Cradle for information apparatus, cradle for digital camera and camera system

• US 20020149695A1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kayanuma, Yasunobu
• Granted Patent: US 7,167,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/375
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00129 with a display device, e.g. CRT or LCD monitor with a television apparatus H04N1/00283; arrangements for control of display devices G09G
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0051 Card-type connector, e.g. PCMCIA card interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0056 Using mechanical couplings, e.g. mating elements H04N2201/0049, H04N2201/0051, H04N2201/0058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0087 Image storage device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/218 Deletion of stored data; Preventing such deletion

Abstract

The cradle is capable of supplementing convenience of a portable information apparatus such as a digital camera of which functions including an image display function and a removable medium are omitted. If the camera is mounted on a camera mounting section of the cradle, a camera connector is electrically connected to a cradle connector in synchronization with a mounting operation thereof. The control circuit contained in the cradle detects a connection of the camera, and automatically starts communication between them. The image stored in the internal memory of the camera is sent to the cradle side, and is displayed on a liquid crystal display. The user can erase unnecessary images while checking the images. In addition, a variation is also desirable wherein a data storing device such as the removable medium is provided on the cradle side to transfer the image in the camera to the data storing device on the cradle side and then erase the internal memory of the camera.

Claims

1. A cradle for an information apparatus, the cradle comprising:

an apparatus mounting section which removably receives the information apparatus;

a communication device which performs communication with the information apparatus mounted on the apparatus mounting section;

a display device which displays information based on data received from the information apparatus through the communication device; and

a control device which controls delivery of the data by the communication device and also controls display of the display device.

2. The cradle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a signal processing device which converts the data received from the information apparatus into a signal for display; and

a storing device for display which stores the data for display generated by the signal processing device.

3. The cradle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communication device for an external apparatus which performs communication with the external apparatus,

wherein the control device controls the delivery of data by the communication device for the external apparatus.

4. A cradle for an information apparatus, the cradle comprising:

an apparatus mounting section which removably receives the information apparatus;

a communication device which performs communication with the information apparatus mounted on the apparatus mounting section;

a media insertion section which receives a removable medium;

a media interface section for performing at least one of a process of reading information from the removable medium mounted on the media insertion section and a process of recording information on the removable medium; and

a control device which controls delivery of the data by the communication device and also controls at least one of the process of reading the information from the removable medium and the process of recording the information thereon.

5. The cradle according to claim 4, further comprising:

a communication device for an external apparatus which performs communication with the external apparatus,

wherein the control device controls the delivery of data by the communication device for the external apparatus.

6. A cradle for a digital camera, the cradle comprising:

a camera mounting section which removably receives the digital camera;

a first communication device which performs communication with the digital camera mounted on the camera mounting section;

an image display device which displays an image received through the first communication device; and

a control device which controls delivery of data by the first communication device and also controls display of the image display device.

7. The cradle according to claim 6, further comprising:

a second communication device which performs communication with an external apparatus,

wherein the control device controls the delivery of data by the second communication device.

8. The cradle according to claim 6, further comprising a battery for a power supply so as to be usable by battery driving.

9. The cradle according to claim 6, wherein the digital camera comprises:

an image pickup device which converts an optical image into an electric signal;

an image-capturing instruction device which instructs the image pickup device to perform image-capturing;

an internal storing device which stores the image obtained through the image pickup device according to an instruction from the image-capturing instruction device; and

a third communication device which performs delivery of information with the cradle, the third communication device being connected to the first communication device in synchronization with operation of mounting of the digital camera on the camera mounting section,

wherein the digital camera does not has;

an image display device which displays the image stored in the internal storing device; and

an external storing device which stores the image obtained through the image pickup device on the removable medium.

10. A camera system, comprising:

the cradle according to claim 6; and

a digital camera mountable on the cradle, the digital camera comprising;

an image pickup device which converts an optical image into an electric signal;

an image-capturing instruction device which instructs the image pickup device to perform image-capturing;

an internal storing device which stores the image obtained through the image pickup device according to an instruction from the image-capturing instruction device; and

a third communication device which performs delivery of information with the cradle, the third communication device being connected to the first communication device in synchronization with operation of mounting of the digital camera on the camera mounting section,

wherein the digital camera does not has;

an image display device which displays the image stored in the internal storing device; and

an external storing device which stores the image obtained through the image pickup device on the removable medium.

11. A cradle for a digital camera, the cradle comprising:

a camera mounting section which removably receives the digital camera;

a first communication device which performs communication with the digital camera mounted on the camera mounting section;

a data storing device which stores data received through the first communication device; and

a control device which controls delivery of the data by the first communication device and also controls reading and writing from and to the data storing device.

12. The cradle according to claim 11, further comprising:

an image display device which displays an image received through the first communication device,

wherein the control device controls display of the image display device.

13. The cradle according to claim 11, further comprising:

a second communication device which performs communication with an external apparatus,

wherein the control device controls the delivery of data by the second communication device.

14. The cradle according to claim 11, further comprising a battery for a power supply so as to be usable by battery driving.

15. The cradle according to claim 11, wherein the digital camera comprises:

an image pickup device which converts an optical image into an electric signal;

an image-capturing instruction device which instructs the image pickup device to perform image-capturing;

an internal storing device which stores the image obtained through the image pickup device according to an instruction from the image-capturing instruction device; and

a third communication device which performs delivery of information with the cradle, the third communication device being connected to the first communication device in synchronization with operation of mounting of the digital camera on the camera mounting section,

wherein the digital camera does not has;

an image display device which displays the image stored in the internal storing device; and

an external storing device which stores the image obtained through the image pickup device on the removable medium.

16. A camera system, comprising:

the cradle according to claim 11; and

a digital camera mountable on the cradle, the digital camera comprising;

an image pickup device which converts an optical image into an electric signal;

an image-capturing instruction device which instructs the image pickup device to perform image-capturing;

an internal storing device which stores the image obtained through the image pickup device according to an instruction from the image-capturing instruction device; and

a third communication device which performs delivery of information with the cradle, the third communication device being connected to the first communication device in synchronization with operation of mounting of the digital camera on the camera mounting section,

wherein the digital camera does not has;

an image display device which displays the image stored in the internal storing device; and

an external storing device which stores the image obtained through the image pickup device on the removable medium.