JP2010273228A - Electronic apparatus and wireless lan apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus capable of preventing user operability with respect to an electronic apparatus body from being damaged when a wireless LAN module is mounted in the electronic apparatus body. <P>SOLUTION: A DVD player 100 is configured to mount a wireless LAN module 60 in an apparatus body 20 capable of communication over a local area network, the wireless LAN module 60 including an antenna section 55 for receiving a signal over the local area network. The wireless LAN module 60 further includes an operating button section 56 provided in association with operation contents of the apparatus body 20, and a control circuit section 50 (a control section 52, an LED driving AMP section 58 and an infrared LED 57) for transferring to the apparatus body 20 a remote control signal corresponding to the contents of operation of the operating button section 56 by a user 400. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device and a wireless LAN device, and more particularly to an electronic device including an electronic device main body capable of wireless communication via a local area network and a wireless LAN device attached to an electronic device capable of wireless communication via a local area network. .

  Conventionally, various electronic devices are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4), and in recent years, a technology for adding a wireless communication function to a electronic device by a local area network (LAN) has also been proposed.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a console device (electronic device) capable of playing a video game based on a user operation. The console device has a power button on the device body, an input / output port of an operating device (wired remote control device) for operating the device body, a remote control signal receiver for receiving signals from the wireless remote control device, and game software. A DVD tray portion (opening / closing door) and the like are arranged in a concentrated manner on the front panel portion of the apparatus main body.

  Moreover, the said patent document 2 is disclosing the vehicle-mounted electronic device which provides a car navigation function and a car audio function based on user operation. The in-vehicle electronic device includes a power button and various operation buttons of the device main body, a display screen portion that is slid in and out from the inside of the device main body, a remote control signal light receiving portion that receives a signal from the attached wireless remote control device, A disc tray portion (opening / closing door) for taking in and out the disc-type recording medium is intensively arranged on the front panel portion of the apparatus main body.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an information storage device capable of recording and reproducing a DAT cassette tape. This information storage device includes a power button and various operation buttons of the apparatus main body, a loading section (opening / closing door) for loading a DAT cassette tape into the apparatus main body, an operation display section for displaying the operation of the apparatus main body, and the like. It is centrally arranged on the front panel of the device body.

  Patent Document 4 discloses a tape drive device capable of recording and reproducing a cassette tape. In this tape drive apparatus, the power button and various operation buttons of the apparatus main body, the loading port (opening / closing door) for the cassette tape, and the like are concentrated on the front panel portion of the apparatus main body.

JP 2006-187595 A JP 2002-109868 A JP 2002-63784 A JP 2002-109866 A

  Here, when it is desired to add a wireless LAN communication function to an existing electronic device as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 in an environment where a local area network is constructed, the wireless LAN is connected to the electronic device body. It is necessary to attach a wireless LAN module for communication. In addition, when the wireless LAN module is attached, the wireless LAN module (reception antenna unit) is attached outside the metal casing that surrounds the electronic device main body for the purpose of electromagnetic shielding so that the wireless LAN module can easily receive radio waves. There is a need. In addition, when the wireless LAN module is attached to the outside of the housing, the wireless LAN module is disposed on the front side of the electronic device body rather than the back surface, side surface, and top surface of the electronic device body in order to maintain the reception state of the radio wave. It is preferable.

  However, when a wireless LAN module is attached to the console device described in Patent Document 1 and it is desired to use it in a local area network environment, a power button or an input / output port of an operating device is already provided on the front panel of the device body. In addition, since the remote control signal light receiving unit, the DVD tray unit (opening / closing door), and the like are arranged in a concentrated manner, it is considered that there is hardly any space left for newly installing the wireless LAN module in this region. In addition, when a wireless LAN module is newly attached to the front panel unit, the wireless LAN module is installed in this vacant space at the expense of the layout of existing operation buttons that occupy the front panel unit. It is necessary to reconfigure the layout so that it is attached. Therefore, when the layout of the front panel portion is changed in order to attach the wireless LAN module, there is a problem that the user operability for the console device (device main body) may be impaired.

  Also in the electronic devices described in Patent Documents 2 to 4, the front panel portion of the electronic device main body already has a power button, various operation buttons, an operation display portion of the electronic device main body, a medium ( Since loading sections (opening and closing doors) of discs, cassette tapes, etc.) are intensively arranged, it is considered that there is hardly any space left for newly installing the wireless LAN module in this area. In addition, when a wireless LAN module is newly attached to the front panel unit, the wireless LAN module is installed in this vacant space at the expense of the layout of existing operation buttons that occupy the front panel unit. It is necessary to reconfigure the layout so that it is attached. Therefore, when the layout of the front panel portion is changed in order to attach the wireless LAN module, there is a problem that the operability of the user with respect to the electronic device body may be impaired.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is that when the wireless LAN module is attached to the electronic device body, the operability of the user with respect to the electronic device body is improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device and a wireless LAN device capable of suppressing damage.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  An electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an electronic device main body capable of communication through a local area network, and a wireless LAN module that is attached to the electronic device main body and includes an antenna unit that receives a signal from the local area network. The wireless LAN module includes a first operation unit provided corresponding to the operation content of the electronic device main body, and a signal transmission unit that transmits a signal corresponding to the operation content of the first operation unit by the user to the electronic device main body. In addition.

  As described above, an electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an electronic device main body capable of communication through a local area network and a wireless LAN module attached to the electronic device main body. By including a first operation unit provided corresponding to the operation content of the device main body and a signal transmission unit that transmits a signal corresponding to the operation content of the first operation unit by the user to the electronic device main body, An operation (for example, a power on / off operation) can be performed on the electronic device main body via the first operation unit of the wireless LAN module. In addition, even when this wireless LAN module is attached to the front part (front panel part) of the electronic device main body, an existing layout composed of operation buttons, display parts, etc. that have already been concentrated on the front part. Regardless of the case, the user can operate the electronic device main body via the first operation unit of the wireless LAN module. Thereby, when the wireless LAN module is attached to the electronic device main body, it is possible to prevent the user's operability with respect to the electronic device main body from being impaired.

  In the electronic device according to the first aspect, preferably, the signal transmission unit includes a control unit for generating a signal corresponding to the operation content of the first operation unit by the user, and a signal generated by the control unit as an optical signal. And an optical signal generator for transmitting to the electronic device main body in a state. If comprised in this way, the optical signal corresponding to the operation content of the 1st operation part by a user can be easily transmitted to an electronic device main body.

  In the electronic device according to the first aspect, preferably, the electronic device main body is configured to be surrounded by a casing made of metal, and the wireless LAN module is disposed outside the casing made of metal. In a state, it is configured to be attached to the electronic device main body. If comprised in this way, the antenna part of a wireless LAN module can receive the electromagnetic wave containing the signal from a local area network reliably.

  In the electronic device according to the first aspect, preferably, the electronic device main body is provided on the front side of the electronic device main body, includes a second operation unit for a user to operate the electronic device main body, and the wireless LAN module is By being arranged on the front side of the electronic device main body, the electronic device main body is configured to be attached to the electronic device main body in a state of covering the second operation unit. According to this configuration, when the wireless LAN module is attached to the electronic device main body, the second operation unit of the electronic device main body is covered with the wireless LAN module, while the user performs the first operation of the wireless LAN module. The electronic device main body can be reliably operated by the unit.

  In the electronic device according to the first aspect, preferably, the electronic device main body includes a disk loader unit capable of inserting and removing a disk-type recording medium from the electronic device main body, and a display unit for displaying the state of the electronic device main body. The wireless LAN module includes a disk playback device provided on the front side of the electronic device main body, and the wireless LAN module is disposed in an area other than the area where the disk loader unit and the display unit are provided on the front surface of the disk playback device. It is configured. According to this configuration, the wireless LAN module can be attached to the disk reproducing apparatus while ensuring a space for handling the disk type recording medium and a space for checking the operation status of the apparatus main body. In addition, since the space for confirming the operation status of the apparatus main body is secured, it is possible to further prevent the user's operability with respect to the disk reproducing apparatus from being impaired.

  In the configuration in which the signal transmission unit includes a control unit and an optical signal generation unit, preferably, the electronic device main body further includes a light receiving unit that receives an optical signal including infrared rays, and the wireless LAN module includes the optical signal generation unit. The optical signal generating unit is configured to emit an optical signal composed of infrared rays, and the signal transmission unit causes the control unit to generate an optical signal composed of infrared rays corresponding to the operation content of the first operation unit by the user. Is configured to control. If comprised in this way, the signal transmission in the comparatively short distance between a wireless LAN module and an electronic device main body can be easily performed using an infrared signal.

  In the configuration in which the optical signal generation unit emits an optical signal composed of infrared rays, preferably, the optical signal generation unit of the wireless LAN module is configured to emit an optical signal composed of infrared rays toward the front of the electronic device body. ing. If comprised in this way, since the infrared signal radiate | emitted from the optical signal generation part is reflected by the user who operates the 1st operation part of a wireless LAN module, it directs the reflected infrared signal to the light-receiving part of the electronic device main body. Can be made incident easily.

  In the configuration in which the optical signal generation unit emits an optical signal made of infrared rays, preferably, the optical signal generation unit further includes a light guide member that is installed inside the electronic device main body and guides the optical signal made of infrared rays to the light receiving unit of the electronic device main body, The optical signal generator of the wireless LAN module is configured to emit an optical signal composed of infrared rays toward the light guide member. If comprised in this way, the infrared signal radiate | emitted from the optical signal generation part can be reliably entered toward the light-receiving part provided inside the electronic device main body via the light guide member. As a result, the operation of the electronic device main body by the first operation unit of the wireless LAN module can be more reliably performed.

  In the electronic device according to the first aspect, preferably, the wireless LAN module is configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device main body via a wired signal transmission path, and the signal transmission unit of the wireless LAN module. Is configured to transmit a signal corresponding to the operation content of the first operation unit by the user to the electronic device main body via a wired signal transmission path. If comprised in this way, the signal corresponding to the operation content of the 1st operation part by a user can be reliably transmitted to an electronic device main body in the state of the electrical signal which passed through the signal transmission cable.

  A wireless LAN device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a wireless LAN module that is attached to an electronic device main body capable of communication through a local area network and includes an antenna unit that receives a signal from the local area network. And an operation unit provided corresponding to the operation content of the electronic device main body, and a signal transmission unit for transmitting a signal corresponding to the operation content of the operation unit by the user to the electronic device main body.

  In the wireless LAN device according to the second aspect of the present invention, as described above, the wireless LAN module includes a wireless LAN module attached to an electronic device main body capable of communication through a local area network, and the wireless LAN module is an operation content of the electronic device main body. And a signal transmission unit that transmits a signal corresponding to the operation content of the operation unit by the user to the electronic device main body, so that the user can connect via the operation unit of the wireless LAN module. An operation (for example, a power on / off operation) can be performed on the electronic device main body. In addition, even when this wireless LAN module is attached to the front part (front panel part) of the electronic device main body, an existing layout composed of operation buttons, display parts, etc. that have already been concentrated on the front part. Regardless of the case, the user can operate the electronic device main body via the operation unit of the wireless LAN module. Thereby, when the wireless LAN module is attached to the electronic device main body, it is possible to prevent the user's operability with respect to the electronic device main body from being impaired.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a DVD player according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram when a wireless LAN module is connected to the apparatus main body constituting the DVD player according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram when the DVD player according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is used in an environment of a local area network. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control flow of a control unit on the wireless LAN module side when the wireless LAN module according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a DVD player. It is the schematic perspective view which showed the structure of the DVD player by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 300-300 when a wireless LAN module is attached in FIG. 5.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of the DVD player 100 to which the wireless LAN module 60 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be attached will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which a wireless LAN module 60, which is an example of a wireless LAN device of the present invention, is attached to a DVD player 100, which is an example of an electronic apparatus of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the DVD player 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has an apparatus main body 20 housed in a metal housing 10. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus main body 20 includes a disk drive unit 21 responsible for the reproduction operation of the DVD 90, an operation button unit 22 including a plurality of operation buttons capable of operating the apparatus main body 20, and an apparatus Receives a remote control signal (infrared signal) from a display unit 23 that displays the operating state of the main unit 20, a control circuit unit 24 that controls the operation of the main unit 20, and a remote control device (not shown) attached to the main unit 20. And an infrared light receiving unit 25. The apparatus main body 20, the operation button unit 22, and the infrared light receiving unit 25 are examples of the “electronic device main body”, the “second operation unit”, and the “light receiving unit” of the present invention, respectively. It is an example of a “disc-type recording medium”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the disk drive unit 21 is configured such that the disk loader unit 21a on which the DVD 90 is placed slides in and out from the front surface 20a of the apparatus main body 20 toward the outside (front side in the drawing). It is configured. Further, on the front surface 20a of the apparatus main body 20, the above-described disk loader unit 21a, operation button unit 22, display unit 23, and the like are arranged with a predetermined layout. Therefore, the user 400 is configured to be able to perform basic operations on the DVD player 100 on the front surface 20a side of the apparatus main body 20.

  Here, in the first embodiment, a wireless LAN module 60 with a built-in antenna unit 55 described later is configured to be detachably attached via the USB connection terminal 30 on the front surface 20a side of the apparatus main body 20. . The wireless LAN module 60 is configured to be attached to the front surface 20a outside the metal casing 10 surrounding the apparatus main body 20. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the DVD player 100 is configured to be recognized from the personal computer 91 or the like using wireless LAN communication in an environment where a local area network (LAN) is established. Further, the wireless LAN module 60 (see FIG. 3) is a part of the front surface 20a other than the area where the disk loader unit 21a, the display unit 23, etc. are arranged in the front surface 20a, and the operation button unit 22 (FIG. 1). It is configured to be attached to the front surface 20a in a state where it is concealed from the front side (front side of the drawing).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless LAN module 60 is connected to the USB connection terminal 30 and performs wireless LAN communication with the USB interface unit 51 that bears the power supply path from the apparatus main body 20 (control circuit unit 24). A control unit 52 including a CPU to be executed, an RF (high frequency) unit 53 that generates radio waves conforming to the wireless LAN standard, an AMP unit 54 that amplifies the output of the RF unit 53, and an RF signal amplified by the AMP unit 54 The control circuit unit 50 is configured by the antenna unit 55 that radiates (high frequency signal), and is configured to be housed in the housing 60a. The USB interface unit 51 is provided not only for the power supply path from the apparatus main body 20 but also for communication with the apparatus main body 20 (control circuit unit 24). The USB interface unit 51 is an example of the “wired signal transmission path” in the present invention.

  Here, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the above configuration, an operation button unit 56 including a plurality of operation buttons is provided on the surface (front surface) of the housing 60 a of the wireless LAN module 60. Is provided. Each operation button of the operation button unit 56 is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of operation buttons included in the operation button unit 22 of the apparatus main body 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation button unit 56 is connected to the control unit 52 in the control circuit unit 50. Further, the control circuit unit 50 is provided with an infrared LED 57 that emits infrared rays and an LED driving AMP unit 58 for driving the infrared LED 57. It is connected to the control unit 52. As shown in FIG. 1, the infrared LED 57 emits (emits) an infrared beam from the surface of the wireless LAN module 60 toward the outside of the apparatus main body 20 (front side in FIG. 1 (user 400 side)). Is provided. The operation button unit 56 is an example of the “first operation unit” and the “operation unit” in the present invention, and the infrared LED 57 is an example of the “optical signal generation unit” in the present invention.

  Accordingly, in the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the user 400 operates the operation button unit 56 with the wireless LAN module 60 connected to the apparatus body 20, the wireless LAN module 60 52 (see FIG. 2) generates a remote control signal corresponding to the operation content of the operation button unit 56, and then passes through an LED driving AMP unit 58 (see FIG. 2) to an infrared beam (remote control signal) from the infrared LED 57 to the outside. ) Can be emitted. In this case, the infrared beam is configured to be emitted toward the front of the apparatus main body 20 (front side in FIG. 3 (user 400 side)). The remote control signal is an example of the “signal corresponding to the operation content of the first operation unit” of the present invention, and the infrared beam is an example of the “optical signal composed of infrared rays” of the present invention. The control unit 52, the LED driving AMP unit 58, and the infrared LED 57 in the control circuit unit 50 constitute a “signal transmission unit” of the present invention.

  Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the infrared beam radiate | emitted from infrared LED57 is comprised so that the infrared rays light-receiving part 25 by the side of the apparatus main body 20 may be transmitted. That is, an infrared beam (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3) emitted from the infrared LED 57 is reflected by the user 400 operating the operation button unit 56 while facing the front surface 20 a of the apparatus body 20, and then received by the apparatus body 20. It is configured to enter the portion 25. Thereby, the user 400 is configured to be able to perform an operation (for example, an “on” / “off” operation of the power button) on the apparatus main body 20 via the operation button unit 56 of the wireless LAN module 60. Has been.

  Note that the wireless LAN module 60 can be detached from the apparatus main body 20 when there is no need for use by wireless LAN communication. In this case, the user 400 is configured to operate the DVD player 100 by directly operating a remote control device (not shown) attached to the apparatus main body 20 or the operation button unit 22 (see FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 20. Has been.

  Next, a control flow of the control unit 52 when the wireless LAN module 60 according to the first embodiment is connected to the DVD player 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, in step S <b> 1, the USB interface unit 51 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the USB connection terminal 30 (see FIG. 2) of the device main body 20 (see FIG. 2). Whether or not the communication with the control circuit unit 24 (see FIG. 2) has been normally performed is determined by the control unit 52 (see FIG. 2), and the control unit until the communication with the control circuit unit 24 is normally performed. The determination by 52 is repeated.

  At this point, the control unit 52 (see FIG. 2) starts wireless LAN communication under the local area network environment by controlling the RF unit 53 and the AMP unit 54 (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the apparatus main body 20 connected to the wireless LAN module 60 is recognized from the personal computer 91 (see FIG. 3).

  When it is determined in step S1 that the communication with the control circuit unit 24 has been normally performed, in step S2, the control unit 52 determines whether or not the operation button unit 56 has been pressed by the user 400 (see FIG. 3). This determination is repeated until the operation button unit 56 is pressed by the user 400.

  Here, in the first embodiment, when it is determined in step S2 that the operation button unit 56 has been pressed by the user 400, in step S3, the control unit 52 displays the content of the button pressed by the user 400 (for example, “power button” A remote control signal corresponding to the press of “” is generated. Further, in step S4, the control unit 52 transmits the remote control signal generated by the control unit 52 to the LED driving AMP unit 58 (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the infrared LED 57 (see FIG. 2) emits light so as to emit a remote control signal (infrared beam) corresponding to the content of the button pressed by the user 400.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the infrared beam emitted from the infrared LED 57 is reflected by the user 400 operating the operation button unit 56 in front of the apparatus main body 20, and then reflected on the infrared light receiving unit 25 of the apparatus main body 20. Incident. As a result, the user 400 can perform an operation (for example, a “power-on” operation) on the apparatus body 20 via the operation button unit 56 of the wireless LAN module 60.

  Thereafter, the control flow of the control unit 52 is returned to step S2. The determination in step S2 is repeated until the operation button unit 56 is pressed again by the user 400. Thereafter, the same control as described above is repeated.

  When the user 400 removes the wireless LAN module 60 from the apparatus main body 20, the power supply from the control circuit unit 24 (see FIG. 2) to the control unit 52 is stopped, so this control by the control unit 52 is stopped ( Finished). Thereby, the use of the DVD player 100 by wireless LAN communication is terminated.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the apparatus main body 20 capable of communication through the local area network and the wireless LAN module 60 attached to the apparatus main body 20 are provided, and the wireless LAN module 60 operates the apparatus main body 20. An operation button unit 56 provided corresponding to the content and a signal transmission unit (control unit 52 in the control circuit unit 50, LED) that transmits a signal corresponding to the operation content of the operation button unit 56 by the user 400 to the apparatus main body 20 By including the driving AMP unit 58 and the infrared LED 57), the user 400 operates the device main body 20 via the operation button unit 56 of the wireless LAN module 60 (for example, “on” / “off” operation of the power button). Etc.). Further, even when the wireless LAN module 60 is attached to the front surface 20a side of the apparatus main body 20, the existing layout configured by the operation button unit 22 and the display unit 23 already concentrated on the front surface 20a is used. Regardless, the user 400 can operate the apparatus main body 20 via the operation button unit 56 of the wireless LAN module 60. Thereby, when the wireless LAN module 60 is attached to the apparatus main body 20, it can suppress that the operativity of the user 400 with respect to the apparatus main body 20 is impaired.

  In the first embodiment, the signal transmission unit includes the control unit 52, the LED driving AMP unit 58, and the infrared LED 57, so that an infrared beam (remote control signal) corresponding to the operation content of the operation button unit 56 by the user 400 is provided. ) Can be easily transmitted to the apparatus main body 20 side.

  In the first embodiment, the antenna unit 55 of the wireless LAN module 60 is configured so that the wireless LAN module 60 is attached to the apparatus main body 20 in a state of being disposed outside the housing 10 made of metal. The radio wave containing the radio signal from the local area network can be reliably received.

  In the first embodiment, the wireless LAN module 60 is arranged on the front surface 20a side of the apparatus main body 20 so that it can be attached to the apparatus main body 20 with the operation button portion 22 covered. When the wireless LAN module 60 is attached to the apparatus main body 20, the operation button unit 22 of the apparatus main body 20 is obscured by the wireless LAN module 60, while the user 400 only uses the operation button unit 56 of the wireless LAN module 60. Thus, the apparatus main body 20 can be reliably operated.

  In the first embodiment, the wireless LAN module 60 is arranged in an area other than the area where the disk drive unit 21 (disk loader unit 21a) and the display unit 23 are provided in the front surface 20a of the DVD player 100. With this configuration, the wireless LAN module 60 can be attached to the DVD player 100 while ensuring a space for handling the DVD 90 and a space for confirming the operation status of the apparatus main body 20. Since the space for confirming the operation status is secured, it is possible to further suppress the deterioration of the operability of the user 400 with respect to the DVD player 100.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 52 in the wireless LAN module 60 is configured to perform control to generate a remote control signal corresponding to the operation content of the operation button unit 56 by the user 400, whereby the remote control signal is Then, it can be emitted as an infrared beam from the infrared LED 57 to the outside through the LED driving AMP unit 58. Thereby, the signal transmission in the comparatively short distance between the wireless LAN module 60 and the apparatus main body 20 can be easily performed using an infrared beam.

  In the first embodiment, the infrared LED 57 of the wireless LAN module 60 is configured to emit an infrared beam toward the front of the apparatus main body 20, so that the infrared beam emitted from the infrared LED 57 is a wireless LAN module. Since the reflected light is reflected by the user 400 operating the 60 operation button portions 56, the reflected infrared beam can be easily incident on the infrared light receiving portion 25 of the apparatus main body 20.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a case where the infrared LED 257 provided in the wireless LAN module 260 is configured to emit an infrared beam toward the inside of the apparatus main body 220 will be described. The apparatus main body 220 is an example of the “electronic device main body” in the present invention.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the wireless LAN module 260 is configured to be detachably attached via the USB connection terminal 30 on the front surface 220 a side of the apparatus main body 220 of the DVD player 200. ing.

  Here, in the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the infrared beam emitted from the infrared LED 257 is emitted toward the inside of the apparatus main body 220 in a state where the wireless LAN module 260 is attached to the apparatus main body 220. It is configured to be.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the light guide member 201 made of a transparent resin (for example, acrylic resin) provided so as to connect the infrared LED 257 and the infrared light receiving unit 225 is provided inside the apparatus main body 220. Accordingly, in the second embodiment, when the user 400 (see FIG. 5) operates the operation button unit 56, a remote control signal (infrared beam) corresponding to the operation content of the operation button unit 56 is guided to the light guide member 201. Accordingly, it is configured to be transmitted to the infrared light receiving unit 225 provided inside the apparatus main body 220. The apparatus main body 220 and the infrared LED 257 are examples of the “electronic device main body” and the “optical signal generation unit” of the present invention, respectively. The infrared light receiving unit 225 is an example of the “light receiving unit” of the present invention.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, an infrared light receiving window 10 a is provided in the housing 10 (front surface 220 a) of the apparatus main body 220 corresponding to the infrared light receiving unit 225. Thereby, even when the wireless LAN module 260 is removed from the apparatus main body 220, a remote control signal (infrared beam) from a remote control device (not shown) attached to the apparatus main body 220 is received by the infrared light through the infrared light receiving window 10a. It is configured to be able to enter the portion 225. At this time, it is preferable to configure the light guide member 201 so that the end portion 201a (see FIG. 6) of the light guide member 201 does not overlap as much as possible on the line connecting the infrared light receiving window 10a and the infrared light receiving portion 225. That is, the end portion 201a of the light guide member 201 may be formed to have an optical lens shape made of a curved surface. As a result, both the remote control signal passing through the light guide member 201 and the remote control signal directly incident from the infrared light receiving window 10a can be efficiently incident on the infrared light receiving unit 225.

  The remaining configuration of the DVD player 200 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. The control flow of the control unit 52 when the wireless LAN module 260 is connected to the apparatus main body 220 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the infrared LED 257 of the wireless LAN module 260 is configured to emit an infrared beam toward the inside of the apparatus main body 220, so that the infrared signal emitted from the infrared LED 257 is The light can be reliably incident on the infrared light receiving unit 225 provided inside the apparatus main body 220 via the light guide member 201. As a result, the operation of the apparatus main body 220 by the operation button unit 56 of the wireless LAN module 260 can be performed more reliably.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which an infrared remote control signal is transmitted from the wireless LAN module to the electronic device main body has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the wireless LAN module is not limited thereto. The wireless LAN module may be configured to transmit a remote control signal for operating the electronic device main body via the USB connection terminal 30 (USB interface unit 51) to which the electronic device main body is electrically connected. .

  In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the present invention is applied to the DVD player 100 (200) capable of reproducing the DVD 90 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and video data and audio are applied to the DVD. The present invention may be applied to an electronic device with a recording function capable of recording data and the like.

  In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the present invention is applied to the DVD player 100 (200) corresponding to the DVD has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a disc corresponding to CD playback. The present invention may be applied to a playback device.

  In the first and second embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a DVD player 100 (200) that reproduces a DVD 90 as an example of an electronic device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the local area network is used. As long as the electronic device has an electronic device main body capable of communication according to the present invention, the present invention is applied to an electronic device such as an HDD recorder device other than a DVD player, a Blu-ray disc playback device, or an HDDVD (large capacity optical disc) playback device. May be.

  In the first and second embodiments, an example in which the control unit 52 in the wireless LAN module 60 performs control to generate a remote control signal corresponding to the operation content of the operation button unit 56 by the user 400 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 52 controls the infrared LED 57 to cause the infrared LED 57 to generate a remote control signal (infrared beam) corresponding to the operation content of the operation button unit 56 by the user 400. You may comprise as follows.

  Moreover, in the said 2nd Embodiment, although the example which transmits an infrared beam to the inside of the apparatus main body 220 using the light guide member 201 which consists of transparent resins, such as an acrylic resin, was shown, this invention is not restricted to this, Glass An infrared beam may be transmitted to the inside of the apparatus main body 220 using a light guide member formed of a material.

10 Housing 20, 220 Device body (electronic device body)
20a front surface 21a disk loader unit 22 operation button unit (second operation unit)
25, 225 Infrared light receiving part (light receiving part)
51 USB interface section (wired signal transmission path)
52 Control unit 55 Antenna unit 56 Operation button unit (first operation unit, operation unit)
57, 257 Infrared LED (light signal generator)
60, 260 Wireless LAN module 90 DVD (disc type recording medium)
201 light guide member 400 user

Claims (10)

An electronic device that can communicate via a local area network;
A wireless LAN module including an antenna unit attached to the electronic device main body and receiving a signal from the local area network;
The wireless LAN module is
A first operation unit provided corresponding to the operation content of the electronic device body;
An electronic device further comprising: a signal transmission unit configured to transmit a signal corresponding to an operation content of the first operation unit by a user to the electronic device body.   The signal transmission unit includes a control unit for generating the signal corresponding to the operation content of the first operation unit by the user, and the signal generated by the control unit in an optical signal state in the electronic device main body. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: an optical signal generation unit for transmitting. The electronic device body is configured to be surrounded by a casing made of metal,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless LAN module is configured to be attached to the electronic device main body in a state where the wireless LAN module is disposed outside the casing made of the metal. The electronic device main body is provided on the front side of the electronic device main body, and includes a second operation unit for a user to operate the electronic device main body,
The wireless LAN module is configured to be attached to the electronic device main body in a state of covering the second operation unit by being disposed on the front side of the electronic device main body. The electronic device according to any one of the above. The electronic device main body is provided with a disk loader unit capable of inserting and removing a disk-type recording medium from the electronic device main body and a display unit for displaying the state of the electronic device main body on the front side of the electronic device main body. Disc playback device,
5. The wireless LAN module according to claim 1, wherein the wireless LAN module is arranged in an area other than an area in which the disk loader unit and the display unit are provided on a front surface of the disk reproducing apparatus. The electronic device of Claim 1. The electronic device body further includes a light receiving unit that receives an optical signal composed of infrared rays,
The wireless LAN module is configured such that the optical signal generator emits an optical signal composed of infrared rays,
The said signal transmission part is comprised so that the said optical signal generation part may be controlled by the said control part to generate | occur | produce the optical signal which consists of the said infrared corresponding to the operation content of the said 1st operation part by the said user. The electronic device according to claim 2.   The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the optical signal generation unit of the wireless LAN module is configured to emit an optical signal composed of the infrared rays toward the front of the electronic device main body. A light guide member that is installed inside the electronic device body and guides an optical signal composed of the infrared light to a light receiving unit of the electronic device body;
The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the optical signal generation unit of the wireless LAN module is configured to emit an optical signal composed of the infrared rays toward the light guide member. The wireless LAN module is configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device main body via a wired signal transmission path,
The signal transmission unit of the wireless LAN module is configured to transmit the signal corresponding to the operation content of the first operation unit by the user to the electronic device main body via the wired signal transmission path. The electronic device according to claim 1. A wireless LAN module including an antenna unit attached to an electronic device main body capable of communication by a local area network and receiving a signal from the local area network;
The wireless LAN module is
An operation unit provided corresponding to the operation content of the electronic device body;
A wireless LAN device further comprising: a signal transmission unit that transmits a signal corresponding to an operation content of the operation unit by a user to the electronic device main body.

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