Detachably connectible video camera video recorder

• US 4,547,815 A
• Filed: 10/04/1983
• Issued: 10/15/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kimura, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHARDSON, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US06/538,837
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 360/33, 360/33.1, 358/127, 358/335, 358/906, 358/229, 369/12, 352/242-243, 354/81-82
• US Class Current: 386/358
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/006 with video camera or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/531 being rotatable or detachable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

A portable magnetic picture recording system includes a video camera and a video tape recorder. The video tape recorder is provided with an attachment portion for fixed engagement with the video camera, and a connector portion for electrical coupling with the video camera. By electrically connecting the connector portion with a terminal portion of the video camera, the video camera and the video tape recorder become electrically coordinated with each other. The video camera is constructed to be removably attachable to the tape recorder at the attachment portion for fixed engagement with the tape recorder, so that the photographer is able to choose between a first working mode where the camera is attached to the recorder so that they are used together as a single device, and a second working mode where the camera and the recorder are used separated from each other.

Claims

1. A portable video recording system, comprising:

(a) a video camera including a camera housing,

image pick-up means for transducing an object image into an electrical signal,

a first finder opening for observing the object image,

a first optical system for introducing the object image to the pick-up means, and

a second optical system for introducing the object image to the first finder opening;

(b) a video recorder including,

a recorder housing having a mounting part to mount said camera housing to said recorder housing thereon in a freely attachable and detachable manner,

a relay optical system,

a relay opening provided at one end of the relay optical system, and

a second finder opening provided at the other end of the relay optical system; and

(c) transmission means for transmitting the electrical signal to the recorder when the camera is attached to the recorder,

wherein the image of the object is observable through the first finder opening, the relay opening and the relay optical system when the camera is attached to the recorder.

2. A video recording system according to claim 1, said video camera further comprising a first actuating member for actuating said recording means, and said video recorder further comprising a second actuating member for actuating said recording means, wherein when said camera housing is mounted on said recorder housing, said recording means is actuated by said second actuating member.

3. A video recording system, comprising:

(a) a video camera including,

a camera housing having a mechanical coupling part,

an optical system for picking up an object image, and

a first output portion for producing a corresponding image pick-up signal; and

(b) a video recording and reproducing apparatus having recording and reproducing functions, including

an apparatus housing having a first mounting part to mount said camera housing to said apparatus housing in a freely attachable and detachable manner,

a receiving portion to receive said image pick-up signals from said first output portion, and

a second output portion for putting out said image pick-up signal received at said receiving portion and for putting out a reproduced signal obtained through reproduction of a recorded signal; and

(c) an image displayer detachably mountable on said apparatus housing, said displayer being arranged to be electrically connected with said second output portion to display an image in response to said image pick-up signal and to said reproduced signal;

said apparatus housing further having a second mounting part to mount said displayer on said apparatus housing in a freely attachable and detachable manner;

said camera housing includes first panel walls, said apparatus housing includes second panel walls, said mounting part is in the form of a recess in one of said second panel walls of said apparatus housing which recess accommodates at least a portion of said camera housing, said video camera and said apparatus each further includes lock means for engaging one another so that said video camera is locked to said apparatus,

therein when said camera housing is mounted on said apparatus housing, said first mounting part couples to said part mechanically,

said first output portion and said receiving portion are directly connected electrically with one another, and said displayer displays the image in response to said image pick-up signal when the camera picks up an image, while displaying the image in response to said reproduced signal when the apparatus reproduces the recorded signal.

4. A video recording system, according to claim 3, further comprising a threaded opening in said camera housing to mount the system on a tripod.

5. A video recording system according to claim 3, wherein said apparatus housing includes a side wall which defines a part of said recess and a projection on said side wall in the vicinity of the outside surface of said apparatus housing, and one of said first panel walls of said camera housing has a guide groove for engagement with said projection to secure said camera housing to said apparatus housing.

6. A video recording system according to claim 3, wherein either one of said video camera and said apparatus further includes releasing means for releasing said lock means when said video camera is locked to said apparatus.