Video camera modular accessory apparatus

• US 5,189,520 A
• Filed: 02/25/1991
• Issued: 02/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Yamada, Yukio, Iwasawa, Junichi, Yamauchi, Toshiyuki, Kamaya, Naoki, Okayasu, Yoshisada, Mori, Akinari, Okano, Renjiro, Maruichi, Takanori, Okayama, Naoki
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HSIA, SHERRIE Y
• Application Number:
  US07/660,786
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 358/229, 358/209, 358/906, 358/909, 358/254, 354/295, 354/484, 354/288, 354/75, 354/76, 352/243, 455/349
• US Class Current: 348/376
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/651 for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

An adapter pack is constructed so that it can be connected to a video camera via the site via which the battery pack is normally connected. The adapter pack is itself provided with a mounting site on which the battery pack can be connected. This construction allows the adapter pack to be operatively "sandwiched" between the battery pack and the camera. The adapter pack is arranged to permit the power from the battery pack to be supplied both to its own circuitry and therethrough to the camera.

Claims

1. In a video camera including a cabinet in which a VTR system is housed and wherein said cabinet has a first battery mounting site on which a battery pack can be connected in a manner which enables electrical power to be supplied from the battery pack to the video camera and said video camera is adapted to receive a cassette in which a magnetic tape is housed, said video camera being arranged to record signals on the magnetic tape, the arrangement comprising:

a removable adapter pack having a tuner unit, said adapter pack being adapted for connection to the first battery mounting site, wherein said adapter pack has a second mounting site on which the battery pack can be mounted and permits electrical power from the battery pack mounted on the second mounting site to be supplied therethrough to the camera via the first mounting site in a manner wherein both the camera and the adapter pack can be operated on the single battery pack, and wherein said adapter pack permits electrical signals from said tuner unit to be supplied to the camera via the first mounting site for recording on said tape.

2. A video camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tuner unit includes a TV tuner unit.

3. A video camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tuner unit includes a FM tuner unit.

4. A video camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tuner unit provides electrical signals for recording on said tape in conjunction with electrical signals received from said video camera itself.