Detachable Wireless Communication Module for Flexible Host Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method of adding new communication modules to portable electronic devices requires redesigning the host circuitry, increasing development costs and time, and lacks flexibility in manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A detachable wireless communication module with a short-range radio frequency module, such as an RFID or NFC module, that can be easily connected to an electronic device's host connector, allowing the module to become part of the device's casing, and a method for activating this module by detecting signal levels to ensure proper connection and initialization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a new communication module is added to a portable electronic device, then the device gains new communication functions, but the host circuitry must be re-designed increasing development cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module is separated from the host circuitry into an independent detachable unit. This segmentation allows the communication module to be developed, tested, and manufactured independently, eliminating the need to re-design the host circuitry when adding new communication functions. The module connector enables this separation while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The host connector is designed with universal compatibility to work with different types of communication modules (e.g., RFID, NFC, Bluetooth). This allows a single host device design to support multiple communication functions by simply changing the detachable module, rather than redesigning the host circuitry for each new function.
2Reliability
If a new communication module is integrated into the host circuitry, then the device achieves stable communication performance, but the overall development time and cost significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module is pre-designed, pre-tested, and pre-certified as an independent unit before being integrated with the host device. This preliminary action ensures that the module meets all communication performance requirements independently, so that when attached to the host, reliable communication is achieved without requiring time-consuming re-testing or re-design of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The module connector acts as an intermediary between the host circuitry and the communication module. It provides standardized electrical connections that ensure reliable signal transmission while allowing the module to be easily replaced or upgraded. This intermediary interface maintains communication reliability while enabling rapid module swapping without affecting the host system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional integration methods are used for adding communication modules, then the device achieves functional requirements, but manufacturing flexibility and customization capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module is designed to be dynamically changeable through detachable connection. This allows the device to be reconfigured for different applications by simply attaching different modules during manufacturing or even by end-users. The dynamic nature of the connection enables flexible production lines where modules can be quickly swapped to create customized device variants without retooling the host assembly process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A detachable wireless communication module and a method for activating the same are disclosed. The detachable communication module, to be connected to a corresponding host connector of an electronic device, includes a housing, a short-range radio frequency module embedded into the housing, and a module connector. When the wireless communication module is detachably connected to the electronic device, the housing becomes a portion of a casing of the electronic device. The module connector, disposed on the housing, is detachably connected to the host connector of the electronic device. The module connector is used for communication between the short-range radio frequency module and a host circuitry of the electronic device. When the wireless communication module is detachably connected to the electronic device, a contact of the module connector is used for module detection to indicate that the short-range radio frequency module is embedded in the wireless communication module.