Extension module for a portable device

• US 6,810,238 B1
• Filed: 10/20/2000
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Deeds, Douglas, Bernhart, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Gary, Erika
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DAVID Q
• Application Number:
  US09/693,485
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569, 455/552, 455/90.1, 455/525.1, 455/568.1, 455/568.2, 455/568.3, 455/568.4, 455/568.5, 455/568.6, 210/1
• US Class Current: 455/90.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts

Abstract

An extender module (300) capable of being firmly mounted to a mobile station via mounting points (331, 332, 333, 334) is provided. Extender module has a base portion (305) which may support a conduit (320) which extends from a upward facing connector (323) to a downward facing connector (321). Shell bottom may have a connector that duplicates one or more contact pads (380) of a mobile station (390). A duplicated contact pad (321) may appear on the extender module shell bottom.

Claims

1. A mobile station cover for providing an extension to a mobile station having a docking connector, the mobile station cover comprising:

an upper portion and a base portion, the upper portion having a main face surface facing a user during normal operation and defining apertures associated with respective keys of a keypad, the upper portion extending in a first direction opposite form a second direction beyond a silhouette of the mobile station, wherein the upper portion is sized to match the silhouette of the mobile station, the base portion comprising;

a first side panel extending away from the main face surface;

a second side panel extending away from main face surface; and

a back panel joining the first side panel and the second side panel to form an enclosure;

a first electrical connector having at least one conductor facing in the first direction, the first electrical connector housed within the enclosure and supported by the base portion; and

a second electrical connector coupled to the conductor and facing the second direction, the second electrical connector housed within the enclosure and supported by the base portion.

2. The mobile station cover of claim 1 having at least one mounting point.

3. The mobile station cover of claim 2 wherein the at least one mounting point is mateably engageable to a mobile station chassis.

4. The mobile station cover of claim 1 wherein the at least one conductor is supported by a printed wiring board, the printed wiring board supported by the base portion.

5. The mobile station cover of claim 4 wherein the printed wiring board has at least one semiconductor, the at least one semiconductor operatively coupled to the at least one conductor.

6. The mobile station cover of claim 1 wherein the docking connector has a quantity of docking conductors, and the least one conductor comprises an equal quantity of conductors.

7. The mobile station cover of claim 1 wherein the extender further comprises a shell that extends from the mobile station cover around the at least one conductor.