Adapter for coupling handheld electronic apparatuses and camera housing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the combination of a plurality of handheld electronic apparatuses. The present disclosure makes it possible to achieve the following when a plurality of handheld electronic apparatuses are to be used in combination: 1. simultaneously establishing a wired connection between and coupling the apparatuses, 2. eliminating the problems caused by cables for establishing wired connections, and 3. when one apparatus is a camera, integrating the camera and a handheld information processing apparatus such that both apparatuses can be stably grasped and operated. In some embodiments, a user inserts an apparatus (such as a smartphone) that is accommodated in a case into a case mount that is installed on another apparatus (such as a camera). The case mount comprises two wired connection parts that mediate connection of the apparatuses. In some embodiments, there is no case mount, and the case comprises two wired connection parts. In some embodiments, the camera has a vertically oblong housing that has a graspable portion that is below a lens module.

Description

Adapters and camera housings for connecting handheld electronic devices

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the combination of multiple handheld electronic devices.

[0002] When using two handheld electronic devices (hereinafter referred to as "handheld devices") connected via a wired connection, two types of problems arise. The first type of problem arises from connecting and disconnecting the cable and managing the wiring. For example, connecting and disconnecting the cable is a hassle. Also, the cable may get caught on nearby objects and become disconnected, which could cause one of the devices to fall. Also, users may buy or connect the wrong cable that is not suitable for their intended use.

[0003] The second problem is the lack of integration between the two devices. When two handheld devices are connected by cables, it is tedious and inconvenient to hold one in each hand, hold them together in one hand, or keep one in a bag or pocket and keep an eye on its location and cable.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 10477091 International Publication No. 2015 / 092880

[0005] "AIST Japanese Hand Measurement Data", [online], National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence Research Center, [Retrieved September 4, 2024], Internet <URL: https: / / www.airc.aist.go.jp / dhrt / hand / data / list.html>

[0006] The technology disclosed herein allows for the simultaneous wired connection and coupling of multiple handheld electronic devices when used in combination, 1. simultaneously realizing wired connection and coupling between the handheld electronic devices, 2. eliminating cable-related problems in wired connections, and 3. enabling, when one of the devices is a camera, the camera and the other handheld information processing device to be integrated and stably held and operated. In some embodiments, a user inserts a device (e.g., a smartphone) housed in a case into a case mount attached to the other device (e.g., a camera). The case mount has two wired connectors that mediate the connection between the devices. In some embodiments, the case mount is omitted, and the case has two wired connectors. In some embodiments, the camera has a vertically elongated housing that has a grippable portion below the lens module.

[0007] a perspective view illustrating the camera, case mount, case, and smartphone when separated; a side view illustrating the camera, case mount, case, and smartphone when separated; a perspective view (1) illustrating the case mount; a perspective view (2) illustrating the case; a perspective view illustrating the case; a perspective view illustrating the camera, case mount, case, and smartphone when combined; a perspective view illustrating a method of combining the case mount (screw fastening); a perspective view (1) illustrating a method of combining the case mount (insertion and insertion); a perspective view (2) illustrating a method of combining the case mount (insertion and insertion); a perspective view (3) illustrating a method of combining the case mount (insertion and insertion); a perspective view (1) illustrating a case in an adapter configuration that does not include a case mount; a perspective view (2) illustrating a case in an adapter configuration that does not include a case mount; a perspective view illustrating the back of a camera in an adapter configuration that does not include a case mount; a camera, case, andA perspective view illustrating the state in which a smartphone is connected. A perspective view (part 1) illustrating a method of connecting a case (insertion and insertion) in a configuration of an adapter that does not include a case mount. A perspective view (part 2) illustrating a method of connecting a case (insertion and insertion) in a configuration of an adapter that does not include a case mount. A system architecture diagram of the camera in the exemplary system. A system architecture diagram of the external device in the exemplary system. A side view illustrating a state in which both hinges of the movable part to which the case mount is connected are open. A perspective view illustrating a method of connecting the case mount (screw fastening). A plan view illustrating a state in which the case mount and camera are connected. An enlarged view (part 1) illustrating a state in which the case mount and camera are connected. An enlarged view (part 2) illustrating a state in which the case mount is angled relative to the camera. A side view illustrating a state in which both hinges of the movable part to which the case mount is attached are closed. A view of the camera housing in the exemplary system. Right side view. Front view showing the camera housing of the exemplary system. Rear perspective view showing the camera housing of the exemplary system. Rear perspective view showing the rounded camera housing of the exemplary system. Rear perspective view showing the lower part of the camera housing of the exemplary system (Part 1). Rear perspective view showing the lower part of the camera housing of the exemplary system (Part 2). Diagram illustrating how to hold a typical camera. Diagram illustrating a method of connecting a smartphone to a typical camera using a clip and the placement of fingers (Part 1). Diagram illustrating a method of connecting a smartphone to a typical camera using a clip and the placement of fingers (Part 2). Diagram illustrating the placement of fingers when connecting a smartphone to a typical camera using a clip and holding it vertically. Diagram showing the placement of fingers when connecting a smartphone to the camera of the exemplary system (Part 1). Diagram showing the placement of fingers when connecting a smartphone to the camera of the exemplary system (Part 2). Diagram showing the placement of fingers when connecting a smartphone to the camera of the exemplary system (Part 3).

[0008] One way to solve the above two problems would be to provide a connector that includes a wired connection terminal on the device housing. However, handheld devices come in a variety of shapes. Smartphones, in particular, are often housed in a variety of cases. It would be difficult to design a device that can be used in combination with a variety of devices owned by users, has a connector that can adapt to the shapes of these various devices, and includes a wired connection terminal in this connector.

[0009] This specification discloses an adapter that allows a user of a first handheld device and a second handheld device to combine and simultaneously establish a wired connection between the devices without the need for cable connection, cable management, or removing or attaching a case for the second handheld device. Furthermore, this specification illustrates an imaging system that can be realized by combining a handheld digital camera (hereinafter also referred to as a "camera") as the first handheld device with an information processing device such as a smartphone as the second handheld device (the illustrated system hereinafter referred to as the "exemplary system") to explain the claims of the present disclosure.

[0010] <Definitions> In this disclosure, a handheld device refers to a device that can be grasped with two or more fingers of a person's hand and is primarily used while held in the hand. A second handheld device in this disclosure is a general-purpose computer, i.e., an information processing device applicable to a wide range of computing purposes, such as a smartphone or tablet computer. In contexts involving hand size, the dimensions of each part of the hand are assumed to be the average values ​​for women for each dimension as shown in Non-Patent Document 1.

[0011] As used herein, "coupled" means that any location of one of the objects being coupled is fixed to any location of the other object, directly or indirectly, regardless of whether other components other than the objects being coupled are used in the coupling. In this disclosure, "connected" means "functionally connected," and means that any other components other than the objects being connected may or may not be used in the coupling, whether directly or indirectly. Also, in this disclosure, the "simultaneous" in "both devices are coupled and simultaneously wired connected" means that when these devices are used in combination via a wired connection, both the coupling and connection of the devices are achieved by the coupling.

[0012] In this specification, "a person skilled in the art" refers to an imaginary person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field of this specification. In this specification, descriptions of methods, numerical values ​​or formulas, operations or series of operations, processes, components, circuits, networks, protocols, structures, materials, and features that are widely known in the technical field of this specification are omitted or simplified. For example, descriptions of error handling that are obvious to a person skilled in the art are omitted. In this specification, "implementer" refers to a person who implements the contents of this specification.

[0013] Any description of an adapter or exemplary system herein is a recitation of the claims of the present disclosure and is not a complete or exhaustive description of the requirements or specifications of the adapter or imaging system enabled by the present disclosure. Elements appearing in the description of an adapter or exemplary system herein are limited to those elements necessary for the recitation of the claims. However, this limitation does not preclude the presence or addition of other elements.

[0014] As used herein, an "embodiment" is a representation that illustrates either a) part or all of any one or more claims of the present disclosure, or b) the known art, through visualization techniques such as drawings, graphs, photographs, videos, computer graphics, three-dimensional computer models, physical mockups, and the like. The terminology used to describe the various embodiments contained herein is intended to describe the particular embodiment and is not intended to be limiting. Each embodiment is not intended to limit the subject matter it represents to a single preferred form. Rather, the various embodiments herein are intended to encompass alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the claims.

[0015] The various computers, components, modules, algorithms, protocols, programs, and networks included in the embodiments of this specification may be arranged in various ways using hardware, software, or a combination of both. Listing these various combinations of arrangements is not meaningful herein; it will be clear to those skilled in the art that implementers may arrange them appropriately in light of various requirements and constraints. Each block included in the embodiments of this specification collectively describes the function of that block and does not imply that the block is a component physically or logically independent from other components. The system architecture diagrams in this disclosure are conceptual diagrams and do not necessarily completely or accurately represent the physical connections or signal flows between components. In this disclosure, when a device "comprises" a program, it means that the device physically, logically, or functionally comprises the program, and includes cases where the device realizes part or all of the program's functionality by obtaining data from another device via a network.

[0016] In the figures of this disclosure, the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is right-handed.

[0017] In this specification or the claims of this disclosure, the order of blocks, processes, or operations is illustrative and does not exclude the possibility that the order may be changed or that the processes may be parallelized. For example, if five processes A, B, C, D, and E are listed in this order, and the order does not affect the overall process even if they are changed, the remaining 119 possible orders of these processes are not listed, but unless the order is explicitly limited, the order of these processes is not limited to A, B, C, D, and E.

[0018] For each count noun in this disclosure, the number of objects referred to by the count noun is one or more, unless the number is explicitly stated. In this disclosure, "several" means that there is one or more of the object referred to. Also, modifiers that generally imply order, such as "first," are merely labels used to distinguish the objects referred to by the noun and do not imply any kind of order (e.g., spatial, temporal, or logical) in this disclosure, unless the context clearly indicates an order.

[0019] In this disclosure, the conjunction "or" is used as a conjunction that includes any combination of the elements it groups together. For example, "A, B, or C" may mean A alone, A and B, or A, B, and C. Also, when the terms "comprise" or "comprise" are used in this disclosure, these terms denote the presence of the elements they refer to, but do not exclude the presence or addition of other elements.

[0020] In the present disclosure, when there is a phrase that includes a verb or verb phrase but does not include a subject, such as "screw holes for attaching an adapter," the subject, such as a user or a manufacturer, is not limited.

[0021] In this disclosure, terms referring to elements of a user interface refer to elements of a physical user interface or a graphical user interface (GUI). The terms used in this disclosure are selected with general usage in the technical field of this specification in mind. For example, a "button" refers to a depressible user interface, and may be a physical button or a button on a GUI, but is not a button on clothing.

[0022] In this disclosure, when a computer program, its processes, or its threads are described or illustrated as the subject of an action, the description or illustration summarizes, from a functional perspective, a series of operations performed by a computer by referencing the instructions and data in the program. A computer program itself is a collection of instructions and data and cannot be the subject of an action. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that, in general, when describing or recognizing the process a computer executes by referencing a program, the program, its processes, or its threads may be expressed or understood as imaginary subjects of an action. In this disclosure, a description of a process in which a program or its processes are the subject of an action, such as "Program X executes process Y" or "Program X does Y," means that "a computer equipped with Program X references Program X and executes process Y." Furthermore, a description of a process in which a program or its processes are the object, such as "send Y to Program X," means that the process is performed on a computer equipped with the program.

[0023] Generally, in many cases, an executing computer program is composed of multiple processes or multiple threads that are executed in parallel. In this disclosure, unless the number of processes or threads of an executing computer program is specified, the number of processes or threads of the executing program is one or more, and is not limited to one. In this disclosure, when multiple processes or multiple threads executed in parallel by a single computer are shown in a single diagram, these processes or threads are illustrated as imaginary operating subjects in place of the computer. When some of the multiple processes or multiple threads executed in parallel by a single computer are the targets of processing (e.g., data transmission or authentication), these processes or threads are illustrated as imaginary subjects in place of the computer.

[0024] In this specification, lines beginning with an open angle bracket and ending with a close angle bracket are headings. Lines beginning with an open double angle bracket and ending with a close double angle bracket are subheadings. These headings and subheadings are for reference and readability purposes only and should not be used to interpret the content of this specification.

[0025] <Adapter> <Adapter Including Case Mount and Case> The first adapter includes a case mount and a case. The case mount includes structures or components such as screw holes, hook-and-loop fasteners, and mating portions. These structures or components are for connecting the case mount to a first handheld device. For example, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first handheld device is a camera, the second handheld device is a smartphone, the case mount includes hook-and-loop fasteners, and the case is a case for the smartphone. Figures 1 and 2 show the camera, case mount, case, and smartphone in this example, separated. The following describes the configuration of the first adapter using this example.

[0026] FIG. 1 includes a case mount 0001 and a case 0002 included in a first adapter. FIG. 1 also includes a camera 0003 and a smartphone 0004. In FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the two sheets 0005 that make up the hook-and-loop fastener is adhered to the camera 0003.

[0027] 3 and 4 show the structure of the case mount 0001. The case mount 0001 has an insertion portion 0006 into which the case 0002 is inserted. The insertion portion 0006 is for inserting the smartphone 0004 stored in the case 0002. A first connection portion 0007 of the case mount 0001 is used for a wired connection with the camera 0003. This connection portion is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector for connecting to a USB port provided on the camera 0003. A second connection portion 0008 of the case mount 0001 is also a USB connector for connecting to a USB port provided on the smartphone 0004. The case mount 0001 has a hook-and-loop fastener, which is composed of sheets 0009 and 0005. One sheet 0009 is adhered to the insertion portion 0006. The other sheet 0005 is adhered to the camera 0003.

[0028] 5 shows an example of the case 0002. The case 0002 has a structure for housing the smartphone 0004 and is made of a flexible material. The case 0002 has a hole 0010 for passing through the second connecting portion of the case mount 0001. The case 0002 protects the smartphone 0004 from scratches and impacts from being dropped.

[0029] The positions and orientations of the first connection portion 0007 and the second connection portion 0008 are designed so that a wired connection is established between the camera 0003 and the smartphone 0004 by inserting the case 0002 containing the smartphone 0004 into the insertion portion 0006 with the case mount 0001 attached to the camera 0003, as shown by the dashed lines 0011 and 0012 in Figures 1 and 2. The first connection portion 0007 and the second connection portion 0008 are wired inside the wiring enclosure 0013 to establish this wired connection. The wiring enclosure shown in any embodiment of the present disclosure may include a chip therein that mediates communication between the first handheld device and the second handheld device.

[0030] Figure 6 shows the state in which the camera 0003 and smartphone 0004 are connected via the case mount 0001 and case 0002. The user attaches the case mount 0001 to the camera 0003 in advance using the hook-and-loop fastener made up of sheets 0009 and 0005, and when using the camera 0003, inserts the smartphone 0004, still housed in the case 0002, into the case mount 0001.

[0031] In various embodiments, the case included in the first adapter is not an arbitrary case, but a case designed as part of the first adapter to match the shape of the case mount. The designer of the first adapter may design the case mount to match a known case.

[0032] In the configuration of the first adapter, the method of connecting the case mount to the first handheld device is not limited to hook-and-loop fasteners, but may be any detachable connecting method such as releasable mating tabs, bayonet fasteners, latches, etc. For example, as shown in Figure 7, this connecting method may be screws. In this case, the camera 0014 has screw holes for attaching the case mount 0015 to the housing.

[0033] For example, the method of coupling the case mount and the first handheld device may be by fitting, as shown in Figures 8 to 10. In Figure 8, the camera 0016 has a fitting portion 0017 and an electrical connection portion 0018. The electrical connection portion 0018 has electrical contacts. The fitting portion 0017 has a screw hole 0019. The case mount 0020 has a fitting portion 0021. In Figure 9, the fitting portion 0021 has an electrical connection portion 0022 as a first connection portion. The electrical connection portion 0022 and the second connection portion 0023 are connected inside a wiring enclosure 0024. The user fits the case mount 0020 into the fitting portion 0017 of the camera 0016, and then fixes the case mount 0020 to the screw hole 0019 of the camera 0016 with a screw 0025. The electrical connection part 0018 and the electrical connection part 0022 are connected by inserting the case mount 0020. When a user inserts a second handheld device stored in a case into the case mount 0020, a wired connection is established between the camera 0016 and the second handheld device.

[0034] Adapter without a case mount The adapter disclosed in this specification has two advantages. The first advantage is that it allows for easy integration and wired connection between the second handheld device and the first handheld device while the second handheld device is still in its case. The second advantage is that it eliminates the problems of attaching and detaching cables and managing the wiring when using these two devices. These advantages can also be achieved by the configuration of the second adapter that does not include the case mount. This configuration is described below.

[0035] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a case 0026 for a second handheld device. In Figure 11, the case 0026 includes a connector 0027 for connecting to a wired connection port of the second handheld device. Figure 12 shows the back of the case 0026. The case 0026 includes a magnet 0028. The case 0026 also includes an electrical connection 0029 for wired connection to the first handheld device. The electrical connection 0029 includes electrical contacts that are wired to the connector 0027 within a wiring enclosure 0030.

[0036] FIG. 13 illustrates the back of a first handheld device 0031. This back has a magnet 0032 and an electrical connection 0033 that match the arrangement and shape of the magnet 0028 and electrical connection 0029 on the case 0026. A user magnetically couples the second handheld device 0031 by bringing the back of the second handheld device, which is housed in the case 0026, close to the back of the first handheld device 0031. Simultaneously with this coupling, the electrical connection 0033 and the electrical connection 0029 connect, establishing a wired connection. FIG. 14 illustrates the first handheld device 0031, the case 0026, and the smartphone 0004 as the second handheld device, all coupled together.

[0037] In Figures 11 to 14, a magnet is used to connect the first handheld device 0031 to the case 0026, but the connection method is not limited to magnets. In the configuration of the second adapter, the first handheld device and the case can be connected by any detachable connection method, such as a releasable mating tab, bayonet, or latch. For example, Figures 15 and 16 show connection by mating. The mating portion 0034 has an electrical connection portion 0035 as a first connection portion. The electrical connection portion 0035 and the second connection portion 0036 are connected inside the wiring enclosure 0037. The user places the second handheld device in the case 0038 and then mating the case 0038 with the mating portion 0040 of the first handheld device 0039. The electrical connection portion 0035 of the case 0038 and the electrical connection portion 0042 of the first handheld device 0041 are connected by this mating. When the user inserts the insertion portion 0034 of the case 0038 housing the second handheld device into the insertion portion 0040 of the first handheld device 0041, a wired connection is established between the first handheld device 0041 and the second handheld device.

[0038] In the "adapter without a case mount" configuration, the connector on the case blocks the wired connection port on the second handheld device. This creates a problem where the wired connection port on the second handheld device is inaccessible when the first handheld device is not in use. This problem can be solved, for example, by providing a cable with a terminal that magnetically couples to the electrical connection on the case. Alternatively, if the second handheld device supports wireless charging standards, it can be charged via this.

[0039] In both the "adapter including a case mount and a case" and "adapter without a case mount" configurations, the two meanings above are not affected by who manufactures the four elements: the first handheld device, the second handheld device, the case mount, and the case. For example, the manufacturer of the first handheld device may manufacture the case mount and have another party manufacture the case. By having the manufacturer of the first handheld device have multiple parties manufacture the case mount or case, it may be possible to accommodate, to some extent, the variety of second handheld devices owned by users and the variety of user case preferences.

[0040] Exemplary Systems A variety of imaging systems can be realized by combining a handheld digital camera and a handheld information processing device using the adapter described above, and the exemplary system described below is one example of such a system.

[0041] The exemplary system includes a camera as a first handheld device and a handheld information processing device with a touch screen as a second handheld device. In the exemplary system, this handheld information processing device is a smartphone. However, since smartphones that are not included in the exemplary system will appear in the following description of the prior art, the smartphone in the exemplary system will be referred to as an "external device" for convenience.

[0042] An exemplary system may include, for example, a camera 0043 and an external device 0044. FIG. 17 shows the components that make up the camera 0043 and the connections between these components. The camera 0043 includes a lens module 0045, an image sensor 0046, an image processor 0047, a system controller 0048, and a wired communication interface 0049. The camera 0043 may also include non-volatile internal data storage 0050, such as a solid-state drive (SSD). The camera 0043 may also include a removable storage media drive 0051. If the camera 0043 includes the removable storage media drive 0051, a user can insert a removable storage media 0052 into it.

[0043] The system controller 0048 includes semiconductor components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 0053, RAM (Random-Access Memory) 0054, and ROM (Read-Only Memory) 0055. The CPU 0053 loads a program (hereinafter referred to as the "camera control program") stored in the ROM 0055 or the internal data storage 0050 into the RAM 0054 and controls each part of the camera 0043 by executing this program. The camera control program contains various commands and data necessary to control each part of the camera 0043. The CPU 0054 also uses the RAM 0054 as an area for temporarily storing various data, such as metadata, associated with still images or videos (hereinafter, still images and videos are collectively referred to as "images"; videos include audio) captured by the user.

[0044] The lens module 0045 is composed of optical components such as a lens 0056 and aperture blades 0057, and a lens controller 0058 that drives these components. The housing of the lens module 0045 may be detachable from the housing of the camera 0043. The lens module 0045 guides incident light from a subject to the image sensor 0046. The image sensor 0046 converts the optical image obtained through the lens module 0045 into an electrical signal. The image sensor 0046 also digitizes this electrical signal through A / D conversion. The image processor 0047 performs image processing such as demosaicing, noise reduction, and resolution conversion on the electrical signal from the image sensor 0046.

[0045] The wired communication interface 0049 of the camera 0043 includes a communication controller 0059 and a port 0060, and relays communication between the camera control program and a photography application program (hereinafter referred to as the "photography application") on the external device 0044. The port 0060 may conform to known standards such as USB.

[0046] FIG. 18 shows the components constituting an external device 0044 of an exemplary system and the connections between these components. The external device 0044 includes a CPU 0061, a RAM 0062, a ROM 0063, a data storage 0064, a wired communication interface 0065, and a touchscreen system 0066. The CPU 0061 loads various programs stored in the ROM 0063 or data storage 0064 into the RAM 0062 and executes them. The CPU 0061 records data obtained by executing these programs in the data storage 0064. The wired communication interface 0065 includes a communication controller 0067 and a port 0068. The port 0068 is used to connect to the port 0060 of the camera 0043. The touchscreen system 0066 includes a touchscreen 0069 and its controller 0070. A user operates the external device 0044 primarily by touching the touchscreen 0069.

[0047] The data storage 0064 of the external device 0044 stores a photography application. In the exemplary system, the user primarily uses this photography application to control the camera 0043. The photography application displays a GUI to the user and includes various commands and data for accepting and processing user operations. During photography, the camera control program continuously transmits images acquired from the image sensor 0046 to the photography application via the camera's wired communication interface 0049. The photography application's GUI displays the images received from the camera control program to the user and accepts user operations. The photography application interprets the user's operations as instructions and transmits these instructions to the camera control program. Examples of instructions include instructions to save images by releasing the shutter or starting recording, determining photography parameters such as specifying a focus area, and changing settings on the camera 0043.

[0048] When the camera control program receives an instruction to save an image, it generates an image file from the output of the image processor 0047 and saves it in the removable recording medium 0052 or the internal data storage 0050. Alternatively, the camera control program may send the image file to the external device 0044. If the image file is sent to the external device 0044, the photography application may save the image file in the data storage 0064 of the external device 0044.

[0049] The exemplary system includes the adapter described above under "adapter." This adapter connects the camera 0043 and the external device 0044. For example, the camera 0043 has structures or parts equivalent to the insertion portion 0017, electrical connection portion 0018, and screw hole 0019 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 , and the adapter includes a case mount 0020 and a case that fits it. This adapter is designed by the designer of the camera 0043 or another person to fit the shape of the external device 0044. In this example, before taking a picture, the user attaches the case mount 0020 to the housing of the camera 0043. The manufacturer or seller of the camera 0043 may attach the case mount 0020 as a CTO (Customize to Order) service for the camera 0043 before shipping the camera 0043. When taking a picture, the user inserts the external device 0044, still in its case (this case is not included in FIGS. 8 to 10 ), into the case mount 0020 and controls the camera 0043 using a photography application. The camera 0043 may have a physical user interface such as a shutter button on its housing.

[0050] The term "adapter" does not preclude the presence of a cable between the camera's wired connection port and the first connection portion of the case mount. A cable that does not cause the first type of problem described in the background of this specification, i.e., problems caused by attachment / detachment and wire management, may be present. A configuration that can be made possible by such a cable is one in which the camera and case mount are connected via a movable part, for example, so that the position or angle of the external device 0044 relative to the camera can be adjusted during shooting. Figures 19 to 25 show examples of such a connection via a movable part.

[0051] 19 to 25, the camera 0071 has a pair of arms 0072 and 0073. These arms 0072 and 0073 are formed as extensions of walls formed by bending both ends of a plate 0074. One end of each of the arms 0072 and 0073 is attached to an arm attachment portion 0075 provided on the back of the housing of the camera 0071. The arm attachment portion 0075 may be detachable from the housing of the camera 0071 by means of screws or the like. The pair of arms 0072 and 0073 and the arm attachment portion 0075 form a hinge mechanism that opens the plate 0074 in a direction away from the camera 0071. The other ends of the arms 0072 and 0073 are attached to a plate 0077 for attaching a case mount 0076. The pair of arms 0072 and 0073 and the plate 0077 also form a hinge mechanism. Figure 25 shows both hinges in a closed state. Figures 19 to 24 show both hinges in the open position.

[0052] The cable 0078 is a flat cable that connects the connection part 0079 of the case mount 0076 and the camera 0071. The cable 0078 is detachable from the camera 0071. The cable 0078 may be detachable from the case mount 0076.

[0053] The pair of arms 0072 and 0073 and the plate 0077 are part of the camera 0071, whether or not they are detachable from the housing of the camera 0071. The case mount 0076 is fixed to the plate 0077 by means of screws or the like. Therefore, the case mount 0076 is not in contact with the housing of the camera 0071, but is fixed to part of the camera 0071.

[0054] The cable 0078 is a dedicated part designed according to the range of motion of the case mount 0076. There is little possibility that the cable 0078 will cause problems due to the above-mentioned attachment / detachment and wire management. For example, in order to realize coupling via the above-mentioned movable part, a cable may be present between the camera, i.e., the first handheld device, and the case mount.

[0055] The camera body of the exemplary system has a distinctive shape that allows for stable grip of the camera, operation of the lens module, and operation of external devices at the same time. These body shapes are described below.

[0056] In the following description, the direction of the lens optical axis from the photographer toward the subject is the positive Y-axis direction, the direction opposite to the direction of gravity with the lens optical axis horizontal is the positive Z-axis direction, and the direction obtained by rotating the Z-axis 90 degrees clockwise relative to the Y-axis as viewed from the photographer is the positive X-axis direction.

[0057] In the examples shown in Figures 26 to 28, the camera housing 0080 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. One of the faces of this rectangular parallelepiped is parallel to the XY plane, and this face is the bottom face. Of the faces parallel to the XZ plane, the face facing the subject is the front face. The face opposite the front face is the back face. Of the faces parallel to the YZ plane, the face on the right side as viewed from the subject side is the right side face, and the face on the left side is the left side face. In the following description, the names of the faces of the camera housing will follow these names.

[0058] Each side of the rectangular parallelepiped may be rounded. For example, Figure 29 shows an example of a housing 0081 in which the sides of the left and right sides in the Z-axis direction are rounded and the sides do not have a clearly defined flat surface. There may be one or more protrusions or recesses on the surface of the housing.

[0059] Typical handheld digital cameras, especially those with image sensors larger than a 4 / 3-inch image sensor, have a housing width greater than its height when projected orthogonally along the lens optical axis onto a projection surface. Furthermore, the housings of these typical handheld digital cameras do not have a grippable portion between the lower end of the lens module attachment portion and the bottom surface. Furthermore, a touchscreen is attached to the rear surface of these housings, i.e., the surface facing the photographer. Hereinafter, a camera with such a housing shape and a touchscreen will be referred to as a "typical camera." Figures 32 to 35 show a typical camera 0082.

[0060] The width of the camera housing of the exemplary system is smaller than that of a typical camera housing, at a maximum of 100 mm. The camera housing of the exemplary system also has a portion that can be held with the middle finger of the right hand, between the lower end of the lens module mounting portion and the bottom surface. The height of this portion is 15 mm to 30 mm. In FIGS. 26 and 27, this portion is designated by reference numeral 0083. Also in FIGS. 26 and 27, the lens module is designated by reference numeral 0084. The portion designated by reference numeral 0083 may be configured as a detachable component, for example, a component that includes a battery. FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate this configuration. In FIGS. 30 and 31, component 0085 is part of the housing 0086. Component 0085 is fixed to the main body side of the housing 0086 with a screw 0087.

[0061] The camera of the exemplary system does not need to have a touchscreen on the back. Because the communication delay of a wired connection is small, the touchscreen on the back of the exemplary system can be replaced with a touchscreen of an external device. However, the camera housing of the exemplary system may have a touchscreen on its back in a position that is not covered by the external device or an adapter for attaching the external device. The back of the housing may have a structure such as an additional screw hole so that a removable device other than the external device, such as a user interface device with a touchscreen, can be attached in a position that is not covered by the adapter.

[0062] Next, we will explain how the shape of the camera housing of the exemplary system allows for stable gripping of the camera, operation of the lens module, and operation of external devices at the same time, based on the gripping method when using a typical camera.

[0063] In this specification, a stable grip refers to a grip using both hands, as shown in Figure 32. A typical camera inherits the body shape of a 35mm film camera and is designed primarily for horizontal shooting. In general, the recommended way to hold a camera is to hold the camera and lens module with both hands to prevent camera shake. Figure 32 shows an example of this holding style. A typical camera body is designed so that the left hand can support the bottom of the body while holding and operating the lens module, and the right hand can hold the body with the thumb and middle to little fingers and press the shutter button with the index finger. Operating the lens module refers to operating the focus ring or aperture ring.

[0064] 33 and 34 show an example of a known method for fixing a smartphone near a typical camera. In this example, a user fixes a smartphone 0088 to a typical camera 0082 using a clip 0089 and connects the smartphone 0088 to the typical camera 0082 using a cable 0090. The clip 0089 is attached to an accessory mounting portion 0091 of the typical camera 0082 via an adapter 0092. In this example, the smartphone 0088 is fixed near the typical camera 0082. However, it is difficult to operate the touchscreen of the smartphone 0088 while holding the typical camera 0082 stably with both hands. As can be seen from FIGS. 33 and 34, it is difficult for the fingers of the right hand to reach the touchscreen of the smartphone 0088.

[0065] Incidentally, smartphone users often hold their smartphones vertically to take pictures. Even if a typical camera is held vertically based on this way of holding a smartphone, the right hand will grip the camera body in the same way as when holding it horizontally. In this state, it is still difficult to operate external devices fixed near the camera body. Figure 35 shows the position of the hand and fingers when a typical camera 0082 is held vertically with a smartphone 0088 attached to it with a clip 0089.

[0066] Typically, when fixing a typical camera to a smartphone, the smartphone is constrained to a position that does not obscure the touchscreen on the back of the camera housing, as shown in Figures 33 to 35. However, the camera in the exemplary system does not have a touchscreen on the back of the housing, or the touchscreen is positioned in an area that will not be obscured by an external device. Therefore, this constraint does not exist in the exemplary system.

[0067] After trying every possible arrangement of fingers and external devices, the inventors found that the only finger that can be used to hold the camera stably and operate the external device comfortably is the right thumb. This is due to the structure of the hand. When the fingers are slightly bent to hold the camera, the tip of the thumb naturally faces the tips of the other fingers. When operating an external device with the right thumb, if the housing is designed to be narrow and the external device is placed on the back side of the housing, the right thumb can reach at least a portion of the touch screen of the external device. Figure 36 shows the relative positions of the camera housing, fingers, and external device in an exemplary system designed in this way. Figures 36 and 38 also show that the lens module can be operated with the left hand.

[0068] Furthermore, by providing a portion between the bottom end of the lens module attachment section and the bottom surface that can be grasped with the middle finger of the right hand, it is possible to hold the device by placing the lens module on the middle finger of the right hand, grasping the lower part of the housing with the middle finger, and supporting the bottom of the housing with the ring finger. Figure 37 shows the placement of the middle and ring fingers of the right hand in this holding position. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 38, the grip on the housing is strengthened by enveloping part of the right hand with part of the left hand.

[0069] As explained above, the characteristic shape of the camera housing of the exemplary system is that it is narrow and has a height of approximately one middle finger below the lens module attachment portion, and this shape allows for stable grip, operation of the lens module, and operation of external devices at the same time.

Claims

1. An adapter for connecting a first handheld electronic device and a second handheld electronic device, the adapter including a case mount and a case, the case mount having a coupling portion consisting of a structure or component for coupling the case mount to the first handheld electronic device, the case mount having an insertion portion for inserting the case, the case mount having a first connection portion for making a wired connection to the first handheld electronic device, and the case mount having a second connection portion for making a wired connection to the second handheld electronic device, the second connection portion being arranged so that when the second handheld electronic device is housed in the case and the second connection portion is inserted into the insertion portion, a wired connection is established between the second handheld electronic device and the second handheld electronic device in the case, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are wired together so that when the case is inserted into the insertion portion with the first connection portion wired to the first handheld electronic device, a wired connection is established between the first handheld electronic device and the second handheld electronic device in the case.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first connection part of claim 1 is arranged so that when the case mount of claim 1 is connected to the first handheld electronic device of claim 1 using the connection part of claim 1, a wired connection is established between the first connection part of claim 1 and the first handheld electronic device of claim 1.

3. An adapter for connecting a first handheld electronic device and a second handheld electronic device, the adapter including a case mount, the case mount having a coupling portion consisting of a structure or component for coupling the case mount to the first handheld electronic device, the case mount having an insertion portion into which a case containing the second handheld electronic device is inserted, the case mount having a first connection portion for making a wired connection to the first handheld electronic device, the case mount having a second connection portion for making a wired connection to the second handheld electronic device, the second connection portion being arranged so that when the second handheld electronic device is inserted into the insertion portion with the second handheld electronic device contained in the case, a wired connection is established between the second handheld electronic device and the second connection portion, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are wired together so that when the case is inserted into the insertion portion with the first connection portion wired to the first handheld electronic device, a wired connection is established between the first handheld electronic device and the second handheld electronic device in the case.

4. The adapter of claim 3, wherein the first connection part of claim 3 is arranged so that when the case mount of claim 3 is coupled to the first handheld electronic device of claim 3 using the coupling part of claim 3, a wired connection is established between the first connection part of claim 3 and the first handheld electronic device of claim 3.

5. A method for enabling a user of a first handheld electronic device to connect a first handheld electronic device to a second handheld electronic device, the connection using one case mount and one case, the case mount having a connecting portion made of a structure or component for connecting the case mount to the first handheld electronic device, the case mount having an insertion portion for inserting the case, the case mount having a first connecting portion for wired connection to the first handheld electronic device, the case mount having a second connecting portion for wired connection to the second handheld electronic device, the second connecting portion being arranged so that when the second handheld electronic device is housed in the case and the second connecting portion is inserted into the insertion portion, a wired connection is made between the second handheld electronic device and the second connecting portion, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are wired together so that when the case is inserted into the insertion portion with the first connecting portion wired to the first handheld electronic device, a wired connection is made between the first handheld electronic device and the second handheld electronic device in the case. thereby simultaneously establishing a wired connection and coupling between the first handheld electronic device and the second handheld electronic device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first connection portion of claim 5 is arranged such that when the case mount of claim 5 is coupled to the first handheld electronic device of claim 5 using the coupling portion of claim 5, a wired connection is established between the first connection portion of claim 5 and the first handheld electronic device of claim 5.

7. An adapter for connecting a first handheld electronic device and a second handheld electronic device, the adapter having a shape of a case for housing the second handheld electronic device, the adapter having a first connector for wired connection to the first handheld electronic device, the adapter having a second connector for wired connection to the second handheld electronic device, the adapter having a coupling portion made of a structure or component for coupling the adapter to the first handheld electronic device, the second connector portion being arranged to connect to a wired connection portion of the second handheld electronic device when the second handheld electronic device is housed in the adapter, and the first connector portion being arranged to connect to a wired connection portion of the first handheld electronic device when the adapter is coupled to the first handheld electronic device using the coupling portion; an adapter characterized in that the first connection portion and the second connection portion are wired so that when the adapter is connected to the first handheld electronic device using the connecting portion while the second handheld electronic device is housed in the adapter, the first handheld electronic device and the second handheld electronic device are connected in a wired manner.

8. A method for enabling a user of a first handheld electronic device to connect to a second handheld electronic device, said connection being made using an adapter having a shape of a case for housing said second handheld electronic device, said adapter having a first connector for wired connection to said first handheld electronic device, said adapter having a second connector for wired connection to said second handheld electronic device, said adapter having a coupling part consisting of a structure or component for coupling said adapter to said first handheld electronic device, said second connector part being arranged to connect to a wired connection part of said second handheld electronic device when said second handheld electronic device is housed in said adapter, and said first connector part being arranged to connect to a wired connection part of said first handheld electronic device when said adapter is coupled to said first handheld electronic device using said coupling part; the first connection portion and the second connection portion are wired so that when the adapter is connected to the first handheld electronic device using the connecting portion while the second handheld electronic device is housed in the adapter, the first handheld electronic device and the second handheld electronic device are connected in a wired manner.

9. A handheld camera, wherein the handheld camera is a first handheld electronic device of claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, or claim 7, and is operated by instructions received from a second handheld electronic device of claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, or claim 7 to which it is connected via an adapter of claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, or claim 7.

10. A method for enabling a user of a handheld camera to connect to a second handheld electronic device, wherein the handheld camera is a first handheld electronic device of claim 5, claim 6, or claim 8, and the second handheld electronic device is a second handheld electronic device of claim 5, claim 6, or claim 8, and wherein the method of claim 5, claim 6, or claim 8 simultaneously establishes a wired connection and coupling between the handheld camera and the second handheld electronic device.

11. A handheld camera, wherein the length from the bottom end of the lens module mounting portion of the housing to the bottom of the housing is 15 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and the width of the housing is 100 mm or less, the housing is configured to be able to attach an adapter as defined in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 7, and the adapter connects the handheld camera as a first handheld electronic device as defined in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 7 to a second handheld electronic device as defined in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 7, and when the handheld camera and the second handheld electronic device are projected orthogonally from the subject side along the lens optical axis of the handheld camera in this connected state, part or all of the second handheld electronic device is located behind the housing of the handheld camera.

12. A handheld camera, wherein the length from the bottom end of the lens module mounting portion of the housing to the bottom surface of the housing is 15 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and the width of the housing is 100 mm or less, and the housing is configured so that a second handheld electronic device of claim 10 can be connected to the handheld camera by the method of claim 10, and when the handheld camera and the second handheld electronic device are projected orthogonally from the subject side along the lens optical axis of the handheld camera in the connected state, part or all of the second handheld electronic device is located behind the housing of the handheld camera.

Images