Europaisches Patentamt
`
`European Patent Office
`
`Office europeen des brevets
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`G Publication number:
`
`0587 161 A2
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`@ Application number: 93114498.4
`
`@ Int. C1.5: G06F 3/023
`
`@ Date of filing: 09.09.93
`
`® Priority: 11.09.92 JP 243487/92
`
`@ Date of publication of application:
`16.03.94 Bulletin 94/11
`
`@ Designated Contracting States:
`DE FR GB IT NL
`
`e Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
`
`30-2, 3-chome, Shimomaruko,
`Ohta-ku
`Tokyo(JP)
`
`@ Inventor: Nagasaki, Katsuhiko
`c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha,
`3-30-2, Shimomaruko
`Ohta-ku, Tokyo(JP)
`Inventor: Shimada, Kazutoshi
`c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha,
`3-30-2, Shimomaruko
`
`@ Apparatus for controlling image display.
`
`@ An input-output
`integrated type electronic ap(cid:173)
`paratus is arranged to enable the orientation of a
`displayed picture to be changed according to the
`orientation of the apparatus in a used state, whereby
`the facility with which the apparatus is used is im(cid:173)
`proved. To change the display orientation, the con(cid:173)
`tent of a displayed picture is changed on the basis
`of a detected orientation of the apparatus.
`
`Ohta-ku, Tokyo(JP)
`Inventor: Tatsumi, Eisaku
`c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha,
`3-30-2, Shimomaruko
`Ohta-ku, Tokyo(JP)
`Inventor: Suzuki, Noriyuki
`c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha,
`3-30-2, Shimomaruko
`Ohta-ku, Tokyo(JP)
`Inventor: Sunakawa, Shinichi
`c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha,
`3-30-2, Shimomaruko
`Ohta-ku, Tokyo(JP)
`
`@ Representative: Tiedtke, Harro, Dipl.-Ing.
`PatentanwaltsbU ro
`Tiedtke-BUhling-Kinne & Partner
`Bavariaring 4
`D-80336 MUnchen (DE)
`
`FI G.
`
`I
`
`N<
`
`C "0
`
`0
`It)
`
`Rank Xerox (UK) Business Services
`13.10/3.09/3.3.41
`
`Q D
`
`.W
`
`RIM Ex. 1004, p. 1
`
`

`

`EP 0 587 161 A2
`
`2
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`in(cid:173)
`This invention relates to an input-output
`tegrated type information processor capable of
`controlling the orientation in which a picture is
`displayed on a display screen.
`
`Description of the Related Art
`
`the hardware
`Fig. 18 is a block diagram of
`construction of a conventional
`input-output
`inte(cid:173)
`grated type information processor. Data is input
`through an input section 101 by a special pen
`101 a. A picture is displayed on an output section
`102 in accordance with the content of a display
`random access memory (RAM) 105 by a display
`controller 104.
`A central processing unit (CPU) 106 controls
`the overall operation of the processor. A RAM 107
`and a ROM 108 are connected to the CPU 106.
`The orientation in which a picture is displayed on
`the display screen is fixed. This processor is not
`designed to have means for changing the picture
`display orientation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`An object of the present invention is to provide
`an electronic apparatus capable of changing the
`orientation of a displayed picture according to the
`orientation of the apparatus in a used state.
`To achieve this object, according to one aspect
`the invention,
`there is provided an electronic
`of
`apparatus comprising input means for inputting in(cid:173)
`formation, display means
`including a display
`screen for displaying information, a casing for ac(cid:173)
`commodating the input means and the display
`means, detection means for detecting orientation of
`the casing when the apparatus is used, and control
`means for changing the orientation of a picture
`displayed on the display screen on the basis of the
`detection made by the detection means.
`According to another aspect of the invention,
`there is provided an electronic apparatus compris-
`ing input means for inputting information, display
`means including a display screen for displaying
`information, a casing for accommodating the input
`means and the display means, a base for receiving
`the casing, detection means for detecting the ori(cid:173)
`entation of
`the casing relative to the base, and
`control means for changing the orientation of a
`picture displayed on the display screen on the
`basis of
`the detection made by the detection
`means.
`According to still another aspect of the inven(cid:173)
`tion, there is provided an electronic apparatus com-
`
`pnsmg input means for inputting information, dis(cid:173)
`play means for displaying information, a casing for
`accommodating the input means and the display
`means, detection means for detecting the orienta-
`tion of the casing when the apparatus is used, and
`control means for changing the orientation of a
`display content of the display means on the basis
`of the detection made by the detection means.
`the
`In accordance with another aspect of
`present invention, an input-output type information
`processor
`includes input means for
`inputting in(cid:173)
`formation, display means
`including a display
`screen for displaying information, detection means
`for detecting the orientation of the apparatus in a
`used state and a control means for controlling the
`orientation in which a picture is displayed on the
`the apparatus are provided to
`display screen of
`enable the apparatus orientation in a used state to
`control
`the display orientation on the display
`screen without requiring a special operation by the
`user.
`These and other objects, aspects, features and
`advantages of
`the present
`invention will become
`apparent from the following detailed description of
`the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction
`with the drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the hardware con(cid:173)
`struction of a first embodiment of
`the present
`invention;
`Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a detection section
`103;
`Fig. 3 is a diagram of an external appearance of
`a processor in accordance with the first embodi(cid:173)
`ment;
`Figs. 4(a) to 4(h) are diagrams of the relation(cid:173)
`ship between the DC plug insertion direction
`and the display orientation;
`Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the hardware con(cid:173)
`struction of a second embodiment of the present
`invention;
`Fig. 6 is a diagram of an external appearance of
`a processor in accordance with the second em(cid:173)
`bodiment;
`Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram of a detection section
`501 ;
`Fig. 8 is a diagram of an external appearance of
`a main unit of a processor in accordance with a
`third embodiment;
`Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the
`main unit;
`Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the main unit;
`Fig. 11 is a first schematic cross-sectional view
`of a recess 1001 of the main unit;
`Fig. 12 is a second schematic cross-sectional
`view of the recess 1001 of the main unit;
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`2
`
`RIM Ex. 1004, p. 2
`
`

`

`3
`
`EP 0 587 161 A2
`
`4
`
`Fig. 13 is a diagram of an external appearance
`of a sub unit;
`Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a
`hook portion 1303 of the sub unit;
`Figs. 15(a) to 15(d) are diagrams of an example
`of an operation of combining/separating the
`main and sub units;
`Fig. 16 is an external appearance view of an(cid:173)
`other example of
`the operation of combin(cid:173)
`ing/separating the main and sub units;
`Fig. 17 is a circuit diagram of a detection sec(cid:173)
`tion in accordance with the third embodiment;
`Fig. 18 is a block diagram of
`the hardware
`construction of a conventional
`input-output
`in(cid:173)
`tegrated type information processor;
`Fig. 19 is a flowchart of a control process;
`Fig. 20 is a diagram of a display screen;
`Figs. 21 (a)
`to 21 (d) are diagrams of picture
`rotation;
`Fig. 22 is a flowchart of a control process;
`Fig. 23 is a diagram of an external appearance
`of a sub unit;
`Fig. 24 is a diagram of a control process;
`Fig. 25 is a diagram of a control process;
`Fig. 26 is a block diagram of a main unit;
`Fig. 27(a) is a cross-sectional view of a com(cid:173)
`bined state of main and sub units;
`Fig. 27(b) is a diagram of a switch of the main
`unit;
`Fig. 28 is a block diagram of the sub unit; and
`Fig. 29 is a flowchart of operating an optical
`communication plane.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI(cid:173)
`MENTS
`
`Embodiments of the present
`invention will be
`described below with reference to the accompany(cid:173)
`ing drawings.
`Fig. 1 shows blocks of the hardware construc(cid:173)
`tion of an embodiment of
`the present
`invention.
`Each of elements shown in block outline in Fig. 1
`as well as in Figs. 2, 5, 17, 18, 26 and 28, is well
`known per se, and a specific type of construction is
`not critical
`to carrying out
`the invention or to a
`disclosure of
`the best mode for carrying out the
`invention. An input section 101 is, for example, a
`pressure sensitive type tablet. Data is input by
`writing on the tablet with a special pen 101 a.
`An output section 102 is a display device, e.g.,
`a liquid crystal display. The input section 101 and
`the output section 102 form an input-output
`in(cid:173)
`tegrated unit.
`A detection section 103 detects the orientation
`the information processor in a used state and
`of
`sends a result of the detection to a CPU 106. An
`AC adaptor 103a extends from the detection sec(cid:173)
`tion 103.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`3
`
`A display controller 104 displays information or
`images on the output section 102 in accordance
`with the content of a display RAM 105. The display
`controller 104 rewrites the display RAM 105 by a
`command from the CPU 106.
`The display RAM 105 stores data for display(cid:173)
`ing through the output section 102.
`The CPU 106 controls the overall operation of
`the information processor in accordance with con(cid:173)
`trol procedures stored in the memories 107 and
`108.
`The memory 107 is a RAM for storing display
`data and a control procedure, and the memory 108
`is a control memory ROM in which a control proce(cid:173)
`dure shown in Fig. 19 or 22, for example, is stored.
`Fig. 2 is a detailed circuit diagram of the detec(cid:173)
`tion section 103. As shown in Fig. 2, there are four
`power supply channels having DC jacks 201 to
`204, and a DC plug 206 is inserted into one of the
`DC jacks 201 to 204 to supply power. From each
`DC jack, a power supply line extends and a ground
`line and a picture orientation control signal line also
`extend.
`An AC adaptor 205 is used to supply power
`from a home AC outlet and to convert AC power
`into DC power. DC power is supplied through the
`power supply line, the ground line and each picture
`line. A line 207 in Fig. 2
`orientation control signal
`indicates a main body of the information processor.
`Fig. 3 shows the outward appearance of
`the
`processor. The input pen 101 a extends from a
`frame 301. The DC jacks 201 to 204 are provided
`in four side surfaces of the frame. (DC jacks 203
`and 204 are not seen in Fig. 3.)
`The operation of controlling the orientation in
`which a picture is displayed in accordance with this
`embodiment will be described below. Display con(cid:173)
`tents displayed in a displayed picture are stored as
`bit map data in the display RAM 105. Fig. 4(a)
`shows an example of a display, and Fig. 4(b)
`shows the content of
`the display RAM 105 cor(cid:173)
`responding to this display example.
`When the DC plug 206 is inserted into one of
`the DC jacks 201 to 204, electric power is supplied
`to the processor and one of picture orientation
`control signals a to d is sent to the CPU 106. The
`CPU 106 rewrites data in the display RAM 105 in
`accordance with a high level signal
`in picture ori(cid:173)
`entation control signals a to d by a conversion
`formula shown below. However, CPU 106 does not
`convert data if the picture orientation control signal
`a is high.
`(1)
`If the picture orientation control signal b is
`high,
`
`bit (x, y) = old bit (int{~ y}, int{~ (a - x)}) ®
`
`RIM Ex. 1004, p. 3
`
`

`

`5
`
`EP 0 587 161 A2
`
`6
`
`the picture orientation control signal c is
`
`If
`(2)
`high,
`
`bit (x, y) = old bit (int{a - x}, int{~ (b - 7)})
`@
`
`If the picture orientation control signal d is
`(3)
`high,
`
`bit (x, y) = old bit (int{~ (b - y)}, int{~ x}) ©
`
`In these equations, a and b represent picture sizes,
`bit
`(x, y)
`represents data of
`(x - int{~ x 8) at
`address (~ y + int{~ }) in the display RAM 105.
`Also,
`int{~ y} represents an integer part of
`the
`value of ~ y.
`Fig. 4(c) shows the state of the display RAM
`105 after rewriting of the content thereof shown in
`Fig.4(b).
`The display controller 104 displays converted
`data in the display RAM 105 through the output
`section 102 to change the orientation in which a
`picture is displayed. Fig. 4(d) shows a picture dis(cid:173)
`played in accordance with the content of the dis(cid:173)
`play RAM 105 shown in Fig. 4(c) . Figs. 4(g) and g(cid:173)
`(h) schematically show pictures in a case where
`the orientation in which the picture is displayed as
`shown in Fig. 4(a) is converted. Figs. 4(e) and 4(e
`and 4(f) are schematic diagrams corresponding to
`Figs. 4(a) and 4(c). As is apparent from Figs. 4(e)
`to 4(h), an operator using the processor can select
`an optimal picture display orientation in any situ(cid:173)
`ation by inserting the DC plug 206 into the DC jack
`at a position such that the AC adaptor 205 does not
`interfere with an input operation, i.e., the DC jack at
`the top of the processor as viewed by the operator.
`Fig. 17 shows an example of a detection circuit
`of a third embodiment for detecting the orientation
`in which the processor is used. The circuit has pull(cid:173)
`down resistors 1701 and 1702.
`If the main unit is combined with a sub unit in a
`position such that a longitudinal axis of the main
`unit extends perpendicularly to a direction in which
`the operator faces the main unit (hereinafter
`re(cid:173)
`ferred to as "widthwise position") or
`in another
`position such that
`the longitudinal axis extends
`parallel
`to this direction (hereinafter referred to as
`"longitudinal position"), one of
`two electrodes
`1201 a and 1201 b is electrically connected. The
`operation of controlling the orientation in which a
`picture is displayed by using picture orientation
`control signals is performed in the same manner as
`in the first and second embodiments.
`The main unit and the sub unit are separately
`formed in accordance with the third embodiment.
`In such a case, when the main unit
`is used by
`being combined with the sub unit, a user can
`
`select the picture display orientation without being
`conscious of the selection.
`Needless to say, the same effect can also be
`attained in a case where the user uses the main
`unit while the main unit is separated from the sub
`unit, if the first or second embodiment is practiced
`by being combined with the third embodiment.
`Fig. 19 shows a flowchart of a picture display
`orientation changing process executed by the CPU
`as described above. In step 1901, the orientation of
`the processor in a used state is detected according
`to one of picture orientation control signals a to d
`set to high level.
`In step 1902, data in the display
`RAM 105 is transferred to the CPU 106.
`In step
`1903, the data conversion method corresponding to
`the orientation of the processor in use detected in
`step 1901 is selected. If signal b is high, the data is
`converted in accordance with the equation ® in
`step 1904. If signal c is high, the data is converted
`in accordance with the equation @ in step 1905. If
`signal d is high,
`the data is converted in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the equation © in step 1906. If signal a
`is high,
`the data is not converted. Next,
`in step
`1907, the converted data is transferred to the dis-
`play RAM 105 and,
`in step 1908, the display con(cid:173)
`troller 104 outputs the data in the display RAM
`105, thereby changing the orientation in which the
`picture is displayed.
`In the above-described embodiment, a signal
`indicating the state of connection between a plural(cid:173)
`ity of DC jacks and a plurality of DC plugs is used
`as means for detecting the orientation of the pro(cid:173)
`cessor in a used state.
`Alternatively, an orientation detection means using
`an input pen may be formed.
`Fig. 5 shows blocks of the hardware construc(cid:173)
`tion of an embodiment of the present invention. A
`block 501 represents a detection section for detect(cid:173)
`ing the orientation of a processor in a used state.
`Fig. 6 shows the outward appearance of
`the
`processor
`in accordance with this embodiment.
`The processor has a frame 601 having four side
`surfaces. Connectors 602 to 605 in which a cord of
`an input pen 101 a is inserted are respectively
`mounted in the side surfaces of
`the frame 601.
`(Connectors 604 and 605 are not illustrated in Fig.
`6.) Each of
`the connectors 602 to 605 forms a
`depressed type switch which is depressed when
`the cord of the pen 101 a is inserted.
`Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram of an example of the
`detection section 501. Depressed switches 701 to
`704 are arranged in correspondence with the con(cid:173)
`nectors 602 to 605 along with pull-down resistors
`705 to 708.
`the
`If
`the pen 101 a is inserted into one of
`connectors 602 to 605,
`the corresponding one of
`the depressed switches 701 to 704 is depressed
`and the corresponding one of picture orientation
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`4
`
`RIM Ex. 1004, p. 4
`
`

`

`7
`
`EP 0 587 161 A2
`
`8
`
`controls signals a to d is sent to the CPU 106. The
`CPU 106 determines the display orientation from
`the received picture orientation control signal and
`converts data in the display RAM 105.
`In the
`above-described embodiment, data conversion is
`effected by changing the ratio of the longitudinal
`and widthwise sizes. In this embodiment, however,
`data conversion may be effected by changing dis(cid:173)
`play areas. Fig. 20 shows the relationship between
`a whole picture area 2001 and a display area 1002.
`The CPU 106 displays a picture by transferring
`data of the display area 2002 to the display RAM
`105 through the display controller 104. That is, the
`displayed picture is changed by changing the dis(cid:173)
`play area or the order of
`transfer of data in the
`display area.
`Fig. 22 shows a flowchart of another picture
`display orientation changing process in accordance
`with this embodiment. In step 2201, a display area
`is selected from the whole picture area shown in
`Fig. 20 to display a picture such as that shown in
`Fig. 21 (a), and corresponding data is transferred to
`the CPU 106.
`In steps 2202 and 2203, a display
`area is selected to display a picture such as that
`shown in Fig. 21 (b), and corresponding data is
`transferred to the CPU 106 to be converted. Simi(cid:173)
`larly,
`in steps 2204 and 2205, and in steps 2206
`and 2207, display areas are selected to display
`pictures such as those shown in Fig. 21 (c) and 21(cid:173)
`(d), respectively.
`the
`embodiment,
`In
`the
`above-described
`means for detecting the orientation of the proces(cid:173)
`sor in a used state cannot be used when a battery
`or
`the like is used as a power source for
`the
`processor, since the detection means is based on
`the detection of
`the state of connection between
`DC jacks and DC plugs. In contrast, the processor
`of
`this embodiment
`is advantageous in that
`it
`is
`possible to detect the orientation of the processor
`in a used state and to control
`the picture display
`orientation even in use in which much importance
`is attached to the portability or a feature of
`the
`input-output integrated type, that is, when a home
`power supply is not used.
`In the above-described first and second em(cid:173)
`in(cid:173)
`the orientation of an input-output
`bodiments,
`tegrated type information processor
`is detected
`from the state of connection between the informa(cid:173)
`tion processor and a cord. However, the orientation
`of this type of processor may be detected from the
`state of connection between a main unit and a sub
`of the processor by arranging the units in such a
`manner that the main unit is formed of a digitizer, a
`liquid crystal display, a CPU, a battery, backup
`memory, a hard disk and other components, while
`the sub unit is formed of a floppy disk drive, an I/O
`port such as an RS232, a network interface and
`other components, and that the main unit and the
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`5
`
`sub unit can be attached and detached (combined
`and separated) in a plurality of directions.
`The construction of the main unit of a proces(cid:173)
`sor arranged in this manner will be described be-
`low.
`
`Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an appearance
`of the main unit. The main unit has a casing having
`a generally rectangular external configuration. The
`casing is formed of an upper casing member 801,
`a middle casing member 802 and a lower casing
`member 803 each made of a resin. A generally
`rectangular opening is formed in a central portion
`of the upper casing member 801, and a digitizer
`804 having an input surface is provided at
`the
`opening. A liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided
`under the digitizer 804. A holder 806 for an input
`pen 805 described later, a main switch 807, a knob
`808 for adjusting the contrast of the LCD, an illus(cid:173)
`trated IC card connector and DC jack are provided
`on side portions of the middle casing member 802.
`Also, guide portions 1601 a to 1601 d in the form of
`elongated holes or recesses (Fig. 16) forming part
`of a means for combining the main and sub units
`are provided in two places in a side surface portion
`of the middle casing member 802 corresponding to
`the remote-most side as shown in Fig. 8 and in two
`places in an adjacent
`left side surface portion. A
`connector for connecting the input pen 805 is pro(cid:173)
`vided in the vicinity of the center of a right side
`surface portion. In this embodiment, this connector
`is covered with the holder 806 and cannot be seen
`in the external appearance. The input pen 805 and
`this connector are connected by a cord 809, which
`can be wound in a gap between a main unit side
`surface portion and the holder 806.
`Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view
`(along the line I - I) of the main unit. Fig. 10 is a
`bottom view of the main unit. An LCD 901 and the
`digitizer 804 are fixed in a superposed state in the
`middle casing member 802. A printed circuit board
`902 on which a CPU, memories, an LCD controller,
`a digitizer controller, a power supply circuit and
`other components are mounted is fixed below the
`LCD 901. The upper, middle and lower casing
`members 801, 802, and 803 are fixed to each other
`by screws or elastic hooks (snap-action fixing
`means). Further, two recesses 1001 and 1002 and
`a plurality of hemispherical projections 903a to
`903d forming a part of the combining means are
`provided on a bottom surface of
`the main unit
`formed by the lower casing member 803. Also, a
`plurality of optical communication windows 1003a
`to 1003d arranged along the longitudinal axis,
`channels 1004a to 1004d for receiving the cord 809
`pressed thereinto are formed in the bottom surface.
`The height of
`the projections 903a to 903d is
`smaller than that of rubber feet 1005a to 1005d.
`
`RIM Ex. 1004, p. 5
`
`

`

`9
`
`EP 0 587 161 A2
`
`10
`
`unillustrated I/O port, a network interface, a key(cid:173)
`board connector and a DC jack or the like are
`provided at the other L-shaped side surface.
`Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view
`(along the line IV - IV) of the hook portion 1303 of
`the sub unit. A printed circuit board 1401 on which
`a CPU, a memory, optical communication means
`and other components are mounted is fixed in the
`upper casing member 1301. Electrodes having a
`pair of electrode pins 1402a and 1402b urged in an
`axial direction by a spring are disposed inside the
`hook portion 1303.
`Means for combining and separating the main
`and sub units will be described below in detail. The
`combining operation and the combining means will
`first be described.
`Figs. 15(a) to 15(d) are external appearance
`perspective views for explaining the combining and
`separating operations in a case where the main unit
`is used in the longitudinal position. The positional
`relationship between the main and sub units and
`the state of the same when the operation of com(cid:173)
`bining the main and sub units is completed as
`shown in Fig. 15(d) will be described first. When
`the main and sub units are combined completely,
`the sub unit is positioned under the main unit and
`at a position remote from the operator. Main por(cid:173)
`tions of the side surfaces of the main and sub units
`facing in the widthwise direction are generally flush
`with each other. A predetermined gap is formed
`between the side surface of the main unit remote
`from the operator and the inner side surface of the
`projecting portion 1301 a of
`the sub unit. At
`this
`the guide pins 1308a and 1308b of the sub
`time,
`unit are respectively inserted in the two guide
`portions 1601 a and 1601 b in the side surface of the
`main unit remote from the operator. Also, the hook
`portion 1303 of the sub unit is positioned in one of
`the recesses in the bottom surface of the main unit,
`i.e., the recess 1001, and a part of the hook portion
`1301 is inserted in the opening 1001 a. Also, some
`of
`the projections 903a to 903d on the bottom
`surface of the main unit contact the upper surface
`1301 b of the upper casing member 1301.
`In this
`state,
`the main and sub units are combined with
`each other with,
`if any, a very small play in the
`vertical direction (the direction of thickness). Also,
`in the combined state of the main and sub units,
`only a very small play can occur between the main
`and sub units in a direction parallel to the direction
`in which the operator
`faces the main unit
`(the
`longitudinal direction of the main unit) because of
`the cooperation of bottom surfaces of
`the guide
`portions 1601 a and 1601 b and extreme ends of the
`guide pins 1308a and 1308b and by the coopera(cid:173)
`tion of an inner side surface of the recess 1001 in
`the vicinity of the opening 1001 a and a side sur(cid:173)
`face of
`the hook portion 1303 on the projecting
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`6
`
`Fig. 11 is a first schematic cross-sectional view
`(along the line II - II) of the recess 1001 of the main
`unit. An opening 1001 a or 1002a is formed in a
`portion of one of four side surfaces forming each of
`the two recesses 1001 and 1002, and a plate
`spring 1101 a or 1101 b is provided in the opening
`1001 a or 1002a. Fig. 12 is a second schematic
`cross-sectional view (along the line III - III) of the
`two electrode
`recess 1001. Electrodes formed of
`pins 1201 a and 1202b are provided in the opening
`1001 a. The recess 1002 is formed in such a man(cid:173)
`the recess 1001 is rotated clockwise by
`ner that
`90 0
`
`• T
`
`the sub unit will be de(cid:173)
`
`he construction of
`scribed below.
`Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the outward
`appearance of
`the sub unit. The sub unit has a
`casing having an external configuration generally L(cid:173)
`shaped as viewed from the left or right side. The
`casing is formed of an upper casing member 1301
`and a lower casing member 1302 each made of a
`resin in such a manner that an elongated generally
`rectangular projecting portion 1301 a is formed on
`an upper surface of a generally rectangular box at
`one side of the same. The width of the sub unit is
`approximately equal to the width of the main unit in
`the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
`A hook portion 1303 and an engagement knob
`1304 forming part of a combining means are pro(cid:173)
`vided on an upper surface 1301 b of
`the upper
`casing member 1301 (apart from an upper surface
`of
`the projection 1301 a). A plurality of windows
`1305a to 1305g for an optical communication unit
`are also formed in the upper surface 1301 b in two
`rows extending along the pairs of opposite sides of
`the casing and intersecting perpendicularly with
`each other. The engagement knob 1304 is urged
`upward by an unillustrated spring and can move
`until its upper surface becomes approximately flush
`with the upper surface 1301 b when a predeter(cid:173)
`mined force is applied to the engagement knob
`1304. On the upper surface of the projecting por(cid:173)
`tion 1301 a, a release button 1306 forming part of a
`means for separating the main and the sub units,
`and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) 1307a
`and 1307b for
`indicating the states of a power
`supply and a floppy disk drive or
`the like are
`provided. When the release button 1306 is man(cid:173)
`ually depressed,
`the engagement knob 1304 is
`moved downward by an unillustrated incorporated
`rotary/slide mechanism. Guide pins 1308a and
`1308b are provided at left and right positions on an
`inner surface of the projecting portion 1301 a. An
`operating pin 1309 for operating a combined state
`detection switch described later is provided in the
`vicinity of one of the pair of guide pins 1308a. A
`port of a floppy disk drive 1310 is formed in one of
`the L-shaped side surface of the sub unit, while an
`
`RIM Ex. 1004, p. 6
`
`

`

`11
`
`EP 0 587 161 A2
`
`12
`
`portion 1301 a side. Further, a surface (not shown)
`in the opening 1001 a in the recess 1001 of
`the
`bottom surface of the main unit abuts against an
`extreme end of the hook portion 1303, and one of
`rounded side surfaces of the guide portion 1601 a
`and a side surface of
`the guide pin 1308a abut
`against each other. Also,
`the engagement knob
`1304 of
`the sub unit
`is positioned in the recess
`1001 in the bottom surface of the main unit with a
`predetermined gap formed between a right side
`surface of the engagement knob 1304 and a right
`side surface of the recess 1001. Therefore, only a
`very small play can occur between the main and
`sub unit in the direction perpendicular to the lon(cid:173)
`gitudinal axis of the main unit. Further, in the com(cid:173)
`bined state, the operating pin 1309 of the sub unit
`is pressed into the body of the unit by the side
`surface of the main unit remote from the operator
`to operate the combined state detection switch.
`Also,
`the positions of
`the optical communication
`windows 1003a to 1003d and 1305a to 1305d of
`the main and sub units forming rows in the direc(cid:173)
`tion along the longitudinal axis coincide generally
`with each other. Further, the electrodes 1201 a and
`1201 b on the main unit and the electrodes 1402a
`and 1402b on the sub unit are electrically con(cid:173)
`nected by being brought
`into contact with each
`other at a predetermined spring pressure.
`The combining operation will now be de(cid:173)
`scribed. First, the main unit is placed on the upper
`surface 1301 b of the sub unit as shown in Fig. 15(cid:173)
`(a). At this time, the main and sub units are set in a
`positional relationship such as to be shifted from
`each other
`in the direction perpendicular to the
`longitudinal axis of the main unit, that is, the right
`side surface of
`the sub unit
`is positioned at a
`predetermined distance to the right from the right
`side surface of the main unit. Also, the side surface
`of the main body remote from the operator and the
`inner side surface of the projecting portion 1301 a
`of
`the sub unit are at a predetermined distance
`from each other. Naturally,
`the guide pins 1308a
`and 1308b are not in the state of being inserted in
`the guide portions 1601 a and 1601 b. At this time,
`the hook portion 1303 of the sub unit is positioned
`in the recess 1001 in the bottom surface of
`the
`main unit. Then, the main and sub units are rela(cid:173)
`tively moved until the side surface of the main unit
`remote from the operator and the inner side sur(cid:173)
`face of the projecting portion 1301 of the sub unit
`are brought into contact with each other. Simulta(cid:173)
`neously,
`the guide pins 1308a and 1308b are in(cid:173)
`serted into the guide portions 1601 a and 1601 b.
`Also,
`the operating pin 1309 is positioned at the
`guide portion 1601 a and in a free state such that
`the combined state detection switch is not op(cid:173)
`erated. Next, the main and sub units are relatively
`moved to the left and right. By this movement, the
`
`unillustrated surface in the opening 1001 a in the
`recess 1001 of the bottom surface of the main unit
`and the extreme end of the hook portion 1303 of
`the sub unit are brought
`into contact with each
`other, and one of the rounded side surfaces of the
`guide portion 1601 a are also brought into contact
`with each other, thereby positioning the main and
`sub unit in the direction perpendicular to the lon(cid:173)
`gitudinal axis of the main unit. By this operation,
`the hook portion 1303 is also inserted into the
`opening 1001 a of the recess 1001. Further, by this
`operation,
`the engagement knob is temporarily
`moved downward by the bottom surface of
`the
`main unit and becomes free at a position in the
`recess 1001 to move upward by the urging force.
`Next,
`the separating operation will be de(cid:173)
`scribed. The engagement knob 1304 is moved
`downward by depressing the release button 1306
`on the projecting portion 1301 a of the sub unit. In
`this state,
`the main and sub units are relatively
`moved to the left and right,
`i.e.,
`in directions op(cid:173)
`posite to the directions at the time of combining.
`the main and sub units are moved
`Thereafter,
`along the longitudinal direction of the main unit so
`that
`the guide pins 1308a and 1308b are dis(cid:173)
`engaged from the guide portions 1601 a and 1601 b.
`The combining/separating operation in a case
`where the main unit is used in the widthwise posi(c