JP2001125680A - Extension unit and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exemplify an extension unit and electronic equipment which are more multifunctional than before while the electronic equipment is made to be small-sized, lightweight, and thin. SOLUTION: The extension unit which can be inserted into an extension unit slot of portable electronic equipment is projected partially from the extension unit slot.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a notebook personal computer ("notebook personal computer") portable terminal and a portable electronic device PDA (person).
The present invention relates to a peripheral device of an electronic device such as nal Digital Assistants, and particularly to an extension unit of the electronic device. Here, "peripheral devices" are devices that are connected to the personal computer and realize the necessary functions, and are used for external storage devices such as hard disks, output devices such as printers, and input devices such as mice and scanners. apparatus,
Communication devices such as modems and network connection devices can be broadly classified. On the other hand, the “extension unit” is a concept including a docking station, a docking bay, an extension bay, and the like, and units having different specifications (for example, C
D-ROM drive and floppy (registered trademark) disk drive, etc.), and refers to an interface device that connects these units to the electronic device body. Therefore, the extension unit is distinguished from the PC card in that it can be easily multifunctional.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development and spread of notebook personal computers, portable terminals, and portable electronic devices, desktop personal computers ("desktop personal computers") are small and light for convenience in carrying, and are used on desks such as offices. There is a demand for a notebook personal computer with the same rich functions as in (1). For example, there has been proposed a CD-ROM drive or the like connected to or built in a personal computer itself which is made small and lightweight. However, if the CD-ROM drive is built in the main body of the computer, the main body becomes large and the convenience of carrying is hindered. In addition, since drives having different specifications, for example, a CD-ROM drive and a high-capacity floppy disk (LS-120) have different connector structures from the PC main body, it is attempted to expand the notebook personal computer by providing a plurality of functions. If this is the case, a plurality of connectors corresponding to this need to be provided, and it has been difficult to reduce the size of the personal computer body. In other words, the conventional notebook personal computer could not be provided with a large number of connectors in order to achieve miniaturization, which hindered multi-functionalization.

Therefore, various methods of extending the functions of various notebook personal computers, portable terminals, and portable electronic devices have been proposed. For example, the prior art has proposed using a PC card to achieve multifunctional notebook PCs. Here, “PC card” refers to PCMCIA (Pe
rsonal Computer Memory Car
d International Associate
n) and JEIDA (Japan Electronics Industry Development Association) jointly established a standard for card-type peripheral devices for personal computers. P
The C card has a size of 85.6 mm × 54 mm, and has three types (or thicknesses of 3.3 mm, 5.0 mm, and 10.5 mm, respectively) (or a thickness of 18.3 mm) depending on the thickness. 4 including 0mm Thick type
Kind).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-31025 proposes a function expansion of a notebook personal computer using a PC card having a plurality of thicknesses (ie, a plurality of types). As shown in FIG. 2 of the publication, a notebook personal computer is provided with a PC card slot. The slot is connected to the notch, and the notch is covered by a cover rotatable below the main body. The notebook personal computer disclosed in the publication is configured to be connectable to both a type 2 PC card (up to two cards) and a type 3 PC card thicker than the type 2 PC card. The type 2 PC card is inserted into the slot with the cover covering the notch. When inserting the type 3 PC card into the slot, the cover is rotated to expose the notch, and the slot and notch are formed so that the type 3 PC card partially protrudes from the bottom of the notebook computer. Attached to.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 7-219689 proposes a notebook personal computer with a built-in printer by mounting the printer on a type 2 or 3 PC card. P
The C card is inserted so as to protrude from the side of the personal computer.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-303052 proposes a notebook personal computer capable of wirelessly communicating a radio frequency signal by attaching a wireless communication device including an antenna and a GPS receiver to a PC card. PC card is
An antenna and a GPS receiver are inserted so as to protrude from the side of the personal computer. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-259238 proposes a GPS device that can be inserted into a PC card slot. Such a GPS device has a configuration in which it is mechanically movably joined to a GPS reception processing unit inserted into a PC card slot. The antenna unit is rotatably supported while bending and supporting the antenna unit with respect to the receiving unit.

JP-A-11-88486 and JP-A-11-88487 propose a notebook personal computer having a communication device by mounting a mobile phone holder that can be electrically connected to a mobile phone on a PC card. ing.
The mobile phone holder can be electrically connected to the mobile phone and has a function of holding the mobile phone. PC card is
A mobile phone holder and a mobile phone are inserted so as to protrude from the side of the personal computer.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-128091 discloses a notebook personal computer having an image pickup device connectable to a PC card by a cable. However, the imaging unit including the imaging lens is still large and inconvenient to carry. For this reason, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 10-271376 proposes a notebook computer with a built-in CCD camera having improved portability by mounting the entire CCD camera on a PC card. The technique of incorporating a CCD camera in a card-shaped housing is also disclosed in JP-A-8-9215 and JP-A-7-322117.

[0009] A technique for attaching a CCD camera or other USB compatible unit using a USB port instead of a PC card is also well known. For example, JP-A-11-5306
No. 0 discloses a notebook computer in which a USB port for a CCD camera is provided at the top of a display section, and the camera is connected to the port directly or via a cable. In addition to the CCD camera, a printer and a keyboard can be connected to the USB port.

[0010] Registered Utility Model No. 30111657 discloses an electronic camera which is removably housed in a recess provided in a desktop personal computer body and is connected to the body via a connector in the recess. Although the recess is called a bay in the publication, it is actually a storage space dedicated to the electronic camera.

The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-31025 discloses a slot compatible with two types of PC cards of types 2 and 3, whereas Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-102966 discloses types 1 to 3 and a Thick type. 4 types of PC
The slot which can respond to a card is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-31025 discloses a notebook personal computer provided with a slot capable of accommodating a plurality of type 2 PC cards. It is also well known that a device capable of storing the PC card is connected by a cable. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-6548 discloses a disk array device having a connector connected to a personal computer and a PC card slot capable of storing a plurality of PC card slots.

Some electronic devices such as a notebook personal computer that can support the extension unit have been proposed. For example, JP-A-6-75661 and JP-A-7-302140
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-163873 discloses an electronic device that can be selectively connected to an expansion unit for a PC card and an expansion unit for a removable memory. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-283066 discloses a notebook personal computer that can be selectively connected to a hard drive expansion unit or a wireless network connection data transceiver expansion unit. An electronic device having a wireless communication function is also disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H5-257897 as a portable computer having an antenna and a slot for an optional device.

Further, conventionally, there is a space called a bay in a personal computer main body where a peripheral device or the like can be inserted. In particular, in portable information processing devices (portable personal computers, notebook computers or portable electronic devices, the same applies hereinafter), bays are provided and various types of extension units (peripheral devices and the like, for example, FDD, HDD, CD-
ROM drive) can be inserted.
This bay has a configuration in which the user can detachably insert the expansion unit, and selects one of a plurality of expansion units (peripheral devices or the like, for example, FDD, HDD, CD-ROM drive), and selects the bay. In many cases, it is configured to be inserted into That is, the user has a plurality of extension units in advance, and uses the plurality of extension units by inserting / removing them into / from the bays as necessary. That is, if the user
When the user wants to use the DD, insert the FDD into the bay so that the floppy disk can be used. Thereafter, when the user wants to use the CD-ROM, the user removes the FDD inserted in the bay, inserts the CD-ROM drive into the bay, and makes the CD-ROM usable. A bay of a portable information processing device or the like is significantly different from a bay or a slot of a desktop information processing device in that an extension unit can be freely attached and detached by a user. There is a desktop information processing apparatus called a bay. When a peripheral device is inserted into the bay, the peripheral device is attached so that the device cannot be detached by screwing or the like. A bay for a portable information processing device or the like is provided because the mounting volume / area of the device or device is small. For example, it is possible to provide both a FDD and a CD-ROM drive in a portable information processing device in advance,
With this configuration, a mounting area for both devices is required, and the size of the device is increased. The more peripheral devices the user wants, the larger the device. Therefore, miniaturization of the portable information processing device cannot be achieved. Therefore, as described above, one bay is selected from a plurality of expansion units,
A configuration is adopted in which an expansion unit is attached to the bay in a manner that the user can attach and detach it. Such a bay is provided in various notebook computers, portable information processing apparatuses, portable personal computers, or portable electronic devices. Some of these devices have multiple bays. Furthermore, the expansion unit to be attached is FDD or C
Not only D-ROMs but also DVD drives and batteries are provided. The bay may be referred to in various terms, and may be referred to as an expansion bay, an expansion bay slot, or a multi-purpose bay.

Several printers that can be inserted into the bay have been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-35957 discloses a printer that can be installed in a 5-inch file bay. By providing a switchback paper path, the printer can be made thinner. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. 1-105359 discloses a thermal printer that can be mounted in a 3.5-inch file bay.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 5-342162 discloses an AC adapter which can be inserted into a battery storage and connected. The battery storage part is a space for storing the battery pack. When the battery pack is stored, the battery pack storage section is configured to be fixedly held in the stored state and to be removable. The AC adapter is formed in substantially the same shape as the battery pack. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-79566 discloses another type of AC adapter which can be inserted into a battery housing and connectable. Such an AC adapter has a configuration in which an AC cord can be wound around the AC adapter itself. For example, when carrying a laptop computer,
The AC cord is wound around the adapter and housed in the battery pack to prevent the AC cord from sagging.
However, the above-described AC adapter can be used only for the battery housing, and does not have expandability.

[0017]

Although the conventional function expansion device expands the functions of electronic equipment, further expansion of functions is expected in the future. The function expansion field covers a wide variety of fields, such as a storage system, a communication system, a printing system, an input system, and a security system.

First, in order to expand the functions of the electronic device, it is conceivable to provide an expansion slot including a PC card slot in the electronic device and connect a dedicated function expansion device to the expansion slot. Here, the “expansion slot” is a slot for connecting a peripheral device to an electronic device or mounting a function expansion card, and may be called an expansion bus slot. However, as described above, the conventional notebook personal computer cannot be provided with a large number of connectors in order to realize miniaturization, while each slot has a terminal shape dedicated to one function expansion device in principle. Therefore, there is a limit to the function expansion due to an increase in the number of expansion slots.

On the other hand, there is a limit in extending the functions using only the PC card and the PC card slot. An advantage is that a PC card slot can be used if a printer or CCD camera is connected to or incorporated in the PC card. However, PC cards are not originally developed to be connected to all devices including storage systems, communication systems, printing systems, input systems, and security systems. There are also difficulties.

Further, the size of the conventional bay (expansion bay or multi-purpose bay) is determined by the thickness of the expansion unit that can be built in depending on the thickness of a notebook computer, a portable information processing device, a portable personal computer, a portable electronic device, or the like. The thickness was fixed. In addition, small /
With the reduction in thickness, the space / thickness of the expansion bay also tends to decrease. In portable information processing devices that place more emphasis on carrying,
There is a demand for small size, light weight, and thinness, and some devices have only PC card slots and some do not have expansion bays. There is also a type in which the expansion bay is not provided in the portable electronic device, but only the bay is provided outside the device.

The inventor of the present invention has proposed a function of an electronic device utilizing an extension unit originally intended to extend a plurality of functions and an extension unit connected to the electronic device main body to accommodate the extension unit. It has been found that it is desirable to enhance the expansion. However, a conventional expansion unit has not been proposed that effectively expands a desired function among a storage system, a communication system, a printing system, an input system, and a security system. On the other hand, it is necessary to maintain the demand for smaller, lighter, and thinner electronic devices.

[0022]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a general exemplary object of the present invention to provide a new and useful extension unit and electronic equipment which solve such conventional problems.

More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide an extension unit and an electronic device that realize more functions than ever before, while keeping the electronic device small, light and thin. I do.

In order to achieve the above object, an expansion unit according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, and the electronic unit provided in the housing. A connection portion that can be electrically connected to a device, wherein the housing is partially inserted from the bottom surface or a portion other than the bottom surface of the electronic device when the connection portion is inserted into the electronic device and the connection portion is connected to the electronic device. Protrude into. According to such an extension unit, since the extension unit partially protrudes from the electronic device, it is not necessary to make the electronic device large in advance so that the extension unit can be completely accommodated. It is useful to realize multi-functionality by the extension unit while maintaining the function.

The projecting housing may function as a stand (for example, a tilt stand) for the electronic device.
Thus, it is possible to provide an extension unit that facilitates ergonomic operation of the electronic device by a user. The housing may have a PC card slot into which a PC card can be inserted. This makes it possible to provide an expansion unit that can expand the functions of the card of the electronic device. The connection unit includes an interface that can transmit a card bus signal for a card, an interface that can transmit a PCI bus signal, a USB interface that can transmit a USB signal, and / or data and a program that can be processed by the electronic device. It can have an interface capable of transmitting a file signal including the file signal. As a result, it is possible to provide an extension unit that can effectively extend desired functions among the functions of the storage system, the communication system, the printing system, the input system, and the security system of the electronic device.

[0026] The extension unit may further include an imaging device for the housing. This makes it possible to provide an extension unit that can extend the imaging function of the electronic device. The extension unit may further include a mechanism connected to the housing to allow the imaging device to protrude from the housing, and the mechanism includes a mechanism that causes the imaging device to protrude from the housing. For example, a pop-up mechanism). Such a mechanism facilitates operation by the user. Further, the electronic device has a display device,
The imaging device is provided on the housing so as to be separable from the housing, and a cable connecting the imaging device and the housing, and attaching the detached imaging device to the display device of the electronic device. It may further have a mounting mechanism to enable it. Thereby, a wide imaging range of the imaging device can be secured.

The extension unit may further include a security device for the housing, wherein the security device is a biometric device (a device using biological information).
And the biometric device may be any of a fingerprint recognition device, a voice recognition device, and a retinal recognition device. Thereby, an extension unit that can extend the security function of the electronic device can be provided.

[0028] The extension unit may further include a wireless communication device or an AC adapter of the housing. Thus, an extension unit that can extend the communication function or the power supply function of the electronic device can be provided.

The AC adapter converts a commercial power supply to a power supply for driving an electronic device, converts an external power supply to a power supply for driving an electronic device, or converts an AC power supply to a DC power supply. Means

An expansion unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, and an expansion unit provided in the housing and electrically connected to the electronic device. A possible connection, said connection comprising U
It has a USB interface that can transmit SB signals. Thus, an extension unit that can extend the USB function of the electronic device can be provided. Such an extension unit may further include a USB terminal connectable to an external device via a USB. With this, USB of electronic equipment
It is possible to provide an extension unit that facilitates adding a connector.

An expansion unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, a housing provided in the housing, and electrically connected to the electronic device. It has a connection portion that can be connected and a USB terminal that can be USB-connected to an external device. Thus, it is possible to provide an extension unit that can easily add a USB connector of the electronic device.

An expansion unit as another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a housing detachably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, an imaging device provided in the housing, and an imaging device provided in the housing. A connection portion that is electrically connected to the electronic device. This makes it possible to provide an extension unit that can extend the imaging function of the electronic device. The extension unit may further include a mechanism (for example, a pop-up mechanism) that is connected to the housing and allows the imaging device to protrude from the housing. Such a mechanism facilitates operation by the user. Further, the imaging device may be provided on the housing so as to be detachable from the housing. The apparatus may further include an attachment mechanism for the detached imaging device. Further, the extension unit may further include a cable for connecting the imaging device and the housing. Thereby, a wide imaging range of the imaging device can be secured. Further, the housing may further include a storage section for the cable. Thereby, the imaging range of the imaging device can be secured within the range of the cable length.

An expansion unit as another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is connected to a housing insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, an imaging device housed in the housing, and the housing, A mechanism (for example, a pop-up mechanism) that allows the imaging device to protrude from the housing. Thus, an extension unit capable of extending the imaging function of the electronic device can be provided, and such a mechanism facilitates operation by a user. The extension unit may further include an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts an angle of the imaging device protruding from the housing with respect to the housing. Thereby, a wide imaging range of the imaging device can be secured.

An expansion unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be inserted into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device,
A housing having a plurality of card slots capable of accommodating a plurality of cards, and a connection portion provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device. This makes it possible to provide an extension unit that can extend the card function of the electronic device. In particular, since the expansion unit can support a plurality of cards, its function expandability is high.

An expansion unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be inserted into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device,
A housing having a plurality of card slots capable of storing a plurality of types of cards in parallel and at different heights, and a connection portion provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device. This makes it possible to provide an extension unit that can extend the card function of the electronic device. In particular, since the expansion unit has a plurality of cards arranged in parallel at different heights, it does not hinder the thinning design of the electronic device.

An expansion unit as another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a housing detachably inserted into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, and a communication device (eg, a mobile phone) provided in the housing. With a holder for This allows
The extension unit provides a mobile phone holder that is convenient for a user who uses the electronic device and the mobile phone at the same time. The extension unit may further include a connection unit provided on the housing and electronically connectable to the electronic device. In this case, the housing can accommodate a unit having the same or different function as the communication device. Further, the holder is
It may be housed so as to protrude from the housing. The extension unit may further include a connection member that enables connection between the communication device and the electronic device. Thus, an extension unit that can extend the communication function of the electronic device can be provided. For example, data created by an electronic device can be transmitted via a mobile phone, or data can be received via a mobile phone.

An expansion unit as another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a housing insertable into an expansion unit slot provided in an electronic device, a card reader provided in the housing, an image forming apparatus, and an image input device. It has a device, an AC adapter, a position detection information receiving device, a barcode reader, and / or an infrared communication device, and a connection portion provided on the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device. This makes it possible to provide an extension unit that can be extended in various functions of the electronic device.

An electronic apparatus as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a housing having an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit can be removably inserted, wherein the expansion bay slot is opened at a bottom surface of the housing. A housing configured to allow the extension unit to protrude from a bottom surface of the housing; and a connection unit provided on the housing and electrically connectable to the extension unit. Since such an electronic device allows partial extension of the extension unit, the electronic device does not need to be large in advance so that the extension unit can be completely accommodated.
It is useful for realizing multifunctionality by the extension unit while keeping the electronic device small, light, and thin.

An electronic apparatus according to another exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a first portion having a slot, a second portion detachably inserted into the slot of the first portion,
An interface device for electrically connecting the first and second parts, wherein the second part is inserted into a slot of the first part and is connected to the first part via the interface device. Partially protrudes from the bottom surface of the electronic device when electrically connected. Such an electronic device also has the same operation as the above-described electronic device.

An electronic apparatus according to yet another exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a first portion having a slot, a second portion detachably inserted into the slot of the first portion, and An interface device for electrically connecting the first and second parts, wherein the second part is inserted into a slot of the first part and is electrically connected to the first part via the interface device. Partially protrude from the electronic device when the electronic device is electrically connected. Such an electronic device also has the same operation as the above-described electronic device and / or extension unit.

An electronic apparatus as still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a housing having an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit can be removably inserted, and a USB connection provided with the expansion unit and the expansion unit. USB interface for performing Thereby, an electronic device corresponding to the extension unit having the USB interface can be provided.

An electronic apparatus as another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first portion having a slot, a second portion detachably inserted into the slot of the first portion,
An interface device that electrically connects the first and second parts; an imaging device housed in the second part; and an imaging device that is connected to the second part and connects the imaging device to the second part. (For example, a pop-up mechanism). The electronic device may further include an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts an angle of the imaging device protruding from the second portion with respect to the second portion. Such an electronic device also has the same operation as the above-described extension unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus including a housing, an imaging device that is housed in the housing so as to be able to protrude, and an electrical connection between the imaging device and the housing. And an angle adjustment function for adjusting an angle of the imaging device protruding from the housing with respect to the housing. Such an electronic device also has the same operation as the above-described extension unit.

An electronic apparatus according to another exemplary aspect of the present invention is a housing having an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit can be inserted. A housing configured to allow the extension unit to protrude from the bottom surface of the housing, a first connection unit provided on the housing and electrically connectable to the first extension unit; A second connection unit provided to be electrically connected to the second extension unit. Such an electronic device can maintain its small size, light weight, and thinness by allowing the extension unit to partially protrude, and divide the connection unit with the extension unit into two parts to make the first unit according to the type of signal and the frequency of use. And the second connection unit can be assigned, so that an efficient function expansion can be achieved. The expansion bay slot may be commonly used for the first and second expansion units. Thus, the electronic device does not need to have a slot for each expansion unit, and thus can be kept small, light, and thin. The first connection unit may include an interface capable of transmitting a file signal including data and a program that can be processed by the electronic device. The second connection unit may include an interface capable of transmitting a card bus signal for a card and / or a USB interface capable of transmitting a USB signal. By allocating the first and second connection units according to the types of signals as described above, the function can be efficiently expanded, and two first and second expansion units can be simultaneously mounted. Become.

Other objects and further features of the present invention are as follows:
It will become apparent in the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an electronic device 100 and an extension unit 200 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the electronic device 100 and the extension unit 200. Note that the extension unit 200 may be a part of the electronic device 100 instead of being separate from the electronic device 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 is illustratively embodied as a notebook computer 100, but is not limited thereto, and may be a PDA, a hand-held personal computer,
It includes a palm-sized personal computer, a wearable computer, a portable electronic device, a portable terminal, and the like. Also,
The size of the notebook computer 100 covers A4 size, B5 size, other sub-note size, mini-note size, and the like.

The notebook personal computer 100 has a liquid crystal display (LCD) bezel frame 10 and a base 20 connected by a hinge 30, and an LCD screen 12 is arranged on the LCD bezel frame 10. Typically, the base 20 has a thickness of about 50 mm or less, preferably about 20 to 30 mm. LCD
The bezel frame 10 has a substantially rectangular shape that holds the LCD screen 12. The base 20 includes a keyboard section 40 for typing information. Regardless of the type of keyboard, 101, 106, 109, ergonomic, etc., the keyboard layout is also QWERTY layout, D
VORAK sequence, JIS sequence, new JIS sequence, Japanese input consortium reference sequence (NICOLA: Nihon
go Nyuryoku Concotium Lay
out). The base 20 also includes a pointing device 50 that emulates some of the mouse functions. Regardless of the structure shown in FIG. 1, the pointing device 50 is a mouse, a trackball, a trackpad,
Includes tablets, digitizers, joysticks, joypads, touch panels, stylus pens, etc.

The base 20 is formed with an expansion bay slot 60 into which a plurality of types of expansion units 200 can be removably inserted. When viewing the notebook computer 100 from the left side, the expansion bay slot 60 has a substantially L-shape, and has openings 62 and 64. The notebook personal computer 100 has a cover (not shown) fitted to the opening portions 62 and 64 on the left side, and the extension unit 200 can be inserted by removing the cover and exposing the opening portions 62 and 64. . The cover may be attached to the left side surface of the notebook computer 100 or other parts by a spring or hinge structure.

It goes without saying that the shape of the expansion bay slot 60 is not limited to the L-shape. The opening 64
This is a space necessary for accommodating a disk-shaped medium such as a CD-ROM in the extension unit 200 when the extension unit 200 is accommodated. It does not extend to the bottom of the personal computer 100. For this reason, the space formed by the opening 64 functions as a partial storage space for another component (for example, a battery unit) of the notebook computer 100.

It goes without saying that the size, shape and length of the expansion bay slot 60 vary according to the design of the expansion unit 200. In addition, it changes depending on the shape of the electronic device 100, such as the case where the electronic device 100 of the present invention is realized as a PDA. In addition, the notebook computer 100
Although it can correspond to the various extension units 200 shown in FIG. 1, it may be made to correspond to some of the extension units 200 or further extension units 200 therein.

The expansion bay slot 60 may completely accommodate an expansion unit 200 described later, or a part of the expansion unit 200 may be a base 20 of the notebook computer 100.
May protrude from the side surface, the bottom surface, or other surfaces. As described above, by allowing the extension unit 200 to partially project, it is not necessary to make the notebook computer 100 large in advance so that all the extension units can be completely stored. It is useful for realizing multi-functionality while maintaining a low profile.

In this embodiment, the portion 60 of the notebook computer 100 into which the extension unit shown in FIG. 1 is inserted is called an extension bay slot. The name of this expansion bay slot is
It has the same meaning as the bay described in the related art. or,
The term extended bay slot is intended to include what is referred to as an extended bay, a multi-purpose bay, a multipurpose bay, and the like.

In order to allow a part of the extension unit 200 to protrude from the bottom surface of the base 20, the opening portion 62 has an opening 63 opening in the bottom surface of the base 20 in FIG. Such openings 63 not only allow the insertion of the thick extension unit 250, but also allow the extension unit to function as a tilt stand. This will be described later together with the extension unit 260. A cover (not shown) that fits into the opening 63 is attached, and the cover 62 is removed to expose the opening portions 62 and 64, so that the thick extension unit 250
And 260 may be inserted. Such a cover may be attached to the bottom surface of the base 20 by a spring or hinge structure. Of course, optionally, in notebook computer 100 where thicker extension units 250 and 260 are not used, opening 63 may be removed by the bottom surface of base 20.

FIG. 1 exemplarily shows a plurality of extension units 200 having different housing shapes. The extension unit 200 is, as shown in FIG.
0 to 230, a thick extension unit 240, a thin extension unit 250, and a tilt stand type extension unit 26.
0, and PC card expansion units 270 and 280. However, the electronic device 100 does not need to house all these expansion units 210 to 280,
Optionally, a part of these, or all or part of them, together with a further shaped expansion unit may be housed.

The protruding extension units 210 to 230 are
The extension unit projects from the left side of the notebook computer 100. Expansion unit 210 is expansion bay slot 6
0, and a projection 214 having a substantially L-shaped cross section. The protrusion 214 has a function as, for example, a position detection information receiving device described later. Further, the protruding portion 214 is not limited to the receiving device of the position detection information, and may be a receiving device of various radio waves (for example, a medium wave, a short wave, an ultrashort wave, etc.). Expansion unit 220 is expansion bay slot 6
0, and a protruding portion 2 having a substantially concave cross section.
24. The protrusion 224 functions as, for example, a card reader. The card is not limited to a magnetic card such as a credit card, but may be a contact type or a non-contact type IC.
A card, memory card, or expansion card may be used. For this reason, the card reader is a concept including, for example, a reader / writer that stores electronic money in an IC card. The expansion unit 230 includes a base 2 housed in the expansion bay slot 60.
32 and a projection 234 having a substantially rectangular cross section. The protrusions 214 and 234 differ in height. The extension unit 230 functions as, for example, a mobile phone holder described later. Note that these projecting extension units 210
To 230 may be thick (ie, the base 20
May be partially projected from the bottom surface of the base 20) or may be thin (that is, it is not necessary to project from the bottom surface of the base 20).
Further, the extension units 240 to 280 described later may have any of the protrusions 214, 224, and 234 or a protrusion having another shape.

The thick extension unit 240 is a unit that partially protrudes from the bottom surface of the base 20, and has an opening 6
2 having a thickness 241 greater than the height. Thick extension unit 240 can be embodied, for example, as an AC adapter. An expansion unit with an AC adapter will be understood by the detailed description that follows. The thin extension unit 250 does not project from the bottom surface of the base 20 and has a thickness 251 smaller than the height of the opening 62. Thin extension unit 250
Can be embodied, for example, as a hard disk drive unit.

The tilt stand type extension unit 260
It has a base 262 housed in the expansion bay slot 60 and a support 265 that contacts the bottom surface of the base 20.
The base 262 has a thickness 261 greater than the height of the opening 62, similar to the thick extension unit 240. The tilt stand type extension unit 260 has a tilt stand portion 264 that projects from the bottom surface of the base 20 and supports the same. The tilt stand 264 has a function of slightly supporting the base 20 to the user side when the notebook computer 100 is placed on the table. This is based on ergonomic reasons that such a tilt facilitates keyboard 40 and other input operations by the user. As described above, the extension unit 2 can be provided with some function at a portion protruding from the base 20 of the extension unit 200.
The projections of 00 are limited in advance by a conventional technique (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
31025).

PC card expansion units 270 and 28
0 has a PC card slot corresponding to PC cards of types 1 to 3, and further selectively
It may be configured to be compatible with a type (18.0 mm thick) PC card.

Characteristically, the PC card expansion units 270 and 280 of the present embodiment can support a plurality of PC cards. The “plurality of PC cards” may be a plurality of PC cards of the same type, a plurality of PC cards of different types, or a combination thereof. In this embodiment, the extension unit 270 has a PC card slot 272 for type 1 or 2, and a PC card slot 274 for type 1 or 2. The extension unit 280 has a PC card slot 272 for type 1 or 2, and a PC card slot 274 for type 1, 2, or 3. In this way, the PC card expansion units 270 and 280 of the present embodiment have a plurality of PC card slots.
No. 5661) is achieved.

Each of the PC card slots 272 and 274,
282 and 284 are respectively arranged in parallel. Also, the PC card slots 282 and 284 have different mounting heights. As described above, the PC card slots are not arranged in the height direction, which contributes to making the notebook personal computer 100 thinner. The different mounting heights also contribute to making the notebook personal computer 100 thinner.

The extension units 210 to 280 include projections 213, 223, 233, 243, 253, 263, 2
It will be appreciated that 73, 283 are inserted into expansion bay slots 60, respectively, to mate with openings 64.

The extension units 210 to 280 are connected to the notebook PC 100 at connection portions 216, 226, 236,
246, 256, 266, 276 and 286. For these connections, an interface device suitable for the device housed in each expansion unit is used. These interfaces include a parallel interface (such as IEEE 1284 or IEEE 1394), a serial interface (such as RS-232C or RS-422), an IDE (including enhanced IDE), and an SC.
SI (including SCSI-2, SCSI-3, etc.), Ul
tra ATA, USB, ATAPI, 10BASE-
2, 10BASE-T, 10BASE-T, MIDI,
ZV port, card bus (CardBus) and IrD
A is illustratively included, but is not limited thereto. The notebook computer 100 also has a connection portion 70 that engages with these connection portions (see FIG. 2 described later). When the expansion unit 200 is connected to the notebook computer 100, the system is preferably updated to plug and play or hot plug.

Devices that can be mounted on the housing of the extension unit 200 include information recording devices (FDD, CD-ROM, DVD,
LS120, HDD, etc.), additional battery, AC adapter, USB connector, PC card, communication device (wireless communication device, infrared communication device and other communication devices), printing device (printer, etc.), information reading device (scanner, OCR, etc.) , Security devices (biometric devices such as fingerprint recognition devices, voice recognition devices, and retina recognition devices, biometric devices; devices that use biological information), imaging devices (digital cameras, CCD cameras, etc.), GPS devices, card readers, Including but not limited to barcode readers and mobile phone holders.

As described above, a plurality of types of extension units 20
In the case where the notebook computer 100 corresponds to the connection unit 70, the connection unit 70 of the notebook computer 100 is configured to efficiently configure the connection unit of the notebook computer 100, and preferably to allow two expansion units to be inserted at the same time. Is divided into two interface units 72 and 74. Less than,
Such a case will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 2 shows that the connection unit 70 has two interface units 7.
Notebook computer 100 composed of 2 and 74
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram for explaining connection between the power supply unit and extension units 202 and 204.

The first interface unit 72 is connected to the connection unit 203 of the extension unit 202 and the notebook personal computer 10.
0 is configured to be able to transmit and receive a file-related data signal including a processable data and program, a USB signal, and / or power. The first interface unit 72
Are connected to an information recording device (FDD, CD-ROM, DVD, LS120, H
DD), an additional battery, an AC adapter, or a USB connector. For example, the information recording device transmits and receives a file data signal, the USB connector transmits and receives a USB signal, and the AC adapter transmits power.

The second interface section 74 can transmit and receive a card bus signal, a PCI bus signal, or a USB signal for a PC card to and from the connection section 205 of the extension unit 204. The expansion unit 204 connected to the second interface 74 includes, for example, a PC card, a communication device (a wireless communication device, an infrared communication device, and other communication devices), a printing device (such as a printer), and an information reading device (scanner, OCR). Etc.), a security device (a biometric device such as a fingerprint recognition device, a voice recognition device, or a retina recognition device), an imaging device (such as a digital camera or a CCD camera), a GPS device, or a card reader. For example, a PC card bus transmits and receives a card bus signal, an information reading device transmits and receives a PCI bus signal, and a CCD camera and a security device transmit and receive a USB signal.

Here, a card bus (CardBus) is used.
Is a PC card interface standard in which the data bus width is extended to 32 bits. The PCI bus is also 32
PCI SIG (PCI Special)
Interest Group). The data transfer rate of the card bus and the PCI bus is 133 MB / sec at the maximum. USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a serial interface for personal computer peripheral devices, and enables connection cable aggregation, plug and play, and hot plug. Multiplexed connection is 1
Up to 28 ports are possible and transfer speed is 1.5 in low speed mode.
Mbps and high-speed mode (12 Mbps) are supported. There are four transfer modes (bulk, control, interrupt, and isochronous). In the isochronous mode, data requiring a real-time property such as a moving image or audio is transferred with the highest priority at regular intervals. The number of signal lines is four (two for communication and two for power). As described above, USB is suitable for low and medium speed (1.5 M to 12 MHz) communication interfaces, and therefore, the resolution and the number of display frames are moderate (for example, 320 × 2
(40, display speed of 5 to 6 sheets / second) By using a USB, it is possible to realize low cost and standardization.

The first interface and the second interface can be arranged side by side (same or different height) or one above the other in the expansion bay slot 60.
Therefore, both the extension unit connected to the first interface and the extension unit connected to the second interface can be connected to the notebook computer 100 simultaneously in parallel or up and down. By dividing the connection portion of the notebook computer 100 into two connectors in this way, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of connection signals at the connection portion of the extension unit 200 and to prevent destruction due to an increase in the insertion / extraction force applied to the connection portion. It has effects such as.

Hereinafter, a case where the extension units are inserted in parallel will be described with reference to FIGS. here,
FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the bottom surface of the notebook personal computer 100 shown in FIG. 1 including two interface units 76 and 78 and one thin extension unit 250a. FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the bottom surface side of the notebook computer 100 shown in FIG. 15 and the thin extension unit 250a inserted in the notebook computer 100. FIG. 17 shows the notebook personal computer 100, the thin extension unit 250b, and the parallel extension unit 25 shown in FIG.
It is a schematic perspective view of the bottom surface side of 0c. FIG. 18 shows the notebook personal computer 100 and the notebook personal computer 100 shown in FIG.
Extension units 250b and 250c inserted in the
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the bottom surface side of FIG. FIG. 19 is similar to FIG.
5 is a schematic side sectional view of the vicinity of a guide rail 80 in a bay slot 60 of the notebook computer 100 shown in FIG. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan sectional view of the vicinity of protruding portions 66 and 67 in the bay slot 60 of the notebook computer 100.

The notebook personal computer 100 has a first interface section 76 and a second interface section 78.
And a guide rail 80. The space in which the extension unit inserted into the first interface unit 76 is inserted is referred to as a first space. The space in which the extension unit inserted into the second interface 78 is inserted is referred to as a second space. In the description of the case where two extension units are inserted in parallel, a thick extension unit refers to an extension unit having a thickness larger than the first space.

Thin extension units 250a and 250b
Has a base, a protruding portion, and connecting portions 252 and 253, and is inserted into the first space. Thin extension unit 2
50a and 250b are the opening 64 and the guide rail 80.
And inserted into the first space. Connection part 25
Reference numerals 2 and 253 are connected to the first interface unit 76, and electrically connect the thin extension units 250a and 250b to the notebook computer 100.

The parallel expansion unit 250c includes a base,
It has L-shaped grooves 258 and 259 and a connection portion 254,
Inserted in the second space. Parallel expansion unit 25
0c is the groove 258 and 259 of the L-shaped groove and the bay slot 6
The protrusions 66 and 67 are fixed in the bay slot 60 by fitting. The connection unit 254 is connected to the second interface unit 78, and is connected to the parallel expansion unit 250.
c and the notebook computer 100 are electrically connected. Also, the parallel expansion unit 2 inserted in the second space
50c is not limited in its type in thickness. Second
The thick extension unit to be inserted into the space is opened at the bottom of the notebook computer 100, and the extension unit projects from the bottom. The extension unit 250c is fixed to the second space by the method described above, but the fixing method is not limited to this. For example, it is conceivable to provide a bottom cover or the like of the notebook computer 100 for the parallel extension unit 250c that does not protrude from the bottom. The parallel expansion unit 250c is sandwiched and fixed between the bottom cover and the guide rail 80.

Referring to FIG. 19, the guide rail 80
Is formed in, for example, a T-shape. Guide rail 80
Has a groove formed in the side surface 68 of the bay slot, and is configured to be insertable and removable. The notebook personal computer 100 enables insertion of a thick extension unit by removing the guide rail 80.

Similarly, by forming the protrusions 66 and 67 as follows, the thick expansion unit 250 can be inserted into the bay slot 60. Projections 66 and 67
Is preferably projected from the bay slot 60 by a biasing means such as a spring. Referring to FIG. 20, the protrusions 66 and 67 are confined within the bay slot 60 wall with the insertion of the thick extension unit. This is made possible by processing the portions of the protrusions 66 and 67 that come into contact with the extension unit at an angle. Also, the protrusion 66
And 67 project by biasing means when the thick extension unit is removed.

By configuring the guide rail 80 and the protrusions 66 and 67 as described above, the following selective use is possible. (1) With the guide rail 80 attached, one thin extension unit or two thin extension units are inserted in parallel and used. (2) Guide rail 8
In a state where 0 is removed, a thick extension unit can be inserted and used alone. Clearly, such choices enrich the extended capabilities of a single notebook computer.

The guide rail 80 is not limited to a mechanism such as a groove on the side surface 81 and a T-shaped guide rail as long as it is configured to be detachable. In addition, by forming grooves corresponding to the guide rails 80 in the thick extension unit in advance, the thick extension unit can be used in a notebook computer having the guide rail 80 on the side surface 81.

As shown in FIG. 2, the extension units 202 and 204 preferably have USB connectors 206 and 208 that can be connected to an external device via USB. This has the effect of facilitating the addition of USB connectors.

Hereinafter, the extension unit 300 having the mobile phone holder 320 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit 300 having the notebook computer 100 and the mobile phone holder 320.

The extension unit 300 has a base 310 and a mobile phone holder 320. 310 can be replaced with the desired extension unit 200 shown in FIG. The mobile phone holder 320 is preferably configured to be separable from the base 310, and has a holding portion 322 for holding the mobile phone CP. The mobile phone holder 320 includes a base 310.
Since there is no need to be involved in the connection between the base 310 and the notebook computer 100, the types of devices housed in the base 310 are not limited in principle. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone CP is connected to the notebook computer 100 via a cord 350. For example, a user in a car or the like attaches a document created on the notebook computer 100 to an e-mail and PDC (PDC).
personal Digital Cellular),
IS-54 and IS-95, GMS (Global S
system for MobileCommunicat
ion).
The user inserts the mobile phone CP into the mobile phone holder 3 during document input.
20 and can be used in such a manner that a CD-ROM drive storing data necessary for document input is mounted on the base 310.

Next, the extension unit 400 having the CCD camera 420 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit 400 having the CCD camera 420 attached to the notebook personal computer 100 during use. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit 400 attached to the notebook computer 100 before use. FIG. 6 shows that the CCD camera 420 is
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit 400 stored in the notebook PC 100 before being attached to the notebook computer 100. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit 400 before the CCD camera 420 is mounted on the notebook computer 100 with the CCD camera 420 protruding from the base 410. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit 400 before the CCD camera 420 is mounted on the notebook personal computer 100 in a state where the CCD camera 420 protrudes from the base 410 and is inclined. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the extension unit 400 in a state where the CCD camera 420 protrudes from the base 410 and is inclined.

A keyboard is provided at a portion indicated by reference numeral 40 in FIGS. 4 to 8, but the detailed illustration of the keyboard is omitted in these figures. It is assumed that a portion similar to the keyboard shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the expansion bay slot of the notebook personal computer main body 100 shown in FIGS.
The bottom does not have an opening. Since the extension unit 400 of FIGS. 4 to 8 is designed to fit the thickness of the notebook personal computer main body, it is not necessary to have an opening at the bottom as shown in FIG. However, 1
When it is desired to realize the configuration of FIG. 1 and the configurations of FIGS. 4 to 8 with the notebook personal computer, an opening is provided at the bottom of the expansion bay slot of the notebook personal computer main body 100 of FIGS.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the extension unit can protrude downward from the notebook computer main body.

The extension unit 400 has a base 410
CD camera 420, shaft 430, sliding portion 440
And The base portion 410 has a connection portion 412 for connecting to the notebook computer 100 and the protrusion portion 41 fitted into the opening portion 64.
And 3. The connection portion 412 is connected to the cable 430 via a cord, a cable, or another connection member formed in the shaft 430.
It is connected to the CD camera 420.

The CCD camera 420 is connected to the base 410 via the shaft 430 and can be housed in the base 410 by the sliding portion 440 as shown in FIG. The CCD camera 420 has a movable section 422, a fixed section 424, and a lens 426. Movable part 422
Is connected to the fixed portion 424 via a mechanism such as a shaft (not shown) so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow A.
The fixed portion 424 is rotatable in the arrow B direction.
Connected to 0. As the lens 426 and the photographing structure, any structure known in the art can be used, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. As described above, the connecting member (not shown) for connecting the CCD camera 420 to the connecting portion 412 is housed in the shaft 430, whereby the image captured by the lens 426 is displayed on the LCD screen 12. The user can edit the image using image editing software well known in the art.

The sliding section 440 can slide the CCD camera 420 with respect to the base 410 between the storage position and the operable position. FIG. 6 shows a state where the CCD camera 420 is in the storage position. The state where the CCD camera 420 is in the operable position is shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. FIG.

The sliding portion 440 has, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a release button 442, locking means 444, urging means 446, and a movable portion 448. Release button 442
Is connected to the locking means 444, and when the button 442 is pressed, the locking of the movable portion 448 by the locking means 444 is released. The movable portion 448 is urged in the direction of arrow C by urging means 446 formed of, for example, a compression spring, and moves in the direction of arrow C when the locking by the locking means 444 is released. As a result, when the button 442 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 7, the CCD camera 420 moves together with the movable portion 448 in the direction of arrow C to an operable position. Conversely, when the CCD camera 420 at the operable position is moved to the storage position in the direction of arrow D against the urging means 446, the locking means 444 engages with the movable part 448, and the release button 442 also protrudes. Stop. Thus, the pressing of the button or the like automatically causes the CCD camera 420 to automatically move the base 41.
In the present application, a mechanism that pops out of zero is called a “pop-up mechanism”
There is a case. Thus, the CCD camera 420 is held at the storage position shown in FIG. The sliding part 440
Needless to say, the mechanism is not limited to this, and the exemplary mechanism of the sliding section 440 shown in FIG. 9 is not omitted in other drawings. For example, the user manually operates the CCD camera 4.
20 may protrude from base 410.

The CCD camera 420 is normally maintained at the storage position until the extension unit 400 is installed in the extension bay slot 60. After storage, the release button 422 is pressed, and the CCD camera 420 is moved to the base 4 as shown in FIG.
10 and then the user enters the CCD camera 42
0 around shaft 430 (ie, in the direction of arrow B).
Then, if necessary, the movable part 422 is rotated in the direction of arrow A to set the lens 426 at a desired position, and an image is taken. Shaft 430 and movable part 422
It will be understood that the connecting means between the and the fixing part 424 also functions as an angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting the angle of the CCD camera 520 protruding from the base 510 with respect to the base 510.

The release button 422 allows the CCD camera 4
Although the embodiment in which the mobile phone 20 is popped up is shown, the mobile phone need not be a button, but may use a lever or a slider, and any operating means can be applied as long as the locking means 444 is released. is there.

Although not shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the extension unit 400 has the connecting portion 203 or 2 shown in FIG.
05 is provided. Correspondingly, the notebook computer body 100 is provided with the interface units 72 and 74 shown in FIG. The connection unit and the interface unit allow the expansion unit 400
The CD camera 420 is electrically connected to the notebook computer, and data from the CCD 420 is sent to the notebook computer through this connection. Further, control information from the main body of the notebook personal computer to the CCD camera 420 is transmitted. In a preferred embodiment, the CCD camera 420
, The USB signal is connected to the notebook computer itself.

As described above, with this storable configuration, the CCD
When camera is not used, CCD camera 420 is a notebook PC
Because it is stored inside (ie inside the expansion unit), CC
Since the D camera does not pop out, it is easy to carry the notebook computer. Further, when the CCD camera 420 is stored, it also protects the lens of the CCD camera 420.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG.
The extension unit 500 having 20 will be described. Here, FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit 500 having the CCD camera 520 mounted on the notebook personal computer 100 during use. The extension unit 500 includes a base 5
10, CCD camera 520, cable or cord 5
30. The base 510 is connected to the notebook computer 10.
0, a projection 513 fitted to the opening 64, a cable storage 514, and a hole 515.
And a camera storage section 516.

The CCD camera 520 has a lens 524 and a clip part 524. CCD camera 520
Can be separated from the base 510 and attached to the LCD bezel frame 10 or other desired places (a book stand, a corner of a desk, a partition, etc.) via a clip portion 524. The angle of the lens 524 may be selectively changeable. The CCD camera 520 can be stored in the camera storage section 516 of the base 510.

In FIG. 10, the CCD camera 520 is mounted on the side surface of the display unit 10. However, as described above, the CCD camera 520 does not need to be limited to this figure, and may be mounted on the upper part of the display unit 10.

The cable 530 can be stored in the cable storage section 514 of the base 510 and is led out through a hole 515 provided in a partition wall between the cable storage section 514 and the camera storage section 516. The cable 530 connects the CCD camera 520 to the connection unit 512. In addition, cable 5
30 can secure the imaging range of the CCD camera 520 within the range of its length. Thus, the image captured by the lens 522 is displayed on the LCD screen 12. The user can edit the image using image editing software well known in the art. Instead of the cable 530, the CCD camera 520 may communicate with the base 510 using wireless means such as infrared communication.

In the example of infrared communication, a known Irda can be used. Many laptops are
This is because it has an Irda transmission / reception unit. Irda
Although not shown in FIG. 10, it may be provided at an arbitrary position in the main body of the notebook computer 100. That is, in this case, information obtained from the CCD camera 520 is directly transmitted to the notebook computer 100. Alternatively, a CCD camera 5
An infrared communication device may be provided on the base 20 and the base 510. In this case, the data from the CCD camera 520 is
10 and received as electrical signals from the base 510 via the connectors 512 and 70
(Of the processor).

The notebook personal computer 10 shown in FIG.
The zero expansion bay slot may or may not have an opening at the bottom, as shown in FIG. Since the extension unit 500 of FIG. 10 is designed to fit the thickness of the notebook personal computer main body 100, it is not necessary that the bottom has an opening as shown in FIG. However, 1
When the configuration of FIG. 1 and the configuration of FIG. 10 are desired to be realized with the notebook computer of FIG. 1, an opening is provided at the bottom of the expansion bay slot of the notebook computer main body 100 of FIG. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the projection can be made.

Although not shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that the extension unit 400 is provided with the connection portion 203 or 205 shown in FIG. Correspondingly, the notebook computer body 100 is provided with the interface units 72 and 74 shown in FIG. The connection unit and the interface unit enable the CCD of the extension unit 400 to be connected.
The camera 420 is electrically connected to the notebook computer, and data from the CCD 420 is sent to the notebook computer through this connection. Further, control information from the main body of the notebook personal computer to the CCD camera 420 is transmitted. In a preferred embodiment, the CCD camera 420
As shown in the figure, it is connected to the notebook personal computer by USB signal.

As described above, regarding the CCD camera, FIGS.
0 has been described. The above-mentioned CCD camera is built into the extension unit, and the configuration was adopted in which the extension unit was inserted into the notebook computer and attached. An embodiment configured to be possible may be adopted. This configuration can be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the CC shown in FIGS.
It is assumed that the D camera is attached not to the extension unit but to the notebook computer 100 itself. FIG.
The configuration in which the drawers 8 and 9 can be pulled out / projected can be achieved by providing the notebook personal computer 100 itself.
With this configuration, the CCD camera in the state shown in FIG. 4 is laid down as shown in FIG. 5, and thereafter, the CCD camera can be stored in the notebook computer. The CCD camera may be appropriately pulled out at the time of use. Therefore,
With this configuration, when the CCD camera is not used, the CCD camera is stored inside the notebook PC, so that the CCD camera does not pop out, so that the notebook personal computer can be easily carried. It also protects the lens of the CCD camera.

Next, an extension unit 600 having an AC adapter will be described with reference to FIG. here,
FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit 600 having the notebook computer and the AC adapter shown in FIG. When the extension unit having the AC adapter is a thick extension unit as described above, the notebook personal computer 1 shown in FIG.
The expansion bay slot at 00 must have an opening at the bottom, as shown in FIG. However, by designing the extension unit 600 of FIG. 11 so as to be adapted to the thickness of the notebook personal computer body 100, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which there is no opening at the bottom of the notebook personal computer body.

The extension unit 600 includes a base 610 and A
C code 620 and extension unit 6 of AC code 620
It has a plug 640 at the end opposite to 00. Base 6
Reference numeral 10 includes an adapter portion (not shown) inside the base portion, a connection portion 612 for connecting to the notebook computer 100, and a protruding portion 613 fitted into the opening portion 64. The adapter converts a predetermined voltage (100 VAC) into a predetermined voltage corresponding to the standard of the electronic device. The adapter is disposed inside the base 610. The AC adapter can use any technology known in the art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The connection unit 612 is connected to the adapter unit directly or via a cable and a cord (not shown). The adapter unit is further connected to an AC cord. The AC cord 620 is electrically connected to the connection unit via an adapter unit.
The AC cord 620 derived from the adapter unit projects from the cord outlet 614 on the side surface 630 of the extension unit 600. AC code 62 derived from code exit 614
0 has a predetermined length in consideration of the usage conditions of the user. The AC cord 620 is connected to the cord outlet 6
AC cord 6 caused by bending and twisting around 14
20 has a protection member 622 for preventing the deterioration of 20. The AC cord 620 has a plug 640 at a tip opposite to the adapter.

Although not shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the connection unit 203 or 205 shown in FIG. 2 is provided in the extension unit 600. Correspondingly, the notebook computer body 100 is provided with the interface units 72 and 74 shown in FIG. These connection portions and the interface portion enable electrical connection between the AC cord 620 of the extension unit 600 and the notebook computer. Plug 640 into household power supply (AC100V)
, The current flowing from the AC cord is reduced to a predetermined voltage applicable to the notebook computer 100 via the adapter unit, and the notebook computer 1 is connected through the connection unit.
00 is supplied with power.

An extension unit having an AC adapter according to another embodiment will be described with reference to the extension unit 600. The extension unit has a base, an AC cord, and a plug at the end of the AC cord opposite to the extension unit.
The base has an adapter (not shown) inside the base, a connection to the notebook computer, and a projection fitted into the opening.

The base has a concave shape on the side from which the AC cord projects so as to form a space having an opening inside the base. The space of the extension unit is used as an AC code storage unit that stores the AC code. The AC code can be stored in the AC code storage section by folding the code. The extension unit is provided with a cover that fits into the opening of the AC cord storage unit. By attaching the cover, the stored AC cord is prevented from jumping out. The cover may be attached to the extension unit by a hinge structure or a spring. The size of the AC code storage unit is determined by the lengths of the adapter unit, the base unit, and the AC code. Other base configurations are:
Since the configuration is the same as that of the extension unit 600, the detailed description is omitted here.

When the expansion unit having the AC adapter is a thick expansion unit, the expansion bay slot of the notebook personal computer main body 100 is, as shown in FIG.
The bottom must have an opening. However, by designing the extension unit to be compatible with the thickness of the notebook computer main body 100, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that does not have an opening at the bottom of the notebook personal computer body.

Since the above-mentioned expansion unit can store the AC code in the expansion unit, the hanging AC code does not become an obstacle when the notebook computer is carried. Further, it is possible to prevent the cord from being degraded due to the cord being pulled by stepping on the hanging cord.

The AC adapter converts a commercial power supply to a power supply for driving an electronic device, an external power supply to a power supply for driving an electronic device, or a converter for converting an AC power supply to a DC power supply. Means

Next, an extension unit having a position detection information receiving device will be described. The extension unit with the position detection information receiving device is
S (Global Positioning System)
em) can be realized. In GPS, a GPS satellite orbits 21,000 km above the sky, and if radio waves from at least three satellites can be received, two-dimensional (latitude /
Longitude). In addition, if radio waves from four or more satellites can be received, three-dimensional position measurement including the sea level can be performed.

Referring to FIG. 12, an extension unit 700 having a position detection information receiving device according to another embodiment will be described.
Here, FIG. 12 shows the notebook computer 100 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of an extension unit 700 having a position detection information receiving device. The extension unit 700 includes a base 710
And an antenna section 720, a cable or a cord 730.

The base 710 includes a connection portion 712 connected to the notebook computer 100, a protrusion 713 fitted into the opening 64, a cable storage portion 714, a hole 715, an antenna storage portion 716, and a locking portion. A portion 717.

The antenna section 720 includes the patch antenna 72
6, a clip portion 722, an antenna case 724,
And a hollow shaft (not shown). Patch antenna 726 is configured such that a metallic material is adhered to opposing sides of the high dielectric material. Examples of the metal material used for the antenna include copper, aluminum, and a composite material. Further, the high dielectric material may be a substrate made of ceramic or fiber glass. The metallic material receives the radio frequency signal. Therefore, the surface of the metal material is etched to obtain optimum receiving characteristics based on the dielectric constant of the material used to form the substrate and the protrusion, the size of the metal material, and the receiving frequency. The configuration of the patch antenna 726 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and any structure known in the art can be used.

Referring to FIG. 12, a patch antenna 72 is shown.
6 is configured to expose the surface of the metal material from the antenna case 724. Further, the patch antenna 726 may be configured so that its periphery is covered by an antenna case 724. By covering the patch antenna 726 with the antenna case 724, the antenna case 724 has a function of protecting the patch antenna 726. At this time, it is preferable that the antenna case 724 be formed of a member having a high radio wave transmittance.

The antenna case 724 including the patch antenna 726 is connected to the clip 722 via a hollow shaft (not shown). By passing through the shaft,
The antenna case 724 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the clip portion 722 (see FIG. 12). Further, the patch antenna 726 is connected to a cable 730 connected to the clip portion 722 via a cord, a cable, and other connecting members formed in the shaft.

The antenna section 720 is detachable from the base section 710 and can be attached to the LCD bezel frame 10 or other desired places (a book stand, a corner of a desk, a partition, etc.) via the clip section 722. Further, by rotating the antenna case 724 with respect to the clip portion 722 and inclining the patch antenna 726 to a preferable position in the reception state, an optimal reception state can be secured. In FIG. 12, the antenna unit 720 is attached to the side surface of the display unit 10.

Further, the antenna section 720 can be stored in the antenna storage section 716 of the base section 710. At this time, the antenna portion 720 is connected to the locking portion 71 via the clip portion 722.
By being attached to the antenna 7, it is fixed to the antenna storage section 716.

The cable 730 can be stored in the cable storage section 714 of the base 710, and a hole 715 provided in a partition wall between the cable storage section 714 and the antenna storage section 716.
Is derived through The cable 730 connects the antenna section 720 to the connection section 712. Also, cable 7
30 can secure the radio wave detection range of the antenna section 720 within the range of its length.

The information received by antenna section 720 is transmitted to a notebook computer. Users can use G, which is well known in the art.
The current position can be known using the PS reception processing application software. When the notebook PC is read and executed, the extension unit 700 converts radio waves received from satellites into GPS signals and transmits the GPS signals to the notebook PC. The notebook personal computer that receives the GPS signal calculates the current latitude and longitude through arithmetic processing.

The antenna section 720 has a button (not shown). By pressing such a button, the extension unit 700 converts radio waves received from satellites into GPS signals,
Send to laptop. The transmitted data is temporarily stored in the storage unit. The stored data is GPS
It is read out by the reception processing application software, and the position information is calculated together with the time when the button is pressed. By providing such a button, it is possible to easily follow the trajectory based on the stored information without performing the above-described position detection in real time. Further, the above function may be performed by the keyboard 40 or other operation means without providing the button on the antenna unit 720.

[0119] Instead of the cable 730, the antenna unit 7
20 may communicate with the base 710 using wireless means such as infrared communication. In the example of infrared communication, a known Irda
It is possible to use. This is because many notebook personal computers have an Irda transmitting / receiving unit. Ir
da is not shown in FIG.
It may be provided at any position of the main body. That is, in this case, the information obtained from the antenna unit 720 is directly transmitted to the notebook computer 100. Alternatively, the antenna section 72
An infrared communication device may be provided on the base 0 and the base 710. In this case, the data from antenna section 720 is
From the base 710 to the connections 712 and 7
0 to the notebook computer 100 (processor thereof) as an electric signal.

Further, the notebook personal computer body 10 shown in FIG.
The zero expansion bay slot may or may not have an opening at the bottom, as shown in FIG. Since the extension unit 700 of FIG. 12 is designed to fit the thickness of the notebook personal computer main body 100, it is not necessary to have an opening at the bottom as shown in FIG. However, 1
When it is desired to realize the configuration of FIG. 1 and the configuration of FIG.
It is also possible to provide an opening at the bottom of the expansion bay slot so that the expansion unit can protrude downward from the notebook computer main body.

Although not shown in FIG. 12, it is assumed that the connection unit 203 or 205 shown in FIG. 2 is provided in the extension unit 700. Correspondingly, the notebook computer body 100 is provided with the interface units 72 and 74 shown in FIG. The electrical connection between the antenna 720 of the extension unit 700 and the notebook computer is established by these connection sections and the interface section, and data from the antenna 720 is transmitted to the notebook computer through this connection section. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna 720 is connected to the notebook computer body by a USB signal as shown in FIG.

As described above, with this storable configuration, when the antenna is not used, the antenna section 720 is stored inside the notebook PC (ie, inside the expansion unit), so that the antenna does not pop out, so that the notebook PC can be carried. Etc. become easy. Further, when the patch antenna 726 is exposed on the surface, since the antenna section 720 is housed, the metal material of the patch antenna 726 is also protected.

The extension unit having the position detection information receiving device of another embodiment is replaced in its shape with the extension unit 210 projecting from the left side of the notebook computer shown in FIG. The name of each corresponding part of the extension unit having the position detection information
It is the same as that of

The extension unit having the position detection information receiving device has a first projection projecting from the notebook computer 100 and a base. The first protrusion stores an antenna for GPS. The base has a connection portion with the notebook personal computer and a second protrusion fitted into the opening portion 64.

The first protruding portion has a function as an antenna using the protruding shape. Such an antenna is realized by using a patch antenna. Since the configuration of the patch antenna is not different from the above-described configuration, the detailed description is omitted here. Whether the metal material of the patch antenna is exposed on the surface of the first protrusion or stored inside the protrusion is optional.

The first projecting from the notebook personal computer 100
The shape of the protrusion is not limited to the same L-shape as the protrusion 214 of the extension unit 210 shown in FIG. The shape is not limited as long as it can function as an antenna. The antenna is not limited to a patch antenna as long as it can receive GPS radio waves.

The connecting portion of the base is electrically connected to the patch antenna by a cable or a connector. As a result, the information received by the patch antenna is transmitted to the notebook computer. The user can know the current position using GPS reception processing application software known in the art. When the GPS reception processing application software of the notebook personal computer is read and executed, the extension unit having the position detection information receiving device converts the radio wave received by the satellite into a GPS signal and transmits it to the notebook personal computer. The notebook personal computer that receives the GPS signal calculates the current latitude and longitude through arithmetic processing. In addition, the extension unit of this embodiment can have a function corresponding to a button of the antenna unit 720 of the extension unit 700 by providing a button or other means on a part of the protruding portion.

It is assumed that such an extension unit is provided with the connection portion 203 or 205 shown in FIG. Correspondingly, the notebook personal computer 100 has a
Interface units 72 and 74 are provided. The electrical connection between the antenna of the extension unit and the notebook personal computer is made by these connection parts and the interface part, and data from the antenna is transmitted to the notebook personal computer through this connection part. In a preferred embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna is connected to the main body of the notebook computer by a USB signal.

The expansion bay slot of the notebook personal computer main body 100 may or may not have an opening at the bottom as shown in FIG. Notebook PC 1
00, the extension unit having the position detection information receiving device is adapted to the thickness of the notebook personal computer main body 100,
By design, the bottom need not have an opening as in FIG. However, the notebook computer 100
It is also possible to provide an opening at the bottom of the expansion bay slot so that the expansion unit can protrude downward from the notebook computer main body.

Hereinafter, an extension unit 800 having an image input device according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit 800 having the notebook computer 100 and the image input device shown in FIG. The extension unit 800 cooperates with the notebook computer 100 to enable a scanner function. Extension unit 8
00 has a base 810, a scanner 820, and a cable or cord 830.

The base 810 has a connecting portion 812 connected to the notebook personal computer 100, a projecting portion 813 fitted into the opening 64, a cable storing portion 814, a hole 815, and a scanner storing portion 816. ing.

The scanner section 820 is connected to the scanning surface 82.
1 and a scan button 82 on the side opposite to the scanning surface
2 and a mounting portion 823. Scanning surface 8
Reference numeral 21 denotes a contact type sensor which is a reading element via a member such as tempered glass. The mounting portion 823 includes a base 810.
And can be attached to the LCD bezel frame 10 or any other desired location (bookstand, desk corner, partition, etc.). At the time of storage, the mounting unit 823 fixes the scanner unit 820 to the scanner storage unit 816.
The attachment portion 823 is provided with the extension units 500 and 7 described above.
A clip or other attachment means such as 00 is applicable. The scanner unit 820 includes a cable 830 described later.
It is connected to the.

The scanner section 820 is a hand-held type scanner which is a known technique. The scanner unit 820 may use any technology known in the art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The scanner unit 820 can read color, grayscale, and monochrome binary images.
The corresponding colors are full colors (16,770,000 colors). The above values are exemplary and the invention is not limited thereto.

The cable 830 can be stored in the cable storage section 814 of the base 810, and a hole 815 provided in a partition wall between the cable storage section 814 and the scanner storage section 816.
Is derived through The cable 830 connects the scanner unit 820 to the connection unit 812. In addition, cable 8
30 can secure the movable range of the scanner unit 820 within the range of its length.

The user can input data using image editing software known in the art. The information received by the scanner unit 820 is transmitted to the notebook computer 100 by reading and executing the image editing application software of the notebook computer. In use, reading can be performed by bringing the scanning surface 821 into contact with the reading medium and tracing the reading medium in a certain direction.
The reading operation of the scanning surface 821 is switched between ON and OFF by pressing the scan button 822. Note that an LED or the like can be provided near the scan button 822. By turning on and off the LED, the user can easily recognize ON / OFF of reading. Further, the image editing application software is automatically activated by turning on the scan button 822. This configuration prevents the user from performing a reading operation without activating the image editing application software of the notebook computer. Also,
Since the software is activated simply by pressing the scan button 822, the user's labor is simplified.

Although not shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the connection unit 203 or 205 shown in FIG. 2 is provided in the extension unit 800. Correspondingly, the notebook computer body 100 is provided with the interface units 72 and 74 shown in FIG. The connection unit and the interface unit establish an electrical connection between the scanner unit 820 of the extension unit 800 and the notebook computer,
Data from the scanner unit 820 is sent to the notebook computer through this connection unit. In a preferred embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner unit 820 is connected to the main body of the notebook computer by a USB signal.

The notebook personal computer 10 shown in FIG.
The zero expansion bay slot may or may not have an opening at the bottom, as shown in FIG. Since the extension unit 800 of FIG. 13 is designed to be compatible with the thickness of the notebook personal computer body 100, it is not necessary to have an opening at the bottom as in FIG. However, when it is desired to realize the configuration of FIG. 1 with the notebook personal computer of FIG. 13, an opening is provided at the bottom of the expansion bay slot of the notebook personal computer body 100 of FIG. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it can project downward.

As described above, with this storable configuration, when the scanner is not used, the scanner section 820 is housed inside the notebook PC (ie, inside the extension unit). And the like can be easily carried. Further, when the scanner unit 820 is stored, it also protects the tempered glass on the scanning surface 821.

Hereinafter, the notebook personal computer 100 having the thick extension unit 240 will be described. FIG. 14 shows the notebook computer 100 shown in FIG.
It is a schematic perspective view from the bottom side of 40. Referring to FIG. 14, the thick extension unit 240 partially protrudes from the bottom surface of the base 2 by a protrusion thickness 244. The projection allows the notebook computer 100 to be tilted. By tilting the notebook personal computer, the keyboard 40 and other input operations are facilitated ergonomically.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a notebook personal computer has been described as an example, and the notebook personal computer has an expansion bay slot. However, a docking station connected to the notebook personal computer, a function expansion device, an expansion device, and the like. The present invention may be applied to a unit which is provided in an extension bay slot provided in a station called an station, and the present specification does not exclude the purpose. The docking station, the function expansion device, and the expansion station are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-10-133778 and JP-A-9-6475. This docking station is sometimes referred to as a notebook computer function expansion device. A typical docking station, function expansion device, or expansion station holds one or more peripheral devices that are not mounted on the notebook computer body. We usually carry around using the mobility of a notebook computer, and in the office, dock the notebook computer with a docking station (typically, when the laptop rides on a docking station or the like, or Docking station), which realizes a function similar to a desktop personal computer or is used like a desktop personal computer. The present invention can also be applied to a case where these devices are provided with an expansion bay. That is, the term "expansion bay slot of electronic device" in the claims does not mean only the case where the notebook personal computer or the information processing device main body owns the bay itself as shown in the illustrated embodiment. And a bay provided for the docking station and the function expansion device. Also, there are devices such as devices called expansion bay housings and docking bays, which have only bays and no peripheral devices. These devices are also used in combination with a notebook personal computer. The term “expansion bay slot of electronic device” in the claims includes the expansion bay housing and the docking bay. These are also the same as the expansion bay slots of the electronic device.

When the docking station, the function expansion device, an expansion bay housing or a device called a docking bay are combined with an electronic device, an information processing device, or a portable electronic device, the electronic device is combined with the electronic device. Yes, it is an information processing device and a portable electronic device. or,
The term information processing device is intended to include a docking station, the function expansion device, an expansion bay housing, or the docking bay itself. This is because the docking station and the function expansion device have a storage device or the like and process information in some form. In a state where some units are provided in the expansion bay housing or the docking bay,
This is because it is processing information in some form and is a device for processing information. Therefore, the word of the information processing device is
It also means information processing-related devices.

The term “portable electronic device” includes all of a notebook computer, a PDA, a portable terminal, a handheld personal computer, a palm-sized personal computer, and a wearable computer.

As described above, the term “expansion bay slot of the portable electronic device” refers to not only the extension bay slot provided in the portable electronic device itself but also “the docking station, the function expansion device, the expansion bay housing, An expansion bay slot provided in a device called a docking bay "is also meant. This is because these “the docking station, the function expansion device, an expansion bay housing or a device called a docking bay” are also portable. In addition, these “extension bay slots” included in the “device referred to as the docking station, the function extension device, the extension bay housing, or the docking bay” correspond to the “the docking station, the function extension device, the extension bay housing or the docking bay” This is because it is still an expansion bay slot used by a portable electronic device to be integrated with these devices through the "device called".

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be variously modified and changed within the scope of the invention.

While the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment similarly discloses the following additional inventions.

(Supplementary Note 1) The housing includes a housing detachably insertable into an expansion bay slot of the electronic device, and a connection portion provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device. An extension unit wherein the body is inserted into the electronic device and partially protrudes from a bottom surface of the electronic device when the connection portion is connected to the electronic device.

(Supplementary Note 2) The housing includes a housing detachably insertable into an expansion bay slot of the electronic device, and a connection portion provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device. An extension unit, wherein the body is inserted into the electronic device and partially protrudes from a part other than the bottom surface of the electronic device when the connection portion is connected to the electronic device.

(Supplementary note 3) The extension unit according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the protruding casing functions as a stand for the electronic device.

(Supplementary Note 4) The extension unit according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the housing has a card slot into which a card can be inserted.

(Supplementary note 5) The extension unit according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the connection unit has an interface capable of transmitting a card bus signal for a card.

(Supplementary Note 6) The connection unit may have an interface capable of transmitting a PCI bus signal.
The described expansion unit.

(Supplementary note 7) The extension unit according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the connection unit has a USB interface capable of transmitting a USB signal.

(Supplementary note 8) The extension unit according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the connection unit has an interface capable of transmitting a file signal including data and a program that can be processed by the electronic device.

(Supplementary note 9) The extension unit according to supplementary note 1 or 2, further comprising an imaging device provided in the housing.

(Supplementary note 10) The extension unit according to supplementary note 9, further comprising a mechanism connected to the housing and enabling the imaging device to protrude from the housing.

(Supplementary note 11) The extension unit according to supplementary note 10, wherein the mechanism is a mechanism that allows the imaging device to protrude from the housing by operating means.

(Supplementary Note 12) The electronic device has a display device, the imaging device is provided on the housing so as to be separable from the housing, and the extension unit connects the imaging device and the housing. 10. The expansion unit according to claim 9, further comprising: a cable to be attached; and an attachment mechanism that enables the detached imaging device to be attached to the display device of the electronic apparatus.

(Supplementary note 13) The extension unit according to supplementary note 1 or 2, further comprising a security device provided in the housing.

(Supplementary note 14) The extension unit according to supplementary note 13, wherein the security device is a biometric device.

(Supplementary note 15) The extension unit according to supplementary note 14, wherein the biometric device is one of a fingerprint recognition device, a voice recognition device, and a retina recognition device.

(Supplementary note 16) The extension unit according to Supplementary note 1 or 2, further comprising a wireless communication device provided in the housing.

(Supplementary Note 17) The extension unit according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a device provided in the housing and configured to convert a power supplied from the outside into a power supply for driving the electronic device.

(Supplementary note 18) The extension unit according to supplementary note 1 or 2, further comprising a position detection information receiving device connected to the housing.

(Supplementary note 19) The extension unit according to supplementary note 18, wherein the projecting housing is an antenna of the position detection information receiving device.

(Supplementary Note 20) The electronic device includes a display device, the position detection information receiving device is provided on the housing so as to be separable from the housing, and the extension unit includes the position detection information device and the display device. 19. The extension unit according to claim 18, further comprising a cable connecting the housing and a mounting mechanism that allows the detached position detection information receiving device to be mounted on the display device of the electronic device.

(Supplementary note 21) The extension unit according to supplementary note 1 or 2, further comprising an image input device connected to the housing.

(Supplementary Note 22) The electronic device has a display device, the image input device is provided on the housing so as to be separable from the housing, and the extension unit is provided with the image input device and the housing. 22. The expansion unit according to claim 21, further comprising: a cable for connecting the image input device; and an attachment mechanism that enables the detached image input device to be attached to the display device of the electronic device.

(Supplementary Note 23) A housing having an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit can be removably inserted, wherein the expansion bay slot is opened at a bottom surface of the housing and the expansion unit is mounted on a bottom surface of the housing. An electronic device comprising: a housing capable of protruding from the housing; and a connection unit provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the extension unit.

(Supplementary Note 24) A first portion having a slot, a second portion separably inserted into the slot of the first portion, and the first and second portions are electrically connected. The second part is inserted into a slot of the first part, and is electrically connected to the first part through the interface device. An electronic device that partially protrudes from

(Supplementary Note 25) A first portion having a slot, a second portion detachably inserted into the slot of the first portion, and the first and second portions are electrically connected. The second part is inserted into a slot of the first part, and is electrically connected to the first part via the interface device. Electronic equipment that prominently protrudes.

(Supplementary Note 26) A housing which is detachably insertable into an expansion bay slot provided in the electronic device, and a connection portion provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device is provided. , The connection unit is a USB capable of transmitting a USB signal
Expansion unit with interface.

(Supplementary note 27) The extension unit according to supplementary note 26, further comprising a USB terminal connectable to an external device via a USB.

(Supplementary Note 28) A housing detachably inserted into an expansion bay slot of the electronic device, a connection portion provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device, and a USB connection with an external device. Expansion unit with a possible USB terminal.

(Supplementary Note 29) A housing having an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit can be removably inserted, and a US provided in the housing to make a USB connection with the expansion unit.
An electronic device having a B interface.

(Supplementary Note 30) A housing detachably inserted into an expansion bay slot provided in the electronic device, an imaging device provided in the housing, and an electronic device provided in the housing and electrically connected to the electronic device. And an extension unit having a connection unit connectable to the extension unit.

(Supplementary note 31) The extension unit according to supplementary note 30, further comprising a mechanism connected to the housing and for housing the imaging device so as to protrude from the housing.

(Supplementary note 32) The extension unit according to supplementary note 30, wherein the imaging device is provided on the housing so as to be detachable from the housing.

(Supplementary note 33) The extension unit according to supplementary note 32, further comprising a mounting mechanism for the detached imaging device.

(Supplementary Note 34) A supplementary note 30 having a cable for connecting the imaging device and the housing.
The described expansion unit.

(Supplementary note 35) The extension unit according to supplementary note 34, wherein the housing further includes a storage section for the cable.

(Supplementary Note 36) A housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, an imaging device housed in the housing, and an imaging device connected to the housing to move the imaging device from the housing. An extension unit having a mechanism that allows it to protrude.

(Supplementary note 37) The extension unit according to Clause 34, further comprising an angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting an angle of the imaging device protruding from the housing with respect to the housing.

(Supplementary Note 38) A first portion having a slot, a second portion removably inserted into the slot of the first portion, and the first and second portions are electrically connected. An electronic device having an interface device that is housed in the second portion and a mechanism that is connected to the second portion and that allows the imaging device to protrude from the second portion. .

(Supplementary note 39) The electronic apparatus according to supplementary note 38, further comprising an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts an angle of the imaging device protruding from the second portion with respect to the second portion.

(Supplementary Note 40) A housing, an imaging device housed in the housing so as to be protrudable, and the imaging device protruding from the housing while maintaining electrical connection between the imaging device and the housing. An electronic device having an angle adjusting function for adjusting an angle of the device with respect to the housing.

(Supplementary Note 41) A housing having a plurality of card slots removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device and accommodating a plurality of cards, and provided in the housing and electrically connected to the electronic device. An expansion unit having a connection part that can be connected to the main unit.

(Supplementary Note 42) A housing having a plurality of card slots removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device and capable of storing a plurality of types of cards in parallel and at different heights, An extension unit having a connection portion provided in the electronic device and electrically connectable to the electronic device.

(Supplementary Note 43) An extension unit comprising: a housing detachably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device; and a holder for a communication device provided in the housing.

(Supplementary note 44) The extension slot according to supplementary note 43, further comprising a connection portion provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device.

(Supplementary Note 45) The supplementary note 43, wherein the holder is housed so as to protrude from the housing.
The described expansion unit.

(Supplementary note 46) The extension unit according to supplementary note 43, wherein the extension unit further includes a connection member that enables connection between the communication device and the electronic device.

(Supplementary Note 47) A housing detachably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, a card reader provided in the housing, and provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device. Extension unit having a flexible connection part.

(Supplementary Note 48) A housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, an image forming apparatus provided in the housing, and electrically connected to the electronic device provided in the housing. Extension unit with a possible connection.

(Supplementary Note 49) A housing detachably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, an image input device provided in the housing, and an electric input device provided in the housing and electrically connected to the electronic device. Extension unit with a possible connection.

(Supplementary note 50) The extension unit according to supplementary note 49, wherein the image input device is provided on the housing having a mechanism for at least partially removing the image input device from the housing.

(Supplementary note 51) The extension unit according to supplementary note 50, further comprising a mounting mechanism for the detached image input device.

(Supplementary note 52) The extension unit according to supplementary note 50, further comprising a cable connecting the image input device and the housing.

(Supplementary note 53) The extension unit according to supplementary note 52, wherein the housing further includes a storage section for the cable.

(Appendix 54) The extension unit according to Item 52, further comprising an angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting an angle of the image input device removed from the housing with respect to the housing.

(Supplementary Note 55) A housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, and a device provided in the housing for converting a power supplied from the outside into a power source for driving the electronic device. An extension unit having a connection portion provided on the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device.

(Supplementary Note 56) A housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot provided in the electronic device, a position detection information receiving device provided in the housing, and the electronic device provided in the housing. And an extension unit having an electrically connectable connection part.

(Supplementary note 57) The extension unit according to supplementary note 56, wherein the position detection information receiving device is provided in the housing having a mechanism for removing the position detection information from the housing.

(Supplementary note 58) The extension unit according to supplementary note 57, further comprising a mounting mechanism for the removed position detection information receiving device.

(Supplementary Note 59) Supplementary note 57 further comprising a cable connecting the position detection information receiving device and the housing.
The described expansion unit.

(Supplementary note 60) The extension unit according to supplementary note 59, wherein the housing further includes a storage section for the cable.

(Supplementary note 61) The extension unit according to item 59, further comprising an angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting an angle of the position detection information receiving device removed from the housing with respect to the housing.

(Supplementary Note 62) A housing having an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit can be removably inserted, wherein the expansion bay slot is opened at a bottom surface of the housing and the expansion unit is mounted on a bottom surface of the housing. A housing capable of protruding from the housing, a first connection unit provided in the housing and electrically connectable to a first extension unit, and a second extension unit provided in the housing And an electronic device having a second connection portion that can be electrically connected.

(Supplementary note 63) The electronic device according to supplementary note 62, wherein the extension bay slot is used commonly for the first and second extension units.

(Supplementary Note 64) The first connection unit has an interface capable of transmitting a file signal including data and a program that can be processed by the electronic device. Supplementary Note 6
2. The electronic device according to 2.

(Supplementary Note 65) Either the expansion bay slot or the expansion unit has a guide portion,
63. The electronic device according to attachment 62, wherein the other has a guide groove, and the expansion bay slot and the expansion unit are connected as a result of engagement between the guide portion and the guide groove.

(Supplementary note 66) The electronic device according to supplementary note 62, wherein the second connection unit has an interface capable of transmitting a card bus signal for a card.

(Supplementary Note 67) The second connection portion may be a US
63. The electronic device according to attachment 62, further comprising a USB interface capable of transmitting a B signal.

(Supplementary Note 68) A housing that can be inserted into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, a barcode reader that is provided in the housing, and a connection that is provided in the housing and that can be electrically connected to the electronic device. An expansion unit having a part.

(Supplementary Note 69) A housing that can be inserted into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, an infrared communication device provided in the housing, and a connection provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device. An expansion unit having a part.

(Supplementary Note 70) A housing, a battery unit, and an expansion bay slot provided in the housing,
An opening in the bottom surface of the housing, and an expansion bay slot in which the battery unit can be mounted, wherein the battery unit is partially installed in the expansion bay slot when the battery unit is mounted in the expansion bay slot. An electronic device protruding from the bottom surface of the housing and functioning as a tilt of the housing.

(Supplementary Note 71) The expansion bay slot is
70. The electronic device according to attachment 70, wherein the electronic device is disposed behind the bottom of the housing.

(Supplementary Note 72) The expansion bay slot is
70. The electronic device according to attachment 70, wherein an extension unit other than the battery unit can be mounted.

(Supplementary Note 73) A housing and an expansion bay slot provided in the housing and capable of mounting at least one expansion unit, and are open at the bottom surface of the housing to allow a battery unit to be mounted. When the battery unit is installed in the expansion bay slot,
An electronic device having an expansion bay slot in which the battery unit partially projects from the bottom surface of the housing and functions as a tilt of the housing.

(Supplementary Note 74) The expansion bay slot
74. The electronic device according to claim 73, wherein the electronic device is disposed behind a bottom of the housing.

(Supplementary Note 75) The expansion bay slot
74. The electronic device according to claim 73, wherein an extension unit other than the battery unit can be mounted.

(Supplementary Note 76) A battery unit mountable in the expansion bay slot of an electronic device having a housing and an expansion bay slot opened at the bottom surface of the housing, wherein the battery unit is the expansion bay. A battery unit, wherein when mounted in a slot, the battery unit partially projects from the bottom surface of the housing and functions as a tilt of the housing.

(Supplementary Note 77) A battery unit mountable in the expansion bay slot of an electronic device having a housing and an expansion bay slot opened on the bottom surface of the housing, the battery unit being mounted in the expansion bay slot. And a battery unit that partially projects from the bottom surface of the housing and functions as a tilt of the housing.

(Supplementary Note 78) An electronic apparatus having a housing having an expansion bay slot in which at least one expansion unit selected from a group including a battery unit can be mounted, wherein the expansion bay slot is provided on a bottom surface of the housing. And the battery unit partially projects from the bottom surface of the housing and functions as a tilt of the housing when the battery unit is mounted in the expansion bay slot.

(Supplementary Note 79) At least one extension unit selected from a group including a battery unit,
An electronic device having a housing having an expansion bay slot in which the expansion unit can be mounted, wherein the expansion bay slot is open at a bottom surface of the housing, and the battery unit is mounted in the expansion bay slot. An electronic device that partially projects from the bottom surface of the housing and functions as a tilt of the housing.

(Supplementary Note 80) The expansion bay slot
80. The electronic device according to attachments 78 and 79 arranged on the side of the housing facing a user who uses the electronic device.

(Supplementary Note 81) The group includes a storage device, a USB interface, an AC adapter, a card,
79. The electronic apparatus according to attachments 78 and 79, including a communication device, an image forming device, an image input device, an imaging device, a position detection information receiving device, a card reader, a barcode reader, and a security device.

[0227]

As described above, according to the extension unit and the electronic device as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the multifunctionality is realized by the extension unit while keeping the electronic device small, light, and thin. Help.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a notebook personal computer and an extension unit as an example of an electronic apparatus as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram for explaining connection between a notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 1 in which a connection unit is composed of two interface units and two types of extension units.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an extension unit having the notebook personal computer 100 and a mobile phone holder shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a C mounted on the notebook computer shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an extension unit having a CD camera during use.

5 is a schematic perspective view before use of the extension unit shown in FIG. 4 attached to the notebook computer shown in FIG. 1;

6 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit before being mounted on the notebook computer shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the CCD camera shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the base.

7 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit in a state where the CCD camera shown in FIG. 4 is protruded from the base and before being mounted on the notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 1;

8 is a schematic perspective view of the extension unit before being mounted on the notebook computer shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the CCD camera shown in FIG. 4 is projected from the base and tilted.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the extension unit in a state where the CCD camera shown in FIG. 4 protrudes from the base and is inclined.

10 is a schematic perspective view during use of an extension unit different from FIG. 4 having the CCD camera mounted on the notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 1;

11 is a schematic perspective view of an extension unit having the notebook personal computer and the AC adapter shown in FIG.

12 is a schematic perspective view of an extension unit having the notebook personal computer and the position detection information receiving device shown in FIG.

13 is a schematic perspective view of an extension unit having the notebook personal computer and the image input device shown in FIG.

14 is a schematic perspective view of the notebook personal computer and the thick extension unit shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the bottom side.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the bottom surface side of the notebook personal computer in which the notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 1 includes two interface units and one thin extension unit.

16 is a schematic perspective view of a bottom surface side of the notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 15 and a thin extension unit inserted in the notebook personal computer.

17 is a schematic perspective view of the bottom surface side of the notebook personal computer, the thin extension unit, and the parallel extension unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of the bottom surface side of the notebook personal computer shown in FIG. 15 and two extension units inserted into the notebook personal computer.

19 is a schematic side sectional view of the vicinity of a guide rail in a bay slot of the notebook computer shown in FIG.

20 is a schematic plan sectional view showing the vicinity of a protruding portion in a bay slot of the notebook personal computer shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 LCD bezel frame 20 Base 30 Hinge 40 Keyboard section 50 Pointing device 60 Expansion bay slot 62 Opening 64 Opening 66 Projection 67 Projection 70 Connection 72 First interface 74 Second interface 76 First interface Phase unit 78 Second interface unit 80 Guide rail 100 Electronic device 200 Expansion unit 202 Expansion unit 203 Connection unit 204 Expansion unit 205 Connection unit 206 USB connector 208 USB connector 210 Expansion unit 212 Base 216 Connection unit 220 Expansion unit (card reader) 222 base 226 connection 230 expansion unit 232 base 236 connection 240 thick expansion unit 242 base 246 connection 250 thin Extension unit 252 Base 256 Connection 256 Connection 260 Tilt stand type extension unit 266 Connection 270 PC card expansion unit 276 Connection 280 PC card expansion unit 286 Connection 300 Extension unit 320 Mobile phone holder 400 Extension unit 410 Base 420 CCD camera 430 Shaft 440 Sliding part 500 Expansion unit 510 Base 514 Cable storage 520 CCD camera 530 Cable 600 Expansion unit 610 Base 612 Connection 620 AC code 630 Plug 700 Expansion unit 710 Base 714 Cable storage 720 Antenna 730 Cable 800 Expansion unit 810 Base 814 Cable storage 820 Scanner 830 Cable

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Takimoto 4-1-1, Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fujitsu Limited (72) Inventor Atsuko Tanaka 4-1-1, Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa No. 1 Inside Fujitsu Limited

Claims (10)

[Claims] An electronic device includes: a housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device; and a connection portion provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device. An extension unit that is inserted into the electronic device and partially projects from a bottom surface of the electronic device when the connection unit is connected to the electronic device. 2. A housing, which is removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, and a connection portion provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device, wherein the housing is An extension unit that is inserted into the electronic device and partially protrudes from a portion other than a bottom surface of the electronic device when the connection unit is connected to the electronic device. 3. A housing having an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit is removably insertable, wherein the expansion bay slot is opened at a bottom surface of the housing and the expansion unit projects from a bottom surface of the housing. And a connection unit provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the extension unit. 4. A first portion having a slot, a second portion detachably inserted into the slot of the first portion, and an interface for electrically connecting the first and second portions. A second part is inserted into a slot of the first part, and is electrically connected to the first part via the interface device. Electronic equipment that prominently protrudes. 5. A housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot provided in an electronic device, an imaging device provided in the housing, and electrically connected to the electronic device provided in the housing. Extension unit with a possible connection. 6. A housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, an imaging device housed in the housing, connected to the housing, and capable of projecting the imaging device from the housing. And an extension unit having a mechanism. 7. A housing having a plurality of card slots removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device and accommodating a plurality of cards, and provided in the housing and electrically connected to the electronic device. An expansion unit having a connectable connection unit. 8. An expansion unit, comprising: a housing detachably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device; and a holder for a communication device provided in the housing. 9. A housing removably insertable into an expansion bay slot of an electronic device, an image forming apparatus provided in the housing, and provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the electronic device. An extension unit having a connection part. 10. A housing having an expansion bay slot into which an expansion unit is removably insertable, wherein the expansion bay slot is opened at a bottom surface of the housing and the expansion unit projects from the bottom surface of the housing. And a first connection unit provided in the housing and electrically connectable to the first extension unit; and a second extension unit provided in the housing and electrically connected to the second extension unit. An electronic device having a second connection unit that can be connected to the electronic device.