JP2703060B2 - Digital electronic still camera - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital electronic still camera, and more particularly, to a digital electronic still camera that records a digital image signal in a camera built-in memory.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, after converting an analog image signal of a still image obtained from an image sensor arranged at an imaging position of a photographing lens into a digital image signal, the digital image signal is recorded in a solid-state memory (memory cartridge) detachable from a camera. A digital electronic still camera has been proposed.
No. 20225).

In this digital electronic still camera, as shown in FIG. 10, the memory cartridge 10 is inserted through an insertion opening 16A opened on the side of the camera main body 16, and can be mounted on a socket 18 in the main body. A solid-state imaging device (CCD image sensor) 14 is arranged at the image forming position 12.

The camera body 16 has an A / D converter (A / D converter) for converting an image signal (analog signal) obtained from the CCD image sensor 14 into an image signal (digital signal) recordable on the memory cartridge 10. The socket 18 for transmitting and receiving digital signals to and from the memory cartridge 10 is fixed to the A / D board 20. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 22 denotes a flash, 24 denotes a battery box, 26 denotes a finder, and 28 denotes a power supply circuit.

On the other hand, for a digital electronic still camera using the memory cartridge, a digital image signal is recorded in a memory built in the camera, and data in the memory is transferred via a connector provided in the camera. Some have been proposed.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

By the way, in a digital electronic still camera in which a digital image signal is recorded in a memory built in the camera, when data is transferred to another external device at the time of reproduction or the like, a connector on the camera side and a connector on the external device side are used. Must be connected by a connection cord. Therefore, a connection cord is separately required, and the connection between the digital electronic still camera and the external device cannot be performed with one touch.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a digital electronic still camera that records a digital image signal in a memory built in the camera, when data is transferred to an external device, a connection cord is not required, and the external device can be operated with one touch. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital electronic still camera that can be connected to a device.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, when a shutter release button is pressed, an analog image signal for one screen is read from an image sensor arranged at an imaging position of a photographing lens, and the analog image signal is converted into a digital image signal. In a digital electronic still camera which is converted and recorded in a camera built-in memory, a connector in which a plurality of terminals for data transfer are arranged on a substantially straight line on an end face of the digital electronic still camera is provided, at least The digital electronic still camera may be inserted into a camera insertion portion of an external device having means for reading data in the memory by being electrically connected to the connector so that more than half of the length in the insertion direction of the digital electronic still camera can be inserted. While forming its outer shape,
A guide for insertion into the camera insertion portion is formed at both ends in a direction in which a plurality of terminals of the connector are arranged in a straight line extending direction.

[Action]

According to the present invention, the digital electronic still camera is formed so that it can be inserted into another external device. That is, the external shape of the camera is formed so that it can be inserted into a camera insertion portion provided in an external device. Further, a guide is formed on the camera, and the camera is guided when the camera is inserted into the camera insertion portion, so that the connector on the camera side and the connector in the camera insertion portion can be connected well.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a digital electronic still camera according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a digital electronic still camera according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the digital electronic still camera 30 is capable of recording a digital image signal in a memory built in the camera, and a data stored in the memory is provided on a side end face of the camera facing the grip portion 32. Is provided for transferring the data to an external device.

The digital electronic still camera 30 is formed so that it can be inserted into an external device. That is, in the camera insertion area except the grip part 32, the front of the camera,
The back surface, the upper surface, and the lower surface are formed substantially flat. Further, guide grooves 36, 36 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the camera.

In FIG. 1, 38 is a photographing lens, 40 is a viewfinder, 42 is a strobe, 44 is a shutter release button, 4
Reference numerals 6 and 46 denote camera display units.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the digital electronic still camera. In the figure, when the shutter release button 44 is half-pressed, power is supplied to each circuit from the battery 50, and the power of the battery 50 is boosted by the DC / DC converter 52 so that the solid-state imaging device (CC
D) It is supplied as the drive power source for 54 and becomes ready for shooting.

The output of the CCD 54 is amplified by an amplifier 60 and applied to an exposure amount calculation circuit 62. An exposure amount calculation circuit 62 calculates an exposure amount based on an input signal, determines an aperture amount and a shutter speed of an aperture 56, and outputs a signal indicating these to a central processing unit (CP).
U) Output to 64.

Now, in the above-mentioned photographable state, the shutter release button 44
When you press fully, the shooting lens 38, aperture 56, engineering filter
The image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 54 via 58 is photoelectrically converted here, and the image information is transmitted from the clock oscillator 66 to the CC.
Scanning is performed sequentially by a timing pulse applied via the D drive circuit 68 and output as an analog image signal.

The analog image signal for one screen output from the CCD 54 is amplified by the amplifier 60 and then converted to a digital image signal by the A / D converter 70. After the A / D conversion, the speed is converted in accordance with the number of bits of the memory 76 by the process 72, and the data is sequentially written to the address in the memory 76 by the address designation by the memory control circuit 7.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 78 denotes a flash control circuit for controlling flash emission when exposure is insufficient. Reference numeral 80 denotes a buzzer for notifying completion of photographing preparation and the like, and reference numerals 82 and 84 denote a light emitting diode and a liquid crystal display for notifying a photographer of information such as the completion of strobe charging and the number of shots.

3 and 4 show the digital electronic still camera 30.
5 is a perspective view showing a usage example at the time of data transfer, showing before and after the digital electronic still camera is inserted into the external device 90. FIG.

As the external device 90, for example, an external memory having a magnetic disk or the like having a relatively large storage capacity as a recording medium is considered. When the storage capacity of the memory 76 in the camera becomes full, data in the memory is transferred to the external device 90. Is done.

Here, the external device 90 has a camera insertion portion 92 as shown in FIG. 3, and a depth end of the camera insertion portion 92 can be connected to the connector 34 (see FIG. 1) on the camera side. A connector (not shown) is provided. Also, the camera insertion portion 92 is formed with convex rails 94, 94 for guiding the camera-side guide grooves 36, 36, so that the camera-side connector 34 and the external device-side connector can be securely connected. Guide the camera.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the camera 30 is inserted into the camera insertion portion 92 of the external device 90 and both connectors are connected, data transfer to the external device 90 becomes possible. As shown in the figure, the camera display units 46 are provided at positions where they can be seen from the outside even when the camera 30 is inserted into the external device 90.

Next, a case where a digital image signal recorded in the memory 76 of the digital electronic still camera 30 is reproduced will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, by inserting the camera 30 into the player 91 with a liquid crystal television, a still image can be displayed on the liquid crystal television. Similarly, a still image can be displayed on a television screen by inserting the camera 30 into the player 92 or the audio component 93 having the player.
Also, by inserting the camera 30 into the videophone 94,
It is also possible to display a still image on the other party's videophone via a telephone line.

Further, by inserting the camera 30 into the hard copy device 95, a printout can be made, and the personal computer 96 and the word processor can be printed out.
97 to display or print out.
Still further, the camera 30 may be brought to a DP shop and printed out.

Note that the player and the like have a camera insertion section similarly to the above-described external device 90, and are electrically connected to a camera inserted into the camera insertion section via a connector to read data from a memory built in the camera. Needless to say, it is provided with.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention, showing a state in which the digital electronic still camera is inserted into the external device 100. As shown in the figure, the digital electronic still camera 110 has a convex rail 11
2 and 112 are formed, and guide grooves 102 and 102 for guiding the convex rails 112 and 112 are formed on the external device 100 side. Further, a lock lever 104 is provided on the external device 100 with a support shaft 106.
It is arranged so that it can rotate freely. This lock lever
104 is urged by a compression spring 108 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.
It protrudes into.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the camera 30 is inserted to a predetermined position and the connector 101 of the external device 100 and the connector of the camera 110 are completely connected, the claw 104A of the lock lever 104 Engage with the rear end of the convex rail 112,
Lock the camera 110 so that it does not come off.

On the other hand, when the camera 110 is pulled out from the external device 100, the lock release button 104B at the rear end of the lock lever 104 is pressed against the urging force of the compression spring 108, and the lock lever 104 is rotated clockwise. This allows the lock lever
The lock by the lock claw 104A of 104 is released, and the camera 110 can be pulled out.

The guide formed on the digital electronic still camera is not limited to the present embodiment, but various guides are conceivable. The point is that the guide can be connected so that the connector between the two can be securely connected at the time of insertion into the camera insertion portion. Anything is acceptable. Further, if a step is provided on the left and right guides, erroneous insertion of the front and back of the camera can be prevented.

Further, the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention is
If the configuration is the same as that of the connector of the memory cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to use an external device of the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention also for the memory cartridge 10. However, when the memory cartridge 10 is used, it is necessary to attach a memory cartridge adapter to a camera insertion portion of an external device, for example.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment according to the present invention.
The digital electronic still camera shown in FIG. 7 is provided with finger hooks 114, 114 (only one is shown) at a position opposite to the insertion side of the external device. Therefore, when removing the digital electronic still camera from the state shown in FIG.
By pulling the digital still camera 115 while grasping it, the digital electronic still camera 115 can be easily removed from the connector of the external device. Incidentally, if the grip portion 32 of the camera is formed in a shape that can be gripped by fingers as shown in FIG. 7, the grip portion 32 can be grasped and extracted.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the digital electronic still camera of FIG. 8 is connected to an external device. A main switch 11 for turning on / off a power supply during photographing is provided above the digital electronic still camera 116 in FIG.
8 are provided. The main switch 118 is a slide switch in which the slide knob 118A slides in the camera insertion / extraction direction, and turns on the camera power when the slide knob 118A moves in the camera insertion direction, and turns off the camera power when it moves in the camera extraction direction. . Further, the slide knob 118A protrudes from the upper surface of the camera.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, a contact portion 122 is formed in the camera insertion portion 120 of the external device 119. Therefore, when the digital electronic still camera 116 is inserted into the camera insertion portion 120 while the main switch 118 is on, the slide knob 118A of the main switch 118 contacts the contact portion 122, and the digital electronic still camera 116 is connected to the connector 108. Then, the slide knob 118A is slid to the off position. This allows the digital electronic still camera 116
By inserting the camera 116 into the camera insertion section 120, the power supply is surely turned off, and an inadvertent shutter release when an external device is connected can be prevented. Further, the main switch 118 is not erroneously operated during the transfer of the image data.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the digital electronic still camera of the present invention, when connecting to an external device that performs reproduction or the like, a connection cord is not required, and one-touch one-handed electrical connection with the external device can be performed. There is an advantage that can be. Furthermore, since a finger hook is provided on the camera body,
The camera can be easily removed from the connector of the external device. In addition, when the digital electronic still camera is connected to an external device, the power of the camera is automatically turned off, so that even if the power is forgotten to be turned off, careless shooting during image data transfer can be prevented. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a digital electronic still camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the digital electronic still camera shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are each used for data transfer of the digital electronic still camera shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view used to explain an example, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between various types of external devices for reproducing digital image signals recorded in the memory of the digital electronic still camera in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of a still camera, FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a case where the digital electronic still camera shown in FIG. 8 is connected to an external device, and FIG. 10 is a digital electronic camera using a conventional memory cartridge. Still Is a perspective view showing an example of a camera. 30, 110, 115, 116 Digital electronic still camera, 3
4, 108 Connector, 36, 102 Guide groove, 38 Photographic lens, 54 CCD, 70 A / D converter, 76 Memory, 90, 100, 119 External device, 92, 120: Camera insertion section, 94, 112: Convex rail, 114: Finger hook section, 118
... Main switch, 120 ... Contact part.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] When a shutter release button is depressed, an analog image signal for one screen is read from an image sensor disposed at an image forming position of a photographing lens, and the analog image signal is converted into a digital image signal, and thereafter, a built-in camera is provided. In a digital electronic still camera adapted to record in a memory, a connector is provided in which a plurality of terminals for data transfer are arranged on a substantially straight line on an end face of the digital electronic still camera, and at least the connector is electrically connected to the connector. The external shape of the digital electronic still camera is formed so as to be able to be inserted into a camera insertion portion of an external device having means for reading data in the memory by being connected to the digital electronic still camera. In addition, the guide at the time of insertion into the camera insertion portion, the extension of the straight line in which the plurality of terminals of the connector are arranged A digital electronic still camera characterized by being formed at both ends. 2. When a shutter release button is pressed, an analog image signal for one screen is read from an image sensor arranged at an image forming position of a photographing lens, and the analog image signal is converted into a digital image signal. In a digital electronic still camera adapted to record in a memory, a connector for data transfer is provided in the digital electronic still camera, and at least an externally connected means for electrically connecting to the connector and reading data in the memory. In the camera insertion part of the device, the external shape of the digital electronic still camera is formed so that the digital electronic still camera can be inserted, and a guide at the time of insertion into the camera insertion part is formed, and the external device of the digital electronic still camera is inserted. To remove the digital electronic still camera from the external device. Digital electronic still camera according to claim in that provided finger hook portion for. 3. When a shutter release button is pressed, an analog image signal for one screen is read from an image sensor arranged at an image forming position of a photographing lens, and the analog image signal is converted into a digital image signal. In a digital electronic still camera adapted to record in a memory, a connector for data transfer is provided in the digital electronic still camera, and at least an externally connected means for electrically connecting to the connector and reading data in the memory. In the camera insertion part of the device, the external shape of the digital electronic still camera is formed so that the digital electronic still camera can be inserted, and a guide at the time of insertion into the camera insertion part is formed. It has a slide knob that slides, and moves the slide knob in and out of the camera. A main switch for turning on / off the camera power is installed, and a slide knob of the main switch comes into contact with a contact portion of the camera insertion portion when the camera is inserted into the camera insertion portion, thereby turning on the power of the digital electronic still camera. A digital electronic still camera that moves to an off position.