JP4654863B2 - Cradle for electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cradle for an electronic device that is appropriately mounted and placed on an electronic device such as a small digital still camera and used for connection to an external device or power supply.

Although a small digital still camera is smaller than a compact camera for silver halide film, it can store many shot images and can easily leave only the necessary images. It is rapidly spreading to the elderly.
And by reducing power consumption, reducing the size of recording media, and adopting a dedicated optical system and battery, the size of a conventional compact camera can be reduced to fit in a shirt pocket. The product is seen in the market.
In such a small digital still camera, since the accommodation space in the housing is limited, the configuration is necessary only for photographing.

On the other hand, in this small digital still camera and electronic devices that are mainly carried outdoors such as portable music players and portable information terminal devices, external devices such as personal computers and other audio / visual devices are used. In some cases, a table-shaped cradle on which an electronic device is mounted is used for connection. The cradle is provided with a connector for electrical connection with the electronic device and a connector used for connection with the external device, so that the electronic device and the external device can be easily connected. Thereby, since the connector of the electronic device main body can be omitted, the electronic device can be reduced in size.
In some cases, an AC power adapter is connected to the cradle, power is supplied to the electronic device through the cradle, and a battery in the electronic device is charged.

As a conventional cradle, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. This Patent Document 1 describes a cradle for mounting a digital camera and a digital camera. The cradle includes a mounting portion for mounting the digital camera, and the mounting portion is in a state where the digital camera is mounted. The display unit for displaying the photographed image of this digital camera is inclined upward. As a result, when the digital camera is placed on the placement part of the cradle, the display part of the digital camera is obliquely upward, so that the user of the camera taking a selfie can easily check the display part facing the user. Is made possible.
JP 2004-80180 A

  However, the conventional cradle is designed and manufactured as a dedicated product for each target electronic device, even for the same type of electronic device by the same manufacturer. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the cost becomes high from the standpoints of manufacturing costs and molds. In addition, when the user purchases a new electronic device of the same type from the same manufacturer, it is necessary to purchase a new cradle.

  In view of this point, the present invention proposes an electronic device cradle that can be mounted and placed on a plurality of electronic devices of the same type.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an electronic device, and an electronic device cradle that performs electrical signal exchange and power supply with the electronic device using a connection terminal connected to a connector on the electronic device side. The cradle body is mounted so as to be exchangeable, and includes a mounting portion on which an electronic device is mounted . The other end side of the connection cable provided with the connection terminal on one end side is electrically connected to the cradle body. The connection terminal is detachably hooked to a hook portion provided in the mounting portion, and is detachably connected to the connector of the electronic device while being hooked to the hook portion of the mounting portion. It is comprised so that it may electrically connect with an electronic device via .

  According to the cradle for an electronic device of the present invention configured as described above, the cradle body is used in common, and a plurality of placement parts manufactured for each of the same kind of electronic devices are replaced and mounted on the cradle body. It can correspond to a plurality of electronic devices.

  According to the cradle for electronic equipment of the present invention, since only the mounting portion having a simple structure is prepared for each electronic equipment, the design man-hours can be reduced and the mold cost can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, an example in which a digital still camera is used as an electronic device will be described.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, reference numeral 10 denotes a cradle for the digital still camera of this example, and in FIGS. 2A and 2B, reference numeral 20 denotes a digital still camera mounted on the cradle 10 for the digital still camera.
First, a digital still camera 20 mounted on the cradle 10 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, and another digital still camera 20 ′ will be described with reference to FIG.

The digital still camera 20 of this example has a size of 90 mm in width, 55 mm in height, 20 mm in depth (thickness), and is manufactured in a small and thin form with depth / height <1/3. As shown in FIG. 17, a front surface 20-1 serving as a first main surface of a flat and substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing is formed to have a slightly convex curved surface, and a rear surface 20- serving as a second main surface. 2 is formed in a substantially flat surface, and both side surfaces connecting these are formed in a cylindrical surface shape.
The casing of the digital still camera 20 is formed by press-molding a plate-like metal into two parts by dividing the outer shape shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 into two parts on the front 20-1 side and the back 20-2 side. To be made.

A lens barrier 23 is slidable in the vertical direction on the front surface 20-1 of the housing shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. Further, as shown in FIG. 16B with the lens barrier opened, on the front surface 20-1, an (imaging) lens 24 is arranged on the upper right side of the front surface, and a flash 22 and an AF auxiliary light irradiation unit (also used as a self-timer lamp) beside it. ) 23 is provided.
Further, an imaging operation unit 37 in which a shutter button 35 and a POWER button 36, which are imaging operators, are combined is provided on the upper surface 20-3 side.
Although not shown, the optical system incorporated in the digital still camera 20 of this example is such that an optical image of a subject is bent downward at a right angle using a prism and is imaged by an image sensor (CCD). The thickness of 20 itself is made thin.

On the rear surface 20-2 of the digital still camera 20, as shown in FIG. 17A, which is a rear view, an image monitor 25 using a liquid crystal or the like, a zoom (wide angle / telephoto) button 26, a shooting mode changeover switch 27, four directions A control button 28 including an arrow key and a center determination key, an image size switching / deleting button 29, and the like are provided.
Further, a strap attachment portion 32 for attaching a wrist strap (not shown) or the like is provided from the right side to the side surface of the back surface 20-2 shown in FIG. 17A of the digital still camera 20.
Reference numeral 30 denotes a screen display / LCD backlight button, 31 denotes a menu display button, and 33 denotes a speaker.

Then, on the bottom surface 20-4 of the digital still camera 20, as shown in FIG. 17B, which is a bottom view, a multi-connector 38 that engages and is electrically connected to a multi-connection terminal provided on the cradle 10 described later, A tripod screw (female screw) hole 39 is provided.
A battery / memory cover 34 is provided on the right side surface of the digital still camera 20 shown in FIG. 17A so as to freely open and close a memory card and a battery insertion slot (not shown).

  The memory card used here is, for example, a stick-like non-volatile memory element and is detachably attached to the digital still camera 20. Further, the battery is obtained by downsizing a lithium ion secondary battery or the like into a thin plate-like substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The replacement and insertion of the memory card are performed when the image file in the memory becomes full during shooting, and the replacement and insertion of the battery are performed when the battery runs out during shooting.

In the digital still camera 20, after the memory card and the battery are mounted, first, the POWER button 36 disposed on the upper surface 20-3 side shown in FIG. Slidably into the open state so that it can be electrically photographed.
Then, after setting the desired shooting mode with the mode changeover switch 27 shown in FIG. 17A, the digital still camera 20 is held, and the shot image of the subject is confirmed on the image monitor 25 (FIG. 17A) on the back surface 20-2. Is pressed, and the captured image data is recorded and stored in a memory element of a memory card attached to the digital still camera 20 with a predetermined image size.
A plurality of captured images can be reproduced and confirmed with the control button 28, and those that have failed can be deleted with the image size switching / deleting button 29.

  18A and 18B show another example of the digital still camera applied to the cradle of this example. As shown in FIG. 18A, this digital still camera 20 'has a retractable objective lens, and has a large lens opening so that it is more suitable for night photography. 18A and 18B, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to FIGS. 16A and 16B and FIG. 17A. Since the function itself is the same, the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 18C is a bottom view of the digital still camera 20 '.

  Next, the cradle 10 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS.

Since the cradle 10 is small, it expands functions that are difficult to provide in the digital still camera (electronic device) 20 itself, and facilitates connection with external devices. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the television receiver 101, the printer 102, and an AC adapter (not shown) are electrically connected by a wiring cord. In addition, the cradle 10 having the infrared light receiving unit can be operated by the remote control device 100 in a non-contact manner without being in contact with the cradle 10 or the digital still camera 20.
The image data stored in the digital still camera 20 is enlarged and displayed on the television receiver 101 for viewing and viewing, the selected image data is printed on the printer 102, and the cradle 10 is provided. The built-in battery of the digital still camera 20 is charged through the charging circuit.

First, a system configuration in a state where the digital still camera 20 is mounted on a cradle will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 14 shows a system configuration in a state where the multi-connecting terminal 18 of the cradle 10 is inserted into the multi-connector 38 of the digital still camera 20.
The circuit built in the cradle body 11 includes a constant voltage power supply circuit 111, an arithmetic processing IC (μCOM) 112, a charging circuit 113, a clock generation circuit 114, an input / output terminal, an input switch to the arithmetic processing IC (μCOM) 112, and a display. It consists of lamps. Here, the clock generation circuit 114 supplies a clock signal to the arithmetic processing IC 112.

  The cradle 10 and the digital still camera 20 are connected by an FF (Flexible Flat) cable having FFC connectors at both ends. Then, some of the wires constituting the FF cable are directly connected to the “AV signal output” terminal 109-1, the “USB” terminal 109-2, and the “DC_IN” terminal 109-3. Further, a part of the wiring constituting the FF cable is drawn out to serve as a display selection switch 13 for switching display between “LCD” and “TV” (see FIG. 3A).

  The “AV signal output” terminal 109-1 and the “USB” terminal 109-2 are directly connected to the digital still camera 20 via the FF cable. Further, the power supplied via the DC_IN terminal 109-3 is supplied to the arithmetic processing IC 112 via the constant voltage power circuit 111, and the charging circuit 113 is provided as necessary under the monitoring of the arithmetic processing IC. The battery of the digital still camera 20 is charged. When a DC plug connected to an AC adapter (not shown) is connected to the DC_IN terminal 109-3, the POWER LED (POWER lamp 16b shown in FIG. 3A) is turned on.

  Further, the arithmetic processing IC 112 includes a power switch (POWER) switch 14, a slide show switch 15, three LED lamps corresponding to the charge lamp 16a, a remote control light receiving unit 17 (see FIG. 3A), and a digital signal via an FF cable. A still camera 20 is connected. Here, in the signal exchange with the digital still camera 20, appropriate signal conversion is performed.

When the DC plug is connected to the cradle and the multi-connection terminal 18 is inserted into the multi-connector 38 with the digital still camera 20 turned off, charging of the built-in battery is started, and the charging status is indicated by three LEDs (charge lamp 16a). ) Is displayed.
When displaying an image on an external television receiver, the “AV signal output” terminal 109-1 of the cradle and the AV input terminal of the television receiver are connected with a predetermined cable, and the display selection switch 13 is set to “TV”. To match. Then, the mode switch 27 (FIG. 17A) on the digital still camera 20 side is switched to “reproduction”, and the POWER switch 14 of the cradle is turned on to turn on the power of the digital still camera 20.
Then, after turning on the power of the television receiver, the display is set to the “video” mode.

In this state, the stored image can be selected and displayed on the television receiver by the control button 28 (FIG. 17A) of the digital still camera 20.
In this state, the slide show switch 15 is enabled, and the images can be sequentially reproduced by pressing the slide show switch 15.
When the display selection switch 13 is set to “LED”, the reproduced image can be displayed on the image monitor 25 of the digital still camera 20 instead of the television receiver.

  Next, the cradle main body 11 and the placement unit 12 constituting the cradle 10 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cradle 10 includes a cradle body 11 in which the circuit shown in FIG. 14 is built and a mounting portion 12 that is detachably provided on the cradle body 11. The mounting portion 12 is formed by plastic molding or the like.
3 shows an appearance of the cradle body 11, FIG. 3A is a perspective view from the front, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view from the back.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the upper surface side of the cradle body 11 is composed of two regions, a front upper surface 11-3 and a rear upper surface 11-4, and the front upper surface 11-3 and the rear upper surface 11-4 are parallel to each other. It is formed as a flat surface and has a stepped portion. Here, the step portion is formed so that the surface 11-5 shown in FIG. 3A is substantially orthogonal to the front upper surfaces 11-3 and 11-4.
Then, on the right side of the front upper surface 11-3 shown in FIG. 3A, a multi-connection terminal 18 electrically connected to the multi-connector 38 (FIG. 17B) of the digital still camera 20, and a stepped portion on the front upper surface 11-3. Two rectangular holes 11-9 and 11-9 at the corners of the surface 11-5, and the mounting portion 12 fixed to the center of the back surface 11-4 on the stepped side are used. An eject knob 19 is provided.
The top surfaces 11-3 and 11-4 of the cradle body 11 are formed to have an inclination so as to intersect with the bottom surface of the cradle body 11 on the right back side shown in FIG. 3A.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, on the side of the front surface 11-1 formed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the front upper surface 11-3 of the cradle body 11, as shown in FIG. A power switch 14 for turning on the digital still camera 20, a slide show switch 15 for displaying image data stored in the digital still camera 20 as a slide show, a display lamp 16, and a remote control light receiving unit 17 using infrared rays. Provided. Here, the display lamp 16 is composed of, for example, a charge lamp 16a made up of three LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) for displaying the state of charge of the battery, and a POWER display lamp 16b made up of one LED (see FIG. 14). ).

In order to select either the image monitor 25 (FIG. 17A) of the digital still camera 20 or the television receiver 101 connected to the outside on the front surface 11-1 side of the right side surface shown in FIG. 3A of the cradle body 11. Display selection switch 13 is provided (see FIG. 14).
Further, on both side surfaces 11-6 and 11-7 on the front surface 11-1 side of the cradle body 11, bulge portions 11a having side walls 11a-1 and 11b-1 substantially orthogonal to the side surfaces 11-6 and 11-7. 11b are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, an external connection terminal 109 is provided on the back surface 11-2 formed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the bottom surface of the cradle body 11. As the external connection terminal 109, an AV signal output terminal 109-1 for outputting audio and video signals recorded by the digital still camera 20 in the system configuration diagram of FIG. Or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 109-2, which is a general-purpose bus for operating the digital still camera 20 from the personal computer side, and a DC IN terminal 109-3 by an AC adapter power supply.

  Next, the mounting unit 12 for mounting the digital still camera 20 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and the mounting unit 12 for mounting the digital still camera 20 ′ shown in FIG. Explain '.

The mounting portion 12 on which the digital still camera 20 is mounted has a shape as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are external perspective views, and FIGS. 5A to 5D, which are three-side views and side sectional views.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the mounting portion 12 is generally a rectangular parallelepiped box rear wall 12-1 and bottom surface 12-2, and both side surfaces 12-3, 12 left uncut so as to form a substantially fan shape. -4.
Two ribs 12-9 and 12-9 are provided at the corner formed by the back wall 12-1 and the bottom surface 12-2 of the mounting portion 12. The bottom surface 12-2 has a substantially rectangular opening 12a and a protrusion. 12b is provided. Here, the opening 12a is formed at a position where there is no interference with the multi-connection terminal 18 (FIG. 3A) of the cradle body 11 when the mounting portion 12 is mounted, and the protrusion 12b is a tripod of the digital still camera 20. It is provided in a shape and a position to be inserted into the screw hole 39 and latched.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the mounting portion 12 is provided with a hanging surface 12-5 on the front side of the bottom surface 12-2, and both side surfaces 12-3 and 12-4 are also extended downward. The FIG. 5C shows a right side view of the mounting portion 12, and the shape of the lower end surface of the extended side surfaces 12-3 and 12-4 is the both side surfaces 11-6 and 11− of the cradle body 11 described above. It is formed in a shape substantially similar to the side walls 11a-1 and 11b-1 of the seven bulge portions 11a and 11b. The drooping surface 12-5 covers the remote control light receiving portion 17 on the front surface 11-1 of the cradle body 11 and is cut out so as not to interfere with the bulging portion.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5C, a horizontally long triangular columnar protrusion 12-8 having a triangular cross section is formed on the surface of the back wall 12-1 opposite to the rib 12-9, 12-9 formation surface. Two small rectangular projections 12-10 and 12-10 are provided below the rear surface 12-1.

  Since the mounting portion 12 is attached to the cradle body 11 and fixes the digital still camera 20, it is necessary to have a shape corresponding to the structure of both. Hereinafter, the shape of the mounting portion 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIGS. 5A to 5D, and FIG. 17B.

The dimensions necessary for the following description are expressed as follows.
As shown in FIG. 17B, the dimensions of the digital still camera 20 are as follows. The width is W1, the back 20-2 is a reference, D1 is up to the multi-connector 38, D2 is up to the tripod screw hole 39, and the center of the tripod screw hole 39 is The reference to the side is represented by S1 and the multiconnector 38 is represented by S2.
3A and 3B, the width of the front upper surface 11-3 is w2, the distance from the right side surface 11-6 to the center of the multi-connection terminal 18, and the stepped surface 11-5. The distance from the front surface 11-1 to the front surface 11-1 is represented by D, the step surface 11-5 to the center of the multi-connection terminal 18 is represented by d, and the height of the step surface 11-5 is represented by E.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5A, the dimension (inner dimension) of the digital still camera 20 mounting area of the mounting unit 12 is set between the inner walls of both side surfaces 12-3 and 12-4 from the center of the protrusion 12b. S1 to the inner wall of the right side surface 12-3 of the portion 12, s2 from the center of the rectangular aperture 12a to the center of the projection 12b, d1 to the center of the rib 12-9 and the rectangular aperture 12a, to the center of the rib 12-9 and the projection 12b Is denoted by d2, and the distance from the outer surface of the rear surface 12-1 to the center of the rectangular aperture 12a is denoted by d3.
As shown in FIG. 5B, W2 is defined between the inner walls in the extension region at the lower part of the left and right side surfaces 12-4 and 12-3 of the mounting portion 12, and from the lower surface of the bottom surface 11-2 as shown in FIG. 5D. The upper surface of the triangular columnar protrusion 12-8 is represented by h, and the portion from the outer surface of the back surface 12-1 to the inner surface of the drooping surface 12-5 is represented by the symbol e.

When the digital still camera 20 is mounted on the mounting portion 12, the projection 12b of the mounting portion 12 is inserted into the tripod screw hole 39 so that the digital still camera 20 is hooked and positioned, and the ribs 12-9, The digital still camera 20 is held by the inner wall surfaces of 12-9 and both side surfaces 12-3, 12-4. At this time, the rectangular opening 12a of the mounting portion 12 is formed such that the multi-connector 38 of the digital still camera 20 is exposed from below the bottom surface 12-2.
That is, the width w1 of the placement region is w1 = W1 + α1, the position of the protrusion 12b in relation to the reference numerals of the dimensions shown in FIG. 17B so that the digital still camera 20 can be easily mounted on the placement unit 12. The mounting portion 12 is manufactured so that s1 is s1 = S1 + α2, and the positions s2, d1, and d2 of the rectangular aperture 12a are s2≈S2, d1 = D1 + α3, d2 = D2 + α4. Here, αi (i = 1 to 4) represents a minute dimension, and is a margin dimension when the digital still camera 20 is mounted on the mounting portion 12.

On the other hand, the mounting portion 12 is attached to the cradle body 11 as shown in FIG. 6, and at this time, the rectangular protrusions 12-10, 12-extending downward from the back surface 12-1 of the mounting portion 12. 10 engages with the rectangular holes 11-9 and 11-9 on the front upper surface 11-3 of the cradle body 11, and the triangular columnar protrusion 12-8 shown in FIG. 4B engages with the eject knob 19 and is fixed.
The lower surface of the bottom surface 12-2 of the mounting portion 12 and the front upper surface 11-3 of the cradle body 11 are in contact with each other, and the outer wall and the drooping surface 12-5 of the rear surface 12-1 of the mounting portion 12 are contacted. The inner wall of the cradle body 11 is held so as to be disposed close to the step surface 11-5 and the front surface 11-1.

  That is, the width w2 of the region placed on the cradle body 11 is w2 in relation to the reference numerals of the dimensions shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B so that the placement part 12 can be easily attached to the cradle body 11. = W2 + β1, the height h of the triangular columnar protrusion 12-8 is h≈H, the position of the rectangular aperture 12a is d3≈d, s1-s2≈m, from the outer surface of the back surface 12-1 to the inner surface of the drooping surface 12-5 The mounting portion 12 is manufactured so that the dimension e is e = E + β2. Here, βi (i = 1, 2) represents a minute dimension, which is a margin when the mounting portion 12 is mounted on the cradle body 11.

The placement portion 12 formed in this way is placed on the cradle body 11 and the cradle 10 is in the state shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, the digital still camera 20 is mounted so that the image monitor 25 faces the front surface 11-1 side of the cradle body 11.
Since the front upper surface 11-3 of the cradle body 11 is manufactured to be inclined, the mounting portion 12 is also inclined, and the image monitor 25 is slightly upward when the digital still camera 20 is mounted. To be held.

Further, the digital still camera 20 is detached from the cradle as shown in FIG. 2B, with the digital still camera 20 being inclined substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 12-2 of the mounting portion 12 with the cradle body 11 supported by hand. This can be done by lifting upwards.
The mounting unit 12 is removed from the cradle body 11 by lifting the mounting unit 12 in a state where the eject knob 19 is shifted to release the hooking of the mounting unit 12 with the triangular columnar protrusion 12-8. Can do.

Next, in order to mount the digital still camera 20 ′ shown in FIG. 18 on the cradle, the shape of the placement portion 12 ′ when the cradle body 11 described above is used will be described. In the following, the reference numerals of the parts corresponding to the mounting part 12 are distinguished by attaching the same reference numerals with “′”.
Since the digital still camera 20 ′ has a retractable lens, the mounting portion 12 ′ has a rear surface 12 as shown in FIG. 7 in order to avoid interference with the lens barrel portion protruding from the front surface of the digital still camera 20 ′. -2 'has a semicircular cutout shape.

As shown in FIG. 18C, the dimensions of the digital still camera 20 ′ are W1 ′ width, D1 ′ up to the multi-connector 38 based on the surface of the image monitor 25, and D2 ′ up to the screw hole 39 for the tripod. With reference to the center of the screw hole 39, the side surface is represented by S1 'and the multi-connector 38 is represented by S2'.
Here, when the outer shape of the digital still camera 20 is compared, the digital still camera 20 ′ does not use a prism in the optical system and an image sensor (CCD) is provided behind the lens. The thickness becomes slightly larger (D ′> D) but the width becomes smaller (W1 ′ <W1). Further, the positions of the multi-connector 38 and the tripod screw hole 39 are substantially the same from the front in the digital still camera 20 shown in FIG. 17B, whereas in the digital still camera 20 ′ shown in FIG. It is arrange | positioned in the position near the side.

Further, similarly to the dimensions in the placement section 12 shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, the dimensions of the digital still camera 20 ′ placement area of the placement section 12 ′ are shown in FIG. W1 ′ between the inner walls of the left and right side surfaces 12-3 ′ and 12-4 ′, s1 ′ from the center of the protrusion 12b ′ to the inner wall of the right side surface 12-3 ′ of the mounting portion 12 ′, and a protrusion from the center of the rectangular aperture 12a ′ S2 'to the center of 12b', d1 'to the center of the rib 12-9' and the rectangular aperture 12a ', d2' to the center of the rib 12-9 'and the protrusion 12b', and a rectangular opening from the outer surface of the back surface 12-1 ' The center of the hole 12a ′ is represented by the symbol d3 ′.
As shown in FIG. 8B, the dimension between the inner walls in the extension region at the lower part of the left and right side surfaces 12-3 ′ and 12-4 ′ of the mounting portion 12 ′ is w2 ′, and as shown in FIG. 8D, The lower surface of the bottom surface 12-2 ′ to the upper surface of the triangular columnar protrusion 12-8 ′ is represented by h ′, and the outer surface of the back surface 12-1 ′ to the inner surface of the drooping surface 12-5 ′ is represented by the symbol e ′. .

When the digital still camera 20 ′ is mounted on the mounting portion 12 ′, the projection 12b ′ of the mounting portion 12 ′ is inserted into the tripod screw hole 39, and the digital still camera 20 ′ is hooked and positioned. The digital still camera 20 'is held by the ribs 12-9' and 12-9 'and the inner wall surfaces of both side surfaces 12-3' and 12-4 '. At this time, the rectangular opening 12a ′ of the placement portion 12 ′ is formed such that the multi-connector 38 ′ of the digital still camera 20 ′ is exposed from below the bottom surface 12-2 ′.
That is, similarly to the digital still camera 20 described above, w1 ′ = W1 ′ + α1 ′, s1 ′ = S1 ′ + α2 ′, s2′≈S2 ′, d1 ′ = D1 ′ + α3 ′, d2 ′ = D2 ′ + α4 ′. Thus, the mounting portion 12 ′ is produced. Here, αi ′ (i = 1 to 4) represents a minute dimension, which is a margin dimension when the digital still camera 20 ′ is mounted on the mounting portion 12 ′.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the mounting portion 12 ′ is mounted on the cradle body 11, and at this time, the rectangular protrusion 12-10 extending downward from the back surface 12-1 ′ of the mounting portion 12 ′. ', 12-10' (FIG. 8D) engages with the rectangular holes 11-9, 11-9 in the front upper surface 11-3 of the cradle body 11, and the triangular prismatic protrusion 12-8 'engages with the eject knob 19. Fixed.
The lower surface of the bottom surface 12-2 ′ of the placement portion 12 ′ and the front upper surface 11-3 of the cradle body 11 are in contact with each other, and hangs down from the outer wall of the back surface 12-1 ′ of the placement portion 12 ′. The inner wall of the surface 12-5 ′ is held so as to be disposed close to the step surface 11-5 and the front surface 11-1 of the cradle body 11.
That is, the mounting portion 12 is manufactured such that w2 ′ = W2 + β1 ′, h′≈H, d3′≈d, e ′ = E + β2 ′, s1′−s2′≈m. Here, βi ′ (i = 1, 2) represents a minute dimension, and is a margin dimension when the mounting portion 12 ′ is mounted on the cradle body 11.

Thus, the cradle body 11 is made common by determining the dimensions as described above for the two placement portions 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and the placement portion 12 ′ (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The digital still camera 20 can be mounted by mounting the mounting unit 12, and the digital still camera 20 ′ can be mounted by mounting the mounting unit 12 ′.
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, after placing the placement portion 12 ′ on the cradle body 11, a DC plug from the AC adapter, the television receiver 101, the printer 102, and the like are connected by cable, and further the digital still camera 20. Can be attached to the built-in battery of the digital still camera 20, the stored image can be displayed by the television receiver 101, and the printer 102 can be printed.

  In the above example, the two mounting portions 12 and 12 ′ are mounted on the cradle body 11 in a replaceable manner. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a digital still camera is provided on the bottom of the tripod. If the screw hole for the connector and the position of the multi-connector are substantially the same and have a thickness that does not interfere with the step surface 11-5 (FIG. 3A), the dimensions are set according to the above-mentioned relationship. The part can be manufactured according to each of a plurality of digital still cameras. Then, one of the plurality of placement units thus produced can be placed on the cradle body 11 and connected to an external device to extend the function of the digital still camera.

  The digital still cameras 20 and 20 ′ have been described as having no difference in function. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there is a difference in functions between the digital still cameras A and B. On the other hand, when it is desired to change the function extended by the digital still cameras A and B, for example, a detector specific to the digital still camera A is provided on the mounting portion, and the cradle body 11 is made to correspond to the detector to be a camera model. Only a function corresponding to the digital still camera A can be validated when the discrimination sensor is provided and the sensor is mounted on the cradle.

Next, another embodiment of the electronic apparatus cradle according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the cradle body 11 of the above-described example, for example, the width W of the cradle body 11 itself is reduced in accordance with the multi-connector 38 of the digital still camera 20 shown in FIG. The multi-connection terminal 18 is arranged so as to be shifted from the center (FIG. 3), whereas the cradle in the example of FIG. 10 has the multi-connection terminal 18 disposed substantially at the center of the cradle body, The cradle body can be used in common regardless of where the multi-connector 38 is laid out.

In the perspective view shown in FIG. 10, reference numeral 40 denotes a cradle, and the cradle 40 includes a cradle main body 41 and a mounting portion 42. Then, as shown in FIG. 11A, the cradle body 41 is formed such that the ridgeline 41-3 where the front surface 41-1 having a slightly convex bulge and the substantially flat upper surface 41-2 intersect is the highest.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11A, a plurality of operation buttons 43 and a plurality of display lamps 44 are provided on the front surface 41-1 which is the inclined surface of the cradle body 41. Here, the plurality of operation buttons 43 can be, for example, slideshow buttons, POWER switches, control buttons for four directions and center determination input, and the plurality of display lamps 44 can be, for example, charge lamps, POWER display lamps. .

Further, on the upper surface 41-2 which is an inclined surface of the cradle body 41, an engagement hole (not shown) into which the engagement claw of the placement portion 42 is inserted into the engagement portion provided inside the cradle body 41, and a mounting surface are provided. The mounting portion 42 is provided with a groove (not shown) that engages with the front edge of the bottom surface 42-2, which will be described later, a multi-connection terminal 18, and an eject knob 46 that is used when the mounted mounting portion 42 is removed. The multi-connection terminal 18, the engagement hole (not shown), and the eject knob 46 are arranged at the approximate center in the width direction of the upper surface 41-2 and are arranged side by side with the multi-connection terminal 18 in front.
A circuit similar to the system configuration diagram shown in FIG. 14 is provided in the cradle body 41, and an AV output terminal 109-1, USB terminal 109-2, DC IN are provided on the back of the cradle body 41 (not shown). An external connection terminal 109 such as a terminal 109-3 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the mounting portion 42 is formed with four surfaces 42-1 to 4-4 for holding both side surfaces, the front surface side, and the bottom surface side of the digital still camera. An opening 42-5 is provided, and an engaging claw 42-6 projects from the lower surface side.
12A to 12C show three placement portions 42a, 42b, and 42c as examples of the configuration of the placement portion 42, and an opening 42-5 and an engaging claw 42-6 are shown in FIG. 12A. The mounting portion 42a is formed on the left side, the mounting portion 42b shown in FIG. 12B is formed on the right side, and the mounting portion 42c shown in FIG. 12C is formed on the near side of the center.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 11A, the upper surface 41-2 of the cradle main body 41 is substantially flat, so that the mounting portion 42 does not cover the eject knob 46 and cannot be operated. The mounting portions 42 can be individually produced for digital still cameras of various sizes that have different arrangements of the multi-connectors 38 provided on the bottom surface, and can be mounted on the cradle body 41.

  In the cradle for the digital still camera of this example configured as described above, the width of the cradle main body 41 is larger than that of the cradle 10 of FIG. 1 described above. A mounting part is produced for the digital still camera and mounted on the cradle main body 41, and the digital still camera is mounted in the same manner as in the above-described example of FIG.

Next, still another embodiment of the cradle for electronic equipment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the cradle main body 11 of FIG. 3 and the cradle main body 41 of FIG. 11A, the multi-connection terminal 18 is fixed to the upper surfaces 11-3 and 41-2, whereas the cradle of this example has a mounting portion. The multi-connection terminal 18 is fixed to the side.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the cradle of this example. In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a cradle, and 51 and 52 denote a cradle main body and a mounting portion, respectively.
The cradle body 51 is provided with a through hole 51a having a substantially rectangular opening on the front surface 51-1 side. The through hole 51 a is formed so that the length of the long side is as wide as close to both side surfaces of the cradle body 51, and the length of the short side is larger than the thickness of the multi-connection terminal 18.

Then, the FF cable provided at one end with the FFC connector provided in the circuit of the system configuration diagram shown in FIG. 10 and provided with the multi-connection terminal 18 at the other end is drawn out inside the through hole 51a. Here, the multi-connection terminal 18 is provided with a latching claw 18-1 which is latched with a latching part 52b of the mounting part 52 described later.
In addition, instead of the through hole 51a provided in the cradle body 51, the multi-connecting terminal 18 hooked at various positions by the mounting portion 52 has a long groove that does not interfere with the multi-connecting terminal 18 at any position. A (concave portion) may be formed in the cradle body 51.

The cradle body 51 is provided with a predetermined number of fixing holes 51-5 for fixing the mounting portion 52 on both side surfaces 51-3 and 51-4, and on the front surface 51-1, the side shown in FIG. As in the example of FIG. 11A, an operation switch 53, a changeover switch 54, a display panel 55, and the like are provided. Here, the display panel 55 can monitor the charging status, the presence / absence of power-on, and the like using, for example, a liquid crystal display element.
In addition, an external connection terminal 109 is provided on the back surface (not shown) of the cradle body 51 as in the above example.

  The mounting portion 52 is manufactured to have a back surface 52-1, a bottom surface 52-2, and both side surfaces 52-3 and 52-4 according to the size of the digital still camera to be mounted. The both side surfaces 52-3 and 52-4 extend downward, and a predetermined number of protrusions 52-5 that engage with the fixing holes 51-5 of the cradle main body 51 are provided inside. In addition, a substantially rectangular opening 52a is provided on the lower surface side of the bottom surface 52-2 of the mounting portion 52 in accordance with the position of the multi-connector 38, and the multi-hole is formed so as to face two sides of the opening 52a. A latching portion 52b with the connection terminal 18 is provided.

  In the cradle 50 configured as described above, since the cradle body 51 is provided with a through hole 51 a having a substantially rectangular opening, even if the placement portion 52 is placed on the cradle body 51 in advance, The multi-connection terminal 18 can be fixed to the hooking portion 52b of the placement portion 52 by hand from the opening side of the bottom surface. And the latching | locking part 52b of the mounting part 52 can be easily connected in any position.

That is, no matter how the multi-connector 38 is arranged on the bottom surface of the digital still camera, a mounting portion 52 having an opening 52a and a hooking portion 52b is produced according to the layout, and the hooking portion 52b By fixing the mounting portion 52 to the cradle body 51 after the multi-connection terminal 18 is hooked, the function of the digital still camera can be expanded by connecting to an external device as in the above-described example.
In particular, in the cradle 50 of this example, the multi-connection terminal 18 can be disposed at any position in the width direction of the cradle main body 51 corresponding to the hooking portion 52b of the mounting portion 52. The width can be made smaller than that of the cradle 40.

According to the cradle for electronic equipment of this example configured as described above, a placement portion corresponding to a plurality of electronic devices is produced for one cradle body, and the placement portion is placed on the cradle body. A cradle can be used for each of a plurality of electronic devices. An electronic device can be attached to this cradle and an external device can be connected to provide functions that are not provided by a single electronic device, and the functions can be easily expanded. Can do.
In addition, the cradle body is used in common, and the design cost and mold cost can be reduced compared to the case where the mounting portion having a simple structure has a shape corresponding to each electronic device. Therefore, it can respond to a plurality of electronic devices at low cost.

  Of course, the electronic apparatus cradle of the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and can take various other configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 shows a cradle for a digital still camera according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention, in which A is a perspective view and B is a rear perspective view. 1A and 1B are explanatory views of attaching and removing B to the cradle of the example in FIG. FIGS. 1A and 1B show an example of a cradle body constituting the cradle of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view, and B is a rear perspective view showing an example of a placement portion constituting the cradle of FIG. 4A is a plan view, FIG. 4B is a front view, FIG. 4C is a right side view, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of mounting of the mounting part in the cradle main body in the cradle of the example of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the mounting part which attached another digital still camera using the cradle main body of the example of FIG. 3 in common. 7A is a plan view, FIG. 7B is a front view, FIG. 7C is a right side view, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing of mounting | wearing to the cradle of the digital still camera of the example of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the cradle for digital still cameras by the other example of one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example of a cradle body, and B is a perspective view of an example of a placement unit for explaining the cradle of FIG. 10 example. FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing an example in which the opening is formed on the left side, B is the opening on the right side, and C is the opening formed on the near side. It is a perspective view which shows the cradle for digital still cameras by the further another example of one embodiment of this invention. It is a system configuration figure showing an example of a system in the state where a cradle and a digital still camera were connected. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state which connected the external apparatus to the cradle. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a digital still camera mounted on the digital still camera cradle of FIG. 1 with A being a lens barrier open and B being a lens barrier closed. 16 is a front view and B is a bottom view as seen from the back of the digital still camera of FIG. 3 shows an example of another digital still camera mounted using the cradle body of FIG. 3 and the mounting portion of FIG. 7, wherein A is a perspective view, B is a rear perspective view, and C is a bottom view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Cradle, 11 ... Cradle main body, 12 ... Mounting part, 14, 15 ... Input switch, 16 ... Display lamp, 18 ... Multi connection terminal, 109 ... External connection terminal

Claims (5)

In an electronic equipment cradle that performs electrical signal exchange and power supply between the electronic equipment and the electronic equipment at a connection terminal connected to the connector on the electronic equipment side,
The cradle body,
A placement unit that is placed on the cradle body in a replaceable manner and on which the electronic device is mounted ,
The other end side of the connection cable in which the connection terminal is provided on one end side is electrically connected to the cradle body,
The connection terminal is detachably hooked to a hook portion provided in the mounting portion, and is detachable from the connector of the electronic device in a state of being hooked to the hook portion of the mounting portion. Connected and electrically connected to the electronic device via the connector
Cradle for electronic equipment. The cradle for electronic equipment according to claim 1 ,
A through hole or a recess is provided in a region of the cradle body corresponding to a plurality of positions of the connection terminal hooked to the mounting portion,
Corresponding to the change of the latching position of the connection terminal in the mounting part
Cradle for electronic equipment. In the cradle for electronic devices according to claim 1 or 2 ,
When the electronic device is mounted on the mounting portion on the cradle body, the mounting portion of the cradle body is placed so that there is no interference with the connection terminal connected to the connector of the electronic device. Recessed in the placement area
Cradle for electronic equipment. In the cradle for electronic devices according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
When the electronic device is mounted on the mounting portion on the cradle body, the mounting portion of the cradle body is placed so that there is no interference with the connection terminal connected to the connector of the electronic device. A through hole was provided in the mounting area
Cradle for electronic equipment. In the cradle for electronic devices in any one of Claims 1-4,
The electronic device is an imaging device;
The received and transmitted electrical signals are at least an output signal of video data stored in the imaging device, and a bus processing signal for electrically connecting the imaging device and an external device.
Cradle for electronic equipment.

Images