3com Corporation

Tg Hien

Brent Delbert Madsen

Steve Parker

Margaret Wong

Charlie Payne

William G Becker

Liang-Hien Lin

An apparatus and method for enhancement of the functionality of electronic devices. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of an intermediary apparatus. The intermediary apparatus is adapted to be communicatively coupled with an electronic device. In the present embodiment, the apparatus is further comprised of a first module. The first module is comprised of a first electrical connector which is adapted to enable communication between the first module and the electronic device. The first module is further comprised of a second electrical connector adapted to enable communication between the first module and a second module. The first module is further comprised of an opening that is adapted to receive a second module. Additionally, the apparatus is further comprised of a controller adapted to control the communication between the first module and a second module, provided a second module is inserted into the first module.

Compact multifunction card for electronic devices

An input/output (I/O) media connector for a reduced sized communication cards. A metallic shield is wrapped substantially about the connector and secured to the connector by a plurality of pins integral with the connector. The shield has a plurality of tabs securely connected and grounded to a printed circuit board (PCB) that is interposed between the top and bottom covers of a compact flash card. Since the connector shield is securely connected and grounded to the PCB, the shield reflects and/or absorb the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the connector. Further, a plurality of cantilever beam springs integral with the shield, and biased towards the covers of the compact flash card, serve to ensure that the shield remains in substantial physical contact and electrical communication with the metallic covers of the compact flash card. Because the covers of the compact flash card are bonded and grounded with both the PCB and the shield, the covers are grounded and thus also reflect and/or absorb the harmful electromagnetic radiation emitted by the PCB and connector. The connector has an aperture formed in it to receive a media plug; the aperture is so formed as to preclude insertion of electrically non-compatible media plugs. Finally, the connector has an integral beam which terminates in a free end that occupies at least a portion of the aperture when the media plug is not present. The beam has a protruding retainer portion that mates with a corresponding recess formed on a tongue that is integral with the media plug. The beam and tongue arrangement provides tactile and audible feedback which ensure that the user is aware when the media plug is properly secured within the connector. This arrangement also exerts a retention force sufficiently large to preclude inadvertent removal of the plug.

Shielded I/O connector for compact communications device

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Tg Hien