Expansion unit and electronic apparatus

• US 6,525,932 B1
• Filed: 08/16/2000
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Ohnishi, Masuo, Fuchida, Hidehiko, Tanaka, Atsuko, Takimoto, Tsuyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/639,772
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 361/686, 361/680-683, 361/725-727, 361/741, 361/754, 361/756, D 6/396, D 6/397, D14/100, D14/114, 439/607, 312/223.2, 235/395, 713/300
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203

Abstract

The present invention has an exemplified object to provide an expansion unit and electronic apparatus that may render the electronic apparatus multifunctional while maintaining its compact, lightweight, and low-profile body. To achieve this object, the expansion unit that can be inserted into an expansion unit slot in a portable electronic apparatus is so configured as to partially project from the expansion unit slot.

Claims

1. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus,

wherein said housing partially projects from a bottom of said electronic apparatus when said housing is inserted into said electronic apparatus and said connector is connected with said electronic apparatus.

2. An expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein said projecting portion of said housing serves as a stand of said electronic apparatus.

3. An expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a card slot in which a card may be inserted.

4. An expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein said connector has an interface that can transmit a CardBus signal for a card.

5. An expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein said connector has an interface that can transmit a PCI bus signal.

6. An expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein said connector has a USB interface that can transmit a USB signal.

7. An expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein said connector has an interface that can transmit a file signal including data and programs which said electronic apparatus can handle.

8. An expansion unit according to claim 1, further comprises an image pickup device provided in said housing.

9. An expansion unit according to claim 1, further comprising a security device provided in said housing.

10. An expansion unit according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication device provided in said housing.

11. An expansion unit according to claim 1, further comprising a converter, provided in said housing, converting an external power supply to a power supply driving the electronic apparatus.

12. An expansion unit according to claim 8, further comprises a mechanism that is connected with said housing and allows said image pickup device to project from said housing.

13. An expansion unit according to claim 8, wherein said electronic apparatus includes a display device,

wherein said image pickup device is mounted detachably onto said housing,

wherein said expansion unit further comprises:

a cable that connects said image pickup device and said housing to each other; and

a mounting mechanism that allows said image pickup device that has been detached, to be mounted on said display device of said electronic apparatus.

14. An expansion unit according to claim 12, wherein said mechanism allows said image pickup device to project from said housing by an operating means.

15. An expansion unit according to claim 9, wherein said security device is a biometric device.

16. An expansion unit according to claim 15, wherein said biometric device is any one of a fingerprint recognition device, a voiceprint recognition device, and a retina recognition device.

19. An expansion unit according to claim 2 further comprising an image-input device connected to said housing.

22. An expansion unit according to claim 19, wherein said electronic apparatus includes a display device,

wherein said image-input device is detachably provided on said housing, and

wherein said expansion unit further comprises:

a cable that connects said image-input device to said housing; and

an attachment mechanism that can attach said detached image-input device to said display device of said electronic apparatus.

17. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus,

wherein said housing partially projects from other than a bottom of said electronic apparatus when said housing is inserted into said electronic apparatus and said connector is connected with said electronic apparatus.

18. An expansion unit according to claim 17 further comprising a position detecting information receiver connected to said housing.

20. An expansion unit according to claim 18, wherein said housing that partially projects is an antenna for said position detecting information receiver.

21. An expansion unit according to claim 18, wherein said electronic apparatus includes a display device,

wherein said position detecting information receiver is detachably provided on said housing, and

wherein said expansion unit further comprises:

a cable that connects said position detecting information receiver to said housing; and

an attachment mechanism that can attach said detached position detecting information receiver to said display device of said electronic apparatus.

23. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a housing including an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit can be inserted in a detachable manner, said expansion bay slot opening at a bottom of said housing to allow said expansion unit to partially project from said bottom of said housing; and

a connector which is provided in said housing and electrically connectible with said expansion unit.

24. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a first part having a slot;

a second part which can be inserted into said slot of said first part in a detachable manner; and

an interface device which electrically connects said first and second parts to each other,

wherein said second part partially projects from a bottom of said electronic apparatus when inserted into said slot on said first part and electrically connected with said first part through said interface device.

25. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a first part having a slot;

a second part which can be inserted into said slot of said first part in a detachable manner; and

an interface device which electrically connects said first and second parts to each other,

wherein said second part partially projects from said electronic apparatus when inserted into said slot on said first part and electrically connected with said first part through said interface device.

26. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot provided in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus,

wherein said connector has a USB interface that can transmit a USB signal.

27. An expansion unit according to claim 26, further comprising a USB terminal connectible with an external device.

28. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner;

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus; and

a USB terminal connectible with an external device.

29. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a housing including an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit can be inserted in a detachable manner; and

a USB interface which is provided on said housing and can establish a USB connection with said expansion unit.

30. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot provided in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner;

an image pickup device which is provided in said housing; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

31. An expansion unit according to claim 30, further comprising a mechanism that is connected with said housing and allows said image pickup device to be stored in said housing while said image pickup device projects from said housing.

32. An expansion unit according to claim 30, wherein said image pickup device is detachably provided in said housing.

33. An expansion unit according to claim 30, further comprising a cable that connects said image pickup device and said housing to each other.

34. An expansion unit according to claim 32, further comprising a mounting mechanism for use with said image pickup device that has been detached.

35. An expansion unit according to claim 33, wherein said housing includes a storage portion for said cable.

36. An expansion unit according to claim 33, further comprising an angular adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of said image pickup device which has projected from said housing, with respect to said housing.

37. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner;

an image pickup device which is stored in said housing; and

a mechanism which is connected with said housing and allows said image pickup device to project from said housing.

38. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a first part having a slot;

a second part which is inserted into said slot of said first part in detachable manner;

an interface device electrically connecting said first and second parts to each other;

an image pickup device which is stored in said second part; and

a mechanism which is connected with said second part and allows said image pickup device to project from said second part.

39. An electronic apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising an angular adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of said image pickup device which has projected from said second part, with respect to said second part.

40. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a housing;

an image pickup device which is stored in said housing while projecting from said housing; and

an angular adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of said image pickup device which has projected from said housing, with respect to said housing, while maintaining an electric connection between said image pickup device and said housing.

41. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner, and includes a plurality of card slots which can receive a plurality of cards; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

42. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner, and includes a plurality of card slots which are arranged side by side and can receive plural types of cards each having a different height; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

43. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner; and

a holder provided in said housing for a communication device.

44. An expansion unit according to claim 43, further comprising a connector that is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

45. An expansion unit according to claim 43, wherein said holder is stored in said housing and allowed to project from said housing.

46. An expansion unit according to claim 43, further comprising a connection member enabling a connection between said communication device and said electronic apparatus.

47. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner;

a card reader provided in said housing; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

48. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner;

an image-forming device provided in said housing; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

49. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner;

an image-input device provided in said housing; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

50. An expansion unit according to claim 49, further comprising a detachment mechanism that detaches said image-input device at least partially from said housing, and is provided on said housing.

51. An expansion unit according to claim 50, further comprising an attachment mechanism for said detached image-input device.

52. An expansion unit according to claim 50, further comprising a cable that connects said image-input device to said housing.

53. An expansion unit according to claim 52, wherein said housing further includes a storage portion for said cable.

54. An expansion unit according to claim 52, further comprising an angular adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of said image-input device detached from said housing, with respect to said housing.

55. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner;

a converter, provided in said housing, converting an external power supply to a power supply driving the electronic apparatus; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

56. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner;

a position detecting information receiver provided in said housing; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

57. An expansion unit according to claim 56, further comprising a detachment mechanism that detaches said position detecting information receiver at least partially from said housing, and is provided on said housing.

58. An expansion unit according to claim 57, further comprising an attachment mechanism for said detached position detecting information receiver.

59. An expansion unit according to claim 57, further comprises a cable that connects said position detecting information receiver to said housing.

60. An expansion unit according to claim 59, wherein said housing further includes a storage portion for said cable.

61. An expansion unit according to claim 59, further comprising an angular adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of said position-detection information-receiving device detached from said housing, with respect to said housing.

62. An electronic apparatus comprises:

a housing including an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit can be inserted in a detachable manner, said expansion bay slot opening at a bottom of said housing to allow said expansion unit to partially project from said bottom of said housing;

a first connector which is provided in said housing and electrically connectible with a first expansion unit; and

a second connector which is provided in said housing and electrically connectible with a second expansion unit.

63. An electronic apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said expansion bay slot is commonly used for said first and second expansion units.

64. An electronic apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said first connector has an interface that can transmit a file signal including data and programs which said electronic apparatus can handle.

65. An electronic apparatus according to claim 62, wherein one of said expansion bay slot and said expansion unit includes a guide portion, and the other includes a guide groove;

and

wherein said expansion bay slot and said expansion unit establishes connection as a result of an engagement between said guide portion of said guide groove.

66. An electronic apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said second connector has an interface that can transmit a CardBus signal for a card.

67. An electronic apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said second connector has a USB interface that can transmit a USB signal.

68. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner;

a bar code reader provided in said housing; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

69. An expansion unit comprising:

a housing which can be inserted into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus in a detachable manner;

an infrared communication device provided in said housing; and

a connector which is provided on said housing and electrically connectible with said electronic apparatus.

70. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a battery unit; and

an expansion bay slot that is provided in said housing, opens at a bottom of said housing and can load with said battery unit;

wherein said battery unit partially projects from said bottom of said housing when loaded into said expansion bay slot to serve as a tilt for said housing.

71. An electronic apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said expansion bay slot is disposed in said housing at a side opposite to a user who operates said electronic apparatus.

72. An electronic apparatus according to claim 70, wherein said expansion bay slot is loadable with an expansion unit other than said battery unit.

73. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a housing; and

an expansion bay slot that is provided in said housing, loadable with at least one expansion unit, wherein said expansion bay slot opens at a bottom of said housing and can load with a battery unit; and

wherein said battery unit partially projection from said bottom of said housing when loaded into said expansion bay slot to serve as a tilt for said housing.

74. An electronic apparatus according to claim 73, wherein said expansion bay slot is disposed in said housing at a side opposite to a user who operates said electronic apparatus.

75. An electronic apparatus according to claim 73, wherein said expansion bay slot is loadable with an expansion unit other than said battery unit.

76. A battery unit loadable into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus, said electronic apparatus including a housing and said expansion bay slot, and said expansion bay slot opening at a bottom of said housing,

wherein said battery unit partially projects from said bottom of said housing when loaded into said expansion bay slot to serve as a tilt.

77. A battery unit loadable into an expansion bay slot in an electronic apparatus, said electronic apparatus including a housing and said expansion bay slot, and said expansion bay slot opening at a bottom of said housing,

wherein said battery unit partially projects from said bottom of said housing when loaded into said expansion bay slot to serve as a tilt for said housing.

78. An electronic apparatus which comprises a housing including an expansion bay slot, said expansion bay slot loadable with at least one expansion unit selected from a group including a battery unit,

wherein said expansion bay slot opens at a bottom of said housing;

and,

wherein said battery unit partially projects from said bottom of said housing when loaded into said expansion bay slot to serve as a tilt for said housing.

79. An electronic apparatus according to claim 78, wherein said expansion bay slot is disposed in said housing at a side opposite to a user who operates said electronic apparatus.

80. An electronic apparatus according to claim 78, wherein said group includes an storage device, a USB interface, an AC adapter, a card, communication device, an image-forming device, an image-input device, an image pickup device, a position detecting information receiver, a card reader, a bar code reader, a security device.

81. An electronic apparatus comprising:

at least one expansion unit selected from a group including a battery unit; and

a housing including an expansion bay slot into which said expansion unit is loadable,

wherein said expansion bay slot opens at a bottom of said housing; and

wherein said battery unit partially projects from said bottom of said housing when loaded into said expansion bay slot to serve as a tilt for said housing.

82. An electronic apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said expansion bay slot is disposed in said housing at a side opposite to a user who operates said electronic apparatus.

83. An electronic apparatus according to claim 81, wherein said group includes an storage device, a USB interface, an AC adapter, a card, communication device, an image-forming device, an image-input device, an image pickup device, a position detecting information receiver, a card reader, a bar code reader, a security device.