Camera system for attaching lens unit to electronics device

• US 20060233545A1
• Filed: 04/14/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Misawa, Atsushi, Senba, Takehiko
• Granted Patent: US 7,600,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/529
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/14 interchangeably
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices

Abstract

A camera system is composed of a lens unit and a camera body. The lens unit has a built-in CCD. A magnet is embedded in a protrusion of the lens unit. A case of the camera body is made of a magnetic material. In virtue of this, it is possible to attach the lens unit to any position of the camera body on condition that functions of the camera body are not disturbed by the lens unit. Incidentally, a cable is utilized to perform data transmission and electric-power transfer between the lens unit and the camera body.

Claims

1. A camera system comprising:

a lens unit containing a taking lens and an imaging device disposed behind said taking lens;

an electronics device to which said lens unit is attached;

an attachment device for enabling said lens unit to be attached to different positions of an outer surface of said electronics device on condition that functions of said electronics device are not disturbed;

a communication device for performing data communication between said lens unit and said electronics device; and

a display equipped in said electronics device, said display capturing image data of said imaging device via said communication device to display said image data as an image.

2. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said attachment device comprises a magnet disposed at one of outer surfaces of said lens unit and said electronics device, and a magnetic material disposed at the other of said outer surfaces thereof.

3. A camera system according to claim 2, wherein said magnet is embedded in a rear end of said lens unit.

4. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said attachment device comprises a first sheet attached to one of outer surfaces of said lens unit and said electronics device, and a second sheet attached to the other of said outer surfaces thereof, a plurality of hooks being formed on said first sheet and a plurality of loops being formed on said second sheet to engage with said hooks.

5. A camera system according to claim 4, wherein said first and second sheets are hook and loop fasteners made of resin.

6. A camera system according to claim 4, wherein said first sheet is attached to a rear surface of said lens unit.

7. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said attachment device comprises an adhesive member pasted to one of outer surfaces of said lens unit and said electronics device.

8. A camera system according to claim 7, wherein said adhesive member is a two-sided adhesive tape attached to a rear surface of said lens unit.

9. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said attachment device comprises a first engagement member disposed at an outer surface of said lens unit, and a plurality of second engagement members disposed at said electronics device, said first engagement member being selectively and detachably attached to one of said second engagement members.

10. A camera system according to claim 9, wherein said first engagement member is a lock pin disposed on a rear surface of said lens unit.

11. A camera system according to claim 10, wherein each of said second engagement members comprises:

a through hole formed in the outer surface of said electronics device and into which said lock pin is inserted; and

a lock member disposed at a rear side of said through hole to engage with said lock pin.

12. A camera system according to claim 11, wherein said lock pin has a flange portion to engage with said lock member.

13. A camera system according to claim 12, wherein said lock member is made of a rubber material and has a lock hole into which said flange portion is inserted.

14. A camera system according to claim 13, wherein said lock hole is provided with slits formed at a surrounding area thereof, said slit being adapted to be opened when said flange portion passes through said lock hole.

15. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said electronics device includes a recorder for recording said image data captured via said communication device.

16. A camera system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an attachment detection device for detecting said lens unit attached to said electronics device; and

a controller for executing a preparative operation for shooting on the basis of a detection result of said attachment detection device.

17. A camera system according to claim 16, wherein said attachment detection device comprises a plurality of hall elements disposed at an inner side of said electronics device, and one of said hall elements detects a magnet embedded in said lens unit to detect said lens unit attached to said electronics device.

18. A camera system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power transfer device for transferring an electric power from said electronics device to said lens unit.

19. A camera system according to claim 18, wherein said power transfer device is a cable, one end of which is connected to said lens unit and the other end of which is connected to said electronics device.

20. A camera system according to claim 18, wherein said power transfer device transfers said electric power in a cableless manner utilizing electromagnetic induction.

21. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein said communication device performs said data communication by means of radio communication.