Miniaturized Card Serial Link Reduces Connector Pin Count

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors for miniaturized form factor communications cards in mobile information devices have a high pin count, leading to increased complexity, cost, and susceptibility to damage due to frequent insertion and removal, which complicates the connection of multiple communication and system interface functions.

Innovation Solution

A reduced pin count connection system utilizing a master serial data link in the card and a slave serial data link in the host device, with a connector having fewer contacts, enables communication of input and output signals through a serial data interface, reducing the need for physical pins and simplifying the connection process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a high pin count connector is used to accommodate multiple communication and system interface functions, then the functionality of the card is improved, but the complexity and cost of the connector increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidconnector complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional parallel mechanical connector system with multiple physical pins with a serial communication system using only four pins. The card controller and host device use protocol-based communication to transmit multiple data streams (voice, display, keyboard) sequentially over the serial link, eliminating the need for a complex multi-pin mechanical connector while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a high pin count connector is used to accommodate multiple communication and system interface functions, then the functionality of the card is improved, but the cost of the connector increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidconnector cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a high pin count connector is used for connection, then all communication functions can be connected simultaneously, but the likelihood of connector damage or breakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoidconnector durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Speed

If multiple parallel connections are used for communication functions, then data transmission speed is improved, but the pin count and connector complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidpin count

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses time-division multiplexing where different data streams (voice, display, keyboard) are transmitted sequentially in periodic time slots over the serial connection. The card controller and host device coordinate to allocate specific time periods for each data type, enabling efficient use of the four-pin interface while maintaining high data transmission rates through rapid alternating transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS7392954B2Method and apparatus for reducing pin count for connection of a miniaturized form factor card in a mobile information device

Publication Date: 2008.07.01 UTSTARCOM INC

AI summary

A reduced pin count connection system for an insertable operational systems card having a plurality of input and output signals to a host device having operational circuits responsive to the input and output signals of the card includes a master serial data link in the card for communicating at least a portion of the plurality of input and output signals of the card. A slave serial data link is operably interconnected to the master serial data link through a connector having a second plurality contacts less than the plurality of input and output signals and communicates the input and output signals to the operational circuits in the host device.