Portable type information apparatus

• US 6,411,503 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1997
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Hidesawa, Shigeru, Kambayashi, Ko
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US08/885,857
• Time in Patent Office: 1,821 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/686, 429/96, 429/97, 429/99, 429/100
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/165 the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals

Abstract

A notebook type personal computer has a common connector detachably connected to a mating connector of a connection unit, or replicator, which further has plural connectors affording detachable connections to plural peripheral units. One or more fastener units, carried by the connector unit, provide for detachably but rigidly affixing the connector unit to the notebook type personal computer. An alternative connector box accommodates one or more batteries while affording connections through the common connector and the plural first connectors to peripheral units and yet another alternative connector box houses only batteries and is connectable through a mating connector to the common connector of the personal computer to afford extended operating time.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus having a body, comprising:

a detachable connector unit having a plurality of first connectors affording detachable connections to peripheral units and a second connector;

a third connector provided on the body affording a detachable connection thereof to the second connector of the detachable connector unit;

a detachable battery unit containing at least one battery; and

the detachable battery unit and the detachable connector unit being alternately connectable to the third connector of the body in substantially a common connecting position relative to the body.

2. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the battery unit is connected to the electronic apparatus body through the third connector.

3. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third connector transmits electrical power from the battery unit to the electronic apparatus.

4. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fastener unit extending between the body and the connector unit and affording a mechanical detachable connection therebetween.

5. The electronic apparatus of claim 4, wherein the detachable connector unit is mechanically detachably affixed to the body by said fastener unit.

6. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector unit and the battery unit are, alternatively and selectively, detachably affixed to a back side of the body.

7. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detachable battery unit is of substantially the same size as the connecting unit.

8. A electronic apparatus having a body, comprising:

a detachable connector unit having a plurality of first connectors affording detachable connections to peripheral units and a second connector;

a common connector on the body affording a detachable connection thereof to the second connector of the detachable connector unit;

a detachable battery unit having a third connector and containing at least one battery, said battery unit being connectable by the third connector thereof to the electronic apparatus, alternatively to the detachable connector unit, through the common connector.

9. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the common connector transmits electrical power from the battery unit to the electronic apparatus.

10. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a fastener unit extending between the body and the connector unit and affording a mechanical detachable fixation therebetween.

11. The electronic apparatus of claim 10, wherein the detachable connector unit is mechanically detachably fixed to the body through said fastener.

12. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the connector unit and the battery unit are, alternatively, detachably affixed to a back side of the electronic apparatus body.

13. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the detachable battery unit is of substantially the same size as the connector unit.

14. A detachable connector unit for an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of first connectors affording detachable connections to peripheral units,

a second connector affording a detachable connection of the connector unit to a common connector of the electronic apparatus; and

a holding part holding at least one battery and, alternatively to the detachable connector unit, connectable by the common connector to the electronic apparatus.

15. The connector unit of claim 14, wherein the battery supplies the electrical power to the electronic apparatus through the common connector.

16. The connector unit of claim 14, further comprising a fastener unit extending between the electronic apparatus body and the connector unit and affording a mechanical detachable connection therebetween.

17. The connector unit of claim 14, wherein the connector unit is detachably fixed to the back side of the electronic apparatus body.

18. The connector unit of claim 14, wherein the holding part accommodates the battery.

19. The connector unit of claim 18, wherein the battery supplies electrical power to the electronic apparatus.

20. An electronic apparatus having an electronic apparatus body comprising:

a connector provided on the electronic apparatus body affording a detachable connection thereof, alternatively and selectively, to one of;

a mating connector of a detachable connector unit, the detachable connector unit further having a plurality of connectors affording detachable connections to respective peripheral units, and

a mating connector of a detachable battery unit containing at least one battery; and

the detachable connector unit and the detachable battery unit being alternatively and selectively connectable to the electronic apparatus in a substantially common, connected position.

21. A detachable battery unit for an electronic apparatus comprising:

a battery;

a connector connecting the battery to the electronic apparatus and supplying electrical power from the battery therethrough to the electronic apparatus;

the connector alternatively connecting a detachable connector unit to the electronic apparatus, the detachable connector unit having a plurality of first connectors affording detachable connections to respective peripheral units and a second connector affording a detachable connection to the connector of the electronic apparatus; and

the battery and the detachable connector unit being connectable to the electronic apparatus in a substantially common position relatively thereto.

22. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

a connector affording a detachable connection alternatively and selectively to one of;

a connector unit, the connector unit having a plurality of first connectors affording detachable connections to respective peripheral units and a second connector affording a detachable connection to the connector of the electronic apparatus, and

a battery unit containing at least one battery; and

the connector unit and the battery unit are alternatively connectable to the connector of the electronic apparatus in a substantially common connecting position relative to the electronic apparatus.

23. An electronic apparatus having a body, comprising:

a detachable connector unit having a width and a plurality of first connectors, arranged at least width-wise thereon and affording detachable connections to respective peripheral units, and a second connector;

a third connector provided on the body affording a detachable connection thereof to the second connector of the connector unit;

a detachable battery unit containing at least one battery; and

the battery unit and the connector unit being alternatively connectable to the third connector of the body in substantially a common connecting position, relative to the body.

24. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein the plurality of first connectors are arranged, and disposed, substantially, over the entire width of the detachable connector unit.

25. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein the body of the electronic apparatus and the detachable connector unit have respective, substantially planar and continuous surfaces from which the respective third and second connectors extend and which surfaces are in opposing, contiguous relationship when the third and second connectors are coupled together.

26. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein the body of the electronic apparatus and the detachable connector unit have respective, substantially equal widths.

27. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

a connector affording a detachable connection alternatively and selectively to one of;

a connector unit, the connector unit having a width and, further, having a plurality of first connectors arranged at least width-wise thereon and affording detachable connections to respective peripheral units and a second connector affording a detachable connection to the connector of the electronic apparatus, and

a battery unit containing at least one battery; and

the connector unit and the battery unit are alternatively connectable to the connector of the electronic apparatus in a substantially common connecting position relative to the electronic apparatus.

28. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein the plurality of first connectors are arranged, and disposed, substantially, over the entire width of the detachable connector unit.

29. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein the body of the electronic apparatus and the detachable connector unit have respective, substantially planar and continuous surfaces from which the respective third and second connectors extend and which surfaces are in opposing, contiguous relationship when the third and second connectors are coupled together.

30. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein the body of the electronic apparatus and the detachable connector unit have respective, substantially equal widths.

31. An electronic apparatus having an electronic apparatus body comprising:

a connector provided on the electronic apparatus body affording a detachable connection thereof, alternatively and selectively, to one of;

a mating connector of a detachable connector unit, the detachable connector unit having a width and the mating connector having a plurality of connectors to respective peripheral units, and

a mating connector of a detachable battery unit containing at least one battery; and

the detachable connector unit and the detachable battery unit being alternatively and selectively connectable to the electronic apparatus in a substantially common, connected position.

32. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 31, wherein the plurality of first connectors are arranged, and disposed, substantially, over the entire width of the detachable connector unit.

33. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 31, wherein the body of the electronic apparatus and the detachable connector unit have respective, substantially planar and continuous surfaces from which the respective third and second connectors extend and which surfaces are in opposing, contiguous relationship when the third and second connectors are coupled together.

34. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 31, wherein the body of the electronic apparatus and the detachable connector unit have respective, substantially equal widths.

35. A detachable battery unit for an electronic apparatus, the detachable battery unit and comprising:

a battery;

a connector connecting the detachable battery unit to the electronic apparatus and supplying electrical power from the battery therethrough to the electronic apparatus;

the connector alternatively connecting a detachable connector unit to the electronic apparatus, the detachable connector unit having a plurality of first connectors arranged at least width-wise thereon and affording detachable connections to respective peripheral units and a second connector affording a detachable connection to the connector of the electronic apparatus; and

the battery and the detachable connector unit being connectable to the electronic apparatus in a substantially common position relatively thereto.

36. A detachable battery unit as recited in claim 35, wherein the plurality of first connectors are arranged, and disposed, substantially, over the entire width of the detachable connector unit.

37. A detachable battery unit as recited in claim 35, wherein the detachable battery unit, the detachable connector unit and a body of the electronic apparatus have respective, substantially planar and continuous surfaces from which the respective third and second connectors extend and, when a selected one of the detachable battery unit and the detachable connector unit is connected by the connector to the electronic apparatus, the respective planar and continuous surfaces thereof are in an opposing, contiguous relationship.

38. A detachable battery unit as recited in claim 35, wherein the detachable battery unit, the detachable connector unit and a body of the electronic apparatus have respective, substantially equal widths.

39. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

a connector affording a detachable connection alternatively and selectively to one of;

a connector unit, the connector unit having a width and, further, having a plurality of first connectors arranged at least width-wise thereon and affording detachable connections to respective peripheral units and a second connector affording a detachable connection to the connector of the electronic apparatus, and

a battery unit containing at least one battery; and

the connector unit and the battery unit are alternatively connectable to the connector of the electronic apparatus in a substantially common connecting position relative to the electronic apparatus.

40. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 39, wherein the plurality of first connectors are arranged, and disposed, substantially, over the entire width of the detachable connector unit.

41. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 39, wherein the detachable battery unit, the detachable connector unit and a body of the electronic apparatus have respective, substantially planar and continuous surfaces from which the respective third and second connectors extend and, when a selected one of the detachable battery unit and the detachable connector unit is connected by the connector to the electronic apparatus, and the respective planar and continuous surfaces thereof are in an opposing, contiguous relationship.

42. An electronic apparatus as recited in claim 39, wherein the detachable battery unit, the detachable connector unit and a body of the electronic apparatus have respective, substantially equal widths.