JP2002204385A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus such as a printer capable of loading a printing medium while easily expanding functions and improving its usefulness. SOLUTION: A camera body 100 is composed to allow loading exclusively a cartridge 200 and a function-expanding member. When mounting a function- expanding member 400 in stead of the cartridge 200 mounted at present, after extracting the cartridge 200 to the outside via an insertion slot 100a (c.f. Fig. 5), the member 400 is inserted into the camera body 100 via the slot 100a. On the member 400, two inductive parts 400a, when mounted in the camera body 100, capable of respective conduction to tow contacts 309 are equipped. As the member 400, a memory card, a card shaped battery pack and the like are considered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus such as a printer to which a print medium can be attached and detached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 8-251461 proposes a camera in which an electronic image pickup device unit can be inserted into a silver halide film accommodating space. This allows
The silver halide film and the electrophotograph can be used in a reversibly changeable state. It has also been proposed to provide a separate base unit with a memory function, a display function or a printer function.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-322636 proposes a camera with a printer in which a printer and a camera are integrated and the printer unit can be rotated.

[0004]

However, in the camera proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-251461,
Since the electronic image sensor unit is detachable for the purpose of reversible conversion between the silver halide film and the electrophotographic system, precise positioning of the electronic image sensor unit to enable this reversible conversion, for the electronic image sensor unit There is a problem that an optical system is required, the mechanism is complicated, and the cost is increased. In addition, by providing a separate base unit, a printing function is added. However, it is inconvenient to carry the camera with the camera, and extra cost is required to purchase the base unit.

In a camera with a printer proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-322636, a printer section is dedicated to a printer mechanism and is not used except for printing. Therefore, when the printer function is not used, the printer section is simply useless, which is not desirable for the user.

[0006] As described above, the camera with a printer is a composite device of a new genre in which the camera and the printer are combined, and has not yet been fully used as a consumer device.
For example, function expansion is not sufficiently considered, and convenience is low.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus such as a printer capable of mounting a print medium, which can easily expand its functions and improve the convenience.

[0008]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera with a printer, wherein a housing space for housing a print medium is provided in a main body.
The accommodating space is configured to be capable of exclusively accommodating the function expansion member and the print medium, and is provided with a connection unit for electrically connecting the function expansion member and the main body accommodated in the accommodation space. It is characterized by having been done.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera with a printer, wherein a housing space for exclusively housing a print medium and a function expansion member is provided in a main body, wherein the function expansion member is provided in the housing space. And a mode setting means for setting an extended function mode in which the function expanding member can be used in accordance with a result of the discrimination by the determining means. It is characterized by the following.

[0010] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the function of a camera with a printer, in which a housing space for housing a print medium is provided in a main body, is expanded in the housing space exclusively for the print medium. A function expansion method of expanding using a member, wherein the step of determining the type of the function expansion member when the function expansion member is stored in the housing space, and the function expansion member according to the determination result. Setting a usable extended function mode.

Further, the invention according to claim 17 is a function expansion member for expanding the function of a camera with a printer provided in a camera body, wherein the accommodation space for accommodating a print medium is provided. A main body having an external shape that can be exclusively stored with the print medium, the main body includes a function expansion unit for expanding a function of the camera with a printer, and the main body when the main body is stored in the storage space. A connection means electrically connectable to the camera body is incorporated.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage device storing a program for expanding a function of a camera with a printer in which a storage space exclusively storing a printing medium and a function expansion member is provided in a main body. A medium, wherein the program includes: a determination module that determines a type of the function expansion member when the function expansion member is stored in the storage space; and the function expansion member according to a determination result of the determination module. And a mode setting module for setting an extended function mode that can be used.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting portion capable of mounting a print medium and mounting a function expansion unit in a state where the print medium is removed, A printer having the function expansion unit and a connection unit for making an electrical connection is characterized.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting portion capable of mounting a print medium and mounting a function expansion unit in a state where the print medium is removed, and the function mounted on the mounting portion. A printer having determination means for determining an extension unit is characterized.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera with a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera with a printer of FIG. 1 as viewed from the back.

A camera with a printer has a digital camera unit for storing an image picked up using an image pickup device such as a CCD in a memory, and prints an image stored in the memory by an ink jet recording method on a print sheet, and prints the print sheet. And a printer unit for outputting.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, on the front surface of a camera body 100 of a camera with a printer, a lens barrel (first lens barrel 118,
A cam cylinder 119) is provided. The camera body 1
00, an AE window 103 for photometry, an AF light emission window 10
4. An AF light receiving window 106, a finder objective window 105, and a strobe 101 are provided. On the upper surface of the camera body 100, an information liquid crystal display panel 102, a release button 1
07 is provided. On the right side surface (when viewed from the front side) of the camera body 100, an insertion port 100a for inserting the cartridge 200 is provided. Here, the cartridge 200 is one in which a plurality of print papers are stored so as to be able to feed paper.

As shown in FIG. 2, a main switch 108 and a zoom button 10 are provided on the rear side of the camera body 100.
9, an image liquid crystal display panel 110, a viewfinder eyepiece unit 120, a shooting mode switching button 114, an image quality mode switching button 115, a print number setting button 116, an image forward button 112, an image return button 113, and a print button 111. I have. On the left side surface (when viewed from the front side) of the camera body 100, a print paper discharge port 100b for discharging the printed print paper 201 is provided. The figure shows a state in which an image is printed on the print paper 201 fed from the cartridge 200 mounted on the camera body 100, and the print paper 201 is discharged from the print paper discharge port 100b. As can be seen from this figure, in the present embodiment, the camera body 100 is configured so that the entire cartridge 200 is housed inside.

Next, the internal structure of the camera with a printer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the camera with a printer of FIG. Here, this figure shows a state during printing.

As shown in FIG. 3, a housing space for housing the cartridge 200 or a function expansion member described later is formed inside the camera body 100, and the cartridge 200 or a function described later is housed in this housing space. A section 309 as a member insertion detection sensor for detecting that the expansion member is housed, the cartridge 200
Paper photo interrupter (hereinafter referred to as PI) 3 for detecting the movement state of the print paper fed from the printer
00, a print head 301 for printing image data on print paper, a PI 302 for a print head for detecting the drive state of the print head 301, a comb gear 303 reflecting the drive state of the print head 301, and a motor 3 for driving a print mechanism
04, transport roller 30 for moving print paper 201
5. Restriction member 30 for restricting rotation of printing head 301
6, a driving member 307 for driving the printing head 301, a photoelectric conversion element 308 for converting subject light passing through the photographing lens unit 117 into an electric signal, and a member inserted into the camera main body 100 through the insertion port 100a (described later). And two pieces 309 that can be energized. The camera body 100 includes a body battery 31.
0, a built-in memory 311 for storing captured image data and the like.

The print head 301 is provided with a print head driving unit 301b and a print head regulating unit 301a. Screws are formed in the driving member 307 and the print head driving unit 301b, and the print head 301 is driven in the front and back directions in the drawing by the rotation of the driving member 307.

In this embodiment, the cartridge 2
No energizing section is provided on the 00 side, and when the energization is not detected through the section 309, the cartridge is recognized as a cartridge. Alternatively, the cartridge 200 may be provided with an energizing section, and the cartridge information may be transmitted through the energizing section and the section 309.

Next, the functional configuration of the camera with a printer will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the camera with a printer in FIG.

A camera with a printer, as shown in FIG.
A camera microcomputer 1 for controlling the entire apparatus; an image pickup means 2 for picking up a subject image and outputting it as an image signal; a print monitoring means 3 for monitoring a printing operation; A printing unit 4 for printing image data, a printing control unit 5 for controlling a printing operation of the printing unit 4,
A mode setting unit 6 for setting a shooting mode, an image quality mode, a print output mode, etc .; a communication control unit 7 for communicating with a function expansion member described later;
A memory means 8 for storing image data such as 11 and a display means 9 for displaying the image data are provided. Details of the functions of these blocks will be described later.

Next, the operation of the camera with a printer will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the main switch 108 is turned on,
The camera with the printer is turned on. This power is supplied from the main battery 310. When the power is turned on, the camera microcomputer 1 drives the imaging unit 2. Specifically, the lens barrels 118 and 119 are driven to be moved to the shooting position and set.

The photographer uses the mode setting means 6 to set a photographing mode. In the present embodiment, there are several types of shooting modes such as a normal fully automatic shooting mode, a portrait mode, and a continuous shooting mode, and a desired shooting mode can be selected by operating the shooting mode switching button 114. is there. When the photographing mode is selected by operating the photographing mode switching button 114, a signal indicating the selected photographing mode is input to the camera microcomputer 1, and the selected photographing mode is set. The photographer sets the image quality mode using the mode setting means 6. In the present embodiment, there are several types of image data compression modes such as high image quality (low compression ratio), normal (intermediate compression ratio), and low image quality (high compression ratio). The operation is performed by operating the image quality mode switching button 115. A signal indicating the image quality mode selected by operating the image quality mode switching button 115 is input to the camera microcomputer 1, and the selected image quality mode is set.

Next, after the photographer adjusts the angle of view with the zoom button 109 during photographing, the release button 1
When the camera microcomputer 1 is pushed down to the first stroke, the camera microcomputer 1 determines an exposure control value according to the amount of light input from the AE window 103, and uses near infrared light emitted and received from the AF light emitting window 104 and the AF light receiving window 106. Determination of distance measurement information, strobe 1
Various conditions necessary for the exposure operation such as the presence or absence of 01 light emission are determined. When the photographer further presses the release button 107 to actually execute photographing, the camera microcomputer 1
Performs a series of exposure operations, such as driving a lens for focusing, controlling the speed of a shutter, controlling the aperture of an aperture, and, if necessary, emitting a strobe light.

By this exposure operation, the subject light passing through the photographing lens unit 117 is converted by the photoelectric conversion element 308 into image data as an electric signal. The image data is converted into a digital signal by an A / D conversion element (not shown). Since the image data at the time of shooting has a large data capacity, it is compressed to reduce the data capacity. This compressed image data is taken into the memory means 8 and stored. Specifically, the image data is recorded in the main body memory 311. It is well known that the degree of image quality deterioration of image data changes according to the compression ratio. That is, if the compression ratio of the image data is increased,
Although the image data capacity can be reduced, the image quality is reduced. On the other hand, when the compression ratio is lowered, the image data capacity cannot be reduced so much, but the deterioration of the image quality can be suppressed.

After the exposure operation, the camera microcomputer 1 drives the display means 9, specifically, the image liquid crystal display panel 110, and displays the image data taken. The photographing operation is performed by repeating the above-described operation, and the image data of the captured image is sequentially stored in the main body memory 311.

Next, when the photographer desires to print out the photographed image data, the print setting mode is set by the mode setting means 6. Specifically, a print number setting button 116 is used. In the present embodiment, an example in which a dedicated button is provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a method of setting by selecting a button displayed on the image liquid crystal display panel 110 may be used. Next, the image data captured in the main body memory 311 is transferred to the image forward button 112
Is displayed on the image liquid crystal display panel 110 to select image data to be printed out. Next, when the photographer presses the print button 111, the camera microcomputer 1 starts a printing operation. In executing the printing operation, the printer control unit 5 outputs the image data stored in the main body memory 311 from the printing unit 4.

Next, the printing operation will be described in detail.

When the printer control means 5 drives the motor 304, the transport roller 30 is transmitted through a printer driving force transmission system.
5 is driven, and the transport roller 305
Is transported. Then, the driving member 307 is driven to rotate in conjunction with the transport roller 305. This drive member 3
The print head 301 is driven in the front and back direction in the drawing (FIG. 4) by the rotation drive of the print head 07. The image data is printed on the print paper 201 by ejecting ink onto the surface of the print paper 201 while the print head 301 moves. The printed print paper 201 is transported by the transport roller 305.
Is transported in the lateral direction of the camera body 100 and automatically ejected.

During the printing operation, the print monitoring means 3
Monitor the printing operation. Specifically, the running state of the print paper is detected by the print paper PI 300 arranged near the print paper outlet 100b. Further, a comb gear 303 is arranged branching from the print driving force transmission system, and the print head PI 302 detects the comb teeth of the comb gear 303 to thereby print the print head 30.
1 is detected. Thus, by judging the output states of the signals output from the print paper PI 300 and the print head PI 302, it is possible to detect a print operation abnormality. In the present embodiment,
Although the comb gear 303 is shown as being branched from the print driving force transmission system, it may be incorporated in the print driving force transmission system.

Next, a case where a function expansion member is mounted on the camera body 100 in place of the cartridge 200 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the camera with the printer shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the function expansion member is attached to the camera body 100 of the camera with a printer in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a camera body 100 in which a function expansion member is mounted in the camera with a printer in FIG. 1.

The camera body 100 includes a cartridge 200
Instead, a function expansion member can be attached. Currently installed cartridge 200
When a function expansion member is mounted instead of the cartridge 200, first, as shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge 200 is pulled out of the camera body 100 via the insertion opening 100a.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the function expansion member 400 is inserted into the camera body 100 through the insertion port 100a. Here, examples of the function expansion member 400 include a memory card capable of reading and writing data, a card-shaped battery pack, or a combination card in which a memory and a battery are integrally combined. The outer shape of the function expansion member 400 is substantially the same as the outer shape of the cartridge 200. The outer shape of the function expansion member 400 is not limited to the substantially same shape as the outer shape of the cartridge 200, and may be any shape as long as it can be housed in the cartridge housing space in the camera body 100. The function expansion member 400 includes two conductive sections 400 that can be electrically connected to the two pieces 309 when housed in the camera body 100.
a is provided. In the present embodiment, the camera body 1
Since two sections are provided on the 00 side, the function expansion member 4
Although two conductive portions 400a are provided on the 00 side, the present invention is not limited to this, and conductive portions may be provided in accordance with the number of the pieces 309 provided on the camera body 100 side.

When the function expansion member 400 is inserted, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the section 309 of the camera body 100 comes into contact with the conducting portion 400a provided on the function expansion member 400,
Kaya salt {body 100 (communication control means 7) and function expansion member 4
00 becomes communicable. Thereby, the communication control means 7
, The type of the inserted function expansion member 400 (whether it is a memory card, a battery pack, or a combination card) is detected, and control corresponding to the inserted function expansion member 400 is performed.

Next, the mode switching control when the cartridge 200 or the function expansion member 400 is mounted in the camera with a printer will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the procedure of mode switching control when the cartridge 200 or the function expansion member 400 is mounted in the camera with a printer in FIG. This mode switching control is executed by the camera microcomputer 1.

Referring to FIG. 8, first, in step S10, it is determined whether or not a member (cartridge 200 or function expansion member 400) has been inserted based on the output of the member insertion detection sensor. ,
The process proceeds to step S60 shown in FIG. 9 and shifts to a standby state. On the other hand, when the member is inserted, the process proceeds to step S20, and it is determined whether or not the inserted member is the cartridge 200 based on the detection result of the communication control means 7. Here, when the inserted member is the cartridge 200, the process proceeds to step S21 to set the printable mode, and then proceeds to step S60 to shift to the standby mode.

If it is determined in step S20 that the inserted member is not a cartridge, step S20 is executed.
Proceeding to 30, it is determined whether or not the inserted member is a battery pack. If the inserted member is a battery pack, the process proceeds to step S31, and it is determined whether the remaining amount of the main battery 310 is smaller than a predetermined amount. Here, when the remaining amount of the main battery 310 is not smaller than the predetermined amount, it is determined that the remaining amount of the main battery 310 is sufficient, and the process proceeds to step S32, and the main battery that supplies power from the main battery 310 is supplied. The power supply mode is set, and the process proceeds to the standby state in step S60. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the main battery 310 is smaller than the preset predetermined amount, it is determined that the remaining amount of the main battery 310 is not sufficient, and the process proceeds to step S33 to supply power from the inserted battery pack. Set the battery power supply mode,
In step S60, the process shifts to the standby state.

If it is determined in step S30 that the inserted member is not a battery pack, step S40
To determine whether the inserted member is a memory card. If the inserted member is a memory card, the process proceeds to step S41 to determine whether the free space of the main body memory 311 is smaller than a predetermined capacity. judge. Here, when the free space of the main body memory 311 is not smaller than the predetermined capacity, it is determined that the free space of the main body memory 311 is sufficient, and the process proceeds to step S42. The setting is made, and the process proceeds to the standby state in step S60. In contrast,
If the free space of the main body memory 311 is smaller than the predetermined capacity, it is determined that the free space of the main body memory 311 is not sufficient, and the process proceeds to step S43, where an additional memory storage mode for storing image data in the inserted memory card is set.
In step S60, the process shifts to the standby state.

If it is determined in step S40 that the inserted member is not a memory card, the flow advances to step S50 to determine whether the inserted member is a combination card combining a battery and a memory. I do. When the inserted member is a combination card, the process proceeds to step S51, and the main battery 31
It is determined whether the remaining amount of 0 is smaller than a predetermined amount. Here, when the remaining amount of the main body battery 310 is not less than the predetermined amount, it is determined that the remaining amount of the main body battery 310 is sufficient, the process proceeds to step S52, and the main body battery power supply mode is set. Proceed to S54.
On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the main body battery 310 is smaller than the predetermined amount, it is determined that the remaining amount of the main body battery 310 is not sufficient, and the process proceeds to step S53 to supply power from the inserted combination card. The battery power supply mode is set, and the process proceeds to step S54.

In the step S54, it is determined whether or not the free space in the main body memory 311 is smaller than a predetermined capacity. Here, when the free space of the main body memory 311 is not smaller than the predetermined capacity, it is determined that the free space of the main body memory 311 is sufficient, the process proceeds to step S55, the main body memory save mode is set, and the standby is performed in the above step S60. Move to state. On the other hand, when the free space of the main body memory 311 is smaller than the predetermined capacity, it is determined that the free space of the main body memory 311 is not sufficient, and the process proceeds to step S56, where the additional memory storage mode for storing the image data in the installed combination card is set. Is set, and in step S60,
Move to the standby state.

As described above, the mode in which the battery pack, the memory card, or the combination card can be used is set by mounting the battery pack, the memory card, or the combination card exclusively on the camera body 100 together with the cartridge 200. When the remaining capacity of the main body battery 310 and the free space of the main body memory 311 are reduced, it becomes possible to use a battery pack, a memory card or a combination card which is mounted. as a result,
The function can be easily extended, and the convenience can be improved.

In the present embodiment, an ink-jet printing mechanism is exemplified as a printing mechanism. However, the printing mechanism is not limited to this, and may be applied to other printing mechanisms such as a fusion type thermal transfer type and a sublimation type thermal transfer type. It goes without saying that the present invention is applicable.

It should be noted that the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is
Needless to say, this can be achieved also by supplying the program code stored in the storage medium to the CPU or MPU of the camera body by reading the program code supplied to the camera body.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

Note that, in the present invention, any of the extended function members in the above embodiment may be used.
For example, the memory card in the above embodiment is capable of reading and writing data. However, the memory card may be capable of reading or writing data only, or may be a wireless terminal unit or the like. It may be.

Further, in the above embodiment, the printer is provided integrally with the camera, but the present invention is applicable even if it is separate.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device such as a printer capable of mounting a print medium, which can easily expand its functions and improve the convenience.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera with a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera with a printer of FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the camera with a printer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the camera with a printer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a cartridge 200 is taken out of a camera body 100 of the camera with a printer in FIG.

6 is a perspective view schematically showing a state immediately before a function expansion member is mounted on a camera body 100 of the camera with a printer in FIG. 1;

7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the camera body 100 in which the function expansion member is mounted in the camera with a printer of FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of mode switching control when the cartridge 200 or the function expansion member 400 is mounted in the camera with a printer in FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of mode switching control when the cartridge 200 or the function expansion member 400 is mounted in the camera with a printer in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 camera body 100 a insertion slot 100 b print paper discharge port 200 cartridge 201 print paper 309 section 310 main battery 311 main memory 400 function expansion member 400 a conduction section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03B 17/52 G06F 3/12 W 5C022 G06F 3/12 H04N 5/76 E 5C052 H04N 5/76 B41J 29 / 00 BF term (reference) 2C055 EE00 2C061 AP10 AQ04 AQ05 AS02 CF01 CF14 HK11 HN15 2H100 AA18 DD01 DD03 2H104 CC06 CD04 CD08 5B021 AA30 PP02 5C022 AA13 AB00 AC01 AC12 AC16 AC42 AC73 AC77 AC08 5A05A03 DD01

Claims (40)

[Claims] 1. A camera with a printer, wherein a housing space for housing a print medium is provided in a main body, wherein the housing space is configured to exclusively house a function expansion member and the print medium, A camera with a printer, further comprising connection means for electrically connecting the function expansion member housed in the housing space to the main body. 2. The camera with a printer according to claim 1, wherein the function expansion member is a battery for supplying power to the main body via the connection unit. 3. The camera with a printer according to claim 1, wherein the function expansion member is an information recording medium that can read and / or write data from the main body via the connection means. 4. The function expansion member includes a battery for supplying power to the main body via the connection means, and information capable of reading and / or writing data from the main body via the connection means. 2. The camera with a printer according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a member integrally combined. 5. A camera with a printer, wherein a housing space exclusively accommodating a print medium and a function expansion member is provided in a main body, wherein said function is provided when said function expansion member is housed in said housing space. Determining means for determining the type of the extension member;
A camera with a printer, comprising: a mode setting unit for setting an extended function mode in which the function expanding member can be used in accordance with a result of the determination by the determining unit. 6. The main body is provided with connection means for being electrically connected to the function expansion member when the function expansion member is accommodated in the accommodation space, and the discriminating means is provided with the function expansion member. 6. The camera with a printer according to claim 5, wherein the type of the function expansion member is determined based on a signal obtained by connection between the function expansion member and the connection means. 7. The function expansion member accommodated in the accommodation space includes a battery for supplying power to the main body via the connection means, reading data from the main body via the connection means, and / or A writable information recording medium, a battery for supplying power to the main body via the connection means, and an information recording medium capable of reading and / or writing data from the main body are integrally combined. 7. The camera with a printer according to claim 6, wherein the camera is one of members. 8. The mode setting means, when the function expansion member accommodated in the accommodation space is judged to be the battery by the judgment means, enables the power supply from the function expansion member to the main body. 8. The camera with a printer according to claim 7, wherein a mode for setting is set. 9. The mode setting means, when the function expansion member accommodated in the accommodation space is judged to be the information recording medium by the judgment means, reads out data from the function expansion member and / or The camera with a printer according to claim 7, wherein a mode that enables writing is set. 10. When the function expanding member housed in the housing space is determined by the determining means to be a member integrally assembled with the battery and the information recording medium, the mode setting means includes: A mode for enabling power supply from the battery of the function expansion member to the main body and a mode for enabling reading and / or writing of data from the information recording medium of the function expansion member are set. A camera with a printer according to claim 7. 11. A function expansion unit for expanding the function of a camera with a printer in which a storage space for storing a print medium is provided in a main body by using a function expansion member exclusively stored in the storage space with the print medium. A method of determining a type of the function expansion member when the function expansion member is stored in the storage space; and an expansion function mode capable of using the function expansion member according to the determination result. Setting a function. 12. The main body is provided with connection means electrically connected to the function expansion member when the function expansion member is accommodated in the accommodation space, and the function expansion member and the connection means are provided. 2. The type of the function expansion member is determined based on a signal obtained by the connection of (1).
1. The function expansion method according to 1. 13. The function expansion member housed in the housing space includes a battery for supplying power to the main body via the connection means, reading data from the main body via the connection means, and / or A writable information recording medium, a battery for supplying power to the main body via the connection means, and an information recording medium capable of reading and / or writing data from the main body are integrally combined. The function expansion method according to claim 12, wherein the function expansion member is any one of members. 14. A mode for enabling power supply from the function expansion member to the main body when the function expansion member housed in the housing space is determined to be the battery. The function expansion method according to claim 13. 15. A mode that enables reading and / or writing of data from the function expansion member when the function expansion member accommodated in the accommodation space is determined to be the information recording medium. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein
The described function expansion method. 16. When it is determined that the function expansion member housed in the housing space is a member in which the battery and the information recording medium are integrally combined, the battery of the function expansion member is transferred to the main body. 14. The function expansion method according to claim 13, wherein a mode enabling power supply and a mode enabling reading and / or writing of data from the information recording medium of the function expansion member are set. 17. A function expansion member for expanding a function of a camera with a printer provided in a camera body, wherein a storage space for storing a print medium is provided in the camera body, and the storage space can exclusively store the print medium. With a main body having a
The main body incorporates function expansion means for expanding the function of the camera with a printer, and connection means that can be electrically connected to the camera main body when the main body is housed in the housing space. A function expansion member characterized by the following. 18. The function expansion member according to claim 17, wherein the function expansion unit is a battery for supplying power to the camera body via the connection unit. 19. The function expansion member according to claim 17, wherein the function expansion unit is an information recording medium that can read and / or write data from the camera body via the connection unit. . 20. A battery for supplying power to the camera body via the connection means, wherein the function expansion means includes:
The function expansion member according to claim 17, further comprising: an information recording medium capable of reading and / or writing data from the camera body via the connection means. 21. A storage medium storing a program for expanding a function of a camera with a printer, wherein a storage space exclusively storing a print medium and a function expansion member is provided in a main body, wherein the program is A discrimination module for discriminating the type of the function expansion member when the function expansion member is accommodated in the accommodation space, and an extension function mode capable of using the function extension member in accordance with the discrimination result of the discrimination module And a mode setting module for setting a storage medium. 22. The main body is provided with connection means electrically connected to the function expansion member when the function expansion member is accommodated in the accommodation space, and the discrimination module is provided with the function expansion member. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the type of the function expansion member is determined based on a signal obtained by connection between the function expansion member and a connection unit. 23. A function expansion member accommodated in the accommodation space includes a battery for supplying power to the main body via the connection means, reading data from the main body via the connection means, and / or A writable information recording medium, a battery for supplying power to the main body via the connection means, and an information recording medium capable of reading and / or writing data from the main body are integrally combined. The storage medium according to claim 22, wherein the storage medium is one of members. 24. When the function expansion member accommodated in the accommodation space is determined to be the battery by the determination module, the mode setting module enables power supply from the function expansion member to the main body. 24. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein a mode is set. 25. When the determination module determines that the function expansion member housed in the housing space is the information recording medium, the mode setting module reads data from the function expansion member and / or reads data from the function expansion member. 3. A mode for enabling writing is set.
3. The storage medium according to 3. 26. When the determination module determines that the function expansion member accommodated in the accommodation space is a member integrally assembled with the battery and the information recording medium, the mode setting module includes: A mode for enabling power supply from the battery of the function expansion member to the main body and a mode for enabling the function expansion member to read and / or write data from an information recording medium are set. A storage medium according to claim 23. 27. A mounting portion capable of mounting a print medium and mounting a function expansion unit with the print medium removed, and an electrical connection with the function expansion unit mounted on the mounting portion. And a connection unit for performing the following. 28. The printer according to claim 27, wherein the printer is provided integrally with an imaging device and prints an image captured by the imaging device. 29. The printer according to claim 26, wherein the function expansion unit includes a battery. 30. The printer according to claim 26, wherein the function expansion unit includes a memory. 31. The printer according to claim 27, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine a function expansion unit mounted on the mounting unit via the connection unit. 32. The printer according to claim 31, wherein the determination unit sets a mode according to a result of the determination. 33. The printer according to claim 27, wherein the mounting section has a storage space for selectively storing the print medium and the function expansion unit. 34. A mounting portion capable of mounting a print medium and mounting a function expansion unit in a state where the print medium is removed, and a determination means for determining the function expansion unit mounted on the mounting portion. A printer comprising: 35. The printer according to claim 34, wherein the determination unit determines a type of the function expansion unit. 36. The printer according to claim 34, wherein the determination unit sets a mode according to a result of the determination. 37. The printer according to claim 34, wherein the printer is provided integrally with an imaging device and prints an image captured by the imaging device. 38. The printer according to claim 34, wherein the function expansion unit includes a battery. 39. The printer according to claim 34, wherein the function expansion unit includes a memory. 40. The printer according to claim 34, wherein the mounting section has a storage space for selectively storing the print medium and the function expansion unit.