Solid state camera having a camera body for supporting a recording medium

• US 5,206,731 A
• Filed: 08/24/1989
• Issued: 04/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Ozaki, Seiichi, Suzuki, Takashi, Murata, Yoshitaka, Horii, Hiroyuki, Mimura, Toshihiko, Kawamura, Hideaki, Takaiwa, Kan, Tojo, Akihiko, Date, Nobuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Tommy P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Huy
• Application Number:
  US07/398,137
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 358/909, 358/906, 358/209, 358/335, 358/229, 273/148 B, 439/76
• US Class Current: 348/231.9
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

A solid-state camera employing as a recording medium a solid-state memory cartridge capable of being loaded into and unloaded from the camera body. First signal-transmission sections are provided on the camera body and a solid-state memory cartridge for permitting the transmission of a signal between the camera body and a solid-state memory cartridge loaded therein while assuming a first loading state. At least one second signal-transmission section is provided on the camera body for permitting signal transmission between the camera body and a solid-state memory cartridge loaded therein while assuming a second loading state different from the first loading state.

Claims

1. A solid-state camera having a camera body for supporting a recording medium and employing as the recording medium a solid-state memory cartridge for recording signals, said solid-state memory cartridge being capable of being loaded into and unloaded from the camera body, first signal-transmission means provided on the camera body and the solid-state memory cartridge for permitting the transmission of a signal between the camera body and the solid-state memory cartridge loaded therein while assuming a first loading state, and at least one second signal-transmission means provided on the camera body for permitting the transmission of a signal between the camera body and the solid-state memory cartridge by connecting said second signal-transmission means of said camera body and said first signal-transmission means of said solid-state memory cartridge when said solid-state memory cartridge and said camera body are connected in a second loading state different from said first loading state.

2. A solid-state camera according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second signal-transmission means includes electrical contacts.

3. A solid-state camera having a camera body for supporting a recording medium and employing as the recording medium a solid-state memory cartridge for recording signals, said solid-state memory cartridge being capable of being loaded into and unloaded from the camera body, first signal-transmission means provided on the camera body and the solid-state memory cartridge for permitting the transmission of a signal between the camera body and the solid-state memory cartridge loaded therein while assuming a first loading state, and second signal-transmission means provided on the solid-state memory cartridge for permitting the transmission of a signal between the camera body and the solid-state memory cartridge by connecting said second signal-transmission means of the solid-state memory cartridge and said first signal-transmission means of the camera body when the solid-state memory cartridge and the camera body are connected in a second loading state different from the first loading state.

4. A solid-state camera according to claim 3, wherein each of said first and second signal-transmission means includes electrical contacts.

5. A solid-state camera having a camera body for supporting a recording medium and employing as the recording medium a memory cartridge for recording signals, said solid-state memory cartridge being capable of being loaded into and unloaded from the camera body, a signal connector provided on the camera body, and a signal connector provided on the central portion of one side surface of the memory cartridge for transmitting a signal between the camera body and the memory cartridge,

wherein a first signal connector formed by one of said signal connectors on the camera body and the memory cartridge has a plurality of contacts divided into groups disposed at positions which are, on a surface of contact with the other or second signal connector, rotationally symmetrical about the normal through said surface of contact, the second signal connector having a plurality of contacts each capable of being connected to one of those contacts of the first signal connector which are within the group disposed at one point symmetrical position.

6. A solid-state camera according to claim 5, wherein said signal connector of the memory cartridge is disposed on two opposing side surfaces of the memory cartridge.

7. A solid-state camera according to claim 5, wherein said signal connector of the camera body is disposed on two inner surfaces of the camera body which are capable of coming into contact with two opposing side surfaces of the memory cartridge.

8. An information recording system having an information writing and reading apparatus and employing as an information recording medium an unloadable solid-state memory device inserted into an inserting portion of the apparatus, said writing and reading apparatus being adapted for writing signals on and reading signals from said solid-state memory device, said solid-state memory device being adapted to store signals, a signal connector provided on the information writing and reading apparatus;

and a signal connector provided on the central portion of one side surface of the solid-state memory device for transmitting a signal between the information writing and reading apparatus and the solid-state memory device,

wherein a first signal connector formed by one of said signal connectors on the information writing and reading apparatus and the solid-state memory device has a plurality of contacts divided into groups disposed at positions which are, on a surface of contact with the other or second signal connector, rotationally symmetrical about the normal through said surface of contact, the second signal connector having a plurality of contacts each capable of being connected to one of those contacts of the first connector which are within the group disposed at one point symmetrical position.

9. An information recording system according to claim 8, wherein said signal connector of the solid-state memory device is disposed on two opposing side surfaces of the memory device.

10. An information recording system according to claim 8, wherein said signal connector of the information writing and reading apparatus is disposed on two inner surfaces of the apparatus which are capable of coming into contact with two opposing side surfaces of the solid-state memory device.

11. An electronic instrument system, comprising:

a) a first electronic instrument including a memory for storing signals and, at least first and second connecting means for the transmission of signals; and

b) a second electronic instrument including a mounting part mounted on said first electronic instrument and a third connecting means for the transmission of signals;

wherein at least two kinds of mounting state are included as the mounting state of said first electronic instrument on said second electronic instrument, and said first or second connecting means is selectively connected with the third connecting means, depending upon the mounting state.

12. An electronic instrument system according to claim 11, wherein said memory includes a semiconductor memory.

13. An electronic instrument system according to claim 11, wherein said second electronic instrument includes a camera.

14. An electronic instrument system according to claim 11, wherein each of said connecting means includes a plurality of electric contacts.

19. An electronic instrument system according to claim 11, wherein said first electronic instrument includes a memory cartridge.

15. An electronic instrument system, comprising:

a. a first electronic instrument including a memory for storing signals and first connecting means for the transmission of signals; and

b. a second electronic instrument including a single mounting part mounted on said first electronic instrument and second and third connecting means for the transmission of signals selectively connectable with said first connecting means;

wherein at least two kinds of mounting state are included as the mounting state of said first electronic instrument on said second electronic instrument, and said second or third connecting means is selectively connected with said first connecting means.

16. An electronic instrument system according to claim 15, wherein said memory includes a semiconductor memory.

17. An electronic instrument system according to claim 15, wherein said second electronic instrument includes a camera.

18. An electronic instrument system according to claim 15, wherein each of said connecting means includes a plurality of electric contacts.

20. An electronic instrument system according to claim 15, wherein said first electronic instrument includes a memory cartridge.