Patent Publication Number: US-2009239488-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-072110, filed on Mar. 19, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     An aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus mounting an antenna thereon and more particularly to an information processing apparatus capable of improving a receiving sensitivity of an antenna in use and storage of the apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, according to a development of radio communication technology, a user can access to an internet away from home through a radio communication module mounted on a portable telephone or a computer. In a radio communication, a receiving sensitivity is varied depending on a radio field intensity or a receiving situation. Moreover, an angle of an antenna greatly influences the receiving sensitivity. 
     JP-A-2000-341018 discloses a portable information terminal having a built-in or external radio equipment in which a cover of the radio equipment is configured to have an opening/closing structure and the cover includes an antenna in such a manner that the cover can be closed to enhance a portability in non-use and an angle of the cover can be freely varied depending on a situation of a radio wave in use. Consequently, the portability can be enhanced and the angle can be freely varied to obtain an optimum sensitivity depending on the situation of the radio wave in use. 
     In the method, however, the angle of the antenna can be regulated in use and the antenna is accommodated in a body in storage (not in use). For this reason, it is impossible to fully exhibit an original characteristic of the antenna. In an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer of a notebook type, particularly, a radio communication may be carried out in such a storing state that a display unit provided with the antenna is closed. Also in this case, it is desirable to reduce a deterioration in the characteristic of the antenna. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A general architecture that implements the various feature of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the present invention and not to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary perspective view showing an appearance of a computer according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary block diagram showing a configuration of the computer according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary view showing the computer viewed from a side according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary view showing the computer viewed from a front according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary perspective view showing an appearance of a computer according to a second embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary block diagram showing a configuration of the computer according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments according to the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a first casing that has at least an upper face, a side face and a front face; a second casing that includes a display device and that is connected to the first casing so as to be swingable between a first state and a second state, the first state where the second casing covers the upper face, the second state where the upper face is exposed; a third casing swingably connected to the second casing irrespectively of the second casing; and an antenna provided in the third casing; wherein the third casing surrounds the upper face, the side face and the front face together with the second casing when the second casing is in the first state. 
     Embodiments according to the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment, description will be given by taking a computer  1  of a notebook type as an example of an information processing apparatus.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an appearance of the computer according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
     The computer  1  includes a base unit  2 , and a display unit  3  is swingably attached to the base unit  2  through a hinge portion  4 . The base unit  2  has an upper face  2   a , a front face  2   b , a first side face  2   c  and a second side face  2   d.    
     The display unit  3  is swingable between an opening position in which the upper face  2   a  of the base unit  2  is opened and a closing position in which the upper face  2   a  of the base unit  2  is covered. A display device configured of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)  5  is incorporated into the display unit  3 . A touch pad  6  and a keyboard  7  are attached to the upper face  2   a  of the base unit  2 , and the upper face  2   a  is also provided with a power switch  8  for turning ON/OFF a power supply of the computer  1 . 
     The display unit  3  is provided with antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12  which can be swung irrespectively of the display unit  3 . The antenna casing  10  is swingable between a position in which the display unit  3  covers the base unit  2  and an opening position as shown in an arrow A. The antenna casing  11  is swingable between a position in which the antenna casing  11  is almost parallel with the display unit  3  and a position in which the antenna casing  11  is almost perpendicular to the display unit  3  as shown in an arrow B. The antenna casing  12  is swingable between a position in which the antenna casing  12  is almost parallel with the display unit  3  and a position in which the antenna casing  12  is almost perpendicular to the display unit  3  as shown in an arrow C. 
     The antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12  can be swung irrespectively of the display unit  3 , respectively. Therefore, it is possible to regulate positions of the antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12  and angles formed with respect to the display unit  3 . By regulating the positions and angles of the antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12 , it is possible to improve a receiving sensitivity. 
     A first antenna  14   a  and a second antenna  14   b  which serve to carry out a radio communication are accommodated in the antenna casing  10 . A third antenna  14   c  is accommodated in the antenna casing  11 , and a fourth antenna  14   d  is accommodated in the antenna casing  12 . In addition to the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , the first antenna  14   a , the second antenna  14   b , the third antenna  14   c  and the fourth antenna  14   d  can be provided in optional positions of the antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12 , respectively. 
     A circuit board  9  mounting a plurality of electronic components is accommodated in the base unit  2 , and a plurality of radio communication modules  15  is mounted on the circuit board  9 . 
     The first antenna  14   a  is a transmitting/receiving antenna to be used by a first radio communication module  15   a . The first antenna  14   a  is configured in such a manner that a resonance frequency band thereof includes a frequency band for the first radio communication module  15   a.    
     The second antenna  14   b  is a transmitting/receiving antenna to be used by a second radio communication module  15   b . The second antenna  14   b  is configured in such a manner that a resonance frequency band thereof includes a frequency band for the second radio communication module  15   b.    
     The third antenna  14   c  is a transmitting/receiving antenna to be used by a third radio communication module  15   c . The third antenna  14   c  is configured in such a manner that a resonance frequency band thereof includes a frequency band for the third radio communication module  15   c.    
     The fourth antenna  14   d  is a transmitting/receiving antenna to be used by a fourth radio communication module  15   d . The fourth antenna  14   d  is configured in such a manner that a resonance frequency band thereof includes a frequency band for the fourth radio communication module  15   d.    
     The circuit board  9  is provided with a first mixer/distributor  16 . Each radio communication module  15  and the first mixer/distributor  16  are connected to each other through a cable. The first radio communication module  15   a  and the first mixer/distributor  16  are connected to each other through a cable  17   a . The second radio communication module  15   b  and the first mixer/distributor  16  are connected to each other through a cable  17   b . The third radio communication module  15   c  and the first mixer/distributor  16  are connected to each other through a cable  17   c . The fourth radio communication module  15   d  and the first mixer/distributor  16  are connected to each other through a cable  17   d.    
     The antenna casing  10  is provided with a second mixer/distributor  18 . The first mixer/distributor  16  and the second mixer/distributor  18  are connected to each other through a coaxial cable  13 . The coaxial cable  13  is led from the base unit  2  to the display unit  3  via an opening provided in the hinge portion  4 . The second mixer/distributor  18  is connected to each of the antennas provided in the antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12  through a cable. 
     The second mixer/distributor  18  and the first antenna  14   a  are connected to each other through a cable  19   a . The second mixer/distributor  18  and the second antenna  14   b  are connected to each other through a cable  19   b . The second mixer/distributor  18  and the third antenna  14   c  are connected to each other through a cable  19   c . The second mixer/distributor  18  and the fourth antenna  14   d  are connected to each other through a cable  19   d.    
     Signals received through the first to fourth antennas  14   a  to  14   d  are synthesized in the second mixer/distributor  18  and a signal thus obtained is transmitted from the second mixer/distributor  18  to the first mixer/distributor  16  through the coaxial cable  13 . The first mixer/distributor  16  distributes the signal synthesized in the second mixer/distributor  18  and transmits the signal to the radio communication modules  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  corresponding to the antennas  14   a ,  14   b ,  14   c  and  14   d.    
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a configuration of the computer according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
     The computer  1  is provided with a CPU  20 , a north bridge  21 , a main memory (RAM)  22 , a graphics controller  23 , a VRAM  24 , a south bridge  25 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  26 , a BIOS-ROM  27 , and an embedded controller/keyboard controller IC (EC/KBC)  30 . 
     The CPU  20  is a processor for controlling an operation of each component in the computer  1 . The CPU  20  executes an operating system and various application programs and utility programs which are loaded onto the main memory (RAM)  22  from the HDD  26 . The main memory (RAM)  22  is also used for storing various data buffers. Moreover, the CPU  20  also executes Basic Input Output System (BIOS) program stored in the BIOS-ROM  27 . The BIOS is a program for a hardware control. 
     The north bridge  21  is a bridge device for connecting a local bus of the CPU  20  to the south bridge  25 . Moreover, the north bridge  21  also has a function for executing a communication with the graphics controller  23  through a PCI Express bus. Furthermore, the north bridge  21  also includes a memory controller for controlling the main memory (RAM)  22 . 
     The graphics controller  23  is a display controller for controlling contents to be displayed on the LCD  5  used as a display monitor of the computer  1  and a brightness. The graphics controller  23  transmits, to the LCD  5 , a video signal corresponding to display data written to the video memory (VRAM)  24  in accordance with the OS or the application program. 
     The HDD  26 , the first radio communication module  15   a , the second radio communication module  15   b , the third radio communication module  15   c  and the fourth radio communication module  15   d  are connected to the south bridge  25 . The HDD  26  stores the OS and various application programs. 
     In the embodiment, description will be given by taking, as an example, the case in which a 3G module, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) module, a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) module and a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module are used as the first radio communication module  15   a , the second radio communication module  15   b , the third radio communication module  15   c  and the fourth radio communication module  15   d , respectively. The 3G module  15   a , the WLAN module  15   b , the WiMAX module  15   c  and the Bluetooth module  15   d  are connected to the south bridge  25  through a USB bus. As shown in  FIG. 1 , moreover, each of the radio communication modules  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  is connected to the first mixer/distributor  16 . The first mixer/distributor  16  and the second mixer/distributor  18  are connected to each other through the coaxial cable  13 . Therefore, it is also possible to cope with a design change by varying only an arrangement of the antenna  14  on the display unit  3  side. 
     The embedded controller/keyboard controller (EC/KBC)  30  is a one-chip microcomputer in which an embedded controller for a power management and a keyboard controller for controlling the touch pad  6  and the keyboard  7  are integrated. The EC/KBC  30  executes a processing for turning ON/OFF the computer  1  in response to a manipulation of the power switch  8  through a user in cooperation with a power controller  31 . The power controller  31  supplies a power to each component in the computer  1  by using a power fed from a battery  32  provided in the computer  1  or a power fed from an outside through an AC adapter  33 . 
       FIG. 3  is a view showing a side face of the computer according to the first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 4  is a view showing a front face of the computer according to the first embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the upper face  2   a  of the base unit  2  is covered with the display unit  3  in a state in which the display unit  3  is closed as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . When the antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12  are folded up, moreover, the upper face  2   a , the front face  2   b , the first side face  2   c  and the second side face  2   d  of the base unit  2  are covered. 
     In the embodiment, since the antennas  14  are provided in the antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12 , therefore, in storage of the computer  1  in which the display unit  3  is closed, the antennas  14  are positioned on an outside of the base unit  2  and the display unit  3 . The antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12  face the outside. Therefore, a smaller number of components shield a radio wave transmitted/received to/from the antennas  14 . As a result, also in a state in which the user brings the computer  1  into a suspended condition to close the display unit  3 , for example, it is possible to improve the receiving sensitivity of the antenna, thereby preventing a radio communicating performance from being deteriorated. 
     By setting the positions and angles of the antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12  provided with the antennas  14  irrespective of an opening and inclining angle of the display unit  3 , furthermore, it is possible to reduce the deterioration in the radio communicating performance. 
     According to the embodiment of the invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of improving the receiving sensitivity of the antenna in use and in storage (not in use) of the apparatus. 
     Next, the second embodiment according to the invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In the following description, common configurations to those in the first embodiment have the same reference numerals and repetitive description will be omitted.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an appearance of a computer according to the second embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a configuration of the computer according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
     A display unit  3  is provided with antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12  which can be swung irrespectively of the display unit  3 . A first antenna  14   a , a second antenna  14   b , a first radio communication module  15   a  and a second radio communication module  15   b  which serve to carry out a radio communication are accommodated in the antenna casing  10 . A third antenna  14   c  and a third radio communication module  15   c  are accommodated in the antenna casing  11 . A fourth antenna  14   d  and a fourth radio communication module  15   d  are accommodated in the antenna casing  12 . In addition to the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , it is possible to provide the first antenna  14   a , the second antenna  14   b , the third antenna  14   c , the fourth antenna  14   d , the first radio communication module  15   a , the second radio communication module  15   b , the third radio communication module  15   c  and the fourth radio communication module  15   d  in optional positions of the antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12 , respectively. 
     A circuit board  9  mounting a plurality of electronic components is accommodated in a base unit  2 , and a south bridge  25  mounted on the circuit board  9  and a controller/hub  35  mounted on the display unit  3  are connected to each other through a cable  31 . The cable  31  is led from the base unit  2  to the display unit  3  through an opening provided in a hinge portion  4 . 
     The controller/hub  35  mounted on the display unit  3  and each radio communication module  15  are connected to each other through a cable  32 . The first radio communication module  15   a  and the controller/hub  35  are connected to each other through a cable  19   a . The second radio communication module  15   b  and the controller/hub  35  are connected to each other through a cable  19   b . The third radio communication module  15   c  and the controller/hub  35  are connected to each other through a cable  19   c . The fourth radio communication module  15   d  and the controller/hub  35  are connected to each other through a cable  19   d.    
     The controller/hub  35  carries out a power control of the radio communication modules  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  and an ON/OFF control of an RF output. 
     The radio communication modules  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  and the antennas  14   a ,  14   b ,  14   c  and  14   d  are connected to each other through cables  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  and  32   d , respectively. 
     A branching/synthesizing circuit  36  is provided between the radio communication modules  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  and the antennas  14   a ,  14   b ,  14   c  and  14   d  as shown in  FIG. 6 . But for convenience of the description, the branching/synthesizing circuit  36  is not shown in  FIG. 5 . The branching/synthesizing circuit  36  branches and/or synthesizes radio waves received and/or to be transmitted through the antennas  14   a ,  14   b ,  14   c  and  14   d.    
     A signal conductor  37  is provided between the controller/hub  35  and the branching/synthesizing circuit  36 , and the controller/hub  35  transmits a control signal for controlling the branching/synthesizing circuit  36 . By transmitting the control signal from the controller/hub  35 , it is also possible to ON/OFF control the radio communication modules  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  individually, to carry out a communication with only a specific one of the radio communication modules and to turn ON/OFF the radio communication modules  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and  15   d  at a time. 
     Also in the second embodiment, since the antennas  14  are provided in the antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12 , therefore, in storage of a computer  1  in which the display unit  3  is closed, the antennas  14  are positioned on an outside of the base unit  2  and the display unit  3 . The antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12  face the outside. Therefore, a smaller number of components shield a radio wave transmitted/received to/from the antennas  14 . As a result, also in a state in which the display unit  3  is closed, for example, a suspended condition of the computer  1 , it is possible to improve the receiving sensitivity of the antenna, thereby preventing a radio communicating performance from being deteriorated. 
     By setting the positions and angles of the antenna casings  10 ,  11  and  12  provided with the antennas  14  irrespective of an opening and inclining angle of the display unit  3 , furthermore, it is possible to reduce the deterioration in the radio communicating performance. 
     As described above, according to the embodiments of the invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of improving a receiving sensitivity of an antenna in use and storage of the apparatus. 
     The invention is not restricted to the embodiments but various changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof.