rather than using the first module 46, the apparatus can use the second module 50. As seen with reference to Fig. 5, with the cover 40 open, the second module 50 can be slid into the second receiving area 48 on the cover 40. The cover 40 comprises a second retainer 60 for retaining the second module 50 with the cover. In this example embodiment the second retainer 60 comprises rails 62 on the lateral sides of the cover to slidably capture side edges of the second module 50 between the rails and the rest of the cover.

[ 0026] After the second module 50 is slid into the cover 40, as illustrated by Fig. 5, the cover 40 can then be moved to its closed position over the first section. This moves the second module 50 into the first area 44. As seen with reference to Fig. 8, the contact pads 59 of the second module have a same size and shape as the contact pads 58 of the first module 46. Thus, the same electrical contacts 42 are used to electrically connect to both the modules 46, 50. Because the second module 50 is physically larger than the first module 46, the major side of the second module 50 having the contact pads 59 also contacts the springs 54, 56 of the first retainer. As the cover 40 is closed, the second module 50 pushes the springs 54, 56 out of its path; resiliently deflecting the springs inward into the first section 38. Thus, the first retainer 52 is not used with the second module 50, and the first retainer 52 is moved out of the path of the second module 50 when the cover 40 is closed. [ 0027 ] The advantage of this card connector is that it means the user can use either of two different sized cards with the same card reader. Conventional devices are able to support only a single sized card.

[ 0028 ] In a first configuration a micro SIM card is placed on the lower body of the card connector in a direction of one of its major planar surfaces {having the contact pads 58}. It is retained by way of four spring elements around the perimeter side edges of the card.

[ 0029 ] In a second configuration, the micro SIM is not present. Instead, the mini SIM is placed in the moveable body part 40 of the card connector. When the top part 40 is closed (rotated towards the lower card connector body 38), the springs 54, 56 used to retain the micro SIM are pushed downwards into the body of the card connector. This allows the SIM card contacts 42 to mate with card contact pads of either one of the cards 46, 50.

[ 0030 ] One type of example apparatus 10 or 36 comprising a housing 12 comprising a first section 38 and a second section 40 pivotably connected to the first section; a first electronic module retainer 52 on the first section, where the first electronic module retainer is configured to retain a first electronic module 46 to the first section in a first retained position; a second electronic module retainer 60 on the second section, where the second electronic module retainer is configured to retain a second electronic module 50 to the second section in a second retained position; and contacts 42 on the first section configured to:

• contact first contact pads 58 on a major planar surface of the first electronic module 46 when the first electronic module is in the first retained position, and

• alternatively, contact second contact pads 59 on a major planar surface of the second electronic module 50 when the second electronic module is in the second retained position and the second section is in a closed position on the first section.

[ 0031] The first electronic module retainer 52 may comprise springs 54, 56 on the first section which are configured to contact perimeter sides of the first electronic module. The springs 54, 56 may be configured to be pressed into the first section by the second electronic module on the second section when the second section is moved to the closed position with the second electronic module in the second retained position. The second electronic module retainer 60 may comprise side rail sections 62 configured to slide the second electronic module into the second section. The second section 40 may comprise a cover configured to close over the first electronic module when the second electronic module is not located in the second retained position. The first electronic module retainer 52 may be configured to retain a first size SIM card in the first retained position as the first electronic module, and where the second electronic module retainer 60 may be configured to retain a second different size SIM card in the second retained position as the second electronic module. The apparatus may comprise means to move the first electronic module retainer out of a path of the second electronic module when the second electronic module is in the second electronic module retainer and the second section is moved to the closed position. The apparatus may comprise means for alternatively connecting different physical size SIM cards to the apparatus as the first and second electronic modules. The apparatus may be a card reader 36. The apparatus 10 may be a mobile telephone. [0032] In one example embodiment a card reader 36 is provided comprising electrical contacts 42; a first SIM card receiving area 44 comprising a first retainer 52 configured to retain a first SIM card 46 against the electrical contacts; and a second different SIM card receiving area 48 on a movable cover 40 having a second retainer 60 configured to retain a second SIM card 50 against the electrical contacts when the movable cover is closed to a position over the contacts, where the first and second SIM cards are different sizes, and where the first and second retainers are configured to respectively retain the different size SIM cards.

[0033] The first retainer 52 may comprise springs 54, 56 which are configured to contact perimeter sides of the first SIM card. The springs may be configured to be pressed away from the first SIM card receiving area by the second SIM card when the movable cover is moved to the closed position with the second SIM card in the second SIM card receiving area. The second retainer 60 may comprise side rail sections 62 on the cover configured to slide the second SIM card into the second SIM card receiving area. The card reader may further comprise means to move the first retainer out of a path of the second SIM card when the second SIM card is in the second retainer and the cover is moved to the closed position .

[0034 ] An example method comprises providing a first electronic module receiving area comprising a first electronic module retainer and electrical contacts as indicated by block 64 in Fig. 9 configured to contact first contact pads on a major planar side of a first electronic module when the first electronic module is in the first electronic module receiving area; and providing a second electronic module receiving area comprising a second electronic module retainer as indicated by block 66, where the second electronic module receiving area is on a movable cover configured to cover the first electronic module receiving area, where, when located in the second electronic module receiving area, second contact pads on a major planar side of a second electronic module contact the electrical contacts when the cover is closed over the first electronic module receiving area, such that the electrical contacts are located to alternatively contact the first contact pads of the first electronic module or the second contact pads of the second electronic module.

[ 0035 ] The first electronic module retainer may be provided as comprising springs configured to contact side perimeter edges of the first electronic module, where the springs are configured to be moved out of a path of the second electronic module by the second electronic module when the second electronic module is mounted to the cover and the cover is moved to a closed position. [0036] Referring also to Fig. 10, another example method comprises inserting a first electronic module in a card reader as indicated by block 68 where electrical contacts of the card reader contact first contact pads on a major planar side of the first electronic module, and where a first retainer retains the first electronic module in a first retained position; and alternatively inserting a second electronic module in a cover of the card reader and closing the cover as indicated by block 70, where the electrical contacts of the card reader contact second contact pads on a major planar surface of the second electronic module, and where a second retainer on the cover retains the second electronic module in a second retained position.

[0037 ] The first retainer may comprise springs which contact perimeter side edges of the first electronic module to retain the first electronic module in the first retained position. After inserting the second electronic module in the cover and closing the cover, the second electronic module may contact and move the springs out of the path of the second electronic module to allow the second electronic module to contact the electrical contacts .

[0038 ] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, features recited in the various dependent claims could be combined with each other in any suitable combination ( s } . In addition, features from different embodiments described above could be selectively combined into a new embodiment. Accordingly, the description is intended to embrace all such alternatives , modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

What is Claimed is :

1. An apparatus comprising: a housing comprising a first section and a second section pivotably connected to the first section; a first electronic module retainer on the first section, where the first electronic module retainer is configured to retain a first electronic module to the first section in a first retained position; a second electronic module retainer on the second section, where the second electronic module retainer is configured to retain a second electronic module to the second section in a second retained position; and contacts on the first section configured to: contact first contact pads on a major planar surface of the first electronic module when the first electronic module is in the first retained position, and alternatively, contact second contact pads on a major planar surface of the second electronic module when the second electronic module is in the second retained position and the second section is in a closed position on the first section .

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the first electronic module retainer comprises springs on the first section which are configured to contact perimeter sides of the first electronic module.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the first electronic module retainer comprises springs on the first section, and where the springs are configured to be pressed into the first section by the second electronic module on the second section when the second section is moved to the closed position with the second electronic module in the second retained position.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the second electronic module retainer comprises side rail sections configured to slide the second electronic module into the second section.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the second section comprises a cover configured to close over the first electronic module when the second electronic module is not located in the second retained position.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the first electronic module retainer is configured to retain a first size SIM card in the first retained position as the first electronic module, and where the second electronic module retainer is configured to retain a second different size SIM card in the second retained position as the second electronic module.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means to move the first electronic module retainer out of a path of the second electronic module when the second electronic module is in the second electronic module retainer and the second section is moved to the closed position .

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the apparatus comprises means for alternatively connecting different physical size SIM cards to the apparatus as the first and second electronic modules.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the apparatus is a card reader.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 where the apparatus is a mobile telephone.

11. A card reader comprising: electrical contacts; a first SIM card receiving area comprising a first retainer configured to retain a first SIM card against the electrical contacts; and a second different SIM card receiving area on a movable cover having a second retainer configured to retain a second different size SIM card against the electrical contacts when the movable cover is closed to a position over the contacts, and where the first and second retainers are configured to respectively retain the different size SIM cards.

12. A card reader as in claim 11 where the first retainer comprises springs which are configured to contact perimeter sides of the first SIM card.

13. A card reader as in claim 11 where the first retainer comprises springs, and where the springs are configured to be pressed away from the first SIM card receiving area by the second SIM card when the movable cover is moved to the closed position with the second SIM card in the second SIM card receiving area.

14. A card reader as in claim 11 where the second retainer comprises side rail sections on the cover configured to slide the second SIM card into the second SIM card receiving area.

15. A card reader as in claim 11 further comprising means to move the first retainer out of a path of the second SIM card when the second SIM card is in the second retainer and the cover is moved to the closed position.

16. A method comprising: providing a first electronic module receiving area comprising a first electronic module retainer and electrical contacts configured to contact first contact pads on a major planar side of a first electronic module when the first electronic module is in the first electronic module receiving area; and providing a second electronic module receiving area comprising a second electronic module retainer, where the second electronic module receiving area is on a movable cover configured to cover the first electronic module receiving area, where, when located in the second electronic module receiving area, second contact pads on a major planar side of a second electronic module contact the electrical contacts when the cover is closed over the first electronic module receiving area, such that the electrical contacts are located to alternatively contact the first contact pads of the first electronic module or the second contact pads of the second electronic module.

17. A method as in claim 16 where the first electronic module retainer is provided as comprising springs configured to contact side perimeter edges of the first electronic module, where the springs are configured to be moved out of a path of the second electronic module by the second electronic module when the second electronic module is mounted to the cover and the cover is moved to a closed position.

18. A method comprising: inserting a first electronic module in a card reader where electrical contacts of the card reader contact first contact pads on a major planar side of the first electronic module, and where a first retainer retains the first electronic module in a first retained position; and alternatively inserting a second electronic module in a cover of the card reader and closing the cover, where the electrical contacts of the card reader contact second contact pads on a major planar surface of the second electronic module, and where a second retainer on the cover retains the second electronic module in a second retained position.

19. A method as in claim 18 where the first retainer comprises springs which contact perimeter side edges of the first electronic module to retain the first electronic module in the first retained position.

20. A method as in claim 19 where, after inserting the second electronic module in the cover and closing the cover, the second electronic module contacts and moves the springs out of the path of the second electronic module to allow the second electronic module to contact the electrical contacts .