JP2000208218A - Terminal connection mechanism and video camera provided with same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal connection mechanism capable of improving convenience in use, and ensuring excellent operability and usability, and a video camera provided with the mechanism. SOLUTION: A terminal connection mechanism includes a terminal cover 11 for sliding or rotating and moving with respect to a plurality of terminals, and each of the plurality of terminals is selectively exposed according to a moved position of the terminal cover 11. A video camera provided with the terminal connection mechanism includes a plurality of terminals corresponding to at least two standards out of a DV terminal 8 capable of inputting and outputting image and sound digital signals, an S terminal 9 capable of inputting and outputting a signal separating an image brightness signal and a color signal, and an AV terminal 10 capable of inputting and outputting image and sound analog signals. Normally a specific terminal corresponding to a specific standard is exposed out of the plurality of terminals for connection. The exposed terminal is normally the DV terminal 8 when the DV terminal 8 is provided, and is the S terminal 9 when the DV terminal 8 is not provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal connection mechanism for connecting a plurality of terminals for inputting and outputting a plurality of types of signals to and from an external device, and a video camera provided with the terminal connection mechanism. Electronic devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as the technical progress of general household electrical appliances has progressed, electronic devices such as video cameras and the like have also been improved in performance and functions. While a variety of functions have been realized by these technological innovations, various operating members tend to increase in order to control these functions.

As for the input and output of various signals such as image information signals and audio information signals, high-performance and high-performance signals are being standardized one after another. For this reason, new products often provide input / output terminals that support new high-performance standards, and also provide terminals that support conventional standards at the same time for input and output with conventional equipment. The number of terminals is increasing as new products become available.

Conventionally, for example, in a detachable lens type video camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-122567, a video signal recording state (camera state) is set by mounting a lens, and a video signal reproducing state (video state) is set by removing a lens. It is composed of That is, in the camera state, the buttons are arranged so that buttons other than those necessary for the state are hidden inoperable. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
In the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 065943, the camera state and the video state are switched in conjunction with opening and closing of the lens cover. When the lens cover is "closed", the camera is in the video state, and the operation button for the imaging device is covered to disable operation. When the lens cover is "open", the camera is in the camera state, and the operation button for the imaging device is exposed. It becomes possible.

[0005] In these conventional examples, unnecessary buttons are hidden so as to be inoperable due to a difference in operation state between the camera state and the video state, and buttons are arranged.

[0006]

When the number of terminals increases due to the adoption of a new standard with the increase in the number of functions, there is a problem that the user may be confused by the connection of the terminals or may be erroneously connected. Also, there is a problem that unconnected terminals become dirty and dust accumulates. In addition, a novice user who is not familiar with various standards may not know the distinction between a plurality of terminals and the performance of each terminal. In this case, there is a problem that even though there is a high-performance terminal corresponding to a new standard, a relatively low-performance terminal corresponding to a conventional standard is used without using it.

In the conventional example, as described above, a part of the operation buttons are hidden and the operable buttons are limited and arranged according to the difference between the camera state and the video state. However, this method cannot effectively cope with a plurality of terminals corresponding to a plurality of standards in the same video state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal connection mechanism which is excellent in usability and handleability especially around a terminal and which can effectively improve the usability, and a video camera provided with the same.

[0009]

A terminal connection mechanism according to the present invention includes a plurality of terminals for inputting and outputting a plurality of types of signals to and from an external device, and selects each terminal according to a predetermined priority. It is characterized in that it is made to be in a connectable state.

Further, in the terminal connection mechanism of the present invention, a terminal cover which slides or rotates with respect to the plurality of terminals is provided, and each terminal is selectively exposed according to a moving position of the terminal cover. It is characterized in that the exposed terminals are made connectable.

A video camera according to the present invention is a video camera having a plurality of terminals corresponding to a plurality of standards relating to signal input / output including an image information signal and an audio information signal. A feature is that only a specific terminal corresponding to one standard is exposed to be connectable.

Further, in the video camera of the present invention, the specific terminal which is normally exposed is a terminal of the highest performance standard.

Further, the video camera of the present invention has a DV terminal capable of inputting / outputting a video and audio digital signal, an S terminal capable of inputting / outputting a signal obtained by separating a video luminance signal and a chrominance signal, AV that can input and output analog signals
A video camera having a plurality of terminals corresponding to at least two standards among terminals, and in a normal state, only a specific terminal corresponding to a specific standard among the plurality of terminals is connectably exposed. And

In the video camera according to the present invention, the specific terminal exposed at the normal time has a DV terminal when the terminal has a DV terminal.
The terminal is a S terminal when there is no DV terminal.

Further, the video camera of the present invention is a video camera having a plurality of terminals corresponding to a plurality of standards relating to signal input / output including an image information signal and an audio information signal. , Characterized in that a specific terminal corresponding to at least one standard is covered so as not to be connected.

Further, in the video camera of the present invention, the specific terminal to be covered at the normal time is a terminal corresponding to a relatively low-performance standard.

Further, the video camera of the present invention has a DV terminal capable of inputting / outputting a video and audio digital signal, an S terminal capable of inputting / outputting a signal obtained by separating a video luminance signal and a chrominance signal, AV that can input and output analog signals
A video camera having a plurality of terminals corresponding to at least two standards among terminals, wherein normally, a specific terminal corresponding to at least one standard among the plurality of terminals is non-connectably covered. And

Further, in the video camera according to the present invention, the specific terminal to be normally covered is a terminal other than the DV terminal.

A video camera according to the present invention includes any one of the terminal connection mechanisms described above, and the terminal connection mechanism sets a predetermined terminal to a connectable state or a non-connectable state.

[0020]

According to the first aspect, when connecting an electronic device to an external device, a plurality of terminals are selectively set to a connectable state in accordance with a predetermined priority, whereby a desired terminal is connected. Connection can be made securely.

According to the second invention, each terminal is selectively exposed according to the moving position of the terminal cover, so that the exposed terminal can be easily and accurately connected.

According to the third aspect, it is possible to prevent a plurality of terminals from being exposed and cluttered, and to arrange the exposed forms of the terminals. In addition, it is possible to prevent unconnected terminals from being stained or accumulating dust, and to prevent the user from being confused when connecting the terminals, thereby preventing erroneous connection.

According to the fourth aspect, the terminal having the highest performance standard among the plurality of connectable terminals is preferentially exposed, so that this terminal can be used naturally. When connecting the terminal, guide the user to the highest-performance one, and use other relatively low-performance terminals by conscious operation and only when not using it for convenience. Can be.

According to the fifth aspect, in a video camera having a plurality of terminals corresponding to at least two standards among the DV terminal, the S terminal, and the AV terminal, exposed terminals are the DV terminal, the S terminal, and the AV terminal. Since only one terminal is used, the exposure form of the terminal can be arranged. In addition, it is possible to prevent unconnected terminals from being stained or accumulating dust, and to prevent the user from being confused when connecting the terminals, thereby preventing erroneous connection.

According to the sixth aspect, the DV terminal, the S terminal, and the AV terminal have the DV terminal among at least two of them.
If there is a terminal, the user is guided to connect to the DV terminal if there is no DV terminal, or to the S terminal if there is no DV terminal, and other relatively low-performance terminals can be used only when it is not used for convenience. . That is, for example, among the three standards, the DV terminal is the newest and has the highest performance.
The terminal has high performance, and the AV terminal has the lowest performance. D
Since the V terminal is exposed preferentially, the user is naturally guided to the terminal having the highest performance. If there is no DV terminal, it is naturally guided to the next high-performance S terminal.

According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to prevent a large number of terminals from being exposed and cluttered, and to arrange the exposed forms of the terminals. In addition, it is possible to prevent unconnected terminals from becoming dirty and dust from accumulating.

According to the eighth aspect, of the plurality of connectable terminals, the terminal corresponding to a relatively low-performance standard is preferentially covered. This makes it difficult to use the terminal with the lowest performance standard among the plurality of connectable terminals. When a user connects a terminal, the terminal is guided to a high-performance terminal, and a terminal having a relatively low performance can be used only when the terminal is not used for convenience.

According to the ninth aspect, in a video camera having a plurality of terminals corresponding to at least two standards among a DV terminal, an S terminal, and an AV terminal, at least one
By covering the terminals corresponding to the two standards so that they cannot be connected, the exposure form of the terminals can be arranged. In addition, it is possible to prevent unconnected terminals from becoming dirty and dust from accumulating.

According to the tenth aspect, at least two of the DV terminal, the S terminal, and the AV terminal have a D terminal.
If there is a V terminal, terminals other than the DV terminal are covered. That is, by preferentially covering terminals other than the DV terminal,
Terminals other than the V terminal are less likely to be used and are guided by the user to connect to the DV terminal, and other relatively low-performance terminals can be used only when the terminal is not used for convenience.

According to the eleventh aspect, the predetermined terminal of the video camera can be set to a connectable state or a non-connectable state by the terminal connection mechanism.

[0031]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) (Structure, Function, Mutual Relationship) FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the features of the present invention best, and is a view of a video camera embodying the present invention viewed from the rear side (front side). FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire video camera. In this example, the terminal connection mechanism according to the present invention is applied to a video camera as an electronic device.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the video camera. Reference numeral 2 denotes a finder, which has a small liquid crystal display inside and can observe a photographed image and a reproduced image. A power switch 3 switches between a power-off state, a recording mode, and a playback mode. Reference numeral 4 denotes a trigger switch, which is switched between an off state and a standby state by a rotation operation unit 4a, and is switched between an on state of recording and a standby state by a push button unit 4b. Reference numeral 5 denotes a zoom switch, which can change the focal length of the taking lens. Pressing the front side of the zoom switch 5 provides telephoto, and pressing the rear side provides wide-angle. Reference numeral 6 denotes an external liquid crystal panel, which enables observation of a captured image or a reproduced image to be observed on a screen larger than the viewfinder 2. Reference numerals 7 denote playback switches for performing operations such as playback, fast-forward and rewind of the recorded tape.

Here, a terminal opening 1a is provided in the camera body 1, and a hole is made in the camera body 1 in the front part of each terminal described later.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a DV terminal, which is capable of inputting and outputting video and audio signals as digital signals, and is a terminal corresponding to the highest performance standard. Reference numeral 9 denotes an S terminal capable of inputting / outputting a signal obtained by separating a luminance signal and a chrominance signal of a video signal, and a terminal corresponding to a high-performance standard as an analog system. Reference numeral 10 denotes an AV terminal, which is a terminal corresponding to a standard of a conventional analog video and audio signal.

These terminals are made connectable according to a predetermined priority by a terminal connection mechanism including a terminal cover described later.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a terminal cover, which is an operation unit 11a,
It has a terminal exposure part 11b and a spring hook part 11c. The terminal cover 11 is located inside the terminal opening 1a of the camera body 1, and is slidably disposed between the front portions of the terminals 8, 9, and 10 and the terminal opening 1a. The shape of the terminal cover 11 alone is shown, for example, as shown in FIG. The terminal exposed portion 11b is connected to the DV terminal 8 or A
A hole having a size to which the V terminal 10 can be connected is formed.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a spring which is hung between the spring hook 1c of the camera body 1 and the spring hook 11c of the terminal cover 11, and biases the terminal cover 11 leftward in FIG. are doing. 1 b is a stopper for the terminal cover 11 provided on the camera body 1. FIG. 1 (A)
In the normal state, the terminal cover 11 urged in the left direction in FIG.
The terminal 8 is in an exposed state. The operation section 11a is passed through the operation section opening 1d of the camera body 1 and the terminal cover 1 from outside.
1 can be operated.

The operating portion 11a is opposed to the elasticity of the spring 12,
In FIG. 1A, when it is moved rightward, the state of FIG. 3 is obtained. In this state, the terminal exposing portion 11b comes to the position where the AV terminal 10 is exposed, and at the same time, the S terminal 9 is also exposed on the left outside of the terminal cover 11 in the terminal opening 1a of the camera body 1, that is, the S terminal 9 And the AV terminal 10 can be connected.

(Operation) Next, the operation in the first embodiment will be described. At the time of shooting, the user sets the power switch 3 to the recording mode position, sets the rotary operation unit 4a to the standby state, and sets the finder 2 or the external liquid crystal panel 6 to the standby state.
Press the push button 4b while observing the photographed image to start recording. By operating the zoom switch 5 while shooting, the focal length of the shooting lens can be changed to change the magnification of the subject. When the push button 4b is pressed again, the recording is temporarily stopped, and when the rotation operation unit 4a is turned to the off state, the shooting ends.

In order to play back the recorded video for editing or appreciation, a method of viewing the video using the external liquid crystal panel 6 or the liquid crystal display of the viewfinder 2 provided on the video camera itself, and a method of connecting the external device through the terminal Connect with CR
There is a method of using a display device such as T.

For viewing on the liquid crystal display of the video camera itself, the user only has to set the power switch 3 to the reproduction mode position and press the reproduction switch among the reproduction switches 7. However, since these liquid crystal displays have a small display screen, they are often connected to an external device for reproduction except when checking at a destination.

There are various standards for connecting to an external device, and there are terminals corresponding to each standard. The above AV
The terminal 10, the S terminal 9, and the DV terminal 8 are typical. When playing back with an external device, the video camera and the external device are connected by a connection cord, and the power switch 3 is set to a playback mode position. By pressing a reproduction switch among the reproduction switches 7, it is possible to perform appreciation on a CRT or dubbing to another video tape recorder or the like.

The video camera is in the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a normal state. The terminal cover 11 at the back of the terminal opening 1a of the camera body 1 is urged leftward in FIG. 1 by a spring 12, and stops at a position where it comes into contact with the stopper 1b. In this state, the terminal exposed portion 11b of the terminal cover 11 is in front of the DV terminal 8, and only the DV terminal 8 is exposed. Therefore, the user can use the DV terminal 8 as it is.
Is used to connect to an external device. The DV terminal 8 is a terminal corresponding to the highest-performance standard among the three terminals 8, 9, and 10. The user can immediately perform reproduction with the highest performance.

On the other hand, when the external device does not correspond to the DV terminal 8, the operation unit 11a is moved rightward against the elasticity of the spring 12, and the state shown in FIG. 1 is changed to the state shown in FIG. At this time, the terminal exposed portion 11b is located in front of the AV terminal 10 so that the AV terminal 10 is exposed, and the DV terminal 8 is covered with the terminal cover 11. The left end of the terminal cover 11 is located between the DV terminal 8 and the S terminal 9, and the terminal opening 1 of the camera body 1 is provided.
The S terminal 9 is also exposed from a. At this time, the AV terminal 10
And the S terminal 9 can be connected. Thus, DV
If the terminal 8 is not provided, the conventional AV terminal 10 and S terminal 9 can be easily exposed.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in particular, the other two terminals can be easily exposed and connected by one operation from the normal state in which only the DV terminal 8 is exposed. If you want to use a terminal other than the DV terminal 8, you can see at a glance what terminals are present, except for the DV terminal 8, all of which are exposed at the same time.
Extremely easy to use.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In these figures,
Reference numeral 101 denotes a camera body of the video camera, which has a terminal opening 101a, a stopper 101b, a spring hook 101c, and an operation unit opening 101d. 108 is a DV terminal, 1
09 is an S terminal and 110 is an AV terminal. A terminal cover 111 is urged rightward by a spring 112.

In the second embodiment, normally, only the DV terminal 108 is exposed at the position where it comes into contact with the stopper 101b (FIG. 4). At this time, the S terminal 109 and the AV terminal 110
Are coated. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the user can directly connect to the external device using the DV terminal 108 which is a terminal corresponding to the highest performance standard. The user can immediately perform reproduction with the highest performance.

On the other hand, when the external device does not correspond to the DV terminal 108, the operation unit 111a is first moved to the left against the elasticity of the spring 112, and when the state of FIG. Moves to the left. Then, when the AV terminal 110 is exposed and the operation unit 111a is further moved to the left all the way, the state of FIG. 5 changes to the state of FIG. 6, whereby the S terminal 109 is also exposed together with the AV terminal 110.

In the case of the second embodiment as well, normally only the highest-performance DV terminal 108 is exposed as described above, but if the user operates the operation unit 111a, the AV terminal 11
The 0 or S terminal 109 is also exposed to allow connection with an external device.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, only the DV terminal 108 is exposed in the normal state, and the terminal cover 111
Is moved, other terminals are sequentially added and exposed, so that the DV terminal 108 is always exposed and usable in any state. In addition, the size of the terminal cover 111 is small and can be arranged compactly.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. 7 to 9 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In these figures,
Reference numeral 201 denotes a camera body of the video camera, which has a terminal opening 201a, a stopper 201b, a spring hook 201c, and an operation unit opening 201d. 208 is a DV terminal, 20
9 is an S terminal and 210 is an AV terminal. Reference numeral 211 denotes a terminal cover, which is rotatably mounted around a rotation shaft 211d, and is urged counterclockwise by a spring 212. Normally, the terminal cover 211 comes into contact with the stopper 201b and stops as shown in FIG. The terminal cover 211 has a terminal exposed portion 211b, and the DV terminal 2
08, the AV terminal 210 or one of the S terminals 209 is provided with a connectable hole.

In the normal state shown in FIG. 7, the hole formed by the terminal opening 201a of the camera main body 201 and the terminal exposed part 211b of the terminal cover 211 is formed in the DV terminal 20.
8 and only the DV terminal 208 is exposed to be connectable. At this time, the AV terminal 210 and the S terminal 209 are covered. In this state, as in the above-described embodiment, the user can immediately connect to the external device using the DV terminal 208 as it is.

On the other hand, when it is desired to use the AV terminal 210 and the S terminal 209, when the operation section 211a of the terminal cover 211 is rotated clockwise, the state shown in FIG. At this time, the AV terminal 210 is exposed so as to be connectable, and the DV terminal 208 and the S terminal 209 are partially covered and cannot be connected. When the operation unit 211a is further fully rotated clockwise, the state of FIG.
State. At this time, only the S terminal 209 is exposed to be connectable from the terminal exposure portion 211b, and the DV terminal 208 and the AV terminal 210 are covered and cannot be connected.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, since the terminal exposed portion 211b is always the size of one terminal,
There is no need to connect two terminals at the same time. In addition, since the terminal cover 211 is a circular rotary type, no space is required in the left-right direction.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the terminal connection mechanism of the present invention is applied to a video camera has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to various electronic devices such as OA devices such as personal computers. The same operation and effect can be obtained. In those cases, the type of terminal, standard, etc.
The selection is made according to the target device.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present application, in this type of electronic equipment, a plurality of terminals are exposed or covered in accordance with the performance thereof to properly arrange the exposed form, thereby facilitating use and handling. An easy-to-use device can be realized. Usability, especially when applied to video cameras
It realizes a video camera with excellent handling characteristics and improved usability.In this case, it is possible to reduce the adverse effects of external noise, which are likely to occur when connecting a large number of connection cords, and to ensure appropriate signal processing. Has advantages.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a video camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a plan view of a terminal cover.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire video camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a view of the video camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear side and a state in which a terminal cover is moved from the state of FIG.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a rear view of a video camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a normal state and a plan view of a terminal cover.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the terminal cover has been moved left by one terminal from the state of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the terminal cover has been further moved to the left by one terminal from the state of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of a video camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a normal state and a plan view of a terminal cover.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the terminal cover is rotated clockwise by one terminal from the state of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where the terminal cover is further rotated clockwise by one terminal from the state of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 101, 201 Video camera 1a, 101a, 201a Terminal opening 1b, 101b, 201b Stopper 1c, 101c, 201c Spring loading 1d, 101d, 201d Operating part opening 8, 108, 208 DV terminal 9, 109, 209 S terminal 10, 110, 210 AV terminal 11, 111, 211 Terminal cover 11a, 111a, 211a Operation part 11b, 211b Terminal exposure part 11c, 111c, 211c Spring hook 12, 112, 212 Spring

Claims (11)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus includes a plurality of terminals for inputting and outputting a plurality of types of signals to and from an external device, and selectively connects each terminal according to a predetermined priority. Characteristic terminal connection mechanism. A terminal cover that slides or rotates with respect to the plurality of terminals, and selectively exposes each terminal according to a position where the terminal cover moves;
2. The terminal connection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the exposed terminals are set in a connectable state. 3. A video camera having a plurality of terminals corresponding to a plurality of standards relating to signal input / output including an image information signal and an audio information signal, which normally corresponds to one of the plurality of terminals. A video camera characterized in that only a specific terminal is exposed so as to be connectable. 4. The video camera according to claim 3, wherein the specific terminal that is normally exposed is a terminal with the highest performance standard. 5. A DV terminal capable of inputting and outputting digital signals of video and audio, an S terminal capable of inputting and outputting a signal obtained by separating a luminance signal and a color signal of video, and an analog signal of video and audio can be input and output. A video camera having a plurality of terminals corresponding to at least two standards among a plurality of AV terminals, wherein only a specific terminal corresponding to a specific standard among the plurality of terminals is normally exposed to be connectable. A video camera characterized by the following. 6. The video camera according to claim 5, wherein the specific terminal that is normally exposed is a DV terminal when the terminal has a DV terminal, and is an S terminal when there is no DV terminal. 7. A video camera having a plurality of terminals corresponding to a plurality of standards relating to signal input / output including an image information signal and an audio information signal, and normally has at least one of the plurality of terminals. A video camera characterized in that a corresponding specific terminal is coated so as not to be connected. 8. The video camera according to claim 7, wherein the specific terminal to be normally covered is a terminal corresponding to a relatively low-performance standard. 9. A DV terminal capable of inputting / outputting a video and audio digital signal, an S terminal capable of inputting / outputting a signal obtained by separating a luminance signal and a chrominance signal of the video, and capable of inputting / outputting an analog signal of video and audio. A video camera having a plurality of terminals corresponding to at least two standards among a plurality of AV terminals, wherein a specific terminal corresponding to at least one standard among the plurality of terminals is normally unconnectably covered. A video camera characterized by the following. 10. The specific terminal covered at the normal time is D
The video camera according to claim 9, wherein the video camera is a terminal other than the V terminal. 11. The terminal connection mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a predetermined terminal is set to a connectable state or a non-connectable state by the terminal connection mechanism. Video camera according to the item.