Circuit device, charging device, connector user restriction method, and connector holder

Abstract

A circuit device (100) is provided with a circuit substrate (10) having a printed circuit board (11), a board connector (12) disposed on a board surface of the printed circuit board (11) and formed so that an external connector is attachable thereto and detachable therefrom along an intersecting direction intersecting the board surface, a movement restriction unit (13) that is held on the printed circuit board (11) and that restricts movement of the board connector (12) in a plane direction along the board surface or the intersecting direction by being in contact with the board connector (12), and a cover body (20) capable of switching between, when viewed in the intersecting direction, a first state in which the cover body (20) covers the entire circuit substrate (10) in a state in which the external connector is not connected to the board connector (12) and a second state in which the cover body (20) does not cover at least a portion of the board connector (12) so that the external connector is attachable to and detachable from the board connector (12).

Description

Circuit device, charging device, connector user restriction method, and connector holder

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a circuit device, a charging device, a connector user restriction method, and a connector holder.

[0002] Conventionally, an electronic device has been disclosed in which a circuit board on which electronic components such as connectors are mounted on a printed circuit board is housed in an internal space constituted by a cover and a base (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the electronic device described in Patent Document 1, the printed circuit board and the connector are clamped between the cover and the base by being clamped together with screws for fixing the cover and the base to each other. Thereby, the electronic device described in Patent Document 1 aims to improve the holding strength of the connector with respect to the printed circuit board.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-235473

[0004] Generally, when a circuit device (electronic device) including a circuit board is used in a state of being electrically connected to another device via a connector, there may be a case where it is desired to restrict the user to a predetermined person. However, in the electronic device described in Patent Document 1, since the connector is sandwiched between the cover and the base in order to ensure the holding strength of the connector, the connector is exposed to the outside of the circuit device. As a result, anyone can easily connect another device to the circuit device via the connector, and thus there is a problem that it is difficult to restrict the user of the circuit device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the recognition of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a circuit device, a charging device, a connector user restriction method, and a connector holder that can restrict users.

[0006] The circuit device according to this disclosure is characterized by comprising: a printed circuit board; a circuit board connector disposed on the surface of the printed circuit board and formed to allow an external connector to be attached and detached along a direction intersecting the surface of the circuit board; a movement limiting portion held by the printed circuit board and in contact with the circuit board connector to restrict the movement of the circuit board connector in the planar direction along the surface of the circuit board or in a direction intersecting the surface; and a cover body that can switch between a first state in which the entire circuit board is covered when no external connector is connected to the circuit board connector when viewed in the direction intersecting, and a second state in which at least a part of the circuit board connector is not covered so that an external connector can be attached to and detached from the circuit board connector.

[0007] According to this disclosure, restrictions on users can be imposed.

[0008] This is a plan view showing a circuit device according to Embodiment 1. This is a cross-sectional view of the circuit device according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the side. This is a plan view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 1 with the first cover removed. This is a cross-sectional view of the circuit device according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the side. This is a perspective view showing a circuit board according to Embodiment 1. This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the circuit system according to Embodiment 1. This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the circuit device according to Embodiment 1. This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the circuit device according to Embodiment 1. This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the circuit device according to Embodiment 1. This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the circuit system according to Embodiment 2. This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the circuit device according to Embodiment 2. This is a plan view showing a circuit device according to Embodiment 3. This is a plan view showing a circuit device according to Embodiment 4. This is a plan view showing a circuit device according to Embodiment 5. This is a plan view showing a circuit device according to Embodiment 6. This is a plan view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 7 with the first cover removed. This is a plan view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 8 with the first cover removed. This is a plan view showing a circuit device according to Embodiment 9. This is an exploded view showing a circuit device according to Embodiment 9. This is a cross-sectional view of the circuit device according to Embodiment 10, viewed from the side. Figure 24A is a cross-sectional view from the side showing a circuit device according to Embodiment 11. Figure 24B is a perspective view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 13 with the first cover removed. Figure 25A is a perspective view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 14 with the first cover closed, and Figure 25B is a perspective view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 14 with the first cover open. Figure 26A is a perspective view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 15 with the first cover closed, and Figure 26B is a perspective view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 15 with the first cover open. Figure 26B is a perspective view showing the circuit board of the circuit device according to Embodiment 16.This is a perspective view showing the circuit board of a circuit device according to Embodiment 17. This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a circuit system according to Embodiment 18. This is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the circuit device according to Embodiment 18. This is a cross-sectional view from the side showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 18. This is a cross-sectional view from the side showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 19. This is a perspective view showing the circuit system according to Embodiment 20. This is a perspective view showing the circuit system according to Embodiment 20 with the first cover removed. This is an exploded view showing the circuit system according to Embodiment 21. Figure 36A is a perspective view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 21 with the first cover closed, and Figure 36B is a perspective view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 21 with the first cover open. Figure 37A is a perspective view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 22 with the first cover closed, and Figure 37B is a perspective view showing the circuit device according to Embodiment 22 with the first cover open. Figure 38A is a perspective view showing the circuit system according to Embodiment 23 with the first cover closed, and Figure 38B is a perspective view showing the circuit system according to Embodiment 23 with the first cover open. Figure 39A is a perspective view showing the first cover of the circuit device according to Embodiment 24 in a closed state, and Figure 39B is a perspective view showing the first cover of the circuit device according to Embodiment 24 in an open state. Figure 40A is a perspective view showing the first cover of the circuit device according to Embodiment 25 in a closed state, and Figure 40B is a perspective view showing the first cover of the circuit device according to Embodiment 25 in an open state. This is a cross-sectional view of the circuit device according to Embodiment 25, viewed from the side. This is a cross-sectional view of the circuit device according to Embodiment 26, viewed from the side.

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1. First, the structure of the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a plan view showing the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1, viewed from the side. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a circuit board 10 and a cover body 20. The circuit device 100 may also include components other than the circuit board 10 and the cover body 20. For example, the circuit device 100 may include other boards, electronic components and devices that are electrically connected to the circuit board 10 wirelessly or by wire. For example, the circuit device 100 is composed of electronic control units (ECUs; engine control units) for controlling mobile devices such as smartphones, smartwatches or tablet terminals, vehicles or aircraft, power supply devices or equipment for supplying power to home appliances, toys, and electrical products, factory plant management equipment, video display devices such as televisions and computer displays, imaging devices, mechanical products, FA (Factory Automation) products, safes, charging adapters, and other electrical products or electrical equipment, or combinations thereof.

[0010] The circuit board 10 has a printed circuit board 11, a board connector 12, and a holder 13 as a movement limiting part, and is configured to perform a specific function when electrically connected to an external device 700 (see Figure 6), which is an external device, via the board connector 12. For example, the circuit board 10 is configured to enable information input and output with the external device when electrically connected to the external device via the board connector 12. Specifically, the circuit board 10 is configured to enable the external device to write information to and read information from a memory (not shown) on the circuit board 10 when electrically connected to the external device via the board connector 12. The circuit board 10 may also be configured so that the external device can input and output information with the circuit board 10 when electrically connected to the external device via the board connector 12.

[0011] The printed circuit board 11 is formed in a flat shape and has a circuit that electrically connects the board connector 12 to other electronic components (not shown) on the circuit board 10. For example, the printed circuit board 11 is made of a printed wiring board (PWB) formed in a plate shape from synthetic resin, glass fiber, a thin metal film, or the like.

[0012] The PCB connector 12 is positioned on the substrate surface 11a of the printed circuit board 11, and an external connector 15 (see Figure 4), which is an external connector, is formed to be detachably attached along the direction intersecting the substrate surface 11a. In other words, the PCB connector 12 is positioned on the substrate surface 11a of the printed circuit board 11, and the external connector 15 is formed to be detachably attached along the direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface 11a. For example, the PCB connector 12 is a surface-mount type or through-hole insertion type connector that is electrically connected to a circuit formed on the printed circuit board 11 by soldering to the printed circuit board 11 and is held by the printed circuit board 11, and is formed to be detachably attached along the orthogonal direction D0 (see Figure 2) perpendicular to the substrate surface 11a. For example, the PCB connector 12 is configured as a USB Type-C® connector. Note that the board connector 12 is not limited to a USB Type-C connector, but may be a connector of another standard type, a non-standard connector, a standard connector (for example, a USB Type-C connector) of a different size, or a connector formed so that the mating shape differs for each user of the circuit board 10. Specifically, the board connector 12 and the external connector 15 as the connector to be connected have four terminals when viewed from the connection direction, consisting of a VCC terminal, a data negative terminal adjacent to the VCC terminal, a data positive terminal adjacent to the data negative terminal, and a grounding terminal adjacent to the data positive terminal, and these four terminals are arranged on the same straight line. Specifically, the board connector 12 and the external connector 15 have six terminals, viewed from the connection direction, consisting of a VCC terminal, a grounding terminal adjacent to the VCC terminal, a data plus terminal adjacent to the grounding terminal, a data minus terminal adjacent to the data plus terminal, a configuration channel terminal adjacent to the data minus terminal, and a sideband terminal adjacent to the configuration channel terminal. These six terminals are arranged on the same straight line. Furthermore, by making the board connector 12 and the external connector 15 have different shapes for each user, it is possible to restrict the user of the connector.For example, by making the cross-sectional shape of the connection portion between the board connector and the connected connector different for each user, it is possible to restrict the use of a connector by allowing only specific users who possess a specific connected connector to use a specific board connector. In other words, by making the cross-sectional shape of the connection portion between the board connector 12 and the external connector 15 different for each user, and providing each user with a connected connector with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to identification information for identifying each user, it is possible to restrict the use of a connector by allowing only specific users according to the identification information to use a specific board connector. Furthermore, the holder 13 can also be used to perform precise alignment and retention of connectors in digital coherent optical transceivers using packaging technologies such as BGA (Ball Grid Array), CSP (Chip Scale Package), FC (Flip Chip), WLP (Wafer Level Package), QFN (Quad Flat No-Lead), LGA (Land Grid Array), and MCM (Multi-Chip Module). Generally, connector connections in digital coherent optical transceivers require precise alignment. The top plate portion 13c of the holder 13, described later, and the through-hole 13d formed in the top plate portion 13c, function as guides when connecting the connectors and as seating (magnetic connection, screw connection, bond connection, etc.) to prevent the connected connector from coming loose from the board connector. In this disclosure, the connection of connectors using the above packaging technology is also referred to as a packaging connection.

[0013] Furthermore, the PCB connector 12 may be held to the printed circuit board 11 by means other than soldering, such as screw fastening, press-fitting, or adhesive. Also, the PCB connector 12 may be a socket-type connector or a pin-type connector. Furthermore, the PCB connector 12 may be a magnetic type connector that holds the external connector 15 by magnetic force, a connector that holds the external connector 15 by frictional force, a connector that has a locking mechanism to hold the external connector 15, or a connector that holds the external connector 15 by a screw structure. For example, the PCB connector 12 may have a spring portion that elastically deforms when connected to the external connector 15 and presses the external connector 15 in a cross direction, and the external connector 15 may have a spring portion that elastically deforms when connected to the PCB connector 12 and presses the PCB connector 12 in a cross direction. With this configuration, the board connector 12 and the external connector 15 can suppress the movement of the external connector 15 relative to the board connector 12 in the direction of disengagement by generating a frictional force between the board connector 12 and the external connector 15 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the external connector 15 is disengaged. Both the board connector 12 and the external connector 15 may have such spring parts, or one or both of the board connector 12 and the external connector 15 may have multiple spring parts.

[0014] The holder 13 is held by the printed circuit board 11 and, by contacting the board connector 12, restricts the movement of the board connector 12 in the planar direction along the board surface 11a or in the intersecting direction intersecting the board surface 11a. Details of the holder 13 will be described later.

[0015] The cover body 20 is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it covers the circuit board 10 and a second state in which it does not cover at least a part of the circuit board connector 12 so that the external connector 15 can be attached to and detached from the circuit board connector 12, when viewed in a direction intersecting the substrate surface 11a. In other words, the cover body 20 is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it covers the circuit board 10 and a second state in which it does not cover at least a part of the circuit board connector 12 so that the external connector 15 can be attached to and detached from the circuit board connector 12, when viewed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate surface 11a. For example, the cover body 20 is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it covers the entire circuit board 10 and a second state in which it does not cover at least a part of the circuit board connector 12 so that the external connector 15 can be attached to and detached from the circuit board connector 12, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface 11a along the perpendicular direction D0.

[0016] For example, the cover body 20 has, in a view perpendicular to the substrate surface 11a, a first cover body 21 that covers the entire circuit board 10 including the substrate connector 12 in the first state, and a second cover body 22 that holds the first cover body 21 in the first state but does not cover the circuit board 10, and is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by moving the first cover body 21 relative to the second cover body 22. For example, the first cover body 21 is held relative to the second cover body 22 by one or more screws 23, and by removing the screws 23, the first cover body 21 becomes movable relative to the second cover body. Figures 1 and 2 show the first state of the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the first cover body only needs to be detachably held by the second cover body. For example, the first cover body may be detachably held by the second cover body by fasteners other than general-purpose screws, or it may be detachably held by the second cover body by being hooked onto the second cover body by claws or hooks, etc., which are integrally formed with the first or second cover body, instead of some or all of the screws shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, the first cover body may be detachably held by the second cover body by removing the fasteners or claws or hooks, etc., using a special tool other than a screwdriver. By configuring the first cover body to be detachably held by the second cover body by fasteners other than screws, it becomes possible to aesthetically integrate the first cover body with the second cover body.

[0017] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the second state in which the first cover body 21 of the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 has been removed, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view from the side showing the second state in which the first cover body of the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 has been removed. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the second state in which the first cover body 21 has been removed from the second cover body 22 and moved relative to the second cover body 22, the entire circuit board 10 including the board connector 12 is no longer covered by the cover body 20 when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface 11a, and the board connector 12 is exposed. As a result, the circuit device 100 becomes capable of attaching and detaching the external connector 15 to the board connector 12. Furthermore, by connecting the external connector 15 to the board connector 12, the circuit device 100 is electrically connected to the external device 700 (see Figure 6) via the external connector 15 and the cable 16 connected to the external connector 15. The cover body is not necessarily configured to cover the entire circuit board in the first state, but is sufficient if it covers part or all of the circuit board connector 12 so as to restrict the attachment and detachment of the external connector 15 to the circuit board connector 12. The circuit device may be configured such that the printed circuit board 11 is held by the first cover body 21. For example, the circuit device may be configured such that the printed circuit board 11 is held by the first cover body 21, and the circuit board connector 12 is exposed when the printed circuit board 11 moves relative to the second cover body 22 together with the first cover body 21. The first cover body may also be an electronic component, a mechanical component, or another component constituting the circuit device, for example, the first cover body may be a display device such as a liquid crystal panel.

[0018] Next, with reference to Figure 5, the details of the holder 13 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the circuit board 10 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 5, the holder 13 has a leg portion 13a that is held on the printed circuit board 11 and extends along an intersecting direction that intersects the board surface 11a, and a top plate portion 13c that is connected to the end of the leg portion 13a opposite to the board surface 11a in the orthogonal direction D0 and extends along the board surface 11a. For example, the holder 13 has a leg portion 13b that is held on the printed circuit board 11 and is positioned opposite to the leg portion 13a, and the top plate portion 13c is configured to connect the ends of the leg portions 13a and 13b opposite to the board surface 11a in the orthogonal direction D0. Alternatively, for example, the holder 13 is integrally formed of the leg portions 13a, 13b and the top plate portion 13c from a metal plate such as a steel plate or an aluminum alloy plate. Furthermore, the holder 13 is not limited to being made of a metal plate; it may also be made of a sintered alloy, a synthetic resin, or a composite material containing metal or synthetic resin.

[0019] For example, the legs 13a and 13b are held to the printed circuit board 11 by being soldered to the printed circuit board 11. Specifically, the legs 13a and 13b each have insertion portions 13a1 and 13b1 formed in the printed circuit board 11 for insertion into through holes formed in the printed circuit board 11, and are held to the printed circuit board 11 by being soldered to the printed circuit board 11 while the insertion portions 13a1 and 13b1 are inserted into the through holes in the printed circuit board 11.

[0020] For example, the top plate portion 13c has a through hole 13d into which the end (tip) of the board connector 12 opposite to the printed circuit board 11 in the orthogonal direction D0 is inserted. For example, the through hole 13d is formed such that when the end of the board connector 12 opposite to the printed circuit board 11 attempts to move in the planar direction along the board surface 11a, the inner surface of the through hole 13d makes point contact or surface contact with the outer surface of the board connector 12 in the planar direction. Specifically, the through hole 13d is formed such that when the end of the board connector 12 opposite to the printed circuit board 11 attempts to move in the vertical and horizontal directions shown in Figure 3 along the board surface 11a, the inner surface of the through hole 13d makes point contact or surface contact with the outer surface of the board connector 12 in the vertical and horizontal directions. For example, the through hole 13d is formed to follow the outline of the outer shape of the board connector 12 when viewed in the orthogonal direction. Also, for example, the through hole 13d is formed so that it is approximately the same size as the outer shape of the board connector 12 in the vertical and horizontal directions when viewed in the orthogonal direction.

[0021] With this configuration, the top plate portion 13c, by having the inner surface of the through hole 13d contact the board connector 12 in a planar direction along the board surface 11a, restricts the planar movement (tilting) of the tip of the board connector 12, thereby reducing the load on the connection between the board connector 12 and the printed circuit board 11 caused by the planar external force applied to the board connector 12 when inserting or removing the external connector 15 (see Figure 4) from the board connector 12. Note that the holder is not limited to being formed to make point contact or surface contact in a planar direction with the outer surface of the board connector 12. The holder only needs to be configured to reduce the load on the board connector 12 when inserting or removing the external connector 15 from the board connector 12. For example, the holder may be formed to make point contact or surface contact in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the board connector 12. The holder may also be held to the printed circuit board 11 by means other than soldering, such as screw fastening, press fitting, or adhesive. Furthermore, the shape of the holder is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 5, as long as it can perform the above-described functions. For example, the through-hole of the holder may be formed so that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface 11a, it is rotated 90° around a virtual axis perpendicular to the substrate surface 11a compared to the shape shown in Figure 5, and a variety of shapes are possible for the holder.

[0022] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the functions of the circuit system equipped with the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the circuit system according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 6, the circuit system according to Embodiment 1 comprises the circuit device 100, the input device 200, and the external device 700, which are electrically connected to each other.

[0023] The input device 200 is electrically connected to the circuit board 10 of the circuit device 100 via a cable 14 (see Figure 2), and acquires information for input to the circuit device 100 and inputs the acquired information to the circuit device 100. For example, the input device 200 acquires identification information to identify the user who is about to use the circuit board 10 (see Figure 1). In other words, the input device 200 acquires identification information to identify the user of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 (see Figure 1). Specifically, the input device 200 consists of an imaging device that captures images of the external appearance of the user who is about to use the circuit board 10, such as the face, iris, or fingerprints; an imaging device that captures images of the internal structure of the user's body, such as veins; a sensor that quantifies the physical characteristics of the user, such as the face, iris, fingerprints, veins, or voice; a communication device that acquires identification information to identify the user from a communication terminal, IC card, magnetic card, or RFID tag or other storage medium owned by the user; or a keyboard or touch panel that acquires a PIN code or other identification information based on the user's input operations. The input device 200 may also be configured to be electrically connected wirelessly to the circuit device 100.

[0024] The circuit device 100 includes an information acquisition unit 110, an authentication unit 140, a control unit 150 as a state switching unit, and a storage unit 160.

[0025] The information acquisition unit 110 acquires information from the input device 200. For example, the information acquisition unit 110 acquires identification information from the input device 200 to identify the user who intends to use the circuit board 10. However, the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 from the input device is not limited to this; the information acquisition unit 110 may be configured to acquire various types of information used by the circuit device in each process from the input device.

[0026] The authentication unit 140 authenticates whether the user attempting to use the circuit board 10 is a pre-configured specific user. In other words, it authenticates whether the user of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 is a pre-configured specific user. For example, the authentication unit 140 authenticates whether the user of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 is a pre-configured specific user based on the identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110. Specifically, the authentication unit 140 compares the identification information for identifying the user of the circuit board 10 acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 with the identification information indicating a pre-configured specific user, and authenticates whether the user of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 is a pre-configured specific user based on the result of comparing these identification information. Furthermore, for example, the authentication unit 140 performs the authentication of whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-configured specific user over a live connection where information input and output are performed in real time. For example, the circuit board 10 performs authentication by the authentication unit 140 based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 from the input device 200, with the authentication unit 140 and the storage unit 160 in a live connection, so that each time information for authenticating whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user is input to the input device 200, the authentication unit 140 acquires the identification information stored in the storage unit 160. In the following description, the identification information indicating a specific user is also referred to as "specific identification information." Details of the specific identification information are the same as the identification information for identifying the user who intends to use the circuit board 10, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0027] The control unit 150 performs processing related to specific functions of the circuit board 10. For example, if the control unit 150 authenticates that the user of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 is a specific user based on the authentication result by the authentication unit 140, it switches the state of the circuit device 100 from disabled to enabled for the specific functions of the circuit board 10 that are activated via the board connector 12. In other words, if the control unit 150 authenticates that the user of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 matches the identification information used to identify the user of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit 140, it sets the specific functions of the circuit board 10 that are activated via the board connector 12 to enabled. In other words, if the control unit 150 authenticates that the user of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 is a specific user based on the authentication result by the authentication unit 140, it switches the state of the circuit device 100 from disabled to enabled for access to the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12.

[0028] Furthermore, for example, if the control unit 150 authenticates that the user of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 is not a designated user based on the authentication result by the authentication unit 140, it maintains the disabled state of the specific function of the circuit board 10 that is activated via the board connector 12. For example, the specific function of the circuit board 10 is a function that accepts information input from an external device 700, a function that performs specific processing based on the information input from the external device 700, a function that outputs specific information to the external device 700, a function that supplies power to the external device 700, etc. Note that the communication of information from the external device 700 via the board connector 12 is not limited to electrical signals, but may also be optical signals, for example, a digital coherent optical transceiver may be applied.

[0029] The control unit 150 may be configured to switch a specific function of the circuit board 10, which is activated via the board connector 12, from an enabled state to an disabled state based on a predetermined trigger. For example, the control unit 150 may be configured to switch a specific function of the circuit board 10, which is activated via the board connector 12, from an enabled state to an disabled state based on the fact that the specific function has not been used for a predetermined period of time while in the enabled state. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 150 may be configured to switch a specific function of the circuit board 10, which is activated via the board connector 12, from an enabled state to an disabled state based on the fact that the information acquisition unit 110 has acquired predetermined specific information from the input device 200 or an external device 700 while in the enabled state.

[0030] The storage unit 160 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 160 stores information used by the circuit device 100 to perform various processes, information indicating the results of the processes performed by the circuit device 100, and information acquired by the circuit device 100 from other devices. Specifically, the storage unit 160 stores pre-set specific identification information, identification information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110, information indicating the authentication result by the authentication unit 140, information input from the external device 700, and information to be output to the external device 700. Each component of the circuit device 100 reads the information stored in the storage unit 160 when performing processing. The circuit system may also be configured such that the information acquisition unit 110 and the storage unit 160 are located on an external server or cloud server and connected to the authentication unit 140 and the control unit 150 via a network connection in order to perform live input, which inputs information acquired from the input device 200 to the circuit device 100 in real time.

[0031] The external device 700 is configured to be electrically connectable to the circuit device 100 via an external connector 15 and a cable 16 (see Figure 4) connected to the board connector 12 (see Figure 4) of the circuit board 10, and is a device for using specific functions of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12, the external connector 15 and the cable 16. In other words, the external device 700 is electrically connected to the circuit device 100 via the board connector 12 of the circuit board 10, and is a device for using specific functions of the circuit board 10 that are performed via the board connector 12 of the circuit board 10. For example, the external device 700 is composed of a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, smartwatch or tablet terminal carried by the user of the circuit device 100 and the circuit board 10, or other electrical products or electrical equipment. For example, the external device 700 performs information input and output with the circuit board 10 while connected to the board connector 12. Also, for example, the external device 700 receives power from the circuit board 10 while connected to the board connector 12.

[0032] Next, the hardware configuration of the circuit device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the circuit device 100, and Figure 8 is a diagram showing a different example of the hardware configuration of the circuit device 100 from Figure 7. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the circuit device 100 is configured as a computer having a processor 100a, memory 100b, and I / O port 100c, and is configured so that the processor 100a reads and executes a program stored in memory 100b. Memory 100b is composed of, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, for example, the circuit device 100 is configured as a computer that executes programs, having a dedicated hardware processing circuit 100d and an I / O port 100c. The processing circuit 100d is composed of, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Each function of the circuit device 100 is realized by these processors 100a or the dedicated hardware processing circuit 100d executing programs. Note that the circuit device 100 may also have hardware other than those described above, such as a hardware timer.

[0034] The circuit device 100 may be configured such that the circuit board 10 (see Figure 1) has all the hardware configurations necessary to realize each of the functions of the circuit device 100 described above, or it may be configured such that some or all of the hardware configurations necessary to realize each of the functions of the circuit device 100 are provided by other boards, electronic components, and devices (not shown) other than the circuit board 10 provided by the circuit device 100. For example, the circuit device 100 may be configured such that all the hardware configurations necessary to realize each of the functions of the circuit device 100 described above are provided by other boards provided by the circuit device 100 and electrically connected to the circuit board 10, and the circuit board 10 has only a circuit for electrically connecting the other board and the external device 700 via a board connector 12. If the circuit board 10 is configured to have only a circuit for electrically connecting the other board and the external device 700 via the board connector 12, the external device 700 may be configured as a device for using a specific function of the circuit device 100 via the board connector 12 of the circuit board 10, and the control unit 150 may be configured to perform control related to the specific function of the circuit device 100.

[0035] Next, with reference to Figures 6 and 9, the details of the processing performed by the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1. The processing performed by the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 9 is a process for restricting the users of the circuit board 10 so that only specific users who have been set in advance can use specific functions of the circuit board 10.

[0036] As shown in Figure 9, when the circuit device 100 starts processing, it first acquires identification information (step ST05). In this process, the circuit device 100 acquires identification information for identifying the user of the circuit board 10 using the information acquisition unit 110.

[0037] When the circuit device 100 performs the processing in step ST05, it verifies the identification information (step ST06). In this process, the circuit device 100 uses the authentication unit 140 to verify the identification information for identifying the user of the circuit board 10, which was acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 in the processing of step ST05, against the specific identification information stored in the storage unit 160.

[0038] When the circuit device 100 performs the processing in step ST06, it determines whether the identification information matches (step ST07). In this process, the circuit device 100 determines, based on the verification result of the processing in step ST06, whether the identification information for identifying the user of the circuit board 10, acquired by the information acquisition unit 110, matches the specific identification information stored in the storage unit 160.

[0039] If the identification information matches in the process of step ST07 (YES in step ST07), the circuit device 100 sets the specific function to an enabled state (step ST10). In this process, based on the fact that the identification information for identifying the user of the circuit board 10 acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 in the process of step ST05 matches the specific identification information stored in the storage unit 160, the circuit device 100 switches the specific function from an disabled state to an enabled state so that the user of the circuit board 10 can use the specific function of the circuit board 10.

[0040] The circuit device 100 terminates processing when the identification information matches in the processing of step ST07 (NO in step ST07), and when the processing of step ST10 is performed.

[0041] As described above, the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 comprises a printed circuit board 11, a circuit board 10 having a printed circuit board 11, a circuit board connector 12 disposed on the substrate surface 11a of the printed circuit board 11 and formed to allow an external connector to be attached and detached along a direction intersecting the substrate surface 11a, and a holder 13 held by the printed circuit board 11 and restricting the movement of the circuit board connector 12 in the planar direction along the substrate surface 11a or in the intersecting direction by contacting the circuit board connector 12, and a cover body 20 that can switch between a first state in which the entire circuit board 10 is covered when no external connector is connected to the circuit board connector 12 in a view in the intersecting direction, and a second state in which at least a part of the circuit board connector is not covered so that an external connector can be attached to and detached from the circuit board connector 12.

[0042] With this configuration, the circuit device 100 can restrict the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 by users other than specific users who know the positions of the circuit board 10 and board connector 12 in advance, because the circuit board 10 and board connector 12 are hidden from view from the outside when the circuit board 10 is covered by the cover body 20. Furthermore, even when the cover body 20 is removed in order to use the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12, the board connector 12 is not held by the cover body 20, but is held by the holder 13 on the printed circuit board 11, thus reducing the external force on the board connector 12 when attaching or detaching the external connector 15 to the board connector 12. In addition, by reducing the external force on the board connector 12, the holding force of the board connector 12 can be improved, making it possible to reduce the size of the board connector 12 compared to conventional designs.

[0043] Embodiment 2. Next, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the circuit system according to Embodiment 2 will be described. The circuit system according to Embodiment 2 is different from the circuit system according to Embodiment 1 in part of the functions of the circuit device and the devices connected to the circuit device, but the other configurations are the same. For the configurations similar to those in Embodiment 1, the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 are given, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the circuit system according to Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. 10, the circuit system according to Embodiment 2 includes an input device 200, a display device 300, a sound output device 400, a circuit device 100A, and an external device 700. Note that the circuit device 100A according to Embodiment 2 includes a circuit board and a cover body 20, similar to the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1. However, since the mechanical structure of the circuit board according to Embodiment 2 is the same as that of the circuit board 10 according to Embodiment 1, the description thereof is omitted.

[0045] The display device 300 is electrically connected to the circuit device 100A by wire or wirelessly, and displays information based on the information input from the circuit device 100A. For example, the display device 300 is composed of a liquid crystal panel, an organic or inorganic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, or other display devices, and displays an image based on the information input from the circuit device 100A. The display device 300 notifies the user of the circuit system of information by displaying the image. Note that the display device 300 may be integrally formed with the input device 200 as a touch panel capable of input operations.

[0046] The sound output device 400 is electrically connected to the circuit device 100A by wire or wirelessly, and outputs sound based on the information input from the circuit device 100A. For example, the sound output device 400 is composed of a speaker, a buzzer, or other devices that output sound.

[0047] The circuit device 100A includes an information acquisition unit 110A, a setting unit 120, a connection detection unit 130, an authentication unit 140, a control unit 150A, and a storage unit 160.

[0048] In addition to the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 according to the first embodiment, the information acquisition unit 110A acquires specific identification information for setting a new specific user from the input device 200. Since the details of the function of the information acquisition unit 110A for acquiring specific identification information from the input device 200 are the same as the function of the information acquisition unit 110 according to the first embodiment for acquiring identification information for identifying the user of the circuit board 10 (see FIG. 1) from the input device 200, the description thereof is omitted. Further, the information acquisition unit 110A acquires information indicating whether or not the acquired identification information is specific identification information for setting a new specific user from the input device 200.

[0049] For example, when the information acquisition unit 110A acquires identification information from the input device 200, based on an input operation for setting a new specific user, which is performed on the input device 200 by the administrator of the circuit system as the user of the circuit system, the information acquisition unit 110A acquires information indicating whether or not the identification information is specific identification information for setting a new specific user. Note that the information acquisition unit 110A may be configured to acquire at least one of information indicating that the acquired identification information is specific identification information for setting a new specific user and information indicating that the acquired identification information is not specific identification information for setting a new specific user. Further, in the following description, the information indicating that the acquired identification information is specific identification information for setting a new specific user and the acquired identification information are collectively referred to as "setting information".

[0050] The setting unit 120 processes information related to setting a specific user based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110A. For example, the setting unit 120 sets a new specific user by storing the acquired identification information as specific identification information in the storage unit 160 based on the setting information acquired by the information acquisition unit 110A. Specifically, when the information acquisition unit 110A acquires identification information, if information indicating that the identification information is specific identification information for setting a new specific user is acquired, the setting unit 120 stores the identification information as specific identification information in the storage unit 160. When the information acquisition unit 110A acquires identification information, if information indicating that the identification information is specific identification information for setting a new specific user is not acquired, or if information indicating that the identification information is not specific identification information for setting a new specific user is acquired, the setting unit 120 treats the identification information as identification information indicating a user who intends to use the circuit board according to Embodiment 2, and does not set a new specific user.

[0051] The connection detection unit 130 detects whether an external device is connected to the circuit board via a board connector. In other words, the connection detection unit 130 detects whether an external connector is connected to the board connector of the circuit board. For example, the connection detection unit 130 detects whether an external connector is connected to the board connector based on the difference in electrical characteristics between the state in which an external connector is connected to the board connector and the state in which an external connector is not connected to the board connector. For example, the connection detection unit 130 detects whether an external connector is connected to the board connector based on the difference in potential difference between one terminal and another terminal of the board connector's multiple terminals in the state in which an external connector is connected to the board connector and the state in which an external connector is not connected to the board connector. Alternatively, for example, the connection detection unit 130 detects whether an external connector is connected to the board connector based on the difference in capacitance between the state in which an external connector is connected to the board connector and the state in which an external connector is not connected to the board connector. Furthermore, for example, the connection detection unit 130 detects whether or not an external connector is connected to the board connector based on the difference in resistance values ​​between one terminal and another terminal among the multiple terminals of the board connector, as a difference in electrical characteristics between the state in which an external connector is connected to the board connector and the state in which an external connector is not connected to the board connector.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, the connection detection unit 130 determines whether or not it is possible to communicate with an external device 700 via the board connector, and based on the determination result, detects whether or not an external connector is connected to the board connector. Also, for example, the connection detection unit 130 detects whether or not an external connector is connected to the board connector based on a signal from an optical sensor for optically detecting whether or not an external connector is connected to the board connector. Also, for example, the connection detection unit 130 detects whether or not an external connector is connected to the board connector based on a signal from a contact switch for mechanically detecting whether or not an external connector is connected to the board connector. Note that the connection detection unit 130 may be configured to detect whether or not an external connector is connected to the board connector based on information other than those described above.

[0053] The control unit 150A includes a specific function control unit 151, a display control unit 152, and an audio control unit 153.

[0054] The specific function control unit 151 performs processing related to specific functions of the circuit board 10. The function of the specific function control unit 151 is the same as that of the control unit 150 in Embodiment 1, so its description is omitted.

[0055] The display control unit 152, acting as a notification unit, outputs information to be displayed on the display device 300 or control signals to control the display device 300, thereby causing the display device 300 to display information. The display control unit 152 also notifies the user of the circuit system by displaying information on the display device 300. For example, the display control unit 152 displays information regarding restrictions on the use of circuit boards on the display device 300. For example, the information regarding restrictions on the use of circuit boards that the display control unit 152 displays on the display device 300 may include information indicating that the use of a specific function of the circuit board via a board connector is restricted, information indicating whether the use of a specific function of the circuit board via a board connector is permitted, and information indicating whether a specific function of the circuit board is enabled or disabled.

[0056] For example, if the display control unit 152 detects that an external connector has been connected to a circuit board connector while a specific function of the circuit board is disabled, based on the detection result from the connection detection unit 130, it will cause the display device 300 to display information regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board. Specifically, if the display control unit 152 detects that an external connector has been connected to a circuit board connector while a specific function of the circuit board is disabled, based on the detection result from the connection detection unit 130, it will cause the display device 300 to display information indicating that the use of the circuit board via the circuit board connector is not permitted, or information indicating that a specific function of the circuit board is restricted. The information that the display control unit 152 displays on the display device 300 may be shown in text, in images, or in both text and images.

[0057] The voice control unit 153, acting as a notification unit, causes the sound notification device 400 to output sound by outputting information indicating the sound to be output by the sound notification device 400 or a control signal for controlling the sound notification device 400. The voice control unit 153 also notifies the user of the circuit system by causing the sound notification device 400 to output sound. For example, the voice control unit 153 causes the sound notification device 400 to output sound indicating information regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board. The information indicated by the sound output by the voice control unit 153 to the sound notification device 400 is the same as the information displayed by the display control unit 152 on the display device 300, so its explanation is omitted. The voice control unit 153 may be configured to output information regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board to the sound notification device 400 in the form of spoken words, or it may be configured to output negative notification sounds such as error sounds and warning sounds, positive notification sounds such as chimes, or other notification sounds to the sound notification device 400. In the following explanation, the information regarding the restrictions on the use of the circuit board, which is communicated by the display control unit 152 and the sound control unit 153, will also be referred to as "restriction information."

[0058] The hardware configuration of the circuit device 100A according to Embodiment 2 is the same as that of the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1, so its description will be omitted.

[0059] Next, with reference to Figures 10 and 11, the details of the processing performed by the circuit device 100A according to Embodiment 2 will be described. Note that some of the processing performed by the circuit device 100A according to Embodiment 2 is the same as the processing performed by the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1, so the same processing as in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 and will not be described. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the circuit device 100A according to Embodiment 2.

[0060] As shown in Figure 11, when the circuit device 100A starts processing, it first determines whether or not it has acquired setting information (step ST01). In this process, the circuit device 100A determines whether or not it has acquired setting information from the input device 200 for setting up a new specific user.

[0061] If the circuit device 100A obtains setting information in the process of step ST01 (YES in step ST01), it sets a new specific user (step ST02). In this process, the circuit device 100A sets a new specific user who is permitted to use a specific function of the circuit board (see Figure 1) based on the setting information obtained in the process of step ST01.

[0062] If the circuit device 100A did not acquire setting information in the process of step ST01 (NO in step ST01), or if the process of step ST02 was performed, it determines whether or not it detected the connection of the external device 700 (step ST03). In this process, the circuit device 100A determines whether or not the external device 700 is connected to the circuit device 100A via a board connector (see Figure 1).

[0063] If the circuit device 100A detects the connection of the external device 700 during the processing of step ST03 (YES in step ST03), it notifies restriction information (step ST04). In this process, based on the fact that the external device 700 is connected to the circuit device 100A via a board connector, the circuit device 100A notifies the user of the circuit system of restriction information via either or both of the display control unit 152 and the voice control unit 153.

[0064] When the circuit device 100A performs the processing in step ST04, it acquires identification information (step ST05). If the circuit device 100A did not detect the connection of the external device 700 in the processing of step ST03 (NO in step ST03), or if it did not acquire identification information in the processing of step ST05 (NO in step ST05), it returns to step ST01. If the circuit device 100A acquired identification information in the processing of step ST05 (YES in step ST05), it verifies the identification information (step ST06). When the circuit device 100A performs the processing in step ST06, it determines whether the identification information matches or not (step ST07).

[0065] If the identification information does not match in the processing of step ST07 (NO in step ST07), the circuit device 100A notifies of the authentication failure (step ST08). In this process, based on the fact that the identification information for identifying the user of the circuit board 10, acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 in the processing of step ST05, and the specific identification information stored in the storage unit 160 do not match, the circuit device 100A notifies the user of the circuit system of restriction information indicating that the authentication of the identification information was unsuitable, using either or both of the display control unit 152 and the voice control unit 153.

[0066] If the identification information matches in the processing of step ST07 (YES in step ST07), the circuit device 100A notifies that the authentication has been successful (step ST09). In this process, based on the fact that the identification information for identifying the user of the circuit board 10, acquired by the information acquisition unit 110 in the processing of step ST05, matches the specific identification information stored in the storage unit 160, the circuit device 100A notifies the user of the circuit system of restriction information indicating that the authentication of the identification information has been successful, using either or both of the display control unit 152 and the voice control unit 153.

[0067] When the circuit device 100A has completed the process in step ST09, it sets a specific function to an enabled state (step ST10). When the circuit device 100A has completed the process in step ST08 or step ST10, it terminates the process.

[0068] Embodiment 3. Next, with reference to Figure 12, the circuit device 100B according to Embodiment 3 will be described. The circuit device 100B according to Embodiment 3 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it is equipped with a switching limiting section configured by a screw 23A, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 will be used and the description will be omitted.

[0069] Figure 12 is a plan view showing a circuit device 100B according to Embodiment 3. As shown in Figure 12, the circuit device 100B according to Embodiment 3 comprises a circuit board 10 and a cover body 20. The cover body 20 also includes a first cover body 21, a second cover body, screws 23, and a screw 23A as a switching limiting part. The first cover body 21 is held in place of the second cover body 22 by one or more screws, including screws 23 and screw 23A, and by removing these screws, the first cover body 21 becomes movable relative to the second cover body. For example, screw 23 is a general Phillips screw.

[0070] Screw 23A is a special screw that cannot be removed with a general Phillips screw tool, but can be removed with a dedicated tool. For example, screw 23A is used as the screw that is positioned closest to the circuit board connector 12 among the multiple screws that hold the first cover body 21.

[0071] Thus, the circuit device 100B according to Embodiment 3 is configured such that the first cover body 21 is held to the second cover body 22 by a special screw 23A, thereby restricting users other than those who possess the special tool from switching the cover body 20 from the first state to the second state.

[0072] Embodiment 4. Next, with reference to Figure 12, the circuit device 100C according to Embodiment 4 will be described. The circuit device 100C according to Embodiment 4 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it is equipped with a switching limiting unit which is composed of a sealing label 24, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 will be used and the description will be omitted.

[0073] Figure 13 is a plan view showing a circuit device 100C according to Embodiment 4. As shown in Figure 13, the circuit device 100C according to Embodiment 4 comprises a circuit board 10, a cover body 20, and a sealing label 24.

[0074] The sealing label 24 is affixed across the first cover body 21 and the second cover body 22, and is formed to leave a trace when peeled off from either the first cover body 21 or the second cover body 22. In other words, the sealing label 24 is formed to leave a trace when the first cover body 21 is moved relative to the second cover body 22. For example, the sealing label 24 is formed of multiple layers, and is formed to leave a trace when peeled off from either the first cover body 21 or the second cover body 22, as these multiple layers separate. Alternatively, for example, the sealing label 24 is formed to leave a trace when it is damaged when peeled off from either the first cover body 21 or the second cover body 22. Alternatively, for example, the sealing label 24 is formed to leave a trace when its appearance changes due to internal damage when peeled off from either the first cover body 21 or the second cover body 22.

[0075] Thus, the circuit device 100C according to Embodiment 4 is configured such that a trace is left when the first cover body 21 is moved relative to the second cover body 22, thereby psychologically restricting users other than the pre-set specific users from switching the cover body 20 from the first state to the second state.

[0076] Furthermore, the circuit device is not limited to those equipped with a sealing label 24; it may also be configured such that when the first cover is moved relative to the second cover, the first cover, the second cover, or other components of the circuit device (not shown) are damaged, leaving a trace.

[0077] Embodiment 5. Next, with reference to Figure 14, the circuit device 100D according to Embodiment 5 will be described. The circuit device 100D according to Embodiment 5 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that the first cover body is different, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 are used for the same configurations as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0078] Figure 14 is a plan view showing the circuit device 100D according to Embodiment 5. As shown in Figure 14, the cover body of the circuit device 100D according to Embodiment 5 has a first cover body 21A and a second cover body 22.

[0079] The first cover body 21A has a restriction marking 21a on its outer surface that relates to restrictions on the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12. For example, the first cover body 21A has a restriction marking 21a that requires that the first cover body 21A not be moved relative to the second cover body 22. Specifically, as shown in Figure 14, the first cover body 21A has a restriction marking 21a on its outer surface, which is the side opposite to the circuit board 10, that relates to restrictions on the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12, consisting of the string of characters "Caution / Do not remove".

[0080] Thus, the circuit device 100D according to Embodiment 5 is configured to psychologically restrict users other than the pre-set specific users from switching the cover body 20 from the first state to the second state by having a restriction indicator 21a regarding the restriction of use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12.

[0081] Embodiment 6. Next, with reference to Figure 15, the circuit device 100E according to Embodiment 6 will be described. The circuit device 100E according to Embodiment 6 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it has a second cover body, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 are used for the same configurations as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0082] Figure 15 is a plan view showing the circuit device 100E according to Embodiment 6. As shown in Figure 15, the cover body of the circuit device 100E according to Embodiment 6 has a first cover body 21 and a second cover body 22A.

[0083] The second cover body 22A has a restriction marking 22a on its outer surface that relates to restrictions on the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12. For example, the second cover body 22A has a restriction marking 22a that requires that the first cover body 21 not be moved relative to the second cover body 22A. Specifically, as shown in Figure 15, the second cover body 22A has a restriction marking 22a on its outer surface, which is the side opposite to the circuit board 10, that relates to restrictions on the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12, consisting of the string of characters "Do not remove cover".

[0084] Thus, the circuit device 100E according to Embodiment 6 is configured to psychologically restrict users other than the pre-set specific users from switching the cover body 20 from the first state to the second state by having a restriction indicator 22a regarding the restriction of use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12.

[0085] Embodiment 7. Next, with reference to Figure 16, the circuit device 100F according to Embodiment 7 will be described. The circuit device 100F according to Embodiment 7 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that the circuit board 10A is different, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 are used for the same configurations as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0086] Figure 16 is a plan view showing a circuit device 100F according to Embodiment 7. As shown in Figure 16, the circuit board 10A according to Embodiment 7 has a restriction marking 10a on the board surface 11a relating to restrictions on the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12. For example, the circuit board 10A has a restriction marking 10a that requires the use of the board connector 12 not to be used. Specifically, as shown in Figure 16, the circuit board 10A has a restriction marking 10a on the board surface 11a relating to restrictions on the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12, which consists of the string "Connector / Use Prohibited" and a marking indicating the location of the board connector 12 (for example, an arrow indicating the location of the board connector 12).

[0087] Thus, the circuit device 100F according to Embodiment 7 is configured to psychologically restrict users other than pre-set specific users from using the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12, by having a restriction indicator 10a regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12.

[0088] Embodiment 8. Next, with reference to Figure 17, the circuit device 100G according to Embodiment 8 will be described. The circuit device 100G according to Embodiment 8 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it has a second cover body, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 are used for the same configurations as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0089] Figure 17 is a plan view showing the circuit device 100G according to Embodiment 8 with the first cover removed. As shown in Figure 17, the second cover 22B of the circuit device 100G according to Embodiment 8 has a restriction marking 22b on its outer surface that restricts the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12. For example, the second cover 22B has a restriction marking 22b that requires the use of the board connector 12 not to be used. Specifically, as shown in Figure 17, the second cover 22B has a restriction marking 22b on its outer surface, which is the side opposite to the circuit board 10, near the board connector 12, which is a marking that restricts the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12. This marking 22b consists of the string "Connector / Use Prohibited" and a marking that indicates the location of the board connector 12 (for example, an arrow indicating the location of the board connector 12).

[0090] Thus, the circuit device 100G according to Embodiment 8 is configured to psychologically restrict users other than pre-set specific users from using the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12, by having a restriction indicator 22b regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12.

[0091] Embodiment 9. Next, the circuit device 100H according to Embodiment 9 will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. The circuit device 100H according to Embodiment 9 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in its cover and holder, but the other configurations are the same. For configurations similar to those in Embodiment 1, the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 will be used, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0092] Figure 18 is a plan view showing the circuit device 100H according to Embodiment 9, and Figure 19 is an exploded view showing the circuit device 100H according to Embodiment 9. As shown in Figure 18, the circuit device 100H according to Embodiment 9 comprises a circuit board 10F, a cover body 20A, and screws 23. The circuit board 10F has a printed circuit board 11, a board connector 12, and a holder 13A, and is configured to perform a specific function when electrically connected to an external device 700 (see Figure 6), which is an external device, via the board connector 12.

[0093] The cover body 20A is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it covers the entire circuit board 10F when viewed in a crossing direction that intersects with the substrate surface 11a, and a second state in which it does not cover at least a part of the substrate connector 12 so that the external connector 15 can be attached to and detached from the substrate connector 12. For example, the cover body 20A has a first cover body 21C that covers at least a part of the substrate connector 12 in the first state when viewed in a crossing direction, and a second cover body 22C that covers the part of the circuit board 10F that is not covered by the first cover body 21C in the first state, and the first state and the second state can be switched by the first cover body 21C moving relative to the second cover body 22C. In other words, the cover body 20A has, in a cross-sectional view, a first cover body 21C that covers at least a part of the board connector 12 in the first state, and a second cover body 22C that covers the part of the circuit board 10F that is not covered by the first cover body 21C in the first state, and is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by removing the first cover body 21C relative to the second cover body 22C.

[0094] For example, the second cover body 22C has a through hole A2 formed therein to expose the board connector 12 so that the external connector 15 can be attached to and detached from the board connector 12 in the second state. Also, for example, the first cover body 21C is positioned in the recess 22d formed in the second cover body 22C in the first state, and is held by the second cover body 22C by a screw 23 being attached to the screw pilot hole 13f of the holder 13A via a through hole 21b formed in the first cover body 21C and a through hole 22e formed in the second cover body 22C.

[0095] Furthermore, the second cover body 22C has a restriction marking 22c on its outer surface that restricts the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12. For example, the second cover body 22C has a restriction marking 22c that requires the first cover body 21C not to be moved relative to the second cover body 22C. Specifically, as shown in Figure 18, the second cover body 22C has a restriction marking 22c on its outer surface, which is the side opposite to the circuit board 10, that restricts the use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12, consisting of the string "Do not remove cover" and an indication of the position of the board connector 12 (for example, an arrow indicating the position of the board connector 12).

[0096] Thus, the circuit device 100H according to Embodiment 9 is configured to psychologically restrict users other than pre-set specific users from using the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 by having a restriction indicator 22c regarding the restriction of use of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12. In any of Embodiments 5 to 9, the restriction indicator is not limited to a string of characters, but may consist of a single character, an icon, a pictogram, or a combination of these and a string of characters.

[0097] Embodiment 10. Next, with reference to Figure 20, the circuit device 100I according to Embodiment 10 will be described. The circuit device 100I according to Embodiment 10 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it has a different cover body, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 are used for the same configurations as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0098] Figure 20 is a side view cross-sectional view showing the circuit device 100I according to Embodiment 10. As shown in Figure 20, the cover body 20B of the circuit device 100I according to Embodiment 10 has a first cover body 21D, a second cover body 22D, a locking mechanism 21c, and a locking member 21d.

[0099] The locking mechanism 21c switches the state of the circuit device 100I between a locked state in which the first cover body 21D is locked to the second cover body 22D and an unlocked state in which it is not locked, by being operated with a dedicated tool. For example, the locking mechanism 21c is composed of a cylinder lock and is held in place by the first cover body 21D, and by being operated with the key K1, the locking member 21d moves and the locking member 21d contacts the inner surface 22g of the second cover body 22D, thereby locking the first cover body 21D to the second cover body 22D, and the state of the circuit device 100I switches between a locked state in which the locking member 21d moves to a position where it does not contact the inner surface 22g of the second cover body 22D, thereby unlocking the first cover body 21D and preventing it from being locked to the second cover body 22D.

[0100] As described above, the circuit device 100I according to Embodiment 10 is configured such that the first cover body 21D is locked against the second cover body 22D by the locking mechanism 21c and the locking member 21d, thereby restricting users other than those possessing a dedicated device such as a key K1 from switching the cover body 20B from the first state to the second state. In Embodiment 10, the locking mechanism may be an electronic lock operated by electronic control, or it may not use a dedicated device such as a dial lock.

[0101] Embodiment 11. Next, the circuit device 100J according to Embodiment 11 will be described with reference to Figures 21 and 22. The circuit device 100J according to Embodiment 11 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it has a different circuit board, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 will be used for the same configurations as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0102] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of the circuit device 100J according to Embodiment 11, viewed from the side, and Figure 22 is a plan view of the circuit device 100J according to Embodiment 11 with the first cover removed. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the circuit board 10B of the circuit device 100J according to Embodiment 11 has a printed circuit board 11A, a board connector 12, a holder 13, a connector cover 10b, a locking mechanism 10c, and a locking member 10d, and is configured to perform a specific function when electrically connected to an external device 700 (see Figure 6), which is an external device, via the board connector 12.

[0103] The connector cover 10b, which serves as the second cover body, is configured to be detachable from the printed circuit board 11A by operating the locking mechanism 10c. Furthermore, the connector cover 10b is positioned to cover the circuit board connector 12 in a view perpendicular to the circuit board surface 11a, so that the external connector 15 (see Figure 4) cannot be attached to or detached from the circuit board connector 12 while the connector cover 10b is attached to the printed circuit board 11A.

[0104] The locking mechanism 10c, when operated with a special tool, switches the state of the circuit device 100J between a locked state in which the connector cover 10b is locked to the printed circuit board 11A and an unlocked state in which it is not locked. For example, the locking mechanism 10c is composed of a cylinder lock and is held in place by the connector cover 10b. When operated with the key K1 (see Figure 20), the locking member 10d moves, and the locking member 10d contacts the surface of the printed circuit board 11A opposite to the substrate surface 11a, thereby locking the connector cover 10b to the printed circuit board 11A. The locking mechanism switches the state of the circuit device 100J between a locked state in which the locking member 10d contacts the printed circuit board 11A and the connector cover 10b is locked to the printed circuit board 11A, and an unlocked state in which the locking member 10d retracts to a position where it does not contact the printed circuit board 11A, so the connector cover 10b is not locked to the printed circuit board 11A. In the unlocked state, the connector cover 10b becomes detachable from the printed circuit board 11A together with the locking mechanism 10c, as the locking member 10d moves freely between one side and the other side in the orthogonal direction D0 of the printed circuit board 11A through the through hole 11c formed in the printed circuit board 11A. The board connector 12 allows for the attachment and detachment of the external connector 15 when the connector cover 10b is removed from the printed circuit board 11A.

[0105] Thus, the circuit device 100J according to Embodiment 11 is configured such that the connector cover 10b is locked to the printed circuit board 11A by the locking mechanism 10c and the locking member 10d, thereby restricting users other than those possessing a dedicated device such as a key K1 from switching from a state where the external connector 15 cannot be attached to or detached from the circuit board connector 12 (where the connector cover 10b covers at least a portion of the circuit board connector 12 in a view in the direction intersecting with the circuit board surface 11a) to a state where the connector cover 10b does not cover at least a portion of the circuit board connector 12 (where the external connector 15 can be attached to or detached from the circuit board connector 12).

[0106] Embodiment 12. Next, with reference to Figure 23, the circuit device 100K according to Embodiment 12 will be described. The circuit device 100K according to Embodiment 12 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that the cover body is different, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 are used for the same configurations as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0107] Figure 23 is a side view cross-sectional view showing the circuit device 100K according to Embodiment 12. As shown in Figure 23, the cover body 20C of the circuit device 100K according to Embodiment 12 has a first cover body 21E, a second cover body 22E, and a locking mechanism 25.

[0108] The locking mechanism 25 can be operated with a special tool to switch between a locked state in which the first cover body 21E is locked to the second cover body 22E, and an unlocked state in which it is not locked. For example, the locking mechanism 25 is made up of a padlock, and the U-shaped fitting 25b of the locking mechanism 25 is hooked and held between the hook portion 21g of the first cover body 21E and the hook portion 22k of the second cover body 22E. Furthermore, for example, the locking mechanism 25 switches between a locked state (see Figure 23) in which the U-shaped fitting 25b moves relative to the main body 25a when operated with the key K1, and the first cover body 21E is locked to the second cover body 22E because the U-shaped fitting 25b cannot be attached to or detached from the hooking portion 21g and the hooking portion 22k, and an unlocked state in which the first cover body 21E is not locked to the second cover body 22E because the U-shaped fitting 25b becomes detachable from the hooking portion 21g and the hooking portion 22k.

[0109] Thus, the circuit device 100K according to embodiment 12 is configured such that the first cover body 21E is locked against the second cover body 22E by the locking mechanism 25, thereby restricting users other than those who possess a dedicated tool such as the key K1 from switching the cover body 20C from the first state to the second state.

[0110] Embodiment 13. Next, with reference to Figure 24, the circuit device 100L according to Embodiment 13 will be described. The circuit device 100L according to Embodiment 13 differs from the circuit device 100H according to Embodiment 9 in its cover body, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 9 will be used for the same configurations as in Embodiment 9, and their description will be omitted.

[0111] Figure 24A is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21Q of the circuit device 100L according to Embodiment 13 in a closed state, and Figure 24B is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21Q of the circuit device 100L according to Embodiment 13 in an open state. As shown in Figures 24A and 24B, the cover body 20D of the circuit device 100L according to Embodiment 13 has a first cover body 21Q and a second cover body 22Q. The cover body 20D of the circuit device 100L according to Embodiment 13 differs from the circuit device 100H according to Embodiment 9 in that the second cover body 22Q holds the first cover body 21Q so that it can move along the D1 direction relative to the second cover body 22Q, but the other configurations are the same. The first cover body 21Q may have an operating projection 21h to facilitate the user's movement of the first cover body 21Q.

[0112] Embodiment 14. Next, the circuit device 100M according to Embodiment 14 will be described with reference to Figure 25. Figure 25A is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21F of the circuit device 100M according to Embodiment 14 in a closed state, and Figure 25B is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21F of the circuit device 100M according to Embodiment 14 in an open state. As shown in Figures 25A and 25B, the cover body 20E has a first cover body 21F, a second cover body 22F, and a screw 23.

[0113] The circuit device 100M according to Embodiment 14 differs from the circuit device 100L according to Embodiment 13 in that it is equipped with a screw 23 for holding the first cover body 21F to the second cover body 22F so that the first cover body 21F does not move relative to the second cover body 22F when the first cover body 21F is closed (first state), but the other configurations are the same. For example, the first cover body 21F is held so as not to move relative to the second cover body 22F by attaching the screw 23 to the screw pilot hole 22l formed in the second cover body 22F through a through hole formed in the first cover body 21F.

[0114] Embodiment 15. Next, the circuit device 100N according to Embodiment 15 will be described with reference to Figure 26. Figure 26A is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21G of the circuit device 100N according to Embodiment 15 in a closed state, and Figure 26B is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21G of the circuit device 100N according to Embodiment 15 in an open state. As shown in Figures 26A and 26B, the cover body 20F has a first cover body 21G, a second cover body 22G, and a locking mechanism 25.

[0115] The circuit device 100N according to Embodiment 15 differs from the circuit device 100M according to Embodiment 14 in that the screw 23 used to hold the first cover body 21F to the second cover body 22F so that the first cover body 21F does not move relative to the second cover body 22F is replaced with the locking mechanism 25 of the circuit device 100K according to Embodiment 12, but the other configurations are the same. For example, the locking mechanism 25 is operated with a special tool to switch between a locked state in which the first cover body 21G is locked relative to the second cover body 22G and an unlocked state in which it is not locked. For example, the locking mechanism 25 is made up of a padlock, and the U-shaped fitting 25b of the locking mechanism 25 is hooked and held between the hook portion 21n of the first cover body 21G and the hook portion 22m of the second cover body 22G.

[0116] Embodiment 16. Next, with reference to Figure 27, the circuit device 100O according to Embodiment 16 will be described. The circuit device 100O according to Embodiment 16 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it has a different holder, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 are used for the same configurations as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0117] Figure 27 is a perspective view showing the circuit board 10C of the circuit device 100O according to Embodiment 16. As shown in Figure 27, the circuit board 10C according to Embodiment 16 has a printed circuit board 11B, a board connector 12, and a holder 13B, and is configured to perform a specific function when electrically connected to an external device 700 (see Figure 6), which is an external device, via the board connector 12.

[0118] The holder 13B is held on the printed circuit board 11B and has leg portions 13g that extend along an intersecting direction that intersects the board surface 11a, and a top plate portion 13h that is connected to the end of the leg portion 13a opposite to the board surface 11a in the orthogonal direction D0 and has a through hole 13d that extends along the board surface 11a. For example, the leg portion 13g is held on the printed circuit board 11B by being soldered to the printed circuit board 11B. Specifically, the leg portion 13g has an insertion portion 13g1 for insertion into a through hole formed in the printed circuit board 11B, and contact portions 13g2 and 13g3 that contact the board surface 11a, and the insertion portion 13g1 and the contact portions 13g2 and 13g3 are held on the printed circuit board 11B by being soldered to the printed circuit board 11B. By holding the top plate portion 13h with a single leg portion 13g in this way, the degree of freedom in the placement of the holder 13B is improved compared to the case where the top plate portion is held with a pair of legs, making it possible to increase the density of component placement on the circuit board.

[0119] Embodiment 17. Next, with reference to Figure 28, the circuit device 100P according to Embodiment 17 will be described. The circuit device 100P according to Embodiment 17 differs from the circuit device 100O according to Embodiment 16 in its configuration related to the method of holding the holder to the printed circuit board, but other configurations are the same, and for configurations similar to those in Embodiment 16, the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 will be used and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0120] Figure 28 is a perspective view showing the circuit board 10D of the circuit device 100P according to Embodiment 17. As shown in Figure 28, the holder 13C of the circuit board 10D according to Embodiment 17 is held on the printed circuit board 11C and has a leg portion 13k that extends along an intersecting direction intersecting the board surface 11a, a top plate portion 13h that is connected to the end of the leg portion 13k opposite to the board surface 11a in the orthogonal direction D0 and has a through hole 13d that extends along the board surface 11a, and a contact portion 13j that is connected to the end of the leg portion 13k on the board surface 11a side in the orthogonal direction D0 and contacts the board surface 11a. A through hole 13j1 is formed in the contact portion 13j. The holder 13C is held on the printed circuit board 11C by fasteners not shown, such as screws, through the through hole 13j1. By holding the top plate portion 13h with a single leg portion 13k in this way, the degree of freedom in arranging the holder 13C is improved compared to the case where the top plate portion is held with a pair of legs, making it possible to increase the density of component placement on the circuit board. Furthermore, the shape of the holder is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 28, as long as it can perform the functions described above. For example, the through hole of the holder may be formed so that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface 11a, it is rotated 90° around a virtual axis perpendicular to the substrate surface 11a compared to the shape shown in Figure 28, and a variety of shapes are possible for the holder.

[0121] Embodiment 18. Next, the circuit system according to Embodiment 18 will be described with reference to Figures 29 to 31. The circuit system according to Embodiment 18 differs from the circuit system according to Embodiment 2 in the configuration of the drive source provided in the cover body, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 2 will be used and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0122] Figure 29 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the circuit system according to Embodiment 18. As shown in Figure 29, the circuit system according to Embodiment 18 includes an input device 200, a display device 300, a sound notification device 400, a drive source 500, a circuit device 100Q, and an external device 700.

[0123] The drive source 500 is electrically connected to the circuit device 100Q by wire or wireless means and operates based on information from the circuit device 100Q. The drive source 500 also switches the state of the circuit device 100Q between a locked state, where the first cover body 21H (see Figure 31) is locked to the second cover body 22H, and an unlocked state, where it is not locked. For example, the drive source 500 is composed of a solenoid or motor that operates upon power supply. Details of the drive source 500 will be described later.

[0124] The control unit 150B includes a specific function control unit 151, a display control unit 152, an audio control unit 153, and a drive control unit 154.

[0125] The drive control unit 154 operates the drive source 500. For example, if the drive control unit 154 is authenticated as a specific user of the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12 based on the authentication result by the authentication unit 140, it operates the drive source 500 to switch the state of the circuit device 100Q from locked to unlocked.

[0126] The hardware configuration of the circuit device 100Q according to Embodiment 18 is the same as that of the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1, so its description will be omitted.

[0127] Next, with reference to Figures 29 and 30, the details of the processing performed by the circuit device 100Q according to Embodiment 18 will be described. Note that in the processing performed by the circuit device 100Q according to Embodiment 18, the processing from step ST01 to step ST10 is the same as the processing performed by the circuit device 100A according to Embodiment 2, so its explanation will be omitted. Figure 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the circuit device 100Q according to Embodiment 18.

[0128] As shown in Figure 30, when the circuit device 100Q performs the processing in step ST10, it activates the drive source 500 (step ST11). In this process, the circuit device 100Q activates the drive source 500 to switch the state of the circuit device 100Q from locked state to unlocked state, based on the fact that the identification information acquired in the processing of step ST05 matches the identification information of a specific user that has been set in advance.

[0129] The circuit device 100Q terminates processing when it has performed the processing in step ST08 or step ST11.

[0130] Figure 31 is a side view cross-sectional view showing a circuit device 100Q according to Embodiment 18. As shown in Figure 31, the circuit device 100Q according to Embodiment 18 includes a circuit board 10, a cover body 20G, a drive source 500, and a locking member 501 that moves when the drive source 500 is activated. The cover body 20G has a first cover body 21H and a second cover body 22H. For example, the drive source 500 is held in one of the first cover body 21H and the second cover body 22H. For example, the drive source 500 switches the state of the circuit device 100Q between a locked state in which the first cover body 21H is locked to the second cover body 22H and an unlocked state in which it is not locked, by moving the locking member 501 relative to the first cover body 21H and the second cover body 22H (for example, along the D3 direction shown in Figure 31).

[0131] Embodiment 19. Next, the circuit system according to Embodiment 19 will be described with reference to Figure 32. The circuit system according to Embodiment 19 differs from the circuit system according to Embodiment 2 in that the first cover body moves when the drive control unit operates the drive source, but the other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 18 will be used and the description will be omitted. The circuit system according to Embodiment 19 includes an input device 200, a display device 300, a sound notification device 400, a drive source 500A, a circuit device 100R, and an external device 700 (see Figure 29).

[0132] Figure 32 is a side view cross-sectional view showing the circuit device 100R according to Embodiment 19. As shown in Figure 32, the circuit device 100R according to Embodiment 19 comprises a circuit board 10, a cover body 20H, a drive source 500A, a pinion 502, and a gear 22n. The cover body 20H has a first cover body 21I and a second cover body 22I. For example, the drive source 500A is composed of a motor that operates upon power supply and operates based on information input from the drive control unit 154, rotating the pinion 502. The pinion 502 meshes with a gear 22n that is rotatably supported on the cover body 20H, and by rotating, transmits rotational force to the gear 22n. The gear 22n meshes with a rack portion 21j formed on the first cover body 21I, and by rotating, moves the first cover body 21I relative to the second cover body 22I (for example, along the D3 direction shown in Figure 32).

[0133] In the circuit system according to Embodiment 19, the trigger for activating the drive source 500A is the same as the trigger for activating the drive source 500 in the circuit system according to Embodiment 18, so the explanation is omitted. Furthermore, it is desirable that the first cover body 21I is configured so that it does not move relative to the second cover body 22I regardless of the operation of the drive source 500A.

[0134] Embodiment 20. Next, the circuit system according to Embodiment 20 will be described with reference to Figures 33 and 34. The circuit system according to Embodiment 20 is an application of the circuit system according to Embodiment 1 to a vehicle, and the functions and structural details of each component of the circuit system according to Embodiment 20 are the same as those of the circuit system according to Embodiment 1.

[0135] Figure 33 is a perspective view showing the circuit system according to Embodiment 20, and Figure 34 is a perspective view showing the circuit system according to Embodiment 20 with the first cover body 21J removed. As shown in Figures 33 and 34, the circuit system according to Embodiment 20 includes a display device 300 located in the vehicle compartment R1, a circuit board 10 and a cover body 20I, and external devices (not shown). The circuit board 10 is composed of an electronic control device for controlling the vehicle 100S, and the cover body 20I is composed of the dashboard of the vehicle 100S. The cover body 20I has a first cover body 21J and a second cover body 22J.

[0136] For example, in the circuit system according to Embodiment 20, when a worker, as the user of the circuit system, performs maintenance on the vehicle 100S with an external device connected to the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12, the worker first removes the first cover body 21J, which is a component of the dashboard, to expose the entire circuit board 10, or at least a part of the circuit board 10 including the board connector 12, and then connects the external device to the circuit board 10 via the board connector 12. It is desirable that the circuit board 10 be arranged such that, with the first cover body 21J removed, the entire surface 11a of the circuit board is exposed to the worker in the vehicle compartment R1. By arranging the circuit board 10 in this way, the workability of maintenance by the worker can be improved.

[0137] Embodiment 21. Next, the circuit system according to Embodiment 21 will be described with reference to Figures 35 and 36. The circuit system according to Embodiment 21 differs from the circuit system according to Embodiment 1 in some configurations, but other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 will be used for the same configurations as in Embodiment 1, and their description will be omitted.

[0138] Figure 35 is an exploded view showing a circuit system according to Embodiment 21. The circuit system according to Embodiment 21 is composed of an image display device such as a television or computer display. As shown in Figure 35, the circuit system according to Embodiment 21 is composed of an image display device 300, a circuit device 100T, and an external device (not shown).

[0139] The circuit device 100T comprises a circuit board 10, a cover body 20J, and two boards B1 and B2 electrically connected to the circuit board 10. The various functions of the circuit device 100T are realized through the cooperation of the circuit board 10 and the boards B1 and B2. The cover body 20J also includes a first cover body 21K, a second cover body 22K, a third cover body 27K, and a locking mechanism 21k. The circuit board 10 is positioned along the display surface of the display device 300, and the board connector 12 is located on the front side of the display surface on the circuit board 10.

[0140] Figure 36A is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21K of the circuit device 100T according to Embodiment 21 in a closed state, and Figure 36B is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21K of the circuit device 100T according to Embodiment 21 in an open state. The first cover body 21K is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the second cover body 22K. The locking mechanism 21k is configured, for example, as a cylinder lock, and is operated with a key K1 to switch the state of the circuit device 100T between a locked state in which the first cover body 21K is locked relative to the second cover body 22K, and an unlocked state in which the first cover body 21K is not locked relative to the second cover body 22K.

[0141] As described above, the circuit board 10 is positioned along the display surface of the display device 300, and the board connector 12 is positioned on the front side of the display surface on the circuit board 10. This allows the user to easily connect an external device to the board connector 12 while facing the display surface of the display device 300, with the first cover body 21K open to the second cover body 22K. In embodiment 21, the locking mechanism 21k is configured to switch the state of the circuit device 100T between a locked state and an unlocked state by being operated with the key K1, but is not limited to this. The locking mechanism may be configured to switch the state of the circuit device 100T between a locked state and an unlocked state by another mechanism. For example, similar to Embodiment 18, it may have a drive source (not shown) and a locking member, and the drive source may be configured to switch the state of the circuit device between a locked state in which the first cover body 21H is locked to the second cover body 22H and an unlocked state in which it is not locked by moving the locking member relative to the first cover body and the second cover body. Alternatively, the state of the circuit device may be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state by rotating the cylinder lock with a drive source (not shown). A description of the configuration similar to Embodiment 18 will be omitted.

[0142] Embodiment 22. Next, the circuit system according to Embodiment 22 will be described with reference to Figure 37. The circuit system according to Embodiment 22 differs from the circuit system according to Embodiment 21 in its configuration related to the locking mechanism, but the other configurations are the same. For configurations similar to those in Embodiment 21, the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 21 will be used, and their description will be omitted.

[0143] The circuit system according to Embodiment 22 is composed of an image display device such as a television or computer display, and consists of an image display device 300, a circuit device 100U (see Figure 35), and an external device (not shown). The circuit device 100U includes a circuit board 10, a cover body 20K, and boards B1 and B2 electrically connected to the circuit board 10 (see Figure 35). The cover body 20K also has a first cover body 21L, a second cover body 22K, a third cover body 27K, and a locking mechanism 21m. The circuit board 10 is arranged along the display surface of the display device 300, and the board connector 12 is located on the front side of the display surface on the circuit board 10.

[0144] Figure 37A is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21L of the circuit device 100U according to Embodiment 22 in a closed state, and Figure 37B is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21L of the circuit device 100U according to Embodiment 22 in an open state. The first cover body 21L is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the second cover body 22K. The locking mechanism 21m is configured, for example, as a dial lock, and when operated by the user, it switches the state of the circuit device 100U between a locked state in which the first cover body 21L is locked relative to the second cover body 22K, and an unlocked state in which the first cover body 21L is not locked relative to the second cover body 22K.

[0145] Embodiment 23. Next, the circuit system according to Embodiment 23 will be described with reference to Figure 38. The circuit system according to Embodiment 23 is an application of the circuit system according to Embodiment 13 to a smartwatch, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 13 will be used for components similar to those in Embodiment 13, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0146] Figure 38A is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21M of the circuit system according to Embodiment 23 in a closed state, and Figure 38B is a perspective view showing the first cover body 21M of the circuit system according to Embodiment 23 in an open state. As shown in Figures 38A and 38B, the first cover body 21M of the circuit device 100V of the circuit system according to Embodiment 23 is held open and closed relative to the second cover body 22M. Since the board connector 12 is held by the holder 13 (see Figure 5), even if the board connector 12 is small, when attaching and detaching an external connector to the board connector 12, the movement (tilting) of the tip of the board connector 12 in the planar direction is restricted, and the burden on the connection between the board connector 12 and the printed circuit board 11 caused by the external force in the planar direction applied to the board connector 12 when inserting and removing the external connector 15 (see Figure 4) to the board connector 12 can be reduced. The first cover body 21M may be configured to be electrically opened and closed by a drive source (not shown) provided in the circuit device of the circuit system, which rotates a pinion and gear (not shown). A description of the configuration similar to that of Embodiment 19 will be omitted.

[0147] Embodiment 24. Next, the circuit system according to Embodiment 24 will be described with reference to Figure 39. The circuit system according to Embodiment 24 is an application of the circuit system according to Embodiment 13 to a charging adapter as a charging device. Components similar to those in Embodiment 13 are given the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 13 and their description is omitted.

[0148] Figure 39A is a perspective view showing the first cover of the circuit device 100W according to Embodiment 24 in a closed state, and Figure 39B is a perspective view showing the first cover of the circuit device 100W according to Embodiment 24 in an open state. As shown in Figures 39A and 39B, the circuit system according to Embodiment 24 comprises a circuit device 100W as a charging device and a server S1 that is live-connectable to the circuit device 100W. The circuit device 100W comprises a circuit board 10W, a cover body 20M, and plug blades 17, 17 that are electrically connected to the circuit device 100W and inserted into an outlet. The circuit board 10W comprises a board connector 12. Furthermore, the circuit board 10W is configured to have a charging function that converts the voltage of the power input from the plug blades 17, 17 and supplies the converted power to the external device when an external device having an external connector (not shown) is connected to the board connector 12. As shown in Figures 39A and 39B, the first cover body 21N of the circuit device 100W of the circuit system according to Embodiment 24 is held openable and closable relative to the second cover body 22N. When the charging adapter, which is a charging device according to Embodiment 24, is installed in an outlet, the user can supply power from the outlet to the external device via the circuit board connector 12 by connecting the external device to the exposed circuit board connector 12 when the first cover body 21N is open. The hardware configuration of the circuit board 10W is the same as that of the circuit board 10 according to Embodiment 1, so its description is omitted. The circuit device 100W also includes an information acquisition unit 110A, a setting unit 120, a connection detection unit 130, an authentication unit 140, a control unit 150A, and a storage unit 160. The details of the information acquisition unit 110A, the setting unit 120, the connection detection unit 130, the authentication unit 140, the control unit 150A, and the storage unit 160 are the same as those of the circuit device according to Embodiment 2, so their description is omitted. Furthermore, the server S1 may include some or all of the information acquisition unit 110A, setting unit 120, connection detection unit 130, authentication unit 140, control unit 150A, and storage unit 160 that are present in the circuit board 10W.For example, by including some or all of the following components in the server S1: information acquisition unit 110A, setting unit 120, connection detection unit 130, authentication unit 140, control unit 150A, and storage unit 160, it becomes possible to authenticate the charging function of the circuit device 100W via live connection. As described above, the circuit device 100W as a charging device according to Embodiment 24 comprises a circuit board 10W having a printed circuit board 11W and a board connector 12 disposed on the board surface of the printed circuit board 11W, and a cover body 20M that can switch between a first state in which the entire circuit board 10W is covered and a second state in which at least a part of the board connector 12 is not covered so that an external connector can be attached to and detached from the board connector 12 of the circuit board 10W. The cover body 20M has, in a view in the direction of intersection with the board surface of the circuit board 10W, a first cover body 21N that covers at least a part of the board connector 12 in the first state and a second cover body 22N that holds the first cover body 21N in the first state, and is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by the first cover body 21N moving relative to the second cover body 22N. With this configuration, the circuit device 100W according to Embodiment 24 can restrict the use of the circuit board 10W via the board connector 12 by users other than specific users who know the positions of the circuit board 10W and board connector 12 in advance, because the circuit board 10W and board connector 12 are not visible from the outside when the circuit board 10W is covered by the cover body 20M. In the circuit device 100W according to Embodiment 24, the cover body 20M is not limited to covering the entire circuit board 10W, as in the circuit devices according to other embodiments. The cover body only needs to be configured to cover at least a part of the circuit board 10W to the extent that external connectors cannot be connected to the board connector 12. For example, the cover body may have a first cover body that covers at least a part of the board connector 12 in the first state when viewed in a cross direction, and a second cover body that covers the part of the circuit board 10W that is not covered by the first cover body in the first state, and the first cover body may be configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by moving relative to the second cover body.Furthermore, the circuit device 100W according to Embodiment 24 may also include a switching restriction unit that restricts the switching of the cover body from a first state to a second state, similar to the other embodiments, and is composed of, for example, standard screws, special screws, a locking mechanism, a sealing label, a restriction indicator, etc. Details of the switching restriction unit are the same as in Embodiments 3 and 4, so their description will be omitted. In addition, the circuit device 100W according to Embodiment 24 may be configured to switch the charging function of the circuit board 10W from an inactive state to an active state based on the result of authentication by an authentication unit performed when an external connector is connected to the board connector 12, or it may be configured to switch the charging function of the circuit board 10W from an inactive state to an active state based on the result of authentication by an authentication unit in the server S1 performed when an external connector is not connected to the board connector 12. Furthermore, the circuit device 100W according to Embodiment 24 includes a control unit that controls a drive source for moving the first cover body 20M relative to the second cover body so that the cover body 20M moves from a first state to a second state. The control unit may be configured to restrict the use of the charging function by users other than the specified user by controlling the drive source so that the cover body 20M moves from the first state to the second state when the user of the circuit board 10W is certified as a specified user based on the results of certification by the certification unit. In Figures 39A and 39B, the plug blade 17 is a type A plug shape, but is not limited thereto. The shape of the plug blade may be a type B or type C, or a type SE, BF, B3, or O type with an additional plug blade for grounding, or a dedicated shape that is not standardized. The first cover body 21N may be configured to be electrically opened and closed by rotating a pinion and gear (not shown) by a drive source (not shown) provided in the circuit device of the circuit system, similar to Embodiment 19. The description of the configuration similar to Embodiment 19 is omitted.

[0149] Embodiment 25. Next, the circuit system according to Embodiment 25 will be described with reference to Figures 40 and 41. The circuit system according to Embodiment 25 differs from the circuit system according to Embodiment 13 in that it has multiple board connectors 12, but other configurations are the same, and the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 13 will be used and their descriptions will be omitted. The first cover body 21P, which will be described later, may be configured to be electrically opened and closed by a drive source (not shown) provided in the circuit device of the circuit system, which rotates a pinion and gear (not shown). The same configuration as in Embodiment 19 will be omitted from the description.

[0150] The circuit board 10E of the circuit system according to Embodiment 25 has a plurality of board connectors 12, which are used to restrict different users for each of the plurality of board connectors 12. For example, the circuit device 100X of the circuit system according to Embodiment 25 authenticates which of a plurality of pre-set specific users the user of the circuit board 10E via the board connector 12 is, and based on the result of the authentication, if it is authenticated that the user of the circuit board 10E via the board connector 12 is one of the plurality of specific users, it is configured to switch the specific function that is performed via the board connector 12 corresponding to that specific user from the plurality of board connectors 12 from an inactive state to an active state.

[0151] Furthermore, for example, the circuit device 100X of the circuit system according to Embodiment 25 is configured to acquire selection information by an information acquisition unit indicating that one of the multiple board connectors 12 has been selected, and to switch a specific function of the circuit board 10E that is performed via one of the board connectors 12 from an inactive state to an active state based on the acquired selection information. For example, such selection information is acquired based on an input operation to an input device performed by the administrator of the circuit system, which indicates whether the administrator decides to enable a specific function related to one of the board connectors 12. With this configuration, the circuit system according to Embodiment 25 becomes capable of selectively releasing the restriction on which of the multiple board connectors 12 can be used by a specific user. The circuit device may also be configured to electrically open and close the first cover body 21P covering the board connector 12 by rotating a pinion and gear (not shown) using a drive source (not shown) provided in the circuit device in synchronization with the authentication when the user of the circuit board 10E via the board connector 12 is authenticated as one of the specific users. The opening and closing mechanism of the first cover body 21P is the same as in Embodiment 19, and a description of the same configuration as in Embodiment 19 will be omitted. Furthermore, the circuit device 100X according to Embodiment 25 may also include a switching restriction unit that restricts switching of the cover body from the first state to the second state, for example, by being composed of standard screws, special screws, a locking mechanism, a sealing label, a restriction indicator, etc., as in the other embodiments. Details of the switching restriction unit are the same as in Embodiments 3 and 4, so a description will be omitted. Furthermore, the circuit system according to Embodiment 25 may also include an information acquisition unit 110A, a setting unit 120, a connection detection unit 130, an authentication unit 140, a control unit 150A, and a storage unit 160 in the circuit device 100X, as in the circuit system according to Embodiment 24, or it may include a server S1 that is connected to the circuit device 100X in a live connection manner and includes some or all of these information acquisition unit 110A, setting unit 120, connection detection unit 130, authentication unit 140, control unit 150A, and storage unit 160.

[0152] Embodiment 26. Next, with reference to Figure 42, the circuit device 100Y according to Embodiment 26 will be described. The circuit system according to Embodiment 26 differs from the circuit device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that the circuit board 10 is held by a third cover body 22R corresponding to the first cover body 21 of Embodiment 1, and the board connector 12 is covered by a structure 21R. However, other configurations are the same, and for configurations similar to Embodiment 1, the same names and reference numerals as in Embodiment 1 will be used and their descriptions will be omitted. As shown in Figure 42, the circuit device 100Y according to Embodiment 26 includes a circuit board 10 and a cover body 20Y. The cover body 20Y is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it covers the circuit board 10 when viewed in a crossing direction intersecting the board surface 11a, and a second state in which it does not cover at least a part of the board connector 12 so that the external connector 15 can be attached to and detached from the board connector 12. For example, the cover body 20Y may include a third cover body 22R that holds the circuit board 10, a second cover body 22Y that holds the third cover body 22R in the first state, and a structure 21R that holds the second cover body 22Y and faces the substrate surface 11a in the first state, covering at least part or all of the circuit board 10 including the substrate connector 12, and may be configured so that the printed substrate 11 moves relative to the second cover body 22 together with the first cover body 21 to switch to a second state in which the substrate connector 12 is exposed. In the first state, the third cover body 22R is held by the structure 21R via the second cover body 22Y. The configuration in which the second cover body 22Y holds the third cover body 22R is the same as the configuration in which the second cover body 22 holds the first cover body 21 in Embodiment 1, so a description is omitted. The circuit device 100Y is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the structure 21R covers the entire circuit board 10 when no external connector is connected to the board connector 12 when viewed in a cross direction, and a second state in which the structure 21R does not cover at least a part of the board connector 12 so that an external connector can be attached to and detached from the board connector 12. In the circuit device 100Y configured in this way, the third cover body 22R constitutes the first cover body, and the structure 21R constitutes the second cover body.Thus, the circuit device 100Y is configured such that the circuit board 10 is held by a detachable third cover body 22R, eliminating the need for components to hold the circuit board 10 and thus reducing the number of components.

[0153] In any of the embodiments described above, the circuit device may have some or all of the functions of the other components of the circuit system, or the functions of the circuit device may be realized through the cooperation of multiple devices electrically connected to each other. Furthermore, any component of the circuit system other than the circuit device may have the functions of the other components of the circuit system, or the circuit device may have some or all of the functions of the other components of the circuit system. For example, in a circuit system, an external device may be formed integrally with some or all of the devices other than the circuit device and configured to be electrically connected to the circuit device only via a board connector. For example, the external device may be formed integrally with an input device, and the circuit device may be configured to authenticate whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user based on information input from the external device to the board connector when the cover body is in the second state and the external connector is connected to the board connector.

[0154] Furthermore, this disclosure allows for free combination of each embodiment, modification of any component of each embodiment, or omission of any component in each embodiment. For example, each of the circuit systems according to Embodiments 1, 2, 18, 19, 24, and 25 may have features of any other embodiment.

[0155] The circuit device relating to this disclosure can be used, for example, to restrict users from using the functions of the circuit device via a connector held on a substrate.

[0156] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0157] (Note 1) A circuit board comprising: a printed circuit board; a circuit board connector disposed on the surface of the printed circuit board and formed to allow an external connector to be attached and detached along a direction intersecting the surface of the circuit board; a movement limiting portion held by the printed circuit board and in contact with the circuit board connector to restrict the movement of the circuit board connector in the planar direction along the surface of the circuit board or in the intersecting direction; and a cover body that can switch between a first state in which the entire circuit board is covered when the external connector is not connected to the circuit board connector in a view in the intersecting direction, and a second state in which at least a part of the circuit board connector is not covered so that the external connector can be attached to and detached from the circuit board connector. (Note 2) The circuit board according to Note 1, wherein the cover body comprises a first cover body that covers at least a part of the circuit board connector in the first state in a view in the intersecting direction, and a second cover body that holds the first cover body in the first state, and the first cover body is configured to switch between the first state and the second state by moving relative to the second cover body. (Note 3) The circuit device according to Note 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover body has, in the view in the cross direction, a first cover body that covers at least a part of the board connector in the first state, and a second cover body that covers the part of the circuit board not covered by the first cover body in the first state, and the first cover body is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by moving relative to the second cover body. (Note 4) The circuit device according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, characterized in that it is provided with a switching limiting unit that limits the switching of the cover body from the first state to the second state. (Note 5) The circuit device according to any one of Notes 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover body has an indication on its outer surface regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board via the board connector. (Note 6) The circuit device according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, characterized in that the circuit board has an indication on its board surface regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board via the board connector.(Note 7) The circuit device according to any one of Notes 1 to 6, further comprising an authentication unit that authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user. (Note 8) The circuit device according to Note 7, further comprising a state switching unit that, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is the specific user, switches the specific function of the circuit board performed via the board connector from an inactive state to an active state. (Note 9) The circuit device according to Note 7 or 8, further comprising an authentication unit that, when the cover body is in the second state and the external connector is connected to the board connector, authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user based on information input to the board connector from an external device having the external connector. (Note 10) The circuit device according to Note 7, characterized in that the authentication unit performs live authentication of whether the user of the circuit board via the circuit board connector is a pre-set specific user, based on information input to the circuit board connector from an external device having the external connector, when the cover body is in the second state and the external connector is connected to the circuit board connector. (Note 11) The circuit device according to Note 8 or 9, characterized in that it includes a connection detection unit that detects whether the external connector is connected to the circuit board connector, and a notification unit that notifies information regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board when the connection of the external connector to the circuit board connector is detected while the specific function is disabled.(Note 12) The circuit board has a plurality of board connectors, the authentication unit authenticates which of a plurality of pre-set specific users the user of the circuit board via the board connector is, and the state switching unit, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, switches the specific function performed via the board connector corresponding to one of the specific users from an disabled state to an enabled state. This is the circuit device according to any one of Notes 8 to 10. (Note 13) The circuit board has a plurality of board connectors, the circuit device according to any one of Notes 1 to 11, comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires selection information indicating that one of the plurality of board connectors has been selected, and a state switching unit that switches the specific function of the circuit board performed via one of the board connectors from an disabled state to an enabled state based on the selection information acquired by the information acquisition unit. (Note 14) The circuit device according to any one of Notes 1 to 12, comprising: an authentication unit that authenticates whether the user of the circuit board is a pre-set specific user; and a control unit that controls a drive source for moving the cover body from the first state to the second state relative to the second cover body, wherein the control unit, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, authenticates that the user of the circuit board is the specific user, and controls the drive source so that the cover body moves from the first state to the second state. (Note 15) The circuit device according to any one of Notes 1 to 13, wherein the circuit board is arranged along the display surface of a display device that displays images, and the board connector is arranged on the front side of the display surface on the circuit board.(Note 16) A charging device comprising: a circuit board having a printed circuit board and a board connector disposed on the substrate surface of the printed circuit board; a cover body that can switch between a first state in which the entire circuit board is covered and a second state in which at least a part of the board connector is not covered so that an external connector can be attached to and detached from the board connector of the circuit board; wherein the cover body has, in a view in a direction intersecting the substrate surface of the circuit board, a first cover body that covers at least a part of the board connector in the first state and a second cover body that holds the first cover body in the first state, and the first cover body is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by moving relative to the second cover body. (Note 17) The charging device according to Note 16, characterized in that the cover body comprises, in the cross-directional view, a first cover body that covers at least a part of the board connector in the first state, and a second cover body that covers the portion of the circuit board not covered by the first cover body in the first state, and the first cover body is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by moving relative to the second cover body. (Note 18) The charging device according to Note 16, characterized in that it comprises a switching limiting unit that limits the switching of the cover body from the first state to the second state. (Note 19) The charging device according to Note 16, characterized in that the cover body has an indication on its outer surface regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board via the board connector. (Note 20) The charging device according to Note 17, characterized in that the circuit board has an indication on its board surface regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board via the board connector. (Note 21) The charging device according to any one of Notes 16 to 20, characterized in that it comprises an authentication unit that authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user. (Note 22) The charging device according to Note 21, characterized in that, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, if the user of the circuit board via the board connector is authenticated as the specified user, it is further equipped with a state switching unit that switches the specific function of the circuit board, which is performed via the board connector, from an inactive state to an active state.(Note 23) The charging device according to Note 21, characterized in that the authentication unit authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the circuit board connector is a pre-set specific user, based on information input to the circuit board connector from an external device having the external connector, when the cover body is in the second state and the external connector is connected to the circuit board connector. (Note 24) The charging device according to Note 21, characterized in that the authentication unit authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the circuit board connector is a pre-set specific user, based on information input to the circuit board connector from an external device having the external connector, when the cover body is in the second state and the external connector is connected to the circuit board connector, via live connection. (Note 25) The charging device according to Note 22, characterized in that it includes a connection detection unit that detects whether the external connector is connected to the circuit board connector, and a notification unit that notifies information regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board when the connection of the external connector to the circuit board connector is detected in the disabled state of the specific function. (Note 26) The charging device according to Note 22, wherein the circuit board has a plurality of board connectors, the authentication unit authenticates which of a plurality of pre-set specific users the user of the circuit board via the board connector is, and the state switching unit, based on the result of authentication by the authentication unit, switches the specific function performed via the board connector corresponding to one of the specific users from the plurality of board connectors from an inactive state to an active state. (Note 27) The charging device according to any one of Notes 16 to 20, wherein the circuit board has a plurality of board connectors, the charging device comprises an information acquisition unit that acquires selection information indicating that one of the plurality of board connectors has been selected, and a state switching unit that switches the specific function of the circuit board performed via one of the board connectors from an inactive state to an active state based on the selection information acquired by the information acquisition unit.(Note 28) The charging device according to Note 17 or 18, comprising: an authentication unit that authenticates whether the user of the circuit board is a pre-set specific user; and a control unit that controls a drive source for moving the first cover body relative to the second cover body so that the cover body moves from the first state to the second state, wherein the control unit, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, authenticates that the user of the circuit board is the specific user, and controls the drive source so that the cover body moves from the first state to the second state.(Note 29) The circuit board that does not have the first state and the second state may or may not have an indication on the board surface regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board via the board connector, and may or may not have an authentication unit that authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user, and if the user of the circuit board via the board connector is authenticated to be the specific user based on the result of authentication by the authentication unit, it is equipped with a state switching unit that switches the specific function of the circuit board that is performed via the board connector from an inactive state to an active state, and based on information input to the board connector from an external device having an external connector, it authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user, or based on information input to the board connector from an external device having an external connector, it authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user via live connection, The charging device according to any one of the appendices 16 to 28, further comprising: a connection detection unit that detects whether or not the external connector is connected to the board connector; and a notification unit that notifies information regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board when the connection of the external connector to the board connector is detected while the specific function is disabled, or not; the authentication unit authenticates which of a plurality of pre-set specific users the user of the circuit board via the board connector is; and the state switching unit, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, switches the specific function that is activated via the board connector corresponding to one of the plurality of specific users from a disabled state to an enabled state.(Note 30) A method for restricting the use of a connector, comprising: a printed circuit board; a circuit board connector disposed on the surface of the printed circuit board and having an external connector formed to be detachably attached to the surface of the printed circuit board along a direction that intersects with the surface of the printed circuit board; a movement restricting portion held on the printed circuit board and contacting the circuit board connector to restrict the movement of the circuit board connector in the direction along the surface of the circuit board or in the direction that intersects with the surface of the printed circuit board; and an external connector, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the connection portion between the circuit board connector and the external connector is made different for each of the multiple users, thereby allowing only a specific user who possesses a specific external connector to use a specific circuit board connector. (Note 31) A method for restricting the use of a connector, comprising: a printed circuit board; a circuit board connector disposed on the surface of the printed circuit board and having an external connector detachably formed along a direction intersecting the surface of the circuit board; a movement restricting portion held on the printed circuit board and contacting the circuit board connector to restrict the movement of the circuit board connector in the direction along the surface of the circuit board or in the direction intersecting the surface; and an external connector connected to the circuit board connector, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the connection portion between the circuit board connector and the external connector is made different for each of a plurality of users, and each user is provided with the external connector having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to identification information for identifying each user, thereby allowing only specific users according to the identification information to use a specific circuit board connector. (Note 32) The method for restricting the use of a connector according to Note 30 or 31, characterized in that the circuit board connector and the external connector are connected to each other to transmit optical signals transmitted and received by a digital coherent optical transceiver.(Note 33) The method for restricting the use of a connector according to Note 30 or 31, characterized in that the board connector and the external connector have four terminals, viewed from the connection direction, consisting of a VCC terminal, a data-negative terminal adjacent to the VCC terminal, a data-positive terminal adjacent to the data-negative terminal, and a grounding terminal adjacent to the data-positive terminal, and the four terminals are arranged on the same straight line. (Note 34) The method for restricting the use of a connector according to Note 30 or 31, characterized in that the board connector and the external connector have six terminals, viewed from the connection direction, consisting of a VCC terminal, a grounding terminal adjacent to the VCC terminal, a data-positive terminal adjacent to the grounding terminal, a data-negative terminal adjacent to the data-negative terminal, a configuration channel terminal adjacent to the data-negative terminal, and a sideband terminal adjacent to the configuration channel terminal, and the six terminals are arranged on the same straight line. (Note 35) A connector holder used in a circuit device comprising a printed circuit board and a board connector disposed on the board surface of the printed circuit board, having an external connector formed to be detachably attached along a direction intersecting the board surface, and to which the external connector is connected to transmit optical signals transmitted and received by a digital coherent optical transceiver, the connector holder having a movement limiting portion that is held on the printed circuit board and contacts the board connector to restrict the movement of the board connector in the planar direction along the board surface or in the intersecting direction.(Note 36) A connector connection structure comprising: a printed circuit board; a circuit board connector disposed on the surface of the printed circuit board and having an external connector formed to be detachably attached along a direction intersecting the surface of the circuit board; a circuit board connector held on the printed circuit board and having a movement limiting part that restricts the movement of the circuit board connector in the planar direction along the surface of the circuit board or in the intersecting direction by contacting the circuit board connector; and an external connector connected to the circuit board connector, wherein the circuit board connector and the external connector are connectors that are miniaturized and have a modified plug-in shape from a μUSB connector or the like (registered trademark).

[0158] 10 Circuit board, 10A Circuit board, 10B Circuit board, 10C Circuit board, 10D Circuit board, 10E Circuit board, 10F Circuit board, 10W Circuit board, 10a Restriction indicator, 10b Connector cover, 10c Locking mechanism, 10d Locking member, 11 Printed circuit board, 11A Printed circuit board, 11B Printed circuit board, 11C Printed circuit board, 11W Printed circuit board, 11a Board surface, 11c Through hole, 12 Board connector, 13 Holder, 13A Holder, 13B Holder, 13C Holder, 13a Leg portion, 13a1 Insertion portion, 13b Leg portion, 13b1 Insertion portion, 13c Top plate portion, 13d Through hole, 13f Screw pilot hole, 13g Leg portion, 13g1 Insertion portion, 13g2 Contact portion, 13g3 Contact part, 13h Top plate part, 13j Contact part, 13j1 Through hole, 13k Leg part, 14 Cable, 15 External connector, 16 Cable, 17 Plug blade, 20 Cover body, 20A Cover body, 20B Cover body, 20C Cover body, 20D Cover body, 20E Cover body, 20F Cover body, 20G Cover body, 20H Cover body, 20I Cover body, 20J Cover body, 20K Cover body, 20M Cover body, 20Y Cover body, 21 First cover body, 21A First cover body, 21C First cover body, 21D First cover body, 21E First cover body, 21F First cover body, 21G First cover body, 21H First cover body, 21I First cover body, 21J First cover body, 21K First cover body, 21L First cover, 21M First cover, 21N First cover, 21Q First cover, 21R Structure, 21a Restriction marking, 21b Through hole, 21c Locking mechanism, 21d Locking member, 21g Hooking part, 21h Protrusion, 21j Rack part, 21k Locking mechanism, 21m Locking mechanism, 21n Hooking part, 22 Second cover, 22A Second cover, 22B Second cover, 22C Second cover, 22D Second cover, 22E Second cover, 22F Second cover, 22G Second cover, 22H Second cover, 22I Second cover, 22J Second cover, 22K Second cover, 22M Second cover, 22N Second cover, 22Q Second cover, 22R Third cover, 22Y Second cover, 22a Restriction mark, 22b Restriction mark, 22c Restriction mark, 22d Recess, 22e Through hole, 22g Inner surface,22k Hook part, 22l Screw pilot hole, 22m Hook part, 22n Gear, 23 Screw, 23A Screw, 24 Seal label, 25 Locking mechanism, 25a Main body, 25b U-shaped bracket, 27K Third cover body, 100 Circuit device, 100A Circuit device, 100B Circuit device, 100C Circuit device, 100D Circuit device, 100E Circuit device, 100F Circuit device, 100G Circuit device, 100H Circuit device, 100I Circuit device, 100J Circuit device, 100K Circuit device, 100L Circuit device, 100M Circuit device, 100N Circuit device, 100O Circuit device, 100P Circuit device, 100Q Circuit device, 100R Circuit device, 100S Vehicle, 100T Circuit device, 100U Circuit device, 100V Circuit device, 100W Circuit device, 100X Circuit device, 100Y Circuit device, 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 100c I / O port, 100d Processing circuit, 110 Information acquisition unit, 110A Information acquisition unit, 120 Setting unit, 130 Connection detection unit, 140 Authentication unit, 150 Control unit, 150A Control unit, 150B Control unit, 151 Specific function control unit, 152 Display control unit, 153 Voice control unit, 154 Drive control unit, 160 Storage unit, 200 Input device, 300 Display device, 400 Sound notification device, 500 Drive source, 500A Drive source, 501 Locking member, 502 Pinion, 700 External device, A2 Through hole, B1 Substrate, B2 Substrate, D0 Orthogonal direction, K1 key, R1 passenger compartment, S1 server.

Claims

1. A circuit board comprising: a printed circuit board; a circuit board connector disposed on the surface of the printed circuit board and formed to allow an external connector to be attached and detached along a direction intersecting the surface of the circuit board; a movement limiting portion held by the printed circuit board and in contact with the circuit board connector to restrict the movement of the circuit board connector in the planar direction along the surface of the circuit board or in the intersecting direction; and a cover body that can switch between a first state in which the entire circuit board is covered when the external connector is not connected to the circuit board connector in a view in the intersecting direction, and a second state in which at least a part of the circuit board connector is not covered so that the external connector can be attached to and detached from the circuit board connector.

2. The circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the cover body comprises, in the view in the cross direction, a first cover body that covers at least a portion of the substrate connector in the first state, and a second cover body that holds the first cover body in the first state, and the first cover body is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by moving relative to the second cover body.

3. The circuit device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover body comprises, in the view in the cross direction, a first cover body that covers at least a part of the substrate connector in the first state, and a second cover body that covers the portion of the circuit board not covered by the first cover body in the first state, and the first cover body is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by moving relative to the second cover body.

4. The circuit device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a switching limiting unit that limits the switching of the cover body from the first state to the second state.

5. The circuit device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover body has an indication on its outer surface regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board via the board connector.

6. The circuit device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the circuit board has an indication on the board surface relating to restrictions on the use of the circuit board via the board connector.

7. The circuit device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an authentication unit that authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-configured specific user.

8. The circuit device according to claim 7, further comprising a state switching unit that, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, authenticates that the user of the circuit board via the board connector is the specified user, switches the specific function of the circuit board, which is performed via the board connector, from an inactive state to an active state.

9. The circuit device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the authentication unit, while the cover body is in the second state and the external connector is connected to the board connector, authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user, based on information input to the board connector from an external device having the external connector.

10. The circuit device according to claim 7, characterized in that the authentication unit performs live authentication of whether the user of the circuit board via the circuit board connector is a pre-set specific user, based on information input to the circuit board connector from an external device having the external connector, when the cover body is in the second state and the external connector is connected to the circuit board connector.

11. The circuit device according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: a connection detection unit for detecting whether or not the external connector is connected to the board connector; and a notification unit for notifying information regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board when the connection of the external connector to the board connector is detected while a specific function of the circuit board is disabled.

12. The circuit board has a plurality of board connectors, the authentication unit authenticates which of a plurality of pre-set specific users the user of the circuit board via the board connector is, and the state switching unit, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, switches the specific function performed via the board connector corresponding to one of the specific users from an inactive state to an active state.

13. The circuit device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the circuit board has a plurality of board connectors, and comprises an information acquisition unit that acquires selection information indicating that one of the plurality of board connectors has been selected, and a state switching unit that switches a specific function of the circuit board, which is performed via one of the board connectors, from an inactive state to an active state based on the selection information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

14. The circuit device according to claim 2 or 3, comprising: an authentication unit that authenticates whether the user of the circuit board is a pre-set specific user; and a control unit that controls a drive source for moving the first cover body relative to the second cover body so that the cover body moves from a first state to a second state, wherein the control unit, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, authenticates that the user of the circuit board is the specific user, and controls the drive source so that the cover body moves from a first state to a second state.

15. The circuit device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the circuit board is arranged along the display surface of a display device that displays an image, and the board connector is arranged on the front side of the display surface on the circuit board.

16. A charging device comprising: a circuit board having a printed circuit board and a board connector disposed on the substrate surface of the printed circuit board; a cover body that can switch between a first state in which the entire circuit board is covered and a second state in which at least a part of the board connector is not covered so that an external connector can be attached to and detached from the board connector of the circuit board, wherein the cover body has, in a view in a direction intersecting the substrate surface of the circuit board, a first cover body that covers at least a part of the board connector in the first state and a second cover body that holds the first cover body in the first state, and the first cover body is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by moving relative to the second cover body.

17. The charging device according to claim 16, wherein the cover body comprises, in the view in the cross direction, a first cover body that covers at least a part of the substrate connector in the first state, and a second cover body that covers the portion of the circuit board not covered by the first cover body in the first state, and the first cover body is configured to be switchable between the first state and the second state by moving relative to the second cover body.

18. The charging device according to claim 16, further comprising a switching limiting unit that limits the switching of the cover body from the first state to the second state.

19. The charging device according to claim 16, characterized in that the cover body has an indication on its outer surface regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board via the board connector.

20. The charging device according to claim 16, characterized in that the circuit board has an indication on the board surface relating to restrictions on the use of the circuit board via the board connector.

21. The charging device according to any one of claims 16 to 20, further comprising an authentication unit that authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user.

22. The charging device according to claim 21, further comprising a state switching unit that, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, authenticates that the user of the circuit board via the board connector is the specified user, switches the specific function of the circuit board, which is performed via the board connector, from an inactive state to an active state.

23. The charging device according to claim 21, characterized in that the authentication unit, while the cover body is in the second state and the external connector is connected to the board connector, authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user, based on information input to the board connector from an external device having the external connector.

24. The charging device according to claim 21, characterized in that the authentication unit, while the cover body is in the second state and the external connector is connected to the board connector, performs live authentication of whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user, based on information input to the board connector from an external device having the external connector.

25. The charging device according to claim 22, further comprising a connection detection unit for detecting whether or not the external connector is connected to the board connector, and a notification unit for notifying information regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board when the connection of the external connector to the board connector is detected while the specific function is disabled.

26. The charging device according to 22, wherein the circuit board has a plurality of board connectors, the authentication unit authenticates which of a plurality of pre-set specific users the user of the circuit board via the board connector is, and the state switching unit, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, switches the specific function performed via the board connector corresponding to one of the plurality of specific users from an inactive state to an active state.

27. The charging device according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the circuit board has a plurality of board connectors, and comprises an information acquisition unit that acquires selection information indicating that one of the plurality of board connectors has been selected, and a state switching unit that switches a specific function of the circuit board, which is performed via one of the board connectors, from an inactive state to an active state based on the selection information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

28. The charging device according to claim 17 or 18, comprising: an authentication unit that authenticates whether the user of the circuit board is a pre-set specific user; and a control unit that controls a drive source for moving the first cover body relative to the second cover body so that the cover body moves from a first state to a second state, wherein the control unit, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, authenticates that the user of the circuit board is the specific user, and controls the drive source so that the cover body moves from a first state to a second state.

29. The circuit board that does not have the first state and the second state may or may not have an indication on the board surface regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board via the board connector, and may or may not have an authentication unit that authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user, and if, based on the result of authentication by the authentication unit, the user of the circuit board via the board connector is authenticated to be the specific user, it is equipped with a state switching unit that switches the specific function of the circuit board that is performed via the board connector from an inactive state to an active state, and based on information input to the board connector from an external device having an external connector, it authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user, or based on information input to the board connector from an external device having an external connector, it authenticates whether the user of the circuit board via the board connector is a pre-set specific user via live connection, The charging device according to any one of claims 16 to 28, further comprising: a connection detection unit that detects whether or not the external connector is connected to the board connector; and a notification unit that notifies information regarding restrictions on the use of the circuit board when the connection of the external connector to the board connector is detected while the specific function is disabled, or not; the authentication unit authenticates which of a plurality of pre-set specific users the user of the circuit board via the board connector is; and the state switching unit, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit, switches the specific function that is activated via the board connector corresponding to one of the plurality of specific users from a disabled state to an enabled state.

30. A method for restricting the use of a connector, comprising: a printed circuit board; a circuit board connector disposed on the surface of the printed circuit board and having an external connector detachably formed along a direction intersecting the surface of the circuit board; a movement restricting portion held on the printed circuit board and contacting the circuit board connector to restrict the movement of the circuit board connector in the planar direction along the surface of the circuit board or in the intersecting direction; and an external connector, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the connection portion between the circuit board connector and the external connector is made different for each of multiple users, thereby allowing only specific users who possess a specific external connector to use a specific circuit board connector.

31. A method for restricting the use of a connector, comprising: a printed circuit board; a circuit board connector disposed on the surface of the printed circuit board and having an external connector detachably formed along a direction intersecting the surface of the circuit board; a movement restricting portion held on the printed circuit board and contacting the circuit board connector to restrict the movement of the circuit board connector in the direction along the surface of the circuit board or in the direction intersecting the surface; and an external connector connected to the circuit board connector, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the connection portion between the circuit board connector and the external connector is made different for each of a number of users, and each user is provided with the external connector having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to identification information for identifying each user, thereby allowing only specific users according to the identification information to use a specific circuit board connector.

32. The connector user restriction method according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that the substrate connector and the external connector are connected to each other to transmit optical signals transmitted and received by a digital coherent optical transceiver.

33. The method for restricting the use of a connector according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the board connector and the external connector have four terminals, when viewed from the connection direction, consisting of a VCC terminal, a data negative terminal adjacent to the VCC terminal, a data positive terminal adjacent to the data negative terminal, and a grounding terminal adjacent to the data positive terminal, and the four terminals are arranged on the same straight line.

34. The method for restricting the use of a connector according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the board connector and the external connector have six terminals, viewed from the connection direction, consisting of a VCC terminal, a grounding terminal adjacent to the VCC terminal, a data plus terminal adjacent to the grounding terminal, a data minus terminal adjacent to the data plus terminal, a configuration channel terminal adjacent to the data minus terminal, and a sideband terminal adjacent to the configuration channel terminal, and the six terminals are arranged on the same straight line.

35. A connector holder used in a circuit device comprising a printed circuit board and a board connector disposed on the board surface of the printed circuit board, having an external connector detachably formed along a direction intersecting the board surface, and which transmits optical signals transmitted and received by a digital coherent optical transceiver when the external connector is connected, the connector holder having a movement limiting portion that is held on the printed circuit board and contacts the board connector to restrict the movement of the board connector in the planar direction along the board surface or in the intersecting direction.

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