|
Digital Camera Patent Abstract
In a digital camera cradle which has a function of connecting a
digital camera to a personal computer and a function of charging
the digital camera while the digital camera is surmounted on the
digital camera cradle, a projector is integrated with the digital
camera cradle, and a circuit which electrically connects the digital
camera and the projector while the digital camera is surmounted
on the digital camera cradle is provided in the digital camera cradle.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A digital camera cradle which has a function of connecting a
digital camera to a personal computer and a function of charging
the digital camera while the digital camera is surmounted on the
digital camera cradle, wherein a projector is integrated with the
digital camera cradle, and a circuit which electrically connects
the digital camera and the projector while the digital camera is
surmounted on the digital camera cradle is provided in the digital
camera cradle.
2. A digital camera system comprising a digital camera and a digital
camera cradle which has a function of connecting the digital camera
to a personal computer and a function of charging the digital camera
while the digital camera is surmounted on the digital camera cradle,
wherein a projector is integrated with the digital camera cradle,
and a circuit which electrically connects the digital camera and
the projector while the digital camera is surmounted on the digital
camera cradle is provided in the digital camera cradle.
3. The digital camera system according to claim 2, further comprising:
means for transferring an operation mode of the digital camera to
a projector display mode based on user operation in a state in which
the digital camera is surmounted on the digital camera cradle, an
video image recorded in the digital camera being projected by the
projector in the projector display mode; and adjustment means for
automatically adjusting brightness and focus of the projector when
the operation mode of the digital camera is transferred to the projector
display mode, wherein the adjustment means includes means for automatically
adjusting the brightness of a light source of the projector by utilizing
an AE function of the digital camera and means for automatically
adjusting the focus of the projector by utilizing an AF function
of the digital camera.
4. The digital camera system according to claim 2, further comprising:
means for transferring an operation mode of the digital camera to
a projector display mode based on user operation in a state in which
the digital camera is surmounted on the digital camera cradle, an
video image recorded in the digital camera being projected by the
projector in the projector display mode; and adjustment means for
automatically adjusting brightness and focus of the projector when
the operation mode of the digital camera is transferred to the projector
display mode, wherein the adjustment means includes means for automatically
adjusting the brightness of a light source of the projector by utilizing
an AF function of the digital camera and means for automatically
adjusting the focus of the projector by utilizing an AF function
of the digital camera.
5. The digital camera system according to claim 2, wherein the
digital camera includes: a cradle-connection detector which detects
whether the digital camera is surmounted on the digital camera cradle;
means for displaying a menu screen in which a user is encouraged
to select a personal computer connection mode or the projector display
mode when the cradle-connection detector detects that the digital
camera is surmounted on the digital camera cradle, the digital camera
is operated while connected to a personal computer in the personal
computer connection mode, the video image recorded in the digital
camera is projected by the projector in the projector display mode;
means for transferring the operation mode of the digital camera
to a charge mode when a menu is not selected within a predetermined
time since the menu screen is displayed, the digital camera being
charged in the charge mode; means for transferring the operation
mode of the digital camera to the personal computer connection mode
when the personal computer connection mode is selected within the
predetermined time since the menu screen is displayed; and means
for transferring the operation mode of the digital camera to the
projector display mode and for turning on power of the projector,
when the projector display mode is selected within the predetermined
time since the menu screen is displayed.
6. The digital camera system according to claim 5, further comprising:
adjustment means for automatically adjusting the brightness and
the focus of the projector when the operation mode of the digital
camera is transferred to the projector display mode, wherein the
adjustment means includes means for automatically adjusting the
brightness of a light source of the projector by utilizing an AE
function of the digital camera and means for automatically adjusting
the focus of the projector by utilizing an AF function of the digital
camera.
7. The digital camera system according to claim 5, further comprising:
adjustment means for automatically adjusting the brightness and
the focus of the projector when the operation mode of the digital
camera is transferred to the projector display mode, wherein the
adjustment means includes means for automatically adjusting the
brightness of a light source of the projector by utilizing an AF
function of the digital camera and means for automatically adjusting
the focus of the projector by utilizing an AF function of the digital
camera.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a digital camera cradle
and a digital camera system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIG. 1 shows an external appearance of the conventional
digital camera system.
[0005] The digital camera system includes a digital camera 1 and
a cradle (digital camera cradle) 2. The cradle 2 is a dock-type
extension device which comes with the digital camera 1. The cradle
2 has the function of connecting the digital camera 1 to a personal
computer (PC) 5, the function of connecting the digital camera 1
to a television (TV) 6, and the function of charging the digital
camera 1. These functions can be performed only by surmounting the
digital camera 1 on the cradle 2. DC electric power is supplied
to the cradle 2 through an AC plug 3 and an AC adapter 4.
[0006] FIG. 2 shows an electric configuration of the conventional
digital camera system.
[0007] The electric configuration of the digital camera 1 will
be described. CCD 12 outputs an electric signal by performing photoelectric
conversion of an optical image incident to CCD 12 through a lens
11. The output signal of CCD 12 is transmitted to a CDS and AGC
circuit 13 which includes a CDS circuit and an AGC circuit. The
CDS circuit performs correlation double sampling process to the
output signal of CCD 12 which is inputted to the CDS and AGC circuit
13, and then the AGC circuit performs gain adjustment at optimum
amplitude. The output signal of the CDS and AGC circuit 13 is converted
into a digital signal by an ADC circuit 14 and transmitted to MPU
16 through a camera-signal processing circuit 15.
[0008] A camera function unit 30 includes the lens 11, CCD 12,
the CDS and AGC circuit 13, the ADC circuit 14, and the camera-signal
processing circuit 15. MPU 16 controls the lens 11, the CDS and
AGC circuit 13, and the camera-signal processing circuit 15 in the
camera function unit 30. In recording (in taking the image), after
the video-image data transmitted to MPU 16 is compressed by a compression
and decompression circuit 17, the video image data is recorded in
a recording medium 18. In reproduction, after the compressed video-image
data recorded in the recording medium 18 is decompressed by the
compression and decompression circuit 17, the video-image data is
transmitted to MPU 16.
[0009] MPU 16 can output the video-image data transmitted from
the camera-signal processing circuit 15 to MPU 16 or the video-image
data transmitted from the compression and decompression circuit
17 to MPU 16 to an LCD monitor 20 through a LCD driver 19. When
the digital camera 1 is surmounted on the cradle 2, MPU 16 can output
the video-image data transmitted from the camera-signal processing
circuit 15 to MPU 16 or the video-image data transmitted from the
compression and decompression circuit 17 to MPU 16 to a personal
computer (PC) 5 through a USB driver 21 and the cradle 2, and MPU
16 can output the video-image data transmitted from the camera-signal
processing circuit 15 to MPU 16 or the video-image data transmitted
from the compression and decompression circuit 17 to MPU 16 to TV
6 through a video driver 22 and the cradle 2. When MPU 16 is connected
to PC 5 through the USB driver 21 and the cradle 2, communication
can be performed between MPU 16 and PC 5.
[0010] An operation unit 23 is connected to MPU 16. An up-arrow
cursor key 23a and a down-arrow cursor key 23b, a determination
key 23c, and the like are provided in the operation unit 23. A power-supply
controller 24 supplies electric power to each unit of the digital
camera 1. A battery 25 supplies the electric power to the power-supply
controller 24. When the digital camera 1 is surmounted on the cradle
2, the battery 25 is charged by supplying the electric power to
the battery 25 through the AC adapter 4, the cradle 2 and the power-supply
controller 24.
[0011] In the conventional digital camera system, since the taken
image can be displayed on the television (TV) 6 by connecting the
digital camera 1 to the television (TV) 6 through the cradle 2,
the taken image can be simultaneously watched by a number of people.
However, in a place where TV 6 is not installed, the taken image
can not simultaneously be watched by a number of people.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] An object of the invention is to provide a digital camera
cradle and a digital camera system in which the taken image can
be simultaneously watched by a number of people even in a place
where the television is not installed.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a digital
camera system which can automatically adjust the brightness and
focus of the light source of the projector provided in the digital
camera cradle by utilizing a function of the digital camera while
the taken image can be simultaneously watched by a number of people
by providing a projection function in the digital camera cradle
even in a place where the television is not installed.
[0014] A digital camera cradle according to the invention which
has a function of connecting a digital camera to a personal computer
and a function of charging the digital camera while the digital
camera is surmounted on the digital camera cradle, wherein a projector
is integrated with the digital camera cradle, and a circuit which
electrically connects the digital camera and the projector while
the digital camera is surmounted on the digital camera cradle is
provided in the digital camera cradle.
[0015] A digital camera system according to the invention includes
a digital camera and a digital camera cradle which has a function
of connecting the digital camera to a personal computer and a function
of charging the digital camera while the digital camera is surmounted,
wherein a projector is integrated with the digital camera cradle,
and a circuit which electrically connects the digital camera and
the projector while the digital camera is surmounted on the digital
camera cradle is provided in the digital camera cradle.
[0016] It is preferable that the digital camera system further
includes means for transferring an operation mode of the digital
camera to a projector display mode based on user operation in a
state in which the digital camera is surmounted on the digital camera
cradle, an video image recorded in the digital camera being projected
by the projector in the projector display mode; and adjustment means
for automatically adjusting brightness and focus of the projector
when the operation mode of the digital camera is transferred to
the projector display mode, wherein the adjustment means includes
means for automatically adjusting the brightness of a light source
of the projector by utilizing an AE function of the digital camera
and means for automatically adjusting the focus of the projector
by utilizing an AF function of the digital camera.
[0017] It is preferable that the digital camera system further
includes means for transferring an operation mode of the digital
camera to a projector display mode based on user operation in a
state in which the digital camera is surmounted on the digital camera
cradle, an video image recorded in the digital camera being projected
by the projector in the projector display mode; and adjustment means
for automatically adjusting brightness and focus of the projector
when the operation mode of the digital camera is transferred to
the projector display mode, wherein the adjustment means includes
means for automatically adjusting the brightness of a light source
of the projector by utilizing an AF function of the digital camera
and means for automatically adjusting the focus of the projector
by utilizing an AF function of the digital camera.
[0018] In the digital camera system, it is preferable that the
digital camera includes a cradle-connection detector which detects
whether the digital camera is surmounted on the digital camera cradle;
means for displaying a menu screen in which a user is encouraged
to select a personal computer connection mode or the projector display
mode when the cradle-connection detector detects that the digital
camera is surmounted on the digital camera cradle, the digital camera
is operated while connected to a personal computer in the personal
computer connection mode, the video image recorded in the digital
camera is projected by the projector in the projector display mode;
means for transferring the operation mode of the digital camera
to a charge mode when a menu is not selected within a predetermined
time since the menu screen is displayed, the digital camera being
charged in the charge mode; means for transferring the operation
mode of the digital camera to the personal computer connection mode
when the personal computer connection mode is selected within the
predetermined time since the menu screen is displayed; and means
for transferring the operation mode of the digital camera to the
projector display mode while turning on power of the projector,
when the projector display mode is selected within the predetermined
time since the menu screen is displayed.
[0019] It is preferable that the digital camera system further
includes adjustment means for automatically adjusting the brightness
and the focus of the projector when the operation mode of the digital
camera is transferred to the projector display mode, wherein the
adjustment means includes means for automatically adjusting the
brightness of a light source of the projector by utilizing an AE
function of the digital camera and means for automatically adjusting
the focus of the projector by utilizing an AF function of the digital
camera.
[0020] It is preferable that the digital camera system further
includes adjustment means for automatically adjusting the brightness
and the focus of the projector when the operation mode of the digital
camera is transferred to the projector display mode, wherein the
adjustment means includes means for automatically adjusting the
brightness of a light source of the projector by utilizing an AF
function of the digital camera and means for automatically adjusting
the focus of the projector by utilizing an AF function of the digital
camera.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an external appearance
of the conventional digital camera system;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration
of the conventional digital camera system;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the external appearance
of a digital camera system according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration
of the digital camera system according to the embodiment of the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view showing an image projecting direction
of a projector 40 and an image taking direction of a digital camera
1A when the digital camera 1A is surmounted on a cradle 2A;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure performed by the
digital camera 1A when the digital camera 1A is surmounted on the
cradle 2A;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of a main
menu screen;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure when an operation
mode is set to a projector display mode in Step S14 of FIG. 6; and
[0029] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a modification of the
digital camera system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows an external appearance of a digital camera
system according to the embodiment of the invention.
[0032] The digital camera system includes a digital camera 1A and
a cradle 2A. The cradle 2A has the function of connecting the digital
camera 1A to PC 5, the function of connecting the digital camera
1A to TV 6, and the function of charging the digital camera 1A.
These functions can be performed only by surmounting the digital
camera 1A on the cradle 2A. A projector is integrated with the cradle
2A. The projector projects the taken video image recorded in the
digital camera 1A. The DC electric power is supplied to the cradle
2A through the AC plug 3 and the AC adapter 4.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows an electric configuration of the digital camera.
The same component of FIG. 4 as that of FIG. 2 is indicated by the
same reference numeral, and the description will be omitted.
[0034] When compared with the conventional digital camera 1 (see
FIG. 2), a projector driver (PJ driver) 26 and a cradle-connection
detecting switch 27 are added to the digital camera 1A. The projector
driver 26 is prepared for the projector provided in the cradle 2A,
and the cradle-connection detecting switch 27 detects whether the
digital camera 1A is surmounted on the cradle 2A. For example, a
limit switch or the like is used as the cradle-connection detecting
switch 27.
[0035] When compared with the conventional cradle 2 (see FIG. 2),
a projector 40 and a circuit for connecting the AC adapter 4 to
the projector 40 are added to the cradle 2A. A circuit, which connects
the projector driver 26 of the digital camera 1A to the projector
40 when the digital camera 1A is surmounted on the cradle 2A, is
further added to the cradle 2A.
[0036] When the digital camera 1A is surmounted on the cradle 2A,
MPU 16 can output the video image data transmitted from the camera-signal
processing circuit 15 to MPU 16 or the video image data transmitted
from the compression and decompression circuit 17 to MPU 16 to the
projector 40 through the projector driver 26 and the cradle 2A.
[0037] The projector 40 includes a projector circuit 41, a light
source 42, an LCD panel, and a lens 44. In this case, an LED light
source including plural LEDs (LED group) is used as the light source
42. After the projector circuit 41 performs predetermined video-image
processing to the video image signal transmitted from the digital
camera 1A, the projector circuit 41 writes the video image in the
LCD panel 43. The video image written in the LCD panel 43 is projected
onto the screen such as a wall through the lens 44 by irradiating
the LCD panel 43 with the light source 42.
[0038] In the state in which the cradle 2A is surmounted on the
digital camera 1A, as shown in FIG. 5, the cradle 2A is designed
such that a video-image projection direction of the projector 40
provided in the cradle 2A becomes identical with the image taking
direction of the digital camera 1A.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a procedure which is performed by the digital
camera 1A when the digital camera 1A is surmounted on the cradle
2A.
[0040] When the digital camera 1A is surmounted on the cradle 2A,
the cradle-connection detecting switch 27 is turned on. When the
cradle-connection detecting switch 27 is turned on (Step S1), MPU
16 causes the LCD monitor 20 to display a main menu shown in FIG.
7 (Step S2). Three selection items of "Connect camera to personal
computer", "Connect camera to television", and "Display
image on projector" are displayed in the main menu.
[0041] When a user executes any one of selection items, i.e. when
the user determines the menu, the user selects the desired selection
item with the up-ward and down-ward cursor keys 23a and 23b on the
operation unit 23, and then the user presses the determination key
23c.
[0042] Assuming that the user does not determine the menu within
a predetermined time after the main menu is displayed (NO in Step
S3 and YES in Step S4), when the power of the projector 40 is turned
on, the power of the projector 40 is turned off (Step S5), and then
an operation mode is set to a charge mode in which the battery 25
is charged (Step S6). Then, the flow goes to Step S7 in which the
digital camera 1A is operated in the charge mode. When a menu button
(not shown) provided in the operation unit is operated during the
process of Step S7, the flow returns to Step S2.
[0043] The case in which the user determines the menu within the
predetermined time after the main menu is displayed in Step S2 (YES
in Step S3) will be described below. If the menu of "Connect
camera to personal computer" is selected (Step S8), the flow
goes to Step S7 after the power of the projector 40 is turned off
(Step S9) when the power of the projector 40 is turned on. In this
case, the digital camera 1A is operated in a personal computer connection
mode in Step S7. When the menu button (not shown) provided in the
operation unit is operated during the process of Step S7, the flow
returns to Step S2.
[0044] If the menu of "Connect camera to television"
is selected (Step, S10), the flow goes to Step S7 after the power
of the projector 40 is turned off (Step S11) when the power of the
projector 40 is turned on. In this case, the digital camera 1A is
operated in a television connection mode in Step S7. When the menu
button (not shown) provided in the operation unit is operated during
the process of Step S7, the flow returns to Step S2.
[0045] If the menu of "Display image on projector" is
selected (Step S12), the power of the projector 40 is turned on
(Step S13), and the operation mode is set to a projector display
mode (Step S14). Then, the flow goes to Step S7 in which the digital
camera 1A is operated in the projector display mode. In the projector
display mode, the taken video image recorded in the digital camera
1A can be projected by the projector 40. When the menu button (not
shown) provided in the operation unit is operated during the process
of Step S7, the flow returns to Step S2.
[0046] FIG. 8 shows a procedure when the operation mode is set
to the projector display mode in Step S14.
[0047] The procedure shown in FIG. 8 has the advantage in that,
before the taken video image is projected by the projector 40, focus
of projector 40 is automatically adjusted by utilizing an AF (automatic
focus) function of the digital camera 1A while brightness of the
light source of the projector 40 is automatically adjusted by utilizing
an AE (automatic exposure) function of the digital camera 1A.
[0048] When the operation mode is set to the projector display
mode, the image output is turned off while the camera function unit
30 of the digital camera 1A is turned on (Step S21). When the camera
function unit 30 is turned on while the digital camera 1A is surmounted
on the cradle 2A, the AE function is always operated, and AE information
such as a camera lens aperture and an exposure time (shutter speed)
is adjusted such that an AE evaluation value becomes a predetermined
target value. Generally average brightness of the taken image is
used as the AE evaluation value. Then, the screen brightness is
measured based on the AE information of the digital camera 1A, and
target AE information in projecting a white image by the projector
is computed (Step S22).
[0049] Namely, the target AE information (target brightness) in
projecting the white image is computed from the AE information in
projecting a black image (information corresponding to the screen
brightness when the video image is not projected by the projector
40) and contrast (constant) necessary to the projector 40.
[0050] Then, the whole 100% white image is outputted (projected)
from the projector 40, and the brightness of the projector 40 is
adjusted such that the AE information of the digital camera 1A becomes
the target AE information (Step S23). The Brightness adjustment
of the projector 40 is performed by controlling current passage
through the group of LEDs constituting the light source 42 or the
number of lighting LEDs in the group of LEDs. Thus, the light source
brightness automatic adjustment of the projector 40 is completed.
[0051] Then, focus coarse adjustment of the projector 40 is performed.
The image for adjusting the focus of the projector is outputted
(projected) from the projector 40, and the focus of the digital
camera 1A is adjusted such that an AF evaluation value of the digital
camera 1A becomes a maximum. Then, the automatic focus of the digital
camera 1A is temporarily locked (Step S24).
[0052] For example, a cross-hatching image is used as the image
for adjusting the focus of the projector. The AF evaluation value
of the digital camera 1A is one which performs the automatic focus
of the digital camera 1A. Generally an integrated value of a high-frequency
component in the taken image is used as the AF evaluation value.
In the AF adjustment, a focus ring of the digital camera 1A is moved
to bring the camera lens into focus such that the AF evaluation
value becomes a maximum. Then, the automatic focus of the digital
camera 1A is locked.
[0053] At this point, because the focus of the projector 40 is
not adjusted, there is a possibility that a subject distance determined
by the automatic focus of the digital camera 1A does not coincide
with a screen distance of the projector 40.
[0054] Then, a focus position of the projector 40 is adjusted such
that the AE evaluation value of the digital camera 1A becomes the
maximum (Step S25).
[0055] Then, focus fine adjustment of the projector 40 is performed.
The automatic-focus lock of the digital camera 1A is released to
adjust the focus of the digital camera 1A again such that the AF
evaluation value of the digital camera 1A becomes the maximum, and
then the automatic focus of the digital camera 1A is temporarily
locked (Step S26). At this point, it is expected that the subject
distance determined by the automatic focus of the digital camera
1A coincides substantially with the screen distance of the projector
40.
[0056] In the state of things, the focus position of the projector
40 is adjusted such that the AE evaluation value of the digital
camera 1A becomes the maximum (Step S27).
[0057] Thus, after the light source brightness and the focus of
the projector 40 are adjusted, an image display process is performed
with the projector 40 (Step S28). In the image display process,
the user is encouraged to select the image which should be displayed,
and the selected image is outputted to the projector 40.
[0058] It is also possible that the light source brightness of
the projector 40 is adjusted based on the subject distance obtained
by the AF function of the digital camera 1A (subject distance estimated
from the focus position of the lens). Namely, because the subject
distance is substantially equal to the distance between the projector
40 and the screen, the light source brightness of the projector
40 is controlled such that the light source brightness of the projector
40 is increased as the subject distance is lengthened.
[0059] FIG. 9 shows a modification of the digital camera system.
In FIG. 9, the same component as that shown in FIG. 4 is indicated
by the same reference numeral, and the description will be omitted.
[0060] In the digital camera system shown in FIG. 9, the video
driver 22 of a digital camera 1B is also used as the projector driver.
Therefore, the projector driver (PJ driver) is omitted in the digital
camera 1B.
[0061] A switching circuit 50 is provided in a cradle 2B. The switching
circuit 50 switches between the transmission of the signal from
the video driver 22 to TV 6 and the transmission of the signal to
the projector 40. When the video cable is connected from the cradle
2B to TV 6, the switching circuit 50 is controlled so as to connect
the video driver 22 to TV 6. When the video cable is not connected
from the cradle 2B to TV 6, the switching circuit 50 is controlled
so as to connect the video driver 22 to the projector 40.
|