Function extending apparatus for information processing device

• US 6,556,436 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Ohnishi, Masuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/817,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20010009502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 361/684-686, 361/725-726, 361/732, 361/740, 361/747, 361/754, 361/798, 361/801, 361/685, 364/708.1, 439/152, 439/157, 439/377, 439/352, 439/374
• US Class Current: 361/679.43
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

An information processing system having a function extending apparatus including at least one first connector provided on a surface of the function extending apparatus for mounting the information processing device, and connected with at least one corresponding second connector provided on a lower surface of the information processing device, when the information processing device is mounted on the function extending apparatus. The function extending apparatus includes a pushing member moved in an upper direction so as to push the information processing device up from the function extending apparatus, a rotatable operation member, and a push-up mechanism which moves the pushing member in the upper direction, when the operation member is rotated.

Claims

1. An information processing system, comprising:

a portable computer having at least one connector provided on a lower surface of said portable computer device and having a display device; and

a function extending apparatus for said portable computer, having at least one connector provided on a mounting surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said portable computer, to be connected with said connector of said portable computer, said connector of said function extending apparatus being connected to said connector of said portable computer, when said portable computer is mounted on said function extending apparatus,

a pushing member which is moved in an upper direction so as to push up said portable computer, when mounted on said function extending apparatus, from said function extending apparatus;

an operation member which is operated to separate said portable computer from said function extending apparatus, and is rotatably provided on said function extending apparatus so as to be rotated horizontally, and a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in the upper direction when said operation member is rotated.

2. A function extending apparatus for extending a function of an information processing device, said function extending apparatus comprising;

a mounting portion, provided on an upper part of said function extending apparatus, on which said information processing device is detachably mounted;

at least one connector, provided on said mounting portion, to be connected with at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device;

an operation member which is operated in horizontal direction; and

a pushing member, provided in said mounting portion, which projects from said mounting portion in an upper direction in response to operation of said operation member.

3. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said operation member is rotatably provided so as to be rotated.

4. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device is provided at a lower portion thereof.

5. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said function extending apparatus further comprises a locking mechanism which locks said function extending apparatus with said information processing device.

6. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said function extending apparatus further comprises a locking mechanism which releases a locking state generated by said locking mechanism in response to operation of said operation member.

7. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said pushing member projects in the upper direction after said locking release mechanism is actuated in response to operation of said operation member.

8. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said locking mechanism.

9. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of right side and left of side function extending apparatus has said locking release mechanism.

10. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pushing member moves at a height sufficient for disconnecting saod corresponding connector of said information processing device from said connector of said function extending apparatus.

11. The function extending apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein said operation member has a lever portion which may be pulled in a side direction.

12. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said pushing member.

13. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said operation member.

14. A function extending apparatus for extending a function of an information processing device, said function extending apparatus comprising;

a mounting portion, provided on an upper part of said function extending apparatus, on which said information processing device is detachably mounted;

at least one connector, provided on said mounting portion, to be connected with at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device;

an operation member which is operated in horizontal direction;

a locking mechanism which is capable of locking said function extending apparatus with said information processing device; and

a locking release mechanism which is capable of releasing a locking state generated by said locking mechanism is response to operation of said operation member.

15. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said operation member is rotatably provided so as to be rotated.

16. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device is provided at a lower portion thereof.

17. The function extending apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said operation member has a lever portion which may be pulled in a side direction.

18. An information processing system, comprising:

an information processing device having at least one connector; and

a function extending apparatus for extending a function of an information processing device, having

a mounting portion, provided on an upper part of said function extending apparatus, on which said information processing device is detachably mounted;

at least one connector, provided on said mounting portion, to be connected with said at least one connector of said information processing device;

an operation member which is operated in horizontal direction and;

a pushing member, provided in said mounting portion, which projects from said mounting portion in an upper direction in response to operation of said operation member.

19. The information processing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said operation member is rotatably provided so as to be rotated.

20. The information processing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device is provided at a lower portion thereof.

21. The information processing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said function extending apparatus further comprises a locking mechanism which locks said function extending apparatus with said information processing device.

22. The information processing system as claimed in claim 21, wherein said function extending apparatus further comprises a locking release mechanism which is capable of releasing a locking state generated by said locking mechanism is response to operation of said operation member.

23. The information processing system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said pushing member projects in the upper direction after said locking release mechanism is actuated in response to operation of said operation member.

24. The information processing system as claimed in claim 22, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said locking release mechanism.

25. The information processing system as claimed in claim 21, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said locking mechanism.

26. The information processing system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said pushing member moves at a height sufficient for disconnecting said corresponding connector of said information processing device from said connector of said function extending apparatus.

27. The information processing system as claimed in any one of claim 18, 19, 20, 21, 2224 or 24, wherein said operation member has a lever portion which may by pulled in a side direction.

28. The information processing system as claimed in claim 27, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said pushing member.

29. The information processing system as claimed in claim 27, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said operation member.

30. The information processing system as claimed in any one of claim 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 26, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said pushing member.

31. The information processing system as claimed in claim 30, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said operation member.

32. The information processing system as claimed in any one of claim 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 26, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said operation member.

33. An information processing system, comprising:

an information processing device having at least one connector; and

a function extending apparatus for extending a function of an information processing device, having

a mounting portion, provided on an upper part of said function extending apparatus, on which said information processing device is detachably mounted;

at least one connector, provided on said mounting portion, to be connected with said at least one connector of said information processing device;

an operation member which is operated in horizontal direction;

a locking mechanism which is capable of locking said function extending apparatus with said information processing device; and

,

a locking release mechanism which is capable of releasing a locking state generated by said locking mechanism in response to operation of said operation member.

34. The information processing system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said operation member is rotatably provided so as to be rotated.

35. The information processing system as claimed in claim 33, wherein said at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device is provided at a lower portion thereof.

36. The information processing system as claimed in claim 33, wherein each of right side and left side of said function extending apparatus has said operation member.

37. A function extending apparatus for an information processing device, said function extending apparatus comprising;

a mounting portion, provided on an upper part of said function extending apparatus, on which said information processing device is detachably mounted;

at least one connector, provided on said mounting portion, to be connected with at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device;

an operation member which is operated in a first direction; and

a pushing member, provided at said mounting portion, which projects from said mounting portion in a second, different direction in response to operation of said operation member.

38. A function extending apparatus for an information processing device, said function extending apparatus comprising;

a mounting portion, provided on an upper part of said function extending apparatus, on which said information processing device is detachably mounted;

at least one connector, provided on said mounting portion, to be connected with at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device;

an operation member, which is operated in a first direction;

a locking mechanism which is capable of locking said function extending apparatus with said information processing device; and

a locking release mechanism which is capable of releasing a locking state generated by said locking mechanism in response to operation of said operation member.

39. An information processing system, comprising:

an information processing device having at least one connector; and

a function extending apparatus for extending a function of an information processing device, having

a mounting portion, provided on an upper part of said function extending apparatus, on which said information processing device is detachably mounted;

at least one connector, provided on said mounting portion, to be connected with said at least one connector of said information processing device;

an operation member which is operated in a first direction; and

a pushing member, provided in said mounting portion, which projects from said mounting portion in a different direction in response to operation of said operation member.

40. An information processing system, comprising:

an information processing device having at least one connector; and

a function extending apparatus for extending a function of an information processing device, having

a mounting portion, provided on an upper part of said function extending apparatus, on which said information processing device is detachably mounted;

at least one connector, provided on said mounting portion, to be connected with said at least one connector of said information processing device;

an operation member which is operated in a first direction;

a locking mechanism which is capable of locking said function extending apparatus with said information processing device; and

a locking release mechanism which is capable of releasing a locking state generated by said locking mechanism in response to operation of said operation member.

41. A function extending apparatus for an information processing device, comprising:

at least one connector, which connector is provided on a mounting surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, to be connected with at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device, which connector is accessible via a lower surface of said information processing device, said connector of said function extending apparatus being connected to said connector of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted in said function extending apparatus;

a pushing member which is moved in an upper direction so as to push up said information processing device, when mounted on said function extending apparatus, from said function extending apparatus,

an operation member which is operated to separate said information processing device from said function extending apparatus, and is rotatably provided on said function extending apparatus so as to be rotated horizontally, and

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in the upper direction when said operation member is rotated.

42. A function extending apparatus for an information processing device, comprising:

at least one connector, which connector is provided on a mounting surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, to be connected with at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device, which connector is accessible via a lower surface of said information processing device, said connector of said function extending apparatus being connected to said connector of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus;

a locking mechanism which is capable of locking said function extending apparatus with said information processing device,

a pushing member which is moved in an upper direction so as to push up said information processing device, when mounted on said function extending apparatus, from said function extending apparatus,

an operation member which is operated to separate said information processing device from said function extending apparatus, and is rotatably provided on said function extending apparatus so as to be rotated horizontally,

a locking release mechanism which is capable of releasing a locking state generated by said locking mechanism, when said operation member is rotated, and

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in the upper direction when operation member is rotated, and after said locking release mechanism is actuated, when said operation member is rotated.

43. A function extending apparatus for an information processing device comprising:

a first connector provided on a first surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, and connected to a second corresponding connector accessible via a first, lower surface of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus;

an operation member provided on said function extending apparatus so as to be rotatable in a plane;

a pushing member movable in a first direction which is substantially normal to the plane of rotation of said operation member so as to push up said information processing device from said function extending apparatus; and

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in a first direction, when said operation member is rotated.

44. A function extending apparatus for an information processing device, comprising:

a first connector provided on a first surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, and connected with a second corresponding connector accessible via a lower surface of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus;

a pushing member movable in an upper direction so as to push up said information processing device, mounted on said function extending apparatus, from said function extending apparatus;

an operation member which is operated to separate said information processing device from said function extending apparatus, and is rotatably provided on said function extending apparatus so as to be rotated horizontally; and

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in the upper direction which is substantially normal to rotation of said operation member, when the operation member is rotated.

45. A function extending apparatus for an information processing device, comprising:

a first connector provided on a first surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, and connected with a second corresponding connector accessible via a first lower surface of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus;

a pushing member which is movable in an upper direction so as to push up said information processing device, mounted on said function extending apparatus, from said function extending apparatus;

an operation member which is operated to separate said information processing device from said function extending apparatus, and is rotatably provided on said function extending apparatus; and

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in the upper direction, when the operation member is rotated.

46. A function extending apparatus for an information processing device, comprising:

a first connector provided on a first surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, and connected with a second corresponding connector accessible via a first lower surface of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus;

a lever member which is provided on said function extending apparatus and which is rotatable between a first position, wherein said lever member is located on a second surface of said function extending apparatus, and a second position, wherein an end of the lever member is separated from said second surface;

a pushing member which is moved in a first direction to push up said information processing device from said function extending apparatus; and

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in said first direction, when said lever member is moved into the second position.

47. An information processing system, comprising:

an information processing device having at least one connector accessible via a lower surface of said information processing device, and

a function extending apparatus for said information processing device, having

at least one connector on a mounting surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, to be connected with said connector of said information processing device, said connector of said function extending apparatus being connected to said connector of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus,

a pushing member which is moved in an upper direction so as to push up said information processing device, when mounted on said function extending apparatus, from said function extending apparatus,

an operation member which is operated to separate said information processing device from said function extending apparatus, and is rotatably provided on said function extending apparatus so as to be rotated horizontally, and

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in the upper direction when said operation member is rotated.

48. An information processing system, comprising:

an information processing device having at least one connector accessible via a lower surface of said information processing device, and

a function extending apparatus for said information processing device, having

at least one connector provided on a mounting surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, to be connected with said connector of said information processing device, said connector of said function extending apparatus being connected to said connector of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus;

a locking mechanism which is capable of locking said function extending apparatus with said information processing device;

a pushing member which is moved in an upper direction so as to push up said information processing device mounted on said function extending apparatus from said function extending apparatus;

an operation member which is operated to separate said information processing device from said function extending apparatus and is rotatably provided to said function extending apparatus so as to be rotated horizontally;

a locking release mechanism which is capable of releasing a locking state generated by said locking mechanism in connection with the operation of said operation member, and

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in the upper direction in connection with the operation of said operation member after said locking release mechanism is actuated in connection with the operation of said operation member.

49. An information processing system, comprising:

an information processing device having at least one connecotr accessible via a lower surface of said information processing device, and

a function extending apparatus having

at least one connector provided on a first surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, and connected to said connector of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus;

an operation member provided on said function extending apparatus so as to be rotatable in a plane;

a pushing member movable in a first direction which is substantially normal to the plane of rotation of said operation member so as to push up said information processing device from said function extending apparatus; and

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in said first direction when said operation member is rotated.

50. An information processing system, comprising:

an information processing device having at least one connecotr accessible via a lower surface of said information processing device, and

a function extending apparatus having

at least one connector provided on a first surface of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, and connected to said connector of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus;

a pushing member movable in an upper direction so as to push up said information processing device, mounted on said function extending apparatus, from said function extending apparatus,

an operation member which is operated to separate said information processing device from said function extending apparatus and is rotatably provided on said function extending apparatus so as to be rotated horizontally and,

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in the upper direction, which is substantially normal to rotation of said operation member, when the operation member is rotated.

51. An information processing system, comprising:

an information processing device having at least one connecotr accessible via a lower surface of said information processing device, and

a function extending apparatus for said information processing device, having

at least one connector, which is connector provided on a mounting surface of said fuction extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, to be connected with said connector of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus;

a pushing member which is movable in an upper direction so as to push up said information processing device, mounted on said function extending apparatus, from said function extending apparatus,

an operation member which is operated to separate said information processing device from said function extending apparatus, and is rotatably provided on said function extending apparatus, and

a push-up mechanism, which moves said pushing member in the upper direction, when the operation member is rotated.

52. An information processing system, comprising:

an information processing device having at least one connecotr accessible via a lower surface of said information processing device, and

a function extending apparatus for said information processing device, having

at least one connector on a first surface of said fuction extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, and connected with said connector of the information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted on said function extending apparatus;

a lever member which is provided on said function extending apparatus and which is rotatable between a first position, wherein said lever member is located on a second surface of said function extending apparatus and a second position, wherein an end of said lever member is separated from said second surface of said function extending apparatus;

a pushing member which is moved in a first direction to push up said information processing device from said function extending apparatus; and

a push-up mechanism which moves said pushing member in said first direction, when said lever member is moved into the second position.

53. A function extending apparatus for an information processing device, said function extending apparatus comprising:

at least one connector provided on a mounting surface of an upper part of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, to be connected to with at least one corresponding connector of said information processing device accessible via a lower surface of said information processing device, said connector of said function extending apparatus being connected to said connector of said information processing device, when said information processing device is mounted of said function extending apparatus,

a locking mechanism capable of locking said function extending apparatus to said information processing device,

an operating member operated to separate said information processing device from said function exending apparatus and is rotatably provided at said function extending apparatus so as to be rotated in a plane parallel to a plane of said mounting surface, and

a locking release mechanism capable of releasing a locking state generated by said locking mechanism, when said operation member is rotated.

54. An information processing system, comprising:

information processing device having at least one connector accessble via a lower surface of said information plocesing devide, and

a function extending apparatus having

at least one connector provided on a mounting surface provided on an upper part of said function extending apparatus for mounting said information processing device, to be connected with said connector of said information processing device, said connector of said function extending apparatus,

a locking mechanism capable of locking said device,

an operation member is operated to separate said informaton processing device from said function extending apparatus and rotabaly provided to said function extending apparatus so as to be rotated in a plane parallel 60 a plane of said mounting surface.

a locking release mechanism which is capable of releasing a locking state generated by said locking mechanism, when said operstion member is rotated.