External communication interface for a digital camera
First Claim
1. A communication interface for use between an electronic camera and an electronic device, the electronic device being separate from the electronic camera, comprising:
- a housing;
a mechanical connector, attached to the housing, which detachably connects the housing to the electronic camera;
a plurality of electrical connectors which communicate electrical signals between the communication interface and the electronic camera;
an electrical interface which communicates electrical signals between the communication interface and the electronic device; and
circuitry, connected between the plurality of electrical connectors and the electrical interface, which changes a level of signals communicating between the electronic camera and the electronic device,wherein;
the electronic camera includes a microprocessor which operates using signals having a low level of approximately zero volts and a high level greater than zero volts and less than or equal to approximately five volts; and
the circuitry which changes the level of signals converts signals having the low level from the electronic camera to a signal between approximately -15 volts and -5 volts, and converts signals from the electronic camera having the high level to a signal between approximately +5 and +15 volts.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic camera which detachably connects to a communication interface which allows the camera to communicate with an electronic device such as a personal computer. The communication interface includes circuitry which converts signals utilized by a microprocessor within the camera which are usually within a range of 0 to +5 volts to a level which is utilized to communicate with the computer. When an RS-232 connection is used to communicate between the camera and the computer, the circuitry within the communication interface converts the signals utilized by the camera to a level between -15 and -5 volts for a low signal and +5 and +15 volts for a high signal. The communication interface includes a mechanical connector having two latching mechanisms which connect to receiving members of the camera. The latching mechanisms pivot and are both moved by a single pushing member. The latching mechanisms are constructed as three level elements where the first level includes the latching member, the second level aligns with a level of a frame for supporting the latching mechanism, and the third level includes a surface against which the pushing member pushes.
138 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A communication interface for use between an electronic camera and an electronic device, the electronic device being separate from the electronic camera, comprising:
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a housing; a mechanical connector, attached to the housing, which detachably connects the housing to the electronic camera; a plurality of electrical connectors which communicate electrical signals between the communication interface and the electronic camera; an electrical interface which communicates electrical signals between the communication interface and the electronic device; and circuitry, connected between the plurality of electrical connectors and the electrical interface, which changes a level of signals communicating between the electronic camera and the electronic device, wherein; the electronic camera includes a microprocessor which operates using signals having a low level of approximately zero volts and a high level greater than zero volts and less than or equal to approximately five volts; and the circuitry which changes the level of signals converts signals having the low level from the electronic camera to a signal between approximately -15 volts and -5 volts, and converts signals from the electronic camera having the high level to a signal between approximately +5 and +15 volts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18)
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12. A system for capturing, storing, and transmitting images, comprising:
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a camera, including; a lens; a light sensor for receiving light which has passed through the lens; a memory for storing images corresponding to the light received by the light sensor; a plurality of electrical contacts for communicating electrical signals; and a receiving mechanism, a communication interface, including; a housing; a mechanical connector, attached to the housing, which detachably connects the housing to the electronic camera using the receiving mechanism; a plurality of electrical connectors which communicate electrical signals between the communication interface and the electrical contacts of the electronic camera; an electrical interface which communicates electrical signals between the communication interface and the electronic device; and circuitry, connected between the plurality of electrical connectors and the electrical interface, which changes a level of signals communicating between the electronic camera and the electronic device, wherein; the electronic camera includes a microprocessor which operates using signals having a low level of approximately zero volts and a high level greater than zero volts and less than or equal to approximately five volts; and the circuitry which changes the level of signals converts signals having the low level from the electronic camera to a signal between approximately -15 volts and -5 volts, and converts signals from the electronic camera having the high level to a signal between approximately +5 and +15 volts. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A communication interface for use between an electronic camera and an electronic device, the electronic device being separate from the electronic camera, comprising:
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a housing means; a mechanical connection means, attached to the housing, for detachably connecting the housing to the electronic camera; an electrical connection means for communicating electrical signals between the communication interface and the electronic camera; an electrical interface means for communicating electrical signals between the communication interface and the electronic device; and circuitry means, connected between the electrical connection means and the electrical interface means for changing a level of signals communicating between the electronic camera and the electronic device, wherein; the electronic camera includes a microprocessor which operates using signals having a low level of approximately zero volts and a high level greater than zero volts and less than or equal to approximately five volts; and the circuitry means for changing the level of signals converts signals having the low level from the electronic camera to a signal between approximately -15 volts and -5 volts, and converts signals from the electronic camera having the high level to a signal between approximately +5 and +15 volts.
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24. A communication interface according to claim 31, wherein:
the circuitry means for changing the level of signals outputs bipolar signals to the electronic device having a level which are usable with an RS-232 interface.
Specification