Electronic device

• US 6,151,206 A
• Filed: 09/28/1998
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tanahashi, Makoto, Kato, Masahiro, Suzuki, Masahiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/162,204
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 361/681, 361/682, 361/683, 364/708.1, 381/87, 381/88
• US Class Current: 361/679.26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1605 Multimedia displays, e.g. with integrated or attached speakers, cameras, microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers

Abstract

A portable electronic device, which has an accessory provided at an external surface, around the display screen, of the display portion, the portable electronic device including a body; a display portion openably and closably provided with respect to the body; holding portion, provided at an external surface, around the display screen, of the display portion, for mechanically and removably holding the accessory; and electrically connecting portion for electrically and removably connecting the accessory.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a body;

a display portion openable and closeable with respect to said body;

holding means, provided at an external surface, around a display screen, of said display portion, for mechanically and removably holding an accessory, said holding means comprising a recess in said display portion for fitting thereinto a protrusion of the accessory; and

electrically connecting means for electrically and removably connecting the accessory to the display portion; and

wherein said protrusion of said accessory includes a magnet which is magnetically attracted to a metal portion of said recess of said display portion so as to removably secure said accessory to said display portion.

2. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said electrically connecting means, for electrically connecting the accessory, is a recessed electrically connecting terminal portion for fitting thereto a protruding electrically connecting terminal of the accessory.

3. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said recess, serving as said holding means, for mechanically holding the accessory, and the protrusion of the accessory are made of resin.

4. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet of the protrusion of the accessory is covered with an electrically and magnetically insulated cover.

5. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic device is a portable computer.

6. An electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the amount of protrusion of the protruding electrically connecting terminal of the accessory is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the protrusion of the accessory.

7. An electronic device according to claim 2, wherein said recess, serving as said holding means, for mechanically holding the accessory, and the protrusion of the accessory are made of resin.