Electronic apparatus, stand and electronic apparatus stand system

• US 20050041131A1
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Terane, Akio
• Application Number:
  US10/958,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20050041131A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/333.10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/65 Control of camera operation in relation to power supply

Abstract

An electronic device system is provided which includes a mobile electronic device and a stand which is adapted to mount the electronic device thereon. The mobile electronic device includes a power switch and an LCD display, and has a plurality of operation modes. The stand includes a connecting portion to be connected to the electronic device mounted thereon, and a communication system which enables communication with a personal computer. When the power switch of the electronic device mounted on the stand is turned on and the LCD display of the electronic device is located at a front side of the stand, a communication mode of the electronic device is automatically initiated, and the electronic device system initiates operation in the communication mode.

Claims

1. An electronic device system comprising:

a mobile electronic device which includes a power switch and an LCD display, and which has a plurality of operation modes; and

a stand which is adapted to mount the electronic device thereon, and which comprises a connecting portion to be connected to the electronic device mounted thereon, and a communication system which enables communication with a personal computer;

wherein when the power switch of the electronic device mounted on the stand is turned on and the LCD display of the electronic device is located at a front side of the stand, a communication mode of the electronic device is automatically initiated, and the electronic device system initiates operation in the communication mode.

2. The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile electronic device comprises one of an electronic camera, a cellular phone, a PHS and a camera-equipped cellular phone.

3. The electronic device system according to claim 2, wherein the electronic camera has a camera bottom which includes a connecting portion to be connected to the connecting portion of the stand, a tripod screw, and a battery lid having a width which is smaller than a thickness of the electronic camera.

4. The electronic device system according to claim 2, wherein the electronic camera includes a control circuit and a sensor which detects a state of attachment of the electronic camera to the stand;

and

wherein when the LCD display of the electronic camera is located at the front side of the stand, the control circuit of the electronic camera receives an output signal from the sensor and thereafter automatically prohibits a photographing mode in response to the signal.

5. The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the stand further comprises:

a holding section to hold the electronic device mounted thereon such that a front surface of the camera is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to a base of the camera stand; and

a stand switch which is adapted to toggle the power switch the electronic device.

6. The electronic device system according to claim 2, wherein the stand further comprises:

a holding section to hold the electronic device mounted thereon such that a front surface of the camera is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to a base of the camera stand; and

a stand switch which is adapted to toggle the power switch the electronic device.

7. The electronic device system according to claim 3, wherein the stand further comprises:

a holding section to hold the electronic device mounted thereon such that a front surface of the camera is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to a base of the camera stand; and

a stand switch which is adapted to toggle the power switch the electronic device.

8. The electronic device system according to claim 4, wherein the stand further comprises:

a holding section to hold the electronic device mounted thereon such that a front surface of the camera is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to a base of the camera stand; and

a stand switch which is adapted to toggle the power switch the electronic device.

9. The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system includes a USB terminal.

10. An operation mode setting method for a mobile electronic device which includes a power switch and an LCD display and which is operated in a plurality of operation modes, said method comprising:

confirming that the electronic device is mounted on a stand in a predetermined attachment state in which the LCD display of the electronic device is located at a front side of the stand, wherein the stand establishes a connection with the electronic device mounted thereon and enables data communication between the electronic device and a personal computer; and

automatically initiating a preset communication mode and initiating an operation in the communication mode, after it is confirmed that the electronic device is mounted on the stand in the predetermined attachment state and when the power switch of the electronic device is turned on.