JP5172793B2 - Function expansion device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a function expansion device, and more particularly, to a function expansion device having an anti-theft function.

  In recent years, personal computers having a size suitable for carrying such as notebook computers and mobile computers have been widely developed. Such portable computers suitable for carrying such as notebook computers and mobile computers are smaller and lighter than conventional stationary computers, and thus are more likely to be stolen.

  For example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1 propose an anti-theft PC card for preventing the theft of notebook computers. Such an anti-theft PC card is equipped with an acceleration sensor and an alarm. When the anti-theft PC card is mounted on a notebook computer and the arming setting is set to ON, if someone tries to take the notebook computer, the acceleration sensor It is configured to detect the movement of the notebook computer and emit a warning alarm.

  However, in the prior art, since the anti-theft card can be easily extracted from the notebook computer, the anti-theft function cannot be exhibited when the anti-theft card is removed from the notebook computer. There's a problem.

  On the other hand, in computers, there are an increasing number of cases where function expansion devices such as PC cards and HDDs mounted on the apparatus main body are stolen as well as the apparatus main body. Since these function expansion devices have the purpose of enabling exclusive use according to function expansion and usage, a structure that can be easily detached from the apparatus main body contributes to increase damage. However, the actual situation is that no anti-theft measures have been taken for the function expansion device attached to the apparatus main body.

US Patent No. 6970095

http: // www. caveo. com / products / anti-theft. htm

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a function expansion device capable of effectively preventing theft of an information processing apparatus or a function expansion device attached to the information processing apparatus. Objective.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a function expansion device that is used by being mounted in a slot of an information processing apparatus, and is connected to a main body and the main body. And when the function expansion device is mounted in the slot, the expansion unit located on the discharge side of the slot, and a connection mechanism that connects the main body unit and the expansion unit, the main body unit, In the state where the function expansion device is mounted in the slot, the detection means for detecting the movement of the information processing apparatus or the onset of the function expansion device, and in the security mode, the detection means When the movement of the processing device or the start of the loading / unloading operation of the function expansion device is detected, the connection mechanism is connected to the front and Characterized in that it comprises a control means for releasing the connection of the extension portion.

  Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the main body portion further includes sound emission means for emitting a warning alarm, and the control means uses the detection means to output the information in the security mode. When the movement of the processing apparatus or the start of the loading / unloading operation of the function expansion device is detected, it is preferable that the sound emitting means emits the warning alarm.

  Also, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the control means has an instruction from the information processing apparatus or an instruction from an external terminal by mail when a mechanical switch provided in the extension unit is ON. In this case, it is desirable to set the security mode.

  Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the control means receives a mail notifying of an abnormality from an external terminal, the main body is connected to the main body to prevent the main body from being attached or detached. It is desirable to release the connection between the part and the extension part.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the main body portion includes a battery device for supplying power to each portion of the function expansion device.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the function expansion device is a PC card.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is desirable that the PC card is a WWAN card.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a function expansion device inserted into a slot of an information processing apparatus, which is connected to a main body unit and the main body unit, and the function expansion device is mounted to the slot. An expansion part located on the discharge side of the slot, and a connection mechanism for connecting the main body part and the expansion part, the main body part in a state where the function expansion device is mounted in the slot, Detection means for detecting the movement of the information processing apparatus or the attachment / detachment operation of the function expansion device; and in the security mode, the detection means moves the information processing apparatus or installs the function expansion device. Control means for causing the coupling mechanism to release the connection between the main body part and the extension part in order to prevent the main body part from being attached / detached when the start of the detachment operation is detected; Since it was decided to include an effect that it is possible to provide a function expansion device capable of effectively preventing the theft of the mounted extension device to the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a notebook PC according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic hardware configuration diagram of the notebook PC. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram (connected state) showing a schematic configuration of the PC card. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view (disengaged state) of the PC card. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram (decoupled state) showing a schematic configuration of the PC card. FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining a method for preventing the theft of the notebook PC and the PC card (No. 1). FIG. 6B is a diagram for explaining a method for preventing the theft of the notebook PC and the PC card (part 2). FIG. 6-3 is a diagram for explaining the method for preventing the theft of the notebook PC and the PC card (part 3). FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the anti-theft processing by the PC card controller.

  Embodiments of a function expansion device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or that are substantially the same. Hereinafter, a PC card will be described as an example of the function expansion device of the present invention.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a notebook PC according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body side housing 2 and a display side housing 3 which are substantially rectangular parallelepipeds. The main body side housing 2 and the display side housing 3 are connected to each other by a pair of left and right connecting portions (hinge portions) 7a and 7b at the respective ends, and the connecting portions 7a and 7b open and close these housings. Supports freely.

  The display-side housing 3 includes a display device 5 that displays various types of information in response to commands from the main body-side housing 2. The main body side housing 2 includes an input unit 4 having a keyboard, a track point (pointing device), and the like on an upper surface thereof. Further, the main body side housing 2 includes a PC card slot 10 on the right side surface of which the PC card 60 that is a function expansion device can be mounted. When the PC card 60 is inserted into the PC card slot 10, the PC card 60 is locked by a known locking mechanism (not shown), and the PC card 60 is inserted into the PC card slot 10. The expansion part 60b is located on the discharge side of the PC card slot 10 when the PC card 60 is inserted into the PC card slot. When ejecting the PC card 60, if the eject button 10a is pressed, the lock mechanism for the PC card 60 is unlocked, the PC card 60 partially protrudes from the PC card slot 10, and the user can remove the PC card 60. It is possible. Since the mechanism of the PC card slot 10 and the eject button 10a can use a known mechanism, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the PC card 60 has a theft prevention function, a main body 60a having a function of detecting the movement of the notebook PC 1 and a sound emitting function of an alarm, etc., and an expansion connected to the main body 60a. Part 60b. In the security mode, when the PC card 60 detects the movement of the notebook PC 1 or the start / removal of the PC card 60, the PC card 60 emits a warning alarm and connects the main body portion 60a of the PC card 60 and the expansion portion 60b. It cancels | releases and only the expansion part 60b becomes removable. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the thief from detaching the entire PC card 60 and stopping the alarm sound. In addition, the PC card 60 itself can be prevented from being stolen.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic hardware configuration diagram of the notebook PC 1. In the notebook PC 1 shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 11 executes various arithmetic processes under program control to control the entire notebook personal computer 1. The CPU 11 includes a system bus FSB (Front Side Bus) 12, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 20 as a high-speed I / O device bus, and an ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) as a low-speed I / O device bus. Each component is interconnected via a three-stage bus called a bus 40. The CPU 11 employs a cache memory that stores a part of the contents of the main memory in, for example, an SRAM, and the processing speed is increased by storing program codes and data in the cache memory. In recent years, SRAM of about 128 Kbytes is integrated as a primary cache in the CPU 11. However, in order to compensate for the shortage of storage capacity, 512 K to 2 M is provided via a BSB (Back Side Bus) 13 which is a dedicated bus. A secondary cache 14 that is an external cache of about bytes is placed. Note that it is possible to reduce the cost by omitting the BSB 13 and connecting the secondary cache 14 to the FSB 12 to avoid a package having a large number of terminals.

  The FSB 12 and the PCI bus 20 are connected by a CPU bridge (host-PCI bridge) 15 called a memory / PCI chip. The CPU bridge 15 includes a memory controller function for controlling an access operation to the main memory 16 and a data buffer for absorbing a difference in data transfer speed between the FSB 12 and the PCI bus 20. It has become. The main memory 16 is a writable memory used as an execution program reading area of the CPU 11 or a work area for writing processing data of the execution program. For example, it is composed of a plurality of DRAM chips. This execution program includes an OS (for example, Windows (registered trademark) XP, Vista) capable of power control based on ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface), various drivers for operating peripheral devices, and utility programs. Application programs for executing specific tasks are included. These execution programs are stored in the master HDD 30.

  The video subsystem 17 is a subsystem for realizing functions related to image display, and includes a video controller. The video controller processes a drawing command from the CPU 11, writes the processed drawing information into the video memory, reads out the drawing information from the video memory, and outputs it as display data to the display device 5 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). doing.

  The PCI bus 20 is a bus capable of relatively high-speed data transfer. Connected to the PCI bus 20 are an I / O bridge (also referred to as a south bridge or an I / O hub) 21, a PC card controller 22, an audio subsystem 25, a docking station interface (Dock I / F) 26, and the like.

  The I / O bridge 21 is a control circuit having a bridge function between the PCI bus 20 and the ISA bus 40, and includes a DMA controller function, a programmable interrupt controller (PIC) function, a programmable interval timer (PIT) function, and an IDE ( Integrated interface functions such as Integrated Device Electronics (SATA) and Serial Advanced Technology (SATA), USB (Universal Serial Bus) functions, and SMB (System Management Bus) functions. Further, the power supply to each device of the notebook personal computer 1 is managed (power management).

  The DMA controller function is a function for executing data transfer between a peripheral device (for example, an FDD (flexible disk) drive) and the main memory 16 without intervention of the CPU 11. The PIC function is a function for executing a predetermined program (interrupt handler) in response to an interrupt request (IRQ) from a peripheral device. The PIT function is a function for generating a timer signal at a predetermined cycle, and the generation cycle is programmable. An IDE hard disk drive (master HDD 31) is connected to an interface realized by the IDE interface function. In addition, a SATA-specific bay device 5 can be connected by a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) interface function. The bay device 35 is housed in a bay 35 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided in the main body side housing 2 of the notebook computer 1 and connected to the I / O bridge 21 via the SATA connector 34.

  The I / O bridge 21 is provided with a USB port (not shown) and is connected to a USB connector (not shown). Furthermore, an EEPROM (not shown) is connected to the I / O bridge 21 via an SM bus. This EEPROM holds information such as BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), a program for controlling the embedded controller 41, a password registered by the user, a supervisor password, and a product serial number. This is a non-volatile memory that can be electrically rewritten.

  The PC card controller 22 is a dedicated controller for directly connecting the bus signal of the PCI bus 20 to the interface connector (card bus) of the PC card slot 10. The PC card controller 22 is a controller chip for enabling transmission and reception of signals between the notebook PC 1 (hereinafter also referred to as “host”) side and the PC card 60. The / O space is controlled at a low level (that is, electrically). A PC card 60 can be loaded into the PC card slot 10.

  The docking station interface 26 is hardware for connecting a docking station (not shown) that is a function expansion device.

  The ISA bus 40 is a bus whose data transfer rate is lower than that of the PCI bus 20. An embedded controller 41, a flash ROM 44, and a super I / O controller 45 are connected to the ISA bus 40. Furthermore, it is also used to connect peripheral devices that operate at a relatively low speed such as a keyboard / mouse controller. The Super I / O controller 45 is connected to an I / O port 46, which drives the FDD, inputs / outputs parallel data via the parallel port (PIO), and inputs / outputs serial data via the serial port (SIO). ) Is controlling.

  The embedded controller 41 controls the input unit 4 of a keyboard and a touch pad (not shown), and is connected to the power supply circuit 50 and is gate arrayed by a built-in power management controller (PMC: Power Management Controller). It is a control circuit that bears a part of the power management function together with the logic.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the PC card 60, and shows a state in which the main body 60a and the extension 60b are connected. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the PC card 60, and shows a state where the connection between the main body 60a and the extended portion 60b is released. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the PC card 60, and shows a state in which the connection between the main body 60a and the extension 60b is released. In the present embodiment, a case where a WWAN (Wireless WAN) card is used as an example of the PC card 60 will be described. It is assumed that the WWAN card of this embodiment conforms to a standard such as 3G.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the PC card 60 includes a main body portion 60a and an extension portion 60b configured to be connectable to the main body portion 60a. The main body 60a includes a controller 61, a battery circuit 62, an acceleration sensor 64, a speaker 65, an actuator 66, a WWAN unit 67, and a pair of hooks 68. The extended portion 60 b includes a switch 69 and a pair of grooves 71.

  The battery circuit 62 includes a secondary battery, a charging circuit, and the like, and charges the secondary battery with electric power supplied from the host side. The PC card 60 operates with the power supplied from the host side when power is supplied from the host side, and operates with the power supplied from the battery circuit 62 when power is not supplied from the host side. Works.

  The eject detection unit 63 detects the disconnection of the power supply from the PC card slot 10 side and outputs a detection signal to the controller 61 in order to detect the start of the loading / unloading operation of the PC card 60. The acceleration sensor 64 detects accelerations in a plurality of axial directions (X, Y, Z, etc.) and outputs the acceleration information to the controller 61 as acceleration information. The speaker 65 emits a warning alarm according to an instruction from the controller 61.

  The pair of hooks 68 is configured to be movable in the short direction of the main body 60 a and is driven by an actuator 66. The actuator 66 moves the pair of hooks 68 in the short direction in response to an instruction from the controller 61. Specifically, when a connection instruction is input from the controller 61, the actuator 61 moves the pair of hooks 60 outward in the short direction to the pair of grooves 71 of the expansion portion 60 b. The main body portion 60a and the extended portion 60b are connected to each other by being engaged. On the other hand, when a connection release instruction is input from the controller 61, the actuator 61 moves the pair of hooks 68 inward in the short direction as shown in FIG. And the connection between the main body 60a and the extended portion 60b is released. The main body 60a and the extension 60b are connected in a normal state.

  The WWAN unit 67 performs data communication with a terminal connected to a network via a base station, and can perform data communication with, for example, a mobile phone or the like by SMS.

  The controller 61 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an A / D converter, a D / A converter, a port, and the like, and controls the operation of each part of the PC card 60. The controller 61 controls execution of the security mode, and when the movement of the notebook PC 1 is detected based on the detection signal of the acceleration sensor 64 or the ejection operation is detected by the ejection detection unit 63 in the security mode. Then, it is determined that the notebook PC 1 or the PC card 60 has been stolen, and an alarm sound is emitted from the speaker 65, and the actuator 66 is released from the connection between the main body 60a and the extension 60b (see FIG. 5). For example, the controller 61 can determine that the notebook PC 1 has moved when an instantaneous value of acceleration information or an average value within a predetermined time is equal to or greater than the threshold th.

  The switch 69 is a mechanical switch for the user to set the security mode ON / OFF. The pair of grooves 71 are grooves for engaging with the hooks 68. When the hooks 68 are engaged with the pair of grooves 71, the extended portion 60b cannot be removed from the main body portion 60a.

  In the above configuration, the pair of hooks 68, the actuator 66, and the pair of grooves 71 function as a coupling mechanism, the acceleration sensor 64, the eject detection unit 63, and the controller 61 function as detection means, and the speaker 65 The controller 61 functions as a control unit.

  A method for preventing the theft of the notebook PC 1 and the PC card 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6A, with the PC card 60 mounted on the notebook PC 1, the user turns on the switch 69, gives an instruction from the application on the notebook PC 1 side, and gives an instruction by SMS from a mobile phone or the like. Thus, the PC card 60 can be set to the security mode.

  For example, when the thief tries to take out the notebook PC 1 in the security mode set, in the PC card 60, when the acceleration sensor 64 detects the movement of the notebook PC 1, the speaker 65 emits a warning alarm. At the same time, the actuator 66 releases the connection between the main body portion 60a and the expansion portion 60b. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the thief tries to remove the PC card 60 to stop the warning alarm and operates the eject button 10a to remove one of the PC cards 60 from the PC card slot 10. When the PC card 60 is pulled out and the PC card 60 is removed, only the extended part 60b of the PC card 60 is removed as shown in FIG. 6-3 because the connection between the main body part 60a and the extended part 60b is released. . Since the main body portion 60a remains accommodated in the PC card slot 10, the alarm alarm continues to sound, so that the laptop PC 1 can be prevented from being stolen.

  In a state where the security mode is set, for example, when a thief tries to take away the PC card 60, as shown in FIG. 6-2, the eject button 10a is operated and one of the PC cards 60 is removed from the PC card slot 10. In the case of the PC card 60, when the eject detection unit 63 detects the ejection operation of the PC card 60, the speaker 65 emits a warning alarm and the actuator 66 is connected to the main body 60a. The connection of the extended part 60b is released. When the thief tries to remove the PC card 60, since the connection between the main body 60a and the extension 60b is released, only the extension 60b of the PC card 60 is removed as shown in FIG. 6-3. Since the main body 60a remains accommodated in the PC card slot 10, the warning alarm continues to sound, and the main body 60a, which is an expensive part of the PC card 60, can be prevented from being stolen.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the anti-theft process by the controller 61 of the PC card 60. The controller 61 repeatedly executes the anti-theft process shown in FIG. 7 at a predetermined period. In FIG. 7, first, the controller 61 determines whether or not there is a security operation execution instruction (step S1). Here, the security operation execution instruction is, for example, an SMS command that instructs execution of the security operation transmitted by a mobile phone or the like. If there is a security operation execution instruction (“Yes” in step S1), the controller 61 executes the security operation, emits a warning alarm from the speaker 65 for a predetermined period, and causes the actuator 66 to expand with the main body 60a. The connection of the part 60b is released (step S6). For example, when the owner of the notebook PC 1 notices that the notebook PC 1 has been stolen, an SMS command for instructing execution of the security operation can be sent from the mobile phone or the like to the PC card 60 to execute the security operation. .

  If there is no security operation execution instruction (“No” in step S1), the controller 61 determines whether there is a security mode setting instruction (step S2). Here, the security mode setting instruction is, for example, when the switch 69 of the expansion unit 60b is ON, when the command of the security mode setting instruction is input from the notebook PC body 1 side, and the security mode setting instruction is made from a mobile phone or the like. For example, when the SMS command is received, the notebook PC 1 is powered off. The owner of the notebook PC can set the security mode by turning on the switch 69 of the PC card 60. The owner of the notebook PC 1 can input a security mode setting instruction from an application program installed in the notebook PC 1. Further, the owner of the notebook PC can set the security mode by transmitting an SMS Command for setting the security mode to the notebook PC 1 from a mobile phone or the like. Further, the security mode may be set when the power of the notebook PC (main body) 1 is OFF.

  If there is no instruction to set the security mode (“No” in step S2), the controller 61 ends the flow. On the other hand, when there is an instruction to set the security mode (“Yes” in step S2), the controller 61 sets the security mode (step S3), and based on the detection signal from the acceleration sensor 64, the notebook PC 1 It is determined whether or not it has moved (step S4). If the controller 61 determines that the notebook PC 1 has moved ("Yes" in step S4), the controller 61 proceeds to step S6, executes a security operation, and emits a warning alarm from the speaker 65 for a predetermined period. At the same time, the actuator 66 releases the connection between the main body portion 60a and the expansion portion 60b.

  On the other hand, when the controller 61 determines that the notebook PC 1 has not moved (“No” in step S4), the PC card 60 is ejected based on the detection signal from the eject detection unit 63. It is determined whether or not (step S5). If the controller 61 determines that the eject operation has not been executed (“No” in step S5), the controller 61 ends the flow. On the other hand, if the controller 61 determines that the eject operation has been executed (“Yes” in step S5) In step S6, a security operation is performed, and a warning alarm is emitted from the speaker 65 for a predetermined period, and the actuator 66 is disconnected from the main body 60a and the extension 60b.

  In the security operation in step S6, the WWAN unit 67 may notify a cell phone or the like registered in advance that there is a risk of theft by SMS. In addition, when a warning alarm is emitted, it may be configured to be able to be canceled by SMS such as a password input from the notebook PC 1 or a mobile phone registered in advance.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the PC card 60 is connected to the main body portion 60a and the main body portion 60a, and when the PC card 60 is inserted into the PC card slot 10, An extension portion 60b located on the slot discharge side, and a connecting mechanism for connecting the main body portion 60a and the extension portion 60b. The main body portion 60a moves the notebook PC 1 with the acceleration sensor 64 in the security mode. Alternatively, when the eject detection unit 63 detects the start / removal operation of the PC card 60, the connection between the main body 60a and the extension 60b is released in order to prevent the main body 60a from being attached / detached. Therefore, since the thief can only extract the extension part 60b and cannot extract the main body part 60a, the theft of the PC card attached to the notebook PC is effective. It is possible to prevent manner.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the main body 60a is in the security mode,
When the acceleration sensor 64 detects the movement of the notebook PC 1 or the eject detection unit 63 detects the start / removal operation of the PC card 60, the warning alarm is emitted from the speaker 65. It is possible to prevent a thief from stealing a notebook PC. In addition, when a warning alarm is sounding, even if the thief tries to stop the warning alarm by removing the PC card, only the extension part can be extracted, so that the warning alarm can be prevented from being stopped due to the extraction of the PC card. It becomes possible.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the main body 60a is configured such that when the mechanical switch 69 provided in the expansion section 60b is ON, when there is an instruction from the main body side of the notebook PC 1, or by an e-mail from an external terminal If there is, the security mode is set, so that the user can easily set the security mode.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, when a mail notifying an abnormality is received from an external terminal, the connection between the main body 60a and the extension 60b is released in order to prevent the main body 60a from being attached or detached. Therefore, even when the owner of the information processing apparatus is far away, it is possible to effectively prevent the PC card attached to the notebook PC from being stolen.

  In the present embodiment, the PC card has been described as the function expansion device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other cards, HDDs, and batteries that are inserted into the slots of the information processing apparatus and attached. The present invention can also be applied to other function expansion devices. Although the WWAN card has been described, the present invention can also be applied to other PC cards such as a memory card.

  In the above embodiment, the notebook type PC has been described as an example of the information processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other information processing apparatuses having slots such as PDAs. It is.

  As described above, the function expansion device according to the present invention is useful for preventing the information processing apparatus and the function expansion device from being stolen.

1 Notebook PC
2 Main body side housing 3 Monitor side housing 4 Input section 5 Display device 7 Connection section (hinge)
10 PC card slot 10a Eject button 11 CPU
12 FSB
13 BSB
14 Secondary cache 15 CPU bridge (host-PCI bridge)
16 Main Memory 17 Video Subsystem 18 Monitor 20 PCI Bus 21 I / O Bridge 22 PC Card Controller 26 Docking Station Interface (Dock I / F)
30 Master HDD
34 connector 35 bay 36 bay device 40 LPC (ISA) bus 41 embedded controller 44 flash ROM
45 Super I / O controller 46 I / O port 50 Power supply circuit 60 PC card 60a Main body 60b Expansion unit 61 Controller 62 Battery circuit 63 Eject detection unit 64 Acceleration sensor 65 Speaker 66 Actuator 67 WWAN unit 68 Hook 69 Switch 71 Groove

Claims (7)

A function expansion device that is inserted into a slot of an information processing device and is mounted,
The main body,
An expansion unit that is coupled to the main body unit and is located on a discharge side of the slot when the function expansion device is mounted in the slot;
A coupling mechanism that couples the main body and the extension;
With
The main body is
Detection means for detecting the movement of the information processing apparatus or the start of the loading / unloading operation of the function expansion device in a state where the function expansion device is mounted in the slot;
In the case of the security mode, when the detection means detects the movement of the information processing apparatus or the start of the loading / unloading operation of the function expansion device, in order to prevent the loading / unloading of the main body, Control means for causing the connection mechanism to release the connection between the main body and the extension;
A function expansion device comprising: The main body further includes sound emission means for emitting a warning alarm,
In the case of the security mode, the control means detects the warning to the sound emitting means when the detection means detects the movement of the information processing apparatus or the onset of the function expansion device. The function expansion device according to claim 1, wherein an alarm is emitted.   The control means sets the security mode when a mechanical switch provided in the extension unit is ON, when there is an instruction from the information processing apparatus, or when there is an instruction by mail from an external terminal. The function expansion device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   When the control means receives a mail notifying the abnormality from an external terminal, the control means causes the connection mechanism to release the connection between the main body and the extension part in order to prevent the main body from being attached or detached. The function expansion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The function expansion device according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a battery device for supplying power to each unit of the function expansion device.   The function expansion device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the function expansion device is a PC card.   The function expansion device according to claim 6, wherein the PC card is a WWAN card.

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