Patent Publication Number: US-8115689-B2

Title: Electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/844,972 filed Aug. 24, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,463,203, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-324478, filed Nov. 30, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to an electronic device comprising a radio communication unit. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Jpn. Pat Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2003-244017 discloses the following radio communication unit. The radio communication unit includes an antenna, a radio analog section, a modulating/demodulating section, and a bus control section. A switch, a LAN communication control section and an AV communication control section are provided between the modulating/demodulating section and the bus control section. The switch enables switching between the condition where the LAN communication control section is used and the condition where the AV communication control section is used. 
     When the radio communication unit performs communications by use of a radio LAN communication system, the switch is operated to turn on the LAN communication control section and turn off the AV communication control section. On the other hand, when the radio communication unit performs communications by use of a radio AV transmission communication system, the switch is operated to turn off the LAN communication control section and turn on the AV communication control section. In this manner, the antenna, the radio analog section, the modulating/demodulating section and the bus control section are used in common to the two modes. 
     To perform wireless communications using two radio communication modules of different communication systems, it is thought to provide an electronic device with an antenna that can be used for the two different communication systems. For example, the electronic device comprises an antenna, a Bluetooth module, an antenna cable provided between the antenna and the Bluetooth module, and a UWB module provided at a midpoint of the antenna cable. 
     However, electronic devices have different configurations, depending upon the countries and regions where they are sold. For example, electronic devices sold in one country are provided with a UWB module, whereas electronic devices sold in another are not. In electronic devices provided with a UWB module, an antenna and a UWB module have to be connected by use of a short first cable, and the UWB module and a Bluetooth module have to be connected by use of a short second cable. In electronic devices provided with no UWB module, an antenna and a Bluetooth module have to be connected directly to each other by use of a long cable. Under the circumstances, two types of cables different in length have to be prepared, resulting in an increase in the parts of the electronic devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A general architecture that implements the various feature of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary perspective view of a portable computer, which is an example of an electronic device according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary bottom view showing a radio unit contained in the casing of the portable computer shown in  FIG. 1 . Illustration of the second case is omitted in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary perspective view showing a second radio module of the radio unit shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary perspective view showing the second module depicted in  FIG. 3  in the state where a first cable and a second cable are removed. 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary perspective view showing the radio unit in the state where the second radio module depicted in  FIG. 3  is removed. 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary perspective view showing how the first and second cables are connected to the radio unit shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary bottom view showing a portable computer, which is an example of an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Illustration of the second case is omitted in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary perspective view showing a radio module of the portable computer which is the example of the electronic device of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary perspective view showing the radio unit depicted in  FIG. 8  in the state where a first cable and a second cable are removed. 
         FIG. 10  is an exemplary perspective view showing how a second radio module is mounted on the radio unit depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, according to one embodiment of the invention, an electronic device is provided with the following an antenna; a first radio module configured to perform wireless communications by use of the antenna; a second radio module configured to perform wireless communications by use of the antenna; a first printed circuit board with reference to which the second radio module is attachable or detachable; a first cable which connects the antenna and the second radio module together; a second cable which connects the second radio module and the first radio module together; and a connection mechanism which connects the first and second cables together in a state where the second radio module is detached from the first printed circuit board. 
     An electronic device according to an embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the portable computer  11 , which is an example of an electronic device, comprises a main body unit  12 , a display unit  13 , and a hinge mechanism  14  provided between the main body unit  12  and the display unit  13 . The hinge mechanism  14  supports the display unit  13 . The hinge mechanism  14  permits the display unit  13  to be rotated relative to the main body unit  12 , with axis α as a center. The hinge mechanism  14  also permits the display unit  13  to be rotated relative to the main body unit  12 , with axis β as a center. 
     The display unit  13  is provided with a liquid crystal display  15 . The liquid crystal display  15  is an example of a display which is connected to a first printed circuit board  17  of the main body unit  12  and which displays information. The display of the display unit  13  is not limited the liquid crystal display  15  described above; it may be a plasma display, an organic electroluminescence display, a surface-conductance electron emission element display, or the like. 
     The main body unit  12  includes a housing  21 , a keyboard  22 , a touch pad  23  and buttons  24 . The housing  21  is made up of a first case  21 A and a second case  21 B. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the housing  21  contains a cooling device  26  for cooling circuit components  25 , and a radio unit  27  for performing wireless communications with an external electronic device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the radio unit  27  includes the first printed circuit board  17 , a first radio module  31 , a second radio module  32 , an antenna  33 , a first cable  34  and a second cable  35 . The first radio module  31  is a Bluetooth module. The first radio module  31  enables the portable computer  11  to perform wireless communications by means of an antenna  33  based on the Bluetooth standard. 
     The second radio module  32  is a so-called UWB module. The second radio module  32  permits the portable computer  11  to perform high-speed wireless communications by means of the antenna  33  based on the UWB standard. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second radio module  32  includes a substrate  36 , a module main body  37  mounted on the substrate  36 , an input terminal  38  to which signals from the first radio module  31  are supplied, and an output terminal  39  from which signals are supplied to the antenna  33 . The input terminal  38  and the output terminal  39  are female connectors generally referred to as “Co-Axial”. Each of the input and output terminals  38  and  39  is designed to have a resistance of 50Ω. The second radio module  32  is fixed to studs  48  of the first printed circuit board  17  by means of screws. The second radio module  32  can be fixed to the first printed circuit board  17  or removed from it. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the antenna  33  is located inside of the cover  13 A of the display unit  13 . The antenna  33  is compatible with both the Bluetooth and UWB standards, and can perform wireless communications based on either of the two standards. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the first cable  34  is an antenna cable and connects the antenna  33  and the second radio module  32  together. The first cable  34  includes a cable main body  34 A, and a first connector  34 B at which the cable main body  34 A is connected to the second radio module  32 . The first connector  34 B is a male connector. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the second cable  35  is an antenna cable and connects the first radio module  31  and the second radio module  32  together. The second cable  35  includes a cable main body  35 A, and a second connector  35 B at which the cable main body  35 A is connected to the second radio module  32 . The second cable  35  has a similar structure to that of the first cable  34  but is shorter than the first cable  34 . The second connector  35 B is a male connector. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , the first printed circuit board  17  includes the following: a printed wiring board  46  made by stacking copper wiring layers; a plurality of circuit components  25  mounted on the printed wiring board  46 ; a fixing mechanism  47  which fixes the cooling device  26  to the printed wiring board  46 ; studs  48  provided on the printed wiring board  46 ; a connection mechanism  49  used for connecting the first cable  34  and the second cable  35  to each other; and a rectangular connector  50  used for connection to the second radio module  32 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first printed circuit board  17  has an attachment area  51  to which the second radio module  32  is attached. The second radio module  32  can be attached to the first printed circuit board  17  or removed from it. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the connection mechanism  49  is provided on the first printed circuit board  17 . More specifically, the connection mechanism  49  is located within the above-mentioned attachment area  51  on the first printed circuit board  17 . The connection mechanism  49  includes a first relay connector  54  and a second relay connector  55 , both of which are mounted on the first printed circuit board  17 , and a wiring line  56  that connects the first and second relay connectors  54  and  55  together. The connection mechanism  49  can connect the first cable  34  and second cable  35  together in the state where the second radio module  32  is removed from the first printed circuit board  17 . 
     The first relay connector  54  and the second relay connector  55  are female connectors generally referred to as “Co-Axial”. Each of the first and second relay connectors  54  and  55  is designed to have a resistance of 50 Ω. 
     A description will now be given with reference to  FIG. 3  as to how electrical connections are made in the radio unit  27  where the second radio module  32  is provided for the portable computer  11 . The first radio module  31 , which is a Bluetooth module, is electrically connected to the antenna  33  by means of the first cable  34 , second cable  35  and second radio module  32 . On the other hand, the second radio module  32 , which is a UWB module, is electrically connected to the antenna  33  by means of the first cable  34 . With this structure, the portable computer  11  can perform wireless communications in both the Bluetooth mode and the UWB mode. 
     A description will now be given with reference to  FIG. 6  as to how electrical connections are made in the radio unit  27  where the second radio module  32  is not provided for the portable computer  11 . Where the second radio module  32  is not provided for the first printed circuit board  17 , the first cable  34  is connected to the first relay connector  54  of the connection mechanism  49  of the first printed circuit board  17 . On the other hand, the second cable  35  is connected to the second relay connector  55  of the connection mechanism  49  of the first printed circuit board  17 . With this structure, the first cable  34  and the second cable  35  are electrically connected to each other through the connection mechanism  49 . In this state, first radio module  31  is electrically connected to the antenna  33 . 
     Let us assume that the user mounts the second radio module  32  on the first printed circuit board  17  after purchasing the portable computer  11 . In this case, the first cable  34  and the second cable  35  are removed from the connection mechanism  49  in the state shown in  FIG. 6 . As a result, the state shown in  FIG. 5  is created. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the user attaches the second radio module  32  to the studs  48  of the first printed circuit board  17 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the user connects the first cable  34  to the output terminal  39  of the second radio module  32 . In addition, the user connects the second cable  35  to the input terminal  38  of the second radio module  32 . In this manner, the first radio module  31  and the second radio module  32  are electrically connected to the antenna  33 , thereby completing the attaching operation of the second radio module  32 . 
     The electronic device according to the first embodiment has been described. According to the first embodiment, the portable computer  11 , which is an example of the electronic device, comprises the following: the first printed circuit board  17  with reference to which the second radio module  32  is attachable or detachable; the first cable  34  that connects the antenna  33  and the second radio module  32  to each other; the second cable  35  that connects the second radio module  32  and the first radio module  31  to each other; and the connection mechanism  49  that connects the first cable  34  and second cable  35  to each other in the state where the second radio module  32  is detached from the first printed circuit board  17 . With this structure, the connection mechanism  49  maintains connection between the first radio module  31  and the antenna  33  in the state where the second radio module  32  is removed. As a result, the first radio module  31  and antenna  33  are prevented from being disconnected in the state where the second radio module  32  is removed, and the electrical connection between the first radio module  31  and the antenna  33  is thus maintained. The first cable  34  and the second cable  35 , by which the first radio module  31  and antenna  33  are connected, can be of the same type irrespective of whether or not the second radio module  32  is mounted. 
     It should be noted that the connection mechanism  49  is mounted on the first printed circuit board  17 . With this structure, the connection mechanism  49  need not be provided independently of the first printed circuit board  17 , and the number of structural components required can be reduced, accordingly. 
     The first printed circuit board  17  is provided with the attachment area  51 , and the connection mechanism  49  is provided on the attachment area  51 . With this structure, the connection mechanism  49  is arranged at substantially the same position as the input and output terminals  38  of the second radio module  32 . That is, even where the connection mechanism  49  is provided, it may be located away from the attachment area  51 , and the first or second cable  34  or  35  does not have to be extended to the connection mechanism  49 . As long as the connection mechanism  49  is located within the attachment area  51 , as in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the situation where either the first cable  34  or the second cable  35  cannot be extended to the connection mechanism  49 . Hence, the portable computer  11  that is provided with the second radio module  32  and the portable computer  11  that is not provided with the second radio module  32  can use cables of the same length as the first and second cables  34  and  35 . In other words, the first and second cables  34  and  35  can be of the same length irrespective of the type of portable computer  11 . Furthermore, where the connection mechanism  49  is formed in the attachment area  51  of the first printed circuit board  17 , it is possible to make good use of the lower area of the second radio module  32 . 
     It should be noted that the connection mechanism  49  is provided with a pair of relay connectors  54  and  55  and a wiring line  56  that connects the relay connectors  54  and  55 . With this structure, the connection mechanism  49  can be as simple as possible. Furthermore, the connection mechanism  49  can be manufactured at Low cost because it can be made by simply connecting existing relay connectors by means of a copper wire. 
     In the first embodiment, the first radio module  31  is a Bluetooth module, and the second radio module  32  is a UWB module. By use of these, the portable computer  11  can perform both wireless communications based on the Bluetooth standard and wireless communications based on the UWB standard. 
     An electronic device according to the second embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
     A portable computer  61 , which is an example of the electronic device according to the second embodiment, is different from the portable computer  11  of the first embodiment in terms of the position where the connection mechanism  49  is provided. In the other points, the former is similar to the latter. In the descriptions below, reference will be made mainly to the differences. In other words, components that are similar to those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as used in connection with the first embodiment, and a detailed description of such components will be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the portable computer  61  comprises a main body unit  12 , a display unit  13 , and a hinge mechanism  14  provided between the main body unit  12  and the display unit  13 . The main body unit  12  includes a housing  21 , a keyboard  22 , a touch pad  23  and buttons  24 . The housing  21  contains a cooling device  26  for cooling circuit components  25 , and a radio unit  62  for performing wireless communications with an external electronic device. The housing  21  is made up of a first case  21 A and a second case  21 B. The radio unit  62  is provided with a first printed circuit board  17 , a second printed circuit board  63 , a first radio module  31 , a second radio module  32 , an antenna  33 , a first cable  34 , and a second cable  35 . In  FIG. 8 , the second printed circuit board  63  is attached to the first printed circuit board  17 , in place of the second radio module  32  shown in  FIG. 10 . In other words, the second printed circuit board  63  is attached to the first printed circuit board  17 , replacing the second radio module  32 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the second printed circuit board  63  is a small rectangular board. The second printed circuit board  63  is fixed to studs  48  of the first printed circuit board  17  by means of screws. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the connection mechanism  49  is provided on the second printed board  63 . The connection mechanism  49  includes a first relay connector  54  and a second relay connector  55 , which are mounted on the second printed circuit board  63 , and a wiring line  56  which connects the first and second relay connectors  54  and  55  together. The first and second relay connectors  54  and  55  are female connectors generally referred to as “Co-Axial”. 
     A description will now be given with reference to  FIGS. 8-10  as to how electrical connections are made in the radio unit  62  of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the second radio module  32  is not mounted on the first printed circuit board  17  beforehand, as shown in  FIG. 8 , so that the first cable  34  and the second cable  35  are connected through the connection mechanism  49 . To be more specific, the first cable  34  is connected to the first relay connector  54  of the connection mechanism  49  of the second printed circuit board  63 . On the other hand, the second cable  35  is connected to the second relay connector  55  of the connection mechanism  49  of the second printed circuit board  63 . 
     Let us assume that the user mounts the second radio module  32  in place, after purchasing the portable computer  61 . In this case, the first cable  34  and the second cable  35  are removed from the connection mechanism  49  in the state shown in  FIG. 9 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the user detaches the second printed circuit board  63  from the studs  48  and fixes the second radio module  32  to the studs  48 . Then, the user connects the first cable  34  to the output terminal  39  of the second radio module  32 , and further connects the second cable  35  to the input terminal  38  of the second radio module  32 . In this manner, the operation for mounting the second radio module  32  in place is completed, and the portable computer  61  can perform wireless communications in both the Bluetooth and UWB modes. 
     The electronic device according to the second embodiment has been described. According to the second embodiment, the connection mechanism  49  is mounted on the second printed circuit board  63 . With this structure, the connection mechanism  49  can be provided without adversely affecting the arrangement of the circuit components  25  mounted on the first printed circuit board  17 . For this reason, the second embodiment is especially advantageous to the case where the circuit components  25  are already arranged on the first printed circuit board  17  and where the first printed circuit board  17  has no room for the connection mechanism  49 . Moreover, since the connection mechanism  49  is provided on the second printed circuit board  63  which is independent of the first printed circuit board  17 , the connection mechanism  49  can be protected from the electromagnetic noise the first printed circuit board  17  may generate The second embodiment is also advantageous to the case where the second printed circuit board  63  is prepared as a board which is independent of the first printed circuit board  17  and which has a different shape from that of the first printed circuit board  17 . Where portable computers are of a type wherein the second radio module  32  is incorporated on the BTO basis, it is advantageous to provide the connection mechanism  49  on the second printed circuit board  63 . If provided on the first printed circuit board  17 , the connection mechanism  49  may be meaningless. 
     In the second embodiment, the first radio module  31  is a Bluetooth module, and the second radio module  32  is a UWB module. By use of these, the portable computer  61  can perform both wireless communications based on the Bluetooth standard and wireless communications based on the UWB standard. 
     The electronic devices of the present invention are not limited to portable computers, and may be applicable to portable information terminals and other types of electronic devices. In addition, the portable devices of the present invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.