Function extending apparatus, electronic apparatus and electronic system

• US 6,392,383 B1
• Filed: 09/08/1999
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Ohnishi, Masuo, Takimoto, Tsuyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tibbits, Pia
• Application Number:
  US09/391,523
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 320/124, 320/112, 320/113, 700/16
• US Class Current: 320/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

The present invention discloses a function extending apparatus detachably connected to an electronic apparatus to enhance functions of the electronic apparatus, the function extending apparatus including a connection control part controlling a connection between a battery and a charging part in accordance with a result of detection of docking to the electronic apparatus so as to supply power from the electronic apparatus to the battery.

Claims

1. A function extending apparatus receiving power from either a battery or an external power source and detachably connected to an electronic apparatus to enhance functions of the electronic apparatus, said function extending apparatus comprising:

an area accommodating the battery to supply power to the electronic apparatus;

a terminal connectable to the external power source;

a docking part detachably connecting said function extending apparatus and the electronic apparatus electrically, said docking part connected to said area and capable of supplying power from at least one of the battery to the electronic apparatus, the terminal to the electronic apparatus, and the electronic apparatus to the battery;

a charging part charging the battery by the external power source;

a docking detecting part detecting a connection to the electronic apparatus; and

a connection control part controlling a connection between the battery and said charging part in accordance with a result of detection by the docking detecting part, so that the battery can be charged by one of said charging part while said function extending apparatus is disconnected from the electronic apparatus and said docking part while said function extending apparatus is connected to the electronic apparatus.

2. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a charge control part controlling charging of said battery by providing a charging control signal to said charging part in accordance with a voltage of said battery while said function extending apparatus is disconnected to the electronic apparatus.

3. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a display part displaying a state indicating that said battery is being charged by said charging part, in accordance with said charging control signal wherein said charge control part provides said charging control signal to said display part.

4. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said function extending apparatus detachably accommodates the battery.

5. An electronic apparatus receiving power from either a first battery or an external power source and detachably connected to a function extending apparatus that is used to enhance functions of said electronic apparatus, said electronic apparatus comprising:

an area accommodating the first battery;

a docking part detachably connecting the function extending apparatus and said electronic apparatus electrically, said docking part capable of supplying power from at least one of the external power source to the function extending apparatus and from the function extending apparatus to said electronic apparatus;

a power detecting part detecting a supply of power from at least one of the external power source and said docking part; and

a charging part receiving the power from at least one of the external power source and said docking part in accordance with a result of detecting by the power detecting part, and charging the first battery.

6. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said charging part charges a second battery mounted in said function extending apparatus by the power from said docking part while said electronic apparatus is connected to said function extending apparatus.

7. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a charge control part controlling said charging part to charge the first battery and the second battery in accordance with respective voltages of the first battery and the second battery.

8. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second battery and said first battery are interchangeable.

9. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said charge control part controls said charging part so as to sequentially charge the first battery and the second battery.

10. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said charge control part controls said charging part so as to simultaneously charge the first battery and the second battery.

11. An electronic system receiving power from either a first battery, a second battery or an external power source in which functions of an electronic apparatus are enhanced by attaching the electronic apparatus to a function extending apparatus providing more functions, said electronic system comprising:

a first area, which is provided in the electronic apparatus, and accommodating the first battery supplying power to said electronic apparatus, the first battery detachably connected to said electronic apparatus;

a second area, which is provided in the function extending apparatus, and accommodating the second battery supplying power to said electronic apparatus or said function extending apparatus, the second battery detachably connected to said function extending apparatus;

a charging part, which is provided in said function extending part, charging the second battery from the external power source connected to said charging part while said function extending apparatus is disconnected from said electronic apparatus; and

a controlling part, which is provided is said electronic apparatus, controlling to charge the first battery and the second battery while said function extending apparatus is connected to said electronic apparatus,

wherein the first battery and the second battery are interchangeable.