Abstract: A shooting system of the present invention comprises a silver-salt camera unit shooting on a silver-salt photosensitized material, an electronic image pickup unit which is detachably combined with the silver-salt camera unit and in which a solid image pickup element is embedded, and a control unit which is combined with the electronic image pickup unit instead of the silver-salt camera unit.

Abstract: A backup device in case of power failure comprises a device for continuing, when power failure is detected by a power failure detecting circuit during a recording operation, the recording operation by turning a switch on, and a device for turning the switch off when data which have been stored in both memories immediately before power fails and all data composing two blocks to which the data belong have been recorded on a recording medium, to stop the recording operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image processing apparatus in which a system control circuit (50) monitors the power source voltage when data write access to a recording medium (200) occurs, and cuts off power supply to an image display unit (28) when the power source voltage becomes smaller than a predetermined value L2, so as to reduce write errors of data to be written resulting from a power source voltage drop, a control method of the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium.

Abstract: Image data photographed by an image capturing apparatus is temporarily stored in a volatile memory. The volatile memory temporarily is supplied with power from a battery to store the image data temporarily. The remaining capacity of the battery is detected, and a maintainable time of the image data maintained in the volatile memory is calculated based on the detected remaining capacity of the battery. The calculated maintainable time is displayed on a display.

Abstract: For providing a longer lifetime and sensing an image with less noise, there is provided an image sensing apparatus having a flat panel sensor for detecting radiations, a first power circuit for supplying an electric power to the flat panel sensor, a read-out circuit for reading out data of the flat panel sensor circuit, a second power circuit for supplying an electric power to the read-out circuit, and a control circuit for turning the first power circuit on by a first timing signal and for turning the second power circuit on by a second timing signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an auto-exposure power-saving device, which comprises an image brightness calculation unit for calculating the brightness value of an image. A maximal tolerable brightness value and a minimal tolerable brightness value both set by a CPU of a digital still camera (DSC) are inputted to a first comparator and a second comparator. The first comparator is used to compare the image brightness value with the maximal tolerable brightness value and then output a first comparison signal. The second comparator is used to compare the image brightness value with the minimal tolerable brightness value and then output a second comparison signal. The CPU is then activated or not according to the first or second comparison signals. The present invention has the power-saving advantage and a longer lifetime of use.

Abstract: A system of reducing power consumption in and active pixels sensor. The sensor is broken into different blocks, and each of the blocks is individually optimized. The optimization may include minimizing the parasitic capacitance on the readout bus, turning off biases when not in use, and operating in a way that minimizes static power consumption of different elements such as A/D converters.

Abstract: A stable condition for a printing operation regarding an apparatus having a printer unit and a battery unit, eliminating problems related to lack of a battery power during the printing operation performed by the battery, specifically for a portable apparatus using the battery, is obtained by an apparatus having the printer unit in which the printing operation is performed by processing data inputted from outside an embodiment thereof and/or data stored therein, in which the apparatus having the printer unit can be activated by the battery and perform communication with the battery so that, based on received information related to the remaining power of the battery as well as calculating the printing enabling power based on, for example, temperatures outside and/or inside the apparatus and the amount of data to be printed out, the remaining power of the battery is compared with the printing enabling power and, if the remaining power of the battery is lower than the printing enabling power, then a condition of

Abstract: An operating condition judging means judges at least one of consumed current, whether or not a mechanically driven part is being operated, the supply voltage level, the ambient temperature, whether or not the lens stop device is operative, whether or not the strobo device is being charged, and whether or not access operation of a recording device is being performed. A controller controls a frequency of sweep-out of unnecessary charge in the imaging element on the basis of the output of an operating condition judging device. Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the peak consumed current through the entire imaging apparatus, reduce the power consumption and extend the battery life.

Abstract: An electronic camera free from failures of an internal circuit, such as a signal processing portion, caused by a drop in battery voltage when there remains a small amount of electric charge in the battery, includes a signal processing portion for signal-processing an imaged video signal obtained from an imaging element to form image data, a monitor for displaying the image data, an electronic flash device, a battery for supplying current to the signal processing portion, the monitor and the electronic flash device, a battery voltage detector circuit, and a system controller. The electronic flash device includes a capacitor charged when no light is emitted, and a discharged tube receiving an output from the capacitor and emitting light.

Abstract: An interface device connects a camcorder to a camera operating in the non-visible electromagnetic spectrum to form a portable unitary system. The interface device provides a mechanical connection between the camcorder and the camera. A video cable carries video image data from the camera to the camcorder. A control connection additionally may be provided between the camcorder and the camera through the interface device, to allow the camera to be controlled through controls on the camcorder itself. A power connection may be provided between the camcorder and the camera through the interface device, to allow the camera to draw power from the camcorder.

Abstract: An electronic still camera has a camera section for photographing a subject as an electronic image through an image sensor and recording it as digital image data in a memory, and a printer section for printing the electronic image on an instant photo film sheet based on the digital image data. In a normal power mode, the camera section and the printer section are supplied from their specific power sources separately from each other. The power source for the camera section is a primary battery of AA type, whereas the power source for the printer section is constituted of four secondary batteries of AA type. When the printer power source has run down, the camera may be switched to a low power mode, wherein the printer section as well as the camera section is supplied from the camera power source.

Abstract: A power circuit includes a switching controller. The switching controller outputs a switching signal to a base of a transistor, according to a PWM method. The output of the transistor is supplied to a primary winding of the transformer. A first circuit and a second circuit are formed on a secondary winding side of the transformer. The first and second circuits generate, respectively, a voltage, e.g. of 15V, and a voltage, e.g., of ?7.5V. 15V is outputted through a first terminal, while ?7.5V is through a second terminal. The respective voltages are supplied to a CCD imager and a timing generator of a camera. A short circuit, including an FET and a resistance connected in series to the FET, is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises a camera body and an image sensing unit. The image sensing unit includes a taking lens, a driver of the taking lens and an image sensor, and is attachable to the camera body directly or by a cable. The camera body includes an image processor for processing image data from the image sensing unit, a flash for emitting flash light, a recorder for recording the image data, a display for displaying images, and other circuits. An interface for a personal computer and a video capture adaptor can be attached to the camera body instead of the image sensing unit. The camera body is provided with a power source section having power supplying portions each assigned to a specific circuit such as the lens driver, the image sensor, the flash, the image processor, the interface and the adaptor. The camera body detects what is attached thereto and whether the cable is used, and supplies power only to those circuits that should be activated in accordance with the result of the detection.

Abstract: To display information about an image sensing apparatus on a display when the display is OFF, the display is turned ON for only a predetermined time and displays the information in the image sensing apparatus having an image sensor and the display for displaying an image obtained by the image sensor and information about the status of the image sensing apparatus.

Abstract: An image pickup control device of the present invention drives an image sensor including an output amplifier. A controller feeds a first control signal to a driver, which drives the image sensor, for controlling an exposure time. A switching circuit switches a power supply voltage for driving the output amplifier in accordance with a second control signal output from the controller and then feeds it to the output amplifier. The controller feeds the second control signal to the switching circuit for controlling it in accordance with the exposure time.

Abstract: An embedded power supply for providing a voltage on a detector module within an imaging system provides the required potential to the module from charge stored on an output capacitor. Charge on the capacitor is replenished by injecting, commonly referred to as pumping, current into the capacitor by pulses of current generated by switching mode circuitry. Charge pumping into the capacitor is efficient because energy is stored in low-loss passive components and transferred into the low-loss output capacitor through low-impedance paths. Switching noise of the power supply is eliminated by turning off the charge pumping circuit during periods when such noise would disrupt the operation of the module, for example when the module is reading out image data. The output capacitor is large enough to supply the required voltage to the module for a certain period when the capacitor is not being pumped.

Abstract: The video camera has an opening for removal of a cassette tape. The video camera includes a cassette detecting portion 2 detecting ejection of the cassette tape from the opening, and a cassette insertion preventing mechanism 5 preventing re-insertion of the cassette tape when the cassette detecting portion 2 detects ejection of the cassette tape. As such, a video camera for a recycling system can be provided where a recording medium or the like with a recorded content is easily and rapidly available to a user and a dedicated reproducing device is not required.

Abstract: To present a digital camera capable of operating a piezoelectric element without particularly preparing any boosting circuit inside the digital camera. In a digital camera for acquiring image data by taking a subject image, an imaging device for taking the subject image, and a piezoelectric element for displacing the imaging device are provided, and a main capacitor for stroboscope emission is used as the power supply source for the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A voltage amplifier is provided. The voltage amplifier includes an amplifier stage to amplify an input signal. A bias current generator supplies a bias current to the amplifier stage. The bias current generator is controllable in response to a frame rate signal that is representative of a video frame rate. A compensation network stabilizes a loop response of the voltage amplifier. The compensation network is controllable in response to the frame rate signal.

Abstract: An electronic camera free from failures of an internal circuit, such as a signal processing portion, caused by a drop in battery voltage when there remains a small amount of electric charge in the battery, includes a signal processing portion for signal-processing an imaged video signal obtained from an imaging element to form image data, a monitor for displaying the image data, an electronic flash device, a battery for supplying current to the signal processing portion, the monitor and the electronic flash device, a battery voltage detector circuit, and a system controller. She electronic flash device includes a capacitor charged when no light is emitted, and a discharge tube receiving an output from the capacitor and emitting light.

Abstract: An auxiliary power supply unit which is mountable to a portable electronic device having a battery, includes at least one capacitor, and an I/F connector which is connectable to an I/F connector of the portable electronic device, the I/F connector of the portable electronic device including power terminals connected to the battery. The I/F connector of the auxiliary power supply unit includes power terminals connected to the at least one capacitor, wherein the at least one capacitor is connected in parallel to the battery when the auxiliary power supply unit is mounted to the portable electronic device via the power terminals of the I/F connectors.

Abstract: CPU 10 generates memory card loading/unloading information, based on memory card loading/unloading detection signals inputted from memory I/O 16. Memory I/O 16 works even when the power supply is in the OFF condition. CPU 10 also generates memory card control information of loaded memory cards A 5 and B 6, and stores it in RAM 11. When the power supply is re-activated, CPU 10 recognizes that memory card control information was stored in RAM 11 under the power OFF condition, generates memory card control information of loaded memory cards A 5 and B 6, and compares that with memory card control information which was stored in RAM 11 when the power was turned off, and then judges whether loaded memory cards A 5 and B 6 are the same as the cards which were used when the power was turned off.

Abstract: An apparatus captures a digital image from a film-based camera having a chamber to receive a film cartridge and a take-up spool to advance the film after each shot. The apparatus includes a cartridge shaped to fit in the camera film chamber, the cartridge including a processor, a storage unit coupled to the processor, and an input output unit coupled to the processor. The cartridge houses a flexible strip having one end coupled to the cartridge and the other end adapted to be wound on the camera take-up spool, the flexible strip containing one or more imaging arrays deposited thereon to capture the digital image, each of the imaging arrays communicating with the processor.

Abstract: In order to be able to reduce power consumption while making possible manual operation in any scene when the photographic situation demands its use, an image pickup apparatus has a ring member arranged concentrically with the optical axis of lenses, a detecting device for detecting the quantity of variation resulting from the rotation of the ring member, a control device for shifting/stopping a group of optical lenses in the direction of their optical axis on the basis of the result of detection by the detecting device, and a power supply control device for changing the state of power supply to the detecting device according to the mode of use. Power supply to the detecting device is prohibited when in the automatic focusing mode, and permitted in a focusing-locked state when in the photo shooting mode. It is also prohibited in the viewing mode.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic still camera that has a printer section in addition to a camera section. The printer section prints an image on a self-developing type instant photo film unit in accordance with digital image data picked up and memorized through the camera section. A film pack containing a stack of instant photo film units is loaded in a loading chamber of the electronic still camera, such that the instant photo film units of the film pack are successively exposed through the printer section. A connector device for connecting a battery pack to the electronic still camera is provided in the loading chamber, whereas a charging circuit for charging a main power source with the battery pack is provided in the electronic still camera.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes a mode change switch. This mode change switch selects a still image recording mode to record 1 scene of an image signal to a recording medium, and a continuous image recording mode to record a plurality of scenes of continuous image signals to the memory medium. In the still recording mode, an battery remaining capacity goes below 5%, the shutter button is disabled in operation. In the continuous image recording mode, when the battery remaining capacity goes below 25%, the shutter button is disabled in operation. These threshold values are related to a consumed power required for recording the image signal taken in each of the modes.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes a stand-by mode switch and is capable of setting a stand-by mode in which a power and/or driving pulse is supplied to a CCD so that the mode can immediately shift to an image pickup operation upon a release instruction by a release switch. In the camera, a plurality of sensors for detecting contact or approach of a hand to make an image pickup operation are provided dispersedly at different positions, respectively. If the stand-by mode is set by the stand-by mode switch and all the sensors detect contact or approach of the hand, each processing in an AE processing section, AF processing section, and AWB processing section is carried out as a preliminary operation for image pickup.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus is provided having a solid-state image pickup device for generating an information charge in response to an image of which light was received, a drive circuit for transferring the information charge accumulated in the solid-state image pickup device, and outputting the information charge, a power supply for generating a predetermined voltage in accordance with an input amount of voltage booster pulses and supplying the predetermined voltage to the solid-state image pickup device and the drive circuit and a pulse generator circuit for generating and supplying the voltage booster pulses to the power supply.

Abstract: An electronic camera according to the present invention includes: a recording device that records image data output by an image-capturing element, which captures an image of a subject, into a recording medium; a battery voltage detection device that detects a battery voltage; a check level setting device that sets a battery check level by taking into consideration a quantity of battery power consumption required for recording the image data to the recording medium; and a photographing decision-making device that makes a decision as to whether or not a photographing operation is enabled by comparing the battery voltage value detected by the battery voltage detection device with the check level set by the check level setting device.

Abstract: In an electronic camera system, a camera body includes a card slot for receiving a memory card M, a card slot for receiving an HDD pack H, and a battery chamber for receiving a battery B. An expansion unit includes a grip portion for receiving a battery back having a power supply capacity larger than that of the battery B, a detection switch for detecting the attached state of the expansion unit to the electronic camera, and an LCD panel for displaying a predetermined alarm message when the HDD pack H is inserted into the card slot, and the detection switch detects that the expansion unit is not attached to the electronic camera.

Abstract: An image pick-up apparatus including a CCD 1 generating an image signal, a timing generator 6 generating various kinds of timing signals for controlling operation timings of CCD, a V driver 30 generating various kinds of driving signals for driving CCU in response to the timing signals, a power supply circuit 31 generating a power supply voltage VDD applied to the timing generator and V driver, and a CPU 8 controlling an application of the power supply voltage to the timing generator 6 and V driver 30 and controlling the operation of the timing generator. The CPU 8 has a first operation mode, in which the timing generator is set into a standby mode such that a leak current from the timing generator to the V driver is avoided when the power supply Voltage is not applied to the V driver, and a second operation mode, in which the timing generator is set into a normal operating condition after the power supply voltage has been applied to the V driver.

Abstract: A guiding structure which guides a flexible printed wiring board through a hinge portion between a body member and a swingable member hinged on the body member via a pivot, the guiding structure includes a flexible-PWB fixing portion formed on the swingable member to be coaxial with the pivot, and a flexible-PWB insertion portion formed on the body member to be coaxial with the pivot and to be rotatable relative to the flexible-PWB fixing portion. One end of the flexible printed wiring board is positioned inside the swingable member. An intermediate portion of the flexible printed wiring board is drawn into the body member through the flexible-PWB insertion portion after a portion of the intermediate portion is fixed to the flexible-PWB fixing portion. Another end of the flexible printed wiring board is connected to a connector provided inside the body member.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes an electronic imaging section which performs a photoelectron conversion of a subject image to generate an electric image information, a print section to print an image obtained from the image information by the electronic imaging section on a printing paper, a record section to record the image information by the electronic imaging section on a record medium, a mode select section to select one camera mode from among a plurality of camera modes, a power supply remainder detection section to detect a remainder to be able to supply the power supply, and a power supply remainder judgment section to set a level necessary for executing an operation corresponding to a camera mode selected by the mode select section according to each of the plurality of modes and to judge whether a detected remainder is equal to or larger than a setting level.

Abstract: A system controller of a digital still camera turns off power supply of an LCD regardless of on/off position of an LCD switch, when the camera is connected to a personal computer and, hence, an LCD is unnecessary. Therefore, wasteful power consumption can be reduced, and the camera can be driven for a long period of time even by a battery or cell.

Abstract: An electronic camera capable of performing an initial compression and advanced processing of images has a user interface with an indicator that warns a user when the camera is about to write to removable nonvolatile memory. In an alternative embodiment, also provided are menus for setting an adjustable battery reserve level at which advanced processing is suspended such that battery charge is conserved for capturing new images. In another alternative embodiment, also provided are menus through which particular type of advanced processing may be selected. A variation of this embodiment has a mode where the camera holds raw data necessary for advanced processing in RAM for a few seconds to allow a user to request advanced processing of images selected by the user. In yet another alternative embodiment, the user interface can display a list of images with status of advanced processing. The user can change this list of images, including dropping images from and reordering the list.

Abstract: The present invention extends one or both of memory capacity and battery capacity of a digital camera. A camera tripod includes a tripod memory, a camera mount, and a set of legs that supports the camera mount. The camera tripod may further include a tripod power source. The camera mount electrically interfaces a digital camera to the tripod memory and optionally to the tripod power source. A method of using a camera tripod with a digital camera includes connecting the digital camera to the camera mount to interface the tripod memory to the digital camera, and transferring data between a memory of the connected digital camera and the tripod memory. The method may further include interfacing to the tripod power source to transfer energy to the connected digital camera that one or both of recharges a battery of the digital camera and powers the digital camera.

Abstract: An electronic camera has a battery, a battery charge-monitor circuit for monitoring battery charge, an embedded image-processing system, and a nonvolatile memory coupled to the embedded image-processing system for recording compressed images. The camera is capable of performing an initial compression and of performing advanced processing of images. The camera is capable of saving partially processed and/or intermediate images on nonvolatile memory, and suspending advanced processing, when the battery charge-monitor circuit detects that battery charge is less than a minimum or a reserve level. In an alternative embodiment, the camera is capable of reducing a clock rate at which advanced processing is performed to conserve battery charge.

Abstract: An image recording device has an encoding part to hierarchically encode an image data, and a record part which repeatedly records the image data, which is hierarchically encoded, on a record medium while fixing it for each cluster of the predetermined unit as a file.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system includes a camera housing, a first pair of tracks formed on an outside of, and along a length of, the camera housing, a second pair of tracks formed on the outside of, and along the length of, the camera housing, a camera disposed in the camera housing, and an adjustable mounting device that includes a pair of protrusions configured to engage either the first pair or the second pair of tracks and a threaded mounting hole formed therein configured to couple to a mounting screw.

Abstract: In a case where a digital still camera and a printer are connected to each other and marginless printing of an image stored on a memory card provided in the digital still camera is performed on a recording paper, a non-print area of the image not to be printed on the recording paper is displayed on a display of the digital still camera on the basis of a difference between an aspect ratio of the image and an aspect ratio of the recording paper, and the displayed non-print area is set to be able to be shifted in arbitrary directions by using an operation unit of the digital still camera.

Abstract: A digital still camera including a camera control device, which includes power supply monitoring means and power supply control means. The power supply monitoring means monitors a condition of a power source arranged in the digital still camera, and the power supply control means controls an electric current supply from the power source to a plurality of units in the digital still camera. The plurality of units are arranged to execute each function of the digital still camera. The power supply monitoring means includes a first determination means that determines whether the power source is in a state in which electric current can be supplied to the plurality of units simultaneously, based on a predetermined criterion. The power supply control means controls the supply of electric current to the plurality of units based on a result of a determination of the first determination means.

Abstract: Either of two power off modes can be selected in a digital camera that reads out images from an image-capturing element, temporarily stores them in a buffer memory and then transfers and records the images from the buffer memory into a recording medium. In a first power off mode, the supply of stabilized power is stopped in response to a main switch off operation only after unrecorded images present in the buffer memory are all recorded into the recording medium. In a second power off mode, the supply of the stabilized power is stopped immediately in response to a main switch off operation regardless of whether or not there are yet-to-be recorded images present in the buffer memory. The power is cut off in conformance to the current power off mode setting when the main switch is turned off.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods capable of reducing power consumption in an imaging device. One imaging device includes two analog to digital converters that are separately programmable and can be in different power modes. Each digital to analog converter is capable of creating an image derived from a pixel array that has a full field of view, but lower resolution.

Abstract: A digital camera is provided with a reflecting/transmitting-type liquid crystal display unit that includes a backlighting device for controlling whether backlighting is turned on or off. The shutter-release button of the camera is provided with a touch sensor. Backlighting is turned on when the touch sensor is touched. Thus, backlighting is turned on only when a subject is photographed, thereby making it possible to conserve power.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a connector that is directly connectable to a bus of an information processing apparatus that is separate from the imaging apparatus. This enables the set-up of the various parameters of the imaging apparatus to be performed rapidly while the imaging apparatus is directly electrically connected to the bus of the information processing apparatus, which can be, for example, a personal computer. The connector is coupled to a controller of the imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus can also include a photographic lens and a photoelectric converter arranged relative to the photographic lens to receive light focused by the photographic lens. The photoelectric converter outputs an image signal of an object based on the image formed by the photographic lens. The controller is coupled to the photoelectric converter to control the imaging apparatus. According to one embodiment, the connector is a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association-conforming connection terminal.

Abstract: A digital camera (10) has a housing, a lens (30) disposed in the housing (20), and a charging unit (40) rotatably attached to the housing. The housing defines a receiving space (21) at a first end thereof. Two slots (22) are defined at a first main surface of the housing. The slots are in communication with the receiving space. The charging unit has a rotating member (41), and a pair of parallel conductive pins (42) extending outwardly from the rotating member. The charging unit is rotatably received in the receiving space of the housing.

Abstract: A video camera system employs a standard flood lamp housing enclosing a video camera, an AC powerline encoder, a power supply and a single conductor screw-in type AC electrical fitting. The video camera is surrounded by a plurality of white infrared light emitting diodes for illuminating the environment in front of the video camera in low and no light situations. The AC electrical fitting engages an AC screw-in type receptacle. The video camera captures a video signal. The encoder modulates the video signal upon the AC powerline. A video signal decoder located at a remote location receives the modulated signal over the AC powerline, demodulates the signal and directs its output to a video monitor. The video monitor coupled to an AC outlet common to the powerline scheme in which the video camera is connected displays the captured video signal.

Abstract: An increased capacity battery holder, which allows a device to be used for a longer time duration than can be achieved from solely internally contained batteries, capable of providing additional energy to the device, beyond internal space and volume limitations of the device, having additional battery holding capacity external to the device, with the additional battery holding capacity self contained within the battery holder. The battery holder provides maximum energy output, a portion of the battery holder being matingly removably attachable and optionally removably lockable to the device. The battery holder is safe, of simple construction, easy to install and remove therefrom the device, acts as an additional means for holding and/or handling the device, and is capable of forming an integral assembly with the device. The battery holder has means for preventing inadvertent shorting and/or reversing polarity of the batteries, and optionally recharging means for recharging the batteries.

Abstract: A digital camera is provided with a direction sensor which senses a vertical or horizontal direction along a direction of rotation about a predetermined axis of the camera body. When the direction sensor senses that the camera body is changed from a vertically laid state to a horizontally laid state or from a horizontally laid state to a vertical laid state in a power source off state with a predetermined operation mode being set, a control unit switches on the power source. If no operation is made during a short time period after the power source is switched on, the control unit switches off the power source. A user can quickly perform image capturing at a desired timing without having to perform the power source switching on operation, when taking out the digital camera from where it has been put such as a pocket of the clothes.