Electronic device, electronic system and non-transitory computer readable storage medium

Abstract

An electronic device includes a chassis, a mechanical stress or strain sensor and a controller. The chassis includes an engaging structure. The mechanical stress or strain sensor is disposed in the chassis and is positioned corresponding to the engaging structure. The mechanical stress or strain sensor is configured to provide a sensing signal indicative of a deformation degree of the engaging portion. The controller is electrically coupled to the mechanical stress or strain sensor. The controller is configured to receive the sensing signal and, based on the sensing signal, determine whether the electronic device is connected to a docking station.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to an electronic device, an electronic system and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Electronic devices such as notebook computers can be paired with expansion docks to obtain additional functions, such as additional input / output ports (I / O ports). In some application scenarios, electronic devices need to detect whether an expansion dock is connected. Therefore, how to quickly and reliably detect whether an electronic device is connected to an expansion dock is one of the goals that engineers in related fields are striving for. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] In view of this, one object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device that can quickly and reliably detect whether an expansion dock is connected.

[0004] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, an electronic device includes a housing, at least one stress or strain sensor, and a controller. The housing includes at least one engaging structure. The stress or strain sensor is disposed in the housing and corresponding to the engaging structure. The stress or strain sensor is configured to provide at least one sensing signal reflecting the degree of deformation of the engaging structure. The controller is electrically connected to the stress or strain sensor and configured to receive the sensing signal and determine, based on the sensing signal, whether the electronic device is connected to at least one expansion dock.

[0005] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the electronic device further includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting the controller, the electrical connector being configured to connect to the expansion dock. The controller is also configured to send a notification signal to the expansion dock via the electrical connector in response to a determination that the electronic device is connected to the expansion dock, the expansion dock entering an operational state upon receiving the notification signal.

[0006] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the electronic device further includes at least one circuit board disposed in a housing and abutting against the inner wall surface of the base of the engaging structure. A stress or strain sensor is disposed on the circuit board.

[0007] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the electronic device further includes a fastener that secures the circuit board to the housing. A stress or strain sensor is located between the fastener and the base of the engagement structure.

[0008] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the inner wall surface of the base of the engaging structure has a groove, into which the circuit board is inserted.

[0009] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the stress or strain sensor provides at least one sensing signal that is multiple and corresponds to a measurement time, and the controller is configured to determine whether the electronic device is connected to the expansion dock based on the multiple sensing signals.

[0010] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, at least one expansion dock includes a first expansion dock and a second expansion dock. The controller is configured to determine that the electronic device is connected to the first expansion dock when the value of the sensing signal falls within a first value range, to determine that the electronic device is connected to the second expansion dock when the value of the sensing signal falls within a second value range, and to determine that the electronic device is not connected to any expansion dock when the value of the sensing signal falls within a third value range, wherein the first value range, the second value range, and the third value range do not overlap.

[0011] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, there are multiple engaging structures and stress or strain sensors, with each stress or strain sensor corresponding to one of the engaging structures. The controller is configured to determine whether the electronic device is connected to the expansion dock based on the sensing signal provided by each stress or strain sensor.

[0012] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the expansion dock includes a first expansion dock and a second expansion dock. The controller determines whether the electronic device is connected to the first expansion dock, connected to the second expansion dock, or not connected to any expansion dock based on which of the plurality of stress or strain sensors provide sensing signals that reach a threshold value.

[0013] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the electronic device further includes a magnetic field sensor disposed in the housing and configured to detect a magnet on the expansion dock. A controller is electrically connected to the magnetic field sensor and configured to determine that the electronic device is connected to the expansion dock when the magnetic field sensor detects a magnet and the value of the sensing signal falls within a range.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic system includes at least one expansion socket and the aforementioned electronic device. The expansion socket includes at least one snap-fit ​​structure configured to engage with a snap-fit ​​structure of the housing of the electronic device.

[0015] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the expansion dock further includes a first electrical connector, and the electronic device further includes a second electrical connector for an electrical connection controller, the second electrical connector being configured to connect to the first electrical connector. The controller is also configured to send a notification signal to the expansion dock via the first and second electrical connectors in response to a determination that the electronic device is connected to the expansion dock, and the expansion dock entering an operational state upon receiving the notification signal.

[0016] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the engaging structure of the housing includes a base, and the snap-fit ​​structure of the expansion seat is configured to positively press against the base. The electronic device further includes at least one circuit board disposed in the housing and abutting against the inner wall surface of the base of the engaging structure. A stress or strain sensor is disposed on the circuit board.

[0017] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the electronic device further includes a fastener that secures the circuit board to the housing. A stress or strain sensor is located between the fastener and the base of the engagement structure.

[0018] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, there are multiple engaging structures and stress or strain sensors, with each stress or strain sensor corresponding to one of the engaging structures. The controller is configured to determine whether the electronic device is connected to the expansion dock based on the sensing signal provided by each stress or strain sensor.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is configured to store one or more instructions, which, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to perform the following operations: receive at least one sensing signal from at least one stress or strain sensor, the sensing signal reflecting the degree of deformation of at least one engaging structure of the electronic device; and determine, based on the sensing signal, whether the electronic device is connected to at least one expansion dock.

[0020] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, when the controller executes an instruction, the instruction causes the controller to further perform the following operations: send a notification signal to the expansion dock in response to a determination that the electronic device is connected to the expansion dock, and the expansion dock enters a working state in response to receiving the notification signal.

[0021] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, there are multiple sensing signals and each corresponds to a measurement time period. The controller is configured to determine whether the electronic device is connected to the expansion dock based on the multiple sensing signals.

[0022] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, the expansion dock includes a first expansion dock and a second expansion dock. The controller is configured to determine that the electronic device is connected to the first expansion dock when the value of the sensing signal falls within a first value range, to determine that the electronic device is connected to the second expansion dock when the value of the sensing signal falls within a second value range, and to determine that the electronic device is not connected to any expansion dock when the value of the sensing signal falls within a third value range. The first value range, the second value range, and the third value range do not overlap.

[0023] In one or more embodiments disclosed herein, there are multiple engaging structures and stress or strain sensors, with each stress or strain sensor corresponding to one of the engaging structures. The controller is configured to determine whether the electronic device is connected to the expansion dock based on the sensing signal provided by each stress or strain sensor.

[0024] In summary, the electronic device disclosed herein utilizes a stress or strain sensor to implement a detection mechanism for connection to the expansion socket. Specifically, the stress or strain sensor of the electronic device is used to detect whether the locking structure of the electronic device's housing is compressed by the locking structure of the expansion socket. The controller of the electronic device can obtain information from the stress or strain sensor and determine whether the electronic device is connected to the expansion socket. With the above configuration, the electronic device can quickly and reliably determine the connection status between the electronic device and the expansion socket.

Implementation Method

[0025] To make the description of this disclosure more detailed and complete, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings and the various embodiments described below. The elements in the drawings are not drawn to scale and are provided for illustrative purposes only. Many practical details are described below to provide a comprehensive understanding of this disclosure; however, those skilled in the art should understand that this disclosure can be practiced without one or more of these practical details, and therefore, these details should not be used to limit this disclosure.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a top view illustrating an electronic system 12 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown, the electronic system 12 includes an electronic device 20 and an expansion dock 50. The electronic device 20 is, for example, a notebook computer or tablet computer. The electronic device 20 can be mounted on the expansion dock 50 to obtain additional functions. For example, the expansion dock 50 can provide the electronic device 20 with additional input / output ports (e.g., HDMI, USB, LAN ports), an external antenna for the electronic device 20, and power supply to the electronic device 20. The expansion dock 50 can be connected to a power source (not shown), which can provide the power required for the operation of the expansion dock 50.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3 together. Figure 2 is a bottom view of the electronic device 20 of the electronic system 12 shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a top view of the expansion mount 50 of the electronic system 12 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the electronic device 20 includes a housing 21, the internal space of which is used to accommodate various electronic or mechanical parts of the electronic device 20, such as a motherboard and various electronic components mounted on the motherboard, a battery, a display, a heat sink, a fan, etc. The housing 21 of the electronic device 20 includes at least one engaging structure 22 (indicated by dashed lines), which is located on the outside of the housing 21. In this embodiment, the housing 21 includes a plurality of engaging structures 22, which are disposed on at least two edges of the housing 21, for example, on opposite edges of the housing 21.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the expansion dock 50 includes a housing 51 for accommodating various electronic or mechanical components of the expansion dock 50. The housing 51 of the expansion dock 50 includes at least one snap-fit ​​structure 52, which is configured to engage with a locking structure 22 of the electronic device 20 when the electronic device 20 is mounted on the expansion dock 50, thereby securing the electronic device 20. In this embodiment, the housing 51 includes a plurality of snap-fit ​​structures 52, which are disposed on at least two edges of the housing 51, for example, on opposite edges of the housing 51. The snap-fit ​​structures 52 and the locking structures 22 are disposed at corresponding positions on the expansion dock 50 and the electronic device 20, and each snap-fit ​​structure 52 can engage with a corresponding locking structure 22. In this embodiment, the engaging structure 22 of the electronic device 20 is a concave structure, and the latching structure 52 of the expansion seat 50 is configured to be inserted into the engaging structure 22 and press against the engaging structure 22.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the expansion dock 50 and the electronic device 20 each include a first electrical connector 53 and a second electrical connector 23. When the electronic device 20 is mounted on the expansion dock 50, the second electrical connector 23 is configured to connect with the first electrical connector 53. The expansion dock 50 and the electronic device 20 can communicate by transmitting electronic signals (e.g., data transmission or control signal transmission) through the second electrical connector 23 and the first electrical connector 53. The expansion dock 50 can also supply power to the electronic device 20 through the second electrical connector 23 and the first electrical connector 53.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first electrical connector 53 and the second electrical connector 23 are disposed at corresponding positions on the expansion socket 50 and the electronic device 20. The second electrical connector 23 is disposed, for example, on the bottom or back of the housing 21, while the first electrical connector 53 is disposed, for example, on the top surface of the housing 51 (i.e., the surface of the housing 51 facing the electronic device 20). As described above, the electronic device 20 is fixed to the expansion socket 50 through the cooperation of the snap-fit ​​structure 52 and the engaging structure 22. In this way, the first electrical connector 53 and the second electrical connector 23 can be stably connected, that is, the expansion socket 50 and the electronic device 20 can be stably connected. In some embodiments, the second electrical connector 23 of the electronic device 20 and the first electrical connector 53 of the expansion socket 50 may include one or more spring pin connectors, conductive springs, conductive contacts, conductive pins, or any combination thereof, indicated by circles in the figures, and their specific structures are not shown.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic system 12 shown in Figure 1 at the line segment 4-4'. As shown, the electronic device 20 further includes at least one stress or strain sensor 24 disposed in the housing 21 and corresponding to the engagement structure 22, and configured to provide at least one sensing signal reflecting the degree of deformation of the corresponding engagement structure 22. In some embodiments, each engagement structure 22 of the electronic device 20 is provided with at least one corresponding stress or strain sensor 24. In some embodiments, a portion of the engagement structure 22 of the electronic device 20 is provided with at least one corresponding stress or strain sensor 24. In some embodiments, the stress or strain sensor 24 may comprise a piezoelectric material or a piezoresistive material.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the electronic device 20 further includes a controller 25, which is electrically connected to the stress or strain sensor 24 and configured to receive sensing signals and determine whether the electronic device 20 is connected to the expansion socket 50 based on the sensing signals. In some embodiments, when the value of the sensing signal falls within a predetermined value range (e.g., when the value of the sensing signal reaches a first threshold value, representing that the engaging structure 22 has reached a certain degree of deformation), the controller 25 determines that the electronic device 20 is connected to the expansion socket 50; conversely, when the value of the sensing signal falls outside the aforementioned predetermined value range (e.g., when the value of the sensing signal does not reach the first threshold value, representing that the engaging structure 22 has not reached a certain degree of deformation), the controller 25 determines that the electronic device 20 is not connected to the expansion socket 50. In some embodiments, the controller 25 of the electronic device 20 is an embedded controller (EC).

[0033] The electronic device 20 disclosed herein utilizes a stress or strain sensor 24 to implement a detection mechanism for connecting to the expansion socket 50. This mechanism can quickly and reliably determine the connection status between the electronic device 20 and the expansion socket 50. Furthermore, it does not require the use of the aforementioned first electrical connector 53 and second electrical connector 23 for detection, and the pins of the first electrical connector 53 and second electrical connector 23 can be reserved for other functions.

[0034] In some embodiments, the controller 25 is further configured to send a notification signal to the expansion dock 50 via the first electrical connector 53 and the second electrical connector 23 in response to a determination that the electronic device 20 is connected to the expansion dock 50. Upon receiving the notification signal, the expansion dock 50 enters an operational state; for example, the expansion dock 50 switches from a standby state to an operational state upon receiving the notification signal. Therefore, the expansion dock 50 can remain in a standby state when the electronic device 20 is not connected to save power, and the first electrical connector 53 can be de-energized in the standby state, complying with safety regulations. In some embodiments, the controller 25 is further configured to drive the display (not shown) of the electronic device 20 to display a notification in response to a determination that the electronic device 20 is connected to the expansion dock 50, informing the user that the electronic device 20 has been connected to the expansion dock 50.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the engaging structure 22 may include a base 27 and sidewall portions 28 disposed around the base 27. The latching structure 52 of the expansion seat 50 is configured to positively press against the base 27 of the engaging structure 22. In some embodiments, the electronic device 20 further includes at least one circuit board disposed in the housing 21, including at least one first circuit board 26P, which abuts against the inner wall surface of the base 27 of the engaging structure 22. Therefore, when the base 27 of the engaging structure 22 is pressed by the latching structure 52 of the expansion seat 50, the first circuit board 26P deforms together with the base 27 of the engaging structure 22. A stress or strain sensor 24 is disposed on the first circuit board 26P and electrically connected to the first circuit board 26P. At least one first sensing signal provided by stress or strain sensor 24 can reflect the degree of deformation of the first circuit board 26P. Since the degree of deformation of the first circuit board 26P is related to the degree of deformation of the engaging structure 22, the first sensing signal provided by stress or strain sensor 24 indirectly reflects the degree of deformation of the engaging structure 22. In some embodiments, the first circuit board 26P is substantially perpendicular to the base 27 of the engaging structure 22.

[0036] When the electronic device 20 includes a plurality of stress or strain sensors 24, the plurality of stress or strain sensors 24 may be disposed on different first circuit boards 26P to detect the deformation of each first circuit board 26P. The plurality of stress or strain sensors 24 may also be disposed at different positions on the same first circuit board 26P to detect the deformation of the same first circuit board 26P at different positions.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, in some embodiments, the electronic device 20 further includes a fastener 29 (e.g., a screw) that secures the first circuit board 26P to the housing 21. Specifically, the fastener 29 can pass through the first circuit board 26P and be inserted into a locking hole on the housing 21 to secure the first circuit board 26P. In some embodiments, a stress or strain sensor 24 is located between the fastener 29 and the base 27 of the engaging structure 22 to detect deformation of the first circuit board 26P.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the controller 25 is disposed on and electrically connected to the second circuit board 26Q of the electronic device 20. The first circuit board 26P and the second circuit board 26Q can be connected via a ribbon cable 31 (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board (FPC)) to allow the controller 25 to receive a first sensing signal from the stress or strain sensor 24. In other embodiments, the controller 25 and the stress or strain sensor 24 can be disposed on the same circuit board, and the controller 25 is electrically connected to the stress or strain sensor 24 via circuitry on or inside the circuit board, and receives the first sensing signal from the stress or strain sensor 24.

[0039] In some embodiments, the electronic device 20 includes a plurality of engaging structures 22 and a plurality of stress or strain sensors 24, each stress or strain sensor 24 being disposed corresponding to one of the engaging structures 22. The controller 25 is configured to determine whether the electronic device 20 is connected to the expansion dock 50 based on a first sensing signal provided by each stress or strain sensor 24. In some embodiments, when the value of the first sensing signal provided by each stress or strain sensor 24 falls within the aforementioned predetermined value range, the controller 25 determines that the electronic device 20 is connected to the expansion dock 50; conversely, when the value of the first sensing signal provided by any stress or strain sensor 24 falls outside the aforementioned predetermined value range, the controller 25 determines that the electronic device 20 is not connected to the expansion dock 50.

[0040] In some embodiments, the stress or strain sensor 24 provides at least a plurality of first sensing signals corresponding to a measurement period, and the controller 25 is configured to determine whether the electronic device 20 is connected to the expansion dock 50 based on the plurality of first sensing signals. With the above configuration, the controller 25 can be prevented from misjudging whether the electronic device 20 is connected to the expansion dock 50 due to vibration.

[0041] In some embodiments, when the controller 25 records the connection status of the electronic device 20 and the expansion dock 50 as "not connected", the controller 25 can receive a first sensing signal from the stress or strain sensor 24 at multiple different time points within a period of time (e.g., one first sensing signal every ten milliseconds, for a total of ten first sensing signals). If the number of first sensing signals whose values ​​fall within the above-mentioned predetermined value range reaches a preset number, the controller 25 determines that the connection status of the electronic device 20 and the expansion dock 50 has changed to "connected", otherwise it determines that the electronic device 20 and the expansion dock 50 remain in the "not connected" connection status.

[0042] In some embodiments, when the controller 25 records the connection status of the electronic device 20 and the expansion dock 50 as "connected", the controller 25 can receive a first sensing signal from the stress or strain sensor 24 at multiple different time points within a period of time (e.g., one first sensing signal every ten milliseconds, for a total of ten first sensing signals). If the number of first sensing signals whose values ​​fall outside the above-mentioned predetermined value range reaches a preset number, the controller 25 determines that the connection status of the electronic device 20 and the expansion dock 50 has changed to "not connected", otherwise it determines that the electronic device 20 and the expansion dock 50 maintain the "connected" connection status.

[0043] In some embodiments, different types of expansion docks 50 (e.g., vehicle expansion docks and office expansion docks) can provide different functions, and the controller 25 can identify that the electronic device 20 is connected to different types of expansion docks 50 so that the electronic device 20 can perform different operations.

[0044] In some embodiments, the controller 25 is configured to determine whether the electronic device 20 is connected to a first expansion dock, a second expansion dock, or not connected to any expansion dock based on which of the sensors among the plurality of stress or strain sensors 24 provide a first sensing signal value that reaches a first threshold value. In this embodiment, the controller 25 relies on the different positions of the latching structures 52 of different types of expansion docks 50 to distinguish between them.

[0045] For example, the electronic device 20 may include three engaging structures 22 and corresponding three stress or strain sensors 24. The electronic device 20 can identify two different types of expansion sockets 50: a first expansion socket and a second expansion socket. The first expansion socket may include two latching structures 52 configured to engage with the first and second engaging structures 22 of the electronic device 20, respectively. The second expansion socket may include two latching structures 52 configured to engage with the first and third engaging structures 22 of the electronic device 20, respectively. Therefore, when the values ​​of the first sensing signals provided by the first and second stress or strain sensors 24 reach a first threshold value, the controller 25 can determine that the electronic device 20 is connected to the first expansion socket. When the values ​​of the first sensing signals provided by the first and third stress or strain sensors 24 reach the first threshold value, the controller 25 can determine that the electronic device 20 is connected to the second expansion socket. In other cases, the controller 25 can determine that the electronic device 20 is not connected to any expansion socket.

[0046] In some embodiments, the controller 25 is configured to determine that the electronic device 20 is connected to the first expansion dock when the value of the first sensing signal provided by the stress or strain sensor 24 falls within a first value range, to determine that the electronic device 20 is connected to the second expansion dock when the value of the first sensing signal falls within a second value range, and to determine that the electronic device 20 is not connected to any expansion dock when the value of the first sensing signal falls within a third value range, wherein the first value range, the second value range, and the third value range do not overlap. In this embodiment, the controller 25 relies on the characteristic that the latching structures 52 of different types of expansion docks 50 have different latching forces to distinguish between different types of expansion docks 50.

[0047] For example, if the latching force of the first expansion dock's latching structure 52 is greater than the latching force of the second expansion dock's latching structure 52, the controller 25 can determine that the electronic device 20 is connected to the first expansion dock when the value of the first sensing signal reaches the second threshold value, determine that the electronic device 20 is connected to the second expansion dock when the value of the first sensing signal does not reach the second threshold value but reaches the third threshold value (the third threshold value is less than the second threshold value), and determine that the electronic device 20 is not connected to any expansion dock when the value of the first sensing signal does not reach the third threshold value.

[0048] In some embodiments, the controller 25 has a built-in non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., flash memory or EEPROM, not shown) that stores one or more instructions executable by the controller 25, which, when executed, cause the controller 25 to perform the various operations described herein.

[0049] Please refer back to Figure 1. In some embodiments, the expansion dock 50 further includes a magnet 57, which may be disposed inside or on the surface of the housing 51. Correspondingly, the electronic device 20 further includes a magnetic field sensor 37 (e.g., a Hall effect sensor), which is disposed in the housing 21 and configured to detect the magnet 57 of the expansion dock 50. The controller 25 is electrically connected to the magnetic field sensor 37 and configured to determine that the electronic device 20 is connected to the expansion dock 50 when the magnetic field sensor 37 detects the magnet 57 and the value of the first sensing signal falls within the aforementioned predetermined value range. In some embodiments, the magnetic field sensor 37 is configured to provide at least one second sensing signal, which displays the magnetic field strength measured by the magnetic field sensor 37. The controller 25 is configured to receive the second sensing signal from the magnetic field sensor 37. When the second sensing signal indicates that the magnetic field strength reaches a fourth threshold value, the controller 25 determines that the magnetic field sensor 37 has detected the magnet 57 of the expansion dock 50.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an electronic system according to another embodiment of this disclosure. One difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the inner wall surface of the base 27A of the engaging structure 22A of the electronic device 20A has a groove 35, into which the first circuit board 26P is inserted. In other words, the base 27A of the engaging structure 22A includes a first portion and a second portion, the thickness of the first portion being less than that of the second portion, and the first circuit board 26P abutting against the first portion. Thus, when the latching structure 52A of the housing 51A of the expansion seat 50A presses against the engaging structure 22A, the first circuit board 26P is more easily deformed along with the engaging structure 22A.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, another difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the latching structure 52A of the expansion base 50A has a rounded corner 56, so that the latching structure 52A of the expansion base 50A protrudes from the periphery in the middle position, so that the latching structure 52A of the expansion base 50A can press the engaging structure 22A, so that the engaging structure 22A and the first circuit board 26P will have deformations that are easier to detect.

[0052] In summary, the electronic device disclosed herein utilizes a stress or strain sensor to implement a detection mechanism for connection to the expansion socket. Specifically, the stress or strain sensor of the electronic device is used to detect whether the locking structure of the electronic device's housing is compressed by the locking structure of the expansion socket. The controller of the electronic device can obtain information from the stress or strain sensor and determine whether the electronic device is connected to the expansion socket. With the above configuration, the electronic device can quickly and reliably determine the connection status between the electronic device and the expansion socket.

[0053] Although this disclosure has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit this disclosure. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure shall be determined by the appended claims. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0054] To make the above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the accompanying drawings are described as follows: Figure 1 is a top view illustrating an assembly of an electronic system according to one embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a bottom view illustrating the electronic device of the electronic system shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a top view illustrating the expansion socket of the electronic system shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electronic system shown in Figure 1 at the line segment 4-4'. Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an electronic system according to another embodiment of this disclosure. [Biomaterial Storage]

[0056] Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date, and number): None. International storage information (please note in order of storage country, institution, date, and number): None.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: a housing including at least one engaging structure; at least one stress or strain sensor disposed in the housing and corresponding to the at least one engaging structure, the at least one stress or strain sensor configured to provide at least one sensing signal reflecting the degree of deformation of the at least one engaging structure; and a controller electrically connected to the at least one stress or strain sensor and configured to receive the at least one sensing signal and determine, based on the at least one sensing signal, whether the electronic device is connected to at least one expansion dock.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector electrically connected to the controller, the electrical connector being configured to connect to the at least one expansion dock, wherein the controller is further configured to send a notification signal to the at least one expansion dock via the electrical connector in response to a determination that the electronic device is connected to the at least one expansion dock, and the at least one expansion dock entering an operational state in response to receiving the notification signal.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one engaging structure of the housing includes a base, wherein the electronic device further includes at least one circuit board disposed in the housing and abutting against an inner wall surface of the base of the at least one engaging structure, wherein the at least one stress or strain sensor is disposed on the at least one circuit board.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3 further includes a fastener that secures the at least one circuit board to the housing, wherein the at least one stress or strain sensor is located between the fastener and the base of the at least one engaging structure.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inner wall surface of the base of the at least one engaging structure has a groove, and the at least one circuit board is inserted into the groove.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensing signal is a plurality of signals and corresponds to a measurement time, and the controller is configured to determine whether the electronic device is connected to the at least one expansion dock based on the sensing signals.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one expansion dock includes a first expansion dock and a second expansion dock, the controller is configured to determine that the electronic device is connected to the first expansion dock when the value of the at least one sensing signal falls within a first value range, to determine that the electronic device is connected to the second expansion dock when the value of the at least one sensing signal falls within a second value range, and to determine that the electronic device is not connected to any expansion dock when the value of the at least one sensing signal falls within a third value range, wherein the first value range, the second value range, and the third value range do not overlap.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are multiple at least one engaging structure and at least one stress or strain sensor, each of the stress or strain sensors being provided corresponding to one of the engaging structures, and the controller is configured to determine whether the electronic device is connected to the at least one expansion dock based on at least one sensing signal provided by each of the stress or strain sensors.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one expansion dock includes a first expansion dock and a second expansion dock, and the controller determines whether the electronic device is connected to the first expansion dock, connected to the second expansion dock, or not connected to any expansion dock based on which of the stress or strain sensors provides a threshold value for the value of the at least one sensing signal.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a magnetic field sensor disposed in the housing and configured to detect a magnet of the at least one expansion dock, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the magnetic field sensor and configured to determine that the electronic device is connected to the at least one expansion dock when the magnetic field sensor detects the magnet and the value of the at least one sensing signal falls within a range.

11. An electronic system comprising: at least one expansion dock including at least one snap-fit ​​structure; and an electronic device comprising: a housing including at least one engagement structure, wherein the at least one snap-fit ​​structure of the at least one expansion dock is configured to engage with the at least one engagement structure; at least one stress or strain sensor disposed in the housing and corresponding to the at least one engagement structure, the at least one stress or strain sensor being configured to provide at least one sensing signal reflecting the degree of deformation of the at least one engagement structure; and a controller electrically connected to the at least one stress or strain sensor and configured to receive the at least one sensing signal and determine, based on the at least one sensing signal, whether the electronic device is connected to the at least one expansion dock.

12. The electronic system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one expansion dock further includes a first electrical connector, the electronic device further includes a second electrical connector electrically connected to the controller, the second electrical connector being configured to connect to the first electrical connector, wherein the controller is further configured to send a notification signal to the at least one expansion dock via the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector in response to a determination that the electronic device is connected to the at least one expansion dock, and the at least one expansion dock entering an operational state in response to receiving the notification signal.

13. The electronic system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one engaging structure of the housing includes a base, the at least one latching structure of the at least one expansion seat is configured to positively press the base, wherein the electronic device further includes at least one circuit board disposed in the housing and abutting against an inner wall surface of the base of the at least one engaging structure, wherein the at least one stress or strain sensor is disposed on the at least one circuit board.

14. The electronic system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the electronic device further includes a fastener that secures the at least one circuit board to the housing, wherein the at least one stress or strain sensor is located between the fastener and the base of the at least one engaging structure.

15. The electronic system as claimed in claim 11, wherein there are multiple engagement structures and multiple stress or strain sensors, each of the stress or strain sensors being provided corresponding to one of the engagement structures, and the controller is configured to determine whether the electronic device is connected to the at least one expansion dock based on at least one sensing signal provided by each of the stress or strain sensors.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store one or more instructions, which, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to perform the following operations: receiving at least one sensing signal from at least one stress or strain sensor electrically connected to the controller, wherein the at least one stress or strain sensor is disposed in a housing of an electronic device and corresponding to at least one engaging structure of the housing, wherein the at least one sensing signal reflects the degree of deformation of the at least one engaging structure; and determining, based on the at least one sensing signal, whether the electronic device is connected to at least one expansion dock.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in claim 16, wherein when the controller executes the one or more instructions, the one or more instructions cause the controller to further perform the following operations: sending a notification signal to the at least one expansion dock in response to a determination that the electronic device is connected to the at least one expansion dock, wherein the at least one expansion dock enters an operational state in response to receiving the notification signal.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in claim 16, wherein the at least one sensing signal is a plurality of signals and corresponds to a measurement period, and the controller is configured to determine, based on the sensing signals, whether the electronic device is connected to the at least one expansion dock.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in claim 16, wherein the at least one expansion dock includes a first expansion dock and a second expansion dock, the controller being configured to determine that the electronic device is connected to the first expansion dock when the value of the at least one sensing signal falls within a first value range, to determine that the electronic device is connected to the second expansion dock when the value of the at least one sensing signal falls within a second value range, and to determine that the electronic device is not connected to any expansion dock when the value of the at least one sensing signal falls within a third value range, wherein the first value range, the second value range, and the third value range do not overlap.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described in claim 16, wherein there are multiple engagement structures and multiple stress or strain sensors, each of the stress or strain sensors being provided corresponding to one of the engagement structures, and the controller is configured to determine whether the electronic device is connected to the at least one expansion dock based on at least one sensing signal provided by each of the stress or strain sensors.

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