JP4425483B2 - Electronic equipment system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in an electronic device system including an electronic device and a docking station that interposes the connection of the electronic device to an external device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Some portable electronic devices such as digital cameras and handheld computers use a trapezoidal docking station on which electronic devices are mounted for connection to external devices such as desktop computers. The docking station is provided with a connector for electrical connection with the electronic device and a connector used for connection with the external device, so that the connection between the electronic device and the external device can be facilitated. . Further, by omitting the connector of the electronic device main body, the electronic device can be downsized.
[0003]
In addition, there is a type in which an AC power adapter is connected to the docking station to supply power to the electronic device via the docking station and to charge a battery in the electronic device. In charging via the docking station, it is necessary to perform a charging start operation for executing charging on the electronic device or the docking station side.
[0004]
In a conventional electronic device such as a digital camera and a docking station used therefor, the state of the digital camera is lit or blinking on the finder LED of the digital camera, or displayed on the photographed image display LCD, or displayed on the setting LCD. Etc. to inform the user. Examples of the status display include a power-on state, a data communication state with a desktop computer, a power-off state, and a removable state indicating that removal from the docking station is possible.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A finder LED, a captured image display LCD, and a setting LCD are provided on the back side of the digital camera. Therefore, when the digital camera is made to function as a PC camera that inputs a moving image to a personal computer, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to see the back side of the digital camera.
[0006]
In addition, users who are unfamiliar with the operation of the digital camera may forget to perform the charging start operation after attaching the digital camera to the docking station, and notice that charging has not been completed when using the digital camera. there were.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to improve the visibility of the status display of an electronic device when connected to a docking station and to provide an electronic device system that does not cause a charging operation error. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the electronic device system of the present invention is provided with a status display light-emitting unit in a docking station, and the status display light-emitting unit is turned on, blinking, or turned off to change various states of the electronic device. It is intended to be displayed.
[0009]
Examples of various states of the electronic device displayed by the state display light emitting unit include a power-on state, a communication state with an external device, and a removable state indicating that the electronic device can be removed from the docking station. In addition, the state display light emitting unit may be configured by a plurality of display lamps having different emission colors, and the types of displayable states can be increased.
[0010]
Further, in conjunction with the connection of the external power source to the electronic device, the power source of the electronic device is turned off and the charging circuit is operated to charge the storage battery. Charging start by connecting an external power source is also performed when an external power source is connected via a docking station.
[0011]
Further, when the electronic device is attached to the docking station and the storage battery is charged, the state display light emitting unit may be turned off and the light emitting unit of the electronic device may be turned on or blinked. Similarly, the state display light emitting unit may be turned on or blinked to indicate that charging is in progress.
[0012]
In addition, when a digital camera is used as an electronic device, when the digital camera is mounted on a docking station, the light emitting part for the self-timer of the digital camera is turned on, blinked, or turned off to turn on the electronic device. Status display, such as a removable status indicating that the electronic device can be removed from the docking station. The self-timer light-emitting section may be synchronized with the status display light-emitting section.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are external perspective views showing configurations of a digital camera 2 which is an electronic apparatus embodying the present invention and a docking station 3 of the digital camera 2. On the front surface of the digital camera 2, a lens barrel 5 incorporating a photographic lens 4, an object-side finder window 7 constituting a finder 6, a strobe light emitting unit 8 that emits strobe light toward a subject, and a shutter release operation. A shutter button 9 is provided, and a self-timer light-emitting unit 10 that blinks during timer shooting to notify the shooting timing is provided. When the digital camera 2 is in a power-off state, the lens barrel 5 is housed in a lens barrel housing portion 12 provided on the front surface of the digital camera 2 and protrudes from the front surface of the digital camera 2 when the power is turned on.
[0014]
A red timer LED 14 (see FIG. 3) is incorporated in the back of the self-timer light emitting unit 10. This timer LED 14 flashes in accordance with the remaining time of the timer during photographing using the self-timer.
[0015]
The timer LED 14 is used to display various states of the digital camera 2 when the digital camera 2 is mounted on the docking station 3. For example, when image data is transmitted and received between an external device such as a personal computer and the digital camera 2, as shown in FIG. Further, when the battery of the digital camera 2 is charged, the timer LED 14 is continuously lit as shown in FIG. When the digital camera 2 may be turned off, when communication with an external device may be terminated, or when the digital camera 2 may be removed from the docking station 3 in a removable state. As shown in FIG. 8, intermittent light emission is performed at intervals longer than blinking.
[0016]
A memory card slot 17 in which a memory card 16 is set is provided on one side surface of the digital camera 2. A memory card reader for reading / writing data from / to the memory card 16 is built in the back of the memory card slot 17. The memory card slot 17 is protected by an openable / closable protective cover 18 in order to prevent dust from entering.
[0017]
On the back surface of the digital camera 2, an eyepiece finder window 20 that constitutes the finder 6, an operation unit 21, an image display LCD 22 that functions as a viewfinder, and the like are provided. A finder light emitting unit 23 is provided on the side of the eyepiece finder 20 so as to light and blink to notify the state of the digital camera 2. In the operation unit 21, a plurality of operation buttons 24-27 and a setting LCD 28 for displaying information such as various settings are provided.
[0018]
The digital camera 2 includes a shooting mode for performing still shooting, a playback mode for playing back captured images, a communication mode for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device such as a personal computer, and a PC for moving image input connected to the personal computer. A plurality of operation modes of PC camera mode functioning as a camera are provided, and switching of these operation modes is performed by the operation unit 21.
[0019]
In the back of the finder light emitting unit 23, there are provided two finder LEDs 30 and 31 for green and red, and a light guide for radiating light emitted from the finder LED 30 and 31 from the finder light emitting unit 23. . When the red and green LEDs 30 and 31 emit light at the same time, light of two colors is combined by the light guide, and orange light is emitted from the finder light emitting unit 23.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 6, the finder light-emitting unit 23 lights the green finder LED 30 when the digital camera 2 is powered on. As shown in FIG. 7A, the green finder LED 30 flashes and emits light during camera shake or during image data compression and recording. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, during the S2 process, the red and green LEDs 30 and 31 are turned on simultaneously to emit orange light. As shown in FIG. 5C, during flash charging, the red and green LEDs 30 and 31 are blinked at the same time to emit orange blinking light. As shown in FIG. 4, at the time of data communication with a personal computer, the green LED 30 is turned on and the red LED 31 is blinked to emit green and orange light alternately. As shown in FIG. 7D, the flashing emission of only red is used for warning when an error occurs.
[0021]
The other side of the digital camera 2 is connected to a video output connector 33 for outputting a composite signal such as NTSC to a monitor or a video deck, an AC power connector 34 to which an AC power adapter is connected and DC power is supplied, a personal computer or the like. A universal serial bus (USB) connector 35 to be connected is provided. A concave connection connector 36 is provided on the bottom surface of the digital camera 2. The connection with the personal computer using the USB connector 35 is used when transmitting / receiving image data recorded on the memory card 16 and when the digital camera 2 is used as a PC camera for moving image input.
[0022]
The digital camera 2 is provided with a battery chamber in which a battery 38 is set, and an opening 39 for accessing the battery chamber is provided on the bottom surface of the digital camera 2. The opening 39 is opened and closed by the lid member 40. A rechargeable battery 38 is set in the battery chamber.
[0023]
The docking station 3 is connected to the digital camera 2 and is connected to an external device such as an AC power source or a personal computer, and is generally called a cradle. The docking station 3 has a substantially trapezoidal shape, and has a concave mounting portion 42 on which the digital camera 2 is mounted. In the mounting portion 42, a connection terminal 43 is provided for fitting and electrically connecting to the connection connector 36 on the bottom surface of the digital camera 2.
[0024]
On the front surface of the docking station 3, a power button 45 for operating power on / off of the digital camera 2 connected to the docking station 3 and a state display light emitting unit 46 are provided. For example, a green state display LED 47 (see FIG. 3) is incorporated in the back of the state display light emitting unit 46. The state display LED 47 is controlled to emit light by the digital camera 2 via the connection connector 36 and the connection terminal 43.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 6, when the digital camera 2 is turned on while the digital camera 2 is mounted on the docking station 3, the status display LED 47 lights up and displays that the power is on. Further, when data is transmitted / received to / from a personal computer using a USB cable, as shown in FIG. 4, it blinks in accordance with data transmission / reception. Further, when the digital camera 2 can be removed from the docking station 3, the digital camera 2 can be turned off, the USB connection can be released, etc., the flashing is performed as shown in FIG. It is displayed by intermittent lighting with longer intervals. During the charging of the battery 38, the power supply of the digital camera 2 is automatically turned off, so that the status display LED 47 is turned off as shown in FIG.
[0026]
On the rear surface of the docking station 3, a video output connector 49, an AC power connector 50, and a USB connector 51 similar to those provided in the digital camera 2 are provided. These connectors 49 to 51 are connected to the connection terminal 43 inside the docking station 3. When the digital camera 2 is a single unit, the connectors 33 to 35 are used. When the digital camera 2 is connected to the docking station 3, the connectors 33 to 35 of the digital camera 2 are invalidated. Only the connectors 49 to 51 of the docking station 3 can be used.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera 2 and the docking station 3. Although not shown in detail, the lens barrel 5 incorporates a focus motor that performs focus adjustment and a zoom motor that performs zooming. These motors are driven and controlled by a motor driver 54 connected to a CPU 53 that controls the entire digital camera 2. In addition, a shutter unit serving as an aperture is incorporated in the lens barrel 5, and this shutter unit is also controlled by the CPU 53.
[0028]
Behind the lens barrel 5 is disposed a CCD 56 that images the subject light that has passed through the photographing lens 4. A timing signal (clock signal) is input to the CCD 56 from a timing generator 57 controlled by the CPU 53. The signal output from the CCD 56 is input to a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 58 and output as R, G, and B image data corresponding to the accumulated charge amount of each cell of the CCD 56 accurately. Image data output from the CDS 58 is amplified by an amplifier (AMP) 59 and converted into digital data by an A / D converter 60.
[0029]
The image input controller 62 is connected to the CPU 53 via the data bus 63, and controls the CCD 56, CDS 58, AMP 59, and A / D converter 60 according to instructions from the CPU 53. Also, the image data output from the A / D converter 60 is written into the video memory 64 or the buffer memory 65.
[0030]
The video memory 64 temporarily stores low-resolution image data when the image display LCD 22 is used as a viewfinder. The image data recorded in the video memory 64 is sent to the LCD driver 67 via the data bus 63 and displayed on the image display LCD 22. The buffer memory 65 temporarily records captured high-resolution image data. The image data read from the buffer memory 65 is recorded on the memory card 16 by a memory card reader driven and controlled by the media controller 68.
[0031]
The image signal processing circuit 70 performs, for example, gradation conversion, color conversion, and a hyper compression that compresses the gradation of the ultra-low frequency luminance component of the image while the captured high-resolution image data is recorded in the buffer memory 65. Image processing such as tone processing and hyper sharpness processing that enhances sharpness while suppressing graininess is performed.
[0032]
When the digital camera 2 is connected to a personal computer and used as a PC camera, the captured image data is stored in the video memory 64, and the image data is compressed by the compression processing circuit 72 before being buffered. Recorded in the memory 65. When in the PC camera mode, the buffer memory 65 is used by dividing the recording area into three parts, and sequentially sends the compressed image data of each area to the personal computer. Thereby, a moving image can be displayed on the personal computer without dropping frames.
[0033]
Connected to the data bus 63 is an external device communication circuit 74 that is controlled by the CPU 53 and performs data communication with an external device such as a personal computer. The external device communication circuit 74 is connected to the video output connector 33, the AC power connector 34, and the USB connector 35 of the digital camera 2. When the AC power adapter is connected to the AC power connector 34, the external device communication circuit 74 inputs an external power detection signal indicating that the AC power adapter is connected to the CPU 53. The CPU 53 turns off the power supply of the digital camera 2 in response to the external power supply detection signal, operates the charging circuit 75, and charges the battery 38.
[0034]
The external device communication circuit 74 is connected to the connection connector 36 on the bottom surface of the digital camera 2. By connecting the connection connector 36 and the connection terminal 43, the video output connector 49, the AC power connector 50, and the USB connector 51 of the docking station 3 are connected to the external device communication circuit 74. Even when an AC power adapter is connected to the AC power connector 50 of the docking station 3, an external power supply detection signal is input from the external device communication circuit 74 to the CPU 53. The CPU 53 turns off the power supply of the digital camera 2 and activates the charging circuit 75 to charge the battery 38.
[0035]
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the lower part of the digital camera 2 is inserted into the mounting portion 42 of the docking station 3, the connection connector 36 and the connection terminal 43 are fitted, and the digital camera 2 and the docking station 3 are connected. Are electrically connected.
[0036]
If the AC power adapter is connected to the AC power connector 50 of the docking station 3 when the digital camera 2 is attached to the docking station 3, the external device communication circuit 74 shown in FIG. input. Regardless of the power state of the digital camera 2, the CPU 53 turns off the power and operates the charging circuit 75 to start charging the battery 38. Thereby, after the digital camera 2 is connected to the docking station 3, charging is automatically started without performing a charging start operation, so that the troublesomeness of the operation is reduced. Further, since no mistakes such as not being charged occur, the photographing operation can be performed immediately after being detached from the docking station 3.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 5, while the battery 38 is being charged, both the finder LED (green) 30 and the status display LED 47 are extinguished because the digital camera 2 is powered off. During this charging, the timer LED 14 is turned on, and the timer light emitting unit 10 emits light to inform the user that charging is in progress. As described above, since the timer light emitting unit 10 provided on the front surface of the digital camera 2 is used for the charging display, even the digital camera 2 attached to the docking station 3 can easily check whether charging is in progress. .
[0038]
The automatic charging of the battery 38 is also performed when the AC power adapter is connected to the AC power connector 34 without attaching the digital camera 2 to the docking station 3. When neither the digital camera 2 nor the docking station 3 is connected to the AC power adapter, the digital camera 2 and the docking station 3 can be used in any mode selected by the user, such as a shooting mode, a playback mode, a communication mode, and a PC camera mode. Can be used.
[0039]
Further, even when automatic charging is started in the digital camera 2, the power button 45 of the digital camera 2 or the docking station 3 is operated to turn on the digital camera 2 and use it in an arbitrary mode. it can. In this case, charging of the battery 38 is stopped.
[0040]
When the power of the digital camera 2 is turned on with the docking station 3 mounted, as shown in FIG. 6, the finder LED (green) 30 and the status display LED 47 are lit, and the finder light emitting unit 23 and the status display are displayed. The light emitting unit 46 emits green light to inform the user that the digital camera 2 is in a power-on state.
[0041]
When the USB connector 51 of the docking station 3 and the USB connector of the personal computer are connected with a USB cable and the operation unit 21 of the digital camera 2 is operated and set to the communication mode, the digital camera 2 and the personal computer are connected. The image data can be transmitted / received. As shown in FIG. 4, during data communication using the USB, the timer LED 14 and the status display LED 47 blink in synchronization with data transmission / reception. As a result, the timer light-emitting unit 10 and the status display light-emitting unit 46 on the front side of the digital camera 2 emits blinking light, so that it is possible to reliably notify the user that data communication is being performed.
[0042]
During data communication, the finder LED (green) 30 is lit and the finder LED (red) 31 blinks. Thereby, since the green light and the red light are alternately turned on in the finder light emitting unit 23, even when data communication is performed with a personal computer with the digital camera 2 alone, it is surely notified to the user that data communication is in progress. Can do.
[0043]
When the data communication using the USB is completed, as shown in FIG. 8, the timer LED 14 and the status display LED 47 are intermittently lit at an interval longer than blinking, and the timer light emitting unit 10 and the status display light emitting unit 46 Similarly, intermittent light emission occurs. This intermittent light emission indicates that the USB connection between the digital camera 2 and the personal computer may be canceled, the digital camera 2 can be detached from the docking station 3, and the digital camera 2 can be turned off. It is possible to release the USB connection, turn off the power, remove from the docking station 3 and the like without worrying about image data corruption.
[0044]
In the above embodiment, the emission color of the status display light emitting unit of the docking station is a single color. However, as in the finder light emitting unit, the green and red LEDs are used to emit three colors. It may be. Further, while the battery is being charged, the state display light emitting unit is turned off, but it may be indicated that charging is being performed using lighting, blinking, intermittent light emission, or the like.
[0045]
In addition, the battery can be charged with a digital camera alone, but the charging circuit is omitted from the digital camera and the charging circuit is built into the docking station so that it can be charged only when it is attached to the docking station. May be. Thereby, a digital camera can be reduced in size. Further, a user who needs a docking station can be provided with a charger other than the docking station, and the options for configuring the electronic device system can be expanded.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the electronic device system of the present invention, since the state display light emitting unit is provided in the docking station, the state of the electronic device can be easily confirmed. In addition, since the electronic device is turned off and the storage battery is charged in conjunction with the connection of the external power supply to the electronic device, the complicated operation for starting charging can be omitted, and the user forgets to charge. The occurrence of mistakes such as these can also be prevented.
[0047]
In addition, the status display on the electronic device uses a light emitting unit that has been provided in the past, such as a light emitting unit for a self-timer of a digital camera. This increases the number of parts and increases the size of the product. Does not occur.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front external perspective view showing configurations of a digital camera and a docking station.
FIG. 2 is a rear side external perspective view showing configurations of a digital camera and a docking station.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital camera and a docking station.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a light emission state of each light emitting unit during data communication using USB.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a light emission state of each light emitting unit during charging.
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a light emission state of each light emitting unit when the digital camera is powered on.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing various light emission states of a finder light emitting unit of the digital camera.
FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a light emission state of each light emitting unit in a removable state.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of automatic charging.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Digital camera 3 Docking station 10 Self-timer light-emitting part 14 Timer LED
16 Memory card 21 Operation part 23 Finder light emission part 30 LED for finder (green)
31 LED for finder (red)
33 Digital Camera Video Output Connector 34 Digital Camera AC Power Connector 35 Digital Camera USB Connector 36 Connection Connector 38 Battery 43 Connection Terminal 45 Power Button 46 Status Display Light-Emitting Unit 47 Status Display LED
49 Docking station video output connector 50 Docking station AC power connector 51 Docking station USB connector 53 CPU
74 External device communication circuit 75 Charging circuit

Claims (9)

An electronic device having a storage battery, a charging circuit for charging the storage battery, and a light emitting unit that is turned off or on, or flashed;
A connection terminal that is electrically connected to the electronic device when the electronic device is mounted; a connector that interposes connection with an external device; a connector that supplies power to the electronic device; Alternatively, in an electronic device system including a docking station having a flashing state display light emitting unit,
In conjunction with the mounting of the electronic device to the docking station, the electronic device is turned off, the charging circuit is operated to charge the storage battery,
And the power-on state of the electronic device by the combination of turning on, turning off, and blinking of the light-emitting unit and the state display light-emitting unit, the communication state with the external device, the removable state in which the electronic device can be removed from the docking station, An electronic device system that displays a state of charge of the storage battery. Wherein when the power-on of the electronic device turns on the said status display light-emitting unit, the electronic apparatus system according to claim 1 Symbol mounting, characterized in that turns off the light emitting portion. 3. The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the state display light emitting unit and the light emitting unit are caused to blink during communication between the electronic device and an external device. When the electronic device is in a removable state where it can be removed from the docking station, the state display light emitting unit and the light emitting unit are turned on intermittently with a longer interval between lighting and extinguishing than blinking. The electronic device system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . During charging of the battery, the off state display light-emitting unit, according to claim 1 to 4 electronic apparatus system according to any one, characterized in that for lighting the light emitting portion. Claim 1-5 electronic device system according any one is the status display light-emitting portion, characterized in that comprising a plurality of display lamps of different emission colors. Electronic equipment system according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that kick set the charging circuit to the docking station by omitting the charging circuit of the electronic device. The electronic device system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light emitting unit and the state display light emitting unit are synchronized with each other when blinking or intermittent lighting with a longer interval between lighting and extinguishing than blinking. . The electronic device is a digital camera, as the light emitting unit, an electronic device system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the use of a self-timer emitting portion of the digital camera.

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