FUNCTION-EXPANSION DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

• US 20030110333A1
• Filed: 08/16/1999
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: FUCHIDA, HIDEHIKO
• Granted Patent: US 6,742,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/72
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A function-expansion device is detachably connected to electronic equipment to expand functions of the electronic equipment. The function-ezpansion device includes a component unit which provides an extended function of the electronic equipment. A docking station detachably mounts the component unit on the docking station, the docking station connecting the component unit to the electronic equipment. The component unit is detachable from the docking station when the docking station is attached to the electronic equipment which is in an operating condition.

Claims

1. A function-expansion device detachably connected to electronic equipment to expand functions of the electronic equipment, comprising:

a component unit for providing an extended function of the electronic equipment; and

a docking station for detachably mounting the component unit on the docking station, the docking station connecting the component unit to the electronic equipment,

wherein the component unit is detachable from the docking station when the docking station is attached to the electronic equipment which is in an operating condition.

2. The function-expansion device of claim 1, wherein the function-expansion device is configured such that the docking station is detachable from the electronic equipment.

3. The function-expansion device of claim 1, further comprising an undocking request generating unit for outputting an undocking request to the electronic equipment to permit detachment of the component unit from the docking station.

4. The function-expansion device of claim 1, further comprising an undocking request generating unit for outputting an undocking request to the electronic equipment to permit detachment of the docking station from the electronic equipment.

5. The function-expansion device of claim 3, further comprising an undocking request button for activating the undocking request generating unit, the undocking request generating unit requesting the electronic equipment to permit the detachment when the undocking request button is pressed by a user.

6. The function-expansion device of claim 3, further comprising an undocking acknowledge receiving unit for receiving an undocking acknowledge signal from the electronic equipment, the acknowledge signal indicating that the electronic equipment has permitted the detachment.

7. The function-expansion device of claim 3, further comprising an undocking indicator for providing an indication that the detachment of the component unit from the docking station is permitted.

8. The function-expansion device of claim 4, further comprising an undocking request button for activating the undocking request generating unit, the undocking request generating unit requesting the electronic equipment to permit the detachment when the undocking request button is pressed by a user.

9. The function-expansion device of claim 4, further comprising an undocking acknowledge receiving unit for receiving an undocking acknowledge signal from the electronic equipment, the acknowledge signal indicating that the electronic equipment has permitted the detachment.

10. The function-expansion device of claim 4, further comprising an undocking indicator for providing an indication that the detachment of the docking station from the electronic equipment is permitted.

11. The function-expansion device of claim 1, wherein the docking station includes a battery slot for mounting a battery pack on the docking station, the battery pack supplying power to the component unit on the docking station and to the electronic equipment.

12. An electronic equipment system including a function-expansion device and electronic equipment, the function-expansion device detachably connected to the electronic equipment to expand functions of the electronic equipment, the function-expansion device comprising:

a component unit for providing an extended function of the electronic equipment; and

a docking station for detachably mounting the component unit on the docking station, the docking station connecting the component unit to the electronic equipment,

wherein the component unit is detachable from the docking station when the docking station is attached to the electronic equipment which is in an operating condition.