Image processing system having an image signal generating device coupleable to an adaptor

• US 5,727,049 A
• Filed: 04/23/1996
• Issued: 03/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Sato, Eiichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US08/636,630
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14, 348/17, 348/18, 379/96-99, 379/93, 379/90, 379/110, 379/441, 358/903, 358/909, 360/1, 360/10.1, 360/11.1, 360/32, 360/33.1, 360/35.1
• US Class Current: 379/93.17
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00885 Power supply means, e.g. arrangements for the control of power supply to the apparatus or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00901 Using different supplies or connection to an external supply H04N1/00893, H04N1/00896 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0077 Types of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0086 Image transceiver H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

An image processing system wherein an image signal generating device is coupleable to an adapter. The image signal generating device (e.g., a camera) includes an image signal generator for generating an image signal, a power source (e.g., a battery) for supplying electric power to the image signal generator, and an interface for transmitting the image signal to an external unit. The circuit-connecting adapter is detachable from the image signal generating device and includes a second interface for receiving the image signal transmitted from the first interface. The adapter also includes charging circuitry for charging the image signal generating device power source upon attachment of the adapter to the image signal generating device.

Claims

1. An image processing system having a capture terminal and a processing terminal, comprising:

A) said capture terminal for capturing an image includes;

an image pick-up circuit for generating an image signal according to a received image;

a first interface for transmitting to the processing terminal a signal according to the image signal provided from said image pick-up circuit; and

a capture terminal controller for controlling an operation of said capture terminal;

B) said processing terminal detachable from said capture terminal includes;

a controller;

a second interface receiving the signal transmitted through said first interface; and

a processing circuit for processing the received signal;

wherein, responsive to an attachment of said capture terminal to said processing terminal, the controlling of said capture terminal by said capture terminal controller is inhibited and the control of said capture terminal by said controller of said processing terminal begins.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said image pick-up circuit includes a CCD.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said processing circuit includes a memory circuit for storing the signal.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said processing circuit includes a display processing circuit for processing the signal for display.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said processing circuit includes a transmitting processing circuit for converting the signal into a transmission signal for transmission to an external apparatus through a public circuit.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said capture terminal further includes a detection circuit for detecting establishment of the attachment.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein said processing terminal further includes a detection circuit for detecting establishment of the attachment.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein said capture terminal comprises a camera.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said processing terminal supplies a power to said capture terminal in response to the attachment.

10. A capture terminal detachable from a processing terminal, said capture terminal comprising:

an image pick-up circuit for generating an image signal according to a received image;

an interface for transmitting to the processing terminal a signal according to the image signal provided by said image pick-up circuit; and

a capture terminal controller for controlling an operation of said capture terminal;

wherein, responsive to attachment of said processing terminal to said capture terminal, control of said capture terminal by said capture terminal controller is inhibited and control of said capture terminal by a controller provided at said processing terminal begins.

11. A terminal according to claim 10, wherein said processing terminal includes a transmitting processing circuit for converting the signal transmitted from said capture terminal into a transmission signal for transmission to an external apparatus through a public circuit.

12. A terminal according to claim 10, wherein said capture terminal further includes a detection circuit for detecting establishment of the attachment between said capture terminal and said processing terminal.

13. A terminal according to claim 10, wherein said processing terminal includes a detection circuit for detecting establishment of the attachment between said capture terminal and said processing terminal.

14. A terminal according to claim 10, wherein said capture terminal comprises a camera.

15. A terminal according to claim 10, wherein the processing terminal supplies power to said capture terminal in response to the attachment of said capture terminal to said processing terminal.

16. An image signal generating device for use with a circuit-connecting adaptor which is detachable from said image signal generating device, the adaptor including (i) a controller, and (ii) first interface means for receiving an image signal from said image signal generating device, said image signal generating device comprising:

image signal generating means for generating an image signal;

second interface means for transmitting the image signal to said first interface means; and

control means for controlling an operation of said image signal generating device;

wherein the image signal generating device control means is inhibited from controlling the operation of said image signal generating device in response to an attachment between said image signal generating device and said circuit-connecting adaptor and the circuit-connecting adaptor controller begins controlling an operation of said image signal generating device.

17. An image processing system comprising:

(A) an image signal generating device including;

image signal generating means for generating an image signal;

a power source for supplying electric power to said generating means;

control means for controlling an operation of said image signal generating device; and

first interface means for transmitting said image signal to an external unit; and

(B) a circuit-connecting adapter which is detachable from said image signal generating device, said adapter including;

a controller;

second interface means for receiving said image signal transmitted from said first interface means; and

charging means for charging said power source, said charging means starting to charge said power source upon attachment of said adapter to said image signal generating device, wherein the image signal generating device control means is inhibited from controlling the image signal generation operation of said image signal generating means in response to said attachment.

18. An image processing system according to claim 17, wherein said image signal generating means comprises an image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image.

19. An image processing system according to claim 17, wherein said image signal generating means comprises means for reproducing an image signal stored in a storage medium.

20. An image processing system according to claim 17, wherein said first interface means includes:

means for detecting an establishment of a connection between said image signal generating device and said adapter.

21. An image processing system according to claim 17, wherein said adapter further comprising:

means for, via a public circuit, transmitting an image signal received from said second interface means.

22. An image processing system according to claim 21, wherein said public circuit comprises a telephone circuit.

23. A processing terminal detachable from a capture terminal for performing an image capture operation under control of an image capture processing section, said processing terminal comprising:

a controller;

an interface for receiving an image signal transmitted from said capture terminal; and

a processing circuit for processing the image signal transmitted from said capture terminal;

wherein, responsive to attachment of said capture terminal to said processing terminal, said controller starts controlling said capture terminal instead of said image.

24. A terminal according to claim 23, wherein said processing circuit includes a memory circuit for storing the image signal.

25. A terminal according to claim 23, wherein said processing circuit includes a display processing circuit for processing the image signal for display.

26. A terminal according to claim 23, wherein said processing circuit includes a transmitting processing circuit for converting the image signal into a transmission signal for transmission to an external apparatus through a public circuit.

27. A terminal according to claim 23, wherein the capture terminal includes a detection circuit for detecting the establishment of the attachment between said processing terminal and said capture terminal.

28. A terminal according to claim 23, wherein said processing terminal further includes a detection circuit for detecting establishment of the attachment between said processing terminal and said capture terminal.

29. A terminal according to claim 23, wherein the capture terminal comprises a camera.

30. A terminal according to claim 23, wherein said processing terminal supplies power to said capture terminal in response to the attachment between said processing terminal and said capture terminal.

31. An image processing system comprising:

(A) an image signal generating device including;

image signal generating means for generating an image signal,

a power source for supplying electric power to said generating means;

control means for controlling an operation of said image signal generating device; and

first interface means for transmitting said image signal to an external unit; and

(B) a circuit-connecting adapter which is detachable from said image signal generating device, said adapter including;

a controller;

second interface means for receiving said image signal transmitted from said first interface means; and

charging means form charging said power source, said charging means starting to charge said power source upon attachment of said adapter to said image signal generating device, wherein the image signal generating device control means is inhibited from controlling the image signal generation operation of said image signal generating means in response to said attachment.

32. A system according to claim 31, wherein said first interface means includes means for detecting a establishment of a connection between said image signal generating device and said adapter.

33. A system according to claim 31, wherein said adapter further comprises means for, via a public circuit, transmitting an image signal received from said second interface means.

34. A system according to claim 33, wherein said public circuit comprises a telephone circuit.

35. A system according to claim 31, wherein said image signal generating means comprises an image pickup means for photoelectrically converting a subject image.

36. A system according to claim 31, wherein said image signal generating means comprises means for reproducing an image signal stored in a storage medium.

37. A circuit-connecting adaptor which is detachable from an image signal generating device that includes (i) image signal generating means for generating an image signal, (ii) first interface means for transmitting said image signal to an external unit, and (iii) control means for controlling an operation of said image signal generating device, said circuit-connecting adaptor comprising:

a controller;

second interface means for receiving said image signal transmitted from said first interface means;

wherein the image signal generating device control means is inhibited from controlling the operation of said image signal generating device in response to an attachment between said image signal generating device and said circuit-connecting adaptor and the circuit-connecting adaptor controller begins controlling an operation of said image signal generating device.