U.S. patent application number 10/744668 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-15 for photographing apparatus.
Invention is credited to Dochi, Kiyotaka, Kobayashi, Hikaru, Shindo, Mitsuyoshi, Wanami, Hideki.
Application Number | 20040135891 10/744668 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 16459317 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040135891 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shindo, Mitsuyoshi ; et
al. |
July 15, 2004 |
Photographing apparatus
Abstract
A photographic apparatus is described which outputs a
photographed image immediately to paper by a simple operation. The
photographic apparatus includes an electronic camera for
electronically acquiring an image, a connection base for removably
connecting the electronic camera thereto, the connection base
having a function of reading out image data from the electronic
camera while the camera is connected thereto, and a printing
section for acquiring the image data from the connection base and
outputting an image based on the image data to paper.
Inventors: |
Shindo, Mitsuyoshi;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Wanami, Hideki; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Kobayashi, Hikaru; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Dochi, Kiyotaka; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOYLE B. JOHNSON
REED SMITH CROSBY HEAFEY LLP
Suite 2000
Two Embarcadero Center
San Francisco
CA
94111
US
|
Family ID: |
16459317 |
Appl. No.: |
10/744668 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10744668 |
Dec 22, 2003 |
|
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09353686 |
Jul 14, 1999 |
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|
6693665 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/207.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00278 20130101;
H04N 2201/0034 20130101; H04N 2201/0049 20130101; H04N 2201/0082
20130101; H04N 2101/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/207.2 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 17, 1998 |
JP |
P10-202547 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A photographic apparatus, comprising: an electronic camera for
electronically acquiring an image and providing image data; a
connection base for removably connecting said electronic camera
thereto, the connection base having a function of reading out image
data from said electronic camera while said camera is connected
thereto; and a printer for acquiring the image data from said
connection base and outputting an image based on the image data to
paper.
2. A photographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
electronic camera compresses the electronically acquired image and
the connection base has the additionally decompresses compressed
image data read out from the electronic camera.
3. A photographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
connection base further provides image processing on the image data
read out from the electronic camera.
4. A photographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
connection base further requests that the printer perform image
processing on the image data read out from the electronic
camera.
5. A photographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
connection base includes inputting and outputting means for
inputting setting information and displaying a set state, and
control means for controlling image data and the inputting and
outputting section.
6. A photographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
electronic camera is connected to the connection base through an
adapter having a grip.
7. A photographic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the grip
of the adapter has a switch provided thereon for triggering a
shutter operation of the electronic camera.
8. A photographic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
adapter has a battery accommodated therein for supplying power to
the electronic camera.
9. A photographic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
adapter has a flash shoe provided thereon.
10. A photographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printer is a thermal sublimation type printer.
11. A photographic apparatus, comprising: an electronic camera for
electronically providing image data; a printer for printing an
image onto paper; a connection base formed as a part of the printer
for receiving the electronic camera therein; and wherein the
connection base reads out image data from the electronic camera
while the camera is resides therein and is connected to the
connection base and provides the image data to the printer for
printing an image.
12. A photographic apparatus as in claim 11 wherein the electronic
camera may also be connected remotely to the connection base.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a photographic apparatus for
outputting an image photographed using an electronic camera such as
a digital camera to paper.
[0003] 2. Related Prior Art
[0004] In recent years, a solid state imaging apparatus which makes
use of a CCD unit has exhibited remarkable increase in resolution
and storage capacity, and efforts are directed to development of an
electronic apparatus for electronically fetching an image such as
an electronic still camera or a digital video recorder.
[0005] In such a situation as described above, the electronic still
camera exhibits such improvement that it is as good as that using
silver salt film, and the electronic still camera is utilized not
only for general use but also for professional use thanks to a data
holding property and facility in after-processing in addition to
the improved definition.
[0006] However, when an image is electronically fetched using such
an electronic camera as described above, in order to output the
image to paper, it is necessary to start up a computer to which a
printer is connected and transfer the image data to the printer
through the computer.
[0007] Thus, the electronic camera has a problem in that, in order
to output image data to paper, a computer must be started up in
this manner, and the image data cannot be outputted
immediately.
[0008] Further, in order to allow image data to be outputted
directly to paper without intervention of a computer, it has been
proposed to provide an electronic camera with a printer controlling
function or to provide a printer with a function of fetching image
data from an electronic camera.
[0009] However, provision of an electronic camera with a function
of controlling a printer not only disturbs miniaturization or ease
of use of an electronic camera but also invites an increase in
cost. On the other hand, if a printer is provided with a function
of fetching image data from an electronic camera, then an increase
in cost of the printer itself is invited.
[0010] Further, since an electronic camera and a printer are
connected to each other by a cable, each time it is intended to
perform outputting to paper, connection and disconnection of the
cable must be performed. Thus, cumbersome operation is
required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
photographic apparatus which can output a photographed image
immediately to paper by a simple operation.
[0012] In order to attain the object described above, according to
the present invention, there is provided a photographic apparatus,
including an electronic camera for electronically acquiring an
image, a connection base for removably connecting the electronic
camera thereto, the connection base having a function of reading
out image data from the electronic camera while the camera is
connected thereto, and printing means for acquiring the image data
from the connection base and outputting an image based on the image
data to paper.
[0013] In the photographic apparatus, the electronic camera is
removably connected to the connection base, and image data read out
from the electronic camera is acquired by the printing means
through the connection base and outputted to paper by the printing
means. Consequently, when photographing is to be performed, the
electronic camera can be removed from the connection base to
acquire an image, but when the acquired image is to be outputted to
paper, the electronic camera can be connected to the connection
base to establish electric connection between the electronic camera
and the printing means to allow the printing means to perform such
outputting of the image data to paper.
[0014] Consequently, the photographic apparatus is advantageous in
that an image photographed by the electronic camera can be
outputted to paper without using a computer and can be outputted
immediately after it is photographed. The photographic apparatus is
advantageous also in that, since transfer or image processing of
image data acquired by the connection base is performed, there is
no necessity to provide such functions to the electronic camera or
the printing means, and consequently, simplification and reduction
in cost of the electronic camera and the printing means can be
achieved.
[0015] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which like parts or elements denoted by
like reference symbols.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a
photographing apparatus to which the present invention is
applied;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an electronic camera of
the photographing apparatus of FIG. 1 removed from a connection
base;
[0018] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the electronic
camera shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the front side and the rear
side, respectively;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the connection base
shown in FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an inputting/outputting
section of the connection base of FIG. 4;
[0021] FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic sectional views of the
connection base of FIG. 4 taken along different lines;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal construction
of the connection base of FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal construction
of a printing section shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a manner in which a
photograph for certificate is taken; and
[0025] FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13 are schematic sectional views
illustrating different stages of printing operation of the printing
section shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a photographing or
photographic apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
The photographing apparatus is generally denoted at 1 and includes,
as principal components thereof, an electronic camera 2 in the form
of a digital still camera, a connection base 3 for removably
receiving the electronic camera 2, and a printing section 4 for
acquiring image data from the electronic camera 2 through the
connection base 3 and outputting an image based on the image data
to paper.
[0027] The electronic camera 2 is connected to an adapter 5 which
includes a grip G for being gripped by a user of the electronic
camera 2, and is mounted on the connection base 3 together with the
adapter 5. The connection base 3 and the printing section 4 are
electrically connected to each other by a cable C1 so that image
data received by the electronic camera 2 can be transferred to the
printing section 4 through the connection base 3 and the cable C1.
It is to be noted that, while the connection base 3 in FIG. 1 is
shown placed on the printing section 4, the connection base 3 may
be placed at any location where it is easy for the user to use the
electronic camera 2.
[0028] If the adapter 5 and the electronic camera 2 are mounted
onto the connection base 3, then terminals (not shown) provided on
the connection base 3 and terminals (not shown) provided on the
adapter 5 are brought into contact with each other to establish
electric connection between the connection base 3 and the adapter 5
without the necessity for any independent wiring line.
[0029] The connection base 3 has a function of loading image data
from the electronic camera 2, image processing functions
(decompression of compression data, variation of the image size,
color tone adjustment, instruction of variation between white and
black and so forth), a controlling function for the printing
section 4 (data transfer to the printing section 4, setting of a
divisional printing mode, printing control and so forth), and a
function of charging a battery for the electronic camera 2.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows the electronic camera 2 in a condition wherein
it is removed from the connection base 3. In particular, when
photographing is to be performed or in some other case, the user
will remove the electronic camera 2 from the connection base 3
together with the adapter 5 and grip the grip G of the adapter 5 to
acquire an image of an imaging object using the electronic camera
2. It is to be noted that, while the electronic camera 2 and the
connection base 3 are shown connected to each other by a cable C3
in FIG. 2, if only photographing is performed, then no such
connection is required.
[0031] A shutter button 51 to be used for a shutter releasing
operation of the electronic camera 2 is provided on the grip G of
the adapter 5 so that photographing can be performed while the
electronic camera 2 is held with certainty by the user. Further, a
flash shoe 52 is provided on the adapter 5 so that a flash
apparatus (not shown) as a separate member may be attached to the
adapter 5. A female thread (not shown) for mounting a tripod on the
adapter 5 is formed in a lower wall of the adapter 5.
[0032] A battery for the electronic camera 2 is accommodated, for
example, in the grip G of the adapter 5 so that, when the adapter 5
is mounted on the connection base 3, the battery is charged
automatically from the connection base 3.
[0033] The electronic camera 2 and the adapter 5 are secured to
each other, for example, by means of screws, and the shutter button
51 and the flash shoe 52 of the adapter 5 and the electronic camera
2 are synchronized with each other over a cable C2.
[0034] The electronic camera 2 and the connection base 3 can be
connected to each other by the cable C3 so that, for example, when
the adapter 5 is attached to a tripod and photographing is
performed with the position of the electronic camera 2 fixed, image
data can be transferred from the electronic camera 2 at the
position to the connection base 3 over the cable C3.
[0035] It is to be noted that, even if the electronic camera 2 and
the connection base 3 are not connected to each other by the cable
C3, if the electronic camera 2 is mounted onto the connection base
3 together with the adapter 5 after photographing is completed,
then electric connection is still established so that image data
stored in the electronic camera 2 can be transferred in response to
an instruction from the connection base 3.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the electronic camera 2 is
shown in perspective views as viewed from the front side and the
rear side, respectively. The electronic camera 2 uses a CCD unit
(not shown) to fetch image data of an imaging object and stores the
image data into an internal memory. In particular, the electronic
camera 2 can fetch an image through a lens L. The lens L is mounted
on a mount M which matches with the C mount, and can be exchanged
as required.
[0037] A plurality of connection terminals T are provided on an
upper wall of the electronic camera 2 so that the electronic camera
2 can be connected to the adapter 5 (refer to FIG. 1) or the
connection base 3 (refer to FIG. 2) therethrough by means of a
cable.
[0038] A display unit 21 of the liquid crystal type is provided on
a rear wall of the electronic camera 2 so that an image viewed for
photographing or an image already taken and stored can be displayed
to allow the user to confirm a photographing condition. It is to be
noted that an image to be displayed on the display unit 21 may be
displayed on an external display unit (not shown) connected to the
connection terminals T.
[0039] Further, the electronic camera 2 has an interface (RS-232C,
SCSI, IEEE 1394 or the like) for transferring fetched image data
therethrough.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows the connection base 3. The connection base 3
has a recess 31 provided on the top thereof so that the adapter 5
(refer to FIG. 1) on which the electronic camera 2 (refer to FIG.
1) is mounted can be received thereon.
[0041] When the adapter 5 (refer to FIG. 1) is received in the
recess 31, it is fixed to the recess 31 by means of pawls (not
shown) provided in the recess 31. A button 32 for releasing the
adapter 5 thus fixed by the pawls is provided on the connection
base 3.
[0042] Further, an inputting/outputting section 33 for inputting
various setting information therethrough and displaying various
setting conditions thereon is provided on the connection base 3.
FIG. 5 shows details of the inputting/outputting section 33.
[0043] The inputting/outputting section 33 includes buttons (keys)
for inputting various setting information therethrough and a
display panel for displaying a setting condition thereon. The
inputting buttons include a menu button B1 for selecting a menu,
arrow mark buttons B2 for selecting or changing setting
instructions, a determination button B3 for determining an inputted
instruction, a button B4 for designating a white/black mode, a
button B5 for designating divisional printing, and a printing
button B6 for executing printing. Further, as the display, a liquid
crystal panel P is provided.
[0044] When the photographing apparatus 1 is in a state in which
printing is possible, the liquid crystal panel P provides a
two-stage display wherein printing setting of a white/black mode or
a color mode is displayed on the upper stage while a divisional
setting number is displayed on the lower stage. Further, if the
menu button B1 is depressed, then a setting menu is displayed in
the form of characters on the liquid crystal panel P. The user will
operate the character display with the arrow mark buttons B2 to
select a desired menu, and when the selection is to be determined,
the determination button B3 will be depressed.
[0045] Further, an indicator I formed from a lamp is provided on
the inputting/outputting section 33. The indicator I indicates
whether or not image data is being transferred from the electronic
camera 2 (refer to FIG. 1). For example, while transfer of image
data from the electronic camera 2 is proceeding, the indicator I is
lit, but while transfer of image data is not proceeding, the
indicator I is not lit. When the indicator I is not lit (when
transfer of image data is not proceeding), the electronic camera 2
can be removed from the connection base 3.
[0046] FIGS. 6A and 6B show cross sections of the connection base
3. In particular, a board 3a on which a circuit is formed is
accommodated in the connection base 3 as shown in FIG. 6A, and one
end side of each of contact pins 3b is connected to the board 3a.
The contact pins 3b are disposed such that the other end sides of
the contact pins 3b project from an inner wall of the recess
31.
[0047] If the adapter 5 is fitted into the recess 31 of the
connection base 3 as shown in FIG. 6B, then contacts 5a of the
adapter 5 and the other ends of the contact pins 3b are brought
into contact with each other. Consequently, image data acquired by
the electronic camera 2 (refer to FIG. 1) can be sent from the
contacts 5a of the adapter 5 to the board 3a of the connection base
3 through the contact pins 3b.
[0048] FIG. 7 shows an internal construction of the connection base
3. Referring to FIG. 7, the connection base 3 includes an interface
driver 301 (for example, RS-232C) with the electronic camera 2,
another interface driver 302 (for example, IEEE 1284) with the
printing section 4, a button-LED section 303 including inputting
buttons and indicating LEDs, an LCD module 304, a DRAM 305, a flash
ROM 306, and a CPU 307. The CPU 307 and the other components are
connected to each other over a data bus and an address bus.
[0049] In the connection base 3 having such a construction as
described above, an image data transferring instruction is provided
to the electronic camera 2 through the interface driver 301 which
matches with, for example, the RS-232C. Meanwhile, image data
transferred from the electronic camera 2 is acquired through the
interface driver 301 and cumulatively stored once into the DRAM
305.
[0050] The image data stored in the DRAM 305 is read out in
response to a request from the printing section and transferred to
the printing section over the interface driver 302 which matches,
for example, the IEEE 1284.
[0051] FIG. 8 shows an internal construction of the printing
section 4. In particular, the printing section 4 includes, as
principal components thereof, an interface driver 401, an interface
controller 402, a memory controller 403, a DRAM 404, a color pallet
405, a masking ROM 406, a program ROM 407, an EEPROM 408, and a
system CPU 409.
[0052] Image data outputted from the connection base 3 side is read
into the printing section 4 through the interface driver 401, which
matches with a predetermined interface (for example, the RS-232C,
SCSI, IEEE 1284 or IEEE 1394), and the interface controller 402,
and is stored into the DRAM 404 under the control of the memory
controller 403.
[0053] When outputting of image data to paper is to be performed,
image data (for example, R, G, B data) read out from the DRAM 404
under the control of the memory controller 403 is converted into
data for printing (for example, C, M, Y data) through the color
pallet 405 and is outputted to a print board (PRT BOARD) through
the masking ROM 406.
[0054] Subsequently, a photographing procedure using the
photographing apparatus of the present embodiment is described.
First, the user removes the adapter 5 and the electronic camera 2
from the connection base 3 shown in FIG. 1. Such removal can be
preformed by a single operation of depressing the button 32 shown
in FIG. 4.
[0055] Then, the user will grasp the grip G of the adapter 5 and
perform photographing of an image object using the electronic
camera 2. FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a manner in which a
photograph for certificate is taken. In this instance, the
electronic camera 2 is located at a position spaced by a distance d
(for example, approximately 1.5 m) from a person acting as an image
object. In this instance, a tripod may be attached to the adapter 5
to fix the position of the electronic camera 2.
[0056] Here, where the electronic camera 2 is of the manual focus
and manual diaphragm type, in photographing in a flashlight
emitting mode, first the diaphragm is kept open so that focusing
may be performed readily, and then, after focusing is completed,
the diaphragm is adjusted manually in accordance with a required
flashlight amount immediately prior to release of the shutter.
[0057] Since the display unit 21 is provided on the rear wall of
the electronic camera 2, an image of the imaging object displayed
on the display unit 21 can be visually observed by the user, and
the focusing described above is performed by the user referring to
the displayed image. Further, an automatic exposure adjustment
mechanism (AE) operates till an instant at which the shutter is
released, and consequently, the display on the display unit 21 does
not become dark upon focusing.
[0058] It is to be noted that, where the electronic camera 2 is of
the type wherein the diaphragm operates in association with the
shutter, no manual diaphragm operation is required.
[0059] After such adjustment as described above is performed, the
user will depress the shutter button 51 provided on the grip G of
the adapter 5. Alternatively, a shutter operation may be performed
using an infrared remote controller or a timer may be used to
perform a shutter operation after lapse of a predetermined
time.
[0060] In response to the depression of the shutter button 51, an
image of the imaging object is fetched into the electronic camera 2
and stored into the internal memory of the electronic camera 2.
[0061] The image stored in the memory can be displayed on the
display unit 21 (refer to FIG. 3) in response to a key operation of
the electronic camera 2 and consequently can be confirmed by the
user. It is to be noted that this operation may be performed
alternatively by an operation of a button of the connection base 3
side with the electronic camera 2 mounted on the connection base
3.
[0062] Then, printing of the photographed image is performed. In
order to perform such printing, one of the images cumulatively
stored in the memory which is to be printed is selected. This
selection may be performed by an operation of a key of the
electronic camera 2 or by an operation of a button on the
connection base 3 side after the electronic camera 2 is mounted
onto the connection base 3. It is to be noted that mounting of the
electronic camera 2 onto the connection base 3 can be preformed by
a single operation of placing and pushing the electronic camera 2
(with the adapter 5 attached thereto) into the recess 31 (refer to
FIG. 4) of the connection base 3.
[0063] After an image to be printed is selected, selection of a
mode in which printing is to be performed (a divisional number, a
color or white/black) and setting of a color tone, a sharpness
degree and so forth) is performed by operations of the buttons of
the connection base 3, and then the printing button B6 (refer to
FIG. 5) is depressed.
[0064] When the printing button B6 (refer to FIG. 5) is depressed,
a command is sent from the connection base 3 to the electronic
camera 2, and image data to be printed is read out from the memory
of the electronic camera 2.
[0065] Image data stored in the memory of the electronic camera 2
is compressed data (for example, JPEG compression). Thus, the image
data read out is decompressed by the connection base 3 and stored
into the built-in DRAM 305 (refer to FIG. 7).
[0066] Thereafter, the connection base 3 performs image processing
in accordance with the contents of adjustment set in advance (a
color tone, a sharpness degree and so forth), a divisional number,
and selection of a color mode or a white/black mode, and transfers
image data obtained by the processing to the printing section 4
(refer to FIG. 1). It is to be noted that part of such image
processing may be performed by the printing section 4 side by
providing such instruction from the connection base 3 to the
printing section 4.
[0067] After the image data is transferred to the connection base
3, the electronic camera 2 can be removed from the connection base
3 to perform some other photographing even before the printing is
completed. The timing at which the electronic camera 2 can be
removed can be conveyed to the user by a display of the indicator I
(refer to FIG. 5) provided on the connection base 3.
[0068] The printing section 4 (refer to FIG. 1) to which the image
data has been transferred can perform printing processing to paper
based on the image data.
[0069] Here, a printing operation of the printing section 4 is
described with reference to cross sectional views of FIGS. 10 to
13. The printing section 4 may be a thermal sublimation type
printer and includes, as principal components thereof, a paper tray
411, a platen 412, a ribbon cartridge 413, a head 414 and a head
motor 414a as shown in FIG. 10. In the stage of preparation for
printing, the head 414 stands by at a position spaced from a ribbon
413a of the ribbon cartridge 413.
[0070] If a printing instruction is sent from the connection base 3
(refer to FIG. 1) and image data is transferred to the printing
section 4, then a paper sheet 411a is supplied from the paper tray
411 and fed to the platen 412 under the guidance of various rollers
and a paper guide 415 as seen in FIG. 11. Thereupon, a leading end
of the paper sheet 411a is brought into abutment with and held by a
chuck 412a of the platen 412. As a result, when the platen 412
rotates, the paper sheet 411a is wrapped at an accurate position
around the platen 412 without being displaced.
[0071] Then, the head 414 is driven by the head motor 414a so that
it is brought into a contacting condition with the ribbon 413a as
shown in FIG. 12. Then, after the paper sheet 411a wrapped around
and fed by the platen 412 comes to the position of the head 414,
the head 414 is driven based on the image data so that ink of the
ribbon 413a is successively transferred to the paper sheet
411a.
[0072] After the platen 412 is rotated until an image based on the
image data is formed fully on the paper sheet 411a, the head 414 is
brought out of contact with the ribbon 413a and the platen 412 is
rotated in the opposite direction as seen in FIG. 13 to its
original position.
[0073] Then, the paper sheet 411a on which the image is formed is
fed along a discharge paper guide 416 while it is pressed down by a
hold roller 412b until it is sent into a discharge paper tray 417.
The printing of the image onto the paper is completed by such a
sequence of operations as described above.
[0074] As described above, after an image is acquired by the
electronic camera 2, printing of the image onto paper can be
performed simply by operation of the connection base 3.
[0075] It is to be noted that, while, in the embodiment described
above, the electronic camera 2 which principally is in the form of
a digital still camera is used, the present invention is not
limited to this and can be applied to an electronic camera which
alternatively is in the form of a digital video recorder. In this
instance, recorded images are reproduced by operation of the
connection base 3, and the reproduction is stopped temporarily at
an image to be printed. Then, the image data at which the
reproduction is stopped is transferred to the printing section
4.
[0076] Further, while, in the embodiment described above, electric
connection between the electronic camera 2 and the connection base
3 is established by contact between the contact pins 3b (refer to
FIG. 6) and the contacts 5a (refer to FIG. 6) or by means of wiring
lines of the cable C3 (refer to FIG. 2), data may alternatively be
transmitted in a wireless fashion using infrared rays or the
like.
[0077] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *