JP3495755B2 - Information recording device and imaging device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus and an image pickup apparatus, and more particularly to a system configuration for easily confirming the operation of the apparatus and making various adjustments in an apparatus having a replaceable recording medium. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of apparatus, a dedicated adjusting communication terminal for adjusting is provided outside the main body.

For example, consider a card camera that records data on a memory card.

In such a camera, it may be necessary to confirm or adjust the basic operation of the camera at the time of assembling in a factory or repairing after sale as a product. At this time, in the conventional camera, the exterior cover of the camera is opened, and the terminals of the measuring instrument are applied to the internal circuit board to confirm the operation and function of the camera, various inspections, WB, and sensitivity adjustment. This is to prevent the user from accidentally and intentionally touching the adjustment terminal to disturb the operation or function of the device.

In this case, since the inspection and adjustment cannot be performed without opening the outer cover, there is a drawback that the assembly must be disassembled again after the assembly. Therefore, in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 17, it has become possible to inspect and adjust by providing a dedicated communication terminal on the exterior part. Less than,
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

16 and 17 show an example of the above card camera.

In FIG. 16, 1 is a card camera body,
Reference numeral 2 is an image pickup lens, 3 is an illuminating means such as a strobe, and 4 is a trigger button (shutter button). Normally, when the button 4 is pressed, a subject image is recorded inside the camera. Reference numeral 5 denotes a cable connector, which allows the cable to be removed at this portion when connecting to the computer main body 1 via a cable 8 and a computer described later. A card storage unit 6 stores a memory card 7, which is a recording medium, at the time of shooting. A memory card 7 is a recording medium for storing image data of a photographed subject image. It can be attached to and detached from the camera body 1 via a connector B100 in FIG. An inspection / adjustment cable 8 is connected to the camera body 1 via the cable connector 5.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram for explaining a method of inspecting and adjusting the camera shown in FIG.

In FIG. 17, reference numeral 100 denotes a card connector for connecting the camera body 1 and the memory card 7.
Reference numeral 01 is an inspection / adjustment connector for connecting the camera body 1 and a control unit 200 for external communication, which will be described later, and 102 is an interface control unit in the camera body 1 for transferring image data of the camera to the memory card 7. Stuff, 103
Is a communication control unit for camera inspection and adjustment, which controls the exchange of commands and data for external inspection and adjustment of the camera. Reference numeral 200 denotes a communication control unit for externally inspecting and adjusting the camera, which is generally a personal computer or the like.

In addition to the above structure, the camera requires a shutter, an image pickup device, a CPU for controlling a signal processing circuit, etc., but they are omitted here.

With such a configuration, when inspecting or adjusting the function of the camera, communication is performed from a computer or the like different from the camera. For example, to reduce the number of communication lines,
Perform serial communication. The serial communication method is a synchronous method or an asynchronous method. That is, when performing inspection and adjustment, the communication cable 8 from a computer (not shown) is connected to the connector 5 of the camera body 1 as shown in FIG. Then, if necessary, a command, for example, a command to move the shutter is transmitted. In the camera, a control unit (CPU or the like) (not shown) receives this command, interprets its content, and executes it. Then, the execution result such as whether the operation is finished or whether there is an abnormality is stored in the storage unit in the control unit.

On the computer side, the contents stored in the control section of the camera are received, and it is judged whether or not the camera has finished executing and whether or not there is any abnormality. Then, the contents are displayed on the display on the computer side. Here, if there is an abnormality, the operator takes necessary measures.

[0013]

As can be seen from the above-mentioned conventional example, when inspecting or adjusting the operation of the camera, as shown in FIG.
In the configuration like the connector 5 in 1), since the terminals are exposed to the outside, there is a problem that it is easily exposed to dust, water, etc., and is also weak against physical shock and damage due to static electricity. It was

Further, the connector of the terminal becomes large and the appearance is unsightly, so that there are problems such as an increase in the cost of parts and the like and an increase in the size of the main body.

In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, the purpose of this book is to provide an information recording device and an image pickup device which are strong against an external environment and static electricity when communicating with an external device.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the conventional problems and achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention records various kinds of information and enables operation control such as inspection and investigation from an external device. A recording device, a card slot for storing a replaceable card-shaped storage medium, and an interface unit for performing data communication for recording information on the card-shaped recording medium stored in the card slot, And a connection part for communication for performing operation control such as inspection and adjustment by the external device, the connection part being provided in the card slot.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, as a first embodiment of the present invention, a card camera provided with a connecting member for adjustment inside a card slot will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. It should be noted that members having the same or similar functions as those of the conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is an external view of the above card camera. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an inspection / adjustment adapter. A cable 8 is connected to one end of the adapter 10 and is inserted into the storage medium storage portion 6 of the camera body 1 at the time of inspection / adjustment. Note that the block diagram for explaining the operation of the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG.
The difference is that the connector B101 in 9 exists inside the storage medium housing portion 6 instead of outside the camera body 1. Also,
The adapter 10 is a physical and electrical interface between the cable 8 and the connector B101, and converts the connection order of the communication lines in the cable 8 and the voltage level in the adapter 10 as needed.

Next, the connecting portion between the adapter 10 and the camera body 1 side will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 2
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which the inspection / adjustment connection connectors are laterally arranged on the same surface as the card connector.

In FIG. 2, 20 is an inspection / adjustment adapter, 21 is the adapter 20 and the connector A1 of the camera body 1.
00 is a card connector, and 22 is an inspection / adjustment connector for connecting the adapter 20 and the connector B101 of the camera body 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the inspection / adjustment connector 22 and the card connector 21 are vertically arranged on the same surface.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the thickness of the adapter 20 can be made thin, and in the example shown in FIG. 3, the lateral width of the adapter 20 can be made narrow. Therefore, either method may be selected according to the purpose.

Hereinafter, similarly, the adapter 20 in FIG.
The terminal of which the shape of the terminal for inspection and adjustment is changed will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 4, 23, 2
Reference numerals 4 and 25 are communication connection terminals, 23 is a data communication line connection terminal from the outside to the camera, 24 is a data communication line connection terminal from the camera to the outside, and 25 is a ground terminal. Here, the communication is asynchronous communication, and of course, the order of the terminals can be changed. Then, in the connection portion between the camera body 1 and the connector 20 in this case, the contact brushes 26, 27, 28 may be provided on the camera body 1 side as shown in FIG. As shown, when the adapter 20 is inserted into the camera body 1, the contact brushes 26, 27, 28 come into contact with the connection terminals 23, 24, 25 of the adapter 20, respectively.

In this system, the connection surface 23 of the adapter 20 is
Since 24 and 25 are exposed, they easily get dirty. However, since inspection and adjustment are not performed by a general user and can be managed by a worker at the factory or at the time of repair, it can be said that there is no problem with dirt. Therefore, this system is characterized in that the adapter 20 can be made thin.

Further, FIG. 6 is a view showing an example in which inspection and adjustment terminal surfaces are vertically arranged on the lateral surface of the adapter 20. In FIG. 6, the length of the ground terminal surface 25 is longer than the other surfaces. This is the ground terminal surface 2 when the adapter 20 is inserted.
5 is connected to the terminal on the camera body 1 side first, and the ground terminal surface 25 is finally separated from the terminal when it is pulled out. That is, the electric potential of the adapter 20 at the time of insertion / removal is adjusted to the camera side to prevent the terminals from being electrically damaged.

Further, FIG. 7 shows the adapter 20 in which the inspection and adjustment terminals are laterally arranged on the same surface as the card connector 21. In this case, since the terminal surface does not slide during insertion / removal, wear due to friction occurs. There is an effect that there is little.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which the inspection and adjustment terminal surfaces are laterally arranged on the upper surface (or lower surface) of the adapter 20, which is also the ground terminal surface for the same reason as in the embodiment of FIG. 25 is longer than other terminal surfaces.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example in which inspection and adjustment terminal surfaces are arranged on both the upper surface (or the lower surface) of the adapter 20 and the same surface of the card connector 21 of the adapter 20. The connection portion with the camera body 1 in this case is shown in FIG.
As described above, a contact brush may be provided on the camera body 1 side. In FIG. 10, only 26 is shown for the contact brush, and only 23 is shown for the inspection / adjustment terminal surface. In FIG. 10, when the adapter 20 is inserted into the main body, the contact brushes 26, 27, 2
8 are contact terminal surfaces 23, 24, 2 of the adapter 20, respectively.
Contact 5.

The method of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 has an advantage that the contact area of the terminal can be wide and the reliability at the time of contact is improved.

Further, in order to protect the connector and the connection terminal for communication from static electricity, a ground terminal portion may be provided so as to surround the connector on the same surface as the connector as shown in FIG. In this case, the remaining terminals may be provided on the side surface as shown, or may be provided on the upper surface or the lower surface.

By doing so, the ability to block the electrical noise generated by the motor and the external device when the camera is operated is improved, and the resistance to electrical noise such as static electricity can be enhanced.

Next, a card camera which is a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram when a communication connection terminal is provided in the card connector. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 104 denotes a connector for memory card and including terminals for inspection and adjustment. In this embodiment, dedicated communication terminals for inspection and adjustment are assigned to the pins of the connector 104 in advance. In this case, if there is an unused pin on the connector of the memory card 7, inspect that pin.
An adjustment terminal may be provided. If there are no unused pins, it is necessary to change the connector of the memory card 7 so that it has more pins.

Next, a card camera which is a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram in the case where the interface for the memory card is also used as it is and the terminals for inspection and adjustment are not provided.

FIG. 13A shows a case of normal photographing, in which the memory card 7 is connected to the connector 100. Figure 1
3B shows a case of inspection and adjustment, and an external communication control unit such as a computer is connected to the connector 100. That is, the interface of the memory card 7 is used as it is as a memory card at the time of photographing, and only necessary terminals of the interface for the memory card 7 are used at the time of inspection and photographing. Generally, the memory card interface uses a parallel method for data access. Therefore, a few bits (usually 8 or 16 bits) for data,
And write write (WRITE) strobe (/
WR), read lead (READ) strobe (/
It is sufficient if there are signal pins for RD) and card select (/ CS).

In the system shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, it is not necessary to newly add connectors, and
Since parallel access is possible, there is an advantage that communication can be performed at high speed.

Next, a card camera having a plurality of card connectors provided in the camera body according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 14 is an external view when the camera body is provided with two card connectors, and FIG. 15 is a block diagram of this embodiment. In FIG. 14, 9 is a storage unit for storing the memory card 7. In FIG. 15, 105 is a newly added card connector, and 106 is a second interface control unit. Also in this embodiment, the operations of photographing, inspecting, and adjusting the camera are the same as those in the above-described embodiments. Of course, the memory card 7 is inserted into the storage portion 6 and the inspection / adjustment adapter 20 is inserted into the storage portion 9. You may.
Further, the camera may detect what has been inserted into which storage unit and automatically switch the first storage unit for inspection and adjustment and the second storage unit for memory card. In this case, which card or adapter is inserted can be easily determined if the camera communicates through the interface.

In this system, if the camera body 1 has a plurality of connectors from the beginning, no additional component is needed. Furthermore, since the inspection and adjustment can be performed with the memory card 7 still inserted, the access to the memory card 7 can be inspected.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the interface of the card connector is not specified. The card-shaped interface is PCMCIA, JEIDA,
The format is defined by various organizations such as ISO,
You may employ these interfaces. In particular, those shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8 are easy because the shape of the inspection / adjustment adapter may be determined according to the determined shape of the memory card itself. On the other hand, in the case of the other embodiments, it is necessary to match the shape of the memory card with the shape of the inspection / adjustment adapter.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the example in which the memory card is used as the storage medium has been described, but this can also be realized by another medium such as a hard disk and has the same effect.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the card interface is used, the parallel communication is used, and when the inspection and adjustment dedicated terminals are provided, the serial communication is used. However, in view of the number of pins of the connector and the space. It may be parallel or serial if convenient. Further, the communication is not bidirectional, and only the command and the data may be externally sent to the camera.

Furthermore, instead of the interface of the memory card, it is possible to use a card interface for I / O as defined by PCMCIA and use the interface for purposes other than inspection and adjustment. That is, it can be used for the purpose of remotely controlling the operation of the camera from the outside of the camera. For example, in the case of taking an image at every predetermined time, it is conceivable that an external computer periodically sends an image taking command. It is also possible to output the data such as the shooting conditions for each shooting to an external output device (printer) through the interface so that the shooter can confirm the shooting conditions.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional example, if the mounting of the inspection / adjustment adapter is detected and the camera is automatically set to the inspection / adjustment mode in response to the detection of the adapter. It is convenient to handle the camera during inspection and adjustment. In this mode, if the shooting operation is prohibited by not accepting the normal operation of the shooting trigger switch, it is possible to prevent malfunctions during inspection and adjustment.

The inspection / adjustment adapter may be detected by communicating through a card interface to determine whether it is a memory card or an inspection / adjustment adapter. In a normal memory card, the attribute information (memory type, manufacturer, capacity, etc.) of the memory card can be confirmed on the camera side by a specific command, so that it can be detected by using this. Or, try communication through the terminals for inspection and adjustment, and if there is no response, or if it is not a response with a predetermined content, it is judged that it is not an adapter for inspection and adjustment, and if there is a predetermined response, an adapter for inspection and adjustment. It can also be determined that the is attached.

[0048]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.

(1) Since the communication connection terminal for controlling by communication from an external device is provided inside the storage medium accommodating portion, it is strong against ingress of dust and water and physical impact. It can be adjusted without disassembling the device.

(2) By using the connector for electrically connecting the storage medium and the connection terminal for communication as well, the number of parts is reduced and the device is miniaturized. Therefore, the cost is reduced and the reliability of the device is increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a card camera that is a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example in which inspection and adjustment connectors are horizontally arranged on the same surface as a card connector.

FIG. 3 is an example in which inspection and adjustment connectors are vertically arranged on the same surface as a card connector.

FIG. 4 is an external view of an adapter having a connection terminal on a lateral surface.

FIG. 5 is a connection diagram of an adapter having connection terminals provided on a lateral surface.

FIG. 6 is another example of an adapter in which a connection terminal is provided on a lateral surface.

FIG. 7 is an external view of an adapter provided with a connection terminal on the front surface.

FIG. 8 is an external view of an adapter having a connection terminal provided on the upper surface.

FIG. 9 is an external view of an adapter in which a connection terminal is provided on an upper front surface.

FIG. 10 is a connection diagram of an adapter in which a connection terminal is provided on an upper front surface.

FIG. 11 is an external view of an adapter in which a communication ground terminal is provided around a card connector.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a card camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a communication terminal is provided in a connector of a card slot.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a card camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which also serves as an interface of a card slot.

FIG. 14 is an external view of a card camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is provided with a plurality of card slots.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 camera body 6 Storage medium storage 7 memory card 8 Communication cable 10 Inspection and adjustment adapter 20 Inspection and adjustment adapter 21 Card connector 22 Communication connector

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Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A test from the external device and records various information, an information recording apparatus capable of operation control of the surveys facing upwards for storing replaceable card-like storage medium
A lot , an interface unit for performing data communication for recording information on the card-shaped recording medium stored in the card slot, and an operation control such as inspection and adjustment by the external device .
And a connection for communication of fit, the connecting portion, the information recording apparatus characterized <br/> that is provided in the card slot. 2. The connecting portion includes the interface portion.
With the external device using a part of the terminals of the connector
An information recording device, characterized in that the communication is performed.