HllllllllllllIll|||||lllll||||||||||lllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`U8005517683A
`
`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,517,683
`
`Collett et al.
`[45] Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
`
`
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`[73]
`
`CONFORMANT COMPACT PORTABLE
`CELLULAR PHONE CASE SYSTEM AND
`CONNECTOR
`
`.
`
`Inventors: Gordon C. Collett, Yamhill; Donald T.
`Rose, Beaverton, both of Oreg.
`
`5,471,530
`
`11/1995 Chen ....................................... 379/446
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6-232779
`
`8/1994
`
`Japan ..................................... 455/351
`
`Primary Examiner—Chi H. Pham
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Fliesler, Dubb, Meyer & Lovejoy
`
`Assignee: Cycomm Corporation, Portland, Oreg.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[21]
`
`Appl. No.: 374,926
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 18, 1995
`
`[51]
`
`[521
`
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Int. Cl.6 ............................. H04B 1/034; H0413 1/38;
`H04Q 7/32
`US. Cl. .............................. 455/89; 455/90; 455/349;
`455/351; 379/58; 379/450
`Field of Search ............................... 455/33.1, 89, 90,
`455/128, 344, 348—351; 379/58, 441, 446—450,
`454, 455
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A compact portable cellular telephone extension that pro-
`vides additional electronic functions is implemented in a
`case attachable to a first external surface of the cellular
`phone to form a physically integral unit. A connector is
`supported by the case and couples the extension electronics
`to the cellular phone electronics. The connector connects
`through a second external surface of the cellular phone that
`lies in a plane different from the plane of the first external
`surface. A speaker arm extends from the case and supports
`a speaker unit. The speaker arm is positionable in a first
`position adjacent a third external surface of the cellular
`phone and in a second position away from the third external
`surface allowing the case to be readily attached and
`detached.
`
`5,335,276
`
`8/1994 Thompson et al.
`
`....................... 455/89
`
`12 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 1
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 14, 1996
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`5,517,683
`
`
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 2
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`M111111111
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`5,517,683
`
`
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 14, 1996
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`5,517,683
`
`
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 4
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 14, 1996
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`1 5,517,683
`
`
`
`Apple EX. 1009
`
`Page 5
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 14, 1996
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`5,517,683
`
`
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 6
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`5,517,683
`
`
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 14, 1996
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`5,517,683
`
`
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 8
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 14, 1996
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`5,517,683
`
`QFOOQ'ION-
`
`m3
`
`mzoxn.
`
`mOhomzzoo
`
`mzoxmomnzz
`
`03
`
`.
`n_<zmm._.2_
`CI.
`
`N:v
`
`
`
`mmx<m¢m4<zmm._.z_
`
`..$5....
`.meaao
`
`m5m
`
`m.‘
`
`<sz._.z<
`
`>,
`
`
`
`
`
`mo<umm._.z_4.53mowmmoommomo.2
`
`mm3om
`
`>1.mmnm
`
`09m.mfil
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 9
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 9
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 14, 1996
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`5,517,683
`
`RING DETECTOR
`
`I
`
`m
`
`Rx AUDIO
`FROM RADIO }
`
`CLEAR
`.
`.
`
`SPLIT- BAND
`INVERTER
`
`’
`
`"
`
`5mWI70
`
`POWER
`SUPPLY
`+ 7.5V DC
`+5V°C
`FROM
`PHONE
`BATTERY
`
`152 I
`
`LOW
`BATTERY
`DETECTOR
`
`To
`PHONE
`
`EXTERNAL .
`SUPPLY
`
`I80
`
`VOICE
`
`I
`
`SECURE
`
`< O
`
`
`
`8-:--l
`-‘
`R-DATA
`’54 65--
`C-DATA
`4—.
`3g-II T-DATA
`'2 .—
`
`IsoJ
`
`FIG. 90
`
`PHONE
`CONNECTOR
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 10
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 10
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 14, 1996
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`5,517,683
`
`CLEAR
`
`SPEAKER
`
`-
`
`.
`
`> T0 SPEAKER ‘ 22
`
`- -
`
`
`
`SERIAL
`NO.
`ROM
`
`
`
`«-
`
`CONTROL
`
`'7
`
`202
`
`C
`
`DATA
`CONNECTOR
`
`I84
`
`’20
`
`EXPANSION
`
`I76
`
`cLER '
`.
`
`- - C C
`
`26
`FROM4 m .-
`SECUREW ,74
`
`SPLIT- BAND
`
`I 78
`
`'
`
`INVERTER
`
`FIG. 9b
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 11
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 11
`
`

`

`1
`CONFORMANT COMPACT PORTABLE
`CELLULAR PHONE CASE SYSTEM AND
`CONNECTOR
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention:
`
`The present invention is generally related to portable
`cellular telephone systems and,
`in particular,
`to a case
`system, conforrnant to a compact and complexly shaped
`portable cellular telephone system, that includes a micro—
`processor system providing supplementary control and sig-
`nal processing functions.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`There exists a class of cellular telephones known as
`compact portable cellular phones. This class is generally
`characterized by a collapsible or foldable case structure that
`permits carrying of the cellular phone in a shirt or coat
`pocket or small purse. A particular attractiveness of such
`phones is specifically the small size of the phone.
`One such exemplary compact portable cellular phone is
`the Motorola Micro-TAC series of phones. The Micro-TAC
`phones employ a flip down sound deflector structure to
`expose the numeric key pad and a numeric display. A
`rechargeable battery is rail mountable to the back surface of
`the phone. Planar slide contacts that mate on the adjacent
`surfaces between the battery and cellular phone provide
`operational power.
`While the small size and portability of the Micro-TAC
`phone are primary advantages, products exist to permit the
`utilization of the Micro-TAC in more conventional settings.
`Specifically, a fixed mounting structure is known that per-
`mits the Micro—TAC to be temporarily mounted in a fixed
`position in, for example, an automobile. An access connec-
`tor receptacle is provided at an external surface of the
`Micro-TAC separate from the battery attachment surface to
`permit access to the internal cellular phone electronics. Once
`the Micro-TAC is placed in the fixed mounting unit, a
`conventional flexible connector is manually attached to the
`Micro-TAC phone by way of the connector receptacle. The
`connector allows for a conventional external antenna, micro—
`phone and amplified speaker to be attached to the Micro-
`TAC. The conventional connector utilized for insertion into
`
`the receptacle disables the conduction of power from any
`attached battery and, further, disables the internal micro-
`phone and speaker sub—systems of the Micro-TAC phone.
`Disconnection of the external connector and removal from
`the fixed mounting unit re—enables these functions of the
`Micro-TAC and thereby permits portable use of the Micro-
`TAC phone.
`'
`Another product known to be used with Micro-TAC type
`cellular phones is mobile battery eliminator and recharging
`unit. Normally, the rechargeable battery must be recharged
`in an AC adapter with the battery either separate from or
`normally mounted to the cellular telephone unit. The battery
`eliminator connects to the Micro-TAC cellular phone to
`couple automotive 12 volt DC power to the phone. The
`battery eliminator may also permit mounting of a recharge-
`able battery to the eliminator product at the same time
`permitting the battery to be simultaneously recharged with-
`out interruption in the use of the cellular phone.
`Electronics adapter units, providing additional electronic
`functionality, are also known in relationship to mobile and
`transportable cellular telephones. An exemplary adapter unit
`is a Hand-held Privacy Unit (HPU-lOO) that provides pro-
`prietary voice encoding for cellular transmissions. The
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4O
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`5,517,683
`
`2
`
`adapter unit attaches to a substantially planar rear surface of
`the cellular phone. The original manufacturer of the cellular
`phone provides both large pad power connectors as well as
`large pad electronics access points for tapping analog voice
`information from the cellular telephone internal circuitry.
`The large pad contacts are intended to enable simple contact
`between the cellular telephone and adapter unit while at the
`same time presenting only very loose tolerance requirements
`in the mating of the contacts. Although the rechargeable
`battery may be further mounted to the attachment unit, a
`separate microphone and independently powered speaker
`amplifier system must be provided in order to enable use of
`the system. Consequently, the resulting system does not
`provide a single unitary cellular telephone system providing
`for the provision of additional electronic functions.
`Other specialty cellular phones are known to include
`specialized functions as an integral feature of the cellular
`phone. For example, a cellular phone is known to incorpo-
`rate a dedicated and highly~specialized data modern as part
`of the electronic circuitry of the cellular phone to permit
`signalling and sign-on communication links with the main
`cellular switch. Such phones may be connected to, for
`example, a personal computer to enable cellular digital data
`communication. However,
`in such instances, the internal
`modem is essentially unaccessible and a separate modem is
`required.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Thus, a general purpose of the present invention is to
`provide an electronics extension system for a portable
`compact cellular telephone system.
`This is achieved by the present invention by the provision
`of an extension system that implements the additional elec-
`tronic functions in a case attachable to a first external surface
`of the cellular phone to form a physically integral unit. A
`connector is supported by the case and couples the extension
`electronics to the cellular phone electronics. The connector
`connects through a second external surface of the cellular
`phone that lies in a plane different from the plane of the first
`external surface. A speaker arm extends from the case and
`supports a speaker unit. The speaker arm is positionable in
`a first position adjacent a third external surface of the
`cellular phone and in a second position away from the third
`external surface allowing the case to be readily attached and
`detached.
`
`Thus, an advantage of the present invention is that the
`resultant device is a single, compact, physically integral and
`portable system.
`Another advantage of the present invention is that the
`electronics case is both readily detachable yet at the same
`time highly conformant to the external geometry of the
`compact portable cellular phone.
`A further advantage of the present invention is that the
`connector subsystem provides for reliable, enclosed inser-
`tion of the connector on simple rail mounting of the case to
`the compact portable cellular phone.
`Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the
`case provides floating support for the connector subsystem
`that effectively isolates mating stresses from the internal
`electronics supporting printed circuit board and intercou-
`pling connector contacts in a compact system.
`A still further advantage of the present invention is the
`provision for integral attachment of additional electronics
`provided by way of PCMCIA type cards.
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 12
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 12
`
`

`

`5,517,683
`
`3
`
`Yet still another advantage of the present invention is that
`it provides the ability to add significant capabilities to an
`existing basic cellular phone, including a compressed video
`interface, electronic security features, other electronic
`broadcast services such as paging and global positioning,
`and the like.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`These and other advantages and features of the present
`invention will become better understood upon consideration
`of the following detailed description of the invention when
`considered in connection of the accompanying drawings, in
`which like reference numerals designate like parts through-
`out the figures thereof, and wherein:
`FIG. 1a provides a top view of a compact portable cellular
`telephone with the electronics case of the present invention
`attached;
`FIG. lb provides a side view of a preferred compact
`portable cellular telephone with the electronics case of the
`present invention and rechargeable battery shown joined as
`an integral physical unit;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronics case of the
`present invention illustrating the positioning of the speaker
`arm in the non-conformant position;
`FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view detailing the
`assemblage of the printed circuit board within the electron-
`ics case of the present invention, the support of the connec—
`tor sub—system and preferred joint for the flexible arm;
`FIG. 4 provides a detailed view of the connector sub-
`system, specifically the printed circuit board mounting fea-
`tures thereof;
`FIGS. 5a—5d provide a variety of views of the mating
`between the connector sub-system of the present invention
`and the insertion type connector receptacle of the preferred
`compact portable cellular telephone;
`FIG. 6 provides a partial perspective view illustrating an
`alternate embodiment providing for the insertion connection
`and support of a PCMCIA type card;
`FIG. 7a—7b provides top and side views of the portable
`cellular telephone case of the present invention including
`video display and camera components and mounting stand;
`FIG. 8 provides a block schematic diagram of the compact
`portable cellular telephone electronics; and
`FIGS. 9a—9b provide a schematic block diagram of the
`preferred electronics implemented as part of the present
`invention to provide additional electronic functionality to
`the preferred compact portable cellular telephone.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`In FIG. 1a, a Micro-TACTM type cellular telephone 10 is
`shown with the electronics case representing the preferred
`embodiment of the present invention. The cellular telephone
`10 includes a numeric keypad 12 and display panel 14. A flip
`section 16 of the cellular telephone 10 provides a swing-
`down extension that acts as a sound reflector. A conventional
`
`microphone 18 is located typically in the main case of the
`telephone 10. The conventional speaker of the cellular
`telephone 10 is hidden behind a swing arm section 20 of the
`electronics case. The swing arm provides for the mounting
`of an auxiliary speaker 22 at one end of the arm 20. The
`other end of the arm 20 is coupled through a hinge section
`24 to the electronics case of the present
`invention. An
`auxiliary microphone 26 is also provided as an extended
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4O
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`attachment to the electronics case of the present invention.
`The microphone extension allows for positioning of the
`microphone to acoustically participate with the sound
`reflected by the flip section 16 of the cellular telephone 10.
`However, mechanical operation of the flip section 16 is not
`blocked.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 1b, a side View of the cellular
`telephone 10 and attached electronics case 30 is shown. The
`case 30 includes an arm extension 32 that connects to the
`swing arm 20 for positioning the speaker 22 over the face of
`the cellular phone 10. The electronics case 32 includes ,
`mounting rails 34 that permit the attachment of a replace-
`able, rechargeable battery 36 to the electronics case 30 to
`form a single, integral, portable compact cellular telephone
`system. The relative positioning of the microphone 25,
`proximate to the hinge of the telephone 10 and generally
`within the height dimension of the flip section when closed,
`is also shown.
`
`As shown in outline in FIG. 1b, the electronics case 30
`provides for the housing of a printed circuit board 30 having
`a flexible interconnection to the auxiliary speaker 22 by way
`of a flex circuit 40. Also attached to the printed circuit board
`38 is an insertion type connector 42 that inserts into a
`connector receptacle in the cellular phone 10 at a normally
`exposed surface 44. That is, the mounting profile of the
`battery 36 is such that the surface 46 is normally covered by
`the battery 36 and the surface 44 is left entirely exposed. As
`can be seen, a portion of the electronics case 30 of the
`present invention extends beyond the surface 46 to cover the
`surface 44 and allow an effectively enclosed connection
`between the electronics of the case 30 and cellular telephone
`10 by way of the connector 42.
`The electronics case of the present invention is shown
`separately in FIG. 2. As shown, the connector 42 extends
`through an opening 50 through an end section 52 of an inside
`cover 54 of the case 30. The end section 52 preferably covers
`the normally external surface 44 of the cellular phone 10in
`order to maintain a completely integral appearance of the
`case 30 when mounted to the phone 10. The interior cover
`54 is displaced relative to the edges of the case 30 to permit
`mounting rails 56 to be provided for attachment of the case
`30 to the phone 10. These rails 56 are provided in essential
`duplication of the rails present on the replaceable battery 36
`so that the case 30 is rail mountable to the phone 10 in
`substantially the same manner. However, to accommodate
`the not necessarily regular external shape of the phone 10,
`the swing arm 20 is hinged utilizing the hinge section 24 to
`allow the arm 20 to be positioned outwardly to allow ready
`attachment of the case to the cellular phone 10 independent
`of any irregularities in the side and top external surfaces of
`the phone 10. The arm 20 may also be positioned downward
`against the top surface of the phone 10, preferably by
`application of a spring load, once attachment of the case to
`the phone is completed. Consequently, the arm 20 may be
`positioned in a highly conformant position adjacent the top
`surface of the phone 20 so as to minimize the size of the
`combined unit as well as to create a single integrally
`complete packaging system.
`The flex circuit 40 is provided to allow the swing arm 20
`to be readily repositioned. However, owing to the existence
`of different models of the cellular telephone 10 having
`different body thicknesses, the hinge section 24 is permitted
`to be repositionable in a vertical direction relative to the
`support arm 32. By adjustment of the vertical distance 58,
`conformant positioning of the swing arm 20 against the top
`surface of the phone 10 may be obtained. In one embodi—
`ment of the present invention, the flexibility of the flex
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 13
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 13
`
`

`

`5
`
`6
`
`5,517,683
`
`circuit 40 is utilized to allow the ready repositioning of the
`hinge section 24 relative to the arm support 32. In this
`embodiment, an adjustable friction connection or spring
`tensioning system may be utilized between the hinge section
`24 and arm 32 to permit this adjustment. Preferably though,
`the hinge unit 24 may be ultrasonically bonded to the arm 32
`at any one of a number of predetermined heights 58. While
`this latter embodiment has less adjustability, in that each
`predetermined position will correspond to essentially only a
`single model or body thickness of the phone 10, all models
`of the phone 10 may be accommodated utilizing only a
`single manufacturing set of case components.
`Finally, power slide contacts 60 are provided at a prede-
`termined location on the surface of cover 54 so as to mate
`
`with corresponding slide contacts present on the exposed
`surface 46 of the phone 10. The contacts 60 are positioned
`identically with the positioning of corresponding contacts
`present on the battery 36 to provide power to the phone 10.
`Additional power contacts are provided on the opposing
`cover of the case 30 so as to mate with the power contacts
`of the battery 36 when attached to the case 30. Essentially,
`these contacts provide for a power transfer through the case
`30 while providing for power take-off to the electronic
`components provided on the printed circuit board 38.
`FIG. 3 provides an exploded view of the case 30, includ—
`ing the top cover 54, printed circuit board 38 and base 70.
`Shown in relationship to the top cover 54 is an interior arm
`cover 32' that provides a mechanical shield for the vertical
`arm section 32 and adjustable hinge section 24. The arm
`cover 32' is formed as an extension of the inside cover 54.
`The arm cover 32‘ may also be separately formed and
`ultrasonically welded or snap connected to the vertical arm
`section 32, thereby allowing continued vertical adjustability
`of the hinge section 24.
`The flex circuit 40 and connector 42 are both connected
`to respective portions of the printed circuit board 38. The
`flex circuit 40 may be soldered directly to lead points on the
`printed circuit board 38 or coupled through a conventional
`flex circuit connector to the electronic Circuitry present on
`the printed circuit board 38. Similarly, the connector 42
`provides metallic leads that may be soldered directly to
`solder lead points present on the printed circuit board 38.
`Since the shape and construction of the connector 42 is
`non-standard, conventional
`inter-coupling connectors are
`not available to permit a flexible or stress—relieved intercon—
`nection of the connector 42 to the printed circuit board 38.
`Furthermore such an additional connector would provide an
`additional cost to the component and manufacturing expense
`of the case 30. Therefore, the connector 42 is preferably
`solder connected directly to the printed circuit board 38.
`The printed circuit board 38 itself is preferably mounted
`into a case bottom cover 70 at the connection supports 72
`and 74. One or more printed circuit boards may be stack
`mounted on top of the board 38. As shown, the connection
`supports 74 permit edge insertion of the printed circuit board
`38 while the connection supports 72 permits snap down
`capture of a corresponding edge of the printed circuit board
`38. Additional support for the printed circuit board 38 is
`provided by support blocks 76 provided along the interior
`peripheral edge of the bottom cover 70.
`When the printed circuit board 38 is installed in the
`bottom cover 70, additional support for the connector 42 is
`provided by a flat, angled section 78 of the bottom cover 70
`established in correspondence with a lower surface of the
`connector 42. In the preferred embodiment,
`the angled
`section 78 is found at an external angle of about 150 degrees
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4o
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`from the plane of the surface 46. Within normal engineering
`and manufacturing tolerances, the surface 78 is provided in
`unstressed light contact with the corresponding surface of
`the connector 42 to provide substantial vertical support of
`the connector upon application of a stress force. The surface
`78 also provides a rotational resistance against the torque
`force created when the connector 42 is inserted into the
`connector receptacle of the phone 10. Additional rotational
`resistance is provided by support stubs 80 that extend
`vertically from the surface 78 along an end wall of the
`bottom cover 70 and lightly contact, again within normal
`engineering and manufacturing tolerances, a corresponding
`rear surface of the connector 42. The planar contact surfaces
`of the vertical support stubs 80 permits a slight amount of
`both vertical and lateral displacement of the connector 42 so
`as to accommodate, yet specifically limit dynamic insertion
`forces applied to the connector 42.
`Furthermore, while the inside cover 54 and bottom cover
`70 are preferably formed of a relatively stiff, high impact
`resistance polycarbonate material, the body of the connector
`42 is preferably formed of a relatively more flexible poly—
`carbonate material. Consequently,
`the relatively flexible
`connector body material, and the support provided by the flat
`angled section 78 and vertical support stubs 80 substantially
`relieves applied forces due to the insertion of the connector
`in the receptacle of the phone 10 from being applied as sheer
`or stress forces to the contact leads of the connector 42 at the
`printed circuit board 38. Preferably, the cover 54, 70 is made
`from a NORYL brand polyphenylene oxide material avail-
`able from General Electric Plastics division of General
`Electric, Inc. The connector body is preferably made from a
`Valox brand glass—filled polyester material also available
`from General Electric Plastics.
`
`Finally, additional features of the bottom cover 70 include
`21 preferably cylindrical power port 84 and a data connection
`port 86. These ports, 84, 86 are preferably provided so as to
`readily admit the placement of conventional barrel
`type
`electrical connectors on the circuit board 38 in opposition to
`the cylindrical openings in the bottom cover 70.
`Referring now to FIG. 4, a detailed view of the coupling
`of the connector 42 to the printed circuit board 38 is shown.
`In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
`recess 90 into the end edge 92 of the printed circuit board 38
`is provided to mechanically receive a corresponding portion
`94 of the connector body 42. The recess 90 is preferably less
`than the full width of the body of the connector 42 and
`further, corresponding lateral recesses are provided in the
`body of the connector 42, as illustrated. Each connector
`recess is defined by an upper surface having a forward
`ramped edge 96 and lower surface formed by a body
`extension 98. Thus, the connector recesses formed on oppo-
`site sides of the connector body 42, corresponding to the
`lateral edges of the recess 90, will provide significant
`support for the connector body 42 when engaged with the
`recess edges of the printed circuit board 38 in all
`three
`dimensions relative to the printed circuit board 38.
`The ramped surface 96 is preferably provided as an aid in
`assembling the connector 42 to the printed circuit 38. As
`shown, contact fingers 100 extend from the connector body
`42 just above the printed circuit board insertion portion 94,
`thereby permitting surface mount connection of the conduc-
`tors 100 to the electrical circuitry present on the top surface
`of the printed circuit board 38. As will be appreciated, the
`electrical contacts 100 are provided in number and spacing
`to correspond with corresponding conductive fingers present
`within the connector receptacle present in the phone 10.
`Finally, a bar 102 is preferably provided at the leading
`edge of the insertion portion of the connector body 42. The
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 14
`
`Apple Ex. 1009
`
`Page 14
`
`

`

`5,517,683
`
`7
`
`purpose of the bar 102 is detailed in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5a, the
`portion of the connector 42 that is inserted into the connector
`receptacle of the phone 10 is shown in top view. Within the
`connector receptacle is a power switch consisting of a leaf
`spring arrangement of a fixed contact 104 and a spring
`contact 106. A perspective view of these contacts are shown
`in FIG. 5b. As can be seen, a feature of the spring contact
`106 is a contact button 107 protruded to engage the inserted
`portion of a conventional coupling connector and thereby
`break the electrical connection between the contacts 104,
`106 upon connector insertion. In some models of the phone
`10, the contact and spring portions 104, 106 are largely
`hidden between a protective plastic shield (not shown) that
`exposes only the button extension 107 of the spring contact
`106. Conventionally, the electrical conduction path is broken
`so that external power to the phone 10 may be provided
`directly by any coupling connector as conventionally used
`with the phone 10.
`However, for purposes of the present invention, fully
`portable operation of the phone 10 is maintained by provid—
`ing the bar 102 in opposition to only the ends of both the
`fixed and spring contacts 104, 106. As shown in FIG. 5c, the
`bar 102 is provided in direct line with but straddling button
`extension 107 of the spring contact 106. Upon insertion, the
`signal conductors 100 engage corresponding signal contact
`conductors 108 provided in the connector receptacle by the
`phone 10 for transferring control and data signals via the
`conductors 100 to the printed circuit board 38.
`As illustrated in FIG. 5d, the electrical circuit connection
`between the fixed and spring contacts 104, 106 is maintained
`when the connector 42 is inserted fully within the connector
`receptacle of a phone 10. Consequently,
`the phone 10
`remains enabled to draw power through the battery slide
`contacts provided on the external surface 46 of the phone 10
`when mated to the contacts 60 located on the cover 54.
`
`invention is
`An alternate embodiment of the present
`illustrated in FIG. 6. A electronics case 110, including an
`inside cover 112 and bottom cover 113 other than as
`described below, is formed consistent with the design and
`manufacturing considerations of the case 30. An opening
`116 is provided as illustrated in a top end portion of the
`bottom cover 114 in opposition to the internally mounted
`printed circuit board 118. A conventional male micro-con—
`nector 120 is preferably provided at the edge of the printed
`circuit board 118 so as to receive an electronics card 122
`when inserted through the slot 116. Preferably, the electron-
`ics card is consistent with the design and electrical definition
`of a PCMCIA Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 electronics cards.
`Accordingly, the mechanical and electrical definition of the
`connector 120 preferably corresponds to that of conven-
`tional PCMCIA connectors.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4o
`
`45
`
`50
`
`As will be appreciated, the elective provision of a PCM-
`CIA card 22 of varying definition permits the electrical
`functions and features of the electronics case 110 to be
`
`55
`
`fundamentally enhanced and, as a consequence, the capa—
`bilities of the phone 10 improved. For example, the elec—
`tronics card 122 may provide a air-LAN interface. The
`cellular communication capability of the phone 10 can thus
`be utilized to establish a remote LAN connection in support
`of still physically separated computer equipment.
`Alternately, the electronics card 122 may include a disk
`drive type medium, either implemented mechanically or
`through flash memory emulation. By interconnection with
`the electronics case 110, the cellular communication capa-
`bilities of the phone 10 may be utilized to directly store and
`retrieve large quantities of data in a dedicated fashion.
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`Other functions of the electronics card 122 include (1) a
`global positioning system (GPS)
`receiver/decoder
`that
`allows the precise location of the phone 10 to be located via
`a cellular radio link; (2) a multi-function modem having
`potentially data, facsimile and security encryption features
`that allows the phone 10 to operate as a cellular modem for
`data transferred by way of the serial port; (3) a paging
`system allowing the phone 10 to receive short messages and
`pre-dial return phone numbers; and (4) a video scanner
`system that allows the phone 10 to operate as a portable
`video source and cellular transmitter.
`
`Another embodiment of the present invention is illus-
`trated in FIG. 7. The electronics case 30, and specifically the
`vertical arm section 32, is modified by the addition of a
`micro-camera 126 having a forward looking lens 127. The
`video signal feed and power for the camera 126 are provided
`by connections through the vertical arm section 32 to the flex
`circuit 40 or a secondary flex circuit that similarly connects
`to the printed circuit board 38.
`The swing arm 20' is constructed substantially similar to
`swing arm 20, but is modified to mount an LCD screen 124
`in addition to the speaker 22. Thus, with the addition of
`conventional video display control electronics, a complete
`portable cellular video-phone can be realized.
`The electronic system 130 of the cellular phone 10 will
`now be described in relationship to FIG. 8. The system 130
`utilizes a central microprocessor 132 to control the function
`of transmitter and receiver blocks 134, 136 that are coupled
`through a duplex filter 138 to the cellular phone antenna. The
`transmitter and receiver 134, 136 are also coupled through
`respective microprocessor controlled switches
`that are
`nominally connected to an internal microphone 140 and
`internal speaker 142, respectively.
`A data interface block 146 is provided to receive user
`input through the numeric key pad of the phone 10, as well
`as provide for data output through the phone display. The
`data interface 146 also provides signal connections to a
`phone connector block provided in the connector receptacle
`of the phone 10. In the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention,
`the data interface 146 employs a three wire
`proprietary communications scheme by the provision of
`communication data on the C-data line, complementary
`communication data on the T—data line, and return data on
`the R-data line. Two additional lines provide for connection
`of the transmitter and receiver 134, 136 output signal lines
`to the phone connector 148 under microprocessor 132
`control. An additional line connected between the phone
`connector 148 and a power supply 150 is potentially used for
`powering the system 130. Nominally, power is obtained via
`the battery slide contacts provided on the external surface
`146 of the phone 10, here represented as lines 152. Signifi-
`cantly, the battery connection circuit formed via the lines
`152 includes the fixed and spring contacts 106. Where the
`leaf spring contact is in an open circuit state, as occurs with
`use of a conventional connector, the power supply 150 must
`draw power via the phone conn