JPH08172561A - Camera, plug-in unit and camera system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a camera system of the type using an image pickup element whose lens is lightly replaced by a general user with offering ease of handling and maintenance without the adjustment of a back focus. CONSTITUTION: The system is made up of interchangeable lenses 11-13 each having a case 14 or the like incorporating a CCD 16 or the like and an image pickup lens 15 or the like and having a connector 17(21, 25) connecting to a connector 2 of a camera main body 1 to send/receive a signal and to obtain mechanical coupling, and up of the camera main body 1 using the connector 2 connecting to the interchangeable lenses 11-13 to obtain signal transmission/ reception and mechanical coupling and receiving image information generated by the CCD 16 or the like.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera, a plug-in unit and a camera system, more specifically, a plug-in unit having an image pickup device and a photographing optical system, a camera to which the plug-in unit can be connected, and the above. The present invention relates to a camera system including a plug-in unit and a camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A camera system including a CCD as an image pickup device, a drive circuit for the CCD, an optical filter and the like, and an interchangeable lens having a photographing optical system detachable from the camera body is known. It has been proposed in the past. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of the conventional camera system as described above before the lens is attached. An optical filter (optical LPF) 202, a CCD 203, a peripheral drive circuit, etc. are built in a camera body 201 shown in this figure. The interchangeable lens mounting portion is provided with a mount portion 201a such as a C mount or a bayonet mount. An input / output terminal row 203 is arranged on the side surface of the camera body 201.

The mount portion 20 is attached to the camera body 201.
A single-focus lens 210 or a zoom lens 220, which is an interchangeable lens, can be attached via 1a. In addition, the zoom lens 220 is used for focusing and zooming,
Further, when the diaphragm is an electric type, the zoom lens 220
A lens control cable 221 is attached to the lens control cable 221 and is connected to one of the main body side terminal rows 204 via a connector.

[0004]

In the conventional camera having the above-described structure, first, as shown in FIG. 15, the mount portion 201a is in an open state, and the CCD portion provided inside is mounted. There was a problem that it was easy for dust to enter and maintenance was difficult. Further, although various interchangeable lenses can be attached to the camera body 201 described above, there is also a problem that the lens cannot be easily exchanged because back focus adjustment is required every time these interchangeable lenses are attached. there were. In some cases, the mount portion is a screw mount, and the back focus is adjusted by the rotation amount of the screw when the lens is mounted.

As described above, the conventional camera is difficult for general users to use because it requires skill in lens replacement, and such a lens-interchangeable camera with a built-in image sensor, such as a lens, is used. Interchangeable video cameras have limited applications for commercial or industrial use. Therefore, as a video camera for general users, there is no commercially available video camera with interchangeable lenses.

The interchangeable lens 22 shown in FIG.
In the case where the control cable 221 is provided as in No. 0, it is necessary to further connect the cables after the lens is mounted, and it takes time to actually enter the photographing state. Furthermore, in the shooting state, there is a problem that the cable 221 interferes with the shooting operation.

Further, in the camera shown in FIG. 15, when the single-focus lens 210 or the zoom lens 220 is mounted, the lens portion is projected outward, and the camera is not portable. It was

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is easy to handle and maintain in a camera to which an image pickup device is applied, and does not require back focus adjustment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lens-interchangeable camera system that allows lenses to be easily replaced.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A camera system according to the present invention comprises a camera body which is self-compatible with a housing which can maintain an image pickup device and an optical system for the image pickup device in a predetermined relationship. A plug-in unit having connection means configured to maintain a fixed positional relationship with the housing in order to exchange a predetermined signal and obtain a predetermined mechanical coupling when connected to the provided connection means; When the connecting means of the plug-in unit is connected to the corresponding connecting means of itself, the image information generated by the image pickup element of the plug-in unit is obtained by transmitting and receiving a predetermined signal and a predetermined mechanical coupling. And a camera body adapted to receive.

In the camera system, the plug-in unit is attached to the camera body via the connecting means so that the camera body is electrically connected and mechanically coupled to be in a photographing ready state. can do.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention before mounting an interchangeable lens, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where an interchangeable lens is mounted on a camera body of the camera system. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera system includes a camera, that is, a camera body 1 and interchangeable lens groups 11 and 1 which are plug-in units detachable from the camera body 1.
2 and 13.

The interchangeable lenses 11, 12, and 13 are interchangeable lenses of a zoom lens, a wide-angle lens, and a pan-focus lens, respectively, and have a packaged cartridge structure containing an image pickup device and an optical system as described later. The interchangeable lens is inserted into the interchangeable lens insertion opening 1a of the camera body 1 and mounted, and an image is taken. The interchangeable lenses 11, 12 and 13 maintain the respective photographing lenses in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the CCD of the image pickup element described later, and are also mechanical connection means for positioning when the interchangeable lenses are mounted. Body 14, 18,
22 and CCD 1 as an image pickup device built in the housing
6, 20, 24 and an optical LPF (low-pass filter), and photographing lenses 15, 19, 23 as an optical system.
And a connector section 17 as a connecting means for exchanging an image pickup signal, an image pickup control signal, an electric signal relating to control of an optical system, etc., and an electric power, and a mechanical coupling with the camera body 1. , 21, 25.

The electric signals transmitted and received to and from the camera body 1 by the connector parts 17, 21, and 25 of the interchangeable lenses 11, 12, and 13 are, for example, a focus determination signal, a focus actuator drive signal, and a photometric determination signal. , Focal length information signal, zoom actuator drive signal, iris actuator drive signal, etc. It should be noted that the interchangeable lenses 11, 12 and 13 are each provided with a CPU as a control means.
Equipped with a built-in camera, control related to shooting, such as focusing control, exposure control, zoom control, etc., is completed in the interchangeable lens, and signals such as focusing completion signal, exposure control completion signal, and focal length information are sent to the camera body 1. By doing so, it is possible to shift to the shooting operation.

The interchangeable lenses 11, 12, 13
In the above, the optical systems such as the CCDs 16, 20, and 24 are housed in the housings 14, 18, and 22 in a sealed state, and are protected from dust and the like. Further, since the CCDs are built in the housing, the CCDs are, of course, installed with the back focus adjusted.

On the other hand, the interchangeable lenses 11, 12 and 13 can be inserted into the camera body 1, and the opening 1a is provided as a connecting means for mechanical coupling for positioning the interchangeable lenses. Has been done. Inside the opening 1a, an image pickup signal, an image pickup control signal, an electric signal relating to control of an optical system and the like for the interchangeable lens, exchange of electric power, and mechanical coupling of the interchangeable lens are performed. A connector 2 is provided as a connecting means for the connection.

Further, the camera body 1 has a control means for recognizing each lens type so as to be compatible with various interchangeable lenses such as the mounted zoom lens, wide-angle lens, and pan-focus lens, and performing a photographing operation. The CPU of the microcomputer, the image pickup signal processing circuit section from the interchangeable lens, and the recording and reproduction processing circuit section are incorporated. Further, a stroboscopic light emission window 3, camera operation switch groups 4 and 5, a photographing information display section 6, an input / output terminal row 7, and the like are provided on the exterior of the camera body.

When the interchangeable lens 11, 12 or 13 is attached to the camera body 1,
As shown in FIG. 2, the housing portion of the interchangeable lens is housed in the camera body, and the lens surface of the interchangeable lens does not project from the front surface portion of the camera body 1.

In order to make the camera system of the present embodiment constructed as described above ready for photographing, first, the interchangeable lenses 11, 12, 1 are inserted into the opening 1a of the camera body 1.
3 is inserted, and the connector 17 is connected to the connector 2,
21 or 25 is connected and put in a mounted state. By operating the operation switch groups 4 and 5 of the camera body in this state, the image pickup data of the subject image captured by the interchangeable lens is recorded on the camera body 1 side or output as an image pickup signal to the outside.

According to the camera system of the present embodiment, the connector, which is the connecting means, is fitted only by mounting the plug-in unit of each interchangeable lens, and not only mechanical coupling but also electrical connection can be performed with one touch. . Further, as described above, since the interchangeable lens that can be mounted has already undergone the back focus adjustment, it is not necessary to adjust the back focus accompanying the mounting of the interchangeable lens as in the conventional camera system. Therefore, lens replacement becomes extremely easy, and it is possible to set the camera in a photographable state only by mounting the interchangeable lens.

Since the interchangeable lens is packaged in the hermetically sealed state as described above, the inside of the lens and the CCD
It is possible to prevent the adhesion of dust and the like. Further, when the interchangeable lens is attached to the camera body, the projecting state does not occur, and there is no connection cable between the interchangeable lens and the camera body, which improves portability in a photographable state. Further, by preparing various interchangeable lenses that can be mounted on the camera body, it is possible to select a lens according to the photographer's application, and, for example, the photographing area can be expanded. Further, by making the connector, which is the connecting means, common, it is possible to adopt a configuration that is compatible with, for example, image pickup devices of various sizes or image pickup devices having a number of pixels.

As an application example of the camera body 1 applied to the camera system of the first embodiment, by using a conversion adapter incorporating an image sensor and an optical LPF as a plug-in unit, a conventional camera having no image sensor is used. It is possible to propose a camera system in which the interchangeable lens can be attached. FIG. 3 is a perspective view before mounting the camera body 1, the conversion adapter, and a conventional interchangeable lens.

The camera body 1 shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the camera body applied to the first embodiment described above, and an opening 1a into which the interchangeable lens applied to the first embodiment can be inserted. A connector 2 as a connecting means arranged in the opening is also arranged in the camera body 1. Other configurations are also the same.

Further, the conversion adapter 31 as a plug-in unit is provided with a conventional C mount 32a, on which a conventional interchangeable lens having no CCD can be mounted, as in the interchangeable lens 210 shown in FIG. Has been. The mount may be a conventional bayonet mount. Further, an optical LPF 33, a CCD 34 as an image pickup device, and a connector 35 as a connecting means for the camera body 1 are packaged and arranged in a predetermined relation position in the housing 32.

By attaching the conversion adapter 31 as described above to the camera body 1, the conventional interchangeable lens 3
It becomes possible to shoot using 8,39. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a camera system showing a mounted state of the conventional interchangeable lens.

Next, a camera system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the perspective view of FIG. 5 showing the camera body and the interchangeable lens before being mounted. Interchangeable lens 4 which is a plug-in unit that constitutes the camera system of the present embodiment.
4, a part of the housing 45 includes, for example, lens type information indicating whether the lens to be replaced is a zoom lens, a wide-angle lens, or a pan-focus lens, and lens brightness information, Alternatively, marking concave and convex portions 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d are provided as specification information holding means which is a marker indicating information related to the specifications of the interchangeable lens such as information indicating the type of the built-in image sensor. Of course, it is assumed that the interchangeable lens 44 has a photographic lens 46 and an image pickup element 47 built therein similarly to the interchangeable lens 11 and the like in the first embodiment, and that a connector 48 as a connecting means is provided. .

On the side of the camera body 41 on which the interchangeable lens 44 is mounted, the uneven portions 45a, 45b, 4 are formed.
An optical sensor 43 as an information receiving means for reading the held information of 5c and 45d is arranged at a corresponding position inside the opening 41a. Further, a CPU having information identifying means for identifying the specifications of the attached interchangeable lens based on the output of the optical sensor 43 is also incorporated. It should be noted that, like the camera body 1 applied to the first embodiment, the camera body 41 has built-in components such as a connector 42 as a connecting means for an interchangeable lens and an image pickup processing circuit. To do.

In the camera system of the present embodiment constructed as described above, the interchangeable lens 44 has the camera body 41.
The type of the interchangeable lens attached is automatically identified by attaching it to the. Therefore, the photographer can prevent the mistaken setting of the photographing condition, the erroneous operation, and the photographing mistake. Of course, it has the same effect as that of the system of the first embodiment.

In the interchangeable lens 44 applied to the above-mentioned second embodiment, a bar code is used as a substitute for the marking concave / convex portions 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d provided as the specification information holding means of the interchangeable lens. The interchangeable lens described above can also be proposed as a modification. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interchangeable lens of the above modification, in which the housing 52 of the interchangeable lens 51 also has a taking lens 53 and a CCD 54 built therein, and a connector 55 as a connecting means with the camera body. Has been done. A bar code pattern 56 provided as a specification information holding means for the interchangeable lens is arranged on the side surface of the housing 52.

On the side of the camera body where the interchangeable lens 51 is mounted, an optical sensor for bar code detection as information receiving means is provided at a position facing the bar code pattern 56 in the mounted state. . The other structure of the camera body is the same as that of the camera body 41 of the second embodiment. By doing so, the barcode information can be read at the same time as the operation of mounting the interchangeable lens. When the interchangeable lens 51 of this modified example and the camera body corresponding thereto are used, the detailed specifications of the interchangeable lens can be discriminated by the camera body, and more detailed shooting conditions can be automatically set. .

As another modified example of the specification information holding means of the interchangeable lens 44 and the information receiving means of the camera body applied to the above-mentioned second embodiment, the connecting portion of the pin type connector applied as the connecting means. It is also possible to propose a modification in which several connecting pieces and connecting pins are used for the specification information holding means and the information receiving means.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit related to the interchangeable lens of the above modification and the connector portion of the camera body. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 7, the three connecting pins 6 in the male connector 61 on the camera body side are connected.
1b and three connecting pieces 65b in the interchangeable lens side female connector 65 corresponding thereto are used as information receiving means and specification information holding means of the interchangeable lens. The connection pin 61
A power supply line is connected to b through a resistor. Connection piece 6
Three of 5b are set in the ON state or the OFF state in the interchangeable lens based on the specifications of the interchangeable lens.

The on / off output of the connection pin 61b is input to the CPU 62 as a control means on the camera body side,
Determine the type of attached interchangeable lens. CPU62
Will control the automatic focus adjustment circuit 63 or the exposure control circuit 64 in accordance with the specifications of the identified interchangeable lens to execute shooting.

In this modification, the three connecting pins are used for holding the specification information or for receiving the information, so that it is possible to identify the power of 2 to the power of 3, that is, the specifications of the interchangeable lens. It will be possible. Further, since the specification information holding means or the information receiving means is incorporated in accordance with the connector of the connecting means, it is not necessary to separately arrange these means, which is advantageous in terms of space and cost. Will be things.

Next, a camera system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the perspective view of the camera body before mounting the interchangeable lens shown in FIG. In the camera system of this embodiment, the housing 7 of the interchangeable lens 75, which is a plug-in unit, is used.
The outer shape of 6 is a hexagonal prism whose lower side surface along the insertion direction is cut with respect to the shape of the square prism of the housing of the interchangeable lens of the first embodiment and the like, and the opening 7 of the camera body 71 is formed.
1a also has a shape matching the hexagonal column of the housing 76 of the interchangeable lens, and the two can be coupled only in a normal posture. Therefore, for example, the image sensor is arranged upside down and the image is reversed on the monitor. There is no inconvenience of reproducing the reproduced image. As for the other configuration, similar to the first embodiment, the interchangeable lens housing 76 is provided with a taking lens 77, a CCD 78, and a connector 79 as a connecting means to the camera body. The connector 79 is provided on the main body 71.
A connector 72 corresponding to the above, a strobe 73 and the like are provided.

In the camera system of the present embodiment constructed as described above, the interchangeable lens 75 has the camera body 71.
It is possible to insert and connect the connector only in a proper posture relative to the. Therefore, erroneous insertion of the interchangeable lens 75 does not occur, damage to the connector portion due to erroneous insertion can be prevented, and the interchangeable lens can be mounted smoothly.

If the shape shown in FIG. 8 is impossible due to the construction of the parts of the lens frame, the same effect can be obtained in the following modification. That is, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the modified example of the interchangeable lens insertion portion for the camera system of the third embodiment before the interchangeable lens is attached, and FIG. 10 is a view of the opening of FIG. In the camera system of this modified example, the housing 86 of the interchangeable lens 85 is provided with the guide groove 86b as guided means along the insertion direction, and the guide 81 is provided in the opening 81a on the camera body 81 side. A guide rail 81b is provided as a guide means that can be slidably fitted in the groove 86b.

As for the positional relationship between the guide groove and the guide rail, the guide rail 81b is provided asymmetrically with respect to the center C of the opening 81a as shown in FIG.
It can be inserted only in a certain direction. The relationship between the guide groove and the guide rail may be that the guide groove is provided on the camera body side and the guide rail is provided on the interchangeable lens side.

As for other configurations, similar to the first embodiment, the interchangeable lens housing 86 has a taking lens 8 in it.
7. A CCD 88 is built in, and a connector 89 is provided as a connecting means with the camera body 81. Further, the camera body 81 is provided with a connector 82 as a connecting means corresponding to the connector 89, a strobe 83 and the like.

Also in the camera system of the present modification constructed as described above, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained. That is, the interchangeable lens 85 can be inserted into the camera body 81 only in a proper posture, and the connector can be similarly coupled. Therefore, erroneous insertion of the interchangeable lens 85 does not occur, of course, and damage to the connector portion due to erroneous insertion can be prevented.

Next, regarding the camera system of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the interchangeable lens and the memory carriage shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to a perspective view before mounting. The camera system according to the present embodiment includes an interchangeable lens insertion opening 91 of the camera body 91.
A memory card 100 as a card-shaped information recording medium is inserted in a direction parallel to the insertion direction of the interchangeable lens 95, which is a plug-in unit, into the camera body, on the back surface opposite to a. A card insertion port 91c is provided as an information recording medium mounting means. A memory card connector 101 as an information recording medium mounting means is provided inside the card insertion port 91c.

Further, the side surface of the camera body 91 is shown in FIG.
12, an interchangeable lens that is slidable in a direction D parallel to the insertion direction, as shown in FIG.
An eject operation knob 102, which is an operation member for a memory card of the information recording medium, is provided.

As for the other configuration of the camera system of the present embodiment, the housing 96 of the interchangeable lens 95 is connected to the taking lens 97, the CCD 98, and the camera body 91, as in the first embodiment. Connector 99 as a means
And the connector 9 is attached to the camera body 91.
A connector 92 as a connecting means corresponding to the reference numeral 9, a strobe 93 and the like are provided.

As described above, in the camera body 91, the memory card 100 is placed in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the interchangeable lens.
The insertion efficiency improves the layout efficiency in the camera body 91. Further, it is possible to easily adopt a structure in which the operation direction of the eject operation knob 102 is set to the D direction parallel to the insertion direction. Further, by operating the eject operation knob 102, which is a single member, from the neutral position to the front or the rear along the direction D, the interchangeable lens 95 or the connector of the memory card 100 is released, The interchangeable lens 95 or the memory card 100 can be easily ejected,
The operating member can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Next, as a camera system of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a perspective view before mounting the interchangeable lens of FIG. 13 and FIG.
4 will be described with reference to a perspective view of the mounted state. In the camera system of the present embodiment, a light transmission window 91d is provided on the upper surface of the interchangeable lens insertion portion of the camera body 91, and its own lens specifications, for example, the focal length, on the upper surface side of the interchangeable lens 95 which is a plug-in unit. Specification section 1 that describes information such as brightness, aperture, and auto / manual focus
03 is provided.

The above-mentioned specification notation section 103 is for the interchangeable lens 9
In the 5 mounted state, it is located in the light transmission window 91d of the camera body, and the photographer does not need to look through the interchangeable lens side as in the conventional case when confirming the specifications of the mounted interchangeable lens. Without changing the camera body 91
Since it is possible to visually check in the same posture as the shooting state, it is convenient for shooting. The rest of the configuration of the camera system of this embodiment is similar to that of the fourth embodiment.

[0046]

As described above, the first, second, and third aspects of the present invention are provided.
In the camera system, the plug-in unit, or the camera described in [1], it is not necessary to adjust the back focus when the plug-in unit is mounted, and since the plug-in unit to be mounted is packaged, a lens, an image sensor, etc. Maintenance is easy because no dust adheres to the.
Further, the plug-in unit is connected to the camera body by the connecting means and is electrically connected at the same time as being mechanically held, so that the mounting operation is simple. Further, it is possible to apply any size of the image pickup device in the plug-in unit.

According to the plug-in unit or the camera according to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the lens can be surely selected according to the photographer's application, and the photographing area can be expanded. Further, it is possible to prevent erroneous setting of shooting conditions, erroneous operation, erroneous shooting, or the like.

According to the plug-in unit or the camera according to claims 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the present invention, the plug-in unit is erroneously attached or detached when the plug-in unit is replaced, or the plug-in unit is erroneously inserted. Alternatively, destruction of the camera connection means can be prevented in advance. Moreover, the plug-in unit can be smoothly inserted.

According to the plug-in unit or the camera according to the tenth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the portability in the mounted state of the plug-in unit is improved and the degree of freedom in design is increased. In addition, it is possible to prevent the camera or the plug-in unit from being damaged when being carried while being worn.

According to the camera of the twelfth and thirteenth aspects of the present invention, the operability of the information recording medium attaching / detaching means is improved, and the constituent members can be shared, which is advantageous in terms of cost. Since the attachment / detachment direction of the plug-in unit and the recording medium are parallel to each other, the mounting efficiency of each component in the camera is improved.

According to the plug-in unit or the camera of claims 14 and 15 of the present invention, when replacing the plug-in unit, the specifications of the plug-in unit can be confirmed without having to change the camera. Also, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the plug-in unit is attached without having to change the camera.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the plug-in unit of the present invention, the number of electrical information transmitting elements in the connecting means can be reduced, and the connecting means can be made compact.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a camera system according to a first embodiment of the present invention before mounting an interchangeable lens.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the camera system of FIG. 1 with an interchangeable lens attached.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view before mounting the conventional interchangeable lens on the camera body of the camera system of FIG. 1 via a conversion adapter.

4 is a perspective view showing a state where a conventional interchangeable lens is attached to the camera body of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a camera system according to a second embodiment of the present invention before mounting an interchangeable lens.

6 is a perspective view of an interchangeable lens to which a bar code pattern is applied as a modified example of the interchangeable lens specification information holding means in the interchangeable lens of the camera system of FIG.

7 is a block configuration diagram of a connector unit and a circuit related thereto when a connector pin and a connecting piece are applied as another modification of the interchangeable lens specification information holding unit in the interchangeable lens of the camera system of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a camera system according to a third embodiment of the present invention before mounting an interchangeable lens.

9 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the interchangeable lens insertion portion of the camera system of FIG. 8 before the interchangeable lens is attached.

FIG. 10 is a view on arrow A of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a camera system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention before mounting an interchangeable lens and a memory card.

FIG. 12 is a view on arrow A of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a camera system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention before mounting an interchangeable lens.

14 is a perspective view of the camera system of FIG. 12 with an interchangeable lens attached.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a conventional camera system before mounting an interchangeable lens.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 41, 71, 81, 91 ... Camera or camera body 1a, 41a, 71a, 81a, 91a ... Opening portion (connecting means provided in the camera body) 2, 42, 61, 72, 82, 92 ... Connector (connecting means provided in the camera body) 11, 12, 13, 44, 51, 75, 85, 95 ...
... Interchangeable lens (plug-in unit) 14, 18, 22, 32, 45, 52, 76, 86, 9
6 ... Casing (connecting means provided in the plug-in unit) 15, 19, 23, 46, 53, 77, 87, 97 ...
... Photographing lens (optical system) 16, 20, 24, 34, 47, 54, 78, 88, 9
8 ... CCD (imaging device) 17, 21, 25, 35, 48, 55, 65, 79, 8
9, 99 ... Connector (connecting means provided in the plug-in unit) 31 ... Conversion adapter (plug-in unit) 34 ... Optical LPF (optical system) 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d ... Concavo-convex part (specification information holding means) 56 ... Bar code pattern (specification information holding means) 61b ......... Connecting pin (information receiving means) 65b ......... Connecting piece (specification information holding means) 81b ... Rail (guide means) 86b ... Guide groove (guided means) 91c ... Card insertion opening (information recording medium mounting means) 91d ... Light transmission window (light transmission part) 100 ... Memory card Card (information recording medium) 101 ... Memory card connector (information recording medium mounting means) 102 ... Eject operation knob (operation member) 103 ... Specification notation section

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A housing adapted to maintain a predetermined relationship between an image pickup device and an optical system for the image pickup device, and a predetermined structure when connected to a connecting means provided in a camera body to which the image pickup device fits. A plug-in unit having a connecting means configured to maintain a fixed positional relationship with the housing in order to exchange signals and obtain a predetermined mechanical coupling, and the connecting means of the plug-in unit is self-corresponding. And a camera body capable of receiving and transmitting a predetermined signal and receiving a predetermined mechanical coupling to receive image information generated by the image pickup device of the plug-in unit. A camera system comprising. 2. A housing which is capable of maintaining a predetermined relationship between an image pickup device and an optical system for the image pickup device, and when connected to a connecting means provided in a camera body to which the image pickup device fits, a predetermined case is established. And a connection means configured to maintain a fixed positional relationship with the housing in order to exchange signals and obtain a predetermined mechanical coupling. 3. When a camera body adapted to maintain a predetermined relationship between an image pickup device and an optical system for the image pickup device is fitted to the camera body, a predetermined signal is transmitted / received and a predetermined signal is transmitted / received. A plug-in unit having a connecting means configured to maintain a fixed positional relationship with the housing to obtain a mechanical connection is provided with a connecting means corresponding to the connecting means, and the connecting means of the plug-in unit. Is capable of receiving and transmitting a predetermined signal and receiving a predetermined mechanical coupling to receive the image information generated by the image pickup device of the plug-in unit when connected to its own connection means. And the camera. 4. A housing which can maintain an image pickup device and an optical system for the image pickup device in a predetermined relationship, and a predetermined number when connected to a connection means provided in a camera body to which the image pickup device fits. Connection means configured to maintain a fixed positional relationship with the housing in order to exchange signals and obtain a predetermined mechanical coupling, and information regarding its own specifications in a form that can be recognized by the camera body side. A plug-in unit comprising: specification information holding means for holding so as to be provided. 5. A housing which is capable of maintaining a predetermined relationship between an image pickup device and an optical system for the image pickup device and a connecting means provided on a camera body to which the image pickup device fits are connected to each other. Connection means configured to maintain a fixed positional relationship with the housing in order to exchange signals and obtain a predetermined mechanical coupling, and in a form that allows the camera body to recognize information related to its own specifications. When a plug-in unit having specification information holding means for holding it so that it can be provided is connected to its corresponding connecting means, the plug-in unit can be exchanged with a predetermined signal and a predetermined mechanical connection can be obtained, The image information generated by the image pickup device of the plug-in unit is received, and the information about the specification of the plug-in unit is received by the specification information holding means. Camera, characterized in that it comprises a broadcast receiving unit. 6. The connection means is adapted to be allowed to be connected to a connection means provided on a camera body suitable for the connection means only in a predetermined regular relationship.
The plug-in unit described in. 7. The connection means according to claim 3, wherein the connection means is allowed to be connected to a connection means provided in a plug-in unit which is suitable for the connection means only in a predetermined regular relationship. Camera. 8. The connection means guides the connection by restricting the relative positional relationship between itself and the camera body in the process of establishing a connection with the connection means provided in the camera body to which the connection means fits. The plug-in unit according to claim 2, which is provided with guided means for receiving. 9. The connection means guides the connection by regulating the relative positional relationship between itself and the plug-in unit in the process of establishing a connection with the connection means provided in the plug-in unit suitable for itself. The camera according to claim 3, further comprising guide means for performing the operation. 10. The housing is such that the outer surface of the front lens group of the optical system and the front surface of the housing are located substantially in the same plane when the connection means establishes a connection with a camera body suitable for itself. The plug-in unit according to claim 2, which is formed in the. 11. The outer surface of the front lens group of the optical system of the plug-in unit and the front surface of self are located substantially in the same plane when the connection means establishes a connection with a plug-in unit suitable for itself. The camera according to claim 3, further comprising a housing formed as described above. 12. A direction parallel to a relative displacement direction between the self and the plug-in unit in the process of establishing a connection with the self-compatible plug-in unit by the connecting means or in the process of releasing the connection. 4. The camera according to claim 3, further comprising an information recording medium mounting means adapted to enable attachment / detachment of the compatible card-shaped information recording medium by the relative displacement. 13. The operation member for releasing the connection with the plug-in unit is configured to also serve as an operation member for releasing the mounting of the card-shaped information recording medium. The camera according to item 12. 14. A specification in which information relating to its own specification is written in a state of being visible through a light transmission section provided in the predetermined section of the camera body when connected to the camera body suitable for the camera body by the connecting means. The plug-in unit according to claim 2, wherein the notation portion is set on a predetermined portion on the outer surface of the housing. 15. When a plug-in unit suitable for itself is connected by the connecting means, information relating to the specifications of the plug-in unit set in a predetermined portion on the outer surface of the housing of the plug-in unit is described. 4. The camera according to claim 3, wherein the specification notation section is configured to be visible through a light transmitting section provided in a predetermined section of its own case. 16. The predetermined control operation relating to photographing is configured to output only a control signal to the effect that the operation is completed by a control means provided in its own casing. The described plug-in unit.