# US 9,436,646 B2 · Combined sockets for selectively removable cards in computing devices

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- Number: US 9,436,646 B2
- Document ID: US9436646B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/193,887
- Filed: 2014-02-28
- Published: 2015-09-03
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-28
- Assignees: QUALCOMM Incorporated
- Applicants: QUALCOMM Incorporated
- Inventors: Jianming Cheng; Jianxiang Wu; Wei Yan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9436646B2

## CPC

- G06F 13/409: {Mechanical coupling (back panels H05K7/1438)}
- G06K 7/0043: {the plurality of cards being cards of different formats, e.g. SD card and memory stick}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS

## Abstract

Combined sockets for selectively removable cards in computing devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a socket is provided that can accommodate both a subscriber identification module (SIM) card and a secure digital (SD) card. The cards are held in place within the socket in a back to back configuration by springs which further help insure that contacts on the cards are electrically coupled to conductive pins in the socket. While it is contemplated that the socket will be used in mobile terminals such as smart phones and tablets, the socket may be used in other computing devices that use such cards.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A socket comprising:
an upper socket base;
a lower socket base coupled to the upper socket base to define an aperture sized to allow insertion of a subscriber identification module (SIM) card and a secure digital (SD) card and delimit an interior space sized to accommodate the SIM card and the SD card in a back to back abutting relationship, such that contacts of the SD card and contacts of the SIM card face opposite directions;
a first set of pins coupled to the upper socket base and configured to interoperate with the SD card; and
a second set of pins coupled to the lower socket base and configured to interoperate with the SIM card.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The socket of claim 1 further comprising a socket cover positioned over the upper socket base.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The socket of claim 2, wherein the socket cover comprises a spring configured to press down on the SD card so that conductors on the SD card contact the first set of pins.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The socket of claim 1, wherein the first set of pins extends downwardly so as to contact pins on the SD card.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The socket of claim 1, wherein the second set of pins extends upwardly so as to contact pins on the SIM card.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The socket of claim 1, wherein the lower socket base defines pin apertures through which the second set of pins extends.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The socket of claim 1, wherein the lower socket base defines a recess sized to accommodate the SIM card therewithin.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The socket of claim 1, wherein the upper socket base defines an upper aperture through which the first set of pins extends.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The socket of claim 1, further comprising a card insertion tool configured to facilitate insertion of the SIM card and the SD card.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The socket of claim 9, wherein the card insertion tool comprises a bracket spring configured to move between a first orientation such that the bracket spring does not contact the SIM card and a second orientation such that the bracket spring contacts the SD card.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The socket of claim 1, wherein the SD card comprises a microSD card.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The socket of claim 1, wherein the SIM card comprises a microSIM card.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The socket of claim 1, wherein the aperture is a single aperture sized such that the aperture allows insertion of both the SIM card and the SD card with a card insertion tool.

### Claim 14

A mobile terminal comprising:
a housing defining an aperture through which selectively removable cards may pass; and
a socket comprising: an upper socket base;
a lower socket base coupled to the upper socket base to define an aperture sized to allow insertion of a subscriber identification module (SIM) card and a secure digital (SD) card and delimit an interior space sized to accommodate the SIM card and the SD card in a back to back abutting relationship, such that contacts of the SD card and contacts of the SIM card face opposite directions;
a first set of pins coupled to the upper socket base and configured to interoperate with the SD card; and
a second set of pins coupled to the lower socket base and configured to interoperate with the SIM card.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the socket further comprises a socket cover positioned over the upper socket base.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the socket cover comprises a spring configured to press down on the SD card so that conductors on the SD card contact the first set of pins.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the first set of pins extends downwardly so as to contact pins on the SD card.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the second set of pins extends upwardly so as to contact pins on the SIM card.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the lower socket base defines pin apertures through which the second set of pins extends.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the lower socket base defines a recess sized to accommodate the SIM card therewithin.

### Claim 21 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the upper socket base defines an upper aperture through which the first set of pins extends.

### Claim 22 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the SD card comprises a microSD card.

### Claim 23 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the SIM card comprises a microSIM card.

### Claim 24 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14 wherein the aperture is a single aperture sized such that the aperture allows insertion of both the SIM card and the SD card with a card insertion tool.

### Claim 25 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the mobile terminal comprises a smart phone.

### Claim 26 (depends on 14)

The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the mobile terminal comprises a tablet.

### Claim 27

A method of inserting cards into a socket, the method comprising:
placing a subscriber identification module (SIM) card into a card insertion bracket;
pushing the SIM card into the socket;
using springs on a socket cover to push the SIM card into a SIM recess in a lower socket base;
coupling conductors on the SIM card to a lower pin set in the socket;
removing the card insertion bracket;
reorienting a bracket spring in the card insertion bracket;
placing a secure digital (SD) card into the card insertion bracket;
holding the SD card in the card insertion bracket with the bracket spring;
pushing the SD card into the socket such that the SD card is back to back with the SIM card within the socket, such that contacts of the SD card and contacts of the SIM card face opposite directions; and
using the springs on the socket cover to push the SD card into contact with SD pins in the socket.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein pushing the SD card into the socket comprises pushing the SD card through a same aperture as the SIM card.