Apple Receives Granted Patent for Micro-SIM Connector

Apple has received a Granted Patent that relates to connectors that allow SIM cards to be easily removed and replaced, may be resistant to damage by an improper insertion of a SIM card, and may provide reliable mechanical performance.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 includes an electronic device 100 which Apple confirms could be a tablet like the iPad, s netbook, a MacBook, or other type of computer, cell, media, or smart phone, monitor, media player, or other type of electronic device. Apple further points out that card #110 noted above may also be included and that the card may be a SIM card, mini-SIM card, micro-SIM, or other type of card or electronic device. For example, card 120 may be a micro-SIM card and in a mini-SIM card tray or emulator.

Apple credits Zheng Gao, Benjamin Rappoport, and Steve McClure as the inventors of this patent which was originally filed in Q3 2010. To review Apple's detailing and 22 patent claims, see granted patent 8,337,223. Note that the official title of this patent is "Mini-SIM Connector." We emphasized Micro because it was clearly listed in the patent and is the most current standard at this time.

NOTICE: Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments. 

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