Adapter clamp for a mobile electronic appliance.

p0001The present invention relates to a shoe to adapt to a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone or PDA personal data assistant.

p0002In the state of the art it is known to use small portable devices such as mobile phones or as personal data assistants who stand in the hand and which essentially comprise a display and interaction device with user to perform a number of IT tasks such as data entry or execution of a communication on a communication network.

p0003This type of portable device is often equipped with memory, in particular, and of calculating means and local treatment which advantageously cooperate with a fixed station such as a personal computer.

p0004To this end, it is known to provide mobile electronics device of a connector, for example, USB type and particularly USB-min, so that a cable connects the mobile electronic device with a connector suitable USB to the host computer.

p0005This arrangement then allows you to run applications from the home computer so that, for example, to load or unload some of the memories of portable electronic device.

p0006In this state of the art, it was found that the connector on the mobile phone, or more generally on a mobile electronic device, undergoing mechanical stress during connection and disconnection, and that resulted in failures for example, a lot of mobile phones managed in a company, engendered the unavailability rate and harmful repair costs.

p0007The present invention provides a remedy to these disadvantages of the prior art.

p0008In another prior art, it is known to have a docking station or "docking station", which is connected by a suitable cable to a desktop computer and includes a receptacle equipped with a connector for s adapt with the connector of a laptop or mobile device like a mobile phone.

p0009When the mobile device is placed in the receptacle of the docking station, respectively the two connectors on the phone, on the one hand, and on the dock, on the other hand, engage one the other and it is possible, firstly, to perform a connection between the mobile phone and the fixed computer and / or, secondly, to perform a feeding operation or battery charging carried by the mobile phone.

p0010However, in this state of the art, the insertion / extraction of the mobile phone on the dock results in a relatively close to the above problem, in which the connection between the two connectors can cause mechanical disadvantages.

p0011It also follows a certain rate of downtime and repair costs.

p0012In addition, the docking station is very often restricted to a single type of mobile device and takes up space on the associated workspace with computer fixed.

p0013In the document <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US7280802A"><text>US-A-7,280,802</text></patcit>He described a system for both frequency modulation transmitter and charger and / or power for a MP3 player that uses a docking station and a connecting cable to a computer.

p0014In this state of the art, the mobile electronic device is not related to the station when it is necessary that the computer takes control using a specialized application of the MP3 player.

p0015In particular, such an apparatus is frequently connected and disconnected each time the user wishes to change e.g. MP3 files that are implanted therein.

p0016By cons, when the mobile device is used on the go, it is separated from the docking station, which itself remains permanently connected by a cable to the workstation or PC.

p0017In the document <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP2034616A"><text>EP-A-2034616</text></patcit>There is disclosed an adapter for a MP3 player in one embodiment of which a cable is provided to connect an adapter fixed to a USB connector integrated with a host computer.

p0018In this state of the art, discloses a solution to the problem of connecting and disconnecting a portable device with one or more external devices that are used to both input or output depending on the circumstances.

p0019In the embodiment described in this prior art, a connector is used and comprises a housing and a plurality of contacts in the housing.

p0020A first set of contacts is suitable for Firewire transmission and a second set of contacts is suitable for USB transmission type.

p0021In this state of the art, the connector is provided on a cable connects a cradle type "Docking Station" to a host computer and the device, although it allows the connection type conversion between USB and Firewire, is subject to the same disadvantages when using the mobile device as those of other states in the aforementioned technique.

p0022This results in a number of disadvantages of use to which the present invention provides a remedy.

p0023Indeed, the present invention relates to an adjustment shoe for mobile electronic devices, of the type wherein the movable unit includes a connector such as a USB connector, and wherein the shoe includes a connector to be engaged in the connector the mobile device and a connector for receiving a connection or a cable to a computer or docking station.

p0024Finally, the shoe includes removable permanent fixing means on the phone or mobile device.

p0025The shoe has side walls and at least one horizontal wall intended to attach permanently and detachably the shoe at a suitable part of the associated portable electronic device.

p0026The shoe has at least one recess intended to allow access to keys or user interaction elements on the mobile electronic device.

p0027The shoe has means for securing the molded printed circuit in the shoe housing.

p0028The housing has at least one lid designed to be secured on the fastening portions of the housing of the shoe itself.

p0029The shoe includes at least one additional functionality module as:<ul><li>an electrical storage battery;</li><li>a radio communication circuit with an antenna for NFC communication;</li><li>a radio communication circuit and an antenna adapted for performing a bluetooth type of communication;</li><li>a flash memory module in serial connection;</li><li>a software application running on a data processor corresponding to the mobile electronic device so as to provide at least an additional feature to the mobile electronic device.</li></ul>

p0030The additional functionality module is connected by an electrical connection means to encapsulated printed circuit so as to communicate with the mobile electronic device, on the one hand and / or the dock like a laptop when cable connection is connected to the second printed circuit board connector molded.

p0031The connector of the mobile electronic device is USB-min, in that the first connector is overmolded PCB USB min reciprocal type and the second printed circuit molded connector is a USB connector max.

p0032Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood using the description and the appended figures in which:<ul><li>the <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> is a diagram showing a system combining a mobile phone and a shoe according to the invention;</li><li>the <figref idrefs="f0001">2</figref> is a perspective view of a shoe according to an embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>the <figref idrefs="f0002">3</figref> shows a perspective of a shoe section in a particular embodiment of the present invention; and</li><li>the <figref idrefs="f0002">4</figref> is a schematic view of a shoe in another particular embodiment of the present invention.</li></ul>

p0033To the <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>Depicts an assembly consisting of a mobile phone 1 as a mobile electronic device, and a shoe according to the invention which bears the reference 2.

p0034The mobile electronic device 1 conventionally includes a display screen 3, a browser or keypad 4out way navigation of a cursor on the screen 3 and side function keys on either side of the navigation pad 5 and 6 .

p0035Finally, it comprises at least a first kind 7 of a connector and which is in one embodiment of the type "USB min".

p0036"USB min" connector 7 has reduced dimensions, and thus has a high fragility.

p0037The sabot according to the embodiment of the invention mainly consists of a housing made of a synthetic material, preferably obtained by molding by injection, and which comprises a vertical side wall 8 which is intended to come into contact with the corresponding side walls the bottom of the mobile electronic device, at right on <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>.

p0038The shoe 2 also comprises at least one edge 9 in a horizontal plane with respect to the mobile electronic device from the upper or front face of the mobile electronic device 1 and on its peripheral region, while the sabot casing comprises a background in a plane parallel to that based on the underside or back of the mobile electronic device, so that the shoe when it is inserted on the mobile electronic device 1 is fully integral with the latter. This ensures a tight fit requiring insertion effort by the user, a permanent attachment means of coping shoe 2 to the mobile electronic device 1. It is noted here that the permanent nature of the attachment not a permanent attachment to the sense that it would then be impossible to remove the mobile electronic device of his shoe, but instead it is possible to remove the hoof by deliberate action and that it is impossible to separate it from unintentionally shoe.

p0039Following the horizontal edge 9, the shoe has a recess 10 which is intended to come imprison the lower part, shown on the right <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>, The mobile telephone 1 below 4 browser.

p0040In this way, the recess 10 allows the user to keep using the functions of the front, lower part (shown to the right on the mobile phone 1 of the <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>), The horizontal edge 9 and the recess 10 now firmly shoe on the mobile phone 1.

p0041The shoe 2 then comprises a circuit board 13 made of a molded material in an electrically insulating resin and giving rigidity to the assembly. A first end of encapsulated printed circuit, on the left in the drawing, a door connector "USB min" 12 reciprocal of "USB min" connector 7 of the cell 1. On a second end opposite the printed circuit 13, a "USB circuitry max "11 of a different kind from the kind of the first connector 12 and connector 7 which correspond to each other. The "max USB" connector has added strength compared to that of the first kind "USB min" which participates in the solution of the posed technical problem. Moreover, the electric adaptation of the interconnections between the two connectors is made possible by the shoe of the invention

p0042In one embodiment, the encapsulated printed circuit 13 comprises an insulating plate on one or both sides of which are arranged conducting tracks are arranged therein in the usual manner in the printed circuit technique. In addition, at least one kind of first connector 12 and at least one connector of a second kind 11 are joined and / or welded to the end of tracks so that the pins connecting the first kind of connector 12 are electrically connected by conductive paths to selected connector pins 11 of the second kind.

p0043In some applications, the encapsulated printed circuit 13 also carries electronic components interconnected on the slopes. In particular, there is provided an arrangement of components to provide an electrical filter, a data communication protocol converter.

p0044In some embodiments, there are multiple first connectors 12 kinds for reciprocal fit connectors on the mobile phone 1, for example a USB connector and an electrical connector. The encapsulated printed circuit 13 is adapted accordingly.

p0045In some embodiments, there are several kinds of second connectors 11, intended to accommodate separate cables to one or more electronic stations. The encapsulated printed circuit 13 is adapted accordingly.

p0046The printed circuit board 13 is secured to the inside of the shoe in a position which allows adaptation of the connector "USB min" 12 with the reciprocal connector "USB min" 7 of the mobile phone 1 when the saddle 2 is mounted on the part lower (right, in the <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>) Of the mobile phone 1.

p0047Moreover, the mounting of the printed circuit in the shoe brings out by a suitable opening of the shoe and shown to the right <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> so that the connector of the second type "USB max" 11 which is then accessible from the outside of the shoe 2 for connection with a "USB max" cable to a host computer (not shown).

p0048However, in normal use, the shoe is permanently mounted so that the connector 7 is always protected because it is connected to the connector "USB min" 12 of the printed circuit 13.

p0049At connection / disconnection with the docking station, or personal computer, the user is using a "max USB" cable (not shown) that is engaging the plug "USB max 11" available on the hoof.

p0050At first use, the user of the mobile phone or mobile electronic device 1 engages the shoe 2 on the side, shown on the right in <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>, And which is generally the bottom of the mobile phone.

p0051In this position, it is not necessary to disconnect the hoof, but instead, it is best to leave it permanently connected to the mobile phone. Against by being mounted simply by friction, the shoe 2 is still removable from the mobile phone 1. Further shoe assembly methods of the invention for example by clipping on a projecting part of the mobile electronic apparatus are provided.

p0052To the <figref idrefs="f0001">2</figref>There is shown a particular embodiment of the shoe 2 <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>.

p0053Shows in perspective the side wall "vertical" 9 and the recess 10.

p0054The step 10 assigns a substantially rectangular shape whose horizontal lower part to the <figref idrefs="f0001">2</figref>Includes a substantially circular recess 13 which allows in particular to clear the bottom of the browser when the saddle 4 is committed to the mobile phone 1 of the <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>.

p0055Similarly, depending on the model of nomadic electronic apparatus 1, there is provided, in the case where the bottom of the mobile device 1 comprises one or more light points of the bores, such as bore 14, to visualize the status of these light emitting diodes or points.

p0056Similarly, in other embodiments, the shoe 2 also has cutouts in the housing 8-10 that allow such access to a function key, or another connector to allow a perfect use the portable device 1 when mounted in the shoe.

p0057Is also represented by the reference 15 a molded part which is integral to the housing 8-10 and inside of which is made integral with the printed circuit board 13 shown in <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> in a position for the "USB min" connection of the connector of the mobile electronic device 1 with the "USB min" reciprocal connector 12 of the printed circuit 13.

p0058In another embodiment, shown in <figref idrefs="f0002">3</figref>The shoe 2, in particular in the part 15 shown in <figref idrefs="f0001">2</figref>, And shown in section in the diagram of <figref idrefs="f0002">3</figref>Includes a housing portion 20 within which is formed a slot or opening 25 through which the "USB max" connector 24 of the PCB 22 can pass so as to allow its connection to access a "USB cable max. "

p0059The printed circuit 22 may be mounted on two pins 26 and 27 drilled bore to receive two screws 28 and 29 of attachment that allow to arrange the printed circuit 22 in an angular position allowing its easy insertion in the "USB min" connector 7 the mobile device or laptop 1 of <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref>.

p0060Indeed, many mobile appliances present a connector type "USB min" with an angle determined by the plane of the front face.

p0061The two pins 26 and 27 are configured so as to ensure an angular orientation and a position in the plane corresponding to the hoof.

p0062In the embodiment of the <figref idrefs="f0002">3</figref>, The portion 20 of the shoe of the housing is closed by a cover 21 which is mounted on two pins 30 and 31. The lid 21 is for example made of the same material as the housing part 20. Screws 32 and 31 are engaged on the pins 30 and 31 to secure the housing 21 of the actual shoe.

p0063In this way, it is possible to access in particular to the circuit board even when the saddle 2 is mounted on the mobile phone, for example, to access the printed circuit.

p0064To the <figref idrefs="f0002">4</figref>A diagram is shown of a shoe 2 in another embodiment of the present invention.

p0065The shoe 2 has a lower part 43 in which are arranged:<ul><li>an encapsulated printed circuit 40 carrying the two connectors, such as connectors 12 and 11 of the <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> or 23 and 24 of the <figref idrefs="f0001">2</figref> ; and optionally</li><li>an additional feature module 42 intended to provide additional electronic function hoof; and optionally,</li><li>an electrical connection 41 for connecting the additional functionality module 42 in encapsulated printed circuit 40.</li></ul>

p0066In a particular embodiment, the additional functionality module 42 is constituted by an electric storage battery and the electrical connection 41 is constituted by two conductors connecting the proper polarity of the battery to the printed circuit 40 overmolded.

p0067In this embodiment, the encapsulated printed circuit 40 comprises conductive tracks that connect the corresponding power supply pins of the two connectors respectively "USB min" and "max USB" of encapsulated printed circuit 40 at the proper polarity of the module additional functionality consists of an accumulator.

p0068In this situation, when the "max USB" connector encapsulated printed circuit 40 is connected by a suitable cable to a docking station like a laptop, you can charge both the battery of the mobile electronic device 1 which the shoe is already connected, but also the storage battery 42 so that the autonomy of portable electronic device 1 is increased by the use of the additional functionality module 42.

p0069In other embodiments, the module 42 consists of, or contains:<ul><li>equipped with a radio frequency antenna circuit for adding an NFC (Near Field Communication) to a mobile electronic device 1 that do not yet have;</li><li>an RF circuit with a suitable antenna for Bluetooth connection (registered trademark) to add a function of Bluetooth communication (registered trademark) to the mobile electronic device 1, which would not be fitted; </li><li>a flash memory module series to login to add a mass storage volume or program to a portable electronic device 1 which would not yet have.</li></ul>

p0070In this case, the mobile electronic device 1 to be loaded by a software application which is executed by the processor board by the mobile electronic device 1 so as to manage additional features designed especially to be used when the shoe is mounted on nomadic electronic device on the one hand, and that is not necessarily connected to a personal computer on the other.

p0071With the shoe of the invention which is permanently coupled to the portable or mobile electronic device 1, it is possible to expand the capabilities of a mobile electronic device.