JP3177352B2 - A system consisting of a portable electronic device and a function expansion box to which the electronic device can be detached - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system comprising a portable electronic device and a function expansion box to which the electronic device can be attached and detached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, electronic devices such as personal computers are becoming smaller and lighter as being referred to as laptops or notebooks, and are extremely easy to carry. On the other hand, in terms of functions, the demand for multimedia processing and the like has been increasing day by day, and accordingly, the circuit and mechanism configuration has also been expanding.

[0003] When the configuration is enlarged as described above, it is difficult to reduce the size to be portable by the current technology. Therefore, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 5-161934 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 3-119220 filed on June 30, 1993 by the applicant of the present application disclose a configuration that increases with function expansion in a separate expansion box. A configuration is proposed in which the expansion box and the electronic device can be attached and detached, and the electronic device can be attached to the box only when the functions in the box are necessary, so as to minimize the portability of the electronic device. Have been.

[0004]

According to the above-mentioned conventional proposed configuration, it is possible to improve the function without impairing the portability of the electronic device. However, since the owner of a conventional portable electronic device is always portable, a mechanism for preventing unauthorized use of a third party, such as that provided in a normal desktop electronic device, is required. Is not taken into consideration, and such a configuration is not considered at all even in a state where it is mounted on the above-mentioned box and cannot be carried.

[0005] Therefore, in order to prohibit unauthorized use of a system in which a portable electronic device is mounted on a function expansion box, the electronic device must be removed from the box every time the owner leaves, and must be carried around. There was a problem that had to be.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a feature that a portable electronic device and a box for extending the function of the electronic device can be detached and attached. A system that is also electrically connected via a connector at the time of mounting, wherein the box is a locking mechanism that allows only a specific user to use, and a switch that turns on and off in conjunction with the mechanism, A signal (SYS-ON) for permitting start-up of the electronic device is transmitted via the connector based on the state of the switch means and a start-up request signal (PWR-ON) supplied from the electronic device via the connector. Security means for supplying the electronic device with the electronic device, wherein the electronic device has a means for detecting that the electronic device is attached to the box, and a power switch for requesting startup. If the attachment has been detected from the demand the detection means from the switch, means for supplying PWR-ON signal to the box via the connector,
Means for starting up only after the SYS-ON signal is supplied from the box via the connector after the supply of the PWR-ON signal.

A second feature is that the security means is controlled on / off by the PWR-ON signal, outputs a high level signal in an on state, and has an output terminal grounded via the switch means. Switching circuit, a two-input type OR circuit having one input terminal connected to the switching circuit, a two-input type one input terminal connected to the output terminal of the OR circuit, and the other And an AND circuit that supplies a PWR-ON signal to an input terminal thereof, supplies an output from an output terminal as a SYS-ON signal, and supplies the same to another input terminal of the OR circuit.

[0008]

According to the above arrangement, the operation / non-operation of the electronic device mounted by the locking mechanism on the box side can be controlled.

[0009]

FIG. 2 is a top sectional view showing a main part of an attaching / detaching mechanism in an expansion box (1) to which the present invention is applied.
Is a side sectional view showing a main part mechanism when a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, simply referred to as PC) (3) is placed at a predetermined position on the flat portion (2) of the expansion box (1). is there.

A semiconductor circuit (not shown) for expanding the function of the PC (3) is provided in the expansion box (1).
A drive circuit such as a CD-ROM, an audio output circuit such as a speaker, a power supply for driving, and the like are built in.

Next, the attachment / detachment mechanism provided in the extension box (1) will be described. Immediately below the flat portion (2) of the expansion box (1), a first rotation shaft (4) extending left and right in FIG. 2 is rotatably arranged. First and second hook-shaped locking pieces (5) and (6) are fixed to both left and right ends of the rotating shaft (4). The locking pieces (5) and (6) follow the rotation of the rotation shaft (4) from the position where they are retracted into the box (1) as shown in FIG.
Is displaced to a position protruding through an opening (707) formed in the hole. Further, one end of a transmission plate (7) extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft (4) is fixed to the rotation shaft (4). The transmission plate (7) and the rotating shaft (4) are wound around the rotating shaft (4) and have one end fixed to the transmission plate (7) and the other end fixed to the inner wall of the box (1). It is urged in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 by the urging force of (8). A first slide plate (9) is disposed directly below the transmission plate (7) so as to be slidable in the vertical direction in FIG. An insertion hole (10) is formed in the slide plate (9), and one end of the transmission plate (7) is inserted into the insertion hole (10) as shown in FIG. A first pin (11) penetrating the slide plate (9) is implanted in the slide plate (9). One end of a second spring means (12) having an urging force in the upward direction in FIG. 2 is fixed to the first pin (11).
Accordingly, the slide plate (9) is constantly urged upward in FIG. The first pin (11) is loosely fitted into one notch (13) of a connecting plate (15) having cuts (13) and (14) formed at both ends. This connecting plate (1
5) is rotatably attached to a second pin (16) planted on the bottom surface of the box (1) so as to pass through the center thereof. Also, the other cut (14) of the connecting plate (15).
Is loosely fitted to the third pin (17). The third pin (17) is implanted through a second slide plate (18) which is slidably held in a vertical direction in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the second slide plate (18) has a third spring means (1) having one end fixed to the third pin (17).
9) is urged downward in FIG. 2 (leftward in FIG. 5). When only the biasing force from the first to third spring means (8), (12) and (19) acts on the second slide plate (18) as shown in FIGS. The tip of 1) protrudes outward from the front end (20). The operating lever (21) is rotatably supported on a shaft (22) of the front end (20) of the box (1) in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 2, and operates the lever (21) upward in FIG. Then, by this operation force, the second slide plate (18) can slide in the above operation direction against the urging force of the third spring means (19). The end of the operation lever (21) is tapered on the side facing the second slide plate (18), and a step is provided on the opposite side.

The operating lever (21) is connected to the front end (20).
When it is turned to a position substantially parallel to the box (1), the slide lever (23) prevents the box (1) from turning outward as shown in FIG. The slide lever (23) is slidably mounted in the extending direction of the front end (the left-right direction in FIGS. 2 and 6), and is urged rightward in FIG. 6 by a leaf spring (24). At the tip (right end in FIGS. 2 and 6) of the slide lever (23), a step is formed which meshes with the step of the operation lever (21), and the operation lever (21) is formed by engaging these steps. 6 can be held. The engagement between the steps can be released by sliding the lever (23) against the urging force of the leaf spring (24).

A fourth pin (25) hanging down in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2 is implanted in the operation lever (21). The fourth pin (25) is connected to the front end (20) of the movable plate (26).
It is loosely fitted in an oblong hole (27) drilled on the side. The movable plate (26) extends from the front end (20) to the rear end of the box (1), and is slidably arranged in the extending direction. The major axis direction of the oblong hole (27) coincides with the extending direction of the movable plate (26). Furthermore, the fourth
As shown in FIG. 6, the positional relationship between the pin (25) and the oblong hole (27) is from the position where the operating lever (21) is substantially parallel to the front end (20) as shown in FIG. 12) (19)
The second protruding outward from the box (1) only by the urging force of
Until the position where it comes into contact with the slide plate (18) (see FIG. 2), the fourth pin (25) and the inner periphery of the oblong hole (27) are in a positional relationship where they do not come into contact. (2
The first pin (25) contacts the inner periphery of the oblong hole (27) on the front end (20) side only after the 1) is rotated outward from the box (1), and the movable plate (26) is moved to the front end ( 20) Can slide to the side.

The movable plate (26) extends at the rear end of the box (1) to a position just below the standing portion (28), which is one step higher than the flat portion (2). The standing part (28)
A second rotating shaft (29) extending parallel to the first rotating shaft (4) is rotatably disposed therein. A movable plate (26) is connected to the second rotating shaft (29).
The second rotation shaft (29) rotates with the slide of (6).

First and second mounting members (30) (3) which hang down as shown in FIG.
1) is fixed. The first and second attachment members (3
0) and (31) are provided at the lower end of the first and second extruding members (2
3) One end of (33) is supported rotatably. The other end of each of the pushing members (32) and (33) has openings (35) and (36) formed in a vertical surface (34) of a standing portion (28) orthogonal to the flat portion (2). It is arranged so as to be able to protrude outward through the same. That is, the state shown in FIG.
When the 9) rotates clockwise, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pushing members (32) and (3) pass through the openings (35) and (36).
3) protrudes parallel to the flat part (2).

In the opening (36), a first connector (37) is further provided. This first connector (37)
Is connected to the second connector (38) of the PC (3) when the PC (3) is located at a predetermined position on the flat portion (2) as shown in FIG. This connection can be made by pushing the PC (3) toward the standing surface (28) with the PC (3) placed on the flat portion (2). In this embodiment, the box (1) and the PC (3) are connected via the connectors (37) and (38).
Data transmission between the box (1) and supply of a drive voltage from the box (1) to the PC (3) are performed.

As shown in FIG. 9, a locking mechanism (39) is provided below the slide lever (23) in front of the front end (20) of the box (1). The keyhole (4) of this locking mechanism (39)
The box (1) has switch means (not shown) that can be turned on and off with rotation of a key (not shown) attached to the box (1).

On the other hand, a pair of locking holes (50) are formed in the bottom surface of the PC (3). The locking hole (50) is formed so that the first and second connectors (37) and (38) are connected to each other.
When C (3) is arranged at a predetermined position on the flat portion (2), it faces the opening (707). And in this state, the first
The rotating shaft (4) rotates and the locking piece (5) as shown in FIG.
When the (6) protrudes from the flat portion (2), the locking piece (5)
(6) is locked in the opening (707). Therefore, PC
Stresses from directions other than the direction in which the connectors (37) and (38) are pulled out with respect to (3) can also be regulated by the locking pieces (5) and (6).

Next, the mechanism operation of this embodiment will be described. Now, there is no external operation force on the operation lever (21) and the slide lever (23), and the operation lever (2
When the steps of the slide lever (1) and the slide lever (23) are not engaged with each other, the first slide plate (1) is biased by the first to third spring means (8), (12) and (19) as shown in FIG. 9) is urged to the rear end side of the box (1), and the second slide plate (18) is urged so that its front end protrudes outward from the box (1). At this time, the locking pieces (5) and (6) are retracted into the box (1) as shown in FIG.

From this state, as shown in FIG.
When 1) is operated to a position substantially parallel to the front end (20) of the box (1), the tip of the operation lever (21) contacts the slide lever (23) in the middle of the operation, but the contact surface has a taper. , The slide lever (23) automatically slides along the taper in a direction against the urging force of the leaf spring (24), and as a result, the slide lever (23)
The operation lever (21) is moved to the front end (2
It is pushed down to a position substantially parallel to 0). When the operation lever (21) is operated to this position, the stress caused by the operation of the operation lever (21) is reduced by the slide lever (23).
And the slide lever (23) is
Due to the urging force of 4), the step engages with the step of the operation lever (21) as shown in FIG. 6, thereby restricting the rotation of the operation lever (21) to the outside of the box (1).

The second slide plate (18) also slides in the direction (upward in FIG. 6) against the urging force of the third spring means (19) by the operation force of the operation lever (21).
In conjunction with this slide, the connecting plate (15) also moves the second pin (1).
6) is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. Furthermore,
The turning force of the connecting plate (15) is also transmitted to the first slide plate (9), and the first slide plate (9) is moved by the second spring means (1).
Slide in the direction (downward in FIG. 6) against the biasing force of 2). Then, in conjunction with this sliding of the first slide plate (9), the transmission plate (7) and the first rotating shaft (4) are also rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. As a result, the first and second
As shown in FIG. 4, the hook-shaped engaging pieces (5) and (6) of the PC are inserted through the opening (707) formed in the flat portion (2) and the engaging hole (20) of the PC (3). (3) Locked on the bottom, P
The fixing of C (3) to the box (1) is completed.

On the other hand, a PC (3) as shown in FIGS.
When the slide lever (23) is slid in a direction against the urging force of the leaf spring (24) in order to remove the PC (3) from the fixed state, the slide lever (23) and the operation lever (21) are disengaged. The engagement between the steps is released, and the first to third steps are released.
The first rotating shaft (4), the transmission plate (7), the first slide plate (9), the connection plate (15), and the second slide plate (18) are urged by the spring means (8) (12) (19). ) Is urged to return to the state shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, and the PC (3) can be removed. At this time, the operation lever (21) is also rotated outward of the box (1) by the second slide plate (18).

Further, when the operating lever (21) is operated outward (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) in this state, the fourth pin (25) is moved to the front end (20) of the oblong hole (24) as shown in FIG. ), And the movable plate (26) slides toward the front end.
In conjunction with this slide, as shown in FIG.
9) is rotated clockwise. As a result, the first and second pushing members (32) and (33) protrude from the standing portion (28), and P
Since C (3) is pushed to the left in FIG. 7, the connection of the first and second connectors (37) and (38) is released.

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of this embodiment.

The box (1) includes a control unit (50), a hard disk (HDD) (51), an audio circuit (52) and A
A power supply circuit (53) for converting a voltage obtained from the C power supply into a voltage suitable for each unit and supplying it as a drive voltage, and the HDD (51) and the audio circuit (52) include a control unit (5)
0) controls its operation.

The control unit (50) comprises a central processing unit (54) and a security circuit (5), which are the center of the control unit.
5).

The security circuit (55) includes a two-input type OR circuit (56) and a two-input type AND circuit (57).
And a switching transistor (58), and one input terminal of the OR circuit (56) is turned on / off in conjunction with the rotation of the locking mechanism (39).
It can be grounded via 9) and is also connected to a high level signal (5V) output terminal (60) via a switching transistor (58). Note that a part of the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit (53) is used as the high-level signal. The PWR-ON signal supplied from the PC (3) is applied to the base of the switching transistor (58) via the connectors (37) and (38). Therefore,
When the PWR-ON signal is at the high level, the switching transistor (58) is turned on, and the high level signal from the high level signal output terminal (60) is passed through the switching transistor (58) to the OR circuit (56). Alternatively, it is supplied to the switch means (59). One input terminal of the AND circuit (57) is connected to an output terminal of the OR circuit (56),
The PWR-ON signal is supplied to the other input terminal. The output of the AND circuit (57) is supplied to the PC (3) via the connectors (37) and (38) as a SYS-ON signal, and is also supplied to the other input terminal of the OR circuit (56).

Therefore, the security circuit (55)
When the switching means (59) is in the on state, the high level PWR-ON signal is supplied and the high level supplied from the output terminal (60) is supplied even if the switching transistor (58) is turned on. Since the level signal is dropped to the ground via the switch means (59), the OR circuit (5
6), the output of the OR circuit (56) becomes low level, and the output of the AND circuit (57) also becomes low level.

On the other hand, when the switch means (59) is off, a high-level PWR-ON signal is supplied, and when the switch transistor (58) is turned on, a high-level signal supplied from the output terminal (60) is supplied. Is supplied to the OR circuit (56) without being grounded. Therefore, a high level signal is supplied from the OR circuit (56) to one input terminal of the AND circuit (57), and at this time, a high level PWR-ON signal is supplied to the other input terminal of the AND circuit (57). Is supplied, the output of the AND circuit (57) becomes high level. Even if the switch means (59) is turned on while the high-level signal is being output from the AND circuit (57), the output terminal of the AND circuit (57) is connected to the input terminal of the OR circuit (56). Since the high level signal is fed back, the AND circuit (5
The output of 7) is held at a high level.

The control unit (50) includes a power supply circuit (53)
A part of the supplied driving voltage (CVCC signal) is supplied to the PC (3) via the connectors (37) and (38).
This CVCC signal is used as a drive voltage for PC (3). Data transmission between the box (1) and the PC (3) is performed using a data line (61) connected via connectors (37) and (38).

Next, the configuration of the PC (3) will be described.
The PC (3) includes an input unit (62) including a keyboard and the like, a display unit (63) including a liquid crystal, an HDD and / or an FD, similarly to a conventionally known portable personal computer.
D, a storage medium (64), a secondary battery (65) for supplying a drive voltage to each part in the PC (3), and a connector (37).
A voltage detection circuit (66) for supplying a CVCC signal supplied via (38) and a central processing unit (CPU) (6)
7) a control section (68) having a semiconductor memory (not shown) and controlling the above-mentioned sections.

Next, the control operation of the control section (68) will be described. First, when a power switch (not shown) for requesting start-up is turned on, the control unit (68) causes the PC (3)
Is determined to be attached to the box (1).
This determination is made by detecting the state of the DOKED signal line that is grounded on the box (1) side when the connectors (37) and (38) are connected to each other. That is, the above DOK
When the ED signal line is grounded, it is determined that the PC (3) is mounted on the box (1), and when the DOKED signal line is open, it is determined that the PC (3) is not mounted.

In this determination, if it is determined that the battery is not mounted, the control section (68) uses the drive voltage supplied from the secondary battery (65) to make each section start-up operable state.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the PWR is mounted, the control unit (68) issues a high-level PWR prior to starting up each unit.
-ON signal is output, and then the above-mentioned sections are started only when a high-level SYS-ON signal is returned. Therefore, if the SYS-ON signal is not returned, the PC
(3) does not stand up. In this state, since the CVCC signal is supplied to the PC (3) and detected by the voltage detection circuit (66), the control unit (68) switches to the output from the secondary battery (65). CVC
The C signal is used as a drive voltage.

It is considered that the operation of this embodiment can be understood from the above individual description. However, when the operation is comprehensively described again, the PC (3) is mounted on the box (1) as shown in FIG. And the locking mechanism (39) is a switch means (59).
When the power switch of the PC (3) is turned on while being turned to the position where the PC (3) is turned off, the control unit (6) of the PC (3) is turned on.
8), a high-level PWR-ON signal is supplied to the security circuit (55) in the control unit (50) of the box (1). As a result, the switch transistor (58) is turned on, and a high level signal is supplied to one input terminal of the AND circuit (57) via the OR circuit (56). The other input terminal of the AND circuit (57) has a high-level PWR-
Since the ON signal is applied, a high level signal is output from the output terminal of the AND circuit (57), and is returned to the PC (3) as a SYS-ON signal. Therefore, PC (3)
Rises in response to the SYS-ON signal and becomes operable.

In this way, the locking mechanism (39) is turned to a position where the switch means (59) is turned on after the PC (3) has once risen, and a high-level signal from the output terminal (60). Is not supplied to the OR circuit (56), since the high level signal of the AND circuit (57) is fed back to the OR circuit (56), the output of the OR circuit (56) and the output of the AND circuit (57) are output. Can be held at a high level. Therefore, even if the switch means (59) is turned on, the PC (3) does not go down halfway.

On the other hand, if the switch means (59) is turned on when the supply of the high-level PWR-ON signal is started, all of the high-level signals supplied via the switching transistor (58) are turned on. Because it is grounded, the output of both the OR circuit (56) and the AND circuit (57) remains low. Therefore, high level SYS-
The ON signal is not supplied to the PC (3), and the PC (3) does not enter an operable state.

As described above, if the locking mechanism (39) is rotated to the position where the switch means (59) is turned on and the key is removed, unauthorized use by a third party can be prevented. At this time, if the PC (3) is configured to prohibit removal of the PC (3) from the box (1), the PC (3) can be removed from the box (1).
It becomes impossible to remove and use it.

Further, when the PC (3), which is operated independently without being mounted in the box (1), is directly mounted in the box (3), the PC (3) is driven by the secondary battery (65). Nevertheless box (1) as a separate drive voltage
Although the CVCC signal is supplied more, if such a double application of the driving voltage occurs, the circuit will be greatly damaged. Therefore, when the voltage detection circuit (66) detects the CVCC signal, it issues an alarm,
It is preferable that the operation of (3) be configured to be stopped urgently. In such a case, it is conceivable to simply switch the drive voltage for the PC (3) from the output of the secondary battery (65) to the CVCC signal. However, the impedance of the box (1) and the impedance of the PC (3) are considered. If they are different, the circuit may be damaged, which is not preferable.

[0040]

According to the present invention, it is possible to control the operation of the electronic device mounted on the box by the locking mechanism provided on the box, so that the security against unauthorized use by a third party can be improved.

Further, even after the operation of the electronic device has been started once, the locking mechanism is rotated, and the switch means interlocked therewith is erroneously turned on, the operation of the electronic device can be continued. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top sectional view showing the mechanism of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a mechanism of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the mechanism of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of a main part showing a part of the mechanism of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top sectional view of a main part showing a part of the mechanism of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a mechanism of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top sectional view showing the mechanism of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial front view showing a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of a main part showing a part of the mechanism of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Expansion box 3 PC (portable electronic device) 37 1st connector 38 2nd connector 39 Locking mechanism 55 Security circuit 56 OR circuit 57 AND circuit 58 Switching transistor 59 Switching means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-149409 (JP, A) JP-A-5-173670 (JP, A) JP-A-5-150862 (JP, A) 119220 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 1/16-1/18 G06F 1/00 370

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A system in which a portable electronic device and a box for extending the function of the electronic device are detachable and electrically connected via a connector when the box is mounted. A locking mechanism enabling only a specific user, a switch means for turning on and off in conjunction with the mechanism, a state of the switch means, and a start-up request supplied from the electronic device via the connector. Signal (PW
R-ON) and a security means for supplying a signal (SYS-ON) for permitting start-up of the electronic device to the electronic device via the connector, based on the R-ON). A power switch for requesting start-up,
When mounting is detected by the detection means at the time of a request from the switch, P is stored in the box via the connector.
Means for supplying a WR-ON signal, and means for starting up only after the SYS-ON signal is supplied from the box via the connector after the supply of the PWR-ON signal. A system comprising a portable electronic device and a function expansion box to which the electronic device can be attached and detached. 2. The security means according to claim 1, wherein
On / off is controlled by a WR-ON signal. In the ON state, a high level signal is output and the output terminal is grounded via the switch means.
An OR circuit having one input terminal connected to the switching circuit and one input terminal being connected to the output terminal of the OR circuit and one input terminal being connected to the output terminal of the OR circuit. A portable electronic device comprising: an AND circuit to which an ON signal is supplied, and an output from an output terminal to be supplied as a SYS-ON signal and also to another input terminal of the OR circuit; A system consisting of a function expansion box with removable devices.