IMAGE INPUT UNIT

• US 20010050711A1
• Filed: 09/27/1995
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: SHIGEMURA, YOSHIHIRO, EGUCHI, MASAHARU, KOTOKU, KENICHI, KARUBE, YUKUO, MATSUMOTO, KENTARO
• Granted Patent: US 6,654,050 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/220.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display

Abstract

A PC card camera has a structure in which a universal joint to which a video camera is attached is mounted on a PC card body. The video camera comprises an optical lens unit and a solid-state area sensor of the photoelectric transducer type. The universal joint holds the video camera in such a manner that the angular position thereof can be adjusted freely with respect to the PC card. The PC card body is provided with a guide for guiding the card into a slot provided in a personal computer, a connector for connecting the PC card to the personal computer, and a cut-out which prevents the PC card from being inserted incorrectly. With the PC card connected to the personal computer, the angular position of the video camera can be adjusted via the universal joint.

Claims

1. An image sensing apparatus sensing an image to supply to an information processing device, said apparatus comprising:

a camera unit; and

a base unit connected to the camera unit, the base unit having;

signal processing means for performing a process to supply an image signal from the camera unit to the information processing device; and

timing control means for controlling a timing in which the image signal is supplied from the camera unit to the information processing device.

2. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the camera unit comprises a lens, and a sensor converting incident light from an object through the lens into an image signal.

3. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the signal processing means comprises storage means for storing an image signal sensed by the camera unit.

4. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 3

, wherein the storage means comprises a first-in-first-out type memory.

5. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the signal processing means comprises a register used for transmitting and receiving data to and from the information processing device.

6. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein the base unit is in a shape of card.

7. An image sensing apparatus sensing an image to supply to an information processing device, said apparatus comprising:

a camera unit; and

a base unit connected to the camera unit having;

signal processing means for processing to supply an image signal from the camera unit to the information processing device; and

audio input means for inputting audio.

8. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 7

, wherein the camera unit comprises a lens, and a sensor converting incident light from an object through the lens into an image signal.

9. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 7

, wherein the signal processing means comprises storage means for storing an image signal sensed by the camera unit.

10. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 9

, wherein the storage means comprises a first-in-first-out type memory.

11. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 7

, wherein the signal processing means comprises a register used for transmitting and receiving data to and from the information processing device.

12. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 7

, wherein the audio input means is provided at a side surface of the base unit, the side surface being different from a surface at which the base unit is connected to the information processing device.

13. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 7

, further comprising audio output means for outputting audio.

14. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 13

, wherein the audio output means is provided at a same side surface of the base unit at which the base unit is connected to the camera unit.

15. An image sensing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the audio output means and the camera unit are connected to the base unit through a cable.

16. The apparatus according to

claim 7

, wherein the base unit is in a shape of card.

17. An image sensing apparatus comprising:

image sensing means for sensing an image;

a switch arranged around the image sensing means;

storage means for storing image data obtained by the image sensing means; and

means for altering a read-out sequence of the image data stored in the storage means in accordance with an operation of the switch.

18. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 17

, further comprising connecting means for connecting an information processing device.

19. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 17

, further comprising display means for displaying a direction into which an image is sensed by the camera unit.

20. An image sensing apparatus comprising:

image sensing means for sensing an image;

storage means for storing image data sensed by the image sensing means;

gravity detection means for detecting a direction of the gravity; and

means for altering a read-out sequence of the image data stored in the storage means in accordance with an output of the gravity detection means.

21. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 20

, further comprising connecting means for connecting an information processing device.

22. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 20

, further comprising display means for displaying a direction into which an image is sensed by the camera unit.

23. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 20

, wherein the gravity sensing means comprises a rotating pendulum which detects a direction of gravity.

24. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein the rotating pendulum comprises a rotary shaft which substantially coincides with a direction of image sensing by the image sensing means, and a sector-shaped portion that is perpendicular to the rotary shaft, and wherein the image sensing apparatus comprises sensor means for sensing a position of the sector-shaped portion.

25. An image sensing apparatus sensing an image to supply to an information processing device, comprising:

a camera unit;

a base unit connected to the camera unit, the base unit including signal processing means for performing a process to supply an image signal from the camera unit to the information processing device;

fixing means for fixing the camera unit to the information processing device so that the camera is fixed separatly from the base unit.

26. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 25

, wherein the fixing means detachably fixes the camera unit to the information processing device.

27. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 26

, wherein the fixing means comprises a sucker which adsorbs the camera unit.

28. An image sensing apparatus according to

claim 26

, wherein the fixing means comprises an adhesive which adheres the camera unit.