JPH0516775Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a digital electronic still camera, and more particularly to a digital electronic still camera that prevents incomplete installation of a memory cartridge.

[Conventional technology]

In general, electronic still cameras use a solid-state imaging device and a magnetic sheet with a relatively large storage capacity as a recording medium, and take still images of the subject purely electronically and record them on a rotating magnetic sheet, and image playback is a separate process. This is done with television systems, printers, etc.

Since such electronic still cameras have mechanical parts such as a mechanism for rotating a magnetic sheet at high speed and a moving mechanism for a magnetic head that performs magnetic recording and reproduction on the magnetic sheet, there is a limit to how much the camera can be made smaller and lighter.

In response to this, a camera has been proposed in which the analog image signal of a still image is converted into a digital image signal and then stored in a solid-state memory (memory cartridge) that can be attached to and detached from the camera (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54 -Refer to Publication No. 139422).

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, if it is not clear whether the memory cartridge is inserted into the camera properly or not, there is a drawback that the memory cartridge may be pushed in more than necessary and the contacts may be damaged, or the contacts may not be connected properly. The drawback is that the image signal is not recorded when shooting with

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital electronic still camera that can confirm that a memory cartridge is reliably installed.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a memory cartridge that can be inserted into and ejected from the camera body, and converts an analog image signal obtained from an image sensor placed at the imaging position of the photographing lens into a digital image signal. , a digital electronic still camera having a slide cover for a photographing lens configured to record the digital image signal in the memory cartridge, wherein an insertion opening of the memory cartridge storage section is formed within a sliding range of the slide cover. It is characterized by

[Effect]

According to the present invention, since the insertion opening for the memory cartridge storage section is formed within the sliding range of the slide cover, the slide cover cannot be slid unless the memory cartridge is securely installed. . On the other hand, if the memory cartridge is securely installed, the slide cover can be opened by sliding it. In this way, it is possible to confirm whether the memory cartridge is securely installed or not by checking whether the slide cover can be opened.

〔Example〕

Preferred embodiments of the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a digital electronic still camera according to the present invention. This digital electronic still camera has the appearance of a so-called compact camera type, and uses a memory cartridge 10 as a recording medium. Further, like a normal electronic still camera using a magnetic sheet, a solid-state imaging device (CCD sensor), not shown, is arranged at the imaging position of the photographing lens 12 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the image signal (analog signal) obtained from the above CCD sensor is the image signal (digital signal)
and recorded in the memory cartridge 10.

Now, in recent years, the memory cartridge 10 that stores digital information and the like has been attracting attention as an external storage means for electronic devices and the like. This memory cartridge 10 is, for example, called an IC card or a memory card, and has semiconductor memory (ROM, SRAM, etc.) inside a card-shaped case approximately the size of a business card.
It is configured to house backup batteries, etc. Further, in order to access the semiconductor memory, etc., a large number of contacts are arranged at the end connected to the connector on the electronic equipment side.

The memory cartridge 10 is inserted into a storage section 30A formed in the camera body 30, as shown in FIG. 2, and its insertion opening 30B is formed on the top surface of the camera body 30. Moreover, a part of this insertion opening 30B is formed within the sliding area A of the slide cover 32, as shown in FIG.
On the other hand, the slide cover 32 is guided by guide grooves 34A and 34B (FIG. 1) and slides in the left-right direction of the camera to open and close the front surface of the photographic lens 12, viewfinder 36, and the like. Note that 38 is a strobe and 40 is a shutter release button.

The operation of the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention configured as described above will be explained.

The memory cartridge 10 is inserted through the insertion port 30B and fitted into a connector (not shown) inside the main body 30. In this case, memory cartridge 10
If the memory cartridge 10 is not securely stored in the storage section 30A, the memory cartridge 10 will protrude from the top surface of the camera body 30, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the slide cover 32 touches the memory cartridge 10 and cannot be moved.

This allows the photographer to remove the memory cartridge 10.
It can be recognized that the device is not securely attached.

On the other hand, the memory cartridge 10 is in the storage section 30A.
When the memory cartridge 10 is securely stored in the camera body 30, as shown in FIG. 3, it will be flush with the top surface of the camera body 30, and the slide cover 32 will be moved to the position shown in FIGS. It can be slid. As a result, the slide cover 32 is opened and photography becomes possible.

The slide cover of this embodiment opens and closes the viewfinder as well as the photographic lens, but any slide cover may be used as long as it opens and closes at least the photographic lens.

[Effect of idea]

As explained above, according to the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention, the slide cover cannot be opened unless the memory cartridge is securely stored in the storage section, but if the memory cartridge is securely installed, the slide cover cannot be opened. The cover can be opened.
Therefore, it can be easily determined whether the memory cartridge is securely installed or not, and it is possible to prevent problems such as pushing the memory cartridge more than necessary and damaging the contacts or incompletely recording the connection of the contacts. be able to.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a memory cartridge is protruded from the top surface of a digital electronic still camera according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a memory cartridge is protruded from the top surface of a digital electronic still camera according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the state in which the slide cover of the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention is opened, and FIG. 4 is a top view showing the state in which the slide cover of the digital electronic still camera according to the present invention is opened. It is a top view showing a state. 10...Memory cartridge, 12...Photographing lens, 30...Camera body, 30A...Memory cartridge storage section, 30B...Storage opening, 32...
slide cover.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] A memory cartridge is provided so that it can be inserted and ejected into the camera body, and an analog image signal obtained from an image sensor placed at the imaging position of the photographic lens is converted into a digital image signal, and then the digital A digital electronic still camera having a slide cover for a photographing lens configured to record image signals in the memory cartridge, wherein the insertion opening of the memory cartridge storage section is formed within the sliding range of the slide cover. A digital electronic still camera featuring