Electronic device including improved connection device

• US 5,202,585 A
• Filed: 06/22/1992
• Issued: 04/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation (Pioneer Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation (Pioneer Corporation)
• Inventors: Satoh, Mayumi, Aoyagi, Yoshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US07/900,788
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 200/50 R, 200/50 A, 200/61.58 R, 307/134, 307/116, 307/141, 307/10.1, 369/1, 369/11, 369/19, 369/21, 455/345-349, 361/346, 361/391, 361/395, 361/399, 361/170, 340/711, 341/22, 341/24, 341/26, 84/423 R
• US Class Current: 307/116
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 7/00 Devices for introducing a predetermined time delay between the initiation of the switching operation and the opening or closing of the contacts time or time-programme switches H01H43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/08 Constructional details, e.g. cabinet

Abstract

An electronic device has an operating section having a plurality of input keys. The operating section is detachably connected to a body of the device in such a manner that the contacts of the operating section are electrically connected to the contacts of the body when the operating section is connected to the body. The body includes a connection detecting section for detecting the connection of the operating section to the body to output a connection detection signal; and a control section for making the connection of the contacts of the body and the contacts of the operating section effective a predetermined period of time after provision of the connection detection signal.

Claims

1. An electronic device having an operating section which has a plurality of input keys and which is detachably connected to a body of said electronic device in such a manner that said operating section is electrically connected to said body, characterized in that

said body comprises:

connection detecting means for detecting the connection of said operating section to said body and for outputting a connection detection signal when such connection has been detected; and

control means responsive to said connection detection signal for making the electrical connection between said body and said operating section effective a predetermined period of time after said connection detection means provides said connection detection signal, for preventing the electrical connection between said operating section and said body from being accidently operated while said operating section is being connected to said body.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that said connection detecting means involves a push button.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that said connection detecting means involves a photosensor.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that said predetermined period of time is five seconds.

5. An electronic device comprising:

operating section means for providing commands to said device by means of manual keys; and

body section means for receiving and carrying out said commands;

wherein said body section comprises;

connection detecting means for detecting a physical connection between said operating section means and said body section means; and

for outputting a connection detection signal when such connection has been detected;

timer means for producing a timer output signal a predetermined period of time after said connection detecting means detects said physical connection; and

control section means responsive to said connection detection signal for allowing said body section means to receive and carry out said commands upon production of said timer output signal, for preventing an electrical connection between said operating section and said body section means from being accidently operated while said operating section is being connected to said body section means.