Electronic camera that transfers signals to an external device

• US 6,163,344 A
• Filed: 08/23/1996
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Hamamura, Akihiko, Kawamura, Tomoaki
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US08/701,995
• Time in Patent Office: 1,579 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207, 348/231, 348/232, 348/233, 348/552, 348/373, 348/374, 348/375, 348/376
• US Class Current: 348/552
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0034 Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0051 Card-type connector, e.g. PCMCIA card interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/136 using complementary colours

Abstract

An electronic camera that includes a camera body incorporating a photographing function, and a card type recording unit loading unit connected to the camera body by an electrical mechanical connecting unit, and loadable into a card type recording medium slot of an external device. The card type recording medium loading unit is provided with a card type recording medium connector for a connection to a connector of the card type recording medium slot when inserting the card type recording medium loading unit into the card type recording medium slot of the external device. The card type recording medium loading unit is provided so that the loading unit changes its position to a housing position of being housed into the camera body, and to an eject position of being ejected sideways of the camera body.

Claims

1. An electronic camera that transfers image signals to a connector of a card type slot of an external device, comprising:

a camera body incorporating a photographing function; and

a card type loading unit connected to said camera body and loadable into the card type slot of the external device,

said card type loading unit having a card type connector to connect with the connector of said card type slot when said card type loading unit is inserted into the card type slot of said external device,

wherein said card type loading unit is incapable of being separated from said camera body and has a housing position in which the card type loading unit cannot be loaded into the card type slot of the external device, and an eject position in which the card type loading unit can be loaded into the card type slot of the external device,

said electronic camera further comprising;

an imaging device to obtain light data;

a display unit to display various items of data containing the light data obtained by said imaging device; and

a setting operation unit to perform a variety of setting operations, wherein at least one of the display unit and the setting operation unit is provided on a side surface of said camera body, so that said one unit is covered with said card type loading unit when said card type loading unit is in the housing position.

2. An electronic camera that transfers image signals to a connector of a card type slot of an external device, comprising:

a camera body incorporating a photographing function; and

a card type loading unit connected to said camera body and loadable into the card type slot of the external device,

said card type loading unit having a card type connector to connect with the connector of said card type slot when said card type loading unit is inserted into the card type slot of said external device,

wherein said card type loading unit is incapable of being separated from said camera body and has a housing position in which the card type loading unit cannot be loaded into the card type slot of the external device, and an eject position in which the card type loading unit can be loaded into the card type slot of the external device

said electronic camera further comprising a sensor to sense whether said card type loading unit is at said housing position or said eject position, wherein

camera operating modes of said electronic camera are switched according to a sensing result of said sensor.

3. An electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein said camera operating modes include a photographing mode where it is possible to photographs, and a transferring mode where it is possible to transfer the image signal.