Abstract: A video signal recording apparatus using an information recording medium, having: a unit for identifying and detecting a WO type information recording medium and a rewritable type information recording medium; a control unit for each of the WO type information recording medium and the rewritable type information recording medium; and a display apparatus for displaying a detection result of the detecting unit. In the video signal recording apparatus using the information recording medium, file management information to form a directory is recorded as intermediate information onto the information recording medium.

Abstract: In a camera provided with image-pickup elements for receiving light to form an image of a subject, for converting the light into electric signals and for producing image information of the image of the subject by the electric signals; there are further provided a print information producing device to produce print information for printing the image information; and a transmitor to transmit the image information and the print information.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic camera comprising an imaging element which photo-electrically converts an object field light, a timing generator including an internal register in which timing of a drive signal used to operate the imaging element can be programmed, a power supply control portion which supplies a second voltage to the imaging element when a predetermined time has elapsed after supply of a first voltage to the timing generator, and a control portion which starts at least program setting in the internal register of the timing generator after elapse of a time that the timing generator requires to operate stably at the first voltage and before elapse of a time that the imaging element requires to operate stably at the second voltage.

Abstract: Image sensing apparatus having an image sensing element for sensing an object of shooting is provided. According to one aspect of the invention, when a cleaning mode is designated and executed to remove a foreign substance in the neighborhood of and on the image sensing element, the remaining amount of a battery which supplies electric power to the image sensing apparatus is detected by a voltage detector. If the remaining amount of the battery declines to a first predetermined value or less, a warning is issued by a lamp or a sound production unit. Moreover, if the remaining amount of the battery is the first predetermined value or less, a shift to the cleaning mode is prohibited. Furthermore, if the remaining amount of the battery declines to a second predetermined value or less, which is a lower value than the first predetermined value, mirror-down processing is performed so that cleaning operation cannot be executed.

Abstract: There is provided a method of reducing a power supply voltage which is supplied from a voltage regulator to at least one particular circuit, the voltage regulator being configured to adjust its output voltage by use of an external output voltage setting circuit connected thereto, a switching element being used to connect an output voltage setting terminal of the voltage regulator to a ground via a predetermined resistance. The method includes turning off the switching element so that the output voltage of the voltage regulator is set at a preset power supply voltage for enabling the at least one particular circuit, and turning on the switching element so that the output voltage of the voltage regulator is reduced to a predetermined voltage lower than the preset power supply voltage.

Abstract: A camera, at power-on, determines elapsed time since power-off. The camera restores at least one control setting to a persistent value when the elapsed time is less than a predetermined threshold. The camera restores the at least one control setting to a default value when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes an electronic imaging section which performs photoelectric conversion of the subject image and generates an electrical image information, a printer to print an image of the image information obtained by the electronic imaging section on a printing paper, and a taking picture controller to control taking picture by the electronic imaging section, and when a print operation by the printer is performed, the taking picture controller prohibits a taking picture operation.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery in an electronic camera is charged without additionally providing the camera with a power generating device. When a power-supply switch of the camera is turned off, a diaphragm and a shutter are opened and a taking lens is controlled so as to set focus to infinity. Signal charge that has accumulated in a CCD is output as a charging current, and the rechargeable battery is charged by a power-supply control circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera which can prevent interruption of the communication operations caused by shortage of battery capacity, during the communication between the camera and an external device such as a personal computer or the like, and which does not require an external power supply during the communication. That is, the present invention relates to a camera which has a built-in power supply, which is capable of making communication with the external device via the communication contact, and which has a body control circuit for detecting whether the external device is connected or not and selecting any one of the built-in power supply and a power supply of the external device in accordance with the result of the detection to supply the power to circuits of the camera.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a shutter button. After a lapse of 10 seconds from an operation of the shutter button, an image sensor is subjected to main exposure, and a compressed image signal thus obtained is recorded onto a recording medium. It is noted that a remaining amount of a battery is determined by a CPU just before the main exposure. If the remaining amount of the battery is not enough, messages are generated from a tally lamp and a speaker, and the main exposure is cancelled.

Abstract: The invention provides a digital camera comprising a disk drive device 1, control circuit 2, flash memory 7, flag processing circuit 8 and memory 9. Power can be supplied to the flag processing circuit 8 and the memory 9 at all times. The control circuit 2 reads image management data from a disk, writes the read data to the flash memory 7, and thereafter gives a flag rewrite command to the flag processing circuit 8. The circuit 8 changes a flag in the memory 9 to “1” in response to the command, and changes the flag to “0” when withdrawal of the disk from the drive device 1 is thereafter detected. The control circuit 2 reads and writes the image management data only when the power source of main body of the camera is turned on, with the flag set to “0”, whereby the power consumption of the camera can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an imaging device and to a process for controlling the device. The device comprises a power supply (1), matrix means allowing an image to be emitted or sensed, the matrix of the matrix imaging means being scanned at a scanning frequency, the power supply (1) converting a DC input voltage (Dce) into at least one DC output voltage (DCs) allowing the powering of the matrix imaging means (2). The power supply (1) is of chopped type and chops the DC input voltage (Dce) at a chopping frequency dependent on the scanning frequency. In the process for controlling the imaging device described above, a useful image is preceded by an offset image and a correction dependent on the offset image is applied to the useful image.

Abstract: A digital camera settable in a sleep mode including an ASIC for conducting data communication with a host computer connected to a USB connector, a microcomputer, a pull-up resistor connected to one of a pair of data lines, and a power source circuit. The camera further includes a power source input terminal connectable to a power source output terminal on the host computer, and an on/off switch for turning on/off the power to be supplied to the pull-up resistor. The microcomputer holds the on/off switch off when the camera is set in the sleep mode, while cancelling the sleep mode and turning on the on/off switch upon detecting the connection of the power source output terminal to the power source input terminal. This achieves a greater reduction in power consumption than conventionally, while rendering the camera adapted for a hot plug function even in the sleep mode.

Abstract: The invention provides a camera for monitoring using power line communication, and transmitting the state of a monitoring area during power stoppage to a master set after the power stoppage is restored even when the supply of electric power is interrupted by the power stoppage.

Abstract: An electronic image pickup apparatus converts a subject image formed by an image-taking optical system into an electrical signal. In order to realize miniaturization by efficiently arranging components in the apparatus, this apparatus includes a plurality of electrical boards which have respective component sides parallel to a principal plane of the apparatus body having a flat shape and which are arranged so as to be spaced apart at a predetermined interval from the principal plane of the body. A plurality of power supply batteries are arranged in the apparatus so that the axial direction of the plurality of power supply batteries are parallel to the component sides of these electrical boards in a space sandwiched by this plurality of electrical boards. A relay board is arranged in a space between a lens barrel which holds the image-taking optical system and the plurality of power supply batteries and connects the plurality of electrical boards.

Abstract: A battery-driven electric equipment includes a detector for detecting a voltage of the battery and a calculator for calculating an available photographing number based on the voltage detected by the detector. The available photographing number calculated by the calculator is displayed by an indicator.

Abstract: In order to make it possible to perform the starting or the changing of photographing, recording and reproducing modes easily and to eliminate walls between the modes, an image pickup apparatus includes a first mode for recording a photographed image on a record medium as an image file, a second mode for reproducing the image file, and an operation member which can switch to each mode by different operation methods, wherein the operation member returns to its original state after the performance of an operation.

Abstract: A movable power switch member mounted on the front face of a camera body is provided with a luminous display unit comprising any number (preferably a plurality) of illuminants, and light emission is so controlled as to realize different forms of displaying according to the operating state of the camera. For instance, the lighting, either continuous or intermittent, of the illuminants is controlled according to the remaining charge or the progress of charging of the battery. There are available a mode in which the luminous display unit is also used as a battery indicator, another mode in which the state of light is altered according to the initial mode (at the time of turning on power supply), still another mode in which the illuminants are used as a substitute for a tally lamp at the time of self-timed shooting and yet others, resulting in the achievement of an illumination effect in addition to the displaying of the operating state.

Abstract: An operating condition judging circuit judges at least one of consumed 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 the operating condition judging circuit. Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the peak consumed current through the entire imaging apparatus, reduce the power consumption and extend battery life.

Abstract: A full color image of a target and/or a monochrome image of an optical code are captured by an imaging array in which each sensor measures red, green and blue signals. Optical codes are electro-optically read with higher resolution, sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio, thereby improving performance of optical code readers.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a data processing device includes an imaging unit for outputting a taken picture as image data, a memory for temporarily storing the image data output from the imaging unit every at least one frame, a power source for applying power to the imaging unit and the memory, and a plurality of operation switches. Only when a predetermined operation switch of the operation switches is operated, the device controls so as to apply power to the imaging unit and the memory.

Abstract: Red LED chip(s) 11r, green LED chip(s) 11g, and blue LED chip(s) 11b may be connected in series. In addition, taking Pr to be red intensity, Pg to be green intensity, and Pb to be blue intensity for the same value of electric current, the ratio of the intensities among Pr, Pg, and Pb may be set so as to be 3:7:1, more or less. By integrally mounting such illumination apparatus(es) to portable equipment for illumination when using CCD image pickup element(s) to acquire image(s), improved color reproduction by CCD image pickup element(s) is permitted.

Abstract: In an electronic imaging system, the focal point control is performed on the basis of the output of the high frequency component detecting means 14 when the brightness of the scene is higher than a predetermined brightness, and the focal point control is performed on the basis of the output of the light detecting means 30 when the brightness of the scene is lower than the predetermined brightness. The output of the light detecting means 30 is obtained by controlling a power supply to cut off current or supply a relatively low current flowing in the imaging means 5 and then driving the light detecting means 30 for emission of light toward the scene and reception of light reflected light from the scene.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery remaining amount warning apparatus capable of using battery power efficiently to the full and allowing the user to select its mode according to the remaining amount of the battery. The A/D converter always measures a voltage value of the battery and when the voltage value of the battery falls below a specified level due to consumption, etc., of the battery, the A/D converter applies a pulse signal to the dummy-load circuit and measures the voltage of the battery when the pulse signal is applied and the A/D converter detects a voltage drop of the battery. When a voltage drop of the battery is detected, the data LCD displays warnings about supply voltage drops corresponding to various modes such as a recording mode, playback mode, flash charge image pickup mode, etc., of the digital camera simultaneously.

Abstract: A digital camera includes an interface via which the digital signals of a photographed image are transferred to an external data processing device, an internal power supply for the digital camera, and a power supply circuit that receives power from the data processing device. Connecting the data processing device to an interface of the camera via an interface in order to transfer image data from the camera to the device causes a control interface circuit to detect a connection detection signal which is turned on when the camera is connected to the device. Then, the power of an output of a DC/DC converter of the camera is switched from the internal battery to the power supply circuit of the device. The camera is started and put in a communication wait state. In response to a control signal from the device, the camera starts operation to transfer an image.

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.

Abstract: Peripheral apparatus of a computer apparatus is constructed by a detecting unit for detecting a voltage level of a signal line connected to a personal computer, a power supply control unit for controlling a supply of an electric power from a power source to a predetermined circuit in accordance with an output of the detecting unit, a communication request discriminating unit for judging whether a communication request of a predetermined procedure has been transmitted from the personal computer after the electric power of the power source was supplied to a predetermined power consumption unit by the power supply control unit or not, and a control unit for deciding the power supply executed by the power supply control unit on the basis of the judgment result of the communication request discriminating unit.

Abstract: When the power supply is turned on, the value of a mode flag first is set to 0, the mode flag is evaluated, and processing of the record mode is executed. In the record mode, charging processing of the strobe is performed for a specified interval of time, and the strobe can be reliably caused to flash. Charging processing of the strobe is not performed while processing of reproduction (play) mode or another mode is being performed, and battery consumption is controlled.

Abstract: A camera is made compact with its internal temperature adjusted to a more appropriate temperature. A temperature T is read from a temperature sensor disposed within the camera (S100) and it is judged whether or not the temperature T exceeds a threshold Tref1 (S102). When the temperature T exceeds the threshold Tref1, the operation of the camera is changed to a power-saving mode where the power consumption is lower than in the ordinary mode (S104). The threshold Tref1 is determined to be a rated temperature at which the camera can operate stably or a temperature lower than that. Thus, the temperature in the camera can be made appropriate.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a camera which properly, effectively controls lens collapsing operation and is excellent in usability and the like, and a control method therefor. To achieve this object, the camera includes a power source which supplies power for camera operation, a collapsible lens for performing photographing, and a controller which controls the extension and storage operations of the collapsible lens. The collapsible lens is driven and controlled in accordance with a camera operation mode. The camera has a designation function of designating a collapsing control method for the collapsible lens. The controller drives and controls the collapsible lens in accordance with a collapsing control method designated by the designation function. The collapsing control method includes an auto mode and an always lens extension mode. When the power source is turned off in the always lens extension mode, storage operation of the collapsible lens is inhibited.

Abstract: A system having a battery powered camera and a docking station is used in presenting electronic images. The camera includes an electronic image sensor generating an electronic image, a television signal generator deriving a television signal from the electronic image, and a docking station connector receiving the television signal and exposing the television signal. The docking station includes a platform for receiving the battery powered camera in a docked position, a camera connector for receiving the television signal from the docking station connector of the battery powered camera, and a television connector for supplying the television signal to television equipment.

Abstract: A power supply lock has a recess defined in a side face of the connector body and having a clamping plate extending out from a distal edge defining the recess. The clamping plate has a hook formed on a free edge of the clamping plate so as to correspond to one of the tracks of the digital camera to allow the power supply to securely engage with the digital camera.

Abstract: An electronic camera device according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a battery which supplies a power supply, a detector which detects a state of the power supply of the loaded battery, a flash device configured to illuminate a subject, a charge controller which controls a charge processing of charging an energy supplied to the flash device, a processing part which executes at least one processing requiring an electric power more than a predetermined value except a charge processing, and a part configured to execute the charge processing and at least one processing each unit of a predetermined processing by timesharing while keeping the electric power supplied by the battery to maximum.

Abstract: A digital imaging device having a retractable lens may be turned off or on with the lens in the extended position, thereby saving battery power and facilitating rapid response to picture taking opportunities. The power saving and rapid response mode may be activated via a menu option, a predetermined gesture involving the power button, an alternative control element, or other suitable means.

Abstract: Camera systems are often built up from a base station, a detachable cable, and a camera.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a shutter button. After a lapse of 10 seconds from an operation of the shutter button, an image sensor is subjected to main exposure, and a compressed image signal thus obtained is recorded onto a recording medium. It is noted that a remaining amount of a battery is determined by a CPU just before the main exposure. If the remaining amount of the battery is not enough, messages are generated from a tally lamp and a speaker, and the main exposure is cancelled.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a power supply battery; an electric double layer condenser which accumulates a charge of electricity supplied from the battery; and a power supply circuit board, connected to the power supply battery, provided on a bottom portion of the digital camera body and lying substantially in parallel with the bottom side of the digital camera body, the power supply circuit board being provided with a cut-away portion. The electric double layer condenser is located in the cut-away portion and protrudes from at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the power supply circuit board. The electric double layer condenser is electrically connected to the power supply circuit board.

Abstract: A lens unit is attached to a body of a TV camera, and a main power supply of the camera body supplies power to motors that drive movable lenses of the lens unit. When the lens unit becomes unused, specifically, when the main power supply is turned off, or when the lens unit becomes detached from the camera body, a power supply switching part of the lens unit switches the power supply to an auxiliary power supply provided in the lens unit to allow the lens unit to operate. Then, a control circuit moves a focus lens and a zoom lens to an infinity end and a wide angle end, respectively, or to predetermined security positions, so as to prevent the deterioration of the operability and optical performance of the lens unit due to vibrations and shocks during transportation of the lens unit. Thereafter, the auxiliary power supply is turned off.

Abstract: A camcorder mounting and control system comprising a camera interface unit (termed a “camera box”) and mounting tray combination. The camera box contains a camera interface circuit board having a power transmit line and battery charging voltage transmit line which function as a bridge between an in-vehicle system control unit and a camcorder. The forward end of the circuit board is provided with an electronic interface which is accessible via a forward end opening on the camera box. The camera box is received in the special mounting tray which includes a quick disconnect adapter board having a first adapter electronic interface complimentary to the circuit board electronic interface and, in electrical communication therewith, a second adapter electronic interface for receiving a cable from the in-vehicle system control unit. The camcorder is easily disconnected from the mounting tray by sliding the camera box toward the rear of the mounting tray.

Abstract: An input library and input attribute corresponding to input processing for image data from each of a plurality of types of image input devices are stored in a ROM. The image input device connected to an image processing apparatus is designated with a keyboard. The input library and input attribute corresponding to the designated image input device are acquired from the ROM. Input processing for image data from the image input device is executed on the basis of the input library and input attribute.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an electronic-flash charging capacitor and first and second battery storage areas separately disposed from each other so as to have the electronic-flash charging capacitor sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: According to the invention, a power supply for an image sensing device is obtained from a printer to prevent consumption of the battery. When the image sensing device is connected to the printer, a power management unit checks if electric power can be supplied from the printer. When electric power can be supplied from the printer, the power management unit switches the power supply from the battery to a power supply receiving/supplying unit that receives electric power from the printer. In this case, if the remaining capacity on the battery is small, the battery is charged by electric power from the printer. Also, the luminance of a display unit is increased, or the operation frequency of a control unit is raised. On the other hand, when electric power cannot be supplied from the printer, the power management unit switches the power supply to the battery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital camera comprising a CCD, an A/D conversion circuit for converting an image signal into a digital image data to perform a compression processing, a RAM for memorizing this compressed image data, a CPU for selecting a compressed image data associated with an image to be displayed out of the compressed image data which is memorized in the RAM, and an LCD for displaying this selected image data after a predetermined processing by the aforementioned CPU, and a communication driver for outputting the compressed image data which is memorized in the RAM to a digital color printer, and also provides a digital color printer comprising a communication driver for receiving the aforementioned compressed image data, an image memory to memorize the compressed image data received, and a CPU for subjecting this compressed data which is memorized to a predetermined processing to convert the compressed data to a data which can be printed, wherein the aforementioned CPU outputs a control

Abstract: A lens cap detection system and method for an image capturing device are provided according to the invention. The lens cap detection system in one embodiment includes a lens apparatus and a lens cap detector that is capable of detecting the presence of a lens cap on the lens apparatus and outputting a signal indicative thereof. The lens cap detection system further includes a processor that communicates with the lens cap detector. The processor generates an alert if the lens cap is detected by the lens cap detector, and does not generate an alert if the lens cap is not detected.

Abstract: An image producing apparatus includes a power control circuit for reducing power fed to an output amplifier of a CCD during exposure of the CCD and restoring the power fed to the output amplifier to the level before reduction in a predetermined time period before an image signal produced by the CCD is transferred, and an offset corrector for correcting offset of the output amplifier based on an output signal output from the output amplifier after restoration of the power fed to the output amplifier and before the transfer of image signal. According to the thus constituted image producing apparatus, it is possible to reduce a noise caused by heat generated by the CCD even when it is exposed for a long time and can read out an image at high speed.

Abstract: A camera that has a printer, an a communication unit, a photoflash unit, and a booster for supplying a power to the photoflash unit, can control boost operation of booster while communication is being executed.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a main unit including an optical unit for acquiring an image of an object, and a photographing unit for photographing the image acquired by the optical unit as image data by optical-to-electronic conversion; and a replacement unit including an image recording unit for storing the image data photographed by the photographing unit, and a number information storing unit for storing information specifying a number of images stored in said image recording unit, wherein the replacement unit is detachably mounted on the main unit.

Abstract: An electronic device for automatically shutting off a power source is provided with a key input section, and a touch sensor. The key input section includes plural keys and a switch for turning on the power source. When the power source is turned on by operation of the key or the switch, a time period corresponding to the operated key or switch is set for shutting off the power source, a time duration is counted during which no operation is performed, and the power source is shut off when the counted time duration has reached the time period previously set. The power source may automatically be shut off at the time that a user intended, and power consumption is effectively reduced without troublesome operation to turn on and/or off the power source.

Abstract: Power consumption can be reduced, and an operating time can be extended in an operation mode having lower fluctuation in power consumption in equipment having a plurality of operation modes of different power consumption. In the digital camera which also functions as an audio recorder and an audio player, it is determined whether the operation mode of the digital camera is an audio recording mode or an audio reproducing mode, or it is any other mode (shooting mode, etc.). In the audio recording mode or the audio reproducing mode, an output voltage from a power supply circuit is reduced to be lower than in the shooting mode, etc., and the threshold as a battery operation termination voltage in a battery checking process is lowered. Thus, the power consumption is reduced when the digital camera is operated as the audio recorder or the audio player, and operating time can be extended.

Abstract: When an STB is powered off when it is not used (when it is changed to the sleep mode) for the purpose of power-saving, a difference in a subtracter immediately therebefore is held by a control circuit and an oscillation circuit is controlled on the basis of the difference, thereby performing reserved processing at a correct time even when the STB is in the sleep mode.