JP2000116026A - Cartridge and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a power generation means without changing the volume and weight of an equipment. SOLUTION: A cartridge generator 1 is provided with the same type of enclosure as, for example, a signal cartridge that is not shown here. A power generation means 2 is provided in the enclosure, and at the same time a connector 3 as a connection means is provided at a specific part. Also, a connector 5 is provided at a signal processing board 4 of the equipment that is not shown here, and the connectors 3 and 5 are connected each other and power being obtained by driving the generation means 2 is supplied to power supply lines 6 and 7. The power of the power lines 6 and 7 is supplied to a signal processing circuit 8 and a charging circuit 9. Then, the output of the charging circuit 9 and the power supply lines 6 and 7 are switched by switches 10 and 11 and is connected to the power supply terminal of a rechargeable battery 12. Further, when the cartridge generator 1 is fitted to the equipment, the signal processing circuit 8 is driven, thus switching the switches 10 and 11 to positions shown in the Fig. or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal cartridge having a built-in recording medium and recording / reproducing means.
For example, the present invention relates to a cartridge and an electronic device suitable for use in a system for recording and reproducing a still image and / or a moving image. More specifically, power is generated and supplied using a cartridge generator having the same shape as the signal cartridge.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as a portable system for recording and reproducing a still image and / or a moving image using a signal cartridge, a recording medium and recording / reproducing means are provided in the signal cartridge, and the apparatus side connects the recording medium and the recording / reproducing means. A system for supplying drive power to a recording medium and a recording / reproducing means through a connection means and inputting / outputting an information signal to be recorded / reproduced via a connection means (our product number CCD-CR1: Japanese Patent Application No. 10-108). 135564, Japanese Patent Application No. 10-180827,
(See Japanese Patent Application No. 10-190517).

FIG. 4 shows the overall configuration of a portable system for recording and reproducing still images and / or moving images, for example. 4, a photographing lens 41, a microphone 42, and the like are provided on the front of the device main body 40.
Although not shown, a CCD image pickup device, a circuit for recording and reproduction, and the like are provided behind the lens 41 and the like. Further, an operation unit 43 described later is provided on an upper portion of the device main body 40. Further, a liquid crystal display, a speaker, and the like are provided on a rear surface of the device main body 40 (not shown).

Further, for example, a lid 44 that can be opened and closed is provided on a side surface of the device main body 40. The signal cartridge 45 is detachably provided inside the device main body 40 which is opened by opening the lid 44. The signal cartridge 45 is provided with, for example, a recording medium and a recording / reproducing means (not shown). These are composed of, for example, a magnetic tape (recording medium) and a head drum (recording / reproducing means), and are used for recording / reproducing information signals, for example.

[0005] A connector 46 as a connecting means is provided at a portion of the signal cartridge 45 which is a tip when the signal cartridge 45 is mounted inside the apparatus main body 40, for example. Also, a connector (corresponding to a broken line) inside the device body 40.
47 are provided. By mounting the signal cartridge 45 inside the device main body 40, for example, as shown by a broken line, information signals recorded and reproduced on the above-described magnetic tape are transmitted through the connectors 46 and 47 to the device main body 40.
It is made to be input and output between and.

Further, in this system, the drive power source is, for example, a dry battery or a storage battery provided in the apparatus. Therefore, for example, in the system shown in FIG. 4, a battery accommodating portion is formed inside the lid 44 described above. A battery 48 (shown by a broken line) of a dry battery or a storage battery is accommodated in the battery accommodating portion so that power is supplied to the device main body 40. Further, this electric power is also supplied from the device main body 40 to the signal cartridge 45 via the connectors 46 and 47 described above.

That is, in this system, a block diagram of a power and information signal circuit system is as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In FIG. 5, power (positive and negative voltages) from a battery 48 is supplied to a signal processing board 49 of the device main body 40. In the signal processing board 49, power is supplied to a signal processing circuit 50, which will be described later, and the power is also supplied to the connector 47 of the device main body 40, and the power is supplied to the signal cartridge 45 through the connector 46. Is supplied.

Further, a CCD provided behind the lens 41
A video signal captured by the image sensor 51 and the microphone 4
The audio signal picked up in 2 is supplied to the signal processing circuit 50. At the same time, a control signal for starting or stopping recording when the operation section 43 is operated is supplied to the signal processing circuit 50. The control signal and the recording signal processed by the signal processing circuit 50 are supplied to the signal cartridge 45 via the connectors 47 and 46, and the recording of information signals such as video and audio is performed.

[0009] Further, a control signal for starting / stopping reproduction by operating the operation section 43 is supplied to the signal processing circuit 50. The control signal is supplied to the signal cartridge 45 via the connectors 47 and 46, and the information signal is reproduced. This reproduced signal is supplied to the signal processing circuit 50 via the connectors 46 and 47. Then, the processed video signal and audio signal are supplied to the liquid crystal display 52 and the speaker 53. These video and audio signals are also output to an external output terminal 54.

The video signal photographed by the CCD image pickup device 51 and the audio signal picked up by the microphone 42 are converted into a signal cartridge 4 according to the operation of the operation section 43.
5 is recorded. The signal recorded in the signal cartridge 45 is reproduced according to the operation of the operation unit 43, and the reproduced video signal and audio signal are transmitted to the liquid crystal display 52.
And output to the speaker 53 and the external output terminal 54.

[0011]

However, in such a system, the dry battery used as the above-mentioned battery 48 is a consumable item, and must be replaced with a new one when the power is exhausted. When the battery 48 is a storage battery,
When the power runs out, it will be charged and reused,
In this case, charging must be performed using a commercial power supply and a charging device, for example.

However, when such a system is operated in a remote place, for example, when a dry battery is used as a drive power source, a new replacement battery must be prepared. Large amount of dry batteries will be required. In addition, although the use of a storage battery requires charging, a situation may occur in which, for example, a commercial power supply for performing such charging cannot be obtained. Further, in an emergency or a disaster, neither the dry battery nor the commercial power supply may be obtained.

On the other hand, it has been considered to provide, for example, a generator that can be driven manually, and to drive the device body 40 and the signal cartridge 45 and the like with the power from the generator. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, for example, a generator 61 may be provided outside and connected to the device main body 40 via a cable 62 to supply power. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, a method of incorporating the generator 61 in the device main body 40 is conceivable.

However, in these methods, for example, in the former case, it takes time and effort to connect via the cable 62,
In addition, there is a problem caused by two devices. Further, there is a problem that the efficiency is reduced due to the loss in the cable 62. In the latter case, there is a problem that the volume and the weight of the device main body 40 become large because the generator 61 is built in, and the generator 61 must be built even when the generator 61 is not used. Irrationalities will arise.

The present application has been made in view of the above points, and the problem to be solved is that the conventional operation using only dry batteries or storage batteries does not allow operation when dry batteries and commercial power cannot be obtained. May not be possible,
In addition, the method of externally connecting or incorporating the generator may cause many problems such as loss of connection time and cable, and increase in the volume and weight of the device body.

[0016]

According to the present invention, a power generating means is provided in a housing of a cartridge, the cartridge is mounted on an electronic device, and power obtained by driving the power generating means is supplied to the electronic device. According to this, the device can be operated using the power generation means, and the power generation means can be used rationally without changing the volume and weight of the device body. Can be.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention is a cartridge which is detachably provided to an arbitrary electronic device, wherein a power generating means is provided in a housing, and the power generating means is driven. Connection means for supplying the obtained power to any electronic device.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus mounted with a signal cartridge for processing an information signal, wherein a cartridge generator having the same shape as the signal cartridge is provided. And a connection means for commonly performing input / output of the power supply and reception of power from the cartridge generator.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a system for recording and reproducing a still image and / or a moving image to which a cartridge and an electronic device according to the present invention are applied.

FIG. 1 shows a cartridge generator 1 which is a cartridge of the present invention. The cartridge generator 1 has a housing having the same shape as a signal cartridge (not shown) for recording and reproducing a still image and / or a moving image, for example. The power generating means 2 is provided in the housing. A connector 3 is provided as a connection means at a predetermined portion of the housing, and power (positive and negative voltages) obtained by driving the power generation means 2 is supplied to the connector 3.

On the other hand, on the signal processing board 4 of the equipment main body (not shown), a connector 5 is provided as connection means corresponding to the connector 3 described above. These connectors 3 and 5 are connected to the cartridge generator 1 as described later, for example.
Are connected to each other by being attached to the device body,
Input and output of signals and the like are performed. And the electric power obtained by driving the above-mentioned power generation means 2 is transmitted through these connectors 3 and 5,
The power is supplied to the power supply lines 6 and 7 on the signal processing board 4 of the device body.

Further, the power of the power supply lines 6 and 7 is supplied to the signal processing circuit 8 on the signal processing board 4. Further, the power of the power supply lines 6 and 7 is supplied to the charging circuit 9 on the signal processing board 4. The output of the charging circuit 9 and the above-described power supply lines 6 and 7 are switched by switches 10 and 11 and connected to the power supply terminal of the storage battery 12. Further, an identification means 13 for identifying the cartridge generator 1 mounted on the apparatus main body is provided. Then, a signal indicating the identification result from the identification means 13 is supplied to the signal processing circuit 8.

Thus, for example, when the above-described cartridge generator 1 is mounted on the apparatus main body, the signal processing circuit 8 is driven. In the signal processing circuit 8, for example, when the mounting of the cartridge generator 1 to the apparatus main body is identified, control such as switching the switches 10 and 11 to the illustrated positions is performed. Further, the control signal generated by the signal processing circuit 8 is supplied to the power generation means 2 via the connectors 5 and 3 to control the generated power.

In the signal processing circuit 8, a video signal photographed by a CCD image pickup device 15 provided behind the lens 14, an audio signal picked up by a microphone 16, and an operation unit 17 are operated. Is supplied. The signal processing circuit 8 and the connector 5 are connected to input and output signals, and the video and audio signals processed by the signal processing circuit 8 are transmitted to the liquid crystal display 18, the speaker 19, and the external output terminal 2.
0 is supplied.

FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of a portable system for recording and reproducing still images and / or moving images, for example. 2, a photographing lens 14, a microphone 15, and the like are provided on the front of the device main body 21. Although not shown, the above-mentioned CCD
An image sensor 15, a signal processing board 4, and the like are provided. Further, an operation unit 17 is provided on an upper portion of the device main body 21.
A liquid crystal display 18, a speaker 19, and the like are provided on a rear surface of the device main body 21, although not shown.

Further, for example, a lid 22 which can be opened and closed is provided on a side surface of the device main body 21. The signal cartridge 23 is detachably provided inside the device main body 21 which is opened by opening the lid 22. The signal cartridge 23 is provided with, for example, a recording medium and a recording / reproducing means (not shown). These are composed of, for example, a magnetic tape (recording medium) and a head drum (recording / reproducing means), and are used for recording / reproducing information signals, for example.

A connector 24 as a connection means is provided at a portion of the signal cartridge 23 which is a tip when the signal cartridge 23 is mounted inside the apparatus main body 21, for example. The connector 24 corresponds to the connector 5 of the device main body 21 described above. By mounting the signal cartridge 23 inside the device main body 21, the information signals recorded and reproduced on the magnetic tape described above are transmitted. Connector 2
Input and output are performed with the device main body 21 via the devices 4 and 5.

Then, instead of the signal cartridge 23, the above-described cartridge generator 1 is mounted on the main body 21 as shown by a broken line. At this time, for example, a mechanism (not shown) for transmitting a rotational motion is provided on the bottom of the device main body 21.
, And a crankshaft 25 as shown in the figure is connected to this mechanism. Then, the driving energy is given to the power generation means 2 by the rotation of the crankshaft 25, and the generated power is supplied to the device main body 21 and the like via the connectors 3 and 5.

Further, in this system, the drive power source is, for example, a dry battery or a storage battery 1 provided in the equipment.
2 battery. Therefore, for example, in the system of FIG. 2, a battery housing portion is formed inside the lid 22 described above. Then, the battery of the dry battery or the storage battery 12 is housed in the battery housing section, and power is supplied to the device main body 21 and the signal cartridge 23. When the above-described cartridge generator 1 is mounted, power is generated. Power stored in storage battery 12
To be charged.

FIG. 3 shows a specific means for externally applying driving energy to the power generation means 2. That is, in FIG. 3, the generator 30
Has a flat shape so as to be accommodated in the housing 31 of the cartridge, for example. And the rotating shaft 32 of this generator 30
Is converted, for example, through a gear 33 and a cog-shaped gear 34 so that the rotation direction is downward, and a ridge 35 is provided on the rotation shaft of the cog-shaped gear 34. An opening is provided in the housing 31 so that the ridge 35 faces.

The above-mentioned ridges 3 are also provided on the bottom surface of the device body 21.
The insertion hole 36 is provided so that the hole 5 faces. Note that a cover 37 for closing the insertion hole 36 is normally provided. At the time of power generation, a concave groove 38 corresponding to the above-mentioned convex ridge 35 is provided on the end face of the above-mentioned crankshaft 25, and this concave groove 38 and the convex ridge 35 are fitted, and the crankshaft 25 is fitted.
Of the generator 30 via the gears 34 and 33
2 is transmitted. In this way, driving energy is given to the power generation means 2.

Accordingly, in the above-described apparatus, the power generating means is provided in the housing of the cartridge, the cartridge is mounted on the electronic device, and the power obtained by driving the power generating means is supplied to the electronic device, so that the power generating means is used. The device can be operated by using the device, and the power generation means can be used rationally without changing the volume and weight of the device body.

As a result, the conventional operation using only a dry cell or a storage battery may make it impossible to operate when a dry cell and a commercial power supply cannot be obtained. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily solve those problems that may cause many problems such as loss due to cables and cables, and increase in the volume and weight of the device main body.

That is, in the above-described apparatus, by using the signal cartridge and the cartridge generator interchangeably, the generator can be used without changing the shape, volume, etc. of the device main body, and the generator is not used. Sometimes it can be done by removing the cartridge generator, so that there is no irrationality. Further, the cartridge generator is easy to connect and the like, and can be used in the same manner as the built-in generator, so that there is no loss due to cables or the like.

In the above-described apparatus, the signal cartridge is not limited to the configuration using the above-described magnetic tape (recording medium) and head drum (recording / reproducing means), but may use a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory. Further, the function of the signal cartridge is not limited to the recording of the information signal as described above, but may be a function of performing information processing such as arithmetic processing of information. Further, the signal cartridge may be in the form of a so-called tape cassette, and such a signal cartridge and a cartridge generator are used interchangeably.

In the above-described apparatus, the means for transmitting the driving energy from the outside to the cartridge generator is not limited to the method of providing the mechanism for transmitting the rotational motion to the bottom of the apparatus body as described above, and the cover is opened. In this state, the rotational movement may be transmitted directly from the opening. Further, the driving energy of the cartridge generator is not limited to the above-described driving by manual power, and a photovoltaic power generation, a wind power generation, a power generation unit using the principle of electromagnetic induction, or the like can be applied.

As described above, according to the cartridge of the first embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge is detachably provided to an arbitrary electronic device, and the power generating means is provided in the housing, and the power generating means is driven. Having connection means for supplying the obtained power to any electronic device, the device can be operated using the power generation means,
The power generation means can be used rationally without changing the volume and weight of the device body.

Further, according to the electronic apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention, there is an electronic apparatus mounted with a signal cartridge for processing an information signal, and includes a cartridge generator having the same shape as the signal cartridge. By having the connection means for commonly performing the input and output of the information signal of the signal cartridge and the reception of the electric power from the cartridge generator, the device can be operated using the power generation means,
The power generation means can be used rationally without changing the volume and weight of the device body.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A cartridge that is provided detachably with respect to any electronic device, a power generation unit is provided in the housing, and a connection unit that supplies power obtained by driving the power generation unit to any electronic device is provided. The device can be operated using the power generation means, and the power generation means can be used rationally without changing the volume and weight of the device body.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal cartridge having the same shape for processing an information signal used in an arbitrary electronic device, and a connection means for inputting / outputting an information signal of the signal cartridge and a power generation unit. Since the connection means for supplying power obtained by driving the means has a common specification, the connection of the cartridge can be extremely facilitated.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus for processing an information signal by mounting a signal cartridge, wherein a cartridge generator having the same shape as the signal cartridge is provided. By having a connecting means for commonly performing input / output and receiving power from the cartridge generator, the device can be operated using the power generating means, and without changing the volume and weight of the device main body. The power generation means can be used rationally.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device having a storage battery, performing operation using the power of the storage battery, and charging the storage battery with the power supplied from the cartridge generator. As a result, the storage battery can be extremely easily charged without a commercial power supply or the like.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there are provided identification means for identifying the signal cartridge and the cartridge generator, and switching means for switching the connection destination of the connection means based on the identification result. In addition, the trouble when using the cartridge generator can be reduced.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the provision of the means for transmitting the driving energy from the outside to the cartridge generator allows the cartridge generator to be driven smoothly.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the power generating means is provided in the housing of the cartridge, the cartridge is mounted on the electronic device, and the electric power obtained by driving the power generating means is supplied to the electronic device. The device can be operated using the device, and the power generation means can be used rationally without changing the volume and weight of the device body.

As a result, the conventional operation using only a dry battery or a storage battery may make it impossible to operate when a dry battery and a commercial power supply cannot be obtained. According to the present invention, it is possible to easily solve those problems that may cause many problems such as loss due to cables and cables, and increase in the volume and weight of the device main body.

That is, in the present invention, by using the signal cartridge and the cartridge generator interchangeably, it is possible to use the power generating means without changing the shape, volume, etc. of the device main body, and to use the power generating means when the power generating means is not used. Since it can be done by removing the cartridge generator,
There will be no irrationality. Further, the cartridge generator is easy to connect and the like, and can be used in the same manner as a built-in generator, so that no loss due to cables or the like occurs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a system for recording and reproducing a still image and / or a moving image to which a cartridge and an electronic device according to the present invention are applied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining a specific device.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram for explaining a mechanism of a main part thereof.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram for explaining a conventional device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cartridge generator, 2 ... Power generation means, 3 ... Connector, 4 ... Signal processing board, 5 ... Connector, 6,7 ... Power supply line, 8 ... Signal processing circuit, 9 ... Charging circuit, 10, 11 ... Switch, 12 ... storage battery, 13 ... identification means, 14 ... lens, 15 ... CCD image pickup device, 16 ... microphone, 1
7 operation unit, 18 liquid crystal display, 19 speaker, 20 external output terminal

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge detachably provided to an arbitrary electronic device, wherein a power generating means is provided in a housing, and power obtained by driving the power generating means is supplied to the arbitrary electronic device. A cartridge having connection means. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a signal cartridge having the same shape for processing an information signal used in the arbitrary electronic device; and a connection unit configured to input and output an information signal of the signal cartridge. A cartridge having a common specification with connection means for supplying electric power obtained by driving a power generation means. 3. An electronic device mounted with a signal cartridge for processing an information signal, comprising: a cartridge generator having the same shape as the signal cartridge; and an input / output of information signals of the signal cartridge and the cartridge generator. An electronic device comprising a connection means for commonly receiving power from a personal computer. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, further comprising: a charging unit having a storage battery, performing an operation using the power of the storage battery, and charging the storage battery with the power supplied from the cartridge generator. An electronic device characterized by being provided. 5. The electronic device according to claim 3, further comprising: identification means for identifying the signal cartridge and the cartridge generator; and switching means for switching a connection destination of the connection means based on the identification result. Electronic equipment characterized by the above. 6. The electronic device according to claim 3, further comprising means for transmitting driving energy from outside to the cartridge generator.