Electronic still camera having remote control device

• US 5,260,795 A
• Filed: 05/11/1992
• Issued: 11/09/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Sakai, Nobuya, Aoki, Harumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Burgess, Glenton B.
• Application Number:
  US07/881,062
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 358/209, 358/210, 358/906, 358/909, 358/342, 358/229, 358/341, 360/32, 360/33.1, 360/10.1, 360/5, 360/35.1
• US Class Current: 348/231.4
• 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 2201/0075 by a user operated remote control device, e.g. receiving instructions from a user via a computer terminal or mobile telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

An electronic still camera includes a camera body which has recording device for recording electrical picture signals from an image pickup device and electrical so-and signals received by a sound receiver onto a recording medium, and an adaptor detachably mounted to the camera body. The adaptor has a sound memory for temporarily memorizing the sounds for a predetermined period of time to output the same to the camera body, and a remote controller for outputting a remote control signal for remotely controlling the operation of the camera body. The camera body has a control unit for controlling the operation of the camera in accordance with the remote control signal from the remote controller.

Claims

1. An electronic still camera having a remote control device, comprising:

a camera body having means for recording electrical picture signals which are converted by an image pickup device and electrical sound signals which are converted by a sound receiver onto a recording medium; and

an adaptor that is detachably mounted to said camera body,

said adaptor comprising means for temporarily memorizing sounds for a predetermined period of time prior to outputting said sounds to said camera body, and remote control operating means for outputting a remote control signal for remotely controlling the operation of said camera body;

said camera body comprising means for controlling the operation of said electronic still camera in accordance with said remote control signal from said remote control operating means.

2. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein said control means commences photographing in response to remote control signal from remote control operating means.

3. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein said memorizing means of said adaptor transfers said memorized sound signals to said recording means of said camera body when said adaptor is mounted onto said camera body.

4. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein said memorizing means of adaptor comprises a RAM for storing sound signals.

5. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein said remote control signals comprises an infrared signal.

6. An electronic still camera according to claim 5, wherein said control means comprises means for receiving said infrared signal.

7. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein said remote control signal comprises an electromagnetic wave signal, and wherein said control means comprises means for receiving said electromagnetic wave signal.

8. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein said remote control signal comprises an ultrasonic signal, and wherein said control means comprises means for receiving said ultrasonic signal.

9. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, further comprising a cable which connects said remote control operating means to said control means to transmit and receive said remote control signal therebetween.

10. An electronic still camera according to claim 2, wherein said remote control operating means of such adaptor transmits a release signal to said camera body during the memorization of said sound signals into said memorizing means.

11. An electronic still camera according to claim 10, wherein said memorizing means commences the memorization in the lapse of a predetermined time after the output of said remote control signal.

12. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein said remote control device comprises a signal emitter provided on said adaptor and a signal receiver provided on said camera body.

13. An electronic still camera according to claim 12, wherein said signal emitter comprises an infrared emitter and said signal receiver comprises an infrared receiver.

14. An electronic still camera having a remote control device, comprising:

a camera body having means for recording electrical picture signals and means for recording electrical sound signals; and

an adaptor member that is adapted to be attached to and detached from said camera body;

said adaptor comprising means for temporarily storing sound, means for outputting a remote control signal for controlling operation of said camera body and means for transmitting said stored sound signals to said camera body,

wherein said adaptor is operative, at least when said adaptor is detached from said camera body, for temporarily storing sound in said storage means and, when said adaptor is attached to said camera body, for transmitting said stored sounds to said camera body.

15. An adaptor comprising means for detachably attaching said adaptor to an instrument, means for memorizing sounds while said adaptor is detached from said instrument, and means for transmitting a control signal to a remote location to control a prescribed function of said instrument.

16. An adaptor according to claim 15, wherein said instrument comprises a camera.

17. An adaptor according to claim 15, wherein said adaptor further comprises a microphone.

18. An adaptor according to claim 16, wherein said attaching means comprises an electrical connector.

19. An adaptor according to claim 18, wherein said attaching means further comprises a mechanical connector for integrally coupling said adaptor to said instrument.

20. An adaptor according to claim 15, wherein said attaching means comprises means for accommodating an electrical cord.

21. An adaptor according to claim 19, wherein said attaching means further comprises means for accommodating an electrical cord.

22. An adaptor according to claim 16, wherein said memorizing means comprises a RAM.

23. An adaptor according to claim 16, wherein said transmit means comprises switch means for controlling at least one of a recording and playback operation of said camera.

24. An adaptor according to claim 16, wherein said memorizing means comprises means for transferring said memorized sounds, in the form of signals, to said camera when said adaptor is attached to said camera.

25. An adaptor according to claim 16, wherein said transmitting means comprises means for transmitting an infrared signal.