JP2005151710A - Cradle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cradle whose functions are enhanced by providing functions other than charging, for example, a function for illuminating from the rear face of equipment during charging and a function for displaying a charging state with changes of illuminating states, to the cradle for charging electronic equipment such as a digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: The cradle is provided with the function for charging the electronic equipment by laying the electronic equipment on it. The cradle is provided with an illuminating means for illuminating the electronic equipment laid on the rear face side of a laying part for charging on which the electronic equipment is laid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cradle. Specifically, in a digital still camera or a video camera, in addition to the function of a conventional cradle, a function for lighting up and viewing a camera body by arranging a lighting device is added. At the same time, it relates to a cradle that plays the role of a stand and further changes the color and brightness of the light so that the mode and charge state of the camera body can be solved at a glance.

  In the prior art, a cradle is used for charging a digital camera or a video camera, and it is well known to represent the state of charge in various forms.

For example, in the case of an electronic camera having a liquid crystal screen, when the electronic camera is placed on a cradle and charged, the same pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the electronic camera and the display screen of the cradle. There is something to recognize that.
JP 2003-204461 A (page 3, Fig. 1)

However, the cradle described in the prior art only recognizes that it is charging, and does not have a function such as how long the charging is completed, but leaves it to the function of the charging device side. There are many things, and the one that works by the cradle itself is only charging.
Therefore, paying attention to the cradle itself, the cradle side has functions that can be performed other than the charging, thereby enhancing the functions of the device itself and the functions of the cradle.
Specifically, it has improved visibility, improved interior characteristics, versatility, and functions such as rotating and tilting the cradle as a function other than charging, functioning as a stand, or improving the interior characteristics by incorporating an AC adapter. There is a problem that must be solved in a cradle having various functions such as

  In order to solve the above problems, the cradle of the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) The cradle is a cradle having a function of placing and charging an electronic device, and illuminating means for illuminating the electronic device placed on the back side of the charging placement unit on which the electronic device is placed. It is to be prepared.
(2) The cradle according to (1), wherein the illumination by the illumination unit is changed according to a state of charge of the electronic device.
(3) The cradle according to (1), wherein the illuminating means is formed of a light guide tube that guides light from a light emitting portion provided inside the cradle.
(4) The cradle according to (1), wherein the charging placement unit is provided with a transparent or translucent enclosure member so as to surround the electronic device.
(5) The cradle according to (1), wherein the electronic device is a digital camera.

(6) The cradle is a rack-type cradle formed by placing a plurality of cradles having a function of placing and charging an electronic device on a shelf, and each of the cradles on which the electronic device is placed. An illuminating means for illuminating the back side of the mounted electronic device is provided on the back side.
(7) The cradle according to (6), wherein the illumination unit is formed of a surface light emitting element that emits light in a planar shape.
(8) The cradle according to (6), wherein at least one of the plurality of cradles is formed in a tray shape that can be inserted and removed in a forward direction.
(9) The cradle according to (6), wherein the electronic device mounted and charged on the plurality of cradles includes at least a camera.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a lighting device that illuminates a device placed on the cradle is provided, or a charging state is expressed by the lighting device, so that the device to be charged, for example, the camera body is lit up In addition to adding functions for viewing, you can play the role of a stand. Furthermore, by changing the color and brightness of the light, the mode and charging state of the camera body can be known at a glance.

  Next, an embodiment of a cradle according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  A cradle according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The cradle of the first embodiment guides a set from a base portion equipped with conventional functions such as a charging function, a function of connecting to a TV (television receiver) / PC (personal computer), a remote control function, and the like. By arranging a transparent member for guiding the LED light from the inside, it is possible to shine the member and illuminate the electronic device mounted there, in the embodiment the digital camera body .
And when the digital camera is not attached to the cradle, it can be used as indirect illumination. In addition, when a digital camera is installed, it has the function of recognizing the state of the digital camera and displaying the charging status and mode status of the main unit by turning on / flashing the light emitting unit and adjusting the color and brightness. Yes.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the specific structure is a structure provided with illumination means for the charging function, and a base portion 11 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a substantially semicircular cross section, and a base A set mounting portion 13 that is formed in an upper position of the portion 11 and is depressed so that the bottom of the digital camera 12 can be mounted; a charging terminal portion 14 provided in the set mounting portion 13; The guide unit 15 that guides the digital camera 12 provided in the placement unit 13 to the charging position and the illumination unit 16 that is illumination means provided in a state along the back side of the set placement unit 13 are mainly configured. .
The set mounting portion 13 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in accordance with the shape of the bottom portion of the digital camera 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4 in particular, the illumination unit 16 includes a flat light guide tube 17 formed of a transparent member that also serves as a guide so that the digital camera 12 can be seated on the back side of the set mounting unit 13. A light emitting unit 18 for supplying a light source to the light guide tube 17 is formed inside the base portion 11 at a lower position of the light guide tube 17.

  In the cradle having such a configuration, when the digital camera 12 is placed on the set mounting portion 13 of the base portion 11, the charging contact of the digital camera 12 is automatically electrically connected to the charging terminal portion 14 and charging can be started. At the same time, the light guide tube 17 that functions as a backrest emits light when a light source is supplied from the light emitting unit 18, and the light illuminates the side wall surface behind the digital camera 12, so that the digital camera 12 itself emits light. The lighting effect can be obtained as a state of being lifted inside.

  Next, a second embodiment of the cradle according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The cradle according to the second embodiment is similar to the cradle according to the first embodiment described above. Conventional functions such as a charging function, a connection function to a TV (television receiver) / PC (personal computer), a remote control function, etc. A transparent member for guiding the set is arranged from the base portion equipped with the LED, and the light of the LED is guided from the inside, so that the member is shined, and the electronic device attached thereto, in the embodiment, digital The camera body can be illuminated.
When the digital camera body is not attached to the cradle, it can be used as indirect illumination. In addition, when the digital camera body is installed, it has a function to recognize the state of the digital camera body and to display the charging state and mode state of the body by lighting / flashing the light emitting unit and adjusting the color and brightness. I have.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the specific structure is a structure provided with illumination means for the charging function, and has a base portion 11 </ b> A formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a substantially semicircular cross section, and a base A set placement portion 13A formed at a top position of the portion 11A and recessed to such an extent that the bottom of the digital camera 12A can be placed; a charging terminal portion 14A provided in the set placement portion 13A; The digital camera 12A provided in the placement portion 13A is roughly configured by a guide portion 15A for guiding the digital camera 12A itself to the charging position and an illumination portion 16A provided in a state along the back side of the set placement portion 13A.
The set placement portion 13A is formed in a shape that matches the shape of the bottom portion of the digital camera 12A. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, the right side is formed in a square shape, and the left side is formed in a curved shape.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, the illumination unit 16A includes a flat light guide tube 17A formed of a transparent member that also serves as a guide so that the digital camera 12A can be seated on the back side of the set mounting unit 13A. A light emitting portion 18A for supplying a light source to the light guide tube 17A in the base portion 11A at the lower position of the light guide tube 17A.

  In the cradle having such a configuration, when the digital camera 12A is placed on the set mounting portion 13A of the base portion 11A, the charging contact of the digital camera 12A is automatically electrically connected to the charging terminal portion 14A and charging can be started. At the same time, the light guide tube 16A that functions as a backrest emits light when a light source is supplied from the light emitting unit 18A, and the light illuminates the side wall surface behind the digital camera 12A, so that the digital camera 12A itself emits light. The lighting effect can be obtained as a state of being lifted inside.

  Next, a third embodiment of the cradle according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The cradle according to the third embodiment has a charging function, a connection function to a TV (television receiver) / PC (personal computer), etc., a remote control function, etc., and a base part equipped with conventional functions for lighting up. It is possible to light up the main body by arranging a plurality of light emitting units such as LEDs and EL. At this time, the light emitting unit is equipped with a mechanism capable of adjusting its direction so that all types of cameras can be optimally lit up.
In addition, an opening / closing cover, which is a transparent or translucent enclosure member, is attached so that dust or the like does not accumulate on the camera body for viewing. The opening / closing cover scatters the light from the light emitting unit to provide indirect illumination, and can also serve as a stand. Further, the cover part can be removed by making it a bayonet joint so that the cover part can be easily cleaned.
It is also possible to recognize the state of the camera body and display the state of charging in the body and the state of the mode by turning on / flashing the light emitting part of the cradle and adjusting the color and brightness. Furthermore, regardless of the state of the main body, the interior should be a cradle that can be operated with a remote controller or the like to switch the brightness and color of the light emitting section and turn on / off.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the specific configuration is a cradle having a function of lighting up a set in addition to a charging function, and is formed in a spherical shape that is transparent or translucent. The base part 21 includes a base 22 on which operation buttons and the like are arranged at a lower position of the base part 21.
The base portion 21 is provided with a set placement portion 24 for placing the set 23 at a substantially central position thereof, and a hemispherical cover 25 is formed by a transparent or translucent enclosure member so that dust or the like does not enter the periphery thereof. The cover 25 is provided with an opening / closing cover 26 for taking the set 23 in and out. Moreover, the cover 25 and the opening / closing cover 26 have a structure that can be removed from the base portion 21 by bayonet bonding.
The set mounting unit 24 includes a charging terminal unit 27 for charging when the set 23 is mounted, and a guide unit 28 for guiding charging of the set 23, and the like at the peripheral end of the set mounting unit 24. The illumination unit 30 including the light-up light emitting unit 29 is provided at intervals.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the light emitting unit 29 has a structure including a tilt adjustment mechanism that can change the light emitting direction. With this, by changing the illumination direction with respect to the set 23 that is placed, As the illumination to 23 changes, the emitted light is reflected by the cover 25 and the opening / closing cover 26, and various patterns can be created.

  The pedestal 22 is provided with various operation buttons, and includes a light ON / OFF 31, a light color switching button 32, a remote control light receiving unit 33, a power switch 34, and a power lamp 35 from the left side of the drawing. 36 and a power cord 37 are provided.

FIG. 12 shows the internal configuration of the set 23 and the internal configuration of the cradle. A digital still camera or a video camera is assumed as the set. The set includes a camera 38A, a memory card 39A, a tape. 40A, a display device 41A, an operation unit 42A, and a battery 43A are provided, each of which is configured to send and receive signals via the bus 50.
The camera 38A is connected to an image signal processing circuit 38 that processes a signal picked up by the camera 38A, and a signal from the image signal processing circuit 38 is supplied onto the bus 50 via an interface 39a. The memory card 39A is read and written by the card reader / writer 39, and the data is supplied to the bus 50 via the interface 39b. Data from the tape 40A is recorded by the image signal recording unit 40 and supplied to the bus 50 via the interface 39c. The display device 41A is connected to the monitor drive circuit 41 and is connected to the bus 50 via the interface 39d. The operation unit 42A is connected to the control unit 42, and the control unit 42 controls each element connected to the bus 50.
The battery 43A is connected to the power supply unit 43 and connected to the bus 50 via the interface 39e, and is connected to the power supply line from the charging terminal unit 27.

  The cradle with light-up control having such a configuration is configured such that various functions can be exerted via the bus 50 </ b> A connected by the charging terminal portion 27. In the embodiment, the illumination unit 30, the operation unit 44, the remote control light receiving unit 33, the power supply unit 45, the video signal processing circuit 46, and the signal processing circuit 47 are connected to the bus 50A via interfaces 49a, 49b, and 49c.

  The operation unit 44 includes the light ON / OFF 31, the light color switching button 32, the power switch 34, and the like shown in FIG. 8, and is connected to the control unit 48. The control unit 48 performs various controls via the bus 50A. To manage. The control unit 48 is configured to control the illumination unit 30. The power cord 37 is connected to the power supply unit 45, and is connected to the bus 50A via the interface 49a. The signal output code 36 is connected to the video signal processing circuit 46, and is connected to the bus 50A via the interface 49b. The signal processing circuit 47 is connected to the bus 50A.

In the cradle having such a configuration, first, when the opening / closing cover 26 is opened and the digital camera that is the set 23 is placed on the set placement unit 24, the charging contact of the set 23 comes into contact with the charge terminal portion 27 to charge. Starts, and the buses 50 and 50A are connected to each other.
If it does so, the control part 48 will drive by operation from the operation part 44 by the side of a cradle, and if the brightness of the illumination to the illumination part 30 is controlled, the light emission part 29 which comprises the illumination part 30 will be controlled.
That is, light is emitted from the light emitting unit 29 and irradiates the periphery of the set 23 from the lower side, and the light reflected by the opening / closing cover 25 becomes irregularly reflected, and the effect of indirect illumination can be brought out. Here, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 29 is emitted when the light ON / OFF 31 constituting the operation unit 44 is ON, and the light ON / OFF 31 is turned on when the set 23 is not placed. If it is ON, light may be emitted automatically, or light may be emitted when the set 23 is placed on the set placement unit 24.
Further, on the basis of the light reception data from the remote control light receiving unit 33, for example, the set tape 40A is driven, and the video signal is sent to the video signal processing circuit 46 of the cradle, via the signal output code 36. By sending video data to a TV (television receiver) or PC (personal computer) to which this signal output code 36 is connected, the data is displayed on the TV or PC while charging or in a state where charging is complete. You can also

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the cradle according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The cradle of the fourth embodiment is a rack cradle for CDs or video tapes, so that a plurality of mobile devices such as a digital still camera, a video camera, a mobile phone, and an MD walkman can be accommodated.
In this case, for example, an EL equisurface light source can be installed on the back of the rack cradle to light up the stored digital still camera or the like. Furthermore, by arranging a power outlet in the rack, a mobile device such as a mobile phone can be stored for each cradle. In this way, a cradle that generates a light-up effect for a plurality of mobile devices is realized.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the specific configuration is a box-shaped rack with an open front, is formed in a two-stage shelf shape, and includes partition walls 51 a and 51 b at substantially central positions. A total of four cradles 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are provided on the left, right, and upper sides, and the front surface includes a window 53 that can be opened and closed such as transparent glass. The cradle is provided with a cradle 52a for the video camera 62 at the upper left, a cradle 52b for the still camera 63 at the lower left, a cradle 52c for the video camera 64 at the upper right, and a cradle 52d for the mobile phone 65 at the lower right. 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are provided with a charging terminal portion for charging.
These cradles 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d are provided with surface light emitting elements 53a, 53b on the back surface. With this, the video cameras 62 placed on the cradle 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 64 and mobile phone 65 are illuminated from the back.
On the other hand, a light ON / OFF button 54, a light color switching button 55, a remote control light receiving unit 56, a power switch 57, and a power lamp 58 are provided at the lower front position of the rack from the left position, and are closer to the right end inside the shelf. The power outlets 59a and 59b are provided at the upper and lower positions. Although not shown, the power supply AC adapter is built in, and has a structure including a power cord 60 for supplying power and a signal output cord 61 for connecting to other devices.
The upper left cradle 52a stores a recording medium 66 for accumulating data photographed by the video camera 62, and accumulates images photographed by the video camera 62 while the video camera 62 is being charged or has been charged. It has a function that can. Further, the recording medium 66 may simply be placed in that place.

  In the rack-type cradle 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d having such a configuration, the cradle 52a, 52b, 52c in the rack is charged when the video camera 62, 64 or the still camera 63, the mobile phone 65 is charged. , 52d is automatically charged. At this time, the cameras 62, 63, 64 and the mobile phone 65 being charged are lit up by light emission of the surface light emitting elements 53a, 53b. Although the control portion is not shown in the figure, it is possible to make the charged state visible by changing the light-up state, or the video camera 62 being charged or fully charged can be operated by the remote control. It also has functions other than charging, such as recording data recorded on the recording medium 66 on the recording medium 66, connecting the signal output code 61 to an external device, and transferring the data recorded by the video camera to the external device. .

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the cradle according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The cradle of the fifth embodiment is a rack cradle for a CD or video tape, so that a plurality of mobile devices such as a digital still camera, a video camera, a mobile phone, and an MD walkman can be accommodated. In addition, a recording medium such as a DV video tape can be stored in the free space.
In this case, for example, an EL equisurface light source can be installed on the back of the rack cradle to light up the stored digital still camera or the like. In addition, detachment from the cradle terminal of the camera device can improve operability by pulling out the sliding tray. Further, by arranging a power outlet in the rack, a mobile device such as a mobile phone can be stored for each cradle. In this way, a cradle that generates a light-up effect for a plurality of mobile devices is realized.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the specific configuration is a box-shaped rack with an open front, is formed in a two-stage shelf shape, and includes partition walls 51 a and 51 b at substantially central positions. A total of four cradles 52a, 52b, 52c, and 52d are provided on the left, right, and upper sides, and the front surface includes a window 53 that can be opened and closed such as transparent glass. The cradle includes a cradle 52a for a tray-type video camera 62 that moves forward in the upper left direction, a cradle 52b for a tray-type still camera 63 that moves forward in the lower left direction, a cradle 52c for the video camera 64 in the upper right direction, and a lower right. A cradle 52d for the cellular phone 65 is provided, and charging terminals 67a and 67b and guides 68a and 68b for charging are provided on the respective cradles 52a, 52b, 52c and 52d.
These cradles 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d are provided with surface light emitting elements 53a, 53b on the back surface. With this, the video cameras 62 placed on the cradle 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 64 and mobile phone 65 are illuminated from the back.
On the other hand, a light ON / OFF button 54, a light color switching button 55, a remote control light receiving unit 56, a power switch 57, and a power lamp 58 are provided at the lower front position of the rack from the left position. Although not shown, the power supply AC adapter is built in, and has a structure including a power cord 60 for supplying power and a signal output cord 61 for connecting to other devices.
The upper left cradle 52a stores a recording medium 66 for accumulating data photographed by the video camera 62, and accumulates images photographed by the video camera 62 while the video camera 62 is being charged or has been charged. It has a function that can.

  In the rack-type cradle 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d having such a configuration, when charging the video camera 62 or the still camera 63, the cradle 52a, 52b in the rack is pulled forward, and the video camera 62 or still By placing the camera 63 along the guide portions 68a and 68b, the charging terminal portions 67a and 67b are connected to the charging contacts of the camera, and charging is started. At this time, the cameras 62, 63, 64 and the mobile phone 65 being charged are lit up by the light emission of the surface light emitting elements 53a, 53b. Although the control portion is not shown in the figure, it is possible to make the charged state visible by changing the light-up state, or the video camera 62 being charged or fully charged can be operated by the remote control. It also has functions other than charging, such as recording data recorded on the recording medium 66 on the recording medium 66, connecting the signal output code 61 to an external device, and transferring the data recorded by the video camera to the external device. .

  Multi-functionality of the cradle that was used only for the charging function by providing a lighting unit that illuminates the camera body that charges the cradle, and changing the lighting depending on the charging state. It is possible to provide an easy-to-use cradle by adopting a configuration that fulfills the requirements of the system.

It is a side view of the cradle of a 1st embodiment concerning the present invention. FIG. It is the side view made into the partial cross section of the state which mounted the camera same as the above. It is sectional drawing of the state which mounted the camera same as the above. It is a top view of the cradle of a 2nd embodiment concerning the present invention. It is the side view made into the partial cross section of the state which mounted the camera same as the above. It is sectional drawing of the state which mounted the camera same as the above. It is the perspective view which showed schematically the state which mounted the camera in the cradle of 3rd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the state which opened the cover similarly. It is the perspective view which showed schematically the state which opened the cover, without mounting a camera. It is a side view of a light emission part same as the above. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the connection relationship between the camera and the cradle and the configuration thereof. It is the perspective view which showed schematically the state which mounted the camera and the mobile telephone on the rack-type cradle of 4th Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing seen from the front same as the above. It is the perspective view which showed schematically the state which mounted the camera and the mobile telephone on the rack-type cradle of 5th Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the state where a tray type cradle was pulled out.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11; Base part, 11A; Base part, 12; Digital camera, 12A; Digital camera, 13; Set mounting part, 13A; Set mounting part, 14: Charging terminal part, 14A; Charging terminal part, 15; , 15A; Guide part, 16; Illumination part, 16A; Illumination part, 17; Light guide tube, 17A; Light guide tube, 18; Light emission part, 18A: Light emission part, 21; Base part, 22; , 24; set mounting section, 25; cover, 26; open / close cover, 27; charging terminal section, 28; guide section, 29; light emitting section, 30; illumination section, 31; light ON / OFF, 32; Button 33; Remote control light receiving unit 34; Power switch 35; Power lamp 36; Signal output code 37 37 Power cord 38 38 Image signal processing circuit 38A Camera 39a Interface 39b Interface 39c; Interface 39d; Interface 39e; Interface 40; Image signal recording unit 40A; Tape 41; Monitor drive circuit 41A; Display device 42; Control unit 42A; Unit, 43A; battery, 44; operation unit, 45; power supply unit, 46; video signal processing circuit, 47; signal processing circuit, 48; control unit, 49a; interface, 49b; interface, 49c; 50A; bus, 51a; partition wall, 51b; partition wall, 52a; cradle, 52b; cradle, 52c; cradle, 52d; cradle, 53; window, 53a: surface light emitting element, 53b: surface light emitting element, 54; / OFF button, 55; light color switching button, 56; remote control light receiving unit, 7; Power switch, 58; Power lamp, 59a; Power outlet, 59b; Power outlet, 60; Power cord, 61; Signal output cord, 62; Video camera, 63; Still camera, 64; Video camera, 65; 66, recording medium, 67a; charging terminal portion, 67b; charging terminal portion, 68a; guide portion, 68b; guide portion.

Claims (9)

A cradle with a function to place and charge electronic devices,
A cradle comprising illumination means for illuminating an electronic device placed on the back side of a charging placement portion on which the electronic device is placed.   2. The cradle according to claim 1, wherein illumination by the illumination unit is changed according to a state of charge of the electronic device.   2. The cradle according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating unit is formed of a light guide tube that guides light from a light emitting unit provided inside the cradle.   The cradle according to claim 1, wherein a transparent or translucent enclosure member is provided on the charging placement unit so as to surround the electronic device.   The cradle according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a digital camera. A rack-type cradle formed with a plurality of cradles having a function of placing and charging electronic devices arranged on a shelf,
A cradle comprising: lighting means for illuminating the back side of the placed electronic device on each back side of the cradle on which the electronic device is placed.   The cradle according to claim 6, wherein the illuminating unit is formed of a surface light emitting element that emits light in a planar shape.   The cradle according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of cradles is formed in a tray shape that can be taken in and out in a forward direction.   The cradle according to claim 6, wherein at least the camera is included in the electronic device that is placed on and charges the plurality of cradle.

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