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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
Use of a custom insert is obviated when a digital camera is attached
to a base (dock). Two movable pins are provided, in such a way that
a connector is sandwiched between the movable pins, on a digital
camera attachment surface of a base (dock) which provides a digital
camera with a recharging function and a printing function. The movable
pins fit to holes in a bottom of the digital camera to thus act
as guides during the course of attachment of the digital camera.
Alternatively, the attachment surface itself may be configured so
as to be vertically movable, and the attachment surface may descend
during attachment of the digital camera and the attachment surface
may be latched in a lower position after attachment of the same.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A digital camera dock to which a digital camera is to be attached
and which has a function of printing an image captured by the digital
camera or recharging an internal battery of the digital camera,
the dock comprising:an attachment surface to which the digital camera
is to be attached being supported so as to become vertically movable;a
first holding unit for fixedly holding the attachment surface in
a first, upper position;a second holding unit for fixedly holding
the attachment surface in a second, lower position; anda control
unit for releasing the first holding unit to thus enable vertical
movement of the attachment surface, which in a stable state is fixedly
held in the first position by means of the first holding unit, when
the digital camera is attached onto the attachment surface, and
for actuating the second holding unit to thus fixedly hold the attachment
surface in the second position when the attachment surface has lowered
to thus establish an electrical connection with the digital camera
via a connector.
2. The digital camera dock according to claim 1, whereinthe attachment
surface has guide pins inserted into hole sections formed in a bottom
of the digital camera; andthe control unit releases the first holding
unit to thus enable vertical movement of the attachment surface
when the digital camera is attached to the attachment surface as
a result of the hole section formed in the bottom of the digital
camera having fitted to the guide pin.
3. A digital camera dock to which a digital camera is to be attached
and which has a function of printing an image captured by the digital
camera or recharging an internal battery of the digital camera,
the dock comprising:a connector for establishing an electrical connection
with the digital camera;movable pins which are formed in the vicinity
of the connector and supported in an impelled manner so as to be
vertically movable; andan attachment surface to which the digital
camera is to be attached and which has the connector and the movable
pins, whereinthe movable pins project and are impelled upwardly
in a stable state, fit to hole sections formed in a bottom of the
digital camera during attachment of the digital camera, and move
downwardly along with the digital camera to thus act as guides for
regulating a relative position between the digital camera and the
connector.
4. The digital camera dock according to claim 3, wherein an extent
of downward movement of the movable pins is set to an extent which
corresponds to the thickness of an attachment adapter for each type
of the digital camera and the depth of the attachment surface and
which allows attachment of the adapter to the attachment surface,
thereby enabling use of the attachment adapter.
5. The digital camera dock according to claim 3, wherein the attachment
surface is rotatable within a plane parallel to the attachment surface
or tiltable with respect to the plane.
Digital Camera Patent Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001]This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application
No. 2006-126571 filed on Apr. 28, 2006, which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002]The present invention relates to a digital camera dock, and
more particularly, to a dock which is electrically connected to
a digital camera to thus provide the digital camera with various
functions, such as a recharging function, a printing function, and
the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003]A digital camera dock (hereinafter simply referred to as
a "dock") which is connected to a digital camera and provides
the digital camera with a recharging function and a printing function
has hitherto been developed. For instance, the recharging dock supplies
recharging power to the digital camera through use of an a.c. power
source. A recharged state of a built-in battery of the digital camera
is displayed on an indicator of the digital camera or an indicator
of the dock. The user can recharge the digital camera by means of
simply attaching the digital camera to the recharging dock. The
recharging dock may also have a file transfer function of reading
image data stored in memory of the digital camera and transferring
the image data to the memory of a personal computer. The printer
dock receives the image data stored in the memory of the digital
camera and outputs the image data while the data are printed on
a sheet of photographic paper. By means of simply attaching the
digital camera to a printer dock, desired image data can be printed
without involvement of a computer. The printer dock may also have
the function of recharging a digital camera.
[0004]When the digital camera is attached to the dock, there are
many cases where a custom insert previously prepared for each digital
camera is attached to a dock in order to guide the digital camera
during attachment or to protect the connection with a connector
after attachment of the digital camera.
[0005]FIG. 20 shows that the digital camera 10 is attached to a
dock 12. The dock 12 is a printer dock having a print sheet tray
14. A custom insert 16 prepared for each digital camera 10 is attached
to an upper surface of the dock 12; i.e., an attachment surface
of the digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 is attached to the
dock 12 while the custom insert is taken as a guide. More specifically,
the custom insert 16 is attached to the attachment section of the
dock 12, and the digital camera 10 is attached to the custom insert
16.
[0006]FIG. 21 shows the configuration of the custom insert 16 and
that of the dock 12. The custom insert 16 has a guide wall 16a complying
with the outer shape of the digital camera 10; an opening section
16b formed in the guide wall 16a; and a protuberance section 16c
loosely fitting into a tripod threaded hole of the digital camera
10. The opening section 16b is formed at a position which opposes
a connector 12a of the dock 12 when the custom insert 16 is attached
to the dock 12. The connector 12a of the dock 12 is inserted into
the opening section 16b and becomes exposed outside, to thus enable
connection with a connector of the digital camera 10. Hooks 16d
are provided at the four corners of the bottom face of the custom
insert 16 and fit into holes 12b formed in the dock 12, thereby
fastening the custom insert 16 to the dock 12. Specifically, when
the custom insert 16 is attached to the dock 12, the custom insert
16 is positioned in the attachment section of the dock 12, thereby
fitting the hooks 16d into the holes 12b. The hooks 16d are formed
from resin; and are inserted and locked into the holes 12b as a
result of being deformed during the course of fitting.
[0007]Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-45278
describes a configuration for connecting connectors together. One
of the connectors is provided with a guide pin and a spring-tensioned
movable pin. The other connector is provided with a plane contact
and a guide hole.
[0008]However, in the configuration where a custom insert is provided
for each digital camera, a guide to be provided on the dock, including
the guide section of the custom insert, must be provided so as to
protrude higher than the connector of the dock, in order to exhibit
a function of guiding a connection with the connector. Imposing
restrictions on the dock greatly affect the internal configuration
of the digital camera, which in turn hinders miniaturization of
the digital camera.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009]The present invention has been conceived in view of the above
drawbacks in the related art, and provides a dock which can obviate
a necessity for a custom insert.
[0010]The present invention provides a digital camera dock to which
a digital camera is to be attached and which has a function of printing
an image captured by the digital camera or recharging an internal
battery of the digital camera, the dock comprising:
[0011]an attachment surface to which the digital camera is to be
attached being supported so as to become vertically movable;
[0012]a first holding unit for fixedly holding the attachment surface
in a first, upper position;
[0013]a second holding unit for fixedly holding the attachment
surface in a second, lower position; and
[0014]a control unit for releasing the first holding unit to thus
enable vertical movement of the attachment surface, which in a stable
state is fixedly held in the first position by means of the first
holding unit, when the digital camera is attached onto the attachment
surface, and for actuating the second holding unit to thus fixedly
hold the attachment surface in the second position when the attachment
surface has lowered to thus establish an electrical connection with
the digital camera via a connector.
[0015]The present invention also provides a digital camera dock
to which a digital camera is to be attached and which has a function
of printing an image captured by the digital camera or recharging
an internal battery of the digital camera, the dock comprising:
[0016]a connector for establishing an electrical connection with
the digital camera;
[0017]movable pins which are formed in the vicinity of the connector
and supported in an impelled manner so as to be vertically movable;
and
[0018]an attachment surface to which the digital camera is to be
attached and which has the connector and the movable pins, wherein
[0019]the movable pins project and are impelled upwardly in a stable
state, fit to hole sections formed in a bottom of the digital camera
during attachment of the digital camera, and move downwardly along
with the digital camera to thus act as guides for regulating a relative
position between the digital camera and the connector.
[0020]The present invention obviates a necessity for use of a custom
insert, and lessens restrictions on a digital camera.
[0021]The invention will be more clearly comprehended by reference
to the embodiments provided below. However, the scope of the invention
is not limited to those embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022]Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described
in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer dock of an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0024]FIG. 2 is a view showing a state of a movable pin achieved
before attachment of a digital camera;
[0025]FIG. 3 is a view showing a state of the movable pin achieved
at the time of attachment of the digital camera;
[0026]FIG. 4 is a view showing a state of the movable pin achieved
after attachment of the digital camera;
[0027]FIG. 5 is a view showing a state of the movable pin when
a custom insert is in use;
[0028]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a printer dock of another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0029]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the dock;
[0030]FIG. 8 is a view showing a state of a movable pin achieved
at the time of attachment of the digital camera;
[0031]FIG. 9 is a view showing a state of the movable pin achieved
after attachment of the digital camera;
[0032]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a printer dock of still
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0033]FIG. 11 is a plan view of the dock;
[0034]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a trigger lever;
[0035]FIG. 13 is state descriptive view (Part 1) of the trigger
lever achieved at the time of attachment of the digital camera;
[0036]FIG. 14 is state descriptive view (Part 2) of the trigger
lever achieved at the time of attachment of the digital camera;
[0037]FIG. 15 is state descriptive view (Part 3) of the trigger
lever achieved at the time of attachment of the digital camera;
[0038]FIG. 16 is state descriptive view (Part 4) of the trigger
lever achieved at the time of attachment of the digital camera;
[0039]FIG. 17 is state descriptive view (Part 5) of the trigger
lever achieved at the time of attachment of the digital camera;
[0040]FIG. 18 is a descriptive view of a dock whose attachment
surface is tiltable;
[0041]FIG. 19 is a descriptive view of a dock whose attachment
surface is rotatable;
[0042]FIG. 20 is a descriptive view of the digital camera attached
to the dock; and
[0043]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a custom insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044]Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow
by reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
[0045]FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a dock for use with a digital
camera according to a first embodiment. The printer dock provides
the digital camera with a recharging function and a printing function.
[0046]As shown in FIG. 1, the printer dock 12 has a dock-side connector
12a and holes 12b into which a custom insert 16 is to be fitted.
The reason why the holes 12b are provided is because a conventional
custom insert can also be made usable in the present embodiment,
although the custom insert is not required in the present embodiment.
Two movable pins 12c, 12d are formed in a digital camera attachment
section of the printer dock 12 in such a way that the connector
12a is interposed between the pins 12c and 12d. As indicated by
arrows in the drawing, the movable pins 12c and 12d are elastically
supported by springs so as to be vertically movable. The movable
pins 12c, 12d have different diameters, and in the drawing the movable
pin 12c is larger in diameter than the movable pin 12d. The movable
pins 12c and 12d may also be made equal to each other in terms of
a diameter. The movable pins 12c and 12d are elastically impelled
upwardly in a stable state. A guide line (indicated by a broken
line in the drawing) is printed on a digital camera attachment surface
for facilitating attachment of the digital camera and guiding the
same. The user attaches the digital camera 10 to the printer dock
12 along the guide line.
[0047]At the time of attachment of the digital camera 10, the two
movable pins 12c and 12d fit into holes formed in the bottom surface
of the digital camera 10. The movable pins 12c and 12d are forcefully
inserted against resilient force along with attachment of the digital
camera 10. Limitations are imposed on longitudinal and lateral movements
of the movable pins 12c and 12d. Hence, the digital camera 10 is
connected to the connector 12a while being subjected to longitudinal
and lateral positional restrictions above the printer dock 12.
[0048]FIGS. 2 through 4 show the states of the movable pins 12c
and 12d achieved at the time of attachment of the digital camera
10. FIG. 2 shows the state of the digital camera 10 achieved before
attachment of the same. The movable pins 12c and 12d are impelled
upwardly by means of springs inserted into a stepped section. Further,
the heights of the movable pins 12c and 12d are restricted by means
of E rings provided at the bottoms of the movable pins. In addition
to the connector 10a, holes 10c and 10d are formed in the digital
camera 10, wherein the movable pins 12c and 12d are fitted to the
bottoms of the respective holes 10c and 10d. FIG. 3 shows the state
of the printer dock when the digital camera 10 is attached to the
dock. At the time of attachment of the digital camera 10, the leading
ends of the movable pins 12c and 12d enter the holes 10c and 10d
formed in the bottom surface of the digital camera 10. In this state,
the user presses the digital camera 10 downward. Since the longitudinal,
lateral movements of the movable pins 12c and 12d are restricted,
the user depresses the digital camera 10 while using the movable
pins 12c and 12d as guides. Since the movable pins 12c and 12d are
formed after adjustment of the relative positional relationship
of the movable pins 12c, 12d and the connector 12a, the connector
10a of the digital camera 10 accurately opposes the connector 12a
of the printer dock 12 as a result of the digital camera 10 being
pushed while the movable pins 12c and 12d are taken as a guide.
FIG. 4 shows the state of the printer dock 12 achieved after attachment
of the digital camera 10. The movable pins 12c, 12d fit into the
bottom surface of the digital camera 10 by means of pin-receiving
sections 10e, 10f provided on the bottom surface of the digital
camera 10. After attachment of the digital camera 10, the movable
pins 12c and 12d play the role of protecting the connector 12a.
A required depth to which the movable pins 12c and 12d fit into
the bottom surface of the digital camera 10 is determined by the
geometry of the camera.
[0049]As mentioned above, the movable pins 12c and 12d are provided
on both sides of the connector 12a such that the connector 12a is
sandwiched between the movable pins. As a result of the digital
camera 10 being attached to the printer dock 12 while the movable
pins 12c and 12d are taken as guides, attachment of the custom insert
is obviated.
[0050]Since some users are accustomed to use of the custom insert
16, there may also arise a case where use of the custom insert 16
is desired. Even in such a case, the desire can be addressed by
means of setting the extent to which the movable pins 12c, 12d sink
to a level which does not hinder attachment of the custom insert
16. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the printer dock 12 employed
when the custom insert 16 shown in FIG. 21 is attached to the printer
dock 12 and the digital camera 10 is additionally attached to the
same. The extent to which the movable pins 12c and 12d sink has
been determined in advance in consideration of the thickness of
the custom insert 16; i.e., the pins sink to such an extent that
the connector of the digital camera 10 can be connected to the dock-side
connector 12a via the custom insert 16. As a result, the custom
insert 16 can be attached to the printer dock 12, and the digital
camera 10 can be connected to the connector 12a.
Second Embodiment
[0051]In the first embodiment, the two movable pins 12c and 12d
are configured so as to be movable in only the vertical direction.
However, any of the movable pins may also be configured so as to
be movable in the longitudinal or lateral direction as well.
[0052]FIG. 6 shows a case where the movable pin 12d of the movable
pins 12c and 12d is configured so as to be movable in the lateral
direction as well as in the vertical direction. The movable pin
12d is impelled upwardly in a stable state by means of a spring,
and is impelled toward the connector 12a by means of the spring.
FIGS. 7 through 9 show the states of the movable pins 12c and 12d
achieved at the time of attachment of the digital camera 10. As
indicated by the plan view of FIG. 7, the movable pins 12c and 12d
are positioned on both sides of the connector 12a. As shown in FIG.
8, at the time of attachment of the digital camera 10, the movable
pin 12c enters the hole 10c formed in the bottom of the digital
camera 10. Meanwhile, the movable pin 12d is impelled toward the
connector 12a by means of the spring, and the movable pin 12d is
situated at a position slightly closer to the connector 12a than
to the hole 10d. Accordingly, at the time of attachment of the digital
camera 10, the extremity of the movable pin 12d comes into contact
with the brim of the hole 10d. Pursuant to depression of the digital
camera 10, the movable pin 12 receives the force in a direction
departing from the connector 12a, and moves in the direction departing
from the connector 12a against the restoration force of the spring.
FIG. 9 shows the state of the printer dock 12 achieved after attachment
of the digital camera 10. As indicated by the arrow in the drawing,
the movable pin 12d is pressed into the hole 10d so as to move in
the direction departing from the connector 12a. Consequently, the
movable pin 12d is pressed against the side surface of the hole
10d by means of the spring, and the digital camera 10 is held by
means of the pressing force exerted by the movable pin 12d.
Third Embodiment
[0053]In the first and second embodiments, the digital camera 10
is attached to the printer dock 12 while the two vertically-movable
pins 12c, 12d formed in the printer dock 12 are used as guides.
However, the movable pins 12c, 12d can also be caused to serve as
guides which vertically actuate the attachment surface of the printer
dock 12 in place of the movable pins.
[0054]FIG. 10 shows a configuration for guiding the digital camera
10 by means of vertical actuation of the attachment surface. An
opening is formed at a position on the attachment surface of the
printer dock 12 facing the connector 12a, and the connector 12a
is exposed through the opening. Fixing pins 12e and 12f are formed
on respective sides of the opening of the connector 12a on the attachment
surface. The fixing pins 12e and 12f have the minimum height required
when serving as guides during attachment of the digital camera 10.
The fixing pins engage with holes formed in the bottom of the digital
camera 10, to thus define the attachment position of the digital
camera 10 to a certain extent. In a stable state, the attachment
surface is impelled upwardly by means of a spring and is fixed in
an elevated position by means of a latch. When the digital camera
10 is attached to the two fixing pins 12e and 12f, a first button
12g used for releasing the latch that restricts the vertical movement
of the attachment surface is depressed by the bottom surface of
the digital camera 10, whereby the latch is released to thus bring
the attachment surface into a downwardly-movable state. By means
of downward movement of the attachment surface, the connector 12a
becomes exposed upwardly through the inside of the opening formed
in the attachment surface, thereby establishing a connection with
the connector of the digital camera 10.
[0055]FIG. 11 shows a plan view of the printer dock 12. FIG. 12
shows the configuration of the latch mechanism shown in FIG. 11.
A connector holder 102 is fastened to a dock case 101 of the printer
dock 12 and provided with the connector 12a. The dock case 101 is
equipped with a slide plate 104 used for vertically actuating a
camera support plate 201. The slide plate 104 is restricted by four
bosses 104a provided on the dock case 101 and horizontally actuated
in the drawing. The slide plate 104 is impelled in the direction
of the arrow in the drawing by means of a spring 105. The slide
plate 104 operates in synchronism with a latch 106 provided on the
dock case 101. The latch 106 undergoes rotational force in the direction
of the arrow in the drawing by means of an unillustrated spring.
Four bosses 201a are provided, two on the right and the other two
on the left, on the camera support plate 201 that is vertically
actuated along with the digital camera 10 on the dock case 101.
The camera support plate 201 is vertically actuated along with vertical
grooves 101a formed in the dock case. The four bosses 201a are supported
by the flat surface of the slide plate 104 and a sloped section
105a. When the boss 201a is supported on the flat surface of the
slide plate 104, the camera support plate 201 is held in an elevated
first position. When the slide plate 104 has moved and the boss
201a is supported on the sloped surface of the slide plate 104,
the boss 201a can move along the slope; namely, the boss 201a can
move downwardly along a vertical groove 101a. When the boss 201a
has reached the bottom of the vertical groove 101a, the camera support
plate 201 is held in a lower, second position. A trigger lever 202
is attached to the camera support plate 201, and actuation of the
slide plate 104 is commenced by means of movement of the bottom
of the digital camera 10. Specifically, an attachment-side protuberance
of the trigger lever 202 is brought into contact with the bottom
of the digital camera by means of pushing action of the digital
camera 10. The trigger lever 202 is pivoted around a shaft by means
of the pressing force originating from the bottom of the digital
camera. By means of rotation of the trigger lever 202, the slide
plate 104 is actuated in the rightward direction, thereby changing
a positional relationship with the bosses 201a. The trigger lever
202 undergoes force in the direction of the arrow originating from
an unillustrated spring.
[0056]FIGS. 13 through 17 show operation performed during attachment
of the digital camera 10. First, as shown in FIG. 13, the bosses
201a of the camera support plate 201 are supported on the flat surface
of the slide plate 104 in a stable state. The camera support plate
201 is situated at an elevated first position. Since the slide plate
104 undergoes restoration force of the spring 105 in the leftward
direction of the drawing, the camera support plate 201 is held in
the first position. The digital camera 10 is attached in this state
while the fixing pins 12e and 12f on the camera support plate 201
are taken as guides.
[0057]As shown in FIG. 14, when the digital camera 10 is attached,
the bottom of the digital camera 10 comes into contact with the
protuberance of the trigger lever 202 provided on the camera support
plate 201, to thus depress the trigger lever 202. The trigger lever
202 pivots around the shaft provided on the camera support plate
201, and an edge portion 202a of the trigger lever 202 is brought
into contact with the slide plate 104 by means of rotational movement,
whereupon the slide plate 104 is moved in the rightward direction
of the drawing.
[0058]As shown in FIG. 15, when the digital camera 10 is pushed
further, the slide plate 104 is continually moved in the rightward
direction by means of the trigger lever 202. By means of movement
of the slide plate 104, the four bosses 201a formed in the camera
support plate 201 are moved to the slope section from the flat surface
section on the slide plate 104. As a result, the camera support
plate 201 can be moved downwardly.
[0059]Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the slide plate 104 is moved rightward
against the restoration force of the spring 105 by means of the
bosses 104a of the camera support plate 201, by means of operation
for further pushing the digital camera 10. When pushing of the digital
camera 10 is aborted in this state and the digital camera 10 is
lifted, the slide plate 104 is restored to the state shown in FIG.
13 by means of the spring 105.
[0060]Finally, as shown in FIG. 17, when the digital camera 10
is pushed to a predetermined position, the latch 106 provided on
the dock case 101 acts so as to latch the slide plate 104. Thus,
the slide plate 104 is locked, and attachment of the digital camera
10 is maintained.
[0061]During removal of the digital camera 10, the latch 106 is
released by means of operating an unillustrated button, whereby
the slide plate 104 is moved leftward by means of restoration force
of the spring 105. Upward movement of the camera support plate 201
is allowed, to thus disengage the connection of the connector.
[0062]As mentioned above, the vertical movement of the camera support
plate 201 is restricted by the slide plate 104. Downward movement
of the camera support plate 201 is allowed when the digital camera
10 is attached and pushed. When the digital camera 10 has been pushed
down to a predetermined position, the slide plate 104 is locked,
thereby enabling reliable connection of the connector 10a of the
digital camera 10 with the dock-side connector 12a.
[0063]In the present embodiment, the attachment surface of the
dock can also be made tiltable through only an arbitrary angle as
shown in FIG. 18, or rotatable within a horizontal plane through
only an arbitrary angle as shown in FIG. 19.
[0064]The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will
be understood that variations and modifications can be effected
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
PARTS LIST
[0065]10 digital camera [0066]10a connector [0067]10c hole [0068]10d
hole [0069]10e pin receiving section [0070]10f pin receiving section
[0071]12 printer dock [0072]12a connector [0073]12b hole [0074]12c
movable pin [0075]12d movable pin [0076]12e fixing pin [0077]12f
fixing pin [0078]12g first button [0079]14 print sheet tray [0080]16
custom insert [0081]16a guide wall [0082]16b opening section [0083]16c
protuberance section [0084]16d hook [0085]101 dock case [0086]101a
vertical groove [0087]102 connector [0088]104 slide plate [0089]104a
boss [0090]105 spring [0091]105a sloped section [0092]106 latch
[0093]201 camera support plate [0094]201a boss [0095]202 trigger
lever [0096]202a edge portion
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