JPH01288186A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To satisfy the request of a wide range by an inexpensive camera main body by providing a 2nd memory body used selectively by a user removably in addition to a 1st memory body used for recording a picture on an electronic camera. CONSTITUTION:The 1st memory body 6 provided with a storage means recording mainly a video signal and the 2nd memory body 13 provided with a storage means having a function different from the storage means provided to the memory body 6 are provided and they are removed respectively to the electronic camera main body 1. Storage means provided to the memory body 13 is a buffer memory storing tentatively a video signal and the video signal is recorded in the memory body 6 via the buffer memory. Moreover, the memory is a data memory storing various data such as date and message and the output signal from the data memory and the video signal are superimposed and recorded in the memory body 6. Moreover, the memory is formed to be a program memory storing various programs such as condition of pickup condition of the electronic camera or the special pickup mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electronic camera that converts a still image video signal into an electrical signal and records it in a storage means.

[Conventional technology]

An electronic still camera is one in which a subject image captured by a photographic lens is converted into an electrical signal by a photoelectric conversion element, and the converted electrical signal is recorded on a solid-state memory structure or floppy disk that is detachably attached to the camera body.
For example, it has already been proposed as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-17275.

As a solid-state memory structure as described above, it includes a semiconductor memory element as a memory element and has a card-like outer shape.
There is an electronic camera that uses a so-called IC card.

When 5-RAM is used as a semiconductor memory, the image recording speed is fast, but the storage capacity is small, and in addition, a backup power source is required for record retention, and the 5-RAM itself is expensive, so the manufacturing cost is high. In addition, when D-RAM is used as a storage memory, the image recording speed is fast and the storage capacity is large, but in order to retain the stored contents, a refresh operation must be performed, and a large-capacity power supply is required. is necessary. Furthermore, if EP-ROM is used as the storage memory, the storage capacity is large and a power supply is not required to retain the recorded contents, but the image recording speed will be slow. Although it has a large capacity and can be manufactured at low cost, recording cannot be rewritten and the image recording speed is slow.

As mentioned above, each existing type of memory has its own drawbacks. Therefore, usually, each memory is not used individually, but instead, for example, 5-RAM or D-RAM is used as a buffer memory, and the image signal is temporarily stored in this buffer memory and then transferred to EP-ROM or ○TP-ROM. A method of memorizing the information is used.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the above method had the following problems. When 5-RAM and D-RAM are used as buffer memory, they are expensive, which increases the manufacturing cost, and the circuit scale is large, so they cannot be installed as large-capacity memory for electronic cameras, for example, for still images. must be equipped with memory that has the capacity of one or two disks,
However, when such a memory is combined with an EP-ROM (OTP-ROM requires even longer time), which requires several seconds to write a still image, it becomes difficult to perform fast-cycle shooting or high-speed continuous shooting. could not be used.

In addition, the electronic still camera is equipped with various programs such as recording the date and message as a multiplexed image along with the video signal in the first memory crosspiece for recording images, as well as instructions for shooting conditions and special shooting mode settings. This means that the circuit scale becomes larger and the external dimensions of electronic cameras become larger.
This also leads to an increase in the price of the main unit.

Therefore, the present invention provides an electronic camera that can be operated according to the user's purpose of use, has a main purpose of recording image signals, is equipped with a removable first memory ellipse, and is equipped with a removable first memory ellipse. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera having a removable memory structure.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the objects, the present invention takes the following measures. That is, in an electronic camera in which video signals are electronically recorded in storage means, a first memory crosspiece mainly provided with storage means for recording the video signals, and a first memory structure provided with and a second memory structure having a storage means having a function different from that of the storage means, and the first and second memory structures are configured to be detachable from the electronic camera body.

Further, the storage means provided in the second memory crosspiece is a buffer memory for temporarily storing the video signal, and the video signal is recorded in the first memory crosspiece via this buffer memory.

Further, the storage means provided in the second memory crosspiece is a data memory in which various data such as dates and messages are stored, and the output signal from this data memory and the video signal are superimposed and Make sure to record it on the 1st memory crossbar.

Further, the storage means provided in the second memory structure is a program memory in which various programs such as instructions for photographing conditions of the electronic camera, special photographing modes, etc. are stored.

A detailed supplementary explanation of the above means is as follows. A video signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the light beam from the photographic lens by a CCD is processed by a signal processing circuit, an A/D converter, data compression, etc., and then passed through an interface to the first
An electronic camera configured to record data in a memory structure, wherein before recording in the first memory structure, a buffer memory element, which is removably attached and can withstand high-speed continuous shooting, or a date, message, etc. A data memory for the purpose of data multiplexing, signals such as electronic camera shooting condition instructions or special shooting mode programs, a combination thereof, or a second memory structure configured according to other purposes. I made it. Note that it is preferable that the second memory structure is configured to record video signals in the same way as the first memory structure, so as to supplement the recording capacity of the first memory structure. If you require functions that exceed the storage capacity of , it is preferable to further increase the memory structure.

〔Example〕

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are a front view and a side view of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the user's side. As shown in FIG. 2A, a finder 2 for determining the composition of a subject is provided at the top of the camera body 1, and a rectangular recess 3 is provided at the front. Inside the recessed part 3, a first memory structure 6 is supported by a receiving part 4.5 of the camera body 1, and a remaining capacity indicator 7 for displaying the remaining memory capacity of the memory is exposed on the surface. It is installed in

FIG. 1(b) is a diagram of the electronic camera 1 shown in FIG. 1(a) viewed from the right side. A shutter button 9 is provided on the upper surface of a grip part 8 of the camera body 1, and a lens 10 is provided in front of the camera body 1. An end of the first memory structure 6 is visible in a notch 11 provided in the camera body 1, and a second memory structure 13 is inserted into a long hole 12 provided in the side wall of the camera body 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the first or second memory structure 6, 13 shown in FIG. 1(a).

As shown in the figure, the memory structures 6 and 13 are card-shaped. At the ends of the first and second memory structures 6.13 having such a shape, which are inserted into the camera body 1, there are provided contact portions 14 for connection with other devices.
"1 Figure 3 is Figure 1 (a) (b)
FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view of the internal structure of the electronic camera schematically shown in FIG. A recess 3 in which the first memory structure 6 is surrounded by the frame 15 of the camera body 1
From the state shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, push in the direction of arrow (a) and in the direction of arrow (b).

Then, release the force applied in the direction of arrow (b).

Then, the sliding board 1 that can only be moved in the direction of arrow (c)
7 is biased toward the first memory structure 6 by a compression spring 18 . The first memory structure 6 is pushed by the sliding plate 17 and is guided by the guide pin 16 and engaged with the receiving part formed in the recessed part 3 of the frame 15, and as a result, it is attached to the camera body l. be done. As a result of being attached to the camera body 1, the contact portion 14 of the first memory structure 6 is elastically joined to the spring contact 19 having elasticity. Spring contact 19
is electrically connected to the FPC 20 which is electrically connected to the camera body 1, so the camera body 1 and the first memory structure 6 are electrically connected.

Next, a case in which the first memory assembly 6 is removed from the camera body 1 will be described. Notch 1 provided in camera body 1
1, insert your finger into the slide plate 17 and push it against the biasing force of the compression spring 18. Then, the engagement with the receiving part 4 is released, and it is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow (b). Thereafter, the first memory assembly 6 can be taken out from the camera body 1 by pulling it in the opposite direction to the arrow (A).

Note that in this embodiment, a description of a locking mechanism for preventing erroneous operations such as pulling out the first memory structure 6 during the photographing operation is omitted. However, such a locking mechanism restricts the movement of the support plate 17 in the direction of the arrow (c) when the first memory structure 6 is attached, and
This can be easily realized by restricting the movement of the memory structure 6 in the direction of the arrow (A) and making it impossible to release the engagement at the receiving part 4.

Next, how to attach the second memory structure 13 will be explained. The second memory structure 13 is pushed in the direction of arrow (d) from the state shown by the two-point original line in the figure, until the end opposite to the insertion end of the second memory structure 13 is completely inserted into the elongated hole 13. Push it all the way in. By doing this, it will be locked by a stopper (not shown). At this time, the contact portion 14, which is the insertion end of the second memory structure 13, is elastically joined to the spring contact 21. Since this spring contact 21 is connected to the FPC 22 which is electrically connected to the camera body 1, the second memory structure 13 and the camera body 1 are electrically connected.

Next, the operation of the spring contact 21 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line - shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line S-8 shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8 is shown in FIG. 5. It is a sectional view taken along the line P-P.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the second memory structure 13 is pushed in. The arm 30 has fulcrum bins 31 arranged above and below.
It is rotatably supported on the frame 15 by. The arm 32 vertically fixes a movable bin 33 whose both ends are guided by long grooves 23 and 24 provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the second memory structure 13. The arm 30 has one end connected to the fulcrum pin 31, and the arm 32 has one end connected to the movable pin 33.
One end portion thereof is rotatably supported by a joint pin 34, respectively. Further, the second memory structure 13 is in contact with a roller 35 held by a retaining ring 25.

In this state, the arm 30 rotates the roller 35 around the shaft 37 fixed by the lever 36 and the bottle by pushing the lever 36 provided outside the camera body 1 in the opposite direction of the arrow (E). By being pushed by a cam 38 that is integrally fixed to the shaft 37, the roller 35 is stopped by a stopper (not shown) located slightly closer to the memory structure 13 than on the straight line connecting the fulcrum bin 31 and the movable bin 33. be done.

In FIG. 4, the cam 38 is shown to be locked to the roller 35, but except for the fact that the lever 36 is manually applied with rotational force, the two torsion springs shown in FIG. It rotates in the direction of the arrow (E) and stops at the position shown in FIG. At this time, the arms 30, 32 and the rollers 35 are held in the state shown in FIG. 4 by the force of three tension springs. At this time, presser plate 4 is attached to arm 3o.
The spring contact 21, which is fixed so as to be sandwiched between the spring contacts 21 and 21, is sufficiently separated from the contact portion 14 of the first memory structure 6.

The cam 38 is removed from the manual rotational force applied to the lever 36,
When the rear end of the second memory structure 13 is further pushed in the direction of the arrow (b) in the rotated state as shown in FIG.
The roller 35 in contact with the tip of the memory structure 13 is also pushed to the left of the straight line connecting the fulcrum pin 31 and the movable bin 33 in FIG. Then arm 30
．． 32 etc. are further moved to the left by the force of the tension spring 39, resulting in a state as shown in FIG. In Figure 5,
The contact spring 21 fixed to the arm 30 comes into contact with the contact part 14 of the second memory structure 13 as the arm 30 moves, and the contact spring 21 connects with the contact part 14 of the second memory structure 13 with a predetermined pressure due to its elasticity.

When the second memory structure 13 is pulled out of the camera body 1 from the state where it is housed in the camera book (*1) as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. When the shaft 37 is rotated in the opposite direction to
The cam 38 also rotates in the same direction via the cam 38, and the slope of the cam 38 pushes the roller 35 to the right in the figure. At the same time roller 35
As the arm 30 rotates with the movement of , the spring contact 21 is released from pressure contact with the contact M14 of the second memory structure 13. When the lever 36 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 3, it is completely released.

The rear end of the second memory structure 13 stops in a state in which it slightly protrudes outward from the elongated hole 12 provided in the camera body 1.

In this state, if the rotational force to the lever 36 is removed as described above, the cam 38 will move against the lever 36 due to the force of the torsion spring.
6, the arm 30.6 rotates in the direction of the arrow (E) shown in FIG.
Roller 35. The arm 32 and the like are maintained in the state shown in FIG. 3 by three tension springs and a stopper (not shown). Then, insert a finger into the notch 11 and pinch out the rear end of the second memory structure 13.

As explained above, the installation of the second memory structure 13,
The removal mechanism a includes an arm 30 that is pivotally supported by a fulcrum pin 31 and rotates around the fulcrum pin 31, an arm 32 that is guided to slide in a fixed direction by a movable pin 33, and a fulcrum pin. 31 and three tension springs with movable pins 33 at both ends, a so-called toggle joint system is adopted.

This toggle joint system is shown in Figure 9, [A]
is a case where the joint is on the left side of the center line connecting the fulcrum and the movable pin, and when the movable pin is pushed in the direction of the arrow by the load fiW, the joint receives a force F1 to the left. [B
] is the case where the joint is on the center line, and the force due to the load W does not generate a force to the left or right. [C] is the case where the joint is on the right of the center line, and the force due to the load W does not generate a force to the right. Receives force F2.

In [A] or [C] of Fig. 9, if the load W is the same force, in [A], the force F1 to the left is W
The force becomes t a riθ2. That is, θl and θ
The shallower the angle 2, the more force F1 or F caused by the load W.
2 is small.

Therefore, as explained in FIGS. 3 to 8, when inserting the second memory top body 13 having a shallow angle, it can be inserted with a light force. Further, when the drawer is pulled out at a deep angle, the slope of the cam is set shallow relative to the rotation of the lever 36, thereby making it possible to resist strong force. Therefore, it can be easily operated both during insertion and withdrawal. Moreover, since the direction of force in the toggle joint is reversed across the center line between the fulcrum pin 31 and the movable pin 33, a reliable lick feeling can be obtained during insertion and withdrawal, and a mechanism with a good operating feeling can be obtained. As is clear from the drawing, this mechanism can be realized in a small amount of space, making it ideal for manufacturing small electronic cameras! & suitable. Therefore, it is also possible to add other memory structures in addition to the first and second memory structures.

Furthermore, since the second memory structure is a card-like structure, it is convenient to carry and insert the memory structure.

The force required to remove it is small and the connection can be made reliably. Moreover, since the second memory structure is mounted using a toggle joint type contact structure which requires a small space, insertion and removal are easy and a compact electronic camera can be manufactured.

FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing the structure of a contact portion when a memory structure having contact portions on both the front and back surfaces is used as the second memory structure 13. In addition to providing the spring contact 21, an arm 32b is attached instead of the arm 32, and the FPC 2
2b is provided. The rest of the structure is the same as the above-mentioned mechanism, and the structure is simple and allows the use of a memory structure with a double-sided contact structure.

The methods for removing and attaching the first memory structure 6 and the second memory structure 13 have been described above, but the functions of the first memory structure and the second memory structure do not necessarily have to be as described. , it goes without saying that a reverse configuration is possible.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a solid-state memory camera system according to the first embodiment. The light rays that are photometrically processed through the photographing lens 10 and separated into one image by a shutter operation (not shown) are photoelectrically converted by the CCD 26, and then the electrical signals are processed by the signal processing circuit 64, and then the A The digital signal is converted into a digital signal by the /D converter 65 and subjected to data compression at a predetermined ratio, and then via the interface 67, if the second memory structure 13 is not provided, it is led to the frame memory 68 which performs high-speed writing and is stored. , is recorded in the first memory structure 6 which gradually sends out the signal to perform slow writing.

For example, when a buffer memory structure that can withstand high-speed continuous shooting is used as the second memory structure 13, the video signal is guided to the buffer memory structure by the interface 67 without passing through the frame, and is connected to the buffer memory structure for high-speed writing. The information is sent to each body and recorded in the first memory structure 6. Note that the frame memory 68 only has the ability to record image signals for one frame, and as described above, it is necessary to complete the recording of the first memory structure 6, which requires recording time of several seconds or more for a portion of a still image. , it is impossible to carry out photographing work using the following shutter operation. For example, if the buffer memory crosspiece has a memory capacity for 10 frames, it will store 10 screens at high speed, send them out in order, and record them in the first memory structure 6, making it suitable for fast-cycle shooting or continuous shooting. can also be handled.

When the recording capacity of the first memory structure 6 becomes full, the video signal introduced thereafter is transferred to the second memory structure 1.
Recorded in 3. When a memory structure for recording, for example, a date, a message, multiple images, etc., is used in the second memory structure 13, the video signal is transferred to the second memory structure 13.
It is guided by the same route as in the case without. At the same time, the second
The stored contents of the memory structure 13 are extracted and mixed with the video signal and recorded in the first memory structure 6.

Of course, combinations of buffer memory structures and memory rungs for other purposes and other combinations are also conceivable, and in addition to the second memory rung, a third. It is also conceivable to use a fourth memory structure.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, an example was explained in which a card-shaped memory structure was used as the first memory structure 6, but in this embodiment, a floppy disk was used as the first memory structure, and a floppy disk was used as the second memory structure. The same material used in the first embodiment is used. Attachment and removal Rtf4 of the second memory crossbar 13 are the same as in the first embodiment, and will therefore be omitted.

The first memory structure 6 has a floppy disk 51 built therein so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. The structure of this part is shown in enlarged form in FIG.

A drive device 52 for the floppy disk 51 is attached to the user side of the camera body 1. Then, the floppy disk 51 is accommodated, and the drive device 52 is loaded with a cell l-
To do this, insert the floppy disk 51 into the lid 53, which is configured to open to the outside, in the direction of the arrow (b) to a predetermined position, and then push the lid 53 in the direction of the arrow (g) to lock it. By doing so, it is possible to record on the floppy disk 51.

The present drive device 52 is described in detail in the published publication Sonoike, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Note that an electronic camera using a general floppy disk is configured to record the analog signal from the CCD 26 in the first memory structure 6 without converting it into a digital signal. Therefore, the flow of the image signal shown in FIG. 11 becomes the path shown by the two-dot g line.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, since the electronic camera is removably provided with a second memory structure that can be selectively used by the user in addition to the first memory crosspiece used for image recording, the camera body has low functionality but is inexpensive and easy to use. We can provide something easy. Also, depending on the request for continuous copying, the request for writing a message, and the purpose of the song, a second
By using this memory structure, it is possible to provide an electronic camera that meets a wide range of requirements.

In addition, if the second memory structure is a buffer memory structure that can withstand high-speed continuous shooting, the first memory structure may be slow in writing and continuous shooting, and can be used as an EP-ROM or OTP-ROM that does not require a backup power source. Since it can be used as a memory structure, the first
The memory structure can be a small, large capacity memory structure. Moreover, since the buffer memory structure itself can be used as an image memory means, it is possible to provide an electronic camera that can record even larger amounts of data in combination with the recording capacity of the first memory crosspiece.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIG. 11 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1 (a) and (b) show the external appearance of the electronic camera, a front view and a side view as seen from the user's side, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first or second memory crosspiece, and Figure 3 is the electronic camera. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state in which the second memory crosspiece is pushed in; FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the attachment/detachment R structure of the second memory structure; Figure 6 is the third
Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line -, and Figure 7 shows 5 shown in Figure 4.
-5g arrow sectional view, Figure 8 is a PP line arrow sectional view shown in Figure 5, Figure 9 is a diagram schematically showing the toggle joint method, and Figure 10 is a diagram showing the structure of the contact part. , FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the control system of the electronic camera. FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the present invention.
This figure is a plan view of the electronic camera, and FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the memory structure taken out. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Camera body, 6... First memory structure, 13
...Second memory crosspiece. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Atsushi Tsuboi Figure 3 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 34' Figure 8 [A] [C] Figure 9 = Figure 13 Procedural amendment June 11, 1988 Patent Office Director Gu 1) Moon Yi 1, Indication of the case Patent Application No. 118778/1983 2, Name of the invention Electronic camera 3, Person making the amendment Relationship to the case Patent applicant (037) Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. 4. Agent: UBE Building, 3-7-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
o Telephone 03 (502>3181 (main representative) figure)
Side 7, Contents of amendment: Engraving of the drawing originally attached to the application, as shown in the attached sheet (no change in content)

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) An electronic camera configured to electronically record a video signal in a storage means, including a first memory structure mainly equipped with a storage means for recording the video signal, and a first memory structure provided with the first memory structure. and a second memory structure including a storage means having a function different from that of the storage means, and the first and second memory structures are configured to be detachable from the electronic camera body. electronic camera. (2) The storage means provided in the second memory structure is a buffer memory that temporarily stores the video signal, and the video signal is recorded in the first memory structure via this buffer memory. The electronic camera according to claim 1. (3) The storage means provided in the second memory structure is a data memory in which various data such as dates and messages are stored, and the output signal from this data memory and the video signal are superimposed, The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the electronic camera records information in the first memory structure. (4) The storage means provided in the second memory structure is a program memory in which various programs such as instructions for shooting conditions of the electronic camera, special shooting modes, etc. are stored. electronic camera.