U.S. patent application number 10/957798 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-17 for electronic apparatus, stand and electronic apparatus stand system.
This patent application is currently assigned to OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Terane, Akio.
Application Number | 20050057683 10/957798 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27554997 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050057683 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Terane, Akio |
March 17, 2005 |
Electronic apparatus, stand and electronic apparatus stand
system
Abstract
An electronic camera system is provided which includes an
electronic camera and a camera stand which is adapted to mount the
electronic camera thereon. The electronic camera includes a power
switch and a LCD display, and has a plurality of operation modes.
The camera stand includes a connecting portion to be connected to
the electronic camera mounted thereon, and a communication system
which enables communication with a personal computer. When the
power switch of the electronic camera mounted on the camera stand
is turned on and the LCD display of the electronic camera is
located at a front side of the camera stand, a communication mode
of the electronic camera is automatically initiated, and the
electronic camera system initiates operation in the communication
mode.
Inventors: |
Terane, Akio;
(Sagamihara-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRISHAUF, HOLTZ, GOODMAN & CHICK, PC
767 THIRD AVENUE
25TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10017-2023
US
|
Assignee: |
OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
27554997 |
Appl. No.: |
10/957798 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10957798 |
Oct 4, 2004 |
|
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10238387 |
Sep 9, 2002 |
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6812971 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/372 ;
348/E5.025; 348/E5.026; 348/E5.042; 348/E5.047 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/2251 20130101;
H04N 5/23293 20130101; H04N 5/2252 20130101; H04N 2101/00 20130101;
H04N 5/23241 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/372 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 11, 2001 |
JP |
2001-275621 |
Sep 11, 2001 |
JP |
2001-275623 |
Sep 26, 2001 |
JP |
2001-293943 |
Sep 26, 2001 |
JP |
2001-295122 |
Oct 1, 2001 |
JP |
2001-305793 |
Oct 4, 2001 |
JP |
2001-308927 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. An electronic camera system comprising: an electronic camera
which includes a power switch and a LCD display, and which has a
plurality of operation modes; and a camera stand which is adapted
to mount the electric camera thereon, and which comprises a
connecting portion to be connected to the electronic camera mounted
thereon, and a communication system which enables communication
with a personal computer; wherein when the power switch of the
electronic camera mounted on the camera stand is turned on and the
LCD display of the electronic camera is located at a front side of
the camera stand, a communication mode of the electronic camera is
automatically initiated, and the electronic camera system initiates
operation in the communication mode.
2. The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the
electronic camera has a camera bottom which includes a connecting
portion to be connected to the connecting portion of the camera
stand, a tripod screw, and a battery lid having a width which is
smaller than a thickness of the electronic camera.
3. The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the
electronic camera comprises a control circuit and a sensor which
detects a state of attachment of the electronic camera to the
camera stand, and wherein when the LCD display of the electronic
camera is located at the front side of the camera stand, the
control circuit of the electronic camera receives an output signal
from the sensor and automatically prohibits a photographing mode in
response to the signal.
4. The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the
camera stand further comprises: a holding section to hold the
electronic camera mounted thereon such that a front surface of the
camera is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to a base of
the camera stand; and a stand switch which is adapted to toggle the
power switch of the electronic camera.
5. The electronic device system according to claim 2, wherein the
camera stand further comprises: a holding section to hold the
electronic camera mounted thereon such that a front surface of the
camera is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to a base of
the camera stand; and a stand switch which is adapted to toggle the
power switch of the electronic camera.
6. The electronic device system according to claim 3, wherein the
camera stand further comprises: a holding section to hold the
electronic camera mounted thereon such that a front surface of the
camera is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to a base of
the camera stand; and a stand switch which is adapted to toggle the
power switch of the electronic camera.
7. The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the
communication system includes a USB terminal.
8. The electronic device system according to claim 7, wherein the
camera stand has a video output terminal.
9. An electronic camera system including an electronic camera and a
camera stand on which the electronic camera is mountable, the
electronic camera comprising: a photographing lens portion provided
on a front side of the electronic camera; a display provided on a
back side of the electronic camera to display a photographed image;
an image pickup element which receives an image of a subject formed
by the photographing lens portion, and which converts the image to
an electrical signal corresponding to the image; an image
processing circuit which processes the electrical signal from the
image pickup element; a rewritable image memory which stores data
of the photographed image; and an electronic camera side connecting
portion, provided on one of a bottom surface and a side surface of
the electronic camera communication between the camera stand and
the electronic camera; and the camera stand comprising: a mount
portion on which the electronic camera is mountable, the mount
portion having an inclined surface which abuts one of the bottom
surface and the side surface of the electronic camera, such that
the back side of the electronic camera is directed forward of the
camera stand and the display of the electronic camera is directed
obliquely upward; a camera stand side connecting portion provided
in the mount portion to carry out communication between the camera
stand and the electronic camera; and a terminal to carry out
communication between the camera stand and an external device.
10. An electronic camera system including an electronic camera and
a camera stand on which the electronic camera mountable, the
electronic camera comprising: a photographing lens portion provided
on a front side of the electronic camera; a display provided on a
back side of the electronic camera to display a photographed image;
an image pickup element which receives an image of a subject formed
by the photographing lens portion, and which converts the image to
an electrical signal corresponding to the image; an image
processing circuit which processes the electrical signal from by
the image pickup element; a rewritable image memory which stores
data of the photographed image; and an electronic camera side
connecting portion, provided on a bottom surface of the electronic
camera to carry out communication between the camera stand and the
electronic camera, wherein the bottom surface includes a battery
lid and a tripod screw, and the electronic camera side connecting
portion is located between the battery lid and the tripod screw,
and the camera stand comprising: a mount portion on which the
electronic camera is mountable such that the display of the
electronic camera is directed forward from the camera stand; a
camera stand side connecting portion provided in the mount portion
to carry out communication between the camera stand and the
electronic camera; and a terminal to carry out communication
between the camera stand and an external device.
11. An electronic camera system including an electronic camera and
a camera stand on which the electronic camera is mountable, the
electronic camera comprising: a photographing lens portion provided
on a front side of the electronic camera; a display provided on a
back side of the electronic camera to display a photographed image;
an image pickup element which receives an image of a subject formed
by the photographing lens portion, and which converts the image to
an electrical signal corresponding to the image; an image
processing circuit which processes the electrical signal obtained
by-the image pickup element; a rewritable image memory which stores
data of the photographed image; and an electronic camera side
connecting portion, provided on one of a bottom surface and a side
surface of the electronic camera to carry out communication between
the camera stand and the electronic camera, and the camera stand
comprising: a mount portion on which the electronic camera is
mountable, both when the electronic camera is in a first direction
in which the front side of the electronic camera is at a front side
of the camera stand and when the electronic camera is in a second
direction in which the back side of the electronic camera is at the
front side of the camera stand; and a camera stand side connecting
portion provided in the mount portion to carry out communication
between the camera stand and the electronic camera; wherein the
electronic camera system further comprises detecting means for
detecting which of the first direction and the second direction is
a mount direction of the electronic camera; and wherein the
electronic camera further comprises a controller which allows
different operation modes in accordance with the direction detected
by the detecting means.
12. The electronic camera system according to claim 11, wherein
when the mount direction of the electronic camera is the second
direction, the controller allows reproduction display of the data
of the photographed image on the display, and when the mount
direction of the electronic camera is the first direction, the
controller prohibits reproduction display of the data of the
photographed image on the display.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation application of
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/238,387, filed Sep. 09, 2002 which is
based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior
Japanese Patent Applications No. 2001-275621, Sep. 11, 2001; No.
2001-275623, Sep. 11, 2001; No. 2001-293943, Sep. 26, 2001; No.
2001-295122, Sep. 26, 2001; No. 2001-305793, Oct. 1, 2001; and No.
2001-308927, Oct. 4, 2001, the entire contents of all of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an electronic apparatus, such as
an electronic camera, and an electronic apparatus stand on which
the electronic apparatus can be mounted in a specific position, and
to an electronic apparatus stand system including the electronic
apparatus and electronic apparatus stand.
[0003] One known electronic apparatus stand system is configured so
as to enable an electronic apparatus, such as an electronic camera,
to be mounted on a stand in a specific position in order to display
the electronic apparatus as, for example, an interior set, in a
room.
[0004] For example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
2001-69388 has disclosed an electronic camera system which enables
an electronic camera to be mounted on a camera stand with a charger
in such a manner that the front of the camera faces to the front of
the stand. The electronic camera system is capable of charging the
secondary battery of the electronic camera mounted, setting the
correct date in the electronic camera, causing the strobe to emit
light to enhance the wake-up function, turning on the backup light
for indicating the charging time, and others.
[0005] Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-333046 has
disclosed an electronic camera system which enables an electronic
camera to be mounted on a camera stand with a charger in such a
manner that the back of the camera faces to the front of the stand.
The electronic camera system is capable of charging the secondary
battery of the electronic camera mounted, causing the
liquid-crystal display section at the back of the camera to display
images (or make a slide show) during or after charging, and
others.
[0006] As described in the above publications, in a conventional
ordinary electronic camera system, the electronic camera is mounted
on the camera stand in such a manner that the camera faces either
forward or backward. Depending on the direction in which the
electronic camera is mounted, a limitation is imposed on the
functions the electronic camera can achieve.
[0007] For example, in a configuration with the front of the camera
mounted so as to face to the front of the stand as in the
electronic camera system disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI
Publication No. 2001-69388, no consideration has been given to the
way of, for example, viewing images while displaying the images on
the liquid-crystal monitor at the back of the camera, with the
electronic camera mounted on the stand.
[0008] Furthermore, in a configuration with the back of the camera
mounted so as to face to the front of the stand as in the
electronic camera disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication
No. 2000-333046, no consideration has been given to the way of, for
example, taking pictures with the electronic camera mounted on the
stand.
[0009] That is, in the prior art, making good use of various
functions the electronic camera intrinsically has, including
photographing, reproducing, image transferring, and printing
functions, has been considered to be impossible in a state where
the electronic camera is mounted on the camera stand.
[0010] In addition, with the electronic camera mounted on the
camera stand, this imposes restrictions on the operation of
selecting and setting the operation mode (such as photograph mode
or reproduce mode) to carry out the functions. That is, depending
on the direction in which the electronic camera is mounted on the
camera stand, controls (including buttons) provided on the
electronic camera are arranged in a place difficult to operate, or
the liquid-crystal monitor for displaying the selected or set
operation mode is covered by the wall of the stand. This caused the
following problems: the operation mode was liable to be selected or
set erroneously, and the operation mode displayed on the
liquid-crystal monitor was difficult to check visually.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to
overcome the above problems by providing an electronic apparatus,
such as an electronic camera, a stand, and an electronic apparatus
stand system which have the advantages described below:
[0012] a. The direction in which an electronic apparatus, such as
an electronic camera, is mounted on a stand can be changed and
therefore it is possible to make good use of the electronic
apparatus.
[0013] b. A suitable operation mode is selected and set according
to the direction in which an electronic apparatus, such as an
electronic camera, is mounted on a stand.
[0014] c. Even when an electronic apparatus, such as an electronic
camera, is mounted on a stand either in a first direction in which
the front of the electronic apparatus faces to the front of the
stand or in a second direction in which the back of the electronic
apparatus faces to the front of the stand, electric power is
supplied to the electronic apparatus properly.
[0015] d. Even when an electronic apparatus, such as an electronic
camera, is mounted in a lengthwise position on a stand, the image
is displayed in an upright position by display means and therefore
is easy to see.
[0016] e. Even when an electronic apparatus, such as an electronic
camera, is mounted on a stand in an upward- or downward-inclined
manner, the image displayed by the liquid-crystal display is easy
to see.
[0017] f. There is no photographing limit due to the consumption of
the battery and therefore photography can be continued stably for a
long time.
[0018] g. The monitoring function can be achieved with the
photographing operation unnoticed.
[0019] h. The camera can be examined automatically without any
problem while the camera is in use.
[0020] i. Defective pixels can be sensed accurately without being
affected by the temperature.
[0021] To achieve the above object, an electronic apparatus, a
stand, and an electronic apparatus stand system according to the
present invention have characteristic configurations as described
below. Characteristic configurations other than those described
below will be referred to in the embodiments.
[0022] (1) An electronic camera system according to the present
invention is an electronic camera system comprising an electronic
camera and a camera stand which is provided so as to enable the
electronic camera to be mounted thereon and includes a power
supplying section for supplying power to the electronic camera
mounted, the electronic camera system characterized in that the
electronic camera is formed so as to have an exterior shape capable
of being mounted on the camera stand, and the camera stand is
formed so as to have an exterior shape which enables the electronic
camera to be mounted either in a first direction in which the front
of the camera faces to the front of the camera stand or in a second
direction in which the back of the camera faces to the front of the
camera stand.
[0023] (2) An electronic camera according to the invention is an
electronic camera system which is capable of being mounted on a
camera stand and which receives power from a power supplying
section provided on the camera stand, with the camera mounted on
the camera stand, the electronic camera characterized by having an
exterior shape capable of being mounted on the camera stand either
in a first direction in which the front of the camera faces to the
front of the camera stand or in a second direction in which the
back of the camera faces to the front of the camera stand.
[0024] (3) A camera stand according to the present invention is a
camera stand which is capable of mounting an electronic camera
thereon and includes a power supplying section for supplying power
to the mounted electronic camera, the camera stand characterized by
being formed so as to have an exterior shape which enables the
electronic camera to be mounted either in a first direction in
which the front of the camera faces to the front of the camera
stand or in a second direction in which the back of the camera
faces to the front of the camera stand.
[0025] (4) A system according to the invention is a system
comprising an apparatus with a specific function and a stand with a
power supplying section which supplies power to the apparatus
mounted, the system characterized in that the apparatus is formed
so as to have an exterior shape capable of being mounted on the
stand, and the stand is formed so as to have an exterior shape
which enables the apparatus to be mounted thereon either in a first
direction in which the front of the apparatus faces to the front of
the stand or in a second direction in which the back of the
apparatus faces to the front of the stand.
[0026] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention, and together with the general description given
above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D show a schematic configuration of an
electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, where FIG. 1A is a top view, FIG. 1B is a back view,
FIG. 1C is a left side view, and FIG. 1D is a front view;
[0029] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the configuration of
a connection provided on the left side face of the electronic
camera shown in FIG. 1C;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state where the electronic
camera according to the first embodiment of the invention is
mounted on a stand in such a manner that the front of the camera
faces to the front of the stand;
[0031] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are drawings showing a state where the
electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the
invention is mounted on the stand in such a manner that the back of
the camera faces to the front of the stand, where FIG. 4A is a left
side view, FIG. 4B is a front view, and FIG. 4C is a sectional view
taken along line C-C of FIG. 4B;
[0032] FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing the configuration of
a connection provided on the camera mounting section of the stand
shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a primary configuration of
the electronic camera system according to the first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a diagram to help explain the operation of the
electronic camera system according to the first embodiment of the
present invention and describe an example of the relationship
between the "mounting direction" of the electronic camera,
"operation mode to be selected and set," and "operation mode to be
inhibited from being set";
[0035] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a primary configuration of
an electronic camera system according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a diagram to help explain the operation of the
electronic camera system according to the second embodiment of the
present invention and describe an example of the relationship
between the "mounting direction" of the electronic camera with a
lens cover, "operation mode to be selected and set," and "operation
mode to be inhibited from being set";
[0037] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state where an electronic
camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention is
mounted on a stand in such a manner that the front of the camera
faces to the front of the stand;
[0038] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are drawings showing a state where the
electronic camera according to the third embodiment of the
invention is mounted on the stand in such a manner that the back of
the camera faces to the front of the stand, where FIG. 11A is a
left side view and FIG. 11B is a front view;
[0039] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the electronic camera according
to the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a state where an electronic
camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is
mounted on a stand in such a manner that the front of the camera
faces to the front of the stand;
[0041] FIG. 14 is a front view showing a state where the electronic
camera according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention
is mounted on a stand in such a manner that the back of the camera
faces to the front of the stand;
[0042] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the electronic camera according
to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 16 is a top view of the stand according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a
main part of power-supplying coil and its vicinity related to the
fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a primary configuration
of the electronic camera system related to the fourth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an outward appearance
of an electronic camera system according to a fifth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20E show a schematic configuration of an
electronic camera according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention, where FIG. 20A is a top view, FIG. 20B is a back view,
FIG. 20C is a side view, FIG. 20D is a front view, and FIG. 20E is
a bottom view;
[0048] FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B are drawings showing a state where the
electronic camera according to the sixth embodiment of the present
invention is mounted on a stand in such a manner that the back of
the camera faces to the front of the stand, where FIG. 21A is a
side view and FIG. 21B is a front view;
[0049] FIG. 22A to FIG. 22C are drawings showing how the direction
of the image displayed on the LCD changes when the electronic
camera related to the sixth embodiment of the present invention
changes from a normally used position to a stand mounting
position;
[0050] FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
control system of the electronic camera system according to the
sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 24 is a flowchart to help explain the operation of
displaying an image in the electronic camera according to the sixth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 25 shows an example of image direction information
attached to image data used in the image displaying operation shown
in FIG. 24;
[0053] FIG. 26 shows an example of "the change of the direction" of
the image displayed on the LCD in the electronic camera related to
the sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B show a schematic configuration of an
electronic camera system according to a seventh embodiment of the
present invention, where FIG. 27A is a side view showing a state
where the electronic camera is mounted on a stand in such a manner
that the back of the camera faces to the front of the stand and
FIG. 27B is its front view;
[0055] FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B show LCD display screens of the
electronic camera according to the seventh embodiment, where FIG.
28A shows an LCD display screen in normal use and FIG. 28B shows an
LCD display screen when the camera is mounted on the stand;
[0056] FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
control system of the electronic camera system according to the
seventh embodiment of the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 30A and FIG. 30B are drawings to help explain the
operation of the electronic camera according to the seventh
embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 30A shows a field
angle at the LCD in normal use and FIG. 30B shows a field angle at
the LCD when the camera is mounted on the stand;
[0058] FIG. 31A and FIG. 31B show a schematic configuration of an
electronic camera system according to an eighth embodiment of the
present invention, where FIG. 31A is a side view showing a state
where the electronic camera is mounted on a stand in such a manner
that the front of the camera faces to the front of the stand and
FIG. 31B is its front view;
[0059] FIG. 32 is a back view, with a portion broken away, of the
electronic camera system according to the eighth embodiment of the
present invention;
[0060] FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
control system of the electronic camera system according to the
eighth embodiment of the present invention;
[0061] FIG. 34 is a flowchart to help explain the basic operation
of the control system of the electronic camera system related to
the eighth embodiment of the present invention;
[0062] FIG. 35 is a flowchart to help explain the basic operation
of an electronic camera system according to a ninth embodiment of
the present invention;
[0063] FIG. 36A and FIG. 36B show a schematic configuration of an
electronic camera system according to a tenth embodiment of the
present invention, where FIG. 36A is a side view showing a state
where the electronic camera is mounted on a stand in such a manner
that the back of the camera faces to the front of the stand and
FIG. 36B is its front view;
[0064] FIG. 37 is an enlarged sectional view, with a portion broken
away, of a primary part of FIG. 36A;
[0065] FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
control system of the electronic camera system according to the
tenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0066] FIG. 39 is a flowchart to help explain the operation of
sensing white defects in the electronic camera system according to
the tenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0067] FIG. 40 is a flowchart to help explain the operation of
sensing black defects in the electronic camera system according to
the tenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0068] FIG. 41 is a flowchart to help explain the control
operation, when charging is effected after defective-pixel sensing
means carries out the defective-pixel sensing operation in the
electronic camera system according to the tenth embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0069] FIG. 42 is a flowchart to help explain the control
operation, when the defective-pixel sensing means senses a
defective pixel after the battery is charged in the electronic
camera system according to the tenth embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0070] An electronic camera system according to a first embodiment
of the present invention comprises at least an electronic camera 1,
and a camera stand (hereinafter, just referred to as a stand) 18 on
which the electronic camera is mounted, as shown in FIG. 1A to FIG.
1D, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, and FIG. 5. The electronic
camera 1 and stand 18 are such that the stand 18 supplies power to
the electronic camera 1 and exchanges data with the electronic
camera 1 via a connection 4 and a connection 20 each of which has
electric contacts.
[0071] The electronic camera 1 is designed not only to enable a
suitable operation mode to be selected and set according to the
direction in which the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand
18 but also to inhibit an unsuitable operation mode from being set.
That is, the electronic camera of the first embodiment is capable
of carrying out operations at least in a charging mode in which a
built-in secondary battery is charged, a photographing mode in
which photographing is done, a reproducing mode in which
reproducing is done, a printing mode in which printing is done, or
an external communication mode in which communication with an
external personal computer (PC) or the like is performed.
Hereinafter, a more concrete configuration will be explained.
[0072] FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D show a schematic configuration of an
electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1D, a release button 2 for
giving a photograph instruction and others are provided on the top
of the electronic camera 1. The release button 2 and others are
formed so as not to project from the surface of the camera case. At
the back of the electronic camera 1, a liquid-crystal display (LCD)
3 for displaying photographic images or various menus and others
are provided. In the center position of the left side face of the
electronic camera 1, there is provided a connection 4 for supplying
power from the stand 18 and exchanging data with the stand, which
will be explained later. The connection 4 is designed to be covered
by a sliding lid 5. On the front of the electronic camera 1, there
are provided a strobe light-emitting window 6 for emitting strobe
light when the amount of light of the subject is insufficient, a
remote control signal light-receiving window 7 for receiving a
remote control signal (or an optical signal using infrared rays or
the like) sent from a remote controller (not shown), a lens barrel
unit 8 with a photographing lens section, and others. In the
electronic camera 1, there are provided a wiring board 9, a battery
compartment 10, and others.
[0073] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the connection on the
electronic camera side shown in FIG. 1C. As shown in FIG. 2, the
connection 4 includes a plurality of electric contacts 11 (11a,
11b), 12 is (12a, 12b), 13 (13a, 13b), 14 (14a, 14b), 15 (15a,
15b), 16 (16a, 16b), and 17. These electric contacts 11 to 17 are
formed as shown in the figure in such a manner that they enable
power to be supplied from the stand 18 and data transmission and
reception to and from the stand 18 to be carried out whether the
camera 1 is mounted with the front of the camera 1 facing the front
or back of the stand. That is, the individual electric contacts 11
to 17 are divided into an a-contact group and a b-contact group and
arranged in such a manner that these groups are provided so as to
face each other with a 180.degree. difference in position between
them on a straight line P-Q crossing radially a plurality of
concentric circles (dotted lines in FIG. 2) arranged at regular
intervals with point O in the center. As shown in the figure, each
of the electric contacts 11 to 17 has a specific length and is
shaped like an arc. There is a continuity between the electric
contacts 11a and 11b inside the electronic camera 1. The same holds
true for the electric contacts 12a and 12b, . . . , the electric
contact 16a and 16b. The electric contact 17 provided on the
outermost side of the contact group a is a contact used to
determine the direction in which the electronic camera is mounted
on the stand 18. The electric contact 17 is provided only on the
a-contact group side, not on the b-contact group side.
[0074] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state where the electronic
camera according to the first embodiment of the invention is
mounted on the stand in such a manner that the front of the camera
faces to the front of the stand. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C show a state
where the electronic camera according to the first embodiment of
the invention is mounted on the stand in such a manner that the
back of the camera faces to the front of the stand. FIG. 4A is a
left side view. FIG, 4B is a front view. FIG. 4C is a sectional
view taken along line C-C of FIG. 4B.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic camera 1 has such an
exterior as can be mounted on the stand 18 with the left side face
of the camera 1 down in a state where the sliding lid 5 is open. As
shown in FIG. 3, the stand 18 has such an exterior as enables the
electronic camera 1 to be mounted either in a first direction in
which the front of the camera faces to the front of the stand or in
a second direction in which the back of the camera faces to the
front of the stand as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. The stand 18
has an AC power supply plug 19 outside of it. The stand 18 has
power supplying means (not shown) for supplying power to the
mounted electronic camera 1 in it.
[0076] In the center of the camera mounting section of the stand
18, a connection 20 for supplying power to the electronic camera 1
and performing data transmission and reception to and from the
electronic camera 1 is provided in such a manner that the
connection faces the connection 4 of the electronic camera 1.
[0077] As described above, the connection is so formed that, even
when the camera is mounted on the stand 18 in such a manner that
the front of the camera faces to either the front or the back of
the stand, the relative positions of the connection 4 of the
electronic camera 1 and the connection 20 of the stand remain
unchanged.
[0078] FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing a configuration of
the connection on the stand side shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A to
FIG. 4C. FIG. 5 shows the connection viewed from the mounting
direction (inserting direction or installing direction) of the
electronic camera as shown by the arrow V in FIG. 4B.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 5, the connection 20 has electric contacts
21 (21a, 21b), 22 (22a, 22b), 23 (23a, 23b), 24 (24a, 24b), 25
(25a, 25b), 26 (26a, 26b), and 27 corresponding to the electric
contacts 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 of the connection 4 of the
electronic camera 1. These electric contacts 21 to 27 are formed in
the same manner as the electric contacts 11 to 17 of the connection
4.
[0080] Specifically, the individual electric contacts 21 to 27 are
divided into an a-contact group and a b-contact group and arranged
in such a manner that these groups are provided so as to face each
other with a 180.degree. difference in position between them on a
straight line P-Q crossing radially a plurality of concentric
circles (dotted lines in FIG. 5) arranged at regular intervals with
point O in the center. As shown in the figure, each of the electric
contacts 21 to 27 has a specific length and is shaped like an arc.
There is a continuity between the electric contacts 21a and 21b
inside the electronic camera 1. The same holds true for the
electric contacts 22a and 22b, . . . , the electric contact 26a and
26b. The electric contact 27 provided on the outermost side of the
contact group a is a contact used to determine the direction in
which the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand 18. The
electric contact 27 is provided only on the a-contact group side,
not on the b-contact group side.
[0081] The a-contact group and b-contact group of the connection 4
in the electronic camera 1 and the a-contact group and b-contact
group of the connection 20 in the stand 18 are so formed that, when
the connection 4 and the connection 20 are rotated relatively
through 180.degree. with point O in the center, the corresponding
contact groups overlap with one another.
[0082] Accordingly, when the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the
stand 18 in the first direction so that the front of the camera may
face to the front of the stand, one a-contact group comes into
contact with the other a-contact group and establishes a continuity
between them, that is, the electric contacts 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a,
15a, 16a, 17 of the connection 4 make contact with the electric
contacts 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a, 25a, 26a, 27 of the connection 20 and
establish a continuity between them. At the same time, one
b-contact group comes into contact with the other b-contact group
and establishes a continuity between them, that is, the electric
contacts 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b, 15b, 16b of the connection 4 make
contact with the electric contacts 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b, 25b, 26b of
the connection 20 and establish a continuity between them.
[0083] When the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand 18 in
the second direction so that the back of the camera may face to the
front of the stand, the a-contact group of the connection 4, or the
electric contacts 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a, comes into contact
with the b-contact group of the connection 20, or the electric
contacts 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b, 25b, 26b, and establishes a continuity
between them. At the same time, the b-contact group of the
connection 4, or the electric contacts 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b, 15b,
16b, comes into contact with the a-contact group of the connection
20, or the electric contacts 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a, 25a, 26a, and
establishes a continuity between them.
[0084] In the latter case, the electric contact 17 of the
connection 4 in the electronic camera 1 does not make contact with
the electric contact 27 of the connection 20 in the stand 18. Thus,
by sensing the contact/uncontact (or continuity/discontinuity)
between the electric contact 17 and the electric contact 27, the
camera 1 can determine automatically whether the front of the
camera faces to either the front of the stand or the back of the
stand.
[0085] The stand 18 has a light guide 29 as shown in FIG. 3, FIG.
4B, and FIG. 4C. When the camera is mounted in the second direction
so that the back of the camera may face to the front of the stand,
the light guide 29 directs a remote control signal sent from the
stand front side (or camera back side) to the remote control signal
light-receiving window 7. Therefore, regardless of whether the
front of the camera faces the front of the stand or the back of the
stand, the remote control signal can still be received.
[0086] In addition to the parts described above, the stand 18 also
includes a video signal output terminal and a USB terminal.
[0087] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a primary configuration of
an electronic camera system including the electronic camera 1 and
stand 18. In the upper part of FIG. 6, a system configuration of
the electronic camera 1 is shown. In the lower part of FIG. 6, a
system configuration of the stand 18 is shown.
[0088] First, the system configuration of the electronic camera 1
will be explained. A photographing lens section 30 is a
photographing optical system which forms an image of a subject on a
photographing element 31.
[0089] The photographing element 31 converts the formed subject
image photoelectrically and outputs an electric signal (analog
signal) representing the image.
[0090] A photographing section 32 is configured so as to enable CDS
(Correlated Double Sampling) and AGC (Automatic Gain Control). The
photographing section 32 removes reset noise from the electric
signal (analog signal) outputted from the photographing element 31
or adjusts its signal level.
[0091] An A/D converter circuit 33 converts the output signal
(analog signal) from the photographing section 32 into a digital
signal (digital data).
[0092] Not only the A/D converter circuit 33 but also a DRAM 34, an
image processing section 35, a flash memory 36, a video driver 37,
a USB (Universal Serial Bus) I/F 38, an LCD driver 39, a ROM 40, a
CPU 41 and others are all connected to a bus line 42. Through the
bus line 42, they exchange data with each other.
[0093] The DRAM 34 is used as a buffer memory that temporarily
stores the image data output from the A/D converter circuit 33, the
image data processed by the CPU 41, and the like. The DRAM 34 is
also used as a work memory for various processes.
[0094] The image processing section 35 carries out a .gamma.
correction process (.gamma. for recording), a color process (white
balance), and other processes on the image data to correct the
brightness, saturation, and hue of an image and the like. The image
processing section 35 further carries out an image data compression
process and an image data expansion process or the like. The
compression process and expansion process are performed by, for
example, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group).
[0095] The flash memory 36 is a rewritable memory in which image
data is recorded (stored).
[0096] The video driver 37 is a circuit that converts image data
into a video signal for a display unit, such as a TV (television)
connected to the video signal output terminal 43.
[0097] The USB-I/F 38 is an interface for exchanging data with an
external unit connected to the USB terminal 44, such as a PC
(personal computer) or a printer.
[0098] The LCD driver 39 drives and controls the LCD
(liquid-crystal display) 3 to cause the LCD 3 to display image
information or the like on the basis of the image data.
[0099] The ROM 40 is a memory in which an operation program for
controlling the electronic camera 1 is stored.
[0100] The CPU (central processing unit) 41 control the operation
of the entire camera according to the camera program stored in the
ROM 40, using the DRAM 34 as a work area. For example, the CPU 41
carries out a process according to the user's instruction accepted
via an input section 45, a process according to the remote control
signal inputted via a remote control signal light-receiving section
46, or the like.
[0101] Furthermore, the CPU determines the direction in which the
electronic camera 1 is mounted, from the coupling relationship of
the connection 20 with the connection 4. On the basis of the
determination, the CPU not only selects and sets a suitable
operation mode according to the mounting direction but also carries
out the process of inhibiting an unsuitable operation mode from
being set.
[0102] The input section 45 includes the release button 2 and
various other buttons, including a power switch (not shown). The
input section accepts various instructions from the user via the
various buttons and switches and informs the CPU 41 of the accepted
instructions.
[0103] The remote control signal light-receiving section 46
receives a remote control signal sent from a remote control unit
(not shown) and supplies its output signal to the CPU 41.
[0104] The connection 4, as described above, is for supplying power
from the stand 18 and transmitting and receiving data to and from
the stand 18. The electric contact 13 in the connection 4 is
connected to the output terminal of the video driver 37 and outputs
a video drive signal. The electric contacts 14, 15 are connected to
the USB-I/F 38 and transmit and receive USB signals. The electric
contact 16 is connected to the CPU 41 and transmits information on
whether the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand 18. The
electric contact 17 is also connected to the CPU 41 and transmits
information on the direction in which the electronic camera 1 is
mounted on the stand 18. The electric contact 11 is also connected
to the CPU 41 and transmits an instruction signal to provide ON/OFF
of the power supply of the electronic camera 1. The electric
contact 12 is connected to a changeover circuit 48 and supplies
power from the stand 18.
[0105] Although not shown, the electric contacts 16 and 17 are
Biased toward a specific voltage. Thus, according to whether the
electric contact 16 is connected to GND, it is sensed whether the
electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand 18.
[0106] In the first embodiment, when the electric contact 16 is
connected to GND, it is determined that the electronic camera 1 is
mounted on the stand 18. When the electric contact 17 is connected
to GND, it is determined that the front of the camera faces to the
front of the stand.
[0107] A battery 47, which is either a primary battery or a
secondary battery, supplies electric power to the electronic camera
1.
[0108] The changeover circuit 48 switches the supply destination of
the power supply obtained via the connection 4 to either a charging
circuit 49 or a power supply circuit 50 under the control of the
CPU 41. For example, when the battery 47 is a primary battery, the
changeover circuit 48 switches the supply destination of the power
supply to the power supply circuit 50.
[0109] The charging circuit 49 includes a battery remaining power
sensing section 49' for sensing the amount of remaining power of
the battery 47 (or the amount of remaining power of the power
supply). When the battery remaining power sensing section 49'
senses that the amount of remaining power of the secondary battery
47 is insufficient, the charging circuit 49 charges the battery
47.
[0110] The power supply circuit 50 controls the power supply
supplied from the battery 47 or the changeover circuit 48 under the
control of the CPU 41, thereby supplying electric power to each
section of the electronic camera 1.
[0111] In the electronic camera 1 with the above configuration, if
the stand 18 has the ability to provide a sufficient power supply,
the changeover circuit 48 may be omitted and the stand 18 may
supply power to both the secondary battery 47 and the power supply
circuit 50.
[0112] Next, the system configuration of the stand 18 will be
explained. The connection 20 is for supplying power to the
electronic camera 1 and transmitting and receiving data to and from
the electronic camera 1.
[0113] The electric contact 23 in the connection 20, which is
connected to a video signal output terminal 51, is capable of
outputting a video signal. The electric contacts 24, 25, which are
connected to a USB terminal, are capable of transmitting and
receiving USB signals. The electric contact 26, which is connected
to GND, provides information on whether the electronic camera 1 is
mounted on the stand 18, by supplying the ground potential to the
electronic camera 1 side via the connection 4. The electric contact
27, which is also connected to GND, provides information on the
direction in which the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand
18, by supplying the ground potential to the electronic camera 1
side via the connection 4.
[0114] The electric contact 21 is connected to a stand switch
(Power SW) 53. The stand switch 53 is for giving an instruction to
provide ON/OFF of the power supply of the mounted electronic camera
1. Thus, an instruction to provide ON/OFF of the power supply by
the ON/OFF operation on the stand switch 53 is transmitted via the
electric contact 21 to the electronic camera side. The electric
contact 22 is connected to the output terminal of an AC/DC
converter circuit 54. The AC/DC converter circuit 54 is a circuit
that converts, for example, a 100V AC power supply input by an AC
power supply plug 19 into, for example, a 6V DC power supply.
Therefore, the DC power supply converted by the AC/DC converter
circuit 54 is supplied to the electronic camera side via the
electric contact 22.
[0115] The vide signal output terminal 51 is for outputting a video
signal to a display unit connected to the terminal, such as a TV.
The USB terminal 52 is for exchanging a USB signal with an external
unit connected to the terminal 52, such as a PC 55 or a printer
56.
[0116] Next, the operation modes selected and set according to the
mounting direction of the electronic camera 1 and the operation
modes inhibited from being set in the first embodiment will be
explained.
[0117] FIG. 7 shows an example of the relationship between the
mounting directions of the electronic camera 1 and the operation
modes selected and set and the operation modes inhibited from being
set. In the figure, the mark .largecircle. indicates an operation
mode to be selected and set according to the mounting direction of
the electronic camera 1. The mark X indicates an operation mode to
be inhibited from being set according to the mounting direction of
the electronic camera 1. The mark .DELTA. indicates a mode to be
selected and set according to an instruction from the user via the
PC 55. As for the charging mode, it is set only when the power
supply of the electronic camera 1 is off, regardless of the
direction in which the electronic camera 1 is mounted.
[0118] As shown in FIG. 7, when it is determined that the
electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand 8 in the first
direction so that the front of the camera may face to the front of
the stand, not only the charging mode (when the power supply is
off) or the photographing mode (when the power supply is on) is
selected and set, but also control is performed so that the
reproducing mode and the printing mode are inhibited from being
set. The reason is that there is no sense in displaying the
reproduced image or the printing image instruction behind the back
of the stand, as the user cannot see it.
[0119] If the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand 18 in the
first direction and the power supply of the electronic camera 1 is
on, when the PC 55 is connected to the USB terminal 52 of the stand
18 and the user operates the input section (such as a keyboard) of
the PC 55 to give a specific instruction to the electronic camera
1, the operation mode is changed from the photographing mode to the
PC communication mode and the processes corresponding to the
instruction are carried out.
[0120] For example, the photographing process corresponding to a
photograph instruction or the process corresponding to the
instruction to transfer image data (or image file) recorded in the
flash memory 36 of the electronic camera 1 is carried out. In this
case, however, when the user's instruction specifies a process
(such as a reproduction process or printing process) related to the
operation mode marked with the symbol X, the process related to the
operation mode is not carried out, because the operation mode is
inhibited from being set.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 7, when the electronic camera 1 is mounted
on the stand 18 in the second direction so that the back of the
camera may face to the front of the stand, not only is the charging
mode (when the power supply is off) or the reproducing mode (when
the power supply is on) selected and set according to the ON-OFF
state of the power supply, but also control is performed so that
the photographing mode is inhibited from being set. The reason why
the photographing mode is inhibited is that, if photographing were
effected with the photographing lens section 30 and the like facing
the back of the stand, only a disappointing result would be
obtained.
[0122] If the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand 18 in the
second direction and the power supply of the electronic camera 1 is
on, when the PC 55 is connected to the USB terminal 52 of the stand
18 and the user operates the input section of the PC 55 to give a
specific instruction to the electronic camera 1, the operation mode
is changed from the reproduction mode to the PC communication mode
and the process corresponding to the instruction is carried
out.
[0123] For example, the reproducing process corresponding to a
reproduce instruction or the process corresponding to an
instruction to transfer the image data recorded in the flash memory
36 of the electronic camera 1 is carried out. When the instruction
is a print instruction, the operation mode is changed to the
printing mode and the processes corresponding to the instruction
are carried out. In this case, too, when the user's instruction
specifies a process (in this case, the photographing process)
related to the operation mode marked with the symbol X, the process
related to the operation mode is not carried out, because the
operation mode is inhibited from being set.
[0124] Next, an example of the operation of the first embodiment
will be explained. With both the power supply switch of the
electronic camera 1 and the stand switch 53 being off, when the
electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand 18 so that the front of
the camera faces either the front or the back of the stand, the
electric contacts 11 to 16 of the electronic camera 1 come into
contact with the electric contacts 21 to 26 of the stand 18,
respectively. As a result of the electric contact 16 making contact
with the electric contact 26 (GND), it is sensed that the
electronic camera 1 has been mounted on the stand 18. At this time,
the direction in which the electronic camera 1 is mounted is
determined, depending on whether the electric contact 17 has made
contact with the electric contact 27. Then, according to the
determined direction in which the electronic camera 1 has been
mounted, not only is a suitable operation mode selected and set,
but also the improper operation modes are inhibited from being set.
At this point in time, however, because the power supply of the
electronic camera 1 is off, the operation mode to be selected and
set is the charging mode, regardless of the mounting direction of
the electronic camera 1.
[0125] When it is determined that the electric contacts 17 and 27
are in contact with each other and the electronic camera is mounted
in such a manner that the front of the camera faces the front of
the stand, the reproducing mode and the printing mode are inhibited
from being set. When it is determined that the electric contacts 17
and 27 are not in contact with each other and the electronic camera
is mounted so that the back of the camera faces the front of the
stand, the photographing mode is inhibited from being set.
Determination of the mounting direction of the electronic camera 1
is performed each time the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the
stand 18.
[0126] It is now assumed that the electronic camera 1 is mounted on
the stand 18. Now, the stand 18 supplies power to the electronic
camera 1 via the electric contacts 22, 12. At this time, the
operation mode set in the electronic camera 1 is the charging mode.
Therefore, the changeover circuit 48 switches the power supply
destination to the charging circuit 49, which starts to charge the
battery 47, a secondary battery. When the amount of the remaining
power of the battery 47, a secondary battery, indicates Full, or
when the battery 47 is a primary battery, the charging operation is
not performed.
[0127] Here, when the stand switch 53 is turned on to turn on the
power supply of the electronic camera 1, the CPU 41 is informed via
the electric contacts 21, 11 of an instruction to turn on the power
supply. Then, the changeover circuit 48 switches the power supply
destination to the power supply circuit 50. Thus, electric power is
supplied to each section of the electronic camera 1 via the power
supply circuit 50. As described above, when the power supply of the
electronic camera 1 is turned on, the operation mode is changed
from the charging mode to a specific operation mode according to
the determined mounting direction of the electronic camera 1.
[0128] For example, when it is determined that the camera is
mounted so that the front of the camera faces the front of the
stand, the operation mode is changed from the charging mode to the
photographing mode. In a state where the operation mode has been
changed to the photographing mode, when a photograph instruction is
received from, for example, a remote control unit (not shown), the
photographing process corresponding to the instruction is carried
out.
[0129] Furthermore, in a state where the PC 55 is connected to the
USB terminal 52 of the stand 18, when the user operates the input
section of the PC 55 to give a specific instruction to the
electronic camera 1, the operation mode is changed from the
photographing mode to the PC communication mode and the process
corresponding to the instruction is carried out. For example, the
photographing process corresponding to the photograph instruction,
the process corresponding to the image data transfer instruction,
or the like is carried out. At this time, however, since the
reproduction mode and the printing mode are inhibited from being
set, neither the reproducing process nor the printing process are
carried out, even if the user gives a reproduce instruction or a
print instruction. Here, to execute the reproducing process or
printing process with the electronic camera 1 mounted on the stand
18, the user has only to change the mounting direction of the
electronic camera 1.
[0130] If the power supply of the electronic camera 1 is turned on,
when it is determined that the back of the camera faces the front
of the stand, the operation mode is changed from the charging mode
to the reproducing mode. In a state where the operation mode has
been changed to the reproducing mode, a reproduce instruction is
received from, for example, the remote control unit (not shown),
the reproducing process is carried out according to the
instruction. In this case, however, the optical signal from the
remote control unit is inputted via the light guide 29 of the stand
18.
[0131] Furthermore, in a state where the PC 55 is connected to the
USB terminal 52 of the stand 18, when the user operates the input
section of the PC 55 to give a specific instruction to the
electronic camera 1, the operation mode is changed from the
reproducing mode to the PC communication mode and the process
corresponding to the instruction is carried out. For example, the
reproducing process corresponding to a reproduce instruction, the
process corresponding to an image data transfer instruction, or the
like is carried out. When the instruction is a print instruction,
the operation mode is changed to the printing mode and the printing
process corresponding to the print instruction is carried out. At
this time, however, since the photographing mode is inhibited from
being set, the photographing process is not carried out, even if
the user gives a photograph instruction. Here, to execute a
photographing process with the electronic camera 1 mounted on the
stand 18, the user has only to change the mounting direction of the
electronic camera 1.
[0132] As described above, with the first embodiment, even when the
electronic camera 1 is mounted on the stand 18 in such a manner
that the front of the camera faces to the front or the back of the
stand, it is possible to supply power from the stand 18 to the
electronic camera 1 and achieve data transmission and reception
between the electronic camera 1 and the stand 18. Therefore, the
user can make good use of the electronic camera 1 mounted on the
stand 18.
[0133] Furthermore, according to the mounting direction of the
electronic camera 1, a suitable operation mode for the mounting
direction is selected and set automatically. Thus, there is no need
for the user to operate the input specify section 45 of the
electronic camera 1 manually and select and set the operation mode
as in the prior art. There is no possibility that limited
operations will cause the operation mode to be selected or set
erroneously. Since the setting of the operation modes unsuitable
for the mounting direction is automatically inhibited according to
the mounting direction of the electronic camera 1, neither a
meaningless process nor an unwanted process is carried out.
[0134] In addition, the following modification of the first
embodiment can be considered. For example, the way the electronic
camera 1 is connected to the stand 18 is not limited to the use of
the connection 4 shown in FIG. 2 and the connection 20 shown in
FIG. 5. Any connection form may be used, provided that the
connection between the front of the camera and the front of the
stand is possible even when the electronic camera 1 is mounted on
the stand 18 so that the front of the camera faces to either the
front or the back of the stand. For instance, in the connection 4
shown in FIG. 2, the electric contacts 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b, 15b, 16b
may be eliminated from the configuration. Moreover, in the
connection 20 shown in FIG. 5, the electric contacts 21b, 22b, 23b,
24b, 25b, 26b may be eliminated from the configuration.
[0135] While in the first embodiment, means for sensing the
direction in which the electronic camera 1 is mounted is configured
so as to use the contact/noncontact (or continuity/discontinuity)
between the electric contacts 17 and 27, the present invention is
not limited to this. For instance, a mounting direction sensing
switch may be provided on the electronic camera 1 and further a
projecting part corresponding to the mounting direction sensing
switch may be provided on the stand 18. With this configuration,
only when the camera is mounted in such a manner that the front of
the camera faces the front or the back of the stand, the projecting
part pushes back the mounting direction sensing switch to turn on
the switch. Alternatively, an optical sensor may be provided on the
electronic camera 1, and further, a light cutting-off projecting
part or the like may be disposed on the stand 18. With this
configuration, only when the camera is mounted in such a manner
that the front of the camera faces the front or the back of the
stand, the projecting part or the like cuts off the light to turn
on the mounting direction sensing switch. Furthermore, if an AE
(Automatic Exposure) sensor and a WB (White Balance) sensor or the
like are provided at the front of the camera, when the camera is
mounted so that the front of the camera faces the back of the
stand, those sensors are covered with the back of the stand and
therefore the outputs of the sensors become low.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0136] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a primary configuration of
an electronic camera system including an electronic camera 1 and a
stand 18 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
To simplify an explanation, the same parts as those in FIG. 6 are
indicated by the same reference numerals and an explanation of the
parts is omitted.
[0137] As shown in FIG. 8, an electronic camera 57 according to the
second embodiment further comprises a lens cover (or a lens
barrier) 58 for protecting the photographing lens section 30 and
the like and a lens cover switch (SW) 59. The lens cover 58 of the
second embodiment, which is a manually-operated cover, can be
opened and closed freely by the user. The lens cover switch 59 is a
switch that performs on/off operations in such a manner that it
interlocks with the opening and closing of the lens cover 58.
[0138] The CPU 64 carries out almost the same processes as those
carried out by the CPU 41 shown in FIG. 6. The CPU 64 differs from
the CPU 41 in that the former carries out the processes taking into
account the open or closed state of the lens cover 58 when a
suitable operation mode is selected and set according to the
mounting direction of the electronic camera 57, and unsuitable
operation modes are inhibited from being set.
[0139] FIG. 9 shows an example of the relationship between the
mounting direction of the electronic camera 1, the open or closed
state of the lens cover 58, the operation modes to be selected and
set, and the operation modes to be inhibited from being set. The
marks .largecircle., X, .DELTA. shown in the figure have the same
meanings as those in FIG. 7.
[0140] In FIG. 9, when the lens cover 58 is in the open state (I),
(III), the operation modes to be selected and set are the same as
the operation modes shown in FIG. 6. With the lens cover in the
closed state (II), (IV), when the power supply of the mounted
electronic camera 57 is off, the charging mode is selected and set,
regardless of the mounting direction of the electronic camera
57.
[0141] If the electronic camera 57 is mounted on the stand 18 in
the first direction so that the front of the camera faces the front
of the stand and the lens over 58 is in the closed state (II), when
the power supply of the electronic camera 57 is turned on, not only
is the PC communication mode selected and set, but also the
reproduction mode, printing mode, and photographing mode are
inhibited from being set. The reason why the photographing mode is
inhibited from being set is that the photographing process cannot
be carried out with the lens cover 58 in the closed state.
[0142] If the electronic camera 57 is mounted on the stand 18 in
the second direction so that the back of the camera faces the front
of the stand and the lens over 58 is in the closed state (IV), when
the power supply of the electronic camera 57 is turned on, not only
is the PC communication mode selected and set, but also the
reproduction mode and photographing mode are inhibited from being
set. In this case, however, when the user gives a print instruction
via the PC 55, the operation mode is changed to the printing mode
and the printing process corresponding to the print instruction is
carried out.
[0143] Even if a manually operated lens cover 58 is provided, as in
the electronic camera 57 of the second embodiment, a suitable
operation mode according to the mounting direction of the
electronic camera 57 can be selected and set automatically and the
setting of the unsuitable operation modes can be inhibited
automatically.
[0144] In the second embodiment, the opening/closing of the lens
cover 58 in the electronic camera 1 may be linked with the turning
on and off of the power supply.
THIRD EMBODIMENT
[0145] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state where an electronic
camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention is
mounted on a stand so that the front of the camera faces to the
front of the stand. FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are drawings showing a
state where the electronic camera is mounted on the stand so that
the back of the camera faces to the front of the stand, where FIG.
11A is a left side view and FIG. 11B is a front view. FIG. 12 is a
bottom view of the electronic camera of the third embodiment. To
simplify an explanation, the same parts in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 as
those in the first embodiment (FIG. 1A to FIG. 7) are indicated by
the same reference numerals and an explanation of the parts is
omitted.
[0146] In the third embodiment, the connection 4 is provided at the
base of the camera and the stand is provided so as to correspond to
the connection. As shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11A, and FIG. 11B, and
FIG. 12, an electronic camera 60 of the third embodiment has a
connection 4 in the center of the base. The connection 4 has the
same configuration as that of the connection 4 shown in FIG. 2. In
part of the base of the camera, a battery lid 61, a tripod screw
62, and others are provided. The battery lid 61 is opened and
closed when the battery housed in a battery compartment 10 is
replaced. A stand 63 of the third embodiment has a connection 20 in
the center of the camera mounting section so that the connection 20
faces the connection 4 of the mounted electronic camera 60. The
connection 20 of the stand has the same configuration as that of
the connection 20 shown in FIG. 5.
[0147] As described above, even when the camera is mounted on the
stand 18 so that the front of the camera faces either the front or
the back of the stand, the relative position of the connection 4 of
the electronic camera 60 and the connection 20 of the stand 63
remains unchanged.
[0148] Although not shown, a light guide 29 as shown in FIG. 3,
FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4C may be provided on the stand 63. With this
configuration, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the camera is mounted on
the stand so that the back of the camera faces the front of the
stand, a remote control signal sent from the stand front side may
be directed to the remote control signal light-receiving window
7.
[0149] As described above, the third embodiment configured as
described above produces the same effect as that of the first
embodiment.
FOURTH EMBODIMENT
[0150] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a state where an electronic
camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is
mounted on a stand in such a manner that the front of the camera
faces the front of the stand. FIG. 14 is a front view showing a
state where the electronic camera according to the fourth
embodiment is mounted on the stand in such a manner that the back
of the camera faces the front of the stand. FIG. 15 is a bottom
view of the electronic camera according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a top view of the stand according to the fourth
embodiment. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a principal
configuration of the power supply coil of the stand of the fourth
embodiment and its vicinity.
[0151] FIG. 15 shows a state where a mirror frame unit 8 is stuck
forward out of the camera. FIG. 16 shows a state where the front of
the stand faces in the direction of the arrow B. To simplify an
explanation, the same component parts in FIG. 13 to FIG. 17 as
those in the first embodiment (FIG. 1A to FIG. 7) are indicated by
the same reference numerals and an explanation of the parts is
omitted.
[0152] In the fourth embodiment, the supply of power from the stand
to the electronic camera and data transmission and reception
between the electronic camera and the stand are carried out by a
non-contact transmission system and that the direction of the
electronic camera mounted on the stand is sensed by a mounting
direction sensing switch.
[0153] As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, a power-receiving coil 75
for receiving power from the stand 71 in a noncontacting manner is
embedded in the center of the base of the electronic camera 70 as
shown by dotted lines. In addition, a power-supplying coil 81 for
supplying power to the electronic camera 70 in a non-contact manner
is embedded as shown by dotted lines.
[0154] The power-receiving coil 75 of the electronic camera 70 and
the power-supplying coil 81 of the stand 71 are arranged so that
they face each other, whether the front or back of the camera faces
the front of the stand as shown in FIG. 13.
[0155] As shown in FIG. 15, in the vicinity of the power-receiving
coil 75 at the base of the camera, there are provided a
light-emitting window 72 for sending the optical signal emitted
from a light-emitting element, explained later, to the stand 71
side and a light-receiving window 73 for receiving the optical
signal sent from the stand 71 and letting the signal enter a
light-receiving element, explained later. In two positions
symmetrical with each other at the base of the camera, a pair of
engaging holes 74a and 74b are made. In the inner part of one
engaging hole 74a, there is provided a mounting direction sensing
switch 90 that turns on when a projecting part provided on the
stand 71 side is inserted into the hole 74. In the inner part of
the other engaging hole 74b, such a mounting direction sensing
switch is not provided. At the base of the camera, there are
provided the same battery compartment 61, tripod screw 62, and
others as those of FIG. 12.
[0156] In the fourth embodiment, whether the camera is mounted with
the front of the camera facing the front or the back of the stand
is determined according to the output of the mounting direction
switch 90. Specifically, with the electronic camera 70 mounted on
the stand 71, when the mounting direction sensing switch 90 is on,
it is determined that the front of the camera faces to the front of
the stand. When the mounting direction sensing switch 90 is off, it
is determined that the back of the camera faces to the front of the
stand.
[0157] As shown in FIG. 16, in the vicinity of the part where the
power-supplying coil 81 embedded in the camera mounting section (in
the figure, the two-dots-dash line part corresponding to an
imaginary line representing the base of the camera) 71a formed in
the upper part of the stand 71, there are provided light-receiving
windows 76a and 76b for receiving the optical signal sent from the
electronic camera 70 and letting the signal enter a light-receiving
element, explained later; light-emitting windows 77a and 77b for
sending the optical signal emitted from a light-emitting element,
explained later, to the camera side; a projecting part 78 inserted
into either the engaging hole 74a or 74b of the electronic camera
70 when the electronic camera 70 is mounted on the stand 71, and
others.
[0158] The light-receiving windows 76a and 76b are connected to a
light guide 79 shown by a dotted line. The light-emitting windows
77a and 77b are connected to a light guide 80 shown similarly by a
dotted line.
[0159] As shown in FIG. 17, the light guide 79 is for directing an
optical signal inputted through the light-receiving windows 76a,
76b to a light-receiving element 82. The light guide 80 is for
directing the optical signal emitted from the light-emitting
element 83 to the light-emitting windows 77a, 77b. In this way, the
optical signals received by the light-receiving windows 76a, 76b
are directed to a light-receiving element 82, which then receives
the signals. In addition, the optical signal emitted from a
light-emitting element 83 is directed by the light guide 80 to the
light-emitting windows 77a, 77b, which emit light.
[0160] Thus, when the electronic camera 70 is mounted on the stand
so that the front of the camera faces the front of the stand, the
power-receiving coil 75 of the electronic camera 70 comes close to
and faces the power-supplying coil 81 of the stand 71. Moreover,
the light-emitting window 72 and light-receiving window 73 of the
electronic camera 70 face the light-receiving window 76a and
light-emitting window 77a of the stand 71, respectively. At this
time, the projecting part 78 of the stand 71 is inserted into the
engaging hole 74a of the electronic camera 1.
[0161] Furthermore, when the electronic camera 70 is mounted on the
stand so that the back of the camera faces the front of the stand,
the power-receiving coil 75 of the electronic camera 70 comes close
to and faces the power-supplying coil 81 of the stand 71. Moreover,
the light-emitting window 72 and light-receiving window 73 of the
electronic camera 70 face the light-receiving window 76a and
light-emitting window 77b of the stand 71, respectively. At this
time, the projecting part 78 of the stand 71 is inserted into the
engaging hole 74b of the electronic camera 1.
[0162] With this configuration, when the electronic camera 70 is
mounted on the stand 71 so that the front of the camera faces
either the front or the back of the stand, the mounting direction
is determined from the output of the mounting direction sensing
switch 90.
[0163] It is therefore possible to supply power from the stand 71
to the electronic camera 70 and perform data transmission and
reception between the electronic camera 70 and stand 71. Whether
the front of the camera faces the front or back of the stand.
[0164] In the fourth embodiment, a light guide may be provided for
directing the remote control signal transmitted from the stand
front side to the remote control signal light-receiving window 7
when the electronic camera 70 is mounted on the stand 71 with the
back of the camera facing the front side of the stand.
[0165] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a principal configuration
of an electronic camera system including the electronic camera 70
and stand 71 according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 18, the
same parts as those of FIG. 6 are indicated by the same reference
numerals and a detailed explanation of them is omitted.
[0166] The electronic camera 70 shown in FIG. 18 comprises the
mounting direction sensing switch 90, the modulation-demodulation
section 91, a light-emitting element 92, a light-receiving element
93, the power-receiving coil 75, and an AC/DC converter circuit
94.
[0167] The mounting direction sensing switch 90, when turned on by
a projecting part 78 provided on a stand, outputs the ON signal to
a CPU 93.
[0168] To cause the light-emitting element 92 to emit an optical
signal corresponding to the data sent to the stand 71, the
modulation-demodulation section 91 modulates the transmission data
and outputs the resulting data to the light-emitting element 92. In
addition, to send the output corresponding to the optical signal
received by the light-receiving element 93 to a CPU 94 or the like,
the modulation-demodulation section 91 demodulates the output into
the data that can be processed by the CPU 94 or the like.
[0169] The light-emitting element 92 is an element that emits an
optical signal corresponding to the modulated data inputted from
the modulation-demodulation section 91 to the stand 71 side. For
instance, the light-emitting element 92 outputs an optical signal
corresponding to a USB data or video signal.
[0170] The light-receiving element 93 receives an optical signal
(e.g., an optical signal corresponding to USB data, a mounting
sense signal, and a stand switch signal) from the stand 71 side,
and supplies the output corresponding to the optical signal to the
modulation-demodulation section 91.
[0171] The power-receiving coil 75 receives an AC power supply
(e.g., 10V AC, 100 kHz) supplied from the power-supplying coil 81
of the stand 71, through electromagnetic induction, and outputs the
power to the AC/DC converter circuit 94.
[0172] The AC/DC converter circuit 95 converts the inputted AC
power supply into a DC power supply (e.g., 6V DC) and outputs the
converted DC power supply to the changeover circuit 48.
[0173] The CPU (central processing unit) 93 basically carries out
almost the same processes as those carried out by the CPU 41 shown
in FIG. 6. However, the CPU 93 carries out the following processes
because of the difference in configuration. According to the
mounting sense signal or stand switch (SW) signal sensed via the
light-receiving element 93 and modulation-demodulation section 91,
the CPU carries out the process of determining whether the
electronic camera 70 is mounted on the stand 71, the process of
turning on the power supply of the electronic camera 70, and
others. The CPU further carries out not only the process of
determining the mounting direction of the electronic camera 70
according to the output of the mounting direction sensing switch 90
and selects and sets a suitable operation mode according to the
mounting direction but also the process of inhibiting an unsuitable
operation mode from being set. The relationship between the
mounting direction, the operation mode selected and set according
to the mounting direction, and the operation mode inhibited from
being set is the same as shown in FIG. 3.
[0174] The stand 71 shown in FIG. 18 comprises a projecting part
78, a light-receiving element 82, a light-emitting element 83, a
modulation-demodulation section 95, an AC/AC converter circuit 96,
a high-frequency converter circuit 97, and a power-supplying coil
81.
[0175] The projecting part 78 is for turning on the mounting
direction sensing switch 90 when inserted in the engaging hole 74a
in the electronic camera 70.
[0176] The light-receiving element 82 is an element that outputs to
the modulation-demodulation section 95 an output corresponding to
the received optical signal (e.g., the optical signal corresponding
to a video signal or USB data).
[0177] The light-emitting element 83 is an element that emits an
optical signal corresponding to the modulated data supplied from
the modulation-demodulation section 95 (e.g., the optical signal
corresponding to USB data, stand switch (SW) signal, or the
mounting sense signal). The light-emitting element outputs the
optical signal corresponding to the mounting sense signal at, for
example, specific time intervals.
[0178] The modulation-demodulation section 95 demodulates the
output corresponding to the optical signal from the electronic
camera 70 received by the light-receiving element 82 into a data
(signal) that can be processed by a display unit connected to the
video terminal 51 or an external unit connected to the USB terminal
52. Furthermore, to cause the light-emitting element 83 to emit an
optical signal corresponding to the data sent to the electronic
camera 70, the modulation-demodulation section modulates the
transmission data and outputs the modulated data to the
light-emitting element 83.
[0179] The AC/AC converter circuit 96 converts the commercial AC
power supply (e.g., 100V AC) inputted via the AC plug 18 into an AC
power supply (e.g., 10V AC) of a specific voltage level suited in
supplying power to the electronic camera 70.
[0180] The high-frequency converter circuit 97 converts the
frequency (e.g., 50 Hz) of the AC power supply supplied from the
AC/AC converter circuit 96 into a specific frequency (e.g., 100
kHz) suitable for supplying power to the electronic camera 70
through electromagnetic induction.
[0181] The power-supplying coil 81 is a coil that supplies AC power
(e.g., 10V AC, 100 kHz) converted to be a suitable AC voltage and
frequency for the power-receiving coil 75 of the electronic camera
70.
[0182] Next, an example of the operation of the fourth embodiment
will be explained. It is assumed that, with both the power switch
of the electronic camera 70 and the stand switch 53 being off, the
electronic camera 70 is mounted on the stand 71 with the front of
the camera facing the front or the back of the stand. Then, the
optical signal corresponding to the mounting sense signal outputted
from the light-emitting element 83 of the stand 71 at specific
intervals of time is sensed by the light-receiving element 93 of
the electronic camera 70. As a result, it is determined that the
electronic camera 70 is mounted on the stand 71. At this time, the
mounting direction sensing switch 90 of the electronic camera 70 is
turned on or off according to the mounting direction of the
electronic camera 70, thereby outputting a specific sense signal.
On the basis of the output, the mounting direction of the
electronic camera 70 is determined. In the CPU 93, not only is a
suitable operation mode selected and set according to the
determined mounting direction, but also the unsuitable operation
modes are inhibited from being set. At this point in time, since
the power supply of the electronic camera 70 is off, the operation
mode to be selected and set is the charging mode, regardless of the
mounting direction.
[0183] When the mounting direction sensing switch 90 is turned on
and it is determined that the camera has been mounted in the first
direction, with the camera facing the front of the stand, the
reproducing mode and the printing mode are inhibited from being
set. In addition, when the mounting direction sensing switch 90 is
turned off and it is determined that the camera has been mounted in
the second direction with the back of the camera facing the front
of the stand, the photographing mode is inhibited from being set.
The mounting direction of the electronic camera 70 is determined
each time the electronic camera 70 is mounted on the stand 71.
[0184] On the other hand, when the electronic camera 70 is mounted
on the stand 71, the stand 71 supplies power to the electronic
camera 70 through electromagnetic induction between the
power-supplying coil 81 and the power-receiving coil 75. At this
time, the operation mode set in the electronic camera 70 is the
charging mode. Thus, the changeover circuit 48 switches the power
supply destination to the charging circuit 49, thereby starting to
charge the battery 47, a secondary battery. When the amount of
remaining power of the battery 47, a second battery, is Full, or
when the battery 47 is a primary battery, charging is not
performed.
[0185] Here, when the stand switch 53 is turned on to turn on the
power supply of the electronic camera 70, the signal passes through
the light-emitting element 83 and the light-receiving element 93
and is notified to the CPU 93. Then, the changeover circuit 48
switches the power supply destination to the power supply circuit
50. This allows the power supply circuit 50 to supply power to each
section of the electronic camera 70.
[0186] The operation after the power supply of the electronic
camera 70 is turned on is the same as in the first embodiment.
Specifically, according to the determined mounting direction of the
electronic camera 70, the operation mode is changed from the
charging mode to the photographing mode or the reproducing mode. In
addition, with the PC being connected to the USB terminal of the
stand 71, when the user operates the input section of the PC to
give a specific instruction to the electronic camera 70, the
operation mode is changed to the. PC communication mode and the
operation corresponding to the instruction is carried out. For
example, the process corresponding to an image data transfer
instruction or the like is carried out. Moreover, with the camera
being mounted so that the back of the camera faces the front of the
stand, when the user gives a print instruction via the PC, the
operation mode is changed to the printing mode and the printing
operation corresponding to the instruction is carried out.
Depending on the mounting direction, the processes related to the
operation modes prevented from being set are not carried out.
[0187] As described above, the fourth embodiment has the advantages
as explained in the first embodiment, and performs the supply of
power from the stand 71 to the electronic camera 70 and data
transmission and reception between the electronic camera 70 and the
stand 71 in a noncontact manner.
[0188] While in the fourth embodiment, the mounting direction
sensing switch 90 has been used to sense the mounting direction of
the electronic camera 70 mounted on the stand 71, the mounting
direction may be sensed by using, for example, the aforementioned
optical sensor, AE sensor, WB sensor, or the like. Furthermore,
like the electronic camera 57 of FIG. 8, the electronic camera 70
of the fourth embodiment may be provided with a manually-operated
lens cover. In this case, for example, on the basis of the
relationship shown in FIG. 9, not only is a suitable operation mode
selected and set, but also the unsuitable operation modes are
inhibited from being set.
FIFTH EMBODIMENT
[0189] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the external
appearance of the electronic camera system 100 according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 19, the same parts as
those in the first embodiment (FIG. 1A to FIG. 7) are indicated by
the same reference numerals and a detailed explanation of them is
omitted. Although not shown, it is assumed that the electronic
camera 101 and stand 102 are connected to each other via a
connection with the electric contacts shown in the first embodiment
or via the noncontacting transmission system shown in the fourth
embodiment.
[0190] In the fifth embodiment, the stand is composed of two parts,
an upper unit and a lower unit. The upper unit on which the
electronic camera is mounted is so constructed that it can rotate
with respect to the lower unit. As shown in FIG. 19, the stand 102
on which the electronic camera 101 is mounted is composed of two
parts, an upper unit 102a and a lower unit 102b. The upper unit
102a is provided so as to be capable of rotating via a rotating
table 103 with respect to the lower unit 102b so that either the
front or the back of the upper unit 102 may face the front of the
lower unit 102b.
[0191] In the fifth embodiment, the mounting direction signal of
the camera with respect to the upper unit 102a and the signal
representing the direction of the upper unit 102a with respect to
the lower unit 102b are sent from the stand 102 to the electronic
camera 101. On the basis of the two signals, the direction of the
electronic camera 101 with respect to the lower unit 102b can be
sensed.
[0192] According to the mounting direction of the electronic camera
101 with respect to the lower unit 102b, for example, a suitable
operation mode can be selected and set and unsuitable operation
modes, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, can be prevented from being
set.
[0193] As described above, with the fifth embodiment, the user can
change the mounting direction of the electronic camera 101 without
removing the electronic camera 101 from the stand 102 by just
rotating the upper unit 102a on which the electronic camera 101 has
been mounted, with respect to the lower unit 102b. Even this
configuration enables not only a suitable operation mode to be
selected and set automatically but also the unsuitable operation
modes to be automatically prevented from being set.
[0194] In the fifth embodiment, the mounting direction of the
electronic camera 101 with respect to the upper unit 102a may be
fixed in such a manner that, for example, the front of the camera
always faces the front or the back of the upper unit 102a. This
makes it possible to determine the mounting direction of the
electronic camera 101 with respect to the lower unit 102b by
sensing only the direction of the upper unit 102a with respect to
the lower unit 102b.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIRST TO FIFTH EMBODIMENTS
[0195] [1] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments comprises an electronic camera 1 having a plurality of
operation modes, and a camera stand 18 which is provided so as to
enable the electronic camera 1 to be mounted thereon and which has
power-supplying means for supplying power to the mounted electronic
camera 1. The system is characterized in that the electronic camera
1 is mountable on the camera stand 18 either in a first direction
in which the front of the camera faces the front of the camera
stand 18 or in a second direction in which the back of the camera
faces the front of the camera stand 18. The stand 18 includes
sensing means (17, 27, and the like) for sensing the direction the
camera is mounted on the camera stand 18, and control means for
selecting a specific operation mode from a plurality of operation
modes, according to the mounting direction sensed by the direction
sensing means, and setting the selected mode.
[0196] In the electronic camera system, when the electronic camera
1 is mounted on the camera stand 18 in either the first or second
direction, a specific operation mode is selected and set
automatically according to the mounting direction.
[0197] [2] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [1] is characterized in that the power
supplying means of the camera stand 18 is capable of supplying
power to the electronic camera 1 mounted in either the first
direction or the second direction.
[0198] In the electronic camera system, power is supplied whether
the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the camera stand 18 in the
first direction or the second direction.
[0199] [3] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [1], characterized in that the control means
selects and sets a photographing mode when the mounting direction
of the electronic camera 1 sensed by the direction sensing means is
the first direction.
[0200] [4] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [3] is characterized in that the control means
includes means for selecting and setting the photographing mode on
the condition that the lens cover 58 of the electronic camera 1 is
open.
[0201] In the electronic camera system, only when the electronic
camera 1 is mounted in the first direction and the lens cover 58 is
open is it possible to select and set the photographing mode.
[0202] [5] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [3] is characterized in that the control means
includes means for inhibiting further setting to a reproducing
mode, when the mounting direction of the electronic camera 1 sensed
by the direction sensing means is the first direction.
[0203] In the electronic camera system, when the electronic camera
1 is mounted in the first direction, setting to the reproduction
mode is inhibited.
[0204] [6] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [5] is characterized in that the control means
includes means for, according to an instruction, further changing
the photographing mode to an external communication mode in which
communication is performed with an external unit, when the mounting
direction of the electronic camera 1 sensed by the direction
sensing means is the first direction.
[0205] In the electronic camera system, with the electronic camera
1 being mounted in the first direction, for example, when an
instruction is externally given, the photographing mode is changed
to the external communication mode. The external communication mode
includes, for example, a PC communication mode in which
communication is performed with a personal computer (PC).
[0206] [7] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and items [1] to [6] is characterized in that the
control means selects and sets the reproducing mode, when the
mounting direction of the electronic camera 1 sensed by the
direction sensing means is the second direction.
[0207] In the electronic camera system, when the electronic camera
1 is mounted in the second direction, the reproducing mode is
selected and set.
[0208] [8] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [7] is characterized in that the control means
includes means for inhibiting further setting to the photographing
mode, when the mounting direction of the electronic camera 1 sensed
by the direction sensing means is the second direction.
[0209] In the electronic camera system, when the electronic camera
1 is mounted in the second direction, setting to the photographing
mode is inhibited.
[0210] [9] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [8] is characterized in that the control means
includes means for, according to an instruction, further changing
the reproducing mode to the external communication mode or a print
mode, when the mounting direction of the electronic camera 1 sensed
by the direction sensing means is the second direction.
[0211] In the electronic camera system, when the electronic camera
1 is mounted in the second direction, for example, when an
instruction is externally given, the photographing mode is changed
to the external communication mode or print mode (or printing mode)
according to the instruction.
[0212] [10] The electronic camera 1 described in the embodiments
has a plurality of operation modes and, when being mounted on a
camera stand 18, receives power from power-supplying means provided
in the camera stand 18, and is characterized by being provided so
as to be capable of being mounted on the camera stand 18 either in
a first direction in which the front of the camera faces to the
front of the camera stand or in a second direction in which the
back of the camera faces to the front of the camera stand 18, and
by comprising sensing means for sensing whether the direction in
which the camera is mounted on the camera stand 18 is either the
first direction or the second direction and control means for
selecting a specific operation mode from the plurality of operation
modes according to the mounting direction sensed by the direction
sensing means and setting the selected mode.
[0213] In the electronic camera 1, when the electronic camera 1 is
mounted on the camera stand 18 in either the first or the second
direction, a specific operation mode is selected and set
automatically according to the mounting direction.
[0214] [11] The camera stand 18 described in the embodiments is
characterized by including power-supplying means for supplying
power to an electronic camera 1 which is provided so as to be
capable of being mounted on the camera stand 18 either in a first
direction in which the front of the camera faces to the front of
the camera stand or in a second direction in which the back of the
camera faces to the front of the camera stand and which has the
function of selecting a specific operation mode from a plurality of
operation modes according to the mounting direction and setting the
selected mode.
[0215] In the camera stand 18, power is supplied to the electronic
camera 1 mounted on the camera stand 18, regardless of the mounting
direction.
[0216] [12] The system described in the embodiments comprises an
apparatus having a plurality of operation modes (including PDA
(Personal Digital Assistant) serving as a mobile information
terminal, a cellular phone, and an electronic apparatus, such as a
cellular phone with a camera function, in addition to an electronic
camera 1) and a stand (18) which is provided so as to enable the
apparatus (1) to be mounted thereon and includes power-supplying
means for supplying power to the mounted apparatus (1), and is
characterized in that the apparatus (1) is provided so as to be
capable of being mounted on the stand (18) either in a first
direction in which the front of the apparatus faces to the front of
the stand (18) or in a second direction in which the back of the
apparatus faces to the front of the stand (18) and includes
direction sensing means (17, 27, and the like) for sensing whether
the direction in which the camera is mounted on the stand (18) is
either the first direction or the second direction and control
means for selecting a specific operation mode from the plurality of
operation modes according to the mounting direction sensed by the
direction sensing means and setting the selected mode.
[0217] In the system, a specific operation mode is selected and set
automatically according to whether the apparatus (1) is mounted on
the stand (18) in the first direction or the second direction.
[0218] [13] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [2] is characterized in that the second
direction is a direction rotated through about 180.degree. with
respect to the first direction.
[0219] [14] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [13] is characterized in that the electronic
camera 1 has power-receiving means corresponding to the
power-supply means on the exterior or in the vicinity of the
exterior, and that the power-supplying means is provided so as to
be capable of being coupled with either the power-receiving means
of the electronic camera 1 mounted in the first direction or the
power-receiving means of the electronic camera 1 mounted in the
second direction.
[0220] In the electronic camera system, even when the electronic
camera 1 is mounted on the camera stand 18 in either the first or
the second direction, the power-receiving means provided on the
exterior of the electronic camera or in the vicinity of the
exterior is coupled with the power-supplying means of the camera
stand 18 in such a manner that they always face each other
properly.
[0221] [15] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [14] is characterized in that the electronic
camera 1 has the power-receiving means on the side face of the
camera or in the vicinity of the side face of the camera.
[0222] [16] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [14] is characterized in that the electronic
camera 1 has the power-receiving means on the base of the camera or
in the vicinity of the base of the camera.
[0223] [17] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and items [14] to [16] is characterized in that the
power-supplying means supplies power to the power-receiving means
is carried out through a noncontacting transmission system (75,
81).
[0224] In the electronic camera system, there is no possibility
that a problem will occur due to bad electrical contacts.
[0225] [18] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and items [15] to [17] is characterized in that the
electronic camera (70 and the like) and the camera stand (71 and
the like) further have data transmitting and receiving means (72,
73 and 76, 77) between them for enabling data transmission and
reception, when the electronic camera (70 and the like) is mounted
on the camera stand (71 and the like) in either the first direction
or the second direction.
[0226] In the electronic camera system, each of the data
transmitting and receiving means performs data transmission and
reception between the electronic camera and the camera stand.
[0227] [19] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [18] is characterized in that the data
transmitting and receiving means (72, 73) of the electronic camera
is provided on almost the same face as the face on which the
power-receiving means (75) is provided.
[0228] In the electronic camera system, the data transmitting and
receiving means and the power-receiving means are provided on
almost the same face, which help simplify the configuration.
[0229] [20] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [18] is characterized in that the data
transmitting and receiving means (76, 77) of the camera stand
includes a first optical conducting section (76a, 77a) provided so
as to correspond to the first direction, a second optical
conducting section (76b, 77b) provided so as to correspond to the
second direction, a pair of optical coupling means (light guides
79, 80, and the like) for coupling the first optical conducting
section and the second optical conducting section, and a
light-receiving element and a light-emitting element which emit and
receive an optical signal via the pair of optical coupling
means.
[0230] In the electronic camera system, data transmission and
reception between the electronic camera and the camera stand is
carried out by receiving and emitting optical signals (e.g.,
infrared rays). Thus, it is possible to avoid the intervention of
noise due to radio waves. The light (the optical signal, such as
infrared rays) coming from the electronic camera 70 is directed to
the light-receiving element 82 via the optical coupling means
(light guide 79). The light (optical signal, such as infrared rays,
emitted from the light-emitting element 83 is emitted via the
optical coupling means (light guide 80) to the electronic camera 70
side.
[0231] [21] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [2] is characterized in that the camera stand
further includes a light guide 29 which directs the optical signal
(remote control signal, infrared rays, or the like) transmitted
from a remote control transmitter to a remote control signal
light-receiving section 7 provided on the mounted electronic camera
1.
[0232] In the electronic camera system, the light guide 29 enables
the optical signal sent from the remote control transmitter to be
directed to the remote control signal light-receiving section of
the electronic camera, regardless of the mounting direction of the
electronic camera 1.
[0233] [22] The electronic camera 1 described in the embodiments is
characterized by being provided so as to receive power from
power-supplying means (19, 54, 20) provided for a camera stand 18,
even when the electronic camera 1 is mounted on the camera stand 18
either in a first direction in which the front of the camera faces
the front of the camera stand 18 or in a second direction in which
the back of the camera faces the front of the camera stand 18.
[0234] In the electronic camera system, even when the electronic
camera 1 is mounted on the camera stand 18 in either the first or
second direction, it can receive power from the camera stand
18.
[0235] [23] The camera stand 18 described in the embodiments is
characterized by including power-supplying means (19, 54, 20)
capable of supplying power to the electronic camera 1 mounted on
the camera mounting section of the camera stand 18 either in a
first direction in which the front of the camera faces the front of
the camera stand or in a second direction in which back of the
camera faces the front of the camera stand.
[0236] In the camera stand, power can be supplied reliably to the
electronic camera mounted in either the first or second
direction.
[0237] [24] The system described in the embodiments comprises an
apparatus having a specific function (including an electronic
apparatus, such as a PDA, a mobile phone, or a mobile phone with a
camera function, in addition to an electronic camera) and a stand
(18) which is provided so as to enable the apparatus to be mounted
thereon and includes power-supplying means for supplying power to
the mounted apparatus and is characterized in that the apparatus
(1) is provided so as to be capable of being mounted on the stand
(18) either in a first direction in which the front of the
apparatus faces the front of the stand or in a second direction in
which the back of the apparatus faces the front of the stand, and
the power-supplying means (19, 54, 20) of the stand (18) is
provided so as to supply power to the apparatus (1) mounted in
either the first or second direction.
[0238] In the system, power is reliably supplied to the apparatus
(1) whether it is mounted on the stand (18) in the first or second
direction.
SIXTH EMBODIMENT
[0239] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20E show a schematic configuration of an
electronic camera according to a sixth embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 20A is a top view, FIG. 20B is a back view, FIG.
20C is a side view, FIG. 20D is a front view, and FIG. 20E is a
bottom view.
[0240] As shown in FIG. 20A to FIG. 20E, the electronic camera 110
has a photographing lens window 112, a strobe light-emitting window
113, a remote-control light-receiving window 114, and others at the
front of a camera body 111. At the top of the camera body 111, a
release button 115 is provided. In the base, a tripod mounting hole
116, a battery-loading opening 117, and others are made. Through
the battery-loading opening 117, a secondary battery 118 is loaded
into the battery compartment in the camera body 111.
[0241] At the left side face of the camera body 111 when viewed
from the front, a connector cover 119 is provided in such a manner
that it can slide as shown by the arrow. Behind the connector cover
119, a connector 121 is provided. The connector 121 is connected to
the secondary battery 118 via a charging circuit 123 explained
later and further can be coupled with a connector 131 of a camera
stand 130, explained later.
[0242] At the back of the camera body 11, an LCD (liquid-crystal
display) 122 is provided as display means for reproducing and
displaying the images or the like recorded on a recording medium or
the like. In the camera body 111, a circuit board 120 is provided.
On the circuit board 120, a charging circuit 123 and a lens barrel
124 having the photographing lens window 112 at its tip, etc. are
provided.
[0243] FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B show a state where the electronic
camera 110 of the sixth embodiment is mounted on a stand 130 so
that the back of the camera faces the front of the stand. FIG. 21A
is a side view and FIG. 21B is a front view. As shown in FIG. 21A
and FIG. 21B, the electronic camera 110 is placed in a camera
mounting concave section 132 of the stand 130 with its left side
facing down in a position differing from the position in use, that
is, a vertical position. In such a mounting state, the connector
121 mounted on the left side face of the camera body 111 (located
in the lower half of the figure because the camera body 111 is in a
vertical position) is coupled with a connector 31 provided on the
base of the camera mounting concave section 132 on the stand
side.
[0244] The stand 130 is integrally formed into a legless-chair-like
shape made of, for example, hard resin. On the top of its base
130a, the camera mounting concave section 132 is provided. One side
face of an upright screen section has a slightly inclined back 133
for supporting one side face of the camera body 111. To the stand
130, a plug 135 is connected via a cable 134. When the plug 135 is
inserted into a power supply outlet (not shown), the stand 130
functions as a charger, etc.
[0245] FIGS. 22A to 22C show the change in orientation of the
displayed image on the LCD 122 when the electronic camera 110 is
changed from the normal-use position to the stand-mounted position.
As shown in FIG. 22A, it is assumed that, with the camera body 111
held in the normal-use position, a specific image is displayed in
an upright position on the LCD 122. To mount the electronic camera
110 on the stand 130, the camera body 11 is turned through
90.degree. into a vertical position, as shown in FIG. 22B. Then,
the displayed imaged on the LCD 22 is in a 90.degree. turn state at
a result of the change of the position of the camera body 111. As
shown in FIG. 22C, however, mounting the camera body 111 on the
stand 131 causes the connector 121 on the electronic camera side to
connect to the connector 131 on the stand side. In this state, the
displayed image on the LCD 122 is displayed in an upright position
as shown in the figure, regardless of the fact that the camera body
111 is changed from the horizontal position to the vertical
position. However, in the upper and lower parts of the
vertically-positioned display screen, band-like undisplayed areas
122X, called black back or blue back, appear.
[0246] FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
control system of the electronic camera system including the
electronic camera 110 with the displayed=image direction=changing
function and the stand 130. The part enclosed by a dashed line in
the upper part of the figure indicates the electronic camera 110
and the part enclosed by a dashed line in the lower part of the
figure indicates the stand 130.
[0247] First, the stand 10 will be explained. The stand 130
incorporates an AC/DC converter for converting a commercial AC
power supply (e.g., 100V AC) into a lower voltage rectified power
supply. The stand includes a video output terminal (jack) VID and a
serial bus connection terminal (jack) USB as a signal communication
terminal. Then, the AC/DC converter 136, video output terminal
(jack) VID, and serial bus connection terminal (jack) USB are
electrically connected to each section of the camera body 111 via
the connector 131 on the stand side and the connector 121 on the
electronic camera side.
[0248] One of the connector 121 on the electronic camera 110 side
and the connector 131 on the stand 130 side is a plug and the other
is a jack. They are capable of being connected detachably. With the
connector 121 and connector 31 connected to each other, each
section of the electronic camera 110 is connected to each section
of the stand 130 via the corresponding connector terminal.
[0249] Specifically, a ground section E1 on the stand side is
connected to a ground section E1 on the electronic camera side via
a connector terminal a. The AC/DC converter 36 on the stand side is
connected to the changeover circuit 171 in the power supply section
170 on the electronic camera side via a connector terminal b. A
ground section E2 on the stand side is connected to a potential
control terminal P in the stand mount sensing circuit 160 on the
electronic camera side via a connector terminal d. The serial bus
connection terminal (jack) USB on the stand side is connected to
the serial bus connection terminal (jack) USB on the electronic
camera side via a connector terminal e. Similarly, the video output
terminal (jack) VID is connected to the video output terminal
(jack) VID on the electronic camera side via a connector terminal
f.
[0250] Next, the electronic camera 110 will be explained. The
electronic camera 110 has a photographing optical system 140
including a photographing lens 141, a mechanical shutter 142, a
photographing element (e.g., CCD photographing element) 143 in the
camera body 111. The electric signal corresponding to the subject
image picked up by the photographing optical system 140 is
converted into image data at a photographing circuit 144. The image
data is supplied via a data bus 150 to a temporary storage memory
151 composed of DRAM or the like, which stores the image data
temporarily. The temporarily stored image data is subjected to a
compression process at an image processing unit 152 and then is
stored in an image recording medium 153 composed of a flash memory
or the like. Information SB about the direction of each image is
attached to the image data stored in the image recording medium
153.
[0251] The image data stored in the image recording medium 153 is
read from the recording medium in reproduction. After the image
data is subjected to an expansion process at the image processing
unit 152, the resulting data is stored temporarily in the temporary
storage memory 151. Then, the temporarily stored reproduced data is
supplied via an LCD driver 155 to the LCD 22, which displays
images. The reproduced image data can also be output via a video
driver 56 at the video output terminal VID, to an external display
unit (not shown). This makes it possible to display the data on an
external monitor at any time.
[0252] When the display image data is supplied via the LCD driver
155 to the LCD 122, which displays the image, or outputted via the
video drover 156 at the video output terminal VID, from which the
data is supplied to the external display unit (not shown) for
displaying the image, the direction of the displayed image is
changed suitably by image direction changing means, explained
later, with the result that the image is displayed in an upright
position.
[0253] The LCD 122 includes a clock display section 122T for
displaying the clock data supplied from a clock section 157 the
direction of a clock representation displayed on the clock display
section 122T can also be changed by clock display changing means
included in the image direction changing means.
[0254] In FIG. 23, reference numeral 158 indicates an operation
program section for causing the CPU 154 to carry out a specific
operation. Reference numeral 159 indicates an interface for
exchanging signals via the serial bus connection terminal (jack)
USB.
[0255] The electronic camera 110 includes a stand mount sensing
circuit 160 as sensing means for sensing whether the camera body
111 is mounted on the stand 130. The stand mount sensing circuit
160 applies a positive potential to a terminal 161 to one port of
the CPU 154 via a resistance element 162. With the camera body 111
being mounted on the stand 130, when the connectors 121 and 131 are
connected to each other, one end of the resistance element 161, or
the potential control end P connected to the CPU 54, is dropped to
the ground potential. By doing this, stand mounting information SA
indicating that the camera body 111 is mounted on the stand 130 is
supplied to the CPU 154.
[0256] The power supply section 170 is composed of the changeover
circuit 171, a power supply circuit 172, the charging circuit 123
including a battery remaining power sensing circuit 173, and the
secondary battery 118. When the AC/DC converter 136 of the stand
130 inputs a rectified power supply of a specific level, the power
supply section 170 supplies the rectified power to each section of
the camera body 111 by way of the changeover circuit 171 and power
supply circuit 172. When the stand 130 does not input the rectified
power supply, the direct-current power supply from the secondary
battery 118 is supplied to each section of the camera body via the
power supply circuit 172. Furthermore, when the battery remaining
power sensing circuit 173 senses that the amount of remaining power
of the secondary battery 118 has dropped below a certain level, the
charging circuit 123 charges the secondary battery 118.
[0257] An input specify section 181 as the camera control section
includes various setting switches, including a switch that responds
to the release button 115.
[0258] Hereinafter, the image displaying operation of the
electronic camera 110 in the sixth embodiment configured as
described above will be explained by reference to a flowchart shown
in FIG. 24.
[0259] Step ST1: The camera 110 is set in the reproducing mode to
perform the operation of displaying the images recorded in the
electronic camera 110.
[0260] Step ST2: Specific image data whose frames are specified is
read from the image recording medium 153 and undergoes an expansion
process at the image processing unit 152 and the resulting data is
stored in the temporary storage circuit 151.
[0261] Step ST3: It is determined whether stand mounting
information SA is present or absent. Stand mounting information SA
indicates whether the electronic camera 110 is mounted on the stand
130, in other words, whether the connector 121 and the connector
131 are coupled with each other. If it is determined that stand
mounting information SA is present, control proceeds to step ST4.
If it is determined that stand mounting information SA is absent,
control goes to step ST7.
[0262] Step ST4: Information SB representing the direction of an
image is acquired. Information SB is attached to the image data
stored in the image recording medium 153. For example, as shown in
FIG. 25, the following four types are used as image mounting
information SB: [0.degree.] (upright state), [+90.degree.] (a
90.degree. turn to the right), [+180.degree.] (a 180.degree. turn
to the right), and [+270.degree.] (a 270.degree. turn to the
right).
[0263] Step ST5: On the basis of the stand mounting information SA
(present) and the image direction information SB, the CPU 54 gives
the following display direction change instruction SC to either the
LCD driver 155 or the video driver 156, thereby carrying out the
process of rotating images.
[0264] (11) When SA is "present" and SB is [0.degree.]: the CPU
gives the LCD driver 155 an instruction to make a 270.degree. turn
to the right, and the video driver 156 an instruction to make a
0.degree. turn to the right.
[0265] (12) When SA is "present" and SB is [+90.degree.]: the CPU
gives the LCD driver 155 an instruction to make a 180.degree. turn
to the right, and the video driver 156 an instruction to make a
270.degree. turn to the right.
[0266] (13) When SA is "present" and SB is [+180.degree.]: the CPU
gives the LCD driver 155 an instruction to make a 90.degree. turn
to the right, and the video driver 156 an instruction to make a
180.degree. turn to the right.
[0267] (14) When SA is "present" and SB is [+270.degree.]: the CPU
gives the LCD driver 155 an instruction to make a 0.degree. turn to
the right, and the video driver 156 an instruction to make a
90.degree. turn to the right.
[0268] Step ST6: As a result of the operation of each of the
drivers 155, 156, an upright image is displayed on the LCD 122 and
the external display unit. That is, when the camera body 111 is
mounted on the stand 130, the direction of the displayed image is
changed on the basis of the information SB on the direction of the
image so that a representation may be suitable for a position (a
vertical position) different from the normal-use position, or the
normal-use position (a horizontal position).
[0269] In FIG. 26(a) to (d) show an example of the change of the
direction of the image displayed on the LCD 122. As shown in the
figure, according to the contents of the image direction
information SB, the direction of the displayed image is changed
suitably when the camera is mounted on the stand and after the
image rotating process is completed. Explanation of FIG. 24 will be
resumed.
[0270] Step ST7: When it is determined that the stand mounting
information SA is "absent" in step ST3, the information SB
representing the direction of the image attached to the image data
stored in the image recording medium 153 is acquired as in step
ST4.
[0271] Step ST8: On the basis of the stand mounting information SA
"absent" and the image direction information SB, the CPU 154 gives
the LCD driver 155 or video driver 156 the following display
direction change instructions SC, thereby performing the process of
rotating the image:
[0272] (21) When SA is "absent" and SB is [0.degree.]: the CPU
gives the LCD driver 155 an instruction to make a 0.degree. turn to
the right, and the video driver 156 an instruction to make a
0.degree. turn to the right.
[0273] (22) When SA is "absent" and SB is [+90.degree.]: the CPU
gives the LCD driver 155 an instruction to make a 270.degree. turn
to the right, and the video driver 156 an instruction to make a
270.degree. turn to the right.
[0274] (23) When SA is "absent" and SB is [+180.degree.]: the CPU
gives the LCD driver 155 an instruction to make a 180.degree. turn
to the right, and the video driver 156 an instruction to make a
180.degree. turn to the right.
[0275] (24) When SA is "absent" and SB is [+270.degree.]: the CPU
gives the LCD driver 155 an instruction to make a 90.degree. turn
to the right, and the video driver 156 an instruction to make a
90.degree. turn to the right.
[0276] Step ST9: As a result of the operation of each of the
drivers 155, 156, an upright image is displayed on the LCD 122 and
the external display unit. That is, when the camera body 111 is not
mounted on the stand 130, the direction of the displayed image is
changed on the basis of the information SB on the direction of the
image so that a representation may be suitable for the normally
used position (a horizontal position).
[0277] Step ST10: It is determined whether to display another
image. To display another image, control returns to step ST2. If
another image is not displayed, control proceeds to step ST11.
[0278] Step ST11: The series of image displaying operations in the
image-reproducing mode is completed.
[0279] When the clock data outputted from the clock section 157
incorporated in the electronic camera 110 is displayed together
with the displayed image on the clock display section 122T or the
like of the LCD 122, the direction of the clock representation is
changed and controlled in the same manner as changing the direction
of the image. The changing control in this case is performed by
clock display changing means included in the image direction
changing means. Because the changing means is the same as the image
direction changing means, its explanation is omitted.
[0280] The electronic camera 110 described in the sixth embodiment
includes the following modifications.
[0281] In a case where the image direction information SB attached
to the image, for example, when the camera body 111 is mounted on
the stand 130 on the basis of only the stand mounting information
SA, the direction of images is changed uniformly (in the case of
display on the LCD 122, the images are given a +270.degree. turn,
and in the case of an external display unit, the images are given a
0.degree. turn).
[0282] In a case where the displayed image does not stand upright
only by making the uniform change as when pictures are taken with
the camera held vertically, for example, an operation button
provided on the stand enables the image to be adjusted so that it
may stand upright.
[0283] There is provided manual operation means which enables the
displayed image to be turned at intervals of 90.degree. to the
right or the left each time a push button is operated.
[0284] A configuration obtained by suitably combining the
configuration of each of the first to fifth embodiments. For
example, one combination may be such that, when the electronic
camera is mounted in the second direction and the reproduction mode
is selected and set, the direction of the image is changed.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SIXTH EMBODIMENT
[0285] [1] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment is
mounted on a chargeable camera stand 130 in a position different
from the position in which the camera is being used, and is
characterized by comprising a camera body 111, an LCD 122 which is
provided on the camera body 111 and displays an image based on
image data, sensing means (stand mount sensing circuit 160) for
sensing that the camera body 111 is mounted on the stand 130, and,
image direction changing means (CPU 154, LCD driver 155) for
changing the direction of the image displayed on the LCD 122 when
the sensing means 160 senses that the camera body 111 is mounted on
the stand 130.
[0286] In the electronic camera 110, when the camera body 111 is
mounted on the stand 130, the direction of the displayed image on
the display means 122 can be changed to an upright position. Thus,
the displayed image is very easy to see, regardless of the fact
that the camera body 111 is mounted on the stand 130 in a position
different from the position when the camera is being used.
[0287] [2] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment
and item [1] is characterized in that the image direction changing
means (CPU 54, LCD driver 55) further includes means for changing
the direction of the displayed image on the basis of information
about the direction of the image corresponding to image data (e.g.,
image direction information SB attached to the image data stored in
the flash memory 53 or the like).
[0288] In the electronic camera 110, even when photographing is
done with the camera body 111 being held in various positions, the
direction of the displayed image on the LCD 122 is changed
automatically to a suitable direction according to the position of
the camera body 111 during photography at the time when the camera
body 111 is mounted on the stand 130. This makes it easy to view
the displayed image.
[0289] [3] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment
and item [1] or [2] is characterized in that the LCD 122 includes
clock display means 122T for displaying a clock (e.g., clock data
from a clock section 57), and, the image direction changing means
(CPU 54, LCD driver 55) includes means for changing the direction
of a clock representation on the clock display means 122T, when the
sensing means 160 senses that the camera body 111 is mounted on the
stand 130.
[0290] In the electronic camera 110, when the camera body 111 is
mounted on the stand 130, the clock display can be made upright,
which makes it easy to view the clock.
[0291] [4] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment
and item [1] or [2] is characterized in that the image direction
changing means (CPU 54, LCD driver 55) includes means for changing
the direction of the displayed image so as to obtain a
representation suitable for the normally used position (or
horizontally long position) on the basis of information SB about
the direction of the image, when the camera body 111 is not mounted
on the stand 130.
[0292] In the electronic camera 110, when the camera body 111 is
not mounted on the camera stand 130, the representation has the
direction of the displayed image suitable for the normally used
position (or horizontally long position). Thus, the displayed image
is easy to view.
[0293] [5] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment
and item [4] is characterized in that the camera body 111 includes
image data output means (video driver 156, video output terminal
VID) for outputting display image data to an external display unit
(not shown), and, the image direction changing means (CPU 154, LCD
driver 155, video driver 156) includes means which, when the
sensing means 160 senses that the camera body 11 is mounted on the
stand 130, not only changes the direction of the displayed image so
as to give a representation similar to a representation suitable
for the normally used position (or horizontally long position), on
the basis of information SB about the direction of the image in the
case of the display image data outputted from said output means
(video driver 156, video output terminal VID), but also changes the
direction of the displayed image so as to give a representation
suitable for the stand mounting position (or vertically long
position), on the basis of information SB about the direction of
the image in the case of the image data displayed on the LCD
122.
[0294] In the electronic camera 110, the displayed image is always
easy to view, even when the position of the camera body 111 is the
normally used position (horizontally long position) or the stand
mounting position (or vertically long position), or even when the
display image data is outputted to an external display unit, with
the camera being mounted on the stand 130, and the external display
unit displays the image data.
SEVENTH EMBODIMENT
[0295] FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B show a schematic configuration of an
electronic camera system according to a seventh embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 27A is a side view showing a state where an
electronic camera is mounted on a stand 130 in such a manner that
the back of the camera faces the front of the stand. FIG. 27B is
its front view. In the seventh embodiment, the same component parts
as those in the sixth embodiment (FIGS. 20A to 26) are indicated by
the same reference numerals and a detailed explanation of them are
omitted.
[0296] As shown in FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B, the electronic camera 110
is mounted in a position different from the position in use, that
is, in a vertical position, in such a manner that the left side
face viewed from the front of the camera body 111 is inserted in a
camera mounting concave section 132 of the stand 130. In such a
mounting state, the connector 121 mounted on the left side face of
the camera body 111 (located in the lower half of the figure
because the camera body 111 is in the vertical position) is coupled
with a connector 131 provided on the base of the camera mounting
concave section 132 on the stand 130 side.
[0297] In a part of the exterior section of the stand 130, for
example, on the front 137 of a base section 130a, there is provided
an operation section 138 for manually changing the brightness
setting value set by brightness changing means explained later.
That is, there are provided a brightness decrease button 138a, a
brightness increase button 138b, a setting button 138c, and
others.
[0298] FIG. 28A shows a display screen on the LCD 122 when the
electronic camera 110 is in normal use. FIG. 28B shows a display
screen on the LCD 122 when the electronic camera 110 is mounted on
the stand.
[0299] As shown in FIG. 28A, a brightness index 122B indicating the
brightness of a display screen is almost in the middle of a scale
122S. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 28B, when the camera is mounted
on the stand, the brightness index 122B moves to a position
corresponding to a preset specific brightness setting value, that
is, the vicinity of the right end of the scale 122S (e.g., [+3]).
As a result of the movement of the index 122B, it is possible to
confirm that the brightness of the LCD 122 with the camera mounted
on the stand has been changed to the setting value.
[0300] The user can change and adjust the setting value of
brightness arbitrarily by use of the operation section 138
according to the position of the electronic camera 111 mounted on
the stand 130 or the angle at which the user views the LCD 122. In
addition, an input specify section 181 of the camera body 111,
explained later, makes it possible not only to make brightness
adjustment in normal use but also to set the brightness setting
value with the camera mounted on the stand.
[0301] FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
control system of an electronic camera system including the
electronic camera 110 with a brightness changing function and the
stand 130. In FIG. 29, the same component parts as those in FIG. 23
are indicated by the same reference numerals and a detailed
explanation of them is omitted.
[0302] First, the stand 130 will be explained. The stand 130
comprises not only an AC/DC converter 136, a video output terminal
(jack) VID, a serial bus connection terminal (jack) USB acting as a
signal communication terminal, and others, but also the operation
section 183 including the brightness decrease button 138a,
brightness increase button 138b, and setting button 138c. The
operation section 138 is connected to the CPU 54 on the electronic
camera side via the connector terminal c of the connector 131 on
the stand side and the corresponding terminal c of the connector
121 on the electronic camera side.
[0303] Next, the electronic camera 110 will be explained. When the
display image data is supplied via the LCD driver 155 to the LCD
122, which displays the data, the brightness of the displayed image
is changed suitably by the brightness changing means according to
the position of the electronic camera 110. Then, as described
later, when it is sensed that the camera body 111 is mounted on the
stand 130, control means composed of the CPU 154 and LCD driver 155
controls the brightness changing means. As a result, the direction
of the field angle at the LCD 122 is changed to a setting value
(direction) suitable for the electronic camera 110 mounted on the
stand.
[0304] In FIG. 29, reference numeral 257 indicates an EEPROM for
storing the initial setting information about the electronic camera
10 and reference numeral 281 is an input specify section having
various setting switches, including a switch that responds to the
release button 115 and a switch that responds to a brightness
adjust button (not shown).
[0305] Hereinafter, the brightness changing control operation of
the electronic camera 110 in the seventh embodiment configured as
described above will be explained by reference to FIG. 30A, FIG.
30B, and others.
[0306] The electronic camera 110 is set in the reproducing mode to
display the image recorded in the electronic camera 110. Then,
specific image data whose frames are specified is read from the
image recording medium 153 and undergoes an expansion process at
the image processing unit 152. The resulting data is stored in the
temporary storage circuit 151.
[0307] When the electronic camera 110 is not mounted on the stand
130 and the camera body 11 is in the normal position, the
connectors 121 and 131 are not connected with each other. At a
result, the potential control terminal P of the stand mounting
sensing circuit 160 is kept at a high potential+V. Thus, the stand
mounting sensing circuit 160 informs the CPU 154 of stand mounting
information SA "absent." Consequently, the CPU 154 informs the LCD
driver 155 of brightness changing instruction SC "absent."
Therefore, the image based on the reproduce image data stored in
the temporary storage circuit 151 is displayed on the LCD display
section 22 at a standard brightness (of a suitably set value), for
example, at [-1] (see FIG. 28A). Thus, as shown in FIG. 30A, the
displayed image can be seen well in the range of a field angle of
.alpha..
[0308] When the electronic camera 110 is mounted on the stand 130
and held at an angle of .theta., with an inclination of about
10.degree. to the horizontal plane, the connectors 121 and 131 are
connected with each other. Thus, the potential control terminal P
of the stand mounting sensing circuit 160 is forced to drop to the
ground potential. Accordingly, the stand mounting sensing circuit
160 informs the CPU 154 of stand mounting information SA "present."
Therefore, the CPU 154 informs the LCD driver 155 of brightness
changing instruction SC "present." As a result, the brightness is
changed so that the direction of the field angle at the LCD 222 may
be changed to a setting value (direction) corresponding to the
position in which the camera body 111 is mounted on the stand
130.
[0309] Therefore, the image based on the reproducing image data
stored in the temporary storage circuit 151 is displayed on the LCD
122 at the brightness changed and set as described above, for
example, at [+3] (see FIG. 28B). Thus, as shown in FIG. 30B, the
image can be seen well in the range of a field angle of .beta.
(equal to .alpha.) at the setting value (direction) changed
according to the position in which the camera body 11 is mounted on
the stand 30 (with an inclination of, for example, about 10.degree.
to a horizontal plane).
[0310] The setting value of the direction of the field angle can be
adjusted and set by manually operating the operating section 138.
Specifically, to make the brightness a little lower than the
setting value, the brightness decrease button 138a has only to be
pressed a desired number of times. To make the brightness a little
higher than the setting value, the brightness increase button 138b
has only to be pressed a desired number of times. Then, pressing
the setting button 138c determines the adjusted value.
[0311] In the seventh embodiment, while in the setting of
brightness, the value for normal use and the value for use with the
camera mounted on the stand have been set separately, the latter
value may be obtained by adding a specific correction value to the
setting value for normal use. This makes it possible to
automatically set and change the setting value for use with the
camera mounted on the stand, just by carrying out the setting and
changing operations for normal use.
[0312] The electronic camera 110 and stand 130 shown in the seventh
embodiment includes the following modifications. One modification
is such that the camera body 111 is mounted on the stand 130 in a
horizontally long position. Another modification is such that
mechanical means, for example, a mechanism for changing the
direction of the field angle by rotating the LCD 22 itself is used
as field angle changing means, in place of electrical means, such
as brightness changing means.
[0313] Furthermore, the configuration of the seventh embodiment may
be combined suitably with the configurations of the first to fifth
embodiments. For instance, one combination may be such that, when
the electronic camera is mounted in the second direction and the
reproducing mode or the like is selected and set, the brightness is
changed. In addition, the configuration of the seventh embodiment
may be combined with that of the sixth embodiment to mount the
electronic camera on the camera stand, thereby changing both of the
direction of the image and the brightness.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEVENTH EMBODIMENT
[0314] [1] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment is
configured so as to be capable of being mounted on a chargeable
camera stand 130 and is characterized by comprising a camera body
111, an LCD 22 (display means) which is provided on the camera body
111 and displays an image based on image data, field angle changing
means (LCD driver 55, LCD display section 22) for changing the
direction of field angle at the LCD 122, sensing means (stand mount
sensing circuit 160) for sensing that the camera body 111 is
mounted on the stand 130, and, control means (CPU 154, LCD driver
155) which, when the sensing means 160 senses that the camera body
111 is mounted on the stand 130, controls the field angle changing
means to change the direction of field angle to a setting value
corresponding to the position in which the camera body 111 is
mounted on the stand 130.
[0315] In the electronic camera 110, when the camera body 111 is
mounted on the stand 130, the direction of field angle at the LCD
122 is changed automatically to a setting value corresponding to
the position in which the camera body 111 is mounted on the stand
130. Therefore, even when the camera body 111 is mounted on the
stand 130, inclining at a specific angle to the latter, the
displayed image on the LCD 122 is easy to view.
[0316] [2] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment
and item [1] is characterized in that the field angle changing
means (LCD driver 155, LCD 122) is brightness changing means for
changing the brightness of the LCD 122.
[0317] In the electronic camera 110, it is possible to change the
brightness and control the field angle just by, for example,
providing electrical means for controlling the voltage applied to
liquid-crystal molecules, which simplifies the configuration of the
control system.
[0318] [3] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment
and item [1] or [2] is characterized in that the camera body 111
includes an operation section (input specify section 181) which
enables the setting value for the direction of the field angle to
be changed manually.
[0319] In the electronic camera 110, the user can change and adjust
the setting value to the optimum state according to the position in
which the camera body 111 is mounted on the stand 130 or the angle
at which the user views the LCD 122. Thus, the setting value can be
adjusted to the optimum value at any time.
[0320] [4] The camera stand 130 described in the embodiment is the
charging stand 130 provided so as to enable the electronic camera
110 described in item [1] or [2] to be mounted on the stand and is
characterized in that an operation section 138 which enables the
setting value for the direction of field angle to be changed
manually is added to the exterior 137, with the camera body 111
being mounted on the stand 130.
[0321] In the stand 130, with the camera body 111 being mounted on
the stand 130, the user can adjust the setting value for the field
angle at the LCD 122 arbitrarily on the stand 130 side, which makes
the stand easer to use and excellent in operability.
EIGHTH EMBODIMENT
[0322] FIG. 31A and FIG. 31B show a configuration of an electronic
camera system according to an eighth embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 31A is a side view showing a state where an
electronic camera is mounted on a stand 130 in such a manner that
the front of the camera faces the front of the stand. FIG. 31B is
its front view. FIG. 32 is a back view, with a portion broken away,
of the electronic camera system. In the eighth embodiment, the same
parts as those in the sixth embodiment are indicated by the same
reference numerals and an detailed explanation of them is
omitted.
[0323] As shown in FIG. 31A and FIG. 31B, the electronic camera 110
is mounted in a position different from the position in use, that
is, in a vertical position, in such a manner that the left side
face, viewed from the front of the camera body 111, is inserted in
a camera mounting concave section 132 of the stand 130. In such a
mounting state, the connector 121 mounted on the left side face of
the camera body 111 (located in the lower half of the figure
because the camera body 111 is in the vertical position) is coupled
with a connector 131 provided on the base of the camera mounting
concave section 132 on the stand 130 side. On a part of the back of
the camera, there is provided a photographing mode select mode
button 125 used for selecting and setting a normal photographing
mode or a specific photographing mode for automatic photography as
the photographing mode of the electronic camera 110.
[0324] The camera stand 130 is integrally formed into a
truncated-pyramid-like shape made of, for example, hard resin. On
the top, the camera mounting concave section 132 is provided. In a
relatively inconspicuous place of the stand 130, for example, in
the lower part of the back, power connection jacks 139a, 139b are
provided. The power connection jacks 139a, 139b are designed to be
connectable to a power supply outlet (not shown) via a cable (not
shown). The power connection jacks 139a, 139b, when not in use,
cannot be seen directly from the outside, with a lid 139c (where S
indicates a control and H indicates a hinge) closed.
[0325] FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
control system of an electronic camera system including the
electronic camera 110 with a specific-photographing-mode-based (or
monitor photographing-mode-based) monitor function and the stand
130. In FIG. 33, the same parts as those in FIG. 29 are indicated
by the same reference numerals and an detailed explanation of them
is omitted.
[0326] The configuration of the stand 130 is the same as that of
FIG. 23, so its explanation is omitted. Hereinafter, the electronic
camera 110 will be explained.
[0327] A camera control section 180 in the electronic camera 110
comprises an input specify section 381, an LED (light-emitting
diode) 182, a strobe control section 183, a strobe light-emitting
unit 184, an AF (autofocus) control section 185, an AF (autofocus)
motor 186, a diaphragm shutter control section 187, and a diaphragm
shutter motor 188.
[0328] The input specify section 381, which responds to the mode
button 125, includes a mode select switch for selecting and setting
the photographing mode of the electronic camera 110, a release
switch that responds to the release button 115, and other various
switches.
[0329] The CPU 154 includes photographing mode select means which,
when receiving a mode select switch signal from the input specify
section 381, selects the normal photographing mode or the specific
photographing mode for automatic photography from the photographing
modes of the electronic camera 110 according to the mode select
switch signal and sets the selected mode. The CPU 154 further
includes monitor photographing means for photographing under
photographing conditions that no other people are allowed to notice
photographing operations when the specific photographing mode is
selected. The monitor photographing means is means for
photographing while inhibiting at least one of the following
operations: light emission by the strobe light-emitting unit 184,
display by the LED display unit 182 and LCD 122, focusing by the AF
motor 186 and the moving of the lens for zooming by a zoom motor
(not shown), the driving of the diaphragm shutter by the diaphragm
shutter motor 188, and sound reproduction and calling.
[0330] Hereinafter, the basic operation of the electronic camera
system in the eighth embodiment configured described above will be
explained by reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 34.
[0331] Step ST21: When it is sensed that the electronic camera 110
is mounted on the stand, stand mounting information SA is
obtained.
[0332] Step ST22: It is determined whether the photographing mode
of the electronic camera 110 as a result of the operation of the
mode button 125 is the monitoring mode. If it is not the monitoring
mode, control goes to step ST23. If it is the monitoring mode,
control proceeds to step ST26.
[0333] Step ST23: If the photographing mode is not the monitoring
mode, the amount of remaining power of the battery is checked. If
the amount of remaining power of the battery is insufficient,
control proceeds to step ST24. If the amount of remaining power of
the battery is sufficient, control goes to step ST25.
[0334] Step ST24: Charging is done and control returns to step
ST23.
[0335] Step ST25: The charging is completed.
[0336] Step ST26: If it has been determined that the photographing
mode is the monitoring mode in step ST22, the CPU 154 sets the
monitoring mode. Specifically, AE and AF operations are carried
out, thereby setting the amount of diaphragm opening, shutter
speed, and focusing suitably. Thereafter, all of the following
operations are inhibited: for example, light emission by the strobe
light-emitting unit 184, display by the LED display section 182 and
LCD 122, focusing by the AF motor 186, the lens movement for
zooming by the zoom motor (not shown), the driving of the diaphragm
shutter by the diaphragm shutter motor 188, and sound reproduction
and calling.
[0337] Step S27: It is determined whether the monitoring
photography is started at a result of the release button 15 being
pressed. If the release button 115 has not been pressed, control
remains there until the button is pressed.
[0338] Step S28: When monitoring photography is started, the amount
of remaining power of the battery is checked. If the amount of
remaining power of the battery is insufficient, control goes to
step ST29. If the amount of remaining power of the battery is
sufficient, control proceeds to step ST30.
[0339] Step ST29: Charging is started and control goes to step
ST30.
[0340] Step ST30: It is checked whether a specific time (e.g., 10
minutes) previously set by a timer has elapsed. Control returns to
step ST28 until the specific time (e.g., 10 minutes) has elapsed.
Hereinafter, this operation is repeated. When the specific time
(e.g., 10 minutes) has elapsed, a photograph instruction is given,
which allows control to proceed to step ST31.
[0341] Step ST31: For example, when the switching of the changeover
circuit 71 stops the charging circuit 23 from charging the battery
because of a photographing operation, control proceeds to step
ST32.
[0342] Step ST32: Photographing is done in the monitoring mode. The
photographed image data is subjected to a compressing process. The
resulting data is recorded in the image recording medium 153
composed of a flash memory. Then, control proceeds to step
ST33.
[0343] Step ST33: The condition for ending the photography in the
monitoring mode is checked. For example, it is checked whether a
preset total monitoring time (e.g., 24 hours) has elapsed. If the
end condition is not met, control returns to step ST28. Thereafter,
photographing is done in the monitoring mode at intervals of, for
example, 10 minutes, while charging the battery, until the end
condition is met. If the end condition is met, control proceeds to
step ST34.
[0344] Step ST34: The amount of remaining power of the battery is
checked. If the amount of remaining power of the battery is
insufficient, control goes to step ST35. If the amount of remaining
power of the battery is sufficient, control goes to step ST36.
[0345] Step ST35: Charging is effected and control returns to step
ST34.
[0346] Step ST36: Charging is completed.
[0347] In the eighth embodiment, while operating the mode button
125 causes the normal photographing mode or the specific
photographing mode for automatic photography to be selected from
the photographing modes of the electronic camera 110 and the
selected mode to be set, the camera body 111 may be configured to
function automatically as a monitoring camera, when the camera body
is mounted on the camera stand 130. That is, monitoring function
automatic setting means may be provided so that, when the stand
mounting sensing circuit 160 senses that the camera body 111 is
mounted on the stand 130, the CPU 154 sets the photographing mode
of the camera body 111 to the specific photographing mode, thereby
carrying out photography under the conditions that no one else is
allowed to notice the photographing operations.
NINTH EMBODIMENT
[0348] FIG. 35 is a flowchart to help explain the basic operation
of an electronic camera system according to a ninth embodiment of
the present invention. The ninth embodiment differs from the eighth
embodiment in that a primary battery (not shown) is used in place
of the secondary battery 18. Hereinafter, the operation will be
explained by reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9.
[0349] Step ST41: When it is sensed that the electronic camera 110
is mounted on the stand 130, stand mounting information SA is
obtained.
[0350] Step ST42: It is determined whether the photographing mode
of the electronic camera 110 as a result of the operation of the
mode button 125 is the monitoring mode. If it is not the monitoring
mode, control proceeds to step ST43. If it is the monitoring mode,
control goes to step ST44.
[0351] Step ST43: If the photographing mode is not the monitoring
mode, the operation is completed.
[0352] Step ST44: If it has been determined in step ST42 that the
photographing mode is the monitoring mode, the CPU 154 sets the
monitoring mode. Specifically, AE and AF operations are carried
out, thereby setting the amount of diaphragm opening, shutter
speed, and focusing suitably. Thereafter, all of the following
operations are inhibited: for example, light emission by the strobe
light-emitting unit 184, display by the LED display section 182 and
LCD 122, focusing by the AF motor 186, the lens movement for
zooming by the zoom motor (not shown), the driving of the diaphragm
shutter by the diaphragm shutter motor 188, and sound reproduction
and calling.
[0353] Step S45: It is determined whether the monitoring
photography is started at a result of the release button 15 being
pressed. If the release button 115 has not been pressed, control
remains there until the button is pressed.
[0354] Step S46: A timer checks whether a specific time (e.g., 10
minutes) has elapsed. Control remains there until the specific time
(e.g., 10 minutes) has elapsed. When the specific time (e.g., 10
minutes) has elapsed, control proceeds step ST47.
[0355] Step ST47: Photographing is done in the monitoring mode. The
photographed image data is subjected to a compressing process. The
resulting data is recorded on the image recording medium 153
composed of a flash memory. Then, control proceeds to step
ST48.
[0356] Step ST48: The condition for ending the photography in the
monitoring mode is checked. For example, it is checked whether a
preset total monitoring time (e.g., 10 hours) has elapsed. If the
end condition is not met, control returns to step ST46. Thereafter,
photographing is done in the monitoring mode at intervals of, for
example, 10 minutes, until the end condition is met. If the end
condition is met, control proceeds to step ST49.
[0357] Step ST49: The series of operations is completed.
[0358] The configurations of the eighth and ninth embodiments may
be combined suitably with the configurations of the first to fifth
embodiments. For instance, one combination may be such that, when
the electronic camera is mounted in the first direction and the
photographing mode is selected and set, the monitoring mode may be
selected and set as the specific photographing mode for automatic
photography according to the state of the mode button 125.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EIGHTH AND NINTH EMBODIMENTS
[0359] [1] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments comprises an electronic camera 110 and a camera stand
130 on which the electronic camera 110 is mounted detachably, and
is characterized in that the camera stand 130 includes power
supplying means (e.g., AC/DC converter 136) for supplying power to
the electronic camera 110 mounted on the camera stand 130, and the
electronic camera 110 includes a camera body 111, photographing
mode select means (e.g., mode button 125, CPU 154) for selecting a
normal photographing mode or a specific photographing mode for
automatic photography from the photographing modes of the camera
body 111 and setting the selected mode, and camera control means
(e.g., CPU 154, camera control section 180) for controlling the
camera body 111 by the photographing mode select means according to
the selected photographing mode.
[0360] In the electronic camera system, with the electronic camera
110 mounted on the camera stand 130, the normal photographing mode
or specific photographing mode for automatic photography can be
selectively set as the photographing mode of the camera body 111,
which enables the electronic camera 110 to achieve a monitoring
function. Since the camera stand 130 supplies power to the
electronic camera 110, there is no need to worry about the battery
consumption.
[0361] [2] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [1] is characterized in that the camera
control means (e.g., CPU 154, camera control section 180) includes
means for photographing under photographing conditions that no
other people are allowed to notice photographing operations, when
the specific photographing mode (monitor photographing mode) is
selected.
[0362] [3] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [2] is characterized in that the means for
photographing under photographing conditions that no other people
are allowed to notice photographing operations is means for
photographing while inhibiting at least one of strobe light
emission, display by display means (e.g., LED display section 182,
LCD 122), lens movements by focusing means (e.g., AF motor 86) and
zooming means (not shown), driving operations by diaphragm and
shutter means (e.g., diaphragm shutter motor 188), and sound
reproduction and calling.
[0363] In the electronic camera system, the photographing operation
by the electronic camera 110 is carried out unnoticed.
Consequently, for example, it is possible to take pictures without
letting the subject know.
[0364] [4] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [1], [2], or [3] is characterized in that the
electronic camera 110 includes charging means (e.g., the charging
circuit 123) for charging a built-in secondary battery 118 with
power supplied from the camera stand 130.
[0365] In the electronic camera system, since the electronic camera
110 has the charging means (e.g., the charging circuit 123), it is
not necessary to prepare a charger separately.
[0366] [5] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [4] is characterized in that the camera
control means (e.g., CPU 154, camera control section 180) performs
control so as to suspend the charging by the charging means (e.g.,
charging circuit 123) and execute photography, when photographing
in the specific photographing mode is specified while the charging
means (e.g., charging circuit 123) is charging the built-in
secondary battery 118.
[0367] In the electronic camera system, even when the amount of
power supplied from the camera stand 130 is small, photographing
can be done in the specific photographing mode without any
trouble.
[0368] [6] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [4] is characterized in that the camera
control means (e.g., CPU 154, camera control section 180) performs
control so as not only to suspend the charging by the charging
means (e.g., charging circuit 123) and execute photography, when
photographing in the specific photographing mode is specified while
the charging means (e.g., charging circuit 123) is charging the
built-in secondary battery 118, but also to resume the charging,
when the photographing is completed.
[0369] In the electronic camera system, because the charging is
resumed immediately after the photographing in the specific
photographing mode is completed, the electronic camera 110 mounted
on the camera stand 130 can be used immediately at any time.
[0370] [7] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and item [5] or [6] is characterized in that the
electronic camera 110 includes battery remaining-power sensing
means 173, and the camera control means (e.g., CPU 54, camera
control section 180) effects charging again, when the battery
remaining-power sensing means 173 senses a decrease in the amount
of remaining power due to photographing, after the photographing
operation is completed.
[0371] In the electronic camera system, the electronic camera 110
always fully charged is prepared. This makes the electronic camera
110 always ready to use.
[0372] [8] The electronic camera system described in the
embodiments and any one of item [1] to item [7] is characterized in
that the electronic camera 110 includes mount sensing means (e.g.,
stand mount sensing circuit 160) for sensing that the camera body
111 is mounted on the camera stand 130.
[0373] [9] The electronic camera described in the embodiments is an
electronic camera 110 which is mounted on a camera stand 130 and
receives power from power supplying means (e.g., AC/DC converter
136) provided in the camera stand 130, and is characterized by
comprising a camera body 111, charging means (e.g., charging
circuit 123) for charging a secondary battery 118 built in the
camera body 111 with power supplied from the camera stand 130,
photographing mode select means (e.g., mode button 125, CPU 154)
for selecting a normal photographing mode or a specific
photographing mode for automatic photography from the photographing
modes of the camera body 111 and setting the selected mode, and
camera control means (e.g., CPU 154, camera control section 180)
for controlling the camera body 111 according to the photographing
mode selected by the photographing mode select means.
[0374] [10] The electronic camera described in the embodiments and
item [9] is characterized in that the camera control means (e.g.,
CPU 154, camera control section 180) includes means for
photographing under photographing conditions that no other people
are allowed to notice photographing operations, when the specific
mode (monitor photographing mode) is selected.
[0375] [11] The electronic camera described in the embodiments and
item [10] is characterized in that the means for photographing
under photographing conditions that no other people are allowed to
notice photographing operations is means for photographing while
inhibiting at least one of strobe light emission, display by
display means (e.g., LED display section 182, LCD 122), lens
movements by focusing means or the like (e.g., AF motor 86) and
zooming means (not shown), driving operations by diaphragm and
shutter means (e.g., diaphragm shutter motor 188), and sound
reproduction and calling.
[0376] In the electronic camera 110, the photographing operation by
the electronic camera 110 is carried out unnoticed. Consequently,
for example, it is possible to take pictures without letting the
subject know.
[0377] [12] The electronic camera described in the embodiments is
characterized by comprising a camera body 111, photographing mode
select means (e.g., mode button 125, CPU 154) for selecting a
normal photographing mode or a specific photographing mode for
automatic photography from the photographing modes of the camera
body 111 and setting the selected mode, and camera control means
(e.g., CPU 154, camera control section 180) for photographing under
photographing conditions that no other people are allowed to notice
photographing operations, when the photographing mode select means
selects and sets the specific photographing mode (monitor
photographing mode).
[0378] [13] The electronic camera described in the embodiments is
an electronic camera system comprising an electronic camera 110 and
a camera stand 130 on which the electronic camera 110 is mounted
detachably and is characterized in that the electronic camera 110
includes a camera body 111, mount sensing means (e.g., stand mount
sensing circuit 150) for sensing that the camera body 111 is
mounted on the camera stand 130, and monitoring function automatic
setting means for setting the photographing mode of the camera body
111 to a specific photographing mode when the mounting sensing
means senses that the camera body 111 is mounted on the camera
stand 130, and carrying out photography under conditions that no
one else is allowed to notice photographing operations.
TENTH EMBODIMENT
[0379] FIG. 36A and FIG. 36B show a schematic configuration of an
electronic camera system according to a tenth embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 36A is a side view showing a state where a
camera is mounted on a stand 130 in such a manner that the back of
the camera faces to the front of the stand. FIG. 36B is its front
view. In the tenth embodiment, the same parts as those in the sixth
embodiment (FIG. 20A to FIG. 26) are indicated by the same
reference numerals and an detailed explanation of them is
omitted.
[0380] As shown in FIG. 36A and FIG. 36B, the electronic camera 110
is mounted in a position different from the position in use, that
is, in a vertical position, in such a manner that the left side
face viewed from the front of the camera body 111 is inserted in a
camera mounting concave section 132 of the stand 130. In such a
mounting state, a connector 121 mounted on the left side face of
the camera body 111 (located in the lower half of the figure
because the camera body 111 is in the vertically long position) is
coupled with a connector 131 provided on the base of the camera
mounting concave section 132 on the stand 130 side.
[0381] FIG. 37 is an enlarged sectional view, with a portion broken
away, of a primary part of FIG. 36A. As shown in FIG. 37, light
projecting means 130L for projecting light onto the photographing
system 140 (including photographing lens 141, photographing element
143) of the electronic camera 110 mounted on the stand 130 is
provided in the camera stand 130. The light projecting means 130L
is composed of a light source 137, a reflecting plate 138, and a
milk-white plate 139. In the light projecting means, light emitted
from the light source 137 is reflected diffusely by the reflecting
plate 138. The diffusely reflected light is caused to pass through
the milk-white plate 139, thereby producing uniform light, which is
projected stably onto the photographing system 140. Moreover, in
the electronic camera 110, there is provided defective pixel
sensing means 190 for sensing defective pixels of the photographing
element 143. The defective pixel sensing means 190, which includes
a temperature sensor 191, explained later, and a defective pixel
sensing and correcting section 192, is capable of sensing defective
pixels accurately and correcting them.
[0382] FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
control system of an electronic camera system including an
electronic camera 110 with a defective pixel sensing and correcting
function, and a camera stand 130.
[0383] First, the camera stand 130 will be explained. The stand 130
further includes the light source 137, one of the components of the
light projecting means 130L.
[0384] Next, the electronic camera 110 will be explained. Reference
numeral 157 indicates an EEPROM, composed of a flash memory or the
like, for storing the addresses of sensed defective pixels.
[0385] An input specify section 481 in the camera control section
180 includes a release switch that responds to the release button
115, a switch that responds to the defective pixel sense
instruction button 128, and various other switches.
[0386] A temperature sensor 191 serving as temperature measuring
means is connected to the CPU 154. A defective pixel sensing and
correcting section 192 is connected to the data bus 150. The
temperature sensor 191, defective pixel sensing and correcting
section 192, and EEPROM 157 that stores the addresses of the
defective pixels, and defective pixel sense instruction button 128,
together with the CPU 154, constitute the defective pixel sensing
means 190 of the present invention. The defective pixel sensing
means 190 senses defective pixels according to the temperature
measured by the temperature sensor 191 and continuously monitors
for defective pixels accurately, while compensating the sensed
output level of temperature-dependent defective pixels for
temperature.
[0387] In the tenth embodiment, the addresses of the sensed
defective pixels are stored in the EEPROM 157. During photography,
the data output from the defective pixels in the stored addresses
is subjected to an interpolation process using the output data on
the good pixels around the defective ones. The image data subjected
to the interpolation process is subjected to a compression process.
Then, the resulting data is stored in the image recording medium
153.
[0388] Hereinafter, a white defective sensing operation and a black
defective sensing operation in the electronic camera system of the
tenth embodiment configured as described above will be explained by
reference to flowcharts in FIG. 39 and FIG. 40. First, a white
defective sensing operation will be explained by reference to the
flowchart of FIG. 39.
[0389] Step ST51: When the stand mount sensing circuit 160 senses
that the electronic camera 110 is mounted on the stand 130, stand
mounting information SA is obtained.
[0390] Step ST52: The temperature around the photographing element
143 is measured on the basis of the signal from the temperature
sensor 191, provided that the stand mounting information SA has
been obtained.
[0391] Step ST53: It is determined whether the measured temperature
is equal to or lower than a specific level.
[0392] Step ST54: If the result of the determination has shown that
the measured temperature has exceeded the specific level, for
example, 30.degree. C., the sensing of defective pixels is not done
and the sensing operation is stopped.
[0393] Step ST55: If the result of the determination has shown that
the measured temperature is equal to or lower than the specific
level, for example, 30.degree. C., a defect decision threshold
value corresponding to the measured temperature level (range) is
set. For example, when the measured temperature is 25 to 30.degree.
C., the defect decision threshold value is set to +50 dB with
respect to the average output level of good. pixels. Similarly,
when the measured temperature is 20 to 25.degree. C., the defect
decision threshold value is set to +40 dB with respect to the
average output level of good pixels.
[0394] Step ST56: The photographing element 143 is exposed for a
specific length of time (several seconds), with the shutter 142
closed.
[0395] Step ST57: The pixels whose output levels have exceeded the
defect decision threshold value set according to the measured
temperature level (range) are sensed as defective pixels.
[0396] Step ST58: The addresses of the sensed defective pixels are
stored in the EEPROM 157.
[0397] Step ST59: The series of defect sensing operations is
completed.
[0398] Next, a black defect sensing operation will be explained by
reference to the flowchart of FIG. 40.
[0399] Step ST61: When the stand mounting sensing circuit 160
senses that the electronic camera 110 is mounted on the stand 130,
stand mounting information SA is obtained.
[0400] Step ST62: The temperature around the photographing element
143 is measured on the basis of the signal from the temperature
sensor 191, provided that the stand mounting information SA has
been obtained.
[0401] Step ST63: It is determined whether the measured temperature
is equal to or lower than a specific level.
[0402] Step ST64: If the result of the determination has shown that
the measured temperature has exceeded the specific level, for
example, 35.degree. C., the sensing of defective pixels is not done
and the sensing operation is stopped.
[0403] Step ST65: If the result of the determination has shown that
the measured temperature is equal to or lower than the specific
level, for example, 35.degree. C., a defect decision threshold
value corresponding to the measured temperature level (range) is
set. For example, when the measured temperature is 25 to 30.degree.
C., the defect decision threshold value is set to -20 dB with
respect to the average output level of good pixels. Similarly, when
the measured temperature is 20 to 25.degree. C., the defect
decision threshold value is set to -30 dB with respect to the
average output level of good pixels.
[0404] Step ST66: The CPU 154 supplies an optical control signal SB
on the basis of a black defect sensing instruction BP via the
connectors 121, 131 to the AC/DC converter 136 in the stand 130. As
a result, the AC/DC converter 136 supplies light-up power SP to the
light source 137 of the light projecting means 130L. Thus, the
light projecting means 130L projects uniform light stably to the
photographing system 40 of the camera body 111.
[0405] Step ST67: The photographing element 143 is exposed for a
specific length of time (an instant), with the shutter 142
open.
[0406] Step ST68: The pixels (less bright pixels) whose output
levels have dropped below the defect decision threshold value set
according to the measured temperature level (range) are sensed as
black defective pixels.
[0407] Step ST69: The addresses of the sensed defective pixels are
stored in the EEPROM 157.
[0408] Step ST70: The series of defect sensing operations is
completed.
[0409] Next, the sensing of defective pixels by the defective pixel
sensing means 190 and the timing control of the charging of the
built-in secondary battery 118 by the charging means (e.g.,
charging circuit 123) will be explained by reference to flowcharts
in FIG. 41 and FIG. 42, respectively. First, control operations
when charging is done after the defective pixel sensing operation
will be explained by reference to the flowchart of FIG. 41.
[0410] Step ST81: When the stand mount sensing circuit 160 senses
that the electronic camera 110 is mounted on the stand 130, stand
mounting information SA is obtained.
[0411] Step ST82: Defective pixels are sensed by the defective
pixel sensing means 190, provided that the stand mounting
information SA has been obtained.
[0412] Step ST83: It is determined whether the amount of remaining
power of the battery is equal to or larger than a specific
amount.
[0413] Step ST84: If it has been determined that the amount of
remaining power of the battery is smaller than the specific value,
the charging circuit 123 charges the battery and control returns to
step ST83.
[0414] Step ST85: When the amount of remaining power of the battery
is equal or larger than the specific value in step ST83, the series
of control operations is completed.
[0415] Because control is performed as described above, the sensing
of defective pixels by the defective pixel sensing means 190 is not
affected by a temperature rise due to charging. Therefore, even if
temperature compensation is not particularly made using temperature
measuring means (including CPU 154, temperature sensor 191), the
sensing accuracy can be maintained at a specific level. Naturally,
temperature compensation using temperature measuring means may be
made at the same time.
[0416] Next, control operations when defective pixels are sensed by
the defective pixel sensing means 190 after the charging will be
explained by reference to the flowchart of FIG. 42.
[0417] Step ST91: When the stand mount sensing circuit 160 senses
that the electronic camera 110 is mounted on the stand 130, stand
mounting information SA is obtained.
[0418] Step ST92: It is determined whether the amount of remaining
power of the battery is equal or larger than a specific value,
provided that the stand mounting information SA has been
obtained.
[0419] Step ST93: If it has been determined that the amount of
remaining power is smaller than the specific amount, the charging
circuit 123 charges the battery and control returns to step
ST92.
[0420] Step ST94: If it has been determined that the amount of
remaining power of the battery is equal or larger than the specific
value, the defective pixel sensing means 190 senses defective
pixels.
[0421] Step ST95: The series of control operations is
completed.
[0422] Since control is performed as described above, the charging
means (e.g., charging circuit 123) charges the battery sufficiently
and then the defective pixel sensing means 190 senses defective
pixels. Therefore, there is almost no possibility that the built-in
secondary battery 118 will be exhausted during the sensing
operation. Consequently, there is no possibility that the operation
of sensing defective pixels will not be interrupted due to the
exhaustion of the battery. In this case, however, it is necessary
to make temperature compensation using temperature measuring
means.
[0423] The configuration of the tenth embodiment may be combined
suitably with the configurations of the first to fifth embodiments.
For instance, the tenth embodiment may be configured so that the
defective pixel sensing mode may be selected and set when the
electronic camera is mounted in the second direction. Furthermore,
the configuration of the tenth embodiment may be combined with the
configurations of the sixth to ninth embodiments.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TENTH EMBODIMENT
[0424] [1] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment is
an electronic camera 110 which is mounted on a camera stand 130 and
receives power from power supply means (e.g., AC/DC converter 136)
provided on the camera stand 130 and is characterized by comprising
a camera body 111, camera examination means (e.g., CPU 154, EEPROM
157, defective pixel sensing and correcting section 192) provided
on the camera body 111, mount sensing means (e.g., stand mount
sensing circuit 160) for sensing that the camera body 111 is
mounted on the camera stand 130, and activation control means
(e.g., CPU 154, stand mount sensing circuit 160) for activating the
camera examination means (e.g., CPU 154, EEPROM 157, defective
pixel sensing and correcting section 192) with specific timing,
when the mount sensing means (e.g., 160) senses that the camera
body 111 is mounted on the camera stand 130.
[0425] In the electronic camera 110, since the electronic camera
110 is examined automatically under the conditions where the unused
state of the camera is determined, the so-called dead time is used
effectively, which therefore does not disturb the use of the
camera. In addition, examination can be made in good time, the
examination accuracy is improved.
[0426] [2] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment
and item [1] is characterized in that the camera examination means
(including CPU 154, EEPROM 157, defective pixel sensing and
correcting section 192) is defective pixel sensing means 190 for
sensing defective pixels in a photographing element 143.
[0427] In the electronic camera 110, defective pixels are sensed
automatically under conditions where the electronic camera 110 is
not being used.
[0428] [3] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment
and item [2] is characterized in that the camera body 111 further
includes temperature measuring means (e.g., CPU 154, temperature
sensor 191) and the defective pixel sensing means 190 senses
defective pixels according to the temperature measured by the
temperature measuring means (e.g., CPU 154, temperature sensor
191).
[0429] In the electronic camera 110, the sense output level of
defective pixels depending on the temperature is subjected to
temperature compensation, which prevents defective pixels from
being sensed erroneously.
[0430] [4] The electronic camera 110 described in the embodiment
and item [2] or [3] is characterized in that the camera body 111
further includes charging means (e.g., charging circuit 123) for
charging a built-in secondary battery 118 with power supplied from
the camera stand 130, and the activation control means includes
means for starting the charging means (e.g., charging circuit)
charging the secondary battery after the defective pixel sensing
means 190 senses a defective pixel.
[0431] In the electronic camera 110, since the sensing of defective
pixels by the defective pixel sensing means 190 is not affected by
a temperature rise due to charging, the sensing accuracy can be
maintained at a specific level, even if temperature compensation is
not particularly made using the temperature measuring means (e.g.,
CPU 154, temperature sensor 191).
[0432] [5] The electronic camera described in the embodiment and
item [3] is characterized in that the camera body 111 further
includes charging means (e.g., charging circuit 123) for charging a
built-in secondary battery 118 with power supplied from the camera
stand 130, and the activation control means (e.g., CPU 154, stand
mounting sensing circuit 160) includes means for activating the
defective pixel sensing means 190 after the charging means (e.g.,
charging circuit 123) has finished charging the second battery.
[0433] In the electronic camera 110, there is no possibility that
the operation of sensing defective pixels will be interrupted due
to the exhaustion of the built-in secondary battery 118.
[0434] [6] The camera described in the embodiment is an electronic
camera system composed of an electronic camera 110 and a camera
stand 130 on which the electronic camera 110 is mounted detachably
and is characterized in that the camera stand 130 includes light
projecting means 130L (light source 137, reflecting plate 138,
milk-white plate 139) for projecting light onto the photographing
system of the mounted electronic camera 110, and the electronic
camera 110 includes defective pixel sensing means 190 on which the
light projecting means 130L projects light and which is capable of
sensing black defective pixels in the photographing element
143.
[0435] In the electronic camera system, black defects can be sensed
accurately, since the light projecting means 130L provided on the
camera stand 130 projects uniform light stably onto the
photographing system 140 of the electronic camera 110 mounted on
the camera stand 130.
[0436] [7] The electronic camera system described in the embodiment
and item [6] is characterized in that the camera stand 130 includes
power supplying means (e.g., AC/DC converter 136) for supplying
power to the mounted electronic camera 110 and the electronic
camera 110 includes charging means (e.g., charging circuit 123) for
charging a built-in secondary battery 118 with power supplied from
the camera stand 130.
[0437] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *