Image input apparatus having a detachably connected camera body and monitor or control unit

• US 5,696,555 A
• Filed: 09/30/1996
• Issued: 12/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kashimura, Kazunori
• Primary Examiner(s): Burgess, Glenton B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan J.
• Application Number:
  US08/723,374
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 348/376, 348/373, 348/372, 348/374, 348/375, 348/211, 348/207, 348/222, 348/333, 348/233, 348/341, 348/360, 358/906, 358/909, 354/219, 354/223, 354/228
• US Class Current: 348/316
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/663 for controlling interchangeable camera parts based on electronic image sensor signals

Abstract

A camera-integrated video recorder in which a camera portion and a recorder portion are disposed in a single casing is arranged in such a manner that a grip portion having a viewfinder and a control portion for controlling the recorder portion is rotatably and detachably fastened to the casing. The grip portion acts as a remote control device for remote-controlling the camera portion and the recorder portion when it has been detached from the casing. The casing has an image transmission circuit for transmitting monitor image information to the viewfinder in the grip portion.

Claims

1. An image input apparatus, comprising:

(a) a body having a camera unit and a first power source for driving said camera unit;

(b) a monitor having a second power source for driving said monitor, said body detachably connected to said monitor; and

(c) control means for making to supply said body and said monitor with power by only said second power source for driving said camera unit and said monitor in the state that said monitor has been connected to said body.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first connector and a second connector physically connected or transmitting a signal issued from said camera unit under the condition that said monitor is connected to said body, said first connector being provided on said body and the second connector being provided on said monitor.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said body has a transmission part for transmitting by wireless a signal issued from said camera unit, and said monitor has a receiving part for receiving the signal issued from said transmission part.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said body has a transmission part for transmitting by wireless a signal issued from said camera unit, and said monitor has a receiving part for receiving the signal issued from said transmission part.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said monitor has a display and prohibits the transmission of the signal from said receiving part to said display when said monitor is connected to said body.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said camera unit including a recorder.

2. An image input apparatus, comprising:

(a) a body having camera means and a first power source for driving said camera means;

(b) a control unit detachably connected to said body and having control means and a second power source for driving said control means, said control means being capable of effecting remote control of said camera means in the state that said control unit has been detached from said body; and

(c) selecting means for making to supply said body and said control unit with power by only said second power source for driving said camera means and said control means in the state that said control unit has been connected to said body.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said monitor part has remote control means being capable of effecting remote control of said camera part in the state that said camera part has been detached from said monitor part.

8. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a first connector and a second connector physically connected or transmitting a signal issued from said camera means under the condition that said control unit is connected to said body, said first connector being provided on said body and the second connector being provided on said control unit.

9. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said body has a transmission part for transmitting by wireless a signal issued from said camera means, and said control unit has a receiving part for receiving the signal issued from said transmission part.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said body has a transmission part for transmitting by wireless a signal issued from said camera means, and said control unit has a receiving part for received the signal issued from said transmission part.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said control unit has a display and prohibits the transmission of the signal from said receiving part to said display when said control unit is connected to said body.