JPH0566867A - Extension system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To recognize the abnormality on an electronic apparatus side connected to a function extending device, when the abnormality is generated in a power source of the function extending device, and to forcibly cut off the power source for itself, in the extension system in which a miniature electronic apparatus, and the function extending device for extending a function of the above electronic apparatus have an independent power source unit, respectively. CONSTITUTION:The system is provided with a function extending device 2 formed by having a power source abnormality detecting part (D) 22a for informing power source abnormality of a power source part 22 to a PC main body 1, and power status lines La, Lb and Lc, and the PC main body 1 formed by having a power source part 16 for cutting off forcibly the own power source by receiving a power source abnormality notice, and when the function extending device 2 detects power source abnormality of the own device, abnormality is informed to the PC main body 1 in order to avoid hang-up of the connected PC main body 1, and also, the own power source is cut off forcibly, and the PC main body 1 also receives the abnormality notice and cuts off forcibly the power source.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small electronic device having a specific function and a function expanding device having a connecting port for the electronic device and expanding the function of the electronic device connected to the connecting port. In particular, in an expansion system in which the electronic device and the function expansion device have independent power sources,
The present invention relates to an expansion system that takes into consideration the malfunction of the system due to a power failure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable computers of laptop type, book type, etc. have become widespread as small electronic devices that can be easily transported.

Since this type of portable computer places importance on portability, the functions of the computer main body can be minimized and the functions can be expanded by connecting the computer main body to a separately prepared function expansion device. The system configuration is adopted.

At this time, the computer main body and the function expansion device are provided with independent power sources, and in some cases, the computer main body is designed so that a direct current power source (DC power) can be supplied instead of the AC adapter. There are also function expansion devices.

As described above, in the expansion system in which the computer main body and the function expansion device have independent power sources, conventionally, the power supply on the function expansion device side has an abnormality due to a momentary power failure or a failure. When a malfunction or power-off occurs, the computer itself cannot recognize the state and hangs up. However, from the user's perspective, it is impossible to determine whether the cause of the sudden hang is in the software, the computer itself, the function expansion device, or the expansion device in the function expansion device. , We will spend a lot of time and effort in investigating the cause. Generally, when such a situation occurs, the cause is often unknown, and the user often feels distrust of this system. Further, when only the power supply of the function expansion device side is shut off, current and voltage flow from the computer main body side via the signal line including the ground (GND), which may cause device failure or malfunction when the power is turned on again. There was a cause.

[0006]

As described above, conventionally, in an expansion system in which the computer main body and the function expansion device have independent power supplies, the power supply on the function expansion device side is abnormal due to a momentary power failure or a failure. When this occurs, the computer body hangs up with it, and if only the power supply on the function expansion device side is cut off, current and voltage will be sent from the computer body side via a signal line including ground (GND). There are various problems such as wraparound, device failure, and malfunction when the power is turned on again.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation,
An object of the present invention is to provide an expansion system that solves the above problems by forcibly shutting off not only the power of the function expansion device but also the power of the computer main body when an abnormality occurs in the power supply of the function expansion device.

[0008]

According to the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the power supply of the function expanding device, the electronic equipment connected to the function expanding device recognizes the abnormality and forcibly cuts off the power supply itself. It is characterized by comprising a power supply control means.

[0009]

[Function] When an abnormality occurs in the power supply of the function expanding device, the function expanding device does not wait for the electronic device connected to the device to hang up, notifies the electronic device of the above abnormality, and forcibly powers itself. By shutting off and forcibly shutting off the power supply in response to the abnormality notification, the electronic device side can notify the user that there is an abnormality in the power supply.
In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of malfunctions and malfunctions due to the above-mentioned sneak current.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 are each for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an expansion system, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the above embodiment. is there.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a small electronic device having a specific function to be expanded, and here, a keyboard (KB) 3 and a flat panel display (DIS) are shown.
P) 4, a floppy disk drive (FDD), and other personal computers equipped as standard equipment (hereinafter referred to as a PC main body) will be taken as an example.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a function expansion device (function expansion unit) having a connection port to which the PC main body 1 can be connected, and using the connected PC main body 1 as a host machine to realize function expansion by mounting expansion devices not shown. Is.

Reference numerals 11 to 16 are constituent elements of the PC main body 1, and reference numeral 11 is a C for controlling the entire system.
PU, 12 are programs used for controlling the CPU 11,
The memory (MEM) stores various data and the like. 1
3 to 15 are CPs via the system bus (S-BUS)
A peripheral device controller that is bus-connected to U11,
Of these, 13 is a keyboard controller (KBC) that controls the keyboard 3, 14 is a display controller (DISP-CNT), 15 is a floppy disk drive (FDD), hard disk device (HDD), external input / output device (I / O) It is an input / output controller (I / O-CNT) for controlling the above.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a power supply unit of the PC main body 1 having a power supply abnormality detection unit (D) 16a. When not connected to the function expansion device 2, the PC main body 1 is powered by an AC adapter, a built-in battery or the like. Supply power for operation to each component inside. When connected to the function expansion device 2, the power supply part 22 of the function expansion device 2 receives direct current (DC) power instead of the AC adapter via the connectors (CN22, CN12) and the DC power line (Lp). Based on the power supply, the built-in battery is charged and controlled, and operating power is supplied to each internal component.

Reference numerals 21 to 23 are constituent elements of the function expanding device 2, and 21 is an expansion control unit (EX-CNT) for controlling the entire function expanding device, which is an expansion device connected to the expansion slot 23. It controls the kind of things.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a power supply unit of the function expansion device 2 having a power supply abnormality detection unit (D) 22a, which supplies necessary power to each unit in the function expansion device 2 including the expansion slot 23, and a connector ( AC to the power supply unit 16 of the PC main body 1 via the CN22, CN12) and the DC power line (Lp)
Provides direct current (DC) power to replace the adapter.

La, Lb, and Lc are power supplies for sending the power supply abnormality signal output from the power supply abnormality detection unit (D) 22a of the function expansion device 2 to the power supply unit 16 of the PC main body 1 via the connectors (CN21, CN11). It is a status line.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a system bus (SB) of the PC body 1.
US) and the internal bus of the function expansion device 2 are interface buses connected via connectors (CN21, CN11).

The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

When the function expanding device 2 is in the power-on state, the power source section 22 of the function expanding device 2 is connected to the expansion slot 23.
The power supply unit 16 of the PC main body 1 is supplied through the connectors (CN22, CN12) and the DC power line (Lp) while supplying necessary power to each unit in the function expansion device 2 including
In addition, a direct current (DC) power source is supplied instead of the output power source of the AC adapter.

On the other hand, the power supply section 16 of the PC main body 1 has connectors (CN22, CN12) and D when the power is on.
When power is received from the power supply unit 22 of the function expansion device 2 via the C power line (Lp), the built-in battery is charged and controlled on the basis of the power supply, and operating power is supplied to each internal component. At this time, when the PC main body 1 is in the power-on state, the operation can be continued by the built-in battery without receiving power from the power supply unit 22 of the function expansion device 2.

In this state, the power supply unit 22 of the function expansion device 2
When a power supply abnormality occurs in the power supply abnormality, the power supply abnormality detection unit (D) 22a detects the power supply abnormality.

Power supply abnormality detection unit (D) 2 of the function expansion device 2
2a detects the power supply abnormality, power supply status line L
A power supply abnormality signal is sent to the power supply unit 16 of the PC main body 1 via a, Lb, Lc and the connectors (CN21, CN11), and the power supply unit 22 is notified of the power supply abnormality.

The power supply section 16 of the PC main body 1 includes power supply status lines La, Lb, Lc and connectors (CN21, C21).
When a power supply abnormality signal is received from the power supply unit 22 of the function expansion device 2 via N11), a predetermined power supply cutoff process (power off process) is executed to forcibly cut off the power supply of the PC body 1.

When the power supply unit 22 of the function expansion device 2 receives the power supply abnormality notification from the power supply abnormality detection unit (D) 22a, the power supply unit 22 executes a predetermined power cutoff process to force the power supply of the function expansion device 2 to operate. Cut off.

As described above, the function expansion device 2 uses the PC connected to the connection port when an abnormality occurs in the power supply of its own device.
By not letting the main body 1 hang up, notifying the PC main body 1 of the above abnormality, forcibly turning off the power supply itself, and the PC main body 1 also receiving the above abnormality notification and forcibly turning off the power supply It is possible to inform the person that the power supply is abnormal. Further, by performing the power supply cutoff control as described above, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure or malfunction due to a sneak current.

In the above embodiment, the personal computer is taken as an example of the device for which the function is to be expanded, but it can be applied to an expansion system for other electric / electronic devices.

[0029]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the power supply of the function expanding device, the electronic equipment connected to the function expanding device recognizes the abnormality and the power supply itself is recognized. With the power supply control means for forcibly shutting off the power, it is possible to inform the user that there is an abnormality in the power supply, and it is possible to prevent breakdowns and malfunctions due to sneak currents, improving system reliability. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of an expansion system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Small electronic device (PC main body), 2 ... Function expansion device (function expansion unit), 3 ... Keyboard (KB), 4 ... Flood panel display (DISP), 11 ... CPU, 1
2 ... Memory (MEM), 13 ... Keyboard controller (KBC), 14 ... Display controller (DIS)
P-CNT, 15 ... Input / output controller (I / O-C)
NT), 16 ... Power supply unit of PC main body 1, 16a ... Power supply unit 1
6, power supply abnormality detection unit (D) 21, 21 ... Expansion control unit (EX-CNT), 22 ... Power supply unit of function expansion device 2, 22a ... Power supply abnormality detection unit (D) of power supply unit 22, 23 ... Expansion slot, 30 ... Expansion bus, S-BUS ... System bus, Lp
... DC power line, CN11, CN12, CN21, CN22
… Connectors, La, Lb, Lc… Power status line.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A small electronic device having a specific function, and a function expansion device having a connection port for the electronic device and expanding the function of the electronic device connected to the connection port, each of which is independent. In an expansion system with a power supply device, the function expansion device has a means for detecting an abnormality in its own power supply and a forced output of the own power supply after outputting a specific signal to the connection port when an abnormality is detected by the means. The electronic device is provided with a means for judging an abnormality of the function expansion device from the specific signal state of the connection port, and a means for forcibly cutting off its own power source when the abnormality is judged by the means. An expansion system characterized by being provided. 2. An electronic device having a connection port for a function expansion device, comprising means for judging an abnormality of the function expansion device from a specific signal state of the connection port and forcibly cutting off its own power supply. An electronic device characterized by being.