Video camera with built-in secondary battery

• US 5,784,105 A
• Filed: 03/04/1997
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kawamura, Masaharu
• Primary Examiner(s): Boudreau, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHALWALA, BIPIN H
• Application Number:
  US08/811,298
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 348/372, 348/373, 348/375, 348/207, 396/301, 396/279, 396/539
• US Class Current: 348/372
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/65 Control of camera operation in relation to power supply

Abstract

A video camera comprises a built-in secondary battery, a terminal used for connection with an external power source, and a main switch for controlling the supply of electric power to a circuit part provided for a control system and a signal processing system. The video camera is arranged such that the circuit part is connected to the built-in secondary battery or to the external power source when the main switch is closed and that the built-in secondary battery can be connected to the external power source when the main switch is open.

Claims

1. A video camera, comprising:

a) a case;

b) an internal power source including a rechargeable battery disposed within said case;

c) connection means arranged on said case to permit connection with an external power source which is arranged to convert electric power from a commercial power line into direct power;

d) processing means arranged within said case to perform at least one process for said video camera; and

e) a power switch including three terminals, a first terminal arranged to connect said processing means, a second terminal arranged to connect said internal power sources, a third terminal arranged to connect said connection means and said internal power source, said power switch arranged to move between a first position and a second position, wherein said power switch arranged to connect said first terminal to said third terminal when said power switch is in the first position and arranged to connect said second terminal to said third terminal when said power switch is in the second position, wherein the connection of said third terminal with said internal power source being inhibited when said external power source is connected to said connection means.

2. A video camera according to claim 1, wherein said internal power source is arranged to be charged by said external power source when said switch means is in said second state.

3. A video camera according to claim 1, further comprising control means arranged to restrict connection between said processing means and said internal power source when said external power source is connected to said connection means.

4. A video camera according to claim 3, wherein said connection means includes said control means.

5. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a) a case;

b) an internal power source including a rechargeable battery disposed within said case;

c) connection means arranged on said case to permit connection to either one of a first external power source and a second external power source;

d) processing means arranged within said case to perform at least one process for said electronic apparatus;

e) switch means arranged to connect said processing means to either one of said internal power source and said first and second external power sources when said switch means is in a first state and to connect said internal power source to said external power source when said switch means is in a second state;

f) detecting means arranged at said case to detect mounting of said second external power source on said case; and

g) control means arranged to restrict connection between said internal power source and said processing means when mounting of said second external power source on said case is detected by said detection means.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first external power source is arranged to convert electric power a commercial power line into direct power.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said internal power source is arranged to be charged by said first external power source when said switch means is in said second state.

8. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said detection means includes said control means.

9. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second external power source is a rechargable battery.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said second external power source has a projection arranged to actuate said detection means.

21. A video camera according to claim 5, wherein:

said power switch has three terminals.

11. A video camera comprising:

a) a circuit part inclusive of image pickup means arranged to pick-up an image of an object and to output an image signal and recording means for recording the image signal on a recording medium;

b) a case arranged to house therein said image pickup means and said recording means;

c) an internal power source including a rechargeable battery disposed within said case;

d) connection means arranged on said case to permit connection either to a first external power source or to a second external power source;

e) processing means arranged within said case to perform at least one process for said video camera;

f) switch means arranged to connect said processing means either to said internal power source or to said first or second external power source when said switch means is in a first state and to permit connection between said internal power source and said first external power source to allow said internal power source to be charged by said first external power source when said switch means is in a second state;

g) detection means arranged at said case to detect mounting of said second external power source on said case; and

h) control means arranged to restrict connection between said internal power source and said processing means when mounting of said second external power source is detected by said detecting means.

12. A video camera according to claim 11, wherein said first external power source is arranged to convert electric power from a commercial power line into direct power.

13. A video camera according to claim 11, wherein said detection means includes said control means.

14. A video camera according to claim 11, wherein said second external power source is a rechargable battery.

22. A video camera according to claim 11, wherein:

said power switch has three terminals.

15. An electronic apparatus comprising:

a) a case;

b) an internal power source including a rechargeable battery disposed within said case;

c) connection means arranged on said case to permit connection to either one of a first external power source and a second external power source;

d) processing means arranged within said case to perform at least one process for said electronic apparatus;

e) switch means arranged to connect said processing means to either one of said internal power source and said first and second external power sources when said switch means is in a first state and to connect said internal power source to said external power source when said switch means is in a second state;

f) detecting means arranged at said case to detect mounting of said second external power source on said case; and

g) control means arranged to restrict connection between said internal power source and said second external power source when mounting of said second external power source on said case is detected by said detection means.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said first external power source is arranged to convert electric power to a commercial power line to direct power.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said internal power source is arranged to be charged by said first external power source when said switch means is in a second state.

18. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said detection means includes said control means.

19. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said second external power source is a secondary battery.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said second electric power source has a projection arranged to actuate said detection means.