electronic machines

Abstract

To make it clear that the inside of an electronic device's casing has been exposed in an unexpected way. [Solution] An electronic device comprising an electronic housing having a removable housing portion containing a conductive material, and a memory electrically connected to the housing portion, wherein the memory changes internal information when the electrical connection with the housing portion is interrupted, and retains the changed internal information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and particularly to an electronic device in which a part of a housing is removable.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when repairing an electronic device, a method has been disclosed that can be used for subsequent repairs by referring to the repair history. For example, in Patent Document 1, a method is disclosed that enables manual writing and reading of a repair history in an electronic device, stores the repair frequency and repair locations, and enables efficient repair by a repair person when performing the next repair.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the prior art including Patent Document 1, when a user attempts to perform a repair independently, the repair history and disassembly history are not saved. Therefore, not only can a repair person who originally performs the repair not obtain accurate information when performing the repair, but there is also a risk of unexpected failures occurring.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to make it possible to find out that the inside of the housing of an electronic device has been unexpectedly exposed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the electronic device of the present invention comprises a housing for the electronic device having a removable housing portion made of a conductive material, and a memory electrically connected to the housing portion, wherein the memory changes its internal information when the electrical connection with the housing portion is broken and retains the changed internal information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to determine if the inside of the casing of an electronic device has been unexpectedly exposed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] External perspective view of the imaging device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing the state in which the housing portion of the imaging device in the first embodiment is not removed and the state in which it is removed. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the configuration of the imaging device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram showing the housing portion of the imaging device in the second embodiment in its intact state, in its removed state, and in which the housing portion is replaced. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imaging device 100 as an example of an electronic device to which the present invention can be applied, and Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the imaging device 100. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to imaging devices, but can be applied to various electronic devices such as smartphones, PCs, and watches, where a part of the casing is removed when repairing the electronic device.

[0011] In Figures 1 and 2, the imaging device 100 is a digital imaging device having an image sensor 110. The image sensor 110 is composed of a CMOS or CCD, etc., which converts the light beam captured from the imaging lens (not shown) into photoelectric power. The image signal obtained by the image sensor 110 is processed by a CPU 120 that controls the operation of the imaging device 100.

[0012] A display device 130 is provided on the back of the imaging device 100 to display images acquired by the image sensor 110, as well as various setting screens, etc. The display device 130 has a touch panel function, allowing the user to switch displays, release the shutter, and change various settings of the imaging device 100 by touching or sliding on the surface of the display device 130. The display device 130 is rotatably connected to the imaging device 100 by a two-axis hinge 131.

[0013] The input operation unit 140 is a push-button type input operation unit used to perform input operations such as changing various settings, switching shooting modes, and starting and stopping video recording. The touch panel function of the display device 130 and the input from the input operation unit 140 are transmitted to the CPU 120 and processed.

[0014] Furthermore, the viewfinder 150 displays an image formed by re-imaging the light beam captured from the photographic lens (not shown), allowing the user to determine the composition and take a photograph while looking through the viewfinder 150. In addition, various inputs can be made using the touch panel function of the display device 130 or the input operation unit 140 while looking through the viewfinder 150.

[0015] The power supply unit 170 consists of a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, etc., and supplies the necessary power to each part. The memory 160 is a non-volatile memory, electrically erasable and recordable, such as an EEPROM or the like.

[0016] Also, a part of the housing of the imaging device 100 is removable and has a part containing a conductive material. The imaging device 100 is electrically connected to this removable part and includes a counter memory 180 capable of changing and holding internal information when there is a change in the electrical connection, and a built-in battery 171 for operating the counter memory 180.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of each component in the imaging device 100 of the present embodiment, the detection of changes in electrical connection, and the storage process. FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing each component of the imaging device 100 divided into a main body 101 and a removable housing part 102. The housing part 102 is the part of the housing that is removed first when performing repairs. FIG. 3(a) shows a state where the housing part 102 is not removed from the main body 101, and FIG. 3(b) shows a state where the housing part 102 is removed from the main body 101.

[0018] The main body 101 has the CPU 120, the finder 150, the imaging element 110, the display device 130, the power supply unit 170, the memory 160, the built-in battery 171, and the counter memory 180 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The built-in battery 171 is mainly a button battery and consists of a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, supplies power to the counter memory 180, and is used for the operation of the counter memory 180 including data holding and recording.

[0019] In addition, the housing portion 102 has the input operation unit 140 described in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a conductive member 102a. Here, the conductive member 102a may be an elastic body such as a metal, a conductive resin, or a conductive gasket having conductivity. When the material of the housing portion 102 itself has conductivity, the housing portion 102 itself may be treated as the conductive member 102a. The main body 101 and the housing portion 102 are fixed by fastening members such as screws (not shown).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3(a), in a normal state, the counter memory 180 and the conductive member 102a are electrically connected via, for example, a flexible substrate, a conductive sheet metal, a conductive gasket, or the like. And, as shown in FIG. 3(b), when the housing portion 102 is removed from the main body 101, the electrical connection between the counter memory 180 and the conductive member 102a is cut off. In the present embodiment, the housing portion removed first during repair is taken as an example, but it is not limited thereto. A plurality of counter memories 180 may be prepared and connected corresponding to the plurality of housing portions 102 respectively.

[0021] In the imaging device 100 having the above configuration, when the electrical connection between the counter memory 180 and the conductive member 102a is cut off, the information inside the counter memory 180 is changed using this as a trigger. When the housing portion 102 is removed from the main body 101 for the first time, for example, the numerical value “0” stored in the counter memory 180 is incremented by 1 to change to “1”. Thus, a repair person who checks the counter memory 180 can know that the housing portion 102 has been removed once. After that, for example, when the housing portion 102 is returned to the main body 101 and then the housing portion 102 is removed from the main body 101 again, it changes from “1” to “2”.

[0022] Thereby, it becomes possible to read from the counter memory 180 how many times (the number of times) the housing portion 102 has been removed from the main body 101, and a repair person can judge from the difference from the repair record that the housing portion 102 has been removed although it is not in the repair record.

[0023] Furthermore, when a certified repairer performs the repair, the counter memory 180 may be reset to its initial value of "0". In addition, changes in the counter memory 180 are not limited to numerical changes; other representations such as switching between ON and OFF, or date and time information when separated, may also be added. Moreover, the information in the counter memory 180 may be uploaded to the web (cloud) via wired or wireless communication, or output to an external device such as a predetermined information processing device.

[0024] Alternatively, for example, the power supply from the power supply unit 170 may be cut off, such as when the battery in the power supply unit 170 is removed. In such cases, power supply from the internal battery 172 to the counter memory 180 may be started, thereby activating the counter memory 180 and putting it into a state where its internal information can be changed. This allows for power saving during normal use, thus extending the lifespan of the internal battery 172.

[0025] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the disassembly history of electronic devices can be determined by simply adding a few components.

[0026] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the imaging device 200 in the second embodiment. In this embodiment as well, the imaging device 200 will be described as an example of an electronic device. The difference from the imaging device 200 shown in Figure 1 is that a counter memory 180b and a built-in battery 172 are added to the removable housing portion, and the counter memory 180a and counter memory 180b are connected via a conductive member, which will be described later.

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of each component in the imaging device 100 in this embodiment, and an example of the detection and storage processing of changes in electrical connections.

[0028] Figure 5 is a simplified diagram showing the components of the imaging device 100, divided into the main body 201 and the removable housing portion 202. Figure 5(a) shows the state in which the housing portion 202 is not removed from the main body 101, and Figure 5(b) shows the state in which the housing portion 202 has been removed from the main body 201. The housing portion 202 is the first part of the housing that is removed when repairs are performed. Figure 5(c) shows the housing portion 302 that is replaced when the housing portion 202 is replaced. As shown in Figure 5, in the second embodiment, the housing portion 202 is also provided with a counter memory 180b and a built-in battery 172.

[0029] The main unit 201 includes the CPU 120, viewfinder 150, image sensor 110, display device 130, power supply unit 170, memory 160, built-in battery 171, and counter memory 180a, as described in Figures 1 and 2.

[0030] Furthermore, the housing portion 202 includes an input operation section 140, a conductive member 202a, a counter memory 180b, and a built-in battery 172. The main body 201 and the housing portion 202 are fixed together with fastening members such as screws (not shown).

[0031] As shown in Figure 5(a), under normal conditions, the counter memory 180a and the conductive member 202a are electrically connected via a circuit board, sheet metal, etc. Then, as shown in Figure 5(b), when the housing portion 202 is removed from the main body 201, the electrical connection between the counter memory 180a and the conductive member 202a is broken. This break in electrical connection triggers a change in the internal information of both the counter memory 180a and the counter memory 180b. When the housing portion 202 is removed from the main body 201 for the first time, for example, the numerical values ​​"0" stored in both the counter memory 180a and the counter memory 180b are changed to "1" by adding 1. After that, for example, when the housing portion 102 is returned to the main body 101 and then removed again, the value changes from "1" to "2".

[0032] If the casing 202 is replaced with casing 302, which has the counter memory 180c shown in Figure 5(c), the counter memory 180a of the main unit 201 will be "1", while the counter memory 180c of casing 302 will be "0", resulting in different values. Therefore, the repair person can see that the casing has been replaced with one that is different from the one that was originally manufactured.

[0033] As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the same effects as the first embodiment, it is possible to make it clear that the housing portion has been replaced.

[0034] <Summary> This embodiment includes the following configuration.

[0035] (Item 1) A housing for an electronic device, comprising a housing having a removable housing portion containing a conductive material, The housing portion has a memory electrically connected to it, The memory is an electronic device characterized by changing its internal information when the electrical connection to the housing is interrupted, and retaining the changed internal information. (Item 2) The electronic device according to item 1, characterized in that the electrical connection between the memory and the housing is severed when the housing is removed. (Item 3) The electronic device according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing portion is made of a conductive material. (Item 4) The electronic device according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing portion has a conductive member made of a conductive material. (Item 5) The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 4, characterized in that the internal information held by the memory is information indicating that the electrical connection with the housing portion has been severed. (Item 6) The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the internal information held by the memory is information indicating the number of times the electrical connection with the housing portion has been interrupted. (Item 7) The electronic device according to item 5 or 6, characterized in that the memory further stores date and time information when the electrical connection with the housing portion is disconnected. (Item 8) The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 7, further comprising communication means for outputting the internal information of the memory to the outside. (Item 9) A first power supply means for supplying power to the memory, The system further comprises a second power supply means for supplying power to each part of the electronic device excluding the memory, The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 8, characterized in that when the power supply from the second power supply means is cut off, the first power supply means starts supplying power to the memory, thereby starting the memory. (Item 10) The housing includes a plurality of housing parts, The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 9, characterized in that it has a plurality of memories corresponding to each of the plurality of housing portions. (Item 11) The aforementioned enclosure portion includes a second memory, The electronic device according to any one of items 1 to 10, characterized in that the second memory changes its internal information when the electrical connection with the housing is interrupted. (Item 12) The electronic device described in any one of items 1 to 11 is characterized in that the electronic device is an imaging device.

[0036] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 100, 200…Imaging device, 101, 201…Main unit, 102, 202…Housing, 102a, 202a…Conductive material, 110…Image sensor, 120…CPU, 130…Display device, 140…Input operation unit, 150…Finder, 160…Memory, 170…Power supply unit, 171, 172…Built-in battery, 180a, 180b, 180c…Housing

Claims

1. A housing for an electronic device, comprising a housing having a removable housing portion containing a conductive material, The housing portion has a memory electrically connected to it, The memory is an electronic device characterized by changing its internal information when the electrical connection to the housing is interrupted, and retaining the changed internal information.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical connection between the memory and the housing is severed when the housing is removed.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing portion is made of a conductive material.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing portion has a conductive member made of a conductive material.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal information held by the memory is information indicating that the electrical connection with the housing portion has been severed.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal information held by the memory is information indicating the number of times the electrical connection with the housing portion has been interrupted.

7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the memory further stores date and time information when the electrical connection with the housing portion is disconnected.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising communication means for outputting the internal information of the memory to the outside.

9. A first power supply means for supplying power to the memory, The system further includes a second power supply means for supplying power to each part of the electronic device excluding the memory, The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the power supply from the second power supply means is cut off, the first power supply means starts supplying power to the memory, thereby starting the memory.

10. The housing includes a plurality of housing parts, The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a plurality of memories corresponding to each of the plurality of housing portions.

11. The aforementioned housing portion includes a second memory, The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second memory changes its internal information when the electrical connection with the housing portion is interrupted.

12. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the electronic device is an imaging device.

Images