Data card housing

Details Data card housing Data card housing

1998-07-21

2001-05-01

Gandhi, Jayprakash N. (Department: 2841)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S801000, C361S802000, C455S090300, C235S492000, C439S260000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06226189

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a housing for a memory module. In particular, it relates to a housing for a data card, which may, for example, form part of a radiotelephone housing.
Memory modules such as data cards are known, for example, in cellular radiotelephones, which may be removably inserted into the telephone. A data card may be a passive memory card (i.e. essentially a ROM), or an active processor card (i.e. capable of processing information internally within the card). Data, such as identity information, is read from the inserted card and used in the subsequent operation of the telephone. The data card may be, for example, a “smart card” which is similar in size to a conventional plastic credit card and which includes a memory implemented as an integrated circuit device, commonly referred to as a “chip”, in which information is stored. For this reason such cards are also often known as “chip cards”.
The smart card may comprise a subscriber identity module (SIM). Also, In addition to subscriber identity information, such as the subscriber telephone number, and personal identification number (PIN), the smart card may store for example, call charge information (i.e. a charge meter), a telephone number index, or false PIN entries.
SIM cards are currently available in two sizes. The functionality of the SIM is the same for each, it is essentially that the physical dimensions are different. One is a credit card size SIM, the other is a plug-in SIM about 15 mm×20 mm.
The rationale behind the different sizes is that the credit card size is perceived as a convenient size for the user from a practical standpoint. However, the credit card size is relatively large, and smaller card sizes are needed as miniaturization continues to drive down the overall size of the terminal (i.e. the radio telephone unit itself). The plug-in SIM is intended to be semi-permanently installed in the cellular telephone.
FIGS. 1
a
to
1
d
of the accompanying drawings illustrate an arrangement for securing a SIM card in a mobile telephone, as disclosed in EP 0 679 002. This arrangement enables a credit-card sized SIM card
8
to be attached to a mobile telephone by providing the mechanical frame or casing
1
of the telephone with a pair of grooves
6
, into which the SIM card
8
can be slid longitudinally with one end first. On the surface of the mobile telephone facing the SIM card
8
there is a SIM connector
4
, with a number of generally flexible connector lugs
5
that make electrical contact with the contact pads on the respective surface of the SIM card
8
. The grooves are also used to slide a rechargeable battery unit
9
, having corresponding guides
10
, into place so that once properly installed, the battery unit
9
essentially covers the SIM card. In the battery unit there is often included a spring that exerts a force against the surface of the mobile telephone or the SIM card
8
while the battery unit
9
is in place, in order to keep the battery unit (and the SIM card) tightly fastened. If the card is inserted wrong edge first, the no SIM card contact pads make contact with the connector lugs
5
of the connector
4
.
One problem with the aforementioned arrangement is that it is adapted for use with full size SIM cards, which inhibit the reduction in size of a telephone. Also, the card cannot be readily inserted as it has to be aligned with the pair of grooves
6
before it can be slid longitudinally into position. Moreover, when the battery unit
9
of the mobile telephone is detached from the frame
1
of the mobile telephone, the SIM card tends to slide over the connector lugs
5
. Since there is capacitive energy stored in the telephone, the SIM card
8
can be easily damaged while sliding over the connector lugs
5
.
FIG. 2
of the accompanying drawings illustrates a known arrangement for securing a plug-in SIM card in a mobile telephone. On one surface of the mobile telephone facing the SIM card
24
there is a SIM connector
27
having connector lugs
26
. The arrangement also comprises a hinged SIM card holder
22
with a lock
23
for maintaining the contacts of the SIM card in contact with the connector lugs
26
of the SIM connector
27
. The SIM card
24
is inserted in the mobile telephone as follows. Firstly, the SIM card is placed in the holder
22
between the hinged portion
28
and the lock
23
. Then the holder is pivoted to the SIM connector and locked by sliding the lock
23
until it connects with a corresponding part on the surface of the mobile telephone facing the SIM card
24
. Finally, the SIM card compartment is closed by a cover
25
.
The manufacturing process of a mobile telephone comprising such an arrangement is complicated by the number of parts of the hinged mechanism. Also, the arrangement requires a large compartment in the telephone casing. Further, the card
24
cannot be readily inserted as it has to be aligned between the hinged portion
28
and the lock
23
before it can be slid longitudinally into the position in which it needs to be locked. Moreover, the SIM card and compartment have to be adapted so that the card can only be put in the correct way around. Otherwise, incorrect contact between the card and mobile telephone might take place which could damage the card.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a data card housing, comprising a reading region in which a card is to be located at a reading position, the reading region having grooves for guiding the card to the reading position, and a loading region having a supporting surface, wherein the loading region is arranged such that force can be applied to a major face of the card, to slide the card along the supporting surface and into the guide grooves, and the reading region is arranged such that force can be applied to the major face of the card to further slide the card to the reading position.
The data card housing of the present invention can be sized for use with credit card sized or plug-in SIM cards. Advantageously, it is sized for the plug-in SIM card, as this allows it to be implemented in modern radiotelephones. Also, the housing enables simplified insertion and removal of a data card. For example, the loading region provides a supporting surface which can assist alignment of the data card with the guide grooves. Moreover, the loading and reading regions are arranged such that a force can be applied to a major face of the data card to assist the sliding of the card into and out of the reading position. Furthermore, the data card housing of the present invention is simple, and thus easily manufactured.
Preferably, the supporting surface of the loading region slopes downwards to the guide grooves. This prevents encroachment of valuable PCB space by the housing when it is implemented in a radiotelephone, for example. Also, the sloped loading region assists in aligning the data card with the guide grooves. Further, it prevents the data card accidentally sliding out of the reading position.
The housing may also comprise means for retaining the card in the reading position to further assist in preventing the accidental removal of the card. Such retaining means may take the form of protrusions in the supporting surface of the loading region and/or the guide grooves.
The housing may further comprise a data card connector. The data card connector preferably comprises connector contacts for contacting data card contacts to couple the data card contacts to circuitry, the connector contacts being positioned to contact respective data card contacts when the data card is located in the connector in a first orientation, and so that only one data card contact is contacted by any one of them when the data card is located in the connector in a second orientation, 180 degrees rotated from the first. Such a connector prevents the risk of damage to the data card if the data card is inserted incorrectly.
The connector contacts may be positioned so that, with the data card in the second orientation, only one connector contact i

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