U.S. patent application number 08/671719 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-18 for electronic device with device information display.
Invention is credited to INOUE, YASUYUKI, NODA, YASUSHI.
Application Number | 20020044768 08/671719 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 15855572 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020044768 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NODA, YASUSHI ; et
al. |
April 18, 2002 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH DEVICE INFORMATION DISPLAY
Abstract
A video tape recorder integrally combined with a video camera
has a housing having a battery casing for accommodating a battery
therein and a battery cover mounted on the housing for openably
closing the battery casing. A display unit for displaying various
pieces of information relative to the video tape recorder is
mounted on the battery cover. The battery cover also supports
various control keys thereon, and includes a battery storage area
for storing a backup battery.
Inventors: |
NODA, YASUSHI; (TOKYO,
JP) ; INOUE, YASUYUKI; (SAITAMA, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER, & NEUSTADT, P.C.
FOURTH FLOOR
1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
15855572 |
Appl. No.: |
08/671719 |
Filed: |
June 28, 1996 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
386/358 ;
348/207.99; 348/E5.025; 358/906; 386/E5.072; G9B/31.002;
G9B/33.025 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/10 20130101;
Y10S 358/906 20130101; H04N 5/772 20130101; G11B 31/006 20130101;
H04N 5/225251 20180801; H04N 5/232933 20180801 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/118 ;
358/906; 348/207 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/76; H04N
005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 3, 1995 |
JP |
P07-167759 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic device comprising: a housing having a battery
casing for accommodating a battery therein; battery cover means
mounted on said housing for openably closing said battery casing;
and display means mounted on said battery cover means, for
displaying information relative to the electronic device.
2. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said
electronic device comprises a video tape recorder integrally
combined with a video camera.
3. An electronic device according to claim 2, wherein said
information relative to the electronic device represents at least
one of an operation status, a mode, a time counter, a warning
message, and a remaining battery energy level.
4. An electronic device comprising: a housing having a battery
casing for accommodating a battery therein; battery cover means
mounted on said housing for openably closing said battery casing;
and control means mounted on said battery cover means, for
controlling the electronic device.
5. An electronic device according to claim 4, wherein said
electronic device comprises a video tape recorder integrally
combined with a video camera.
6. An electronic device according to claim 5, wherein said control
means comprises means for controlling at least one of a program
automatic exposure setting function, a shutter speed selecting
function, a white balance setting function, a camera-shake
correcting function, and a digital function selecting function.
7. An electronic device comprising: a housing having a battery
casing for accommodating a battery therein; battery cover means
mounted on said housing for openably closing said battery casing;
and storage means mounted in said battery cover means, for storing
a backup battery.
8. An electronic device comprising: a housing having a battery
casing for accommodating a battery therein; battery cover means
mounted on said housing for openably closing said battery casing;
battery lock means for retaining the battery against removal from
said battery casing; and means for preventing said battery cover
means from fully closing said battery casing when the battery is
incompletely accommodated in said battery casing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic device
powered by a battery inserted therein, and more particularly to an
electronic device having a battery casing and a battery cover which
incorporates a display unit for displaying various pieces of
information relative to the electronic device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Electronic devices such as video tape recorders (VTRs)
integrally combined with video cameras have a display unit for
displaying various pieces of information including operation
statuses, modes, a time counter, warning messages, a remaining
battery energy level, etc.
[0005] The display unit generally comprises a liquid crystal
display (LCD) unit, which is located in a region of the electronic
device that can visually be recognized with ease.
[0006] In recent years, VTRs integrally combined with video cameras
incorporate many functions, and hence display units of such VTRs
tend to be relatively large in size for displaying a wide variety
of information concerning those many functions.
[0007] On the other hand, VTRs integrally combined with video
cameras themselves are required to be smaller in size for better
portability and handling capability. Since such small-size VTRs
integrally combined with video cameras have a limited space
available for display units, the VTR designers have been making
great efforts to establish a location for large-size display units
on the VTRs integrally combined with video cameras.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
electronic device having a display unit, control keys, and a
battery storage area positioned in a manner to effectively utilize
a limited space available on the electronic device.
[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an electronic device comprising a housing having a battery
casing for accommodating a battery therein, battery cover means
mounted on the housing for openably closing the battery casing, and
display means mounted on the battery cover means, for displaying
information relative to the electronic device.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an electronic device comprising a housing having a
battery casing for accommodating a battery therein, battery cover
means mounted on the housing for openably closing the battery
casing, and control means mounted on the battery cover means, for
controlling the electronic device.
[0011] According to still another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided electronic device comprising a housing having a
battery casing for accommodating a battery therein, battery cover
means mounted on the housing for openably closing the battery
casing, and storage means mounted in the battery cover means, for
storing a backup battery.
[0012] According to a further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an electronic device comprising a housing having
a battery casing for accommodating a battery therein, battery cover
means mounted on the housing for openably closing the battery
casing, battery lock means for retaining the battery against
removal from the battery casing, and means for preventing the
battery cover means from fully closing the battery casing when the
battery is incompletely accommodated in the battery casing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a VTR integrally combined
with a video camera as an electronic device according to the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the VTR integrally combined
with a video camera;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the VTR integrally combined
with a video camera, with a battery cover being open;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the battery cover
and a region adjacent thereto;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a battery placed
in a battery casing with the battery cover being open;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of the
battery casing with the battery cover being fully closed;
[0019] FIG. 7 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of the
battery casing with the battery cover being not fully closed;
[0020] FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing displayed menus by way of
example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] FIGS. 1 through 3 show in perspective view a VTR 1
integrally combined with a video camera as an electronic device
according to the present invention. The VTR 1 integrally combined
with a video camera has a housing 2 including a cassette loading
unit 3 mounted in one side thereof, and a lens barrel 5 mounted on
a front end of the housing 2, the lens barrel 5 including a lens
system 4. The housing 2 also has a viewfinder 6 on a rear upper
wall thereof, a grip handle 7 on a front upper wall thereof, and a
microphone 8 projecting forward from a front end of the grip handle
7.
[0022] The cassette loading unit 3 can be opened and closed by a
cassette cover 3a, and houses therein a tape transport mechanism
(not shown) for driving a magnetic tape of a video tape cassette
that is loaded in the cassette loading unit 3.
[0023] The cassette cover 3a supports on its upper surface a set of
pushbutton control keys 9 for performing basic functions of the VTR
1, including a recording function, a playback function, a
fast-forward function, a rewinding function, a stop function, a
pause function, etc.
[0024] The housing 2 houses a charge-coupled device (CCD)
positioned immediately behind the lens system 4 in the lens barrel
5, for converting image light which has entered through the lens
system 4 into an image signal. The image signal produced by the
CCD, together with an audio signal picked up by the microphone, is
recorded on the magnetic tape in the video tape cassette that is
loaded in the cassette loading unit 3.
[0025] A hood 10 for preventing extraneous light from being applied
to the lens system 4 is mounted on the front end of the lens barrel
5.
[0026] The viewfinder 6 has an image display screen disposed
therein for displaying images which are being currently captured by
the CCD and also images which have been recorded on the magnetic
tape in the loaded video tape cassette and are being currently
reproduced. The viewfinder 6 is universally angularly movable with
respect to the housing 2 so that the user of the VTR 1 can see the
image display screen at any desired angle with respect to the
housing 2.
[0027] The grip handle 7 will be gripped by hand when the user
carries the VTR 1 around. The microphone 8 is mounted on the front
end of the grip handle 7 such that it projects forward parallel to
the lens barrel 5. Remote control signal receivers 11, 12 are
mounted respectively on a front end of the microphone 8 and a rear
end of the grip handle 7.
[0028] The VTR 1 of the above construction is powered by a
rechargeable battery 13 which is placed within the housing 2 as
shown in FIG. 3.
[0029] Specifically, the battery 13 is inserted in a battery casing
14 which is disposed in the housing 2 and is open rearward at a
rear end face of the housing 2. The rear open end of the battery
casing 14 can be openably closed by a battery cover 15 that is
horizontally angularly movably attached to the housing 2 by a hinge
16.
[0030] The battery cover 15 can be loaded in a closing position by
a lock mechanism disposed between the battery cover 15 and the
housing 2.
[0031] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the housing 2 has upper
and lower hooks 17a, 17b disposed on one side of the rear open end
of the battery casing 14 remotely from the hinge 16, and the
battery cover 15 has upper and lower recesses 18a, 18b disposed on
an end thereof remotely from the hinge 16. When the battery cover
15 is fully closed over the rear open end of the battery casing 14,
the upper and lower hooks 17a, 17b can engage respectively in the
upper and lower recesses 18a, 18b, locking the battery cover 15 in
the closing condition.
[0032] More specifically, the upper and lower hooks 17a, 17b can be
moved vertically when a lock-and-unlock button 19 positioned on the
rear end of the housing 2 below the battery casing 14 is vertically
moved. For example, when the lock-and-unlock button 19 is moved
upwardly, the upper and lower hooks 17a, 17b move upwardly and
engage in the respective upper and lower recesses 18a, 18b, locking
the battery cover 15. When the lock-and-unlock button 19 is moved
downwardly, the upper and lower hooks 17a, 17b move downwardly and
disengage from the respective upper and lower recesses 18a, 18b,
unlocking the battery cover 15.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the battery cover 15 supports a
display unit 20 on an outer surface thereof. The display unit 20
comprises an LCD unit for displaying various pieces of information
including operation statuses, modes, a time counter, warning
messages, a remaining battery energy level, etc.
[0034] The outer surface of the battery cover 15 also supports
thereon a set of pushbutton control keys 21, 22, 23, 24 performing
functions of the VTR 1, immediately below the display unit 20. For
example, the control key 21 serves as a program automatic exposure
(AE) setting key, the control key 22 as a shutter speed selecting
key, the control key 23 as a white balance setting key, and the
control key 24 as a recorded sound level adjusting key.
[0035] The rear end of the housing 2, which lies flush with the
outer surface of the battery cover 15 when the battery cover 15 is
fully closed, also supports thereon a set of pushbutton control
keys 25, 26, 27. For example, the control key 25 serves as a key
for resetting the time counter to zero, the control key 26 as a
self-timer setting key, and the control key 27 as a one-push white
balance setting key.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the battery cover 15 also supports on
its inner surface a set of control keys 28, 29 which comprise slide
switches, the control keys 28, 29 being positioned near the hinge
16. For example, the control key 28 serves as a camera-shake
correcting key, and the control key 29 as a digital function
selecting key.
[0037] The battery cover 15 has a battery storage area 35 defined
in the inner surface thereof for storing a lithium battery 34 for
backing up a memory and a timer in the housing 2. The battery
storage area 35 is normally closed by a cover plate 36, which can
be removed for replacement of the lithium battery 34.
[0038] A rear end surface of the housing 2 which can be covered
with the battery cover 15 also supports a set of pushbutton control
keys 30, 31, 32, 33 positioned on the other side of the battery
casing 14 near the hinge 16. For example, the control key 30 serves
as a menu key, the control keys 31, 32 as selection keys, and the
control key 33 as a setting key.
[0039] FIGS. 8A and 8B show menus representing functions that can
be selected by the control keys 30, 31, 32, 33. Specifically, when
the menu key 30 is pressed, the menus shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B are
displayed on the image display screen in the viewfinder 6. When the
selection key 31 or 32 is pressed, a cursor displayed as a
dotted-line frame on the image display screen moves between the
menus. When the setting key 33 at a desired menu is pressed, the
function represented by the menu is performed.
[0040] As described above, the display unit 20, the control keys
21-33, and the battery storage area 35 are located in a manner to
effectively utilize a limited space available on the VTR 1.
Therefore, the VTR 1 may be reduced in size and may incorporate
many more functions.
[0041] The VTR 1 has a battery retainer mechanism for retainer the
battery 13 reliably in the battery casing 14.
[0042] The battery retainer mechanism is shown in detail in FIGS. 6
and 7.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a battery lock finger 40 is
mounted in the housing 2 for retaining the battery 13 securely in
the battery casing 14. The battery lock finger 40 is slidable into
and out of the open rear end of the battery casing 14 in directions
perpendicular to the direction in which the battery 13 can be
inserted into the battery casing 14.
[0044] The battery lock finger 40 is normally biased to project
into the open rear end of the battery casing 14, as shown in FIG.
6, under forces from a spring 41 disposed in the housing 2 and
acting on the rear end of the battery lock finger 40. When the
battery 13 is fully inserted in the battery casing 14, the battery
lock finger 40 projects into the open rear end of the battery
casing 14 and lockingly engages the outer end of the battery 13,
thereby securely retaining the battery 13 in the battery casing 14
to guard against accidental removal from the battery casing 14.
[0045] The battery lock finger 40 has an outer slanted surface 40a
tapered off toward the front end thereof. When the battery 13 is
inserted into the battery casing 14, the slanted surface 40a is
pressed by the battery 13, pushing the battery lock finger 40 out
of the open rear end of the battery casing 14 against the bias of
the spring 41 as shown in FIG. 7. When the battery 13 is fully
inserted in the battery casing 14, the battery lock finger 40
projects into the open rear end of the battery casing 14 under the
bias of the spring 41, and locks the battery 13 securely in the
battery casing 14.
[0046] For removing the battery 13 from the battery casing 14, the
battery lock finger 40 is pushed directly by a finger out of the
open rear end of the battery casing 14 against the bias of the
spring 41 until the battery lock finger 40 is brought out of
locking engagement with the battery 13.
[0047] A mechanism for preventing the cover 15 from being fully
closed as long as the battery 13 is incompletely inserted is
disposed between the battery lock finger 40 and the battery cover
15.
[0048] Such a mechanism comprises a recess 40b defined in the
battery lock finger 40 and a tooth 42 projecting on the battery
cover 15 for alignment with the recess 40b.
[0049] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the battery 13 is
fully inserted in the battery casing 14 and engaged by the battery
lock finger 40 against accidental dislodgment, the tooth 42 on the
battery cover 15 is aligned with and enters the recess 40b in the
battery lock finger 40, allowing the battery cover 15 to be fully
closed over the open rear end of the battery casing 14.
[0050] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the battery 13
is not fully inserted in the battery casing 14, the battery lock
finger 40 abuts against a side of the battery 13 and remains out of
the open rear end of the battery casing 14 against spring-biased
movement into the projecting position. At this time, the recess 40b
is kept out of alignment with the tooth 42. Therefore, even when
the user attempts to fully close the battery cover 15, the tooth 15
cannot enter the recess 42, but abuts against an outer side of the
battery lock finger 40. As a result, the battery cover 15 cannot
fully be closed and hence cannot be locked, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0051] Insofar as the battery cover 15 is not fully closed, it
gives the user a clear visual indication representing that the
battery 13 is not completely inserted in the battery casing 14,
prompting the user to insert the battery 13 fully into the battery
14.
[0052] The present invention has been described above with respect
to the VTR integrally combined with a video camera. However, the
principles of the present invention are also applicable to any of
various electronic devices which are powered by batteries inserted
therein.
[0053] Having described a preferred embodiment of the invention
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood
that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and
that various changes and modifications could be effected by one
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of
the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *