JP4035017B2 - Cradle for electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic camera cradle that shares the functions of an electronic camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when taking a still picture for recording using a silver salt photograph camera, a digital camera, or the like, it is widely performed to record a photographing date and time together with a subject. Recently, video cameras that can take still pictures have been developed. The date and time information when using a camera such as an electronic camera such as a digital camera or a video camera, or a camera for silver halide photography, manually set the date and time information of the camera to the date and time of the clock. For example, after that, it is configured to be automatically updated by a timer driven by a battery built in the camera. For example, when shooting date / time imprinting is selected by operating a shooting mode switching button, the subject is shot. Each time, the date and time information automatically updated by the timer is copied to the still photo. For this reason, since it is difficult to automatically update the date and time information when the built-in battery runs out and the timer stops, the time required to replace the built-in battery in response to the battery dead warning is a provisional means, for example, instead of the built-in battery. Generally, it is configured so that the date and time information can be continuously updated automatically by supplying timer driving power from a capacitor.
[0003]
However, if the built-in battery is removed to avoid battery drainage due to electric leakage or if it is left for a long time with the battery running out, the time that can be supplied from the provisional means will be exceeded, and the timer will stop. The date information is not automatically updated.
[0004]
Therefore, if it is necessary to imprint the shooting date and time at the next shooting, it is necessary to reset the camera date and time manually. Even if the battery has not run out, it may be necessary to return to Japan from overseas travel, for example, to manually correct or initialize the date and time information set in the camera. Since the initial setting of the date and time is performed manually in the order of year, month, day, and time, for example, the user may feel troublesome.
[0005]
Today, mobile devices and notebook PCs are rapidly becoming mobile, and there is a strong desire to reduce the weight, thickness, and size of mobile devices, and the same is true for electronic cameras. . Therefore, functions that should be separated from the main unit in relation to functions that are relatively infrequently used and battery capacity, such as battery charging functions, photographed image data backup functions, full-scale playback functions, etc. It is common to share the functions.
[0006]
However, if you try to execute the functions shared by accessories, etc., you may not find a connection cable, or it may be troublesome because it may take time to connect or disconnect the cable. There is a claim to get in the way.
[0007]
In order to deal with these claims, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-69684 has been known in the past in which the connection of a video output device for reproducing video captured by a video camera and the charger are integrated. The playback apparatus includes a holding unit such as a video camera, a connection unit, a charging unit, a storage unit that performs secondary storage of information stored in the video camera, and a control unit that controls secondary storage and charging. An added information recording apparatus is disclosed.
[0008]
According to this information recording apparatus, when the video camera or the like is held by the holding means, the video camera or the like is connected by the connecting means, and the secondary storage or charging of the information stored in the video camera or the like is performed. It is considered that charging and backup of stored information can be performed without connecting a cable each time.
[0009]
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-23386, for example, when a portable electronic device such as a video camera is connected to an AV device such as a TV receiver, a portable device that is connected wirelessly if a video camera is mounted. An electronic device connection apparatus is disclosed.
[0010]
This portable electronic device connection device is connected to the AV device in advance, and if a video camera or the like is placed on the mounting table of this portable electronic device connection device, there is no need to connect each time with a cable. It is thought that there are few.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-69684 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-23386, the connection between the electronic camera and the charger or the electronic camera and the AV device is facilitated, and the image is taken with the electronic camera. However, it has a so-called backup function of taking out information stored in the electronic camera and storing it in the apparatus, but does not have a function of automatically updating information stored in the electronic camera from the apparatus.
[0012]
In view of the above circumstances, the present invention addresses the need for downsizing and weight reduction of an electronic camera by sharing the charging function and the like, and also initializes the date and time of the date and time information for photographing date and time of the electronic camera. An object is to provide a cradle for an electronic camera that shares the above.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A cradle for an electronic camera according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object includes a housing having an opening and an image of a subject contained in the opening on a solid-state imaging device to obtain image data. In an electronic camera cradle having a function of charging an internal battery of an electronic camera for photographing and a function of sending the image data to video equipment,
A clock to get date and time information,
Date and time information transmission unit for sending date and time information obtained by the watch to an electronic camera housed in the opening ,
Reset detection means for detecting whether or not the date and time information of the electronic camera housed in the opening is in a reset state,
The date and time information transmission unit is configured to send the date and time information to the electronic camera in response to the fact that the reset detection means detects that the date and time information of the electronic camera is in a reset state. To do.
[0014]
By housing the electronic camera in the opening of the electronic camera cradle housing in this way, the date and time of the electronic camera's shooting date and time imprinting date and time information is automatically initialized based on the date and time information of the clock provided in the electronic camera cradle. This eliminates the hassle of manually setting the date and time manually.
[0016]
By providing such a reset detection means, the date and time information can be sent from the electronic camera cradle to the electronic camera only when necessary, and the date and time of the shooting date and time information for the electronic camera can be initialized.
[0017]
It is also a preferred aspect that a display unit for displaying date and time information obtained by the clock is provided.
[0018]
As described above, if the display unit is provided, it is possible to confirm whether or not the date and time of the date and time information for photographing date and time that is initially set in the electronic camera is accurate.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of an electronic camera cradle according to the present invention will be described.
[0020]
1 and 2 are schematic views showing the cradle for an electronic camera according to the present embodiment, FIG. 1 is a view showing a state before the electronic camera is inserted, and FIG. FIG.
[0021]
In FIG. 1, an electronic camera cradle 10 includes a housing 2 having an opening 2a on the upper side, a power cord 5 with a plug 5a to be inserted into a commercial power outlet, a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC) 3, and the like. A cable 4 connected to the video equipment and a display unit 15 for displaying date and time information obtained by the clock are provided. In the case 2, a charging circuit for charging the battery of the electronic camera 1 (not shown), an interface for connecting the video external terminal of the electronic camera 1 to the cable 4 connected to the PC 3, etc., and date / time information are obtained. A clock and a date / time information transmission unit that transmits date / time information obtained from the clock are provided.
[0022]
When the electronic camera 1 is inserted into the opening 2a of the housing 2, a battery terminal (not shown) of the electronic camera 1 and an interface, a charging unit (not shown) of the cradle 2 for the electronic camera, a cable connected to a video device, and a date information transmission unit are provided. Each is connected, the battery of the electronic camera 1 is charged, and the video taken by the electronic camera 1 is sent to the PC 3, so that the video can be monitored. In addition, when the date / time information for the shooting date / time of the electronic camera 1 is reset, the date / time information is sent from the date information transmission unit, and the date / time of the date / time information for shooting the date / time of the electronic camera 1 based on the information. Is initialized.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state in which the electronic camera is housed in the opening of the electronic camera cradle of the present embodiment.
[0024]
The housing 2 of the cradle 10 for an electronic camera shown in FIG. 2 has an opening 2 a on the upper side, and the electronic camera 1 is accommodated in the opening 2 a of the housing 2.
[0025]
The electronic camera 1 includes an imaging lens 1a, a finder 1b, and a flash light emission window 1c, and is inserted into the opening 2a of the housing 2 of the cradle 10 for the electronic camera with the front of the electronic camera 1 facing forward. Connected to an electronic camera cradle.
[0026]
Here, the connection between the electronic camera and the electronic camera cradle may be a mechanical connection using a connector, a connection using an optical means such as a semiconductor laser, or an ultrasonic wave. The connection using may be used.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection state between the electronic camera cradle and the electronic camera housed in the opening of the casing.
[0027]
In FIG. 3, the electronic camera 1 includes a CPU 20 that controls the entire camera, each functional component, a BUS wiring 30 that connects the CPU 20 and each functional unit, and a power supply unit 35 that supplies power to the digital camera 1. The setting system set by the operator, the autofocus function, the automatic exposure function, and the like are omitted.
[0028]
Each functional unit includes an imaging lens 1a that forms an image of a subject on a solid-state imaging device (here, a CCD is used, hereinafter abbreviated as a CCD), and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged vertically and horizontally to constitute each pixel. The CCD 25 that converts the light amount distribution of the light image of the subject into an electrical signal and accumulates it as charges, the CDSAMP 26 that reads out the charges as RGB signals at the timing set by the timing generator, and suppresses noise, and RGB An A / D converter 27 that converts the signal into a digital signal, a memory (RAM) 23 that stores the digitized RGB signal, and a RGB signal stored in the memory 23 is subjected to γ correction, and then analog again. An image signal processing circuit 28 that converts the signal into a luminance signal Y and a color signal C, and JPEG compression processing the luminance signal Y and the color signal C. The recording medium (semiconductor memory) 24 for recording the applied information and the analog YC signal output from the image signal processing circuit 28 are sent to an external monitor or the electronic camera cradle 10, and the date and time between the electronic camera cradle 10 And an interface 29 for transmitting and receiving information and the like.
[0029]
Further, the CPU 20 of the electronic camera 1 includes a timer 21 that outputs a signal at regular time intervals, and a MAN. When the date / time setting button 31 switches between the date 31a and the AUTO 31b that automatically initializes the date / time based on the date / time information from the electronic camera cradle, and the date / time is initialized manually or automatically according to the switching of the date / time setting button 31. When the date and time information is automatically updated by receiving a signal output from the timer 21 and the date and time recording mode is selected in a setting system (not shown), the image data obtained by imaging the subject on the CCD 25 is obtained. And a date and time recording unit 22 that records the shooting date and time. The date / time setting button 31 is normally switched to AUTO 31b, and only when the date / time is manually set, the MAN. Switch to 31a.
[0030]
Furthermore, the electronic camera 1 includes a power supply unit 35 that supplies predetermined power to each part in the electronic camera that is driven by electric power. The power supply unit includes a battery 35a and a converter 35b that converts the voltage of the battery. The battery 35a can be charged by an electronic camera cradle.
[0031]
Here, the timer 21 outputs a signal at a constant time interval when power stored in a capacitor (not shown) is supplied for a predetermined time even when the battery of the power supply unit 35 runs out or is removed. However, it stops when a predetermined time elapses. When the timer 21 is stopped, the date / time recording unit 22 cannot automatically update the date / time information, and therefore resets the date / time information and stops the function of imprinting the shooting date / time on the image data. When the battery is replaced or charged, the timer 21 again outputs a signal at a constant time interval. However, the date and time recording unit 22 is maintained in the reset state, and the MAN. Until the date and time is reset in 31a or AUTO 31b, the function of imprinting the shooting date and time on the image data is stopped.
[0032]
On the other hand, the cradle 10 for the electronic camera is connected to the charging unit 11 connected to the first connector 11a connected to the charging terminal 35c of the electronic camera 1 and the power cord connected to the charging unit 11 to commercial power (AC). Plug 5a to be plugged into the outlet, and an interface 12 connected to the second connector 12a connected to the connection terminal 29a connected to the interface 29 of the electronic camera 1.
[0033]
By connecting a PC or the like to the interface 12, the analog YC signal output from the image signal processing circuit 28 of the electronic camera 1 can be displayed as a video on the PC or the like.
[0034]
Further, the electronic camera cradle 10 of the present embodiment includes a CPU 13 that controls date information transmitted to and received from the electronic camera 1, a clock 14 that obtains date information, and a display unit that displays date information obtained by the clock. 15 and the date / time information transmission unit 16 that sends the date / time information obtained by the clock 14 to the electronic camera housed in the opening, and detects whether the date / time information of the electronic camera has been reset due to battery exhaustion or the like. And a reset detecting unit 17 for performing the above operation. The date / time information transmission unit 16 is connected to the third connector 16 a, and the third connector 16 a is connected to a connection terminal 29 b connected to the interface 29 of the electronic camera 1.
[0035]
The clock 14 has a dedicated power source 14 a and sends date / time information to the display unit 15 via the CPU 13 and sends the date / time information to the date / time information transmission unit 16.
[0036]
The reset detection unit 17 and the date / time information transmission unit 16 are connected to each other, and the reset detection unit 17 is connected to a connection terminal 29 b connected to the date / time recording unit 22 via the interface 29 of the electronic camera 1.
[0037]
Here, the reset detection unit 17 detects whether or not the date and time recording unit 22 is in a reset state, and when it is detected that the date and time recording unit 22 is in a reset state, the information is sent to the CPU 13. send. Upon receiving the reset detection information from the reset detection unit 17, the CPU 13 instructs the date / time information transmission unit 16 to transmit the date / time information to the date / time recording unit 22 of the electronic camera.
[0038]
The date / time information transmission unit 16 initializes the date / time of the date / time information obtained from the clock 14 in the date / time recording unit 22 via the connection terminal 29 b connected to the third connector 16 a and the interface 29 of the electronic camera 1. . Since the timer 21 of the electronic camera 1 has already output a signal at regular time intervals, the date and time initially set in the date and time recording unit 22 is automatically updated.
[0039]
Thus, when the electronic camera 1 is accommodated in the opening of the cradle 10 for the electronic camera, charging of the built-in battery 35a is started, and when the date and time recording unit 22 of the electronic camera 1 is reset, the electronic camera Since the initial setting is automatically made based on the date and time information of the clock of the cradle 10 for use, it is freed from the trouble of performing the initial setting manually.
[0040]
Here, in the present embodiment, the electronic camera cradle 10 is initialized with the date and time information maintained and updated by the electronic camera cradle 10 after confirming that the date and time information of the electronic camera 1 has been reset. However, it is not always necessary to confirm that the electronic camera 1 is reset, and the electronic camera 1 can be initialized every time the electronic camera 1 is accommodated in the opening of the electronic camera cradle 10.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the electronic camera cradle of the present invention, the date and time of the shooting date and time information for the electronic camera can be automatically initialized. Free from bothersomeness.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a cradle for an electronic camera according to an embodiment (a view showing a state before the electronic camera is inserted).
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the electronic camera cradle of the present embodiment (a view showing a state in which the electronic camera is inserted).
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection state between an electronic camera cradle and an electronic camera housed in an opening of the housing.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic camera 1a Imaging lens 1b Finder 1c Flash light emission window 2 Case 2a Opening 3 Personal computer 4 Cable 5 Power cord 5a Plug 10 Electronic camera cradle 11 Charging part 11a First connector 12, 29 Interface 12a Second connector 13 , 20 CPU
14 Clock 14a Power supply 15 Display unit 16 Date / time information transmission unit 16a Third connector 17 Reset detection unit 21 Timer 22 Date / time recording unit 23 Memory 24 Recording medium (semiconductor memory)
25 CCD
26 CDSAMP
27 A / D converter 28 Image signal processing circuit 29a, 29b Connection terminal 30 BUS wiring 31 Date / time setting button 31a AUTO
31b MAN.
35 Power supply unit 35a Battery 35b Converter, 35c Charging terminal

Claims (2)

A housing having an opening, and a function of charging a built-in battery of an electronic camera that captures the subject by forming an image of the subject on a solid-state image sensor and obtaining the image data. In an electronic camera cradle having a function of sending the image data to video equipment,
A clock to get date and time information,
Date and time information obtained by the timepiece, and a date and time information transmission unit that sends the date and time information to the electronic camera housed in the opening ,
Reset detection means for detecting whether or not the date and time information of the electronic camera accommodated in the opening is in a reset state,
The date and time information transmission unit is configured to send the date and time information to the electronic camera when the reset detection unit detects that the date and time information of the electronic camera is in a reset state. Cradle for electronic camera. The electronic camera cradle according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays date and time information obtained by the timepiece .

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