Electronic device

Abstract

To provide an electronic device capable of reliably validating a peripheral device. The present invention includes a mounting tool capable of mounting a peripheral device, a first support tool and a second support tool capable of supporting a member including a conductor shared with the peripheral device, each of the first support tool and the second support tool including a conductor, and a controller that determines whether or not the peripheral device needs to operate based on the electric potential of the second support tool, and the first support tool is connected to a reference point of electric potential. The peripheral device is, for example, a wireless network module.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to electronic devices, for example, electronic devices to which peripheral devices such as wireless network modules can be attached or detached. [Background technology]

[0002] Some electronic devices, including personal computers (PCs), have wireless communication functions. Typical wireless communication functions include short-distance wireless communication using a short-distance wireless network (WLAN: Wireless Local Area Network) and wide-area wireless communication using a wide-area wireless network (WWAN: Wireless Wide Area Network). Short-distance wireless communication is mainly performed between devices within a facility. Wide-area wireless communication is mainly performed with devices located outside the facility as the source or destination.

[0003] For example, the user terminal described in Patent Document 1 is a 5G (5 th The device is equipped with a communication unit for communicating with other devices using a wireless network for mobile communication services based on standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) and LTE (Next Generation), and a wireless network for short-range wireless communication defined in IEEE802.11.

[0004] Manufacturers of electronic devices such as PCs may provide multiple models with different additional functions to meet diverse demands. For example, regarding wireless communication, A. a model (model A) that has a short-range communication function (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "WLAN function") but does not have a wide-area wireless communication function (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "WWAN function"), B. a model (model B) that has a WLAN function but does not have a WWAN function at the time of shipment but allows the attachment of a WWAN module to realize wide-area wireless communication, and C. a model (model C) that has both a WLAN function and a WWAN function. On the other hand, in order to simplify development or inventory management, the hardware base may be shared among multiple models, and the availability of additional functions may be set and differentiated for each model. For example, it is being considered to set the availability of the WWAN function depending on whether or not the attachment of a WWAN module is detected using a proximity sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-097102 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the proximity sensor may cause false detection due to the placement of other components, such as an antenna. In addition, using a detection method different from that of other devices for a specific device, such as a WWAN module, increases the development man-hours and product costs. Therefore, it is expected that the functions of peripheral devices such as wireless communication modules can be reliably enabled in electronic devices that have a common hardware platform. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present application has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an electronic device in one embodiment comprises a mounting device capable of mounting a peripheral device, a first support and a second support capable of supporting a member including a conductor shared with the peripheral device, each of the first support and the second support including a conductor, and a controller that determines whether or not the peripheral device needs to operate based on the electric potential of the second support, and the first support is connected to a potential reference point.

[0008] In the electronic device described above, the peripheral device may be a wireless network module.

[0009] The electronic device may include an antenna, and the member may be a conductor that connects the wireless network module and the antenna.

[0010] In the above electronic device, the member may be a shielding plate that shields the wireless network module.

[0011] The electronic device may further include a resistive element connected to a power supply terminal, and the second support may be connected to the power supply terminal via the resistive element.

[0012] In the above electronic device, the controller may be a system device including a processor.

[0013] The electronic device includes a short-range wireless network module, and the mounting fixture is capable of mounting a wide-area wireless network module as the wireless network module. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the embodiment of the present application, it is possible to reliably enable peripheral devices. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an example of the external configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2]2 is a plan view showing a first arrangement example inside the electronic device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 11 is a plan view showing a second arrangement example inside the electronic device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a support and a coaxial cable according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a system device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 11 is a plan view showing a third arrangement example inside the electronic device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a first arrangement example inside an electronic device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a second arrangement example inside the electronic device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a system device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] <First embodiment> Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overview of an electronic device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the following description, the electronic device 1 will be mainly a notebook PC.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the external configuration of an electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment. The electronic device 1 includes a first housing 62 and a second housing 64. The first housing 62 and the second housing 64 are connected using a fastener 68. In the example of Fig. 1, a pair of hinges 68a, 68b are used as the fastener 68. The hinges 68a, 68b connect the first housing 62 and the second housing 64 to be rotatable by an external force around a rotation axis parallel to one side of each housing.

[0018] The display 14 is disposed on a main surface of the first housing 62. Most of the surface of the first housing 62 is covered by the display surface of the display 14. The keyboard 32k, the touch sensor 32t, and the antenna 42 are arranged on the main surface of the second housing 64. The antenna 42 includes a radiating element. The antenna 42 is installed on one of the side surfaces of the second housing 64 that faces the hinges 68a and 68b.

[0019] Next, an example of the arrangement of members inside electronic device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a first example of the arrangement inside electronic device 1 according to this embodiment. The second housing 64 includes a substrate 52 in its internal space. The substrate 52 is a planar plate on which various components are fixed. On the surface of the substrate 52, the system device 10, a connector 54, supports 57a and 57b, and a resistor element 58 are arranged.

[0020] The system device 10 is a computer system that constitutes the core of the electronic device 1, that is, a host system. The system device 10 functions as a controller that executes processes for implementing and controlling the functions of the electronic device 1. The system device 10 includes a processor and a Platform Controller Hub (PCH). The processor executes various processes instructed by instructions written in a program. The processor includes, for example, one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs). The PCH connects the processor and peripheral devices via wires and controls the input and output of various data. Peripheral devices that input and output data at relatively high speeds are connected to the PCH. For example, a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) module 56, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) module, an audio system, and the like can be connected to the PCH.

[0021] The system device 10 further includes an EC (Embedded Controller). The EC is also connected to other devices by wire and controls the input and output of various data. The EC is connected to devices slower than the PCH, such as various sensors and power circuits, and controls their operation. Sensors to which the EC is connected may include, for example, a temperature sensor, a proximity sensor, and the like.

[0022] The system device 10 detects devices to be connected to itself according to a predetermined input / output method, and executes a connection process with the detected devices. However, for connection to the WWAN module 56, the system device 10 is electrically connected to the support 57b using the conductor 34. The system device 10 includes, for example, a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) terminal, and the conductor 34 is connected using the GPIO terminal. The system device 10 includes a detector that detects the potential generated at the GPIO terminal as the potential of the support 57b.

[0023] The connector 54 is an input / output interface for removably mounting the WWAN module 56 by applying an external force. The connector 54 is configured according to a predetermined standard, and connects the system device 10 and the WWAN module 56 in a wired manner so as to be able to transmit and receive various types of data. The predetermined standard is, for example, the M.2 (M.2) standard.

[0024] The supports 57a and 57b are configured to detachably support the coaxial cable 46 by an external force. The coaxial cable 46 is used as an antenna cable. The supports 57a and 57b are configured to include a conductor having electrical conductivity. The supports 57a and 57b are clips made of metal such as copper, aluminum, etc. The supports 57a and 57b are electrically insulated from each other and are arranged with a gap therebetween. The support 57 a is electrically connected to the potential reference point (GND) of the substrate 52 . The support 57 b is electrically connected to the power supply terminal (VCC) of the substrate 52 via a resistive element 58 . One end of the resistive element 58 is connected to the power supply terminal, and the other end is connected to the support 57b. That is, the resistive element 58 functions as a pull-up resistor. When the resistive element 58 is insulated from the support 57a, the potential of the support 57b becomes higher than the reference potential.

[0025] Next, a configuration example of the support 57a will be described. The support 57b has a similar configuration to the support 57a, and the description thereof will be used. FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the support 57a and the coaxial cable 46. The support 57a is elongated with one side longer than the width, and has a curved shape parallel to the longitudinal direction. The convex surface of the support 57a is placed on the surface of the substrate 52. The concave surface of the support 57a allows the coaxial cable 46 to be inserted along the longitudinal direction.

[0026] Next, a second arrangement example inside the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described, focusing mainly on the differences from the first arrangement example in Fig. 2. For points in common with the first arrangement example, the description thereof will be used unless otherwise specified. 3 is a plan view showing a second arrangement example inside the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment. This arrangement example differs from the first arrangement example in that a WWAN module 56 is attached to the connector 54, and the coaxial cable 46 is supported on the board 52 using supports 57a and 57b.

[0027] The WWAN module 56, when attached to the connector 54, wirelessly transmits and receives various data to and from other devices using the antenna 42. The WWAN module 56 transmits and receives various data to and from the antenna 42 via the coaxial cable 46. The WWAN module 56 connects to the WWAN according to a predetermined wide-area wireless communication method (e.g., 5G, LTE, etc.) and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices connected to the WWAN. The WWAN module 56 converts the frequency band of the transmission data input from the system device 10 from the baseband to the wireless band, supplies a transmission signal carrying the transmission data to the antenna 42, and radiates it wirelessly. On the other hand, the WWAN module 56 converts the frequency band of the reception signal wirelessly received by the antenna 42 from the wireless band to the baseband, and extracts the reception data addressed to the device itself. The WWAN module 56 outputs the extracted reception data to the system device 10.

[0028] In the example of Fig. 3, the insulation coating of the coaxial cable 46 falls off, and the outer conductor is exposed and in contact with both supports 57a and 57b. Therefore, the support 57b is electrically shorted to the potential reference point via the outer conductor and the support 57a. Therefore, the potential of the support 57b becomes equal to the reference potential.

[0029] The system device 10 detects the potential of the support 57b, and determines whether or not the WWAN module 56 needs to operate based on the detected potential. As illustrated in Fig. 3, when the coaxial cable 46 is supported by supports 57a and 57b, the system device 10 detects the potential of the support 57b as L (Low). The coaxial cable 46 is used as an antenna cable connecting the antenna 42 and the WWAN module 56. At this time, the system device 10 determines that the WWAN module 56 needs to operate (is enabled) (Fig. 5). Then, the system device 10 enables the wide-area wireless communication function using the WWAN module 56. The potential L corresponds to a state where the potential is equal to the reference potential or where no significant difference occurs.

[0030] 2, when the coaxial cable 46 is not supported by the supports 57a, 57b, the system device 10 detects the potential of the support 57b as H (High). The potential H corresponds to a state where the potential is significantly higher than the state where the potential is L. At this time, the system device 10 determines that the WWAN module 56 is inoperative (disabled) (FIG. 5). Then, the system device 10 disables the wide-area wireless communication function using the WWAN module 56.

[0031] The WWAN module 56 connected to the connector 54 as described above is connected to the antenna 42 using the coaxial cable 46, thereby realizing a wide-area wireless communication function. The installation work of the coaxial cable 46 on the supports 57a, 57b is simple, and is easy for users to accept in realizing the wide-area wireless communication function. Therefore, whether or not the wide-area wireless communication function needs to be enabled by the WWAN module 56 can be reliably determined based on a potential change according to whether or not the uncoated coaxial cable 46 is supported by the supports 57a, 57b without impairing the merchantability of the electronic device 1.

[0032] The electronic device 1 may further include a WLAN module 55. In the example of Fig. 6, the WLAN module 55 is fixedly disposed on the substrate 52 and connected to the system device 10. The WLAN module 55 wirelessly transmits and receives various data to and from other devices in accordance with a predetermined short-range wireless communication method (e.g., IEEE802.11). The WLAN module 55 may use the antenna 42 or an antenna separate from the antenna 42 when communicating with other devices.

[0033] 6, the following three types of models can be provided on a common hardware platform without compromising marketability: A. A model with WLAN functionality but no wide-area wireless communication functionality, B. A model with WLAN functionality but no WWAN functionality at the time of shipment, but which allows the attachment of a WWAN module to enable wide-area wireless communication, C. A model with both WLAN and WWAN functionality.

[0034] <Second embodiment> Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing mainly on the differences from the first embodiment. For the points in common with the first embodiment, the description thereof will be used unless otherwise specified. An example of the arrangement of members inside electronic device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a first example of the arrangement inside electronic device 1 according to this embodiment. The second housing 64 of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment also includes a substrate 52 . This embodiment differs in that, in addition to the system device 10, the connector 54, and the resistive element 58, supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2 are provided on the surface of the substrate 52, and supports 57a and 57b are omitted.

[0035] The supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2 are configured to include a conductor having electrical conductivity. The supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2 are electrically insulated from each other and arranged at intervals. The supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2 are disposed along the outer edge of the WWAN module 56 when the WWAN module 56 is attached to the connector 54. The interval between the supports 57u1 and 57d1 is approximately equal to the width of the WWAN module 56, and the interval between the supports 57u1 and 57u2 and the interval between the supports 57d1 and 57d2 are each shorter than the length of the WWAN module 56.

[0036] The supports 57u1, 57d1, and 57d2 are each electrically connected to the potential reference point (GND). The support 57u2 is connected to a power supply terminal (VCC) via a resistive element 58. The supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2 fix a shield plate 59 so as to cover the entire surface of the WWAN module 56 attached to the connector 54. The supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2 each have a form that supports the shield plate 59 so that it can be detached by an external force. For example, the supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2 may each have a form that clamps the outer edge of the shield plate 59.

[0037] The shielding plate 59 is a flat plate made of a conductor. The shielding plate 59 is made of, for example, a metal such as copper or aluminum. The width of the shielding plate 59 is approximately equal to the sum of the width of the WWAN module 56 and the width of the supports 57u1 and 57d1 or the width of the supports 57u2 and 57d2. The length of the shielding plate 59 is approximately equal to the length of the WWAN module 56. When the shielding plate 59 is installed, the electromagnetic waves radiated from the WWAN module 56 are shielded by the shielding plate 59. Therefore, the electromagnetic waves leaking from the second housing 64 are suppressed.

[0038] The system device 10 is electrically connected to the support 57u2 by using the conductor 34. The system device 10 detects the potential of the support 57u2, and determines whether or not the WWAN module 56 needs to operate based on the detected potential. 8, when the shielding plate 59 is supported by the supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2, the system device 10 detects the potential of the support 57u2 as L. At this time, the system device 10 determines that the WWAN module 56 needs to operate (is enabled) (FIG. 9). Then, the system device 10 enables the wide-area wireless communication function using the WWAN module 56.

[0039] 7, when the shielding plate 59 is not supported by the supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2, the system device 10 detects the electric potential of the support 57u2 as H. At this time, the system device 10 determines that the WWAN module 56 is inoperative (disabled) (FIG. 9). Then, the system device 10 disables the wide-area wireless communication function using the WWAN module 56.

[0040] When the WWAN module 56 connected to the connector 54 executes the wide-area wireless communication function as described above, it radiates electromagnetic waves including components of the wireless band. The installation work of the shielding plate 59 on the supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2 is simple, and is easy for users to accept in suppressing electromagnetic waves generated by the wide-area wireless communication function. Therefore, whether or not the wide-area wireless communication function needs to be enabled by the WWAN module 56 can be reliably determined based on the potential change according to whether or not the shielding plate 59 is supported by the supports 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, and 57d2 without impairing the marketability of the electronic device 1.

[0041] In this embodiment, the coaxial cable 46 connecting the WWAN module 56 and the antenna 42 may or may not be supported by supports 57a and 57b as shown in Fig. 2, 3, and 6. In addition, as shown in Fig. 6, a WLAN module 55 may be installed on the substrate 52, and the WLAN module 55 may be connected to the system device 10.

[0042] As described above, the electronic device 1 of this embodiment includes a mounting fixture (e.g., connector 54) to which a peripheral device can be attached, a first support (e.g., supports 57a, 57u1, 57d1, 57d2) and a second support (e.g., supports 57b, 57u2) capable of supporting a member including a conductor shared with the peripheral device and each including a conductor, and a controller that determines the attached peripheral device based on the electric potential of the second support, and the first support is connected to the electric potential reference point. According to this configuration, when a member used together with the peripheral device is supported by both the first support and the second support, the second support is shorted to the potential reference point, and the potential of the second support becomes the reference potential. When a member including a conductor is not supported by either the first support or the second support, the second support is not shorted to the potential reference point, and the potential of the second support deviates from the reference potential. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not to enable the function of the peripheral device based on the potential of the second support.

[0043] Moreover, the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment may be implemented as follows. The peripheral device may be a wireless network module. The electronic device 1 includes an antenna 42, and the above-mentioned member may be a conductor (eg, an unsheathed coaxial cable 46) connected to the antenna 42. The member may be a shielding plate 59 that shields the wireless network module.

[0044] The electronic device 1 may include a resistive element 58 connected to the power supply terminal VCC, and the second support may be connected to the power supply terminal VCC via the resistive element 58. The controller may be a system device 10 that includes a processor. The electronic device 1 may include a WLAN module 55, and the above-mentioned wearing fixture may be capable of mounting a WWAN module 56 as the above-mentioned wireless network module.

[0045] In the above description, the case where the peripheral device to be determined whether to activate is the WWAN module 56 has been taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. A peripheral device other than the WWAN module 56 may be determined whether to activate, and whether or not a member used together with the peripheral device is installed may be determined. For example, instead of the WWAN module 56, or together with the WWAN module 56, whether or not to activate the function of the WLAN module 55 may be determined. The peripheral device to be determined whether to activate may be an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an audio system, a video system, or the like. The electronic device 1 is not limited to a PC, and may be another type of information terminal device such as a tablet terminal device or a multi-function mobile phone.

[0046] Although the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and designs within the scope of the present invention are also included. The configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined in any combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1...electronic device, 10...system device, 14...display, 32k...keyboard, 32t...touch sensor, 34...conductor, 42...antenna, 46...coaxial cable, 52...substrate, 54...connector, 55...WLAN module, 56...WWAN module, 57 (57a, 57b, 57u1, 57u2, 57d1, 57d2)...support, 58...resistance element, 59...shielding plate, 62...first housing, 64...second housing, 68a, 68b...hinges,

Claims

1. An antenna, a mounting fixture capable of mounting a wireless network module; a first support and a second support each including a conductor, the first support and the second support being capable of supporting a cable covered with an external conductor that connects the wireless network module and an antenna; a controller that determines whether or not the wireless network module needs to be operated based on the potential of the second support; The first support is connected to a potential reference point. electronic equipment.

2. A mounting device capable of mounting a wireless network module; a first support and a second support each including a conductor, the first support and the second support being capable of supporting a shielding plate that shields the wireless network module; a controller that determines whether or not the wireless network module needs to be operated based on the potential of the second support; The first support is connected to a potential reference point. electronic equipment.

3. A resistive element connected to a power supply terminal, The second support is connected to the power supply terminal via the resistive element.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The controller: A system device having a processor 3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Further comprising a short-range wireless network module; The mounting fixture is capable of mounting a wide-area wireless network module as the wireless network module.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

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