Versatile communications connectors

• US 7,074,061 B1
• Filed: 02/17/1998
• Issued: 07/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Goetz, David, Glad, Paul H., Roth, David, Ahlström, Joakim
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US09/024,885
• Time in Patent Office: 3,066 Days
• Field of Search: 439/344, 439/676, 439/131, 439/638
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07741 comprising a first part operating as a regular record carrier and a second attachable part that changes the functional appearance of said record carrier, e.g. a contact-based smart card with an adapter part which, when attached to the contact card makes the contact card function as a non-contact card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07743 External electrical contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/453 Shutter or cover plate opened by engagement of counterpart
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45

Abstract

An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form (FIGS. 1,2), structures are provided for receiving an RJ series plug and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body (102) includes one or more recesses (106) which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane (114) isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided (FIGS. 7, 14) is a replaceable direct access arrangement (151, 258) which is replaceably held within the communications device (150, 250). Both the structures providing the receptacles and the direct access arrangement are easily removable in case of damage or if other functions are desired. The replaceable direct access arrangement allows operation in countries having different telecommunications standards and allows operation with many different communications devices. Wireless communication is also provided.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a card body;

a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module having a portion for removable insertion into the card body to form a unitary module; and

an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle module comprises a recess to receive a plug of the communications line.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the recess is to receive an RJ-xx series plug.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the RJ-xx series plug is selected from the group consisting of an RJ-11, RJ-12, and an RJ-45 plug.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the receptacle module further comprises first and second electrical conductors provided in each of the recesses, the first and second electrical conductor positioned to make electrical continuity with the first and second electrical contacts in the plug when the plug is received by the recess.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle module comprises two recesses to receive two plugs.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the card body comprises a PCMCIA compliant card body.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the card body comprises a Type III PCMCIA compliant card body.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the receptacle module comprises a pivoting cover to mask the recess when the pivoting cover is in a closed position, and to expose the recess when the pivoting cover is in an open position.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the receptacle module comprises an auxiliary connector, the auxiliary connector to connect to a wireless communications device.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the wireless communications device comprises a portable telecommunications device, the portable telecommunications device complying with the Global System for Mobile Communications standard.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle module comprises a Direct Access Arrangement circuit.

13. The device of claim 2, wherein the receptacle module comprises a sliding drawer to mask the recess when the sliding drawer is retracted into the receptacle module, and to expose the recess when the sliding drawer is extended from the receptacle module.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the receptacle module for removable insertion comprises a connector plug, and the card body comprises a connector receptacle, and the receptacle module is removably inserted into the card body by connecting the connector receptacle with the connector plug.

15. A device comprising:

a card body;

a sliding drawer moveably coupled with the card body to open and retract;

a recess positioned in the sliding drawer to receive an RJ-xx series plug when the sliding drawer is open; and

a moveable bottom of the sliding drawer to move downward when the sliding drawer is open to receive the RJ-xx series plug and to shield electrical conductors of the plug from a surrounding environment.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the recess is configured for closely receiving an RJ-xx series plug.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the RJ-xx series plug is selected from the group consisting of an RJ-11, RJ-12, and an RJ-45 plug.

18. A device comprising:

a card body;

a sliding drawer moveably coupled with the card body to open and retract;

a recess positioned in the sliding drawer to receive an RJ-xx series plug when the sliding drawer is open; and

a moveable bottom of the sliding drawer to move downward when the sliding drawer is open to receive the RJ-xx series plug and to shield electrical conductors of the plug from a surrounding environment, wherein the movable bottom comprises a bevel to urge the movable bottom in an upward position when the sliding drawer is moved into a retracted position.

19. A device comprising:

a PCMCIA compliant card body;

a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module and the card body to removably couple to form a unitary module; and

an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the receptacle module comprises a recess to receive a plug of the communications line.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the recess comprises a recess to receive an RJ-xx series plug.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the RJ-xx series plug is selected from the group consisting of an RJ-11, RJ-12, and an RJ-45 plug.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the receptacle module further comprises first and second electrical conductors provided in each of the recesses, the first and second electrical conductor positioned to make electrical continuity with the first and second electrical contacts in the plug when the plug is received by the recess.

24. The device of claim 19, wherein the receptacle module comprises two recesses to receive two plugs.

25. A device comprising:

a lap top computer having a DRAM memory and a recess;

a card body inserted into the recess;

a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module having a portion that is removably coupled with the card body to form a unitary module; and

an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the receptacle module comprises a pivoting cover to mask the recess when the pivoting cover is in a closed position, and to expose the recess when the pivoting cover is in an open position.

27. A device comprising:

a lap top computer having a DRAM memory and a recess;

a card body inserted into the recess;

a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module having a portion that is removably coupled with the card body to form a unitary module; and

an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard, wherein the receptacle module comprises a sliding drawer to mask the recess when the sliding drawer is retracted into the receptacle module, and to expose the recess when the sliding drawer is extended from the receptacle module.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the sliding drawer comprises a moveable bottom to move downward when the sliding drawer is extended.

29. A device comprising:

a lap top having a DRAM memory and a recess;

a card body inserted into the recess;

a receptacle module to interface with a communications line, the receptacle module having a portion that is removably coupled with the card body to form a unitary module; and

an overall length of the unitary module, in a configuration, that is within the PCMCIA Type III standard, wherein the receptacle module comprises a pair of retractable and extendable jaws to capture an RJ-xx type plug.

30. A card to be used in a data utilization device, comprising:

a pivoting cover provided on a first end of the card, the pivoting cover having an open position and a closed position;

a recess to receive an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip within the pivoting cover if the pivoting cover is in the open position, the recess having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;

a first electrical conductor provided in the recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug if the plug is received by the recess;

a second electrical conductor provided in the recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug if the plug is received by the recess; and

conductors to convey an electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the data utilization device.

31. The card of claim 30, further comprising a pin about which the cover pivots.

32. The card of claim 30, wherein a width of the card substantially follows a PCMCIA standard width, and wherein in the closed position the card has a first overall length that is substantially within a PCMCIA Type III standard length, and wherein in the open position the card has a second overall length that is greater than the PCMCIA Type III standard length.

33. The card of claim 30, further comprising a card body and a removable connector housing of the card.

34. The card of claim 30, further comprising a component of the card to provide wireless communications.

35. The card of claim 30, implemented in the data utilization device, wherein the data utilization device comprises a lap top having a Flash memory and a PCMCIA slot having the card inserted therein.

36. A card to be used in a data utilization device, comprising:

a sliding drawer provided on a first end of the card, the sliding drawer having an open position and a closed position;

a recess to receive an RJ-xx series plug having a biased clip located within the sliding drawer if the sliding drawer is in the open position, the recess having dimensions such that the plug is closely received therein;

a movable bottom on the sliding drawer to move out of the sliding drawer if the plug is received into the recess;

a first electrical conductor provided in the recess, the first electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with a first electrical contact in the plug if the plug is received by the recess;

at least a second electrical conductor provided in the recess, the second electrical conductor being positioned to make electrical continuity with a second electrical contact in the plug if the plug is received by the recess; and

conductors to convey an electrical signal present on the first and second electrical contacts to the data utilization device,

wherein the moveable bottom is able to shield the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact of the plug from a surrounding environment.

37. The card of claim 36, further comprising a bevel to urge the moveable bottom upward if the sliding drawer is moved to the closed position.

38. The card of claim 36, wherein a width of the card substantially follows a PCMCIA standard width, and wherein in the closed position the card has a first overall length that is substantially within a PCMCIA Type III standard length, and

wherein in the open position the card has a second overall length that is greater than the PCMCIA Type III standard length.

39. The card of claim 36, further comprising structure of the sliding drawers to hold the plug in an angular orientation.

40. The card of claim 36, further comprising a card body and a removable connector housing of the card.

41. The card of claim 36, further comprising a component of the card to provide wireless communications.

42. The card of claim 36, implemented in the data utilization device, wherein the data utilization device comprises a lap top having a Flash memory and a PCMCIA slot having the card inserted therein.