Abstract:
An information processor such that interfaces mounted in the side faces of the main body of the information processor can be effectively used, and the connectability of an expanded device is excellent. The information process comprises a main body having a built-in function unit in its case and an interface unit provided in a side face of the main body. In the side face of the main body in which the interface unit is provided has an interface attachment part to which the interface unit is attached and an expanded device receiving part capable of receiving at least one expanded device. The interface unit has a one-piece appearance integrated with the case of the main body when the interface unit is attached to the interface attachment part. When an expended device is received in the expanded device receiving part, the expanded device is held between the interface unit and the side face of the main body.

Description:
This is a continuation of International Application PCT/JP2003/000387, with an an international filing date of Jan. 17, 2003. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an information processor, and more particularly relates to an information processor comprising a main unit having a main function unit built into a case, and an interface unit provided to a side face of the main unit. 
     2. Background Information 
     With information processors such as laptop computers, there is a type in which various interfaces, such as auxiliary liquid crystal display panels that serve as status displays, or control buttons such as one-touch buttons, are provided on a side face corresponding to the front of the case that houses the main function unit. Also, various interfaces such as USB terminals, IEEE1394 terminals, LAN cable terminals, card slots, and battery compartments are sometimes provided to a side face located to the rear or the side of the case. 
     Also, an expansion device receiving component is sometimes provided to a side face of the case in order to install an auxiliary battery, large-capacity battery, flexible disk drive (FDD), hard disk drive (HDD), or other expansion device. 
     Further, there have been proposals for information processors equipped with an interface unit called a port replicator, with which a USB terminal, IEEE1394 terminal, LAN cable terminal, or other connector can be connected to the main unit with a connector cord and can be separated from the main unit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The information processor according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a main unit having a main function unit built into a case, and an interface unit provided to a side face of the main unit, wherein the side of the main unit where the interface unit is attached comprises an interface attachment component to which the interface unit can be attached and an expansion device receiving component to which at least one expansion device can be attached, and the interface unit is designed to appear to be integrated with the case of the main unit when attached to the interface attachment component of the main unit, and an expansion device is sandwiched between the interface unit and the side face of the main unit when the expanded device is received in the expansion device receiving component. 
     The result of this constitution is that when the expansion device is not being used, the interface unit is attached to the interface attachment component of the main unit, which gives the case an integrated appearance and makes it more compact. When an expansion device is attached to the expansion device receiving component, it is sandwiched between and supported by the main unit and the interface unit, making it very easy to connect an expansion device and allowing everything to be carried without alteration. 
     The information processor according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information processor according to the first aspect, further comprising a movement mechanism for moving the interface unit from the side face of the main unit while maintaining the state of electrical connection with the main unit, and producing a gap large enough for the expansion device to be attached to the expansion device receiving component of the main unit. 
     In this case, the interface unit is moved by the movement mechanism, which facilitates the attachment of an expansion device. 
     The information processor according to a third aspect of the present invention is the information processor according to the second aspect, wherein the movement mechanism includes a sliding mechanism for sliding the interface unit sideways from the interface attachment component of the main unit. 
     In this case, an expansion device can be attached to the expansion device receiving component merely by sliding the interface unit outward from the interface attachment component. 
     The information processor according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the information processor according to the second aspect, wherein the movement mechanism includes an upward movement mechanism for retracting the interface unit to above the side face of the expansion device receiving component. 
     In this case, attachment of an expansion device is further facilitated by retracting the interface unit to above the side face of the expansion device receiving component. 
     The information processor according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the information processor according to a first aspect, wherein the interface unit can be attached to or detached from an interface receiving component provided to the side face of the expansion device and the interface attachment component of the main unit. 
     In this case, when the expansion device is not being used, the interface unit is attached to the interface attachment component of the main unit, which gives the case an integrated appearance, and when the expansion device is being used, the expansion device is attached to the expansion device receiving component of the main unit and the interface unit is attached to the interface receiving component of the expansion device, allowing both the expansion device and the interface unit to be integrally attached to the main unit. 
     These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an oblique view illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the main unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of a locking mechanism; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the main unit, illustrating another example of a guide member; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of a connection maintenance mechanism; 
         FIG. 7  is an oblique view illustrating an example in which a plurality of expansion devices are installed; 
         FIG. 8  is an oblique view illustrating a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is an oblique view illustrating a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating the engagement relationship between the interface unit and the expansion device; and 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating the engagement relationship between the interface unit and the expansion device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     When one-touch buttons, status displays, or the like are installed at the front of the case as mentioned above, a problem is that it is impossible to provide an expansion device receiving component for installing an auxiliary battery, large-capacity battery, flexible disk drive (FDD), hard disk drive (HDD), or other expansion device at the front of the main unit. 
     Also, when an expansion device receiving component for installing an expansion device is provided to a side face at the front of the case, there are limitations on the location on the case where the one-touch buttons, status displays, or various other such interfaces can be installed. In particular, when a large-capacity battery is installed on the front side of a case, it becomes difficult to install these various interfaces on the side face located at the front of the case, but locating these on other side faces poses a problem in terms of ease of use. 
     When an expansion device receiving component is provided to a side face of the case, and when all or part of an expansion device is held inside the case, there needs to be enough room to hold the expansion device inside the case, and this greatly restricts the surface area of the board on which the components are mounted in the main unit, as well as the structure of the other mounted components. 
     If the function of a port replicator connected by connector cord to the main unit is to be used at all times, then this port replicator always has to be carried around along with the main unit. Separating the interface unit of a port replicator is advantageous in terms of compact size, particularly with compact portable information processors, but a problem is that taking advantage of the function of the interface unit requires that the port replicator also be carried around. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processor with which various kinds of interfaces that are installed at a side face of the main unit can be effectively utilized, and to which it is very easy to connect expansion devices. 
     FIRST EMBODIMENT 
     A first embodiment of the present invention will be described through reference to  FIGS. 1 to 7 . 
     The information processor in the first embodiment is a notebook type of personal computer, and comprises a main unit  10  and an interface unit  20  provided to a side face located at the front of the main unit  10 . 
     The main unit  10  comprises a keyboard  12  on which a plurality of keys are arranged, a pointing device (not shown) consisting of a touch panel, track ball, or the like, and so forth provided on the top side of a case  13 , and a display component  11  consisting of a liquid crystal display panel or the like that is hinged at the rear portion so as to be able to open and close with respect to the case  13 . Built into the case  13  are a motherboard (not shown) on which are mounted a CPU, a main memory, and so forth, a battery (not shown), and so forth. The side face located at the front of the case  13  comprises an interface attachment component that allows the attachment of the interface unit  20 , and an expansion device receiving component for receiving an expansion device. 
     The interface unit  20  comprises control buttons  21  consisting of one-touch buttons or the like, and various interface function components such as an auxiliary liquid crystal display component  22  (such as a status display), provided on the side face located at the front. The interface unit  20  is attached to the interface attachment component of the main unit  10 , and is designed to appear integrated with the case  13 . The interface unit  20  is provided with a movement mechanism that moves the interface unit  20  forward from the main unit  10  while maintaining the state of electrical connection with the main unit  10 , thereby producing a gap large enough for the expansion device to be attached to the expansion device receiving component of the main unit. 
     An example of the movement mechanism for moving the interface unit  20  will now be described through reference to the bottom view shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the interface unit  20  is fixed on the underside of the main unit  10 , and guide members  41  that are supported slidably with respect to the main unit  10  are provided apart from each other on the left and right sides. These guide members  41  serve to slide the interface unit  20  forward and backward with respect to the main unit  10 , and have locking mechanisms  42  for locking the interface unit  20  in a suitable position. 
       FIG. 4  shows an example of a locking mechanism  42 . 
     A sliding surface  45  is formed in an undulating shape on the main unit  10  side, and a spring or other elastic member  46  whose distal end strikes the sliding surface  45  is provided to the guide member  41 . When the guide member  41  moves in the direction of the arrow B, the distal end  46   a  of the elastic member  46  pushes against the convex components  45   a  of the sliding surface  45  and contracts against its own biasing force, then expands under its biasing force at the concave components  45   b  of the sliding surface  45 . As a result, when the interface unit  20  is slid against the biasing force of the elastic member  46 , the elastic member  46  moves along with the guide member  41  while repeatedly expanding and contracting in the direction of the arrow A. When the force at which the interface unit  20  is slid is decreased, the biasing force of the elastic member  46  is weakest when the distal end  46   a  of the elastic member  46  is located in the concave components  45   b  of the sliding surface  45 , so the guide member  41  will be locked in this position. 
     With a constitution such as this, even when expansion devices of different size are attached, they can be sandwiched between and supported by the interface unit  20  and the main unit  10 . 
     The movement mechanism that moves the interface unit  20  can also be configured as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , a guide member  43  that is fixed to the interface unit  20  and is slidably supported with respect to the main unit  10  is provided over the entire underside of the main unit  10 . This guide member  43  similarly slides the interface unit  20  forward and backward with respect to the main unit  10 , and a locking mechanism  44  for locking the interface unit  20  in a suitable position can be provided to the guide member  43 . This locking mechanism  44  can have the same undulating sliding surface configuration as the elastic member in  FIG. 4 , or recesses can be provided at suitable locations in the underside of the main unit  10 , and a ball that is spring-biased toward these recesses can be provided to the guide member  43 . 
     The interface unit  20  that is movable with respect to the main unit  10  by utilizing a movement mechanism as described above can be equipped with a connection maintenance unit for maintaining electrical connection with the main unit  10 . An example of this connection maintenance unit will be described through reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a wiring member  47  is constituted by a flexible cable, and is disposed along the guide member  41  or inside the guide member  41 . The wiring member  47  is connected at one end  50  to the main unit  10  and at the other end  51  to the interface unit  20 . The middle part of the wiring member  47  maintains a specific spacing between the main unit  10  side and the interface unit  20  side, and also engages with a roller  48  so as to allow smooth movement. The result of this constitution is that the interface unit  20  can be moved relative to the main unit  10  while maintaining the electrical connection between the main unit  10  and the interface unit  20 . 
     The connection maintenance unit can also comprise electrodes capable of maintaining a state of electrical connection by sliding against each other, disposed on the main unit  10  and the guide member  41 . 
     The result of this constitution is that it accommodates both the case shown in  FIG. 1 , in which a battery  31  of standard size is disposed inside the interface unit  20 , and the case shown in  FIG. 2 , in which a large-capacity battery  32  is supported by being sandwiched between the interface unit  20  and the main unit  10 . 
     Also, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the constitution can be such that a plurality of expansion devices, such as a first expansion device  33  and a second expansion device  34 , are disposed and supported between the main unit  10  and the interface unit  20  at the same time. 
     The standard battery  31  and large-capacity battery  32  were used as examples in this first embodiment, but it is also possible for the expansion device receiving component of the main unit  10  to have a bay construction, and for a FDD, CD-ROM drive, HDD, PCI card, or the like to be installed as an expansion device. 
     It is also possible to achieve electrical connection between the expansion device and the main unit  10  via a connector or the like provided to the expansion device receiving component of the main unit  10 , and it is possible to provide a connector or the like to the back side of the interface unit  20  and achieve electrical connection via the interface unit  20 . 
     SECOND EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 8  shows the information processor pertaining to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     The information processor shown in  FIG. 8  is a notebook type of personal computer just as in the first embodiment, and comprises a main unit  10  and an interface unit  20  provided to a side face located at the front of the main unit  10 . 
     The main unit  10  comprises a keyboard  12  on which a plurality of keys are arranged, a pointing device (not shown) consisting of a touch panel, track ball, or the like, and so forth provided on the top side of a case  13 , and a display component  11  consisting of a liquid crystal display panel or the like that is hinged at the rear portion so as to be able to open and close with respect to the case  13 . Built into the case  13  are a motherboard (not shown) on which are mounted a CPU, a main memory, and so forth, a battery (not shown), and so forth. The side face located at the front of the case  13  comprises an interface attachment component that allows the attachment of the interface unit  20 , and an expansion device receiving component for receiving an expansion device. 
     The interface unit  20  comprises control buttons  21  consisting of one-touch buttons or the like, and various interface function components such as an auxiliary liquid crystal display component  22  (such as a status display), provided on the side face located at the front. The interface unit  20  is attached to the interface attachment component of the main unit  10 , and is designed to appear integrated with the case  13 . The interface unit  20  is provided with a movement mechanism that moves the interface unit  20  forward from the main unit  10  while maintaining the state of electrical connection with the main unit  10 , thereby producing a gap large enough for the expansion device to be attached to the expansion device receiving component of the main unit. 
     Just as in  FIG. 3 , guide members  41  that are supported slidably with respect to the main unit  10  are provided apart from each other on the left and right sides. These guide members  41  are provided with locking mechanisms  42  for locking the interface unit  20  in a suitable position. 
     A hinge  52  that is rotatable with respect to the guide member  41  is attached via a support shaft  53  at the distal end of each guide member  41 . The interface unit  20  is fixed to the hinges  52 , and can be retracted upward by rotating it along with the hinges  52  around the support shafts  53 . 
     When an expansion device  35  is installed or removed from the expansion device receiving component of the main unit  10 , the interface unit  20  is pulled out forward and retracted upward via the hinges  52 , which facilitates installation and removal of the expansion device  35 . 
     THIRD EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 9  shows the information processor pertaining to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     With the information processor in this third embodiment, the front side  15  of the main unit  10  serves as both the interface attachment component and the expansion device receiving component, and the interface unit  20  is detachably attached to the main unit  10 . 
     An expansion device receiving connector  14  provided to the front side  15  is exposed when the interface unit  20  is separated from the main unit  10 . In this state, a connector  36  for an expansion device  35  is connected to the expansion device receiving connector  14  to achieve electrical connection. 
     The side face that is on the opposite side from the side where the connector  36  for the expansion device  35  is formed can be a protruding joint  37  that engages with an engagement recess  23  provided to the interface unit  20  as shown in  FIG. 10 . In this case, electrical connection between the expansion device  35  and the main unit  10  is achieved by unit of the connector  36  and the expansion device receiving connector  14 , and the expansion device  35  can be securely supported between the main unit  10  and the interface unit  20  by engaging the protruding joint  37  of the expansion device  35  in the engagement recess  23  of the interface unit  20 . 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the expansion device  35  can be provided with a connector receiver  38  that fits a connector  24  of the interface unit  20 . In this case, after being separated from the main unit  10 , the interface unit  20  can be again coupled with the main unit  10  via the expansion device  35  by connection between the connector  24  and a connector receiver  38 , and a variety of electrical connections can be made through various connectors. 
     OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
     Examples of possible expansion devices include ten-keys, keyboards, pointing devices, and other such input devices, HDD, FDD, CD-ROM drives, MO drives, memory card slots, and other such storage medium input-output devices, liquid crystal panels and other such display devices, AC adapters, portable information terminals, and so forth. 
     It is also possible to install a palm rest as an expansion device. In this case, if a palm rest equipped with internal space is used as an expansion device, this internal space can be utilized to hold information processor accessories and so forth. 
     In the above embodiments, the interface unit  20  can comprise a USB terminal, IEEE1394 terminal, LAN cable terminal, or other types of port. 
     With the present invention, an interface unit equipped with various interface functions can be efficiently disposed in its mounting to a main unit, and expansion devices can be attached and detached more easily, which makes the information processor more expandable. 
     While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the embodiments according to the present invention is provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.