Memory Card Power Disrupt System

• US 20080151485A1
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Thornton, Curtis W., Hayes, Gerard J.
• Application Number:
  US11/613,226
• Publication Number:
  US 20080151485A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/684
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 including a card reading device

Abstract

A mechanical interlock mechanism described herein prevents a user from removing a memory card while a portable electronic device is connected to an external power supply. The portable electronic device includes a memory port, a power connector, and a cover. The cover is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the cover exposes the memory port. In the second position, the cover exposes the power connector and at least partially blocks the memory port and any memory card inserted in the memory port. Thus, the second position prevents the user from removing a memory card from the memory port while an external power supply is connected to the power connector.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a memory port configured to receive a memory card;

a power connector configured to connect to an external power supply; and

a cover movable between first and second positions, wherein in said first position the memory port is exposed, and wherein in said second position the memory port is at least partially blocked by said cover and the power connector is exposed.

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein in said first position the power connector is at least partially blocked by said cover.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a slidable cover configured to slide between the first and second positions.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a rotatable cover configured to rotate between the first and second positions.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein the cover is disposed on an outer surface of a housing of the portable electronic device.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein the cover comprises a generally L-shaped cover comprising a cover plate extending from a rail.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 6 wherein in the second position, the cover plate at least partially blocks the memory port and exposes the power connector.

8. The portable electronic device of claim 6 wherein in the first position, the cover plate exposes the memory port.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein the memory card comprises a subscriber identity module.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein the power connector comprises a universal serial bus connector.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein the portable electronic device comprises one of a cellular telephone, multi-media player, personal data assistant, and modem.

12. A method of protecting data on a memory card of a portable electronic device connected to an external power supply, the method comprising:

disposing a memory port in a housing of the portable electronic device, said memory port configured to receive the memory card;

disposing a power connector in the housing proximate the memory port, said power connector configured to connect to the external power supply; and

disposing a cover movable between first and second positions on the housing proximate the memory port and the power connector, wherein in said first position the memory port is exposed, and wherein in said second position the memory port is at least partially blocked by said cover and the power connector is exposed.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein in said first position the power connector is at least partially blocked by said cover.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the cover slides between the first and second positions.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the cover rotates between the first and second positions.