Digital camera having a printing function in which a movable camera part is moved from an in-use position to an out-of-use position during printing

• US 6,856,345 B1
• Filed: 06/22/2000
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minolta Corporation Limited (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Minato, Shoichi, Yamamoto, Koji, Ishii, Toru, Tanaka, Yoshiharu, Fukuda, Akira, Murakami, Tohru
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US09/598,464
• Time in Patent Office: 1,699 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99, 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/207.2, 348/333.01, 348/333.06, 348/333.07, 348/333.13, 348/370, 348/371, 348/372, 348/373, 348/374, 348/375, 348/220.1, 348/221.1, 348/335, 386/96, 396/349, 396/448, 250/208.1, 358/1.1, 358/3.32
• US Class Current: 348/207.2
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/04 collapsible, foldable or extensible, e.g. book type
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/48 adapted for combination with other photographic or optical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00925 Inhibiting an operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/687 by shifting the lens or sensor position

Abstract

There is provided a digital camera having a printing function, the camera having a moving member for moving from an out-of-use position to an in-use position to perform a shooting operation, a selector for selecting a printing operation to be performed, and a controller for bringing the moving member into the out-of-use position in response to the selection of the printing operation by the selector.

Claims

1. A digital camera having a printing function comprising:

a moving member for moving from an out-of-use position to an in-use position to perform a shooting operation;

a selector for selecting a printing operation to be performed; and

a controller for bringing the moving member into the out-of-use position in response to the selection of the printing operation by the selector, wherein

the moving member in the out-of-use position is configured not to operate during the printing operation.

2. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the moving member is a flash protruded from a storage position in a camera main body during shooting and, in response to the selection of the printing operation, the controller drives the flash to the storage position in the camera main body.

3. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the moving member is a shooting lens barrel protruding from a camera main body during shooting and, in response to the selection of the printing operation, the controller drives the shooting lens barrel to a collapsed position.

4. A digital camera having a printing function comprising:

a lens cover for moving from an in-use position to an out-of-use position to perform a shooting operation;

a selector for selecting a printing operation to be performed; and

a controller for driving the lens cover to the in-use position in which a shooting lens is covered therewith in response to the selection of the printing operation.

5. A digital camera having a printing function comprising:

a moving member for moving from a storage position to a protruded position;

a selector for selecting a printing operation to be performed; and

a controller for bringing the moving member into the storage position in response to the selection of the printing operation by the selector, wherein

the moving member in the storage position is configured not to operate during the printing operation.

6. The digital camera of claim 5, wherein the moving member is at least one of a flash and a shooting lens barrel.

7. A method of controlling a digital camera having a printing function, the method comprising steps of:

moving a moving member from an out-of-use position to an in-use position to perform a shooting operation;

selecting a printing operation to be performed; and

bringing the moving member into the out-of-use position in response to the selection of the printing operation, wherein

the moving member in the out-of use position is configured not to operate during the printing operation.

8. A method of controlling a digital camera having a printing function, the method comprising steps of:

moving a lens cover from an in-use position to an out-of-use position to perform a shooting operation;

selecting a printing operation to be performed; and

driving the lens cover to the in-use position in which a shooting lens is covered therewith in response to the selection of the printing operation.

9. A method of controlling a digital camera having a printing function, the method comprising steps of:

moving a moving member from a storage position to a protruded position to perform a shooting operation;

selecting a printing operation to be performed; and

bringing the moving member, into the storage position in response to the selection of the printing operation, wherein

the moving member in the storage position is configured not to operate during the printing operation.