Auxiliary device for electronic apparatus

• US 6,301,116 B1
• Filed: 07/16/1997
• Issued: 10/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tamura, Kenichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US08/895,595
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• Field of Search: 361/730, 361/725, 361/728, 361/686, 361/727, 361/681, 361/682, 361/683, 361/680, 361/726, 361/741, 361/754, 361/756, 361/732, D 6/396, D 6/397, D14/100, D14/114, 70/33, 70/38.R, 364/708.1, 439/638, 439/928, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 361/727
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/025 Portable cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/12 Disposition of constructional parts in the apparatus, e.g. of power supply, of modules
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1427 Housings

Abstract

An auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus which is connected to a portable electronic apparatus, such as a portable disc player to perform exchange of signals between it and the electronic apparatus, wherein the auxiliary device includes an attachment section, first and second detection mechanisms, an input/output section and a movement mechanism. The electronic apparatus is attached to the attachment section. The first and second detection mechanism are operated by the electronic apparatus attached to the attachment section. The holding mechanism holds the electronic apparatus attached to the attachment section. The holding mechanism holds the electronic apparatus when the first detection mechanism is operated by the electronic apparatus attached to the attachment section and then the second detection mechanism is operated by the electronic apparatus. The input/output section is connected to the connection terminal of the electronic apparatus held by the holding mechanism to perform exchange of signals. The movement mechanism causes the input/output section to move between a first position where it is connected to the connection terminal and a second position where it is separated from the connection terminal.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus comprising:

an attachment section for attaching to the electronic apparatus;

first and second detection mechanisms operated by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section; and

a holding mechanism for holding the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, wherein said holding mechanism holds the electronic apparatus when said first and second detection mechanisms are operated by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section,

wherein said first detection mechanism is equipped with a first operating section operated by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, and wherein said second detection mechanism is equipped with a second operating section adapted to protrude from and retract into said attachment section, and wherein said second operating section retracts into said attachment section by operation of said first operating section by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

2. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said holding mechanism is equipped with an engagement section for engaging with an engagement portion of the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, wherein said engagement section is engaged with said engagement portion after being retracted into said attachment section by the operation of said first operating section by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

3. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first detection mechanism includes a restricting section for restricting a retraction movement of said second operating section into said attachment section, and wherein said restricting section cancels the restriction of said retraction movement when said first operating section is operated by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

4. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second detection mechanism includes a preventing section for preventing said engagement section from being engaged with said engagement portion of the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, and wherein said preventing section engages said engagement section with said engagement portion when the restriction of said retraction movement of said second operating section is cancelled.

5. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cancelling mechanism for cancelling a holding operation of said holding mechanism when no power is being supplied to the auxiliary device.

10. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a connection mechanism connected to the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section; and

a movement mechanism for moving said connection mechanism between a first position where it is connected to the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section and a second position where it is detached from the electronic apparatus.

11. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said movement mechanism includes a cam member for moving said connection mechanism between said first position where it is connected to the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section and said second position where it is detached from the electronic apparatus, and wherein the operation of said holding mechanism for holding the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section is cancelled by said cam member.

6. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said holding mechanism includes an engagement section for engaging with an engagement portion of the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, wherein said engagement section is engaged with said engagement portion after being retracted into said attachment section by the operation of said first operating section by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

7. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said cancelling mechanism moves said engagement section to cancel engagement with said engagement portion of the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

8. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said cancelling mechanism includes:

a detachment operation section for detaching the electronic apparatus from said attachment section; and

a cancelling lever engaged with said detachment operation section for moving said engagement section to cancel its engagement with said engagement portion by operating said detachment operation section.

9. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said cancelling mechanism is formed such that when said power is being supplied the engagement of said detachment operation section with said cancelling lever is cancelled.

12. An Auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus having a connection terminal, said auxiliary device comprising:

an attachment section for attaching to the electronic apparatus;

first and second detection mechanisms operated by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section;

a holding mechanism for holding the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, wherein said holding mechanism holds the electronic apparatus when said first and second detection mechanisms are operated by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section;

an input/output section connected to the connection terminal of the electronic apparatus held by the holding mechanism for performing an exchange of signals; and

a movement mechanism for moving said input/output section between a first position where it is connected to the connection terminal and a second position where it is separated from the connection terminal,

wherein said movement mechanism moves said input/output section from said first position to said second position and cancels an operation of said holding mechanism for holding the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, and

wherein said first detection mechanism is equipped with a first operating section operated by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, and wherein said second detection mechanism is equipped with a second operating section adapted to protrude from and retract into said attachment section, and wherein said second operating section retracts into said attachment section by operation of said first operating section by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

13. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said holding mechanism is equipped with an engagement section for engaging with an engagement portion of the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, wherein said engagement section is engaged with said engagement portion after being retracted into said attachment section by the operation of said first operating section by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

14. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first detection mechanism includes a restricting section for restricting a retraction movement of said second operating section into said attachment section, and wherein said restricting section cancels restriction of said retraction movement when said first operating section is operated by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

15. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said second detection mechanism includes a preventing section for preventing said engagement section from being engaged with said engagement portion of the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, and wherein said preventing section engages said engagement section with said engagement portion when the restriction of said retraction movement of said second operating section is cancelled.

16. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said movement mechanism includes:

a first cam section for moving said input/output section between said first and said second positions; and

a second cam section for cancelling operation of said holding mechanism for holding the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

17. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a cancelling mechanism for cancelling operation of said holding mechanism for holding the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section when no power is being supplied to the auxiliary device.

18. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said holding mechanism includes an engagement section for engaging with an engagement portion of the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section, wherein said engagement section is engaged with said engagement portion after being retracted into said attachment section by operation of said first operating section by the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

19. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said cancelling mechanism moves said engagement section to cancel engagement thereof with said engagement portion of the electronic apparatus attached to said attachment section.

20. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said cancelling mechanism includes:

a detachment operation section for detaching the electronic apparatus from the auxiliary device; and

a cancelling lever engaged with said detachment operation section for moving said engagement section to cancel engagement thereof with said engagement portion by operating said detachment operation section.

21. The auxiliary device for an electronic apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said cancelling mechanism is formed such that when said power is being supplied the engagement of said detachment operation section with said cancelling lever is cancelled.