JP2002169624A - Expansion unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that, in a conventional personal computer, only one expansion unit can be mounted or, if two expansion units can be mounted, a coordination between the two mounted expansion units is not provided, but only two expansion functions are independently added, and moreover, it has been unable to improve the spatial utilization efficiency of the personal computer. SOLUTION: This invention provides, as its purpose, the expansion unit that permits more powerful function expansion, saving space by enhancing the expansion unit itself and the coordination between more than one mounted expansion units.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer), and more particularly to an expansion unit which can be detachably attached to a personal computer main body in order to extend functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional personal computer to which an extension unit can be attached is mainly one in which the extension unit is attached to a space provided on the back side of an upper cover (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-330014).
8) In addition, there is a device in which a guide unit to which various extension units can be attached in order to normalize the external shape of the extension unit is attached to a personal computer main body (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-30763).

In addition, two extension units such as a battery unit and a portable telephone unit can be mounted on a personal computer (both battery units, both portable telephone units, one of which is a battery unit and the other is a portable telephone unit). There was also.

[0004]

However, in the conventional personal computer, only one extension unit can be installed, or even if two extension units can be installed, the two installed units cannot be used.
There was no coordination between the two expansion units, only the two expansion functions were added independently, and the spatial utilization efficiency of the personal computer could not be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a space-saving expansion unit capable of enhancing the function of the expansion unit itself and the function by coordinating a plurality of mounted expansion units. And

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a case where a card insertion slot, a connector for connecting a peripheral device, and the like are provided on a plurality of sides of an extension unit, and the extension unit is mounted on a personal computer. By using a structure in which the card insertion slot provided on the side surface and the connector for connecting peripheral devices are exposed, multiple functions can be realized with one expansion unit, and the space-saving function expansion can be achieved.

In addition, the function of the extension unit can be enhanced by allowing the auxiliary extension unit mounted on the auxiliary extension unit mounting portion of the personal computer to control the extension unit mounted on the extension unit mounting portion.

For example, a battery unit for an extension unit or a memory extension unit for an extension unit as an auxiliary extension unit, an MPEG playback unit when the extension unit is a DVD unit, and a disk drive for accessing various discs storing confidential information In the case of (1), a security adapter for authentication (for example, a smart card reader on which a smart card recording an authentication number can be attached) may be used to enhance the functions and security of the extension unit.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal computer to which a DVD adapter and an MPEG playback processing adapter according to the present embodiment are mounted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a personal computer, 2 denotes an extension unit mounting section for mounting an extension unit, and 3 denotes an auxiliary extension unit mounting section for mounting an auxiliary extension unit.
Is a DVD adapter that can be mounted on the expansion unit mounting section 2,
211 is a DVD to be mounted on the DVD adapter 21, and 31 is an MPEG reproduction processing adapter 31 that can be mounted on the auxiliary extension unit mounting section 3.

A video signal recorded on the DVD 211 is usually taken into the personal computer 1 via the DVD adapter 21 and reproduced by the personal computer 1.

At this time, if the video signal compressed and recorded on the DVD 211 by the MPEG method is expanded by the personal computer 1, the CPU load of the personal computer 1 becomes too large.

Therefore, when the MPEG playback adapter 31 is mounted on the auxiliary extension unit mounting section 3, the DVD adapter 2
The video signal compressed and recorded by the MPEG system is M
After being decompressed by the PEG playback adapter 31, the data is loaded into the personal computer 1 and the load on the CPU of the personal computer 1 is reduced.

FIG. 2 shows a DVD adapter 21 attached to the extension unit attachment section 2 and an MPEG playback adapter 3 attached to the auxiliary extension unit attachment section 3 in this embodiment.
FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the DVD drive 2
The MPEG-compressed video signal captured from the MPEG 12 is input to the MPEG playback unit 311 of the MPEG playback adapter 31 via the controller 213 and subjected to MPEG decompression processing. 21 is written to the data buffer 214 of the CP
The data is taken into the personal computer 1 via the U bus.

In this embodiment, in order to simplify the control of the CPU of the personal computer 1, the MPEG playback processing adapter 31 is not directly controlled by the bus signal of the CPU.
The MPEG playback processing adapter 31 may be directly directly controlled partially by a PU bus signal.

Further, it may be possible to select whether the MPEG decompression process is performed by the MPEG reproducing unit 311 or the CPU by designating the controller 213.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a personal computer to which a data communication adapter and a battery pack for the data communication adapter according to the present embodiment are mounted.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 22 denotes a data communication adapter which can be mounted on the extension unit mounting section 2; 221, an antenna mounted on the data communication adapter 22; 32, a battery pack for a data communication adapter which can be mounted on the auxiliary expansion unit mounting section 3. It is.

When the data communication adapter 22 performs communication processing by supplying power from the personal computer 1, the power consumption during communication is high, and the battery of the personal computer 1 is greatly consumed. It will be shorter.

Therefore, when the data communication adapter battery pack 32 is mounted on the auxiliary extension unit mounting section 3, the power of the data communication adapter 22 is supplied from the data communication adapter battery pack 32. Can be suppressed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the data communication adapter 22 mounted on the extension unit mounting section 2 and the data communication adapter battery pack mounted on the auxiliary expansion unit mounting section 3 in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the data communication adapter 22 supplies power from the personal computer 1 to the data link unit 224, the baseband unit 223, and the RF unit 222, which consume much power during data communication, and the data communication adapter. The power supply is obtained by ORing the power supply from the battery 321 of the battery pack 32 through the power supply OR diode 227.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a personal computer to which a DVD-ROM and a security adapter according to the present embodiment are mounted.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 23 denotes a DVD-ROM adapter which can be attached to the extension unit
DVD-ROM attached to D-ROM adapter 23, 3
Reference numeral 3 denotes a security adapter that can be mounted on the auxiliary extension unit mounting section 3, and reference numeral 331 denotes a security card that is mounted on the security adapter 33.

The security adapter 33 and the security card 331 include, for example, a credit card reader and a credit card, a smart card reader / writer unit, and a smart card.

The data recorded on the DVD-ROM 231 can be taken into the personal computer 1 via the DVD-ROM adapter 23, but some data require security processing such as user authentication and encryption / decryption. .

Therefore, by attaching the security adapter 33 to the auxiliary extension unit attaching section 3, the DVD-RO
DVD-R input to PC 1 from M adapter 23
Authentication processing and encryption / decryption security processing of data recorded in the OM 231 can be performed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the DVD-ROM adapter 23 mounted on the extension unit mounting section 2 and the security adapter 33 mounted on the auxiliary expansion unit mounting section 3 in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, when accessing the DVD-ROM adapter 23, the user is authenticated by the security processing unit 332 based on the security card 331 by the security adapter 33.
The encrypted data captured from the VD-ROM drive 232 is input to the encryption / decryption unit 333 of the security adapter 33 and is decrypted.
The data is written to the data buffer 234 of the OM adapter 23 and taken into the personal computer 1 via the CPU bus.

In this embodiment, in order to simplify the control of the CPU of the personal computer 1, the security adapter 33 is not directly controlled by the bus signal of the CPU.
Alternatively, the security adapter 33 may be directly controlled partially by the bus signal.

Further, it is possible to select whether the encryption / decryption processing is to be performed by the encryption / decryption unit 333 or the authentication processing unit 332 is to be performed by the designation to the controller 233.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a personal computer to which a DVD-ROM adapter and an expansion slot adapter according to the present embodiment are mounted.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 23 denotes a DVD-ROM adapter which can be mounted on the extension unit mounting section 2;
DVD-ROM attached to D-ROM adapter 23, 3
Reference numeral 4 denotes an expansion slot adapter that can be mounted on the auxiliary expansion unit mounting section 3, 341 denotes a memory card that is mounted on the expansion slot adapter 34, and 342 denotes an expansion slot adapter 34
The modem card 343 is a LAN card mounted on the expansion slot adapter 34.

Even when the expansion unit mounting section 2 is used by the DVD-ROM adapter 23 or the like, by mounting the expansion slot adapter 34 on the auxiliary expansion unit mounting section 3, it is possible to increase the memory capacity and the communication functions of the modem and the LAN. Simultaneous use can also be realized.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the DVD-ROM adapter 23 mounted on the expansion unit mounting section 2 and the expansion slot adapter 34 mounted on the auxiliary expansion unit mounting section 3 in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, by mounting the expansion slot adapter 34 on the auxiliary expansion unit mounting section 3, the DVD-ROM mounted on the expansion unit mounting section 2 is mounted.
The address decoder 235 and the data buffer 234 of the adapter 23 are the memory card 341, the modem card 342, and the LAN card 3 mounted on the expansion slot adapter 34.
43, and the personal computer 1 is connected to the D via the CPU bus.
Controller 23 of VD-ROM drive adapter 23
3, the memory card 341 and the modem card 342 attached to the expansion slot adapter 34 and the L
Access to the AN card 343 can also be performed.

In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the control of the CPU of the personal computer 1, the expansion slot adapter 34 is not directly controlled by the bus signal of the CPU.
The expansion slot adapter 34 may be directly controlled by the bus signal.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a personal computer having an expansion unit mounting portion provided with an expansion card connector and a DVD-ROM adapter connector according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 9, by providing the expansion unit mounting section 2 with an expansion unit connector and an expansion card connector, for example, a DVD-ROM adapter 2 is provided.
3 is not mounted on the extension unit mounting section 2, the memory card 341, the modem card 342, the LAN card 3
43 can be mounted on the extension unit mounting section 2.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of the extension unit mounting portion in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, a CP connected to the DVD-ROM adapter 23 is
In addition to the U bus signal connector, a CPU bus signal connector for connecting to a plurality of expansion cards having the extension address decoder 2351 and the extension data buffer 2341 is provided.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 11 shows a CD-ROM with a piggyback card connector according to the present embodiment.
It is a perspective view of a personal computer which mounts an adapter or a CD-ROM adapter provided with an opening / closing lid with a piggyback card connector.

As shown in FIG. 11A, a CD-ROM adapter 2 with a piggyback card connector is attached to an auxiliary extension unit mounting portion 3 having an opening also in the upper portion of the personal computer 1.
4, the memory card 341 is located above the CD-ROM adapter 24 with the piggyback card connector.
Or a modem card 342.

As shown in FIG. 11B, by mounting a CD-ROM adapter 25 having an opening / closing lid with a piggyback card connector on the extension unit mounting section 2, the opening / closing lid 252 with a piggyback card connector is provided. 9
By opening the card by 0 degrees, the memory card 341 and the modem card 342 can be attached to the piggyback card connector 2521 from above.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of the CD-ROM adapter 24 with the piggyback card connector shown in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG.
The data buffer 45 and the data buffer 244 are connected not only to the controller 243 but also to a memory card 341 or a modem card 342 attached to the piggyback card connector 246. Can be.

[0049]

As described in detail above, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the extension unit mounting section and the auxiliary extension unit mounting section are provided, and the auxiliary extension unit and the extension unit mounting section mounted on the auxiliary extension unit mounting section are provided. By making the attached extension units cooperate, the functions can be extended in a small space.

Further, by providing the extension unit and the auxiliary extension unit with the piggyback connector, the function can be further extended in a small space.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal computer to which a DVD adapter and an MPEG playback processing adapter according to a first embodiment of the present invention are attached.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a DVD adapter mounted on an extension unit mounting unit and an MPEG playback adapter mounted on an auxiliary expansion unit mounting unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a personal computer to which a data communication adapter and a data communication adapter battery pack are mounted according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relation between a data communication adapter mounted on an extension unit mounting portion and a data communication adapter battery pack mounted on an auxiliary expansion unit mounting portion according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a DVD-ROM according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Perspective view of personal computer with security adapter

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a DVD-ROM adapter mounted on an extension unit mounting portion and a security adapter mounted on an auxiliary expansion unit mounting portion according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a DVD-ROM according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Perspective view of personal computer on which adapter and expansion slot adapter are installed

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a DVD-ROM adapter mounted on an extension unit mounting portion and an expansion slot adapter mounted on an auxiliary expansion unit mounting portion according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a personal computer having an expansion unit mounting portion provided with an expansion card connector and a DVD-ROM adapter connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of an extension unit mounting portion according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a CD-ROM adapter with a piggyback card connector or a CD-ROM with an opening / closing lid with a piggyback card connector according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
Perspective view of a personal computer to which an adapter is attached

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a CD-ROM adapter with a piggyback card connector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 PC 2 Expansion unit mounting section 21 DVD adapter 211 DVD 212 DVD drive 213 Controller 214 Data buffer 22 Data communication adapter 221 Antenna 222 RF section 223 Baseband section 224 Data link section 225 Controller 226 Data buffer 227 Power supply OR diode 23 DVD- ROM Adapter 231 DVD-ROM 232 DVD-ROM Drive 233 Controller 234 Data Buffer 2341 Extended Data Buffer 235 Address Decoder 2351 Extension Address Decoder 24 CD-ROM Adapter with Piggy Back Card Connector 241 CD-ROM 242 CD-ROM Drive 243 Controller 244 Data Buffer 245 address decoder 246 piggy Back card connector 25 CD-ROM adapter with opening / closing lid with piggyback card connector 251 CD-ROM 252 Opening / closing lid with piggyback card connector 2521 Piggyback card connector 3 Auxiliary extension unit mounting section 31 MPEG playback adapter 311 MPEG playback section 32 Battery pack for data communication adapter 321 Battery 33 Security adapter 331 Security card 332 Authentication processing unit 333 Encryption / decryption unit 34 Expansion slot adapter 341 Memory card 342 Modem card 343 LAN card

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: an extension unit mounting means on which an extension unit can be mounted; and an auxiliary extension unit mounting means on which an auxiliary extension unit for expanding functions of the extension unit mounted on the extension unit can be mounted. 2. A compression / decompression of data handled by a security adapter or an extension unit which permits use of a memory extension unit or a secondary power supply which supplies power to the extension unit or a memory extension unit which extends the memory of the extension unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing unit is a data conversion unit that performs encryption / decryption. 3. An expansion unit or auxiliary expansion unit having a recording medium insertion port or a peripheral device connector on a plurality of side surfaces. 4. A plurality of exposure units or peripheral device connection connectors which are provided on a plurality of side surfaces of the extension unit or the auxiliary extension unit when the extension unit or the auxiliary extension unit according to claim 3 is mounted. Information processing device having an opening.