Expansion unit and electronic-apparatus system
OwnerSatoshi Azuchiinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic-apparatus system according to the present invention includes a main device, an expansion unit which expands the function of the main device and a cradle in which the main device is held when the main device transmits/receives data to/from a personal computer. A connector for connecting a data-synchronizing signal line and a function-expanding signal line is provided on the bottom of the main device. A connector and a connector,.which are fitted into the connector, are provided in the expansion unit and cradle, respectively. The expansion unit has a connector having the same shape as that of the connector. Thus, the cradle can be used with the expansion unit connected to the main device.
Claims18
An expansion unit that is detachably capable to be connected to electronic apparatus having a first connector, comprising:
- a second connector electrically connected to the first connector;
- a third connector whose shape is equal to that of the first connector and which is connected to other electronic apparatus being different from the electronic apparatus;
- and
- a signal line which electrically connects the second connector and the third connector together.
An electronic-apparatus system having an electronic apparatus and a first expansion unit detachably connected to the electronic apparatus,
- the electronic apparatus comprising a first connector used for both data communications with other electronic apparatus and function expansion of the electronic apparatus, and
- the first expansion unit comprising:
- a second connector electrically connected to the first connector;
- a third connector having a same shape as that of the first connector and being connectable to the other electronic apparatus;
- and
- a first signal line which electrically connects the first connector and the second connector together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.