Multi-Function Device For Performing At Least Telephone Communication And Facsimile Functions

Abstract

A multi-function device for performing, at least, telephone communication and facsimile functions, comprising: a main unit, a wireless telephone, and a charger for charging a battery of the wireless telephone. The charger can be fixed to the main unit and can be separated from the main unit. When the charger is fixed to the main unit, the battery of the wireless telephone can be charged in the position that is fixed to the main unit. Furthermore, if the charger is placed in a position separated from the main unit, the battery of the wireless telephone can be charged in that position. That is, the charger and the wireless telephone can be utilized even when the charger has been removed from the main unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of a multi-function device of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the internal configuration of the multi-function device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a wireless telephone.

FIG. 4 shows an external perspective view of a multi-function device in a state where a bracket and a holder have been removed from a main unit.

FIG. 5 shows a front surface view of the holder.

FIG. 6 shows a right side surface view of the holder.

FIG. 7 shows a top surface view of the holder.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom surface view of the holder.

FIG. 9 shows a rear surface view of the holder.

FIG. 10 shows a left side surface view of the bracket.

FIG. 11 shows a top surface view of the bracket.

FIG. 12 shows a front surface view of the bracket.

FIG. 13 shows a rear surface view of the bracket.

FIG. 14 shows a bottom surface view of the bracket.

FIG. 15 shows a right side surface view of the bracket.

FIG. 16 shows an enlarged view of L-shaped anchors of the bracket.

FIG. 17 shows a block diagram of the main unit.

FIG. 18 shows a block diagram of the wireless telephone.

FIG. 19 shows an explanatory view of a panel.

FIG. 20 shows an enlarged view of the panel.

FIG. 21 shows an inner surface view of the panel.

FIG. 22 shows the panel viewed from the side of the arrow XXII of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 shows the panel viewed from the side of the arrow XXIII of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 shows the panel viewed from the side of the arrow XXIV of FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 shows the panel viewed from the side of the arrow XXV of FIG. 21

Claims

1. A multi-function device for performing, at least, telephone communication and facsimile functions, comprising: a main unit including an interface device for communicating with a telephone communication network, a facsimile device for communicating with the interface device, and a wireless communication device for communicating with the interface device and for communicating with at least one external device wirelessly;a wireless telephone for communicating wirelessly with the wireless communication device, the wireless telephone including a battery; anda charger for charging the battery while the wireless telephone is mounted on the charger, wherein the charger can be fixed to the main unit and can be separated from the main unit.

2. The multi-function device of claim 1, further comprising: a cover plate for exposing and covering a top surface of the main unit by opening and closing, the cover plate including a side portion that forms an upper portion of a side wall of the main unit while the cover plate is covering the top surface of the main unit,wherein the charger is fixed to a lower portion of the side wall of the main unit such that a highest end of the charger is lower than a lowest end of the side portion of the cover plate while the cover plate is covering the top surface of the main unit, anda clearance is formed between the side portion of the cover plate and the wireless telephone mounted on the charger fixed to the main unit.

3. The multi-function device of claim 2, wherein the wireless telephone can be removed from and returned to the charger fixed to the main unit without lifting the wireless telephone higher than a level at which a top end of the cover plate is located when the cover plate is fully opened.

4. The multi-function device of claim 1, wherein when the charger is fixed to the main unit, a bottom surface of the charger is kept higher than a bottom surface of the main unit.

5. The multi-function device of claim 1, wherein the charger comprises:a bracket member removably fixed to a side wall of the main unit, anda holding member removably fixed to the bracket member, the holding member including a portion for mounting the wireless telephone, and a bottom surface whose shape allows the holding member to be stably placed on a flat surface.

6. The multi-function device of claim 5, wherein the holding member holds the wireless telephone in an upright position.

7. The multi-function device of claim 5, wherein the bracket member comprises:a mounting portion for mounting the holding member;a first supporting portion for engaging with a lower front side portion of the holding member and supporting the holding member such that the holding member can rotate around the lower front side portion toward and away from the mounting portion;a second supporting portion for engaging with the holding member, the second supporting portion being capable of changing between an engaging position and a retracted position, anda handle for changing the position of the second supporting portion from the engaging position to the retracted position when an external force is applied to the handle, wherein:the second supporting portion is at the engaging position when the second supporting portion is not in contact with the holding member,the second supporting portion is changed to the retracted position while the holding member is rotated towards the mounting portion of the bracket member around the lower front side portion of the holding member and at least a part of the second supporting portion makes contact with the holding member, andthe second supporting portion is changed to the engaging position to engage with the holding member and prevent the holding member from rotating around the lower front side portion of the holding member when the holding member is further rotated and the bottom surface of the holding member makes contact with the mounting portion of the bracket member.

8. The multi-function device of claim 7, wherein the holding member comprises a hole formed at a front side of the bottom surface,the first supporting portion comprises an anchor formed at a front end of the mounting portion, wherein a vertical sectional shape of the anchor is L-shaped, andwhen the anchor is inserted into the hole, the holding member is supported by the bracket member such that the holding member can rotate around the lower front side portion of the holding member.

9. The multi-function device of claim 7, wherein the bracket member further comprises a contact portion for making contact with a rear surface of the holding member and preventing the holding member from moving backward when the bottom surface of the holding member is making contact with the mounting portion of the bracket member.

10. The multi-function device of claim 7, wherein the mounting portion of the bracket member comprises an engaging portion for engaging with the bottom surface of the holding member and preventing the holding member from moving backward when the bottom surface of the holding member is making contact with the mounting portion of the bracket member.

11. The multi-function device of claim 7, wherein the bottom surface of the holding member comprises a first shape,the mounting portion of the bracket member comprises a second shape, andthe first and the second shapes are engaged when the bottom surface of the holding member is making contact with the mounting portion of the bracket member.

12. The multi-function device of claim 7, wherein the bottom surface of the holding member comprises a concave shape,the mounting portion of the bracket member comprises a convex shape, andthe concave and the convex shapes are engaged when the bottom surface of the holding member is making contact with the mounting portion of the bracket member.

13. The multi-function device of claim 7, wherein the second supporting portion changes position through elastic deformation.

14. The multi-function device of claim 7, wherein the second supporting portion is formed on a rear end of the mounting portion of the bracket member and engages with a rear surface of the holding member.

15. The multi-function device of claim 7, wherein the handle extends from the second supporting portion in an upward direction.

16. The multi-function device of claim 7, wherein the holding member comprises a power cord, andthe bracket member comprises a holding part which holds the power cord such that the power cord extends along a predetermined direction.

17. The multi-function device of claim 7, further comprising: a cover for being fixed to the main unit instead of the bracket member.