WO2008065256A1

WO2008065256A1 - An interface

Info

Publication number: WO2008065256A1
Application number: PCT/FI2007/050650
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timo Laitinen; Jarmo Ketko
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation
Priority date: 2006-12-01
Filing date: 2007-11-30
Publication date: 2008-06-05

Abstract

The present invention is an interface (1) which has two or more signal groups located on different surfaces of the interface (1). For example, the plug (2) of the interface (1) comprises a sheet like portion. The sheet like portion has a first connection area (2.2) having a first thickness (t1) and a second connection area (2.3) having a second thickness (t2). The first and second thicknesses are different from each other. Therefore, the first and second connection areas (2.2, 2.3) are formed on the same side of the sheet like portion but at different levels on the plug (2). Therefore, according to the invention the plug (2) has a first thickness (t1) and a second thickness (t2) and the first and second connection areas (2.2, 2.3) are formed at different levels of the plug.

Description

An interface

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an interface for connecting two devices. The invention also relates to a method for connecting two devices. The invention further relates to a computer program product for providing an interface between two devices. The invention also relates to a system comprising two devices and an interface for connecting the devices.

Background of the Invention

Many interfaces have been developed to connect two devices to provide a physical connection between the devices and/or for providing a communication connection between the devices. Such interfaces typically comprise mechanical parts having electrically conducting connection areas for delivering signals and power through the interface between the devices. Such interfaces may comprise two parts which can be connected together and released when necessary. This kind of interface can be called as plug and socket type interface. Hence, one device is equipped with a plug and the other device is equipped with a corresponding socket. Electrical connections are formed e.g. using metal stripes in one part (e.g. in the plug) while the other part (e.g. the socket) can comprise e.g. metal springs or other elastic, electrically conducting connection elements. When the plug is inserted into the socket, the connection elements of the plug come into a contact on the metal stripes to enable electrical conductivity through the interface.

The above type of interfaces are typically used when properties of a device can be changed by attaching an auxiliary device to the device. For example, the auxiliary device is a memory card to provide memory extension to the device, a wireless communication card to provide wireless communication capabilities to the device, etc. Hence, the auxiliary device may have the plug part of the interface and the device may have the socket type of the interface.

In an international patent application WO 2005/020137 a memory card compatible with multiple connector standards is disclosed. The memory card comprises a first connector at one end of the memory card and a second connector at an opposite end of the memory card. The memory is common for both connectors. However, only one connector can be used at a time. If the first connector standard is implemented in a device, the first connector of the memory card has to be inserted into a corresponding socket of the device. Respectively, if the second connector standard is implemented in a device, the second connector of the memory card has to be inserted into a corresponding socket of the device.

There are also some other drawbacks with prior art interfaces. It is usually important to connect the devices in a correct way. This means that some kind of orientation element may be needed to prevent wrong connections. The orientation element is typically at the connection area. Hence, the orientation element further reduces the size of the connection area wherein less connection elements can be formed on the connection area. Further, both parts of the interface (the plug and the socket) need to be compatible so that dimensions and electrical connections of the plug are compatible with the socket.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is an interface which has two or more connection interfaces located on different surfaces or layers of the interface. For example, the plug of the interface comprises a sheet like portion. The sheet like portion has a first connection area having a first thickness and a second connection area having a second thickness. The first and second thicknesses are different from each other. Therefore, the first and second connection areas are formed on the same side of the sheet like portion but at different levels on the plug. Therefore, according to the invention the plug has a first thickness and a second thickness and the first and second connection areas are formed at different levels of the plug. The first and second connection areas comprise one or more connection elements such as contact pads, optical inputs, optical outputs, capacitive inputs, capacitive outputs etc.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an interface having a detachable plug which is connectable to a socket, the plug comprising a substrate and connection elements for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, wherein the substrate comprises a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate is different at the first connection area from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a peripheral device, which comprises a substrate and connection elements for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, wherein the substrate comprises a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate is different at the first connection area from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising an electronic device and a peripheral device, and an interface for connecting the peripheral device with the electronic device, the electronic device comprising a socket, which comprises receptacles, the peripheral device comprising a plug which is detachably connectable to a socket of the first device, the plug comprising a substrate and connection elements, wherein the substrate comprises a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate is different at the first connection area from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for inserting a peripheral device into a socket of another device, the socket comprising a first group of receptacles and a first group of receptacles and the peripheral device comprising a substrate and means for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, the method comprising pushing a first edge of the peripheral device into a slit of the socket, releasing the first group of receptacles by a first connection area of the peripheral device to enable a connection between the first connection elements and the first group of receptacles, and releasing the second group of receptacles by a second connection area of the peripheral device to enable a connection between the second connection elements and the second group of receptacles. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided an interface having means to detachably connect a plug to a socket, the plug comprising a substrate and means for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, wherein the substrate comprises at least a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate at the first connection area is different from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a peripheral device which is detachably connectable to a socket of another device, the peripheral device comprising a substrate and means for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, wherein the substrate comprises at least a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate is different at the first connection area from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

According to an seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising an electronic device and a peripheral device, and an interface for connecting the peripheral device with the electronic device, the electronic device comprising a socket, which comprises receptacles, the peripheral device comprising a substrate and means for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, wherein the substrate comprises at least a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate at the first connection area is different from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

The present invention provides the capability to implement two or more different connection interfaces in the same device. Therefore, it is possible to implement two (or more) independent devices in the same physical entity and allow both devices use different parts of the interface when the device is connected with another device. Two (or more) different connection interfaces also allow to perform two (or more) different tasks on the device and both tasks can utilize their own connection interfaces in communication with another device. It is also possible to form more connection elements for interfacing between two (or more) devices than if only one connection area were in use.

When the present invention is used to implement an auxiliary device, the orientation element of prior art is not needed because the new form of the substrate of the interface prevents to insert the auxiliary device incorrectly. Hence, the connection area can be formed larger than in prior art devices without making the physical dimensions of the interface broader.

In some embodiments of the invention the plug can comprise one or more grooves and/or some kind of bracket(s), shoulder ridge(s) etc. which can also operate as an indicator of the type of the auxiliary device so that the device (host) to which the auxiliary device can be attached can recognize the type of the auxiliary device and/or application(s) installed on the auxiliary device. Therefore, the host device can determine which kind of operations are supported by the auxiliary device. Thus, the auxiliary device may not need any other indicator in the auxiliary device to inform the type of the auxiliary device.

Short Description of the Drawings

In the following the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which

Fig. 1 depicts the system according to an example embodiment of the present invention as a simplified view,

Figs. 2a and 2b depict a plug of a first example embodiment of the interface of the present invention,

Figs. 3a and 3b depict a plug of a second example embodiment of the interface of the present invention, Figs. 4a and 4b depict a plug of a third example embodiment of the interface of the present invention,

Figs. 5a to 5d depict some variations of a plug of a fourth example embodiment of the interface of the present invention,

Figs. 6a to 6g illustrate as block diagrams examples of an auxiliary device comprising the plug of the interface of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

First, some terms relating to the invention will be presented. An interface 1 of the present invention comprises a plug 2 which can be inserted in to a socket 3. The plug 2 does not only mean a circular pin but also other types of connectors can be regarded as the plug 2 of the interface 1. As an example of the plug is a sheet-like device having connection elements on a planar surface of the device. For example, a so called card edge connector is one type of a sheet-like device which can be called as a plug. A socket is a device into which the plug can be inserted to make a connection between connection elements of the plug and the receptacles of the socket. Therefore, the form of the socket may vary depending on the form of the plug. It should also be noted here that the connection need not be a mechanical or galvanic connection but can also be a connection based on optics, electric fields, magnetism and/or induction.

The system of Fig. 1a comprises a first device 10 having a socket 3, and a second device 11 having a plug 2. The second device 11 can be attached to the first device 10 by inserting the plug 2 into the socket 3 as is illustrated with the arrow A1. It is also usually possible to detach the second device 11 from the first device 10 by pulling the plug 2 from the socket 3. In other words, the second device 11 can be attached to the first device 10 in a detachable manner. In Fig. 1 b a cross-sectional view of the plug 2 and the socket 3 are shown in a simplified manner. It should be noted that the drawings are not showing all the details of the devices 10, 11 or the plug 2 and the socket 3. Further, the mechanical details are also not shown. For example, wirings from the connection elements 2.2a, 2.3a to the other circuitry of the second device 11 are not shown. Respectively, wirings from the receptacles 3.1 , 3.2 to the other circuitry of the first device 10 are not shown.

The plug 2 and the socket 3 form an interface 1. The interface 1 is used to enable communication and/or power delivery between the first device 10 and the second device 11. The communication comprises e.g. sending signals from the first device 10 and receiving the signals in the second device 11 and vice versa. Signals can include control, address and/or other data.

Referring to Fig. 2a there is shown a first example of a plug 2 of the interface 1 of the present invention as a perspective view. Respectively, Fig. 2b depicts the cross-section of the plug 2 of Fig. 2a. The plug 2 comprises a substrate 2.1 having a first connection area 2.2 and a second connection area 2.3. The substrate 2.1 is formed a sheet-like object having a width and a thickness. According to the present invention the substrate comprises at least two portions in which the thicknesses differ from each other. In other words, the substrate 2.1 has at least a first thickness t1 and a second thickness t2 as can be seen on Fig. 2b. In the example of Fig. 2a and 2b the first connection area 2.2 is formed on the thinner part of the substrate and the second connection area 2.3 is formed on the thicker part of the substrate. The thinner part has the first thickness t1 and the thicker part has the second thickness t2. Therefore, there is a second end section 2.7 at the location where the thickness changes. It should be mentioned here that the thickness of the thinner part and the thickness of the thicker part need not be constant but may slightly vary. For example, the cross-section of the thinner part may have a form of a slope e.g. to make the insertion of the plug 2 into the socket 3 easier.

In Fig. 2a examples of the connection elements 2.2a of the first connection area 2.2 and the connection elements 2.3a of the second connection area 2.3 are shown. In this example the connection elements 2.2a, 2.3a are in the form of stripes which are made of electrically conducting material, for example copper or aluminium. The width and the number of the connection elements may vary in different applications. The width of each connection element may be the same or the width of some connection elements may be different from other connection elements. Also the distance between adjacent connection elements may be the same for each connection element, or distances between adjacent connection elements may be different in different parts of the connection areas 2.2, 2.3. The illustrative example of Fig. 2a shows that in the first connection area the distance between adjacent connection elements 2.2a is not the same throughout the first connection area 2.2 while in the second connection area 2.3 the distance between adjacent connection elements 2.3a is substantially the same for each connection element 2.3a.

In some applications it may be desirable to make some of the connection elements 2.2a, 2.3a longer than the other connection elements. For example, some of the contact elements which are used for supplying power through the interface may be longer than other connection elements to assure that the power is correctly supplied through the interface when the plug 2 is inserted to the socket 3 and/or when the plug 2 is detached from the socket 3.

The substrate 2.1 of the plug 2 can be e.g. a casing of a device 11 , part of a printed wiring board (PWB) etc. The connection elements 2.2a, 2.3a are fixed on the surface of the substrate 2.1 , for example, by an adhesive, by mechanical fixing elements, etc.

As is illustrated in Fig.1 b the socket 3 of an example embodiment comprises a first group of receptacles 3.1 and a second group of receptacles 3.2. The first group of receptacles 3.1 and the second group of receptacles 3.2 are attached to the frame 3.3 of the socket so that the receptacles 3.1 , 3.2 can slightly move up and down in the slit 3.3a of the frame 3.3. The receptacles 3.1 , 3.2 are made of, for example, flexible material to enable the slight movement of the receptacles 3.1 , 3.2. In an example embodiment the width of the slit 3.3a of the frame is not constant but varies according to the thicknesses of the plug 2. For example, the slit 3.3a has a first width at the bottom of the slit and a second width at the other edge of the slit (i.e. in the opening edge of the slit). The first width of the slit is a little bit larger than the first thickness t1 of the plug 2, and respectively, the second width is a little bit larger than the second thickness of the plug 2.

The socket 3 can also comprise elements (not shown) preventing the connection of receptacles to "wrong" connection elements. For example, the receptacles of the second group are enabled only when the second thickness t2 of the plug is correctly inserted and the plug 2 is pushed deeply enough inside the socket 3 and/or receptacles of the first group are enabled only when the first thickness t1 of the plug is correctly inserted and the plug 2 is pushed deeply enough inside the socket 3. Therefore, the structure of the plug 2 of the interface 1 , e.g. different thicknesses t1 , t2, t3 of the substrate 2.1 can be used to control the mechanics of the socket 3 in a controlled way to enable and/or to disable at least non-desirable contact(s) between connection elements and receptacles.

Next, the insertion of the plug 2 into the socket 3 will be described. The first end section 2.5 of the plug 2 is directed to the socket 3 and moved to the slit 3.3a of the frame 3.3. When the first connection area 2.2 is in front of the socket 3 no connections are formed between connection elements and receptacles. Also when the first end section 2.5 of the plug is on the location of the second group 3.2 of receptacles no connections are formed between connection elements and receptacles. When the first end section 2.5 of the plug moves deeper in the socket the first group 3.1 of receptacles comes into contact with the first connection elements 2.2a. Respectively, the second group 3.2 of receptacles come into contact with the second connection areas 2.3a. Therefore, galvanic contact (i.e. electrical contact) is formed between receptacles 3.1 , 3.2 of the socket 3 and respective connection elements 2.2a, 2.3a of the plug 2.

If the socket 3 comprises mechanism(s) to enable and/or to disable at least non-desirable contact(s) between connection elements and receptacles, the insertion of the plug may affect the following operations of the mechanism(s). Then the plug 2 is inserted into a socket 3 by pushing the first edge 2.5 of the plug 2 into the slit 3.3a of the socket 3, the first connection area 2.2 of the plug releases the first group of receptacles of the socket to enable a contact between the first connection elements 2.2a and the first group 3.1 of receptacles. Further, the second group 3.2 of receptacles is released by the second connection area 2.3 of the plug to enable a contact between the second connection elements 2.3a and the second group of receptacles 3.2.

The cross-section of the plug 2 and the cross-section of the slit of the socket 3 prevent the insertion of the plug 2 upside down into the socket. Therefore, no orientation elements are needed in the plug 2 or in the socket 3.

Figs. 3a and 3b illustrate a second example of the plug 2 of the interface 1 of the present invention as a perspective view and, respectively, as a cross sectional view. The plug 2 of the second embodiment differs from the plug of the first embodiment in having also a third connection area 2.4 comprising one or more third connection elements 2.4a and a third thickness t3. Also in this embodiment the thickness of the substrate 2.1 grows gradually from the first connection area towards the third connection area. There is also a third end section 2.8 at the location where the thickness changes from the second thickness to the third thickness.

Figs. 4a and 4b illustrate a third example of the plug 2 of the interface 1 of the present invention as a perspective view and, respectively, as a cross sectional view. Also the third embodiment has a third connection area 2.4 and a third thickness t3. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the form in which the third connection area is formed. In the third embodiment the third connection area is formed on the opposite side of the substrate 2.1 than the first 2.2 and the second connection areas 2.3.

Figs. 5a and 5b illustrate a fourth example of the plug 2 of the interface 1 of the present invention as a perspective view and, respectively, as a cross sectional view. The cross-sectional view of Fig. 5b illustrates the cross- section of the plug 2 of Fig. 5a taken at the line V. In the fourth embodiment the second connection area 2.2 is not continuous in the width of the substrate 2.1 but there is a groove 2.6 which divides the second connection area into two parts. In this embodiment the groove 2.6 is some kind of extension of the first connection area 2.2. Also some of the connection elements 2.2a of the first connection area 2.2 can be extended to the surface of the groove 2.6. It is obvious that the form of the groove 2.6 can differ in different implementations. Also the number of the grooves 2.6 can be different in different implementations. It is also possible that the groove is on one side of the plug 2 so that the second connection area 2.3 is narrower than the first connection area 2.2 as shown in Fig. 5c. The groove 2.6 can also be used as a plug type indicator (and/or a device type indicator), if necessary. For example, the socket 3 may comprise a switch, an optical sensor or another detector which uses the groove, the number of grooves, and/or the location of the groove to determine which kind of plug 2 the auxiliary device 11 has. Hence, the device 10 can perform necessary setup procedures on the basis of the plug type.

Fig. 5d illustrates another variation of the fourth example of the plug 2 of the interface 1 of the present invention as a perspective view. In this variation the first connection area 2.2 is not continuous in the width of the substrate 2.1 but there is a shoulder ridge 2.9 which divides the first connection area 2.2 into two parts. In this embodiment the shoulder ridge 2.9 is some kind of extension of the second connection area 2.3. Also some of the connection elements 2.3a of the second connection area 2.3 can be extended to the surface of the shoulder ridge 2.9.

It is obvious that the form and the location of the shoulder ridge 2.9 can differ in different implementations. Also the number of the shoulder ridges 2.9 can be different in different implementations. It is also possible that the shoulder ridge 2.9 is on one side of the plug 2 so that the first connection area 2.2 is narrower than the second connection area 2.3. The shoulder ridge 2.9 can also be used as a plug type indicator, if necessary. For example, the socket 3 may comprise a switch, an optical sensor or another detector which uses the shoulder ridge 2.9, the number of shoulder ridges 2.9, and/or the location of the shoulder ridge 2.9 to determine which kind of plug 2 the auxiliary device 11 has or which type of auxiliary device 11 is connected to the device 10. Hence, the device 10 can perform necessary setup procedures on the basis of the plug type. As was mentioned above, the plug can comprise one or more grooves 2.6 and/or some kind of bracket(s), shoulder ridge(s) 2.9 etc. which can also operate as an indicator of the type of the auxiliary device so that the device 10 to which the auxiliary device 11 can be attached can recognize the type of the auxiliary device 11 and/or application(s) installed on the auxiliary device 11. For example, the device 10 can adjust voltage levels of connection elements which possibly are intended to supply power to the auxiliary device. Also the voltage levels of different logical states (e.g. 0/1 ) can vary in different kind of auxiliary device 11 wherein the device 10 can adjust the voltage levels of such connection elements which are used for transferring logical signals. For example, the supply voltage can be 5 V, 3 V or 1.8 V wherein the voltage level corresponding to logical state 1 may be about 5 V, 3 V or 1.8 V, correspondingly. It is obvious that these values are just non- limiting examples of possible voltage levels. It is also possible that different logical states are implemented as different current values instead of voltages.

The device may comprise information stored in a memory of the device to which type indication signal(s) can be compared to determine the device type. However, also other methods can be used for the identification of the device type on the basis of the grooves/shoulder ridges.

The communication through the interface 1 may follow predetermined rules, protocols or other definitions so that both the device 10 and the auxiliary device 11 can understand signals received from the other part. As a non- limiting example, the interface 1 can be implemented according to JEDEC protocol or another standard protocol or non-standard protocol. JEDEC (previously known as an acronym for the title "Joint Electron Device Engineering Council") is an organization having a multiple of member organizations/firms etc. who design and agree on certain protocols but also other standardization organizations exists.

The interface 1 of the present invention can be implemented in many kind of systems and devices. For example, the interface 1 can be a memory interface for providing a memory extension to a device 10. However, the invention is not limited to memory interfaces but it can also be implemented with other device interfaces. The device 10 is e.g. a computer, a wireless communication device such as a mobile phone, a portable music device, a personal digital assistance (PDA), etc. The memory extension is provided as a memory card or other module comprising memory. Non limiting examples of such memory card standards are Secure Digital (SD®) and MultiMedia Card (MMC®). There are also different variations in these standards, for example microSD™ and MMCmicro™. The interface 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above mentioned standards but also other standards can be used in the interface 1. It is also possible to implement the invention in such a way that some or all of the connections do not correspond to any standard connection. Further, the interface 1 can also have connection areas corresponding to more than two standards.

Fig. 6a depicts an example of an auxiliary device 11 in which the plug 2 of the present invention can be used. The auxiliary device 11 comprises a memory 11.1 , a control element 11.2, a first connection interface 11.3 which may comprise one or more signals or signal groups and a second connection interface 11.4 which also may comprise one or more signals or signal groups. The first connection interface 11.3 is connected to connection elements of the first connection area 2.2 of the plug 2 (arrow 601 in Fig. 6a) and the second connection interface 11.4 is connected to the second connection area 2.3 of the plug 2 (arrow 602 in Fig. 6a). Both connection interfaces are controlled by the control element 11.2. The memory is also common to both connection interfaces. When the auxiliary device 11 is attached to a device 10 which comprises the socket 3 of the interface 1 of the present invention, both the first 11.3 and the second 11.4 connection interface can be used. Therefore, the interface 1 operates as an extended interface. If the auxiliary device 11 is attached to a device 10 which comprises the socket 3 which only has receptacles for the first connection elements, the interface 1 operates as a prior art interface corresponding to the first connection area. Respectively, if the auxiliary device 11 is attached to a device 10 which comprises the socket 3 which only has receptacles for the second connection elements, the interface 1 operates as a prior art interface corresponding to the second connection area. Therefore, the auxiliary device 11 can be connected to several types of devices 10. Fig. 6b depicts another example of an auxiliary device 11 in which the plug 2 of the present invention can be used. The auxiliary device 11 comprises a first memory 11.1 , a first control element 11.2, a first connection interface 11.3, a second memory 11.5, a second control element 11.6, and a second connection interface 11.4. The first connection interface 11.3 is connected 601 to connection elements of the first connection area 2.2 of the plug 2 and the second connection interface 11.4 is connected 602 to the second connection area 2.3 of the plug 2. The first connection interface 11.3 is controlled by the first control element 11.2. The first memory 11.1 is reserved for information received from/transmitted to the first connection interface 11.3. The second connection interface 11.4 is controlled by the second control element 11.6. The second memory 11.5 is reserved for information received from/transmitted to the second connection interface 11.4. When the auxiliary device 11 is attached to a device 10 which comprises the socket 3 of the interface 1 of the present invention, both the first 11.3 and the second 11.4 connection interface can be used. Therefore, the interface 1 can operate as having two different interfaces. If the auxiliary device 11 is attached to a device 10 which comprises the socket 3 which only has receptacles for the first connection elements, the interface 1 operates as a prior art interface corresponding to the first connection area. Respectively, if the auxiliary device 11 is attached to a device 10 which comprises the socket 3 which only has receptacles for the second connection elements, the interface 1 operates as a prior art interface corresponding to the second connection area.

Fig. 6c depicts yet another example of an auxiliary device 11 in which the plug 2 of the present invention can be used. The auxiliary device 11 comprises a communication circuit 11.7 for communicating with another communication device 12, a control element 11.2, a first connection interface 11.3, a memory 11.1 , and a second connection interface 11.4. Also in this auxiliary device 11 the first connection interface 11.3 is connected 601 to connection elements 2.2a of the first connection area 2.2 of the plug 2 and the second connection interface 11.4 is connected 602 to connection elements 2.3a of the second connection area 2.3 of the plug 2. Both the first connection interface 11.3 and the second connection interface 11.4 are controlled by the control element 11.2. Also the memory 11.1 is common for both the first 11.2 and the second connection interface 11.3. When the auxiliary device 11 is attached to a device 10 which comprises the socket 3 of the interface 1 of the present invention, both the first 11.3 and the second 11.4 connection interface can be used. Therefore, the interface 1 can operate as having two different interfaces or as having a broadened interface. If the auxiliary device 11 is attached to a device 10 which comprises the socket 3 which only has receptacles for the first connection elements, the interface 1 operates as a prior art interface corresponding to the first connection area. Respectively, if the auxiliary device 11 is attached to a device 10 which comprises the socket 3 which only has receptacles for the second connection elements, the interface 1 operates as a prior art interface corresponding to the second connection area.

Figs. 6d — 6g depict some variations of the auxiliary device 11 of Fig. 6b. The auxiliary device 11 comprises a first memory 11.1 , a first control element 11.2, a first connection interface 11.3, a second memory 11.5, a second control element 11.6, and a second connection interface 11.4. The first control element 11.2. controls the first connection interface 11.3 and the second control element 11.6 controls the second connection interface 11.4. In the variation of Fig. 6d the first connection interface 11.3 is connected 601 to connection elements of the first connection area 2.2 of the plug 2 and the second connection interface 11.4 is connected 602 to the second connection area 2.3 of the plug 2. Further, at least one signal of the second connection interface 11.4 is connected 603 to the first connection area 2.2. It is possible that said at least one signal is connected to both the first and second connection areas or that said at least one signal is only connected to the first connection area 2.2. If the first connection area 2.2 is used e.g. to expand the data bus width of the second connection interface 11.4, the connections 601 between the first connection area 2.2 and the first connection interface 11.3 may or may not be used.

In the variation of Fig. 6e the first connection interface 11.3 is connected 601 to connection elements of the first connection area 2.2 of the plug 2 and the second connection interface 11.4 is connected 602 to the second connection area 2.3 of the plug 2. Further, at least one signal of the first connection interface 11.3 is connected 604 to the second connection area 2.3. The first control element 11.2. controls the first connection interface 11.3 and the second control element 11.6 controls the second connection interface 11.4. It is possible that said at least one signal is connected to both the first and second connection areas or that said at least one signal is only connected to the second connection area 2.3. If the second connection area 2.3 is used e.g. to expand the data bus width of the first connection interface 11.3, the connections 603 between the second connection area 2.3 and the second connection interface 11.4 may or may not be used.

In the variation of Fig. 6f the first connection interface 11.3 is connected 601 to connection elements of the first connection area 2.2 of the plug 2 and the second connection interface 11.4 is connected 602 to the second connection area 2.3 of the plug 2. Further, at least one signal of the second connection interface 11.4 is connected 603 to the first connection area 2.2 and at least one signal of the first connection interface 11.3 is connected 604 to the second connection area 2.3. In other words, the variation of Fig. 6f is some kind of combination of variations of Figs. 6d and 6e.

In the variations of Figs. 6d — 6f some signals from more than one connection area 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 can be taken for use of one of the control elements 11.2,11.6 and the memories 11.1 , 11.5. The selection on which connection elements of different connection areas are taken into use can vary in different implementations. It may also be possible to define the selection in software so that different combinations are possible by making corresponding amendments to the software and/or parameters of the software.

Fig. 6g depicts a variation of the auxiliary device 11 of Fig. 6c. The auxiliary device 11 can operate as a combined memory and communication device. The auxiliary device 11 comprises a communication circuit 11.7 for communicating with another communication device 12, a first control element 11.2, and a first connection interface 11.3 for the communication operations, and a memory 11.1 , a second control element 11.6, and a second connection interface 11.4 for the memory operations.

By combining connection elements of more than one connection area it is possible to use e.g. part of a first standard interface and a part of a second standard interface in a controlled way. As a non-limiting example, desired signals of SD type of interface and MMC type of interface could be selected, and the interface could use e.g. JEDEC protocol in communication through the selected connection elements of the interface.

In the above described embodiments the connections are electrical but the invention can also applied using other types of connections in the connection areas 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 or using a plurality (mixture) of different types of connections. For example, some of the connections can be optical connections. Hence, the plug and the socket can comprise an optical transmitter/receiver pair if bidirectional communication is needed. If one- directional transmission from the plug 2 to the socket 3 is needed, the plug 2 comprises one or more optical transmitters for transmitting optical signals and the socket 3 comprises optical receivers for receiving the optical signals from the plug 2. Respectively, if one-directional transmission from the socket 3 to the plug 2 is needed, the socket 3 comprises one or more optical transmitters for transmitting optical signals and the plug 2 comprises optical receivers for receiving the optical signals from the socket 3. Also combinations of the above examples can be used in the interface 1 of the present invention.

When optical connections are used so called optical waveguides can be implemented in the plug 2 and/or in the socket 3. Then, the connection elements and/or receptacles may be part of the optical waveguides wherein the optical transmitters/receivers can be located further from the connection areas/receptacles. The optical signals traverse inside the waveguides from the optical transmitters to the connection elements and/or from the connection elements to the optical receivers.

Still another examples of implementations of the connection elements to be mentioned are based on inductance or capacitance. The connection elements are then inductive or capacitive connection elements, and the receptacles are, respectively, inductive or capacitive receptacles. With this kind of embodiments the connection elements need not be at the surface of the connection areas but they can be located, for example, at one or more levels inside the substrate, the first end section 2.5, the second end section

2.7 and/or the third end section 2.8. Further, the connection areas 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 need not be implemented on the larger surface of the substrate but also the first end section 2.5, the second end section 2.7 and/or the third end section 2.8 can be used as a base for one or more of the connection areas 2.2, 2.3, 2.4. As a non-limiting example the plug 2 can be implemented so that the first connection area 2.2 is formed on the surface of the substrate as shown in Fig. 2a and the second connection area 2.3 is formed on the first end section 2.5 or at the second end section 2.7.

Although the above embodiments depicted an interface 1 in which the auxiliary device 11 can be inserted into the socket 3 of the device 10 by pushing the plug 2 to the slot 3.3a, the interface 1 can also be implemented in such a way that the auxiliary device 11 can be inserted into the socket 3 above or below the socket 3. This may need some kind of a mechanism such as a hinged or slidable lid (not shown) to the socket 3. Hence, the auxiliary device 11 can be attached to the device 10 by opening the lid ( moving the lid away from the front of the connection areas 2.2, 2.3, 2.4), positioning the plug 2 of the auxiliary device 11 to a correct location, and closing the lid. The removal of the auxiliary device 11 from the device 10 can be made by performing the above mentioned operations in a reversed order.

In some embodiments the auxiliary device 11 may comprise its own power source and/or the power may be coupled to the auxiliary device 11 through a power inlet (not shown), wherein the connection areas 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 may not need to have connection elements for power delivery.

The control elements 11.2, 11.6 may comprise software i.e. programs, parameters etc. in which some operations relating to the interface 1 of the present invention can be implemented, such as some or all the operations relating to the relationship between connection elements and connection standards, interface protocols etc.

The plug 2 of the present invention may also be installed into a socket which does not support the above described plug 2 having multiple thicknesses. For example, if the plug 2 is inserted into a socket (not shown) having receptacles corresponding to the connection elements 2.2a of the first connection area, the auxiliary device 11 may operate using only the first connection area in communication. Respectively, if the plug 2 is inserted into a socket (not shown) having receptacles corresponding to the connection elements 2.3a of the second connection area, the auxiliary device 11 may operate using only the second connection area in communication.

Claims

Claims:

1. An interface having a detachable plug which is connectable to a socket, the plug comprising a substrate and connection elements for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, wherein the interface has two or more connection interfaces and the substrate comprises at least a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate at the first connection area is different from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

2. The interface of claim 1 comprising a first group of connection elements in connection with the first connection area, and a second group of connection elements in connection with the second connection area.

3. The interface of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one connection element is an electrical connection element.

4. The interface of claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein at least one connection element is an optical connection element.

5. The interface of any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein one of said first and second connection areas is thicker than the other connection area, wherein the interface comprises a groove in the thicker connection area.

6. The interface of any of the claims 1 to 5, wherein one of said first and second connection areas is thinner than the other connection area, wherein the interface comprising a shoulder portion in the thinner connection area.

7. A peripheral device which is detachably connectable to a socket of another device, the peripheral device comprising a substrate and connection elements for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, wherein the substrate comprises at least a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate is different at the first connection area from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

8. The peripheral device of claim 7 comprising a first group of connection elements in connection with the first connection area, and a second group of connection elements in connection with the second connection area.

9. The peripheral device of claim 7 or 8, wherein at least two connection elements are stripes having the same width.

10. The interface of claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein at least one connection element is an electrical connection element.

11. The interface of claim 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein at least one connection element is an optical connection element.

12. The peripheral device of any of claims 7 to 11 , wherein one of said first and second connection areas is thicker than the other connection area, wherein the peripheral device comprises a groove in the thicker connection area.

13. The peripheral device of any of claims 7 to 12, wherein one of said first and second connection areas is thinner than the other connection area, wherein the peripheral device comprises a shoulder portion in the thinner connection area.

14. The peripheral device of any of claims 7 to 13 wherein it is a card edge connector.

15. The peripheral device of any of the claims 7 to 14 comprising an indicator to indicate the type of the device.

16. The peripheral device of claim 15, the indicator comprising at least one of the following:

- the groove of claim 12;

- the shoulder portion of claim 13.

17. The peripheral device of any of the claims 7 to 16 wherein it is a memory device.

18. A system comprising an electronic device and a peripheral device, and an interface for connecting the peripheral device with the electronic device, the electronic device comprising a socket, which comprises receptacles, the peripheral device comprising a substrate and connection elements, wherein the substrate comprises at least a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate at the first connection area is different from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

19. A method for inserting a peripheral device into a socket of another device, the socket comprising at least a first group of receptacles and a second group of receptacles and the peripheral device comprising a substrate and means for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, the method comprising pushing a first edge of the peripheral device into a slit of the socket, releasing the first group of receptacles by a first connection area of the peripheral device to enable a connection between the first connection elements and the first group of receptacles, and releasing the second group of receptacles by a second connection area of the peripheral device to enable a connection between the second connection elements and the second group of receptacles.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising detecting the peripheral device type on the basis of at least one indicator formed in connection with at least one of the connection areas.

21. An interface having means to detachably connect a plug to a socket, the plug comprising a substrate and means for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, wherein the substrate comprises at least a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate at the first connection area is different from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

22. A peripheral device which is detachably connectable to a socket of another device, the peripheral device comprising a substrate and means for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, wherein the substrate comprises at least a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate is different at the first connection area from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

23. A system comprising an electronic device and a peripheral device, and an interface for connecting the peripheral device with the electronic device, the electronic device comprising a socket, which comprises receptacles, the peripheral device comprising a substrate and means for forming a connection to receptacles of the socket, wherein the substrate comprises at least a first connection area and a second connection area, and that the thickness of the substrate at the first connection area is different from the thickness of the substrate at the second connection area.

24. An electronic device comprising a socket for receiving a peripheral device of any of the claims 7 to 17.