Apparatus, add-on module, and a system comprising a host apparatus and an add-on module

1. An apparatus, comprising:

mechanical interface configured to mechanically receive a module into an assembled configuration,

within said mechanical interface, a first connector configured to receive a first matching counterpart in a first insertion direction,

within said mechanical interface, a second connector configured to receive a second matching counterpart in a second insertion direction, which second insertion direction is the direction of a curvilinear motion and different from said first insertion direction, and

a hinge joint between said first connector and a body of the apparatus;

wherein said hinge joint has an axis of rotation, which is essentially perpendicular against said second insertion direction, and wherein said first connector is an electric connector.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said second connector is a mechanical connector.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said mechanical interface defines a recess in the apparatus, said recess being configured to receive the module at least partly inside a smoothly defined outline of the apparatus.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a limiting surface of said recess is a wall that is perpendicular with a longitudinal axis of the first connector first matching counterpart pair in the assembled configuration.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the apparatus comprises a ridge adjacent to said recess, and wherein a side of the ridge that faces said recess is curved, with the central point of the curvature being located on the axis of rotation that is defined by the hinge joint between the first connector and the body of the apparatus.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanical interface is elongated in shape and wherein the first connector and second connector are located closer to opposite ends of said elongated shape than to each other.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising:

a flexible conductor connected to both the first connector and to a main body of the apparatus,

a hinge cover configured to enclose the first connector,

a support structure fixedly attached to the main body of the apparatus, and

axis pins and corresponding holes or hollows that implement a hinge joint between the hinge cover and the support structure.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the flexible conductor is bent into a shape in which its material causes a natural tendency of changing said shape.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the electric connector is a USB receptacle.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second connector is a piece of ferromagnetic material configured to act as one half of a mechanical connection based on magnetism.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a portable device.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a portable device, and wherein the module comprises digital identity storage.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second insertion direction is substantially different from said first insertion direction.

14. A module, comprising:

a first matching counterpart configured to be received in a first connector of an apparatus in a first insertion direction, and

a second matching counterpart configured to be received in a second connector of the apparatus in a second insertion direction, which second insertion direction is the direction of a curvilinear motion and different from said first insertion direction, wherein the first matching counterpart is an electric connector.

15. A module according to claim 14 , wherein the second matching counterpart is a mechanical connector.

16. A module according to claim 14 , comprising:

a cover part, configured to remain visible and constitute a part of the outer appearance of a system in an assembled configuration where the module is in electromechanical connection with the apparatus, and

on that side of the cover part that is configured to confront the apparatus, a housing part, which is configured to be received in a recess in a mechanical interface of the apparatus and which houses functional components of the module.

17. A module according to claim 14 , wherein the module is an add-on module of a portable device.

18. A module according claim 14 , wherein the module comprises at least one of the following: extra memory, digital identity storage, camera, video camera, extension lens to camera, solar cell, extra battery, fuel cell, energy scavenging unit, environmental sensor, health sensor, antenna, flashlight, laser pointer, expansion central processing unit, micro projector, biometric recognition component, gaming expansion, scent dispenser, enhanced connectivity unit, MP3 player.