Wireless communication apparatus

• US 7,623,832 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2005
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Watanabe, Masamichi, Kaeriyama, Yasushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; CongVan
• Application Number:
  US11/229,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20060079189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.1, 455/90.3, 455/97, 455/550.1, 455/575, 4555755-5758, 455/128, 455/347, 455/562.1, 343/700.R, 343/702, 343/714, 343/761, 343/763
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/084 Pivotable antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2258 used with computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices

Abstract

A wireless communication apparatus that provides an electronic apparatus with a wireless communication capability includes a connector connectable to the electronic apparatus, and an antenna section that is movable between a first position that covers said connector, and a second position that exposes said connector.

Claims

1. A wireless communication apparatus that provides an electronic apparatus with a wireless communication capability, said wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a housing configured to be at least partially inserted into and ejected from an insertion opening of the electronic apparatus;

a connector that is provided to said housing, and includes a part configured to be electrically connected to the electronic apparatus when the housing is inserted into the insertion opening of the electronic apparatus;

an antenna section that is connected to said housing, and includes an antenna cover and an antenna housed in the antenna cover; and

a mechanism configured to move the antenna section relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein the antenna section located at the first position covers the part of said connector, and the antenna section located at the second position exposes the part of said connector and allows an electric connection between the part of said connector and the electronic apparatus.

2. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes an angle adjusting mechanism that adjusts and fixes an angle of said antenna section relative to the housing.

3. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a slide mechanism that slides said antenna section relative to the housing.

4. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a length adjusting mechanism that adjusts and fixes a length of said antenna section.

5. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a stopper mechanism that prevents a drop of said antenna section.

6. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said antenna section is dividable into plural parts.

7. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said antenna section is dividable into first and second parts that are independently rotatable, and

wherein said angle adjusting mechanism fixes the first and second parts at different angles.

8. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said plural parts are independently rotatable in at least two directions.

9. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said plural parts have a bendable end.

10. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said antenna section includes an engagement portion that engages the plural parts with each other.

11. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said antenna section serves as an ejector that is pulled in ejecting said housing that is inserted into the insertion opening.

12. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna section that covers the part of the connector is made of an elastic material.

13. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the antenna cover is different from that of the antenna.

14. A wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said antenna section has a U-shaped shape.

15. A function expanding apparatus that expands a function of an electronic apparatus, said function expanding apparatus comprising:

a housing configured to be at least partially inserted into and ejected from an insertion opening of the electronic apparatus;

a connector that is provided to said housing, and includes a part configured to be electrically connected to the electronic apparatus when the housing is inserted into the insertion opening of the electronic apparatus;

a shield that is connected to said housing; and

a mechanism configured to move the shield relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein the shield located at the first position covers the part of said connector, and the shield located at the second position exposes the part of said connector and allows an electric connection between the part of said connector and the electronic apparatus.