Method and apparatus for providing enhanced functionality for a mobile communication device

• US 20060046779A1
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tracy, James L., Mussenden, Georg A., Borras, Jaime A.
• Application Number:
  US10/930,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20060046779A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60

Abstract

A mobile communication device is provided with an electrical interface in a battery compartment (204) of the mobile communication device. The interface is provided by a flexible circuit member (106) disposed on a radiation shield (100), which is mounted on a circuit board (14) of the mobile communication device. The flexible circuit member and shield are accessible through an opening (206) in the back surface (210) of the battery compartment. Initially the mobile communication device is provided with a label (214) concealing the electrical interface. The label may be removed later so that a battery accessory module (600) may replace a standard battery (502). An accessory circuit (808) in the battery accessory module connects to the mobile communication device through the interface, and provides additional functionality to the mobile communication device.

Claims

1. A method of providing enhanced functionality for a mobile communication device, comprising:

providing the mobile communication device with an electrical interface in a battery compartment of the mobile communication device, the electrical interface being formed by a flexible circuit member disposed on top of a radiation shield mounted on a circuit board inside the mobile communication device, the flexible circuit member being accessible through an opening in a back surface of the battery compartment;

providing a removable substrate over the electrical interface upon manufacture of the mobile communication device;

wherein the removable substrate is removed subsequently to install a battery accessory module in the battery compartment of the mobile communication device, the battery accessory module comprising a battery and an accessory circuit and an interface connector for mating with the electrical interface of the mobile communication device.

2. A method of providing enhanced functionality as defined in claim 1, wherein providing a removable substrate comprises providing a label.

3. A method of providing enhanced functionality in a mobile communication device, comprising:

providing the mobile communication device with a concealed electrical interface in a battery compartment of the mobile communication device, the electrical interface being concealed by a removable substrate;

removing the removable substrate from the battery compartment; and

installing a battery accessory module into the battery compartment.

4. A method of providing enhanced functionality as defined in claim 3, wherein providing the mobile communication device with a concealed electrical interface comprises providing the mobile communication device with:

a circuit board disposed inside the mobile communication device;

a radiation shield mounted on the circuit board; and

a flexible circuit member mounted on top of the radiation shield, and having a plurality of conductor pads;

wherein the radiation shield is fit with an opening in a back surface of the battery compartment.

5. A method of providing enhanced functionality as defined in claim 3, wherein the removable substrate is a label.

6. A method of providing enhanced functionality as defined in claim 3, wherein the battery accessory module is one of:

a wireless local area network media access circuit, a satellite positioning receiver circuit, a removable storage media, and a wireless data modem circuit.

7. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a housing having a battery compartment with an opening in a back surface of the battery compartment;

a circuit board disposed inside the mobile communication device;

a radiation shield mounted on top of the circuit board, and extending into the opening in the back surface of the battery compartment;

a flexible circuit member mounted on top of the radiation shield and having a plurality of conductor pads for providing an electrical interface with the mobile communication device; and

a removable substrate for concealing the flexible circuit member and radiation shield, disposed in the battery compartment of the mobile communication device;

wherein the electrical interface is for interfacing with an interface connector of a battery accessory module.

8. A mobile communication device as defined in claim 7, wherein the removable substrate is a label.

9. A mobile communication device as defined in claim 7, wherein the battery accessory module is one of:

a wireless local area network media access circuit, a satellite positioning receiver circuit, a removable media device, and a wireless data modem circuit.